Chapter 512: Opposition

Li Hejun naturally saw the mocking smiles of the crowd, but he did not care.

Wang Longyang also laughed heartily; he naturally had not taken Li Hejun's warning to heart.

His father was a Prefect of a region, and an Upper Commandery Prefect at that.

Even if Xia Yang were still alive, wasn't he still someone he could manipulate at will?

……

A sudden hail of ice fell from the sky.

People on the main street scurried away in all directions.

In front of Tailin Academy, many students were coming and going, holding paper umbrellas.

These students, admiring the new lotus flowers in the lake with leisure and elegance, formed a sharp contrast to the peddlers rushing about in toil.

Lin Chao, wearing a straw raincoat, arrived at Tailin Academy.

"Student Xia Yang of the Qingxu Sect, here to report." Lin Chao handed his identification information to the Deacon handling admissions at the academy.

The Deacon glanced at Xia Yang, a strange look appearing in his eyes: "You should go back."

Lin Chao was slightly stunned.

His academy spot had not yet been processed.

"May I ask, Deacon, is there a problem with my credentials?" Lin Chao continued to ask.

The Deacon looked at Lin Chao askance: "Your spot... has already been taken by someone else."

Upon hearing this, a trace of coldness flashed in Lin Chao's eyes: "I ask the Deacon to explain in detail."

As he spoke, Lin Chao grabbed a handful of broken silver and slipped it into the Deacon's sleeve.

The smile on the Deacon's face became gentle: "Some time ago, someone from your Qingxu Sect came, reported your death, and provided your spot transfer document."

As the Deacon spoke, he entered the room behind him and brought out a contract.

"Look, your personal signature is on it."

"May I ask, Deacon, who provided this contract?" Lin Chao asked again.

"Wu Zunquan." The Deacon had a very good memory. "By the way, the one who took your spot is a young woman named Wu Linxiang. You should be careful; behind her is Wang Longyang, the son of an Upper Commandery Prefect. It is better to treat this matter as a minor one."

This matter was better treated as a minor one.

The commanderies of the Zhenyuan Kingdom are divided into Upper Commandery, Middle Commandery, and Lower Commandery.

An Upper Commandery Prefect counts as a high official with real power.

Even in Kyoto, they are considered well-known figures.

Hearing this, Lin Chao narrowed his eyes: "Many thanks for the information, Deacon."

He would naturally take his spot back.

Watching Lin Chao leave, the Deacon stretched his body.

"It's been a long time since I've seen some fun."

……

Inside the inn, Wu Zunquan was wearing a white robe and looked exceptionally high-spirited.

At this moment, he wore a smile on his face as he looked at the people from the Qingxu Sect and said slowly: "In a few days, it will be the Ten Thousand Flowers Festival. Young Master Wang Longyang has invited some outstanding talents from the academy to enjoy the flowers together, and I am lucky enough to be qualified to participate."

"Wang Longyang specifically gave me three spots; Senior Brother Zhao is undoubtedly getting one."

"As for the remaining two, I wonder who among you would also like to attend this Ten Thousand Flowers Festival?"

The others looked at Wu Zunquan, all showing expressions of envy.

Wu Zunquan was the same as them; they were all new students.

As a result, Wu Zunquan had relied on clinging to Wang Longyang's coattails to make connections with some high-ranking officials and nobles.

In the academy, cultivation is certainly important, but connections are even more important.

With Wu Zunquan's current connections, if he manages them well, a position as a county magistrate upon graduating from the academy is guaranteed.

How could this not make them envious?

"Senior Brother Wu, when you become successful in the future, please don't forget us."

These people flattered him.

In fact, many of them regretted why they hadn't thought of being bolder and selling Xia Yang's spot back then.

Otherwise, perhaps the one entering higher circles now would be them.

Liu Wenli felt exceptionally disdainful in his heart seeing this scene.

Because he had spoken up for Xia Yang before, he was ostracized by Wu Zunquan, and consequently, these Qingxu Sect students at the academy also began to ostracize him.

At this moment, he sat quietly in a corner alone, feeling uneasy in his heart.

However, just at this moment, a clear, resonant voice came.

"Wu Zunquan, was it you who sold my spot?"

Lin Chao appeared in a green robe, a trace of annoyance on his handsome, extraordinary face.

His tone carried a sense of interrogation.

"You... Xia Yang?"

"You didn't die?"

Everyone present showed expressions of shock.

After all, they had watched Xia Yang being taken away by bandits.

Under those circumstances, Xia Yang should have undoubtedly died.

But now, Xia Yang appeared completely unharmed; how could they not be shocked?

A trace of horror also flashed across Zhao Qingyan's face: "Xia Yang, how did you come back?"

Wu Zunquan was even more shocked, his eyes darting away, but after thinking of something, he regained some confidence.

"Xia Yang, you actually came back."

"What, you aren't happy that I'm back?" Lin Chao looked at Wu Zunquan, his eyes filled with coldness, "I need an explanation."

Being questioned like this, anger also rose in Wu Zunquan's heart, and the only trace of guilt he originally had vanished: "You were captured by horse bandits, so we naturally assumed you had no way to survive.

Your quota, if left here, would just be wasted.

Since someone needed it, we just gave it away as a matter of course.

The silver that person gave, we have already sent back to your kin."

"Is that so?" Lin Chao looked at Wu Zunquan, "Then now that I have returned, shouldn't my quota be given back to me?"

"This..." Wu Zunquan felt a bit anxious inside.

Returning it to Xia Yang was absolutely impossible.

If he did that, he would offend Wang Longyang.

"Xia Yang, your quota has already been given to someone else and cannot be taken back," Wu Zunquan said through gritted teeth. "I am very sorry about what happened to you, but the wood is already carved into a boat; it can only be this way."

Lin Chao looked at Wu Zunquan, a smile appearing in his eyes.

Wu Zunquan felt some fear.

After all, Xia Yang had come out of the horse bandits' den alive, so something must have happened.

To the side, Zhao Qingyan, who had been silent the whole time, said: "Xia Yang, since you have returned alive, the quota that belongs to you should certainly still be yours.

But this year's quota is already set, and if we force the issue, we fear we will offend a person of status.

How about this: I will write a letter to my master to reserve a spot for you to join the Academy next year. What do you think?"

Zhao Qingyan did not want to sever the connection with Wang Longyang.

Therefore, at this moment, he stood on Wu Zunquan's side.

Lin Chao narrowed his eyes: "I want to enter the Academy this year. This is my quota, and only I can decide where it goes."

Wu Zunquan, standing to the side, saw that Zhao Qingyan was also speaking for him, and his confidence grew even more: "Your quota was given to you by the Qingxu Sect in the first place!"

However, just as he finished speaking, Lin Chao's cold, gloomy gaze locked onto him.

"Noisy!"

Lin Chao moved his leg directly, and before anyone could react, he kicked Wu Zunquan flying.

"Senior Brother Wu!" Many people went up to support Wu Zunquan.

The others looked at Lin Chao, their eyes filled with expressions of anger.

They shared a common hatred and glared at Lin Chao.

It was as if Lin Chao were the one looking for trouble.

Zhao Qingyan's eyes also turned cold: "Xia Yang, now that you've finished venting... is it enough?"

Hearing this, Lin Chao revealed a smile in his eyes.

"Naturally, it is not enough."

(End of this chapter)