Chapter 153: Impeachment

Holy Void Star Academy, Jin Dian.

This place was the seat of the academy's highest authority; only Purple Light Mentors and a few deeply senior Gold Light Mentors were qualified to deliberate here and decide on major academy matters.

Vice Dean Su Xin's office was located within Jin Dian.

And at this moment, Vice Dean Su Xin, looking at Jiang Jiang Qinge who had come before her and listening to her impeachment of Shen Shen Jinxiao, felt a faint headache coming on.

Beside Jiang Jiang Qinge stood a middle-aged woman with a head of red hair, a stern face that instinctively inspired fear.

This was Jiang Jiang Qinge's current mentor, named Tutor Huo Xu, known for her explosive temper.

"Su Xin, that bastard Shen Shen Jinxiao is getting more and more out of hand. If you can't deal with him, hand him over to me — I'll crush his eggs for him!" The middle-aged woman named Tutor Huo Xu, with her brows bristling upward, said harshly.

Hearing such vulgarity pushed to the extreme, Vice Dean Su Xin could not help but be caught between tears and laughter, and could only soothe: "Tutor Huo Xu, there's no need for such anger. Let's wait until Mentor Shen Shen Jinxiao arrives, then we can confront him."

Tutor Huo Xu gave a cold snort and said no more.

Jiang Jiang Qinge, however, nodded lightly and said: "Sorry to trouble you, Vice Dean."

Vice Dean Su Xin shook her head, exchanged a few gentle words with Jiang Jiang Qinge, and then saw the door pushed open as Shen Shen Jinxiao walked in with a smile.

"Vice Dean." Shen Shen Jinxiao smiled at Vice Dean Su Xin.

Vice Dean Su Xin gave a slight nod and went straight to the point: "I presume you already know the reason for this. Jiang Jiang Qinge impeaches you for... moral corruption, lack of impartiality, using personal bias to obstruct students' cultivation."

Shen Shen Jinxiao smiled helplessly and said: "Those are quite the accusations."

"But... since when can an ordinary student of Holy Void Star Academy directly impeach a Purple Light Mentor here at the Vice Dean's office? I recall this process requires a resolution passed by Jin Dian, doesn't it?"

"Shen Shen Jinxiao, you're as sly and snide as ever. Besides, Jiang Qinge is no longer an ordinary student — she is now a preparatory member of the academy's Seven Star Pillars. By year's end she will formally begin competing for the Seven Star Pillar title." Tutor Huo Xu said with a cold laugh.

Shen Shen Jinxiao paused slightly. The Seven Star Pillars of Holy Void Star Academy were the highest achievement title a student could earn; once obtained, one's status was equal to that of a Purple Light Mentor, granting certain deliberative rights within the academy. And if Jiang Jiang Qinge had become a Seven Star Pillar candidate, she was indeed distinguished from ordinary students.

However, the primary condition for competing for the Seven Star Pillars was that one must have stepped into the Tiangang General Stage, and could Jiang Jiang Qinge really step into that realm this year? One had to know that all the current Seven Star Pillar holders had basically only begun competing for this glorious position after entering the Four Star Court.

"Student Jiang Qinge is truly gifted beyond compare — still in the Three Star Court, yet already possessing the strength to compete for the Seven Star Pillars." Shen Shen Jinxiao's thoughts turned, and he praised with a look of admiration.

"But Student Jiang Qinge's grounds for impeachment truly leave me unable to comprehend." He shook his head.

Jiang Jiang Qinge said calmly: "Mentor Shen Shen Jinxiao's conduct toward Li Luo during the Mentor Selection Tournament already amounts to targeted persecution, and now taking away the 'Twelve-Section Brocade' makes one suspect your behavior on this front is only deepening. That is why I say you have no impartiality."

"The matter at the Mentor Selection Tournament was only meant to draw out Li Luo's true strength, and if not for my actions, how could he have drawn four Purple Light Mentors scrambling for him?"

