Chapter 564: Top 20: Who Dares?

Zhang Yu felt that something about this situation seemed off, so before he could be sure, he decided not to say much more to them.

Seeing Zhang Yu gradually becoming uncooperative and answering their questions perfunctorily, True Person Xuyang couldn't help but cough.

He said, "Classmate Zhang Yu, the people of the Dual Rest Sect will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, and every single one of them is a habitual liar."

"People like that would do anything for the sake of dual rest."

"No matter what Shui Haiyu said, you'd better not believe it."

Zhang Yu pointed at the school-wide ranking above his head and said flatly, "Gentlemen, I just finished my competition and need some quiet."

"I'm ranked 44th in the school. If you really want to interrogate me, please apply to your superiors first, and then I'll be sure to cooperate."

Yun Yuqing, standing by, snorted coldly and said, "Zhang Yu, investigating the demon cult is a major matter that the Heavenly Court has its eyes on. From top to bottom at Ten Thousand Methods University, whether teachers or students, everyone must cooperate."

"Having a proper talk with you now is giving you a chance. Once we actually take you in for questioning, things won't be up to you."

Zhang Yu said flatly, "Gentlemen, I still need to rest now."

He gestured toward the door with his right hand. "Please."

Seeing that Zhang Yu remained unmoved, Yun Yuqing messaged True Person Xuyang: Captain, what do we do? Can't scare him.

True Person Xuyang replied: This Zhang Yu is way too calm.

Yun Yuqing: What do you mean?

True Person Xuyang: Look at all the suspects we've dealt with—how many of them were as calm as him?

True Person Xuyang: I can't sense any disgust, fear, or anger toward the Dual Rest Sect from him.

True Person Xuyang: In his mouth, the Dual Rest Sect sounds like an ordinary organization.

Yun Yuqing was slightly stunned. Recalling Zhang Yu's performance just now, she was surprised to realize that it was indeed true.

True Person Xuyang: And his words were evasive about Shui Haiyu's issues—he definitely knows something.

Yun Yuqing: So what? He's in the top 50 of the whole school, and he's a disciple of Lord Magnetic Pole. Even though the Artifact Refining Department isn't under our jurisdiction, without leadership approval, we can't do anything to him.

True Person Xuyang: There is definitely something wrong with this Zhang Yu.

Yun Yuqing: How so?

True Person Xuyang: Intuition—the intuition I've built up from arresting hundreds of demon cultists tells me so.

True Person Xuyang: There is definitely something going on with this Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu urged again, "Two gentlemen, aren't you leaving yet?"

True Person Xuyang smiled slightly and said, "I know students in the Artifact Refining Department are always busy—either reading materials or preparing experiments. Classmate Zhang Yu, with your excellent grades, your time must be very precious, right?"

Zhang Yu frowned and said, "What are you trying to say?"

True Person Xuyang continued, "Shui Haiyu sparked a one-hour massive strike at Shanhai Vocational University."

Staring intently at the surprise in Zhang Yu's eyes, True Person Xuyang went on, "This news has been suppressed for now, so not many people know about it."

"Shui Haiyu has already fled. After investigating him, we found that he sent quite a few emails to you."

True Person Xuyang reasoned, "Classmate Zhang Yu, if you could let us check your eye implant to confirm that the data inside hasn't been polluted by the Dual Rest Sect, it would clear your name—that would be a good thing for you."

"If someone gets suspicious and thinks you have shady ties with the Dual Rest Sect, you could end up in the Disciplinary Rest Center for a few months—that would be troublesome for you, wouldn't it?"

Zhang Yu's gaze sharpened. "Are you threatening me?"

True Person Xuyang chuckled lightly. "Classmate Zhang Yu, don't be so resistant. We're only doing this for the school's safety and for your own good."

With the situation unclear, Zhang Yu naturally wouldn't casually hand over his eye implant for them to inspect. Who knew what their real intentions were, or if they would tamper with his eye implant.

Zhang Yu simply pointed at the ranking above his head and said flatly, "See the ranking above my head? If you have any issues, you must apply to your superiors according to the rules, and then notify the director of the Artifact Refining Department at Ten Thousand Methods."

After saying this, the "44th in school" above Zhang Yu's head seemed to swell a bit.

Yun Yuqing said coldly from the side, "Zhang Yu, being in the top 50 of the whole school is impressive, but it doesn't make you untouchable. You're not in the top 20, let alone the top 10. If you're caught up with the demon cult, you'll still be arrested just like anyone else..."

Before Yun Yuqing could finish, Zhang Yu's ranking above his head suddenly began to change.

First, his department-wide ranking jumped, from 13th to 12th, then to 10th, then 8th... eventually stopping at 6th.

Then the school-wide ranking began to flash violently, jumping from 44th to 35th in one breath, then to 21st, and finally flickering until it reached 19th under the shocked gazes of Xuyang Zhenren and Yun Yuqing.

"Top 20 in the entire school?"

Yun Yuqing, watching this, exclaimed, "What did you do? How could your ranking jump so much all at once?"

Zhang Yu glanced at the 19th place above him and said with a slight smile, "When you were in school... did you never win any competition rankings?"

Yun Yuqing was still somewhat incredulous, thinking to herself, "How could it rise this much?!"

Xuyang Zhenren, however, changed his expression slightly and thought, "To jump this much at once, the only possibility is that he took first place among a hundred schools in this design competition."

Xuyang Zhenren stood up. "Congratulations, Student Zhang Yu."

Watching the two leave, Zhang Yu sent another message to Zhang Pianpian, asking for relevant information.

Not long after Xuyang Zhenren and Yun Yuqing left Zhang Yu's room, they both received messages from their superiors.

"Who told you to investigate the 19th-ranked student? Did you follow procedure? Do you have any sense of organizational discipline? Are you trying to rebel?"

Xuyang Zhenren said helplessly, "He wasn't at this ranking even a minute ago."

"Don't give me that. Vice Principal Qiyun just had someone collect materials to prepare a commendation announcement for Zhang Yu's accomplishment of being first among a hundred schools."

"You investigated a student ranked 19th in violation of the rules. Go explain yourselves to the school leadership."