Chinese Superman

Chapter 178 Too much rigidity leads to breakage? This shows it's still not rigid enough.

"Qiao Chunxia, ​​a student from Class 6 of Senior Three, should come to the Academic Affairs Office immediately after hearing the announcement."

The school broadcast repeated the message.

The Academic Affairs Office?!

Qiao Chunxia's heart tightened, and the pen in her hand fell to the table with a "clatter".

Although her grades were average, she was a truly good student in terms of conduct. She was never late or left early, and she never went against the teachers, so she never had to go to the office for a chat.

Being suddenly called out for "tea" made Qiao Chunxia panic, and she subconsciously asked in her mind, "Grandpa Ring!"

"Has the truth come out?! They found out about me so quickly?!"

"Don't panic."

Xia Xinghan remained calm and composed, saying, "Take a deep breath and calm yourself down. It might not be that matter, and even if it is, they would never have any evidence pointing to you. Just handle it normally, nothing will happen."

The history teacher on the podium was also stunned for a moment, then looked at Qiao Chunxia and nodded: "Qiao, go ahead."

Qiao Chunxia took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and stood up.

Under the watchful eyes of her classmates, she lowered her head and quickly walked out of the classroom.

The moment the door closed, the classroom erupted in a commotion.

"Qiao Chunxia was summoned to the disciplinary office? That's unusual!"

"What did she do wrong? She's usually so quiet."

"Could it be... what happened last night? I saw Qiao Chunxia get into a suspicious car yesterday."

"Tsk tsk, for the Academic Affairs Office to call roll over the loudspeaker, it must be something big."

"Serves her right! She always acts so high and mighty!"

The entrance to the teaching affairs office.

Qiao Chunxia could already see several people sitting inside through the glass window.

There was Teacher He, the homeroom teacher of Class 6, the stern-faced dean of students, and two armed men in black uniforms!

The one holding the weapon is equivalent to the "hat uncle" in peacetime!

So the truth really came out?!

Her heart started pounding again, and her palms instantly became sweaty.

"It's just a minor disturbance, nothing to worry about. Take a deep breath and go inside," Xia Xinghan said with a smile.

Qiao Chunxia took another deep breath, raised her hand, and knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

She pushed the door open and entered.

Four pairs of eyes in the office fell on her at once, making her feel like she was being pricked by needles, especially the two men wielding weapons, whose sharp gazes seemed to pierce through her heart.

"Teacher He, Director—" Qiao Chunxia greeted softly, her voice a little strained.

The class teacher, Ms. He, was a middle-aged woman who was usually quite kind to Qiao Chunxia. However, her expression was somewhat serious at this moment. She nodded to Qiao Chunxia and said, "Qiao Chunxia, ​​these two are comrades from the Weapon wielders management bureau. They have some questions for you. Just answer truthfully and don't be nervous."

The head of the teaching department kept a straight face and didn't say anything.

One of the older men, with a square face, stood up, forced a smile that was neither warm nor stern, and showed his identification.

"You must be Qiao Chunxia? I'm Yan from the Inspection Team of the Ancheng Weapon Management Bureau."

"This is my colleague, his surname is Li."

"Don't be nervous, it's just routine questioning to get some information. We'll ask where you went after school last night and if you know anything about Li Yaozong. Just answer truthfully and don't lie."

He paused, then added, "We brought artifacts that can detect whether someone is lying, so we hope you will be honest."

Qiao Chunxia's heart sank.

"Don't be fooled by them." Xia Xinghan's voice immediately rang in her mind, tinged with disdain. "They didn't bring any lie detector artifacts at all, and even if they did, they wouldn't be of any use to me."

"Just answer truthfully, but don't bring up details about my existence or the dungeon unless they ask for specifics. Answer only what is asked; too much talk leads to mistakes."

With the "old man's" reassurance, Qiao Chunxia calmed down a bit and nodded: "Okay, I will definitely cooperate."

What followed was a long and detailed questioning session.

Two people holding the instruments took turns asking questions, while another person quickly took notes.

Where did you go after school last night?

"Did you go straight home? Did you run into anyone on the way?"

"Are you familiar with Li Yaozong? What's your relationship like?"

"Do you know what Li Yaozong's plans were after school yesterday?"

"Some classmates reported that Li Yaozong stopped you at the classroom door yesterday after school. What did you say to each other?"

Do you know "Wild Dog Alley" and "Goblin Mine"?

"Did you go there last night?"

"Your cultivation level is at the third level of the Mortal Transformation Realm? What martial arts techniques do you possess?"