Shen Shen Jinxiao said unhurriedly: "As for the Twelve-Section Brocade, that really is a coincidence. I've been doing some research on it lately, which is why I took the technique away — I didn't mean to target anyone."

"And I even left a message that any student in need could come discuss it with me directly. For Student Jiang Qinge to come straight here to the Vice Dean to impeach me without distinguishing right from wrong — isn't that making a mountain out of a molehill?"

"Shen Shen Jinxiao, do you really think no one knows what's in that gut of yours? Isn't it just because Jiang Qinge dissolved the relationship between you back then, and you've been nursing a grudge ever since?" Tutor Huo Xu said furiously.

"With that petty, small-minded heart of yours, you're fit to mentor students?"

Shen Shen Jinxiao's brow furrowed. This Huo Xu was as vulgar as ever — no wonder the male mentors in the academy all avoided her.

Vice Dean Su Xin rubbed her brow. This kind of matter was already somewhat unsightly to begin with, so where would she want to drag it to a formal meeting? If it could be resolved privately, that would be the best outcome.

"Mentor Shen Shen Jinxiao, the Twelve-Section Brocade holds no great research value for you. I suggest you let it go for now — it won't take long anyway." Vice Dean Su Xin said.

Shen Shen Jinxiao smiled and said: "Since the Vice Dean has spoken, naturally I should hand it over."

"But... as you know, the freshmen's first monthly exam is coming up soon. As one of the people in charge of the freshmen, I took this item, intending to use it as an extra reward for first place in this monthly exam."

"Heh, this is coming out of my own pocket, mind you."

Shen Shen Jinxiao smiled with a hint of apology and said: "But rest assured, after the monthly exam ends, if the team that takes first place says they don't need this item, I'll return it to the exchange office, and Student Jiang Jiang Qinge can exchange for it then."

Vice Dean Su Xin looked deeply at Shen Shen Jinxiao. These words were clearly a polite refusal of her mediation — it seemed Shen Shen Jinxiao's obsession ran deeper than she had imagined.

And at this point, mediation was basically useless.

Even as Vice Dean, she could not forcibly compel a Purple Light Mentor to do anything, and strictly speaking, Shen Shen Jinxiao's conduct might be unfair, but it still fell within his authority.

Whether it was taking the Twelve-Section Brocade or using it as an extra reward for the monthly exam.

"Shen Shen Jinxiao, don't push people too far." Tutor Huo Xu's voice actually grew calm at this point, but Vice Dean Su Xin, who knew her temperament well, understood that this was instead a sign she was about to explode.

Shen Shen Jinxiao wore a smile, seemingly unbothered.

But just as Tutor Huo Xu was about to erupt, Jiang Jiang Qinge reached out and held her back, then said to Vice Dean Su Xin: "Since this is how things stand, let's leave it here for now. Thank you, Vice Dean."

Once the words fell, she did not linger, turned and led Tutor Huo Xu away. From start to finish, she had never once looked at Shen Shen Jinxiao.

After the two departed, Vice Dean Su Xin rubbed her brow, gazed at Shen Shen Jinxiao, and said: "Mentor Shen Shen Jinxiao, our Holy Void Star Academy does not hold certain worldly notions. If you truly harbor feelings of fondness for Jiang Jiang Qinge, then pursue her openly and honorably. These underhanded tactics of yours only make you seem lacking in grace."

"And they will not have the slightest effect on Jiang Jiang Qinge — they will only anger her."

"You are indeed a Marquis-ranked powerhouse now, but do you think it will take Jiang Jiang Qinge much time to reach this stage? If one day Jiang Jiang Qinge's strength surpasses yours, how will you conduct yourself then?"

Shen Shen Jinxiao's gaze shifted slightly, then he gave a faint smile and offered no comment.

"If the Vice Dean has nothing else, then I'll take my leave as well." He cupped his fist toward Vice Dean Su Xin, then turned and left.

Vice Dean Su Xin watched his departing back, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Shen Shen Jinxiao, what exactly are you after, being so obsessed with Jiang Jiang Qinge?