"Do you usually engage in combat training? Where?"

One question after another, some sharp, some seemingly casual but actually containing hidden traps.

Following Xia Xinghan's instructions, Qiao Chunxia answered most of the questions truthfully.

This includes donating blood after school, visiting his mother in the hospital, playing a game, and finally going home.

As for how Li Yaozong and the others died.

What does Wu Zu's substitution have to do with Qiao Chunxia?

Qiao Chunxia also did not hide her encounter with Li Yaozong, nor their threats to her.

As for how Li Yaozong and the others died?

Of course, he was killed by a mysterious master who came to his aid when he saw injustice.

The man holding the weapon asked the mysterious master what he looked like.

Qiao Chunxia followed Xia Xinghan's instructions directly. The other party was shrouded in a layer of cloud, like a veil of mist, making it impossible to see his shape and appearance.

Captain Yan immediately exchanged a glance with the man surnamed Li who was wielding the weapon.

The man surnamed Li wrote the four characters "素纱禅衣" (plain silk robe) on the notebook, and then added a question mark after it.

"Oh, right, the mysterious person also said something."

"What did you say?"

"Watch closely, this sword strike is going to be really cool!"

'

'

Anyway, according to Xia Xinghan, there is no surveillance or evidence in the [Dungeon], so the weapon wielders can interrogate them however they want, and everything Qiao Chunxia said is true.

She didn't actually kill the person.

The entire questioning process lasted for almost a class period.

The two men carrying the weapons asked very detailed questions, but they didn't seem to be targeting anyone specifically; it was more like a broad screening.

Finally, when the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class, the questioning came to a close.

The older, stern enforcer closed the notebook and nodded to Qiao Chunxia: "Okay, Qiao, thank you for your cooperation."

That concludes today's questions. We will contact you again if needed. You can go back to class now.

Qiao Chunxia breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you, sir." Then she looked at her homeroom teacher and the dean of students.

The homeroom teacher nodded and said, "Go back and pay attention in class."

Qiao Chunxia turned around and quickly left the teaching office.

It wasn't until she stepped out of the office building and was bathed in the spring sunshine that she realized her back was soaked with cold sweat.

Inside the office.

Class teacher Wang He asked worriedly, "Captain Yan, Captain Li, Qiao Chunxia—will she be alright? This child is excellent in both character and academics, honest in character, just comes from a poor family, but she is very sensible, she should be fine—"

The officer in charge shook his head, his tone calm: "Teacher He, don't worry, this is just a routine statement taking. Li Yaozong and his companions were murdered in the Goblin Mine. We are currently investigating anyone who may have had contact or conflict with them last night. Qiao Chunxia had contact with Li Yaozong and left the school around the same time, which falls within the scope of normal questioning."

He paused, then added, "However, based on the information we have so far and the questions we just asked, the possibility that Qiao Chunxia is the murderer is extremely low."

"Given her cultivation level, martial arts skills, and physical condition, she could not possibly be the murderer who killed Li Yaozong, Zheng Feng, and their group. The murderer would at least be at the Innate Realm and possess extremely rich combat experience. Qiao Chunxia—clearly does not fit the bill."

How could a martial apprentice with strength at most at the first level of the Transcendent Realm kill several experts, including a high-level martial artist at the fifth level of the Transcendent Realm, in one move?

He's more like a Grand Martial Master at the Innate Realm.

Li, the weapon wielder beside her, nodded in agreement: "Indeed. Moreover, her emotional reactions and logical responses were basically normal, with no obvious flaws. This lead can basically be ruled out."

The homeroom teacher and the dean of students both breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. As long as it wasn't one of their students who committed a serious murder.

When Qiao Chunxia returned to the classroom of Senior Three (6), the noisy discussion suddenly quieted down.

Under the watchful eyes of the entire class, she silently returned to her seat.

She could feel countless eyes following her, filled with speculation, curiosity, and mockery.

A moment later, hushed whispers filled the classroom again.

"See? They took so long, there must be something wrong!"

"I heard even the officials in charge of weapons have arrived; this can't be a small matter, can it?"

"I heard from the class next door that Li Yaozong seems to have gotten into trouble and hasn't come to school! Could it be related to Qiao Chunxia?"

"Who knows?"

"Then why call her separately? She must have done something shady!"

Several girls who were usually jealous of Qiao Chunxia's looks or who were close to Li Yaozong's circle gathered in the back row. Their voices were not loud, but loud enough for people nearby to hear clearly, and they deliberately looked at Qiao Chunxia.

"Do you guys think—could it be that kind of thing?"

A girl with heavy makeup deliberately drawled, "I heard that some girls from poor families, for money, will go outside—"

"Compensated dating?"

Another girl immediately chimed in, her voice laced with malicious excitement, "Very likely! Her dad's dead, and her mom's in the hospital like a vegetable, costing money every day! Where will she get the money? Is government subsidies enough?"

"Exactly! And have you noticed? After school, she never plays with us; she always sneaks off alone!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I also saw her get into a legitimate private car once, at the entrance of an alley outside the school! I thought it was strange at the time!"

"Tsk tsk, I never expected that. She always acts like such a pure and innocent student, but behind your back—she's really dirty!"

"This kind of person should be expelled! Don't let them pollute our school's atmosphere!"

Rumors spread like venomous snakes throughout the classroom.

Many students who were unaware of the truth looked at him with a mixture of disdain, curiosity, and sympathy.

Qiao Chunxia sat in her seat, her fingers turning white from gripping the pen so tightly.

A "click" sound.

She broke the ballpoint pen in her grip.

She lowered her head, looking at the blurry words in her textbook, feeling a heavy, aching weight in her chest.

Humiliation, anger, and grievance—a mix of emotions made her tremble slightly.

She wanted to explain, but that would only embolden them.

Qiao Chunxia could only endure it, suppressing all her emotions and pretending not to hear, just like countless times before.

"Aren't you angry that they're spreading these dirty rumors about you?" Xia Xinghan's voice echoed in my mind, his tone unreadable.

Qiao Chunxia answered bitterly in her heart: "Angry—how could I not be angry? But what's the use of being angry? Argue with them? Fight? Then get a demerit, or even be expelled? I'm about to take the college entrance exam, and my mom is waiting for me—it's better to avoid trouble. Just bear with it, and it will pass."

"Be patient?"

Xia Xinghan suddenly laughed, "You ask me what kind of person the Martial Ancestor is? Now I can tell you responsibly that, in my understanding, he is a person who is vengeful and cannot tolerate any injustice."

Qiao Chunxia was taken aback.

Xia Xinghan's voice continued: "What is the purpose of practicing martial arts? To strengthen the body? To protect the weak? These are all correct. But more importantly, it's about giving yourself the confidence and ability to not tolerate being treated poorly! If you practice martial arts but still have to swallow your pride like a weakling, letting petty people slander and bully you, then what's the point of practicing martial arts?"

A martial artist should be strong!

It's too rigid and easily breaks, which means it's not rigid enough!

"But----"

"No buts." Xia Xinghan interrupted her, his tone resolute. "Give me control of your body."

"Huh? Grandpa Ring, what are you doing?" Qiao Chunxia exclaimed in surprise.

"Give it to me and you'll know."

Today, I'll show you what the "Martial Ancestor style" is all about. And while I'm at it, I'll also teach you a lesson—

The best way to deal with malice is not to avoid it, nor to tolerate it, but to crush it with absolute force!

Qiao Chunxia bit her lip. After hearing Xia Xinghan's words, a long-suppressed anger and resentment rose up in her heart.

"Grandpa, my body—I'm entrusting it to you!"

She closed her eyes, relaxing her body and mind.

The back row of the classroom.

The girls were still excitedly making up even more disgusting details.

The rumors thus became more and more believable.

It's as if doing so gives them some kind of twisted sense of superiority.

Sudden-

"Bang!"

A loud slamming sound rang out.

Suddenly, Qiao Chunxia, ​​who had been keeping her head down like a quail, stood up!

The movement was so swift that it even knocked over a chair, making a screeching sound.

The whole class fell silent instantly, and all eyes were on her.

Qiao Chunxia slowly turned around, her face no longer showing the numbness or forbearance of the past, but instead a cold and sharp anger.

It's like an ice volcano about to erupt!

Her gaze was sharp as lightning, locking onto the girls spreading rumors in the back row, and she strode over to them.

His pace was not fast, but each step was exceptionally steady, carrying an invisible pressure.

The girls felt uneasy under her gaze, but emboldened by their numbers and the fact that they were at school, one of the leaders forced herself to remain calm, raised her chin, and shrieked, "Qiao Chunxia, ​​what are you doing? Who are you trying to scare? You did something wrong, and now you can't even let people talk about it?"

To seize the initiative?

Xia Xinghan was always one to take action rather than waste words.

It's not too late to start trash-talking after you've finished beating people up.

"Snap"

A crisp, pleasant slap echoed through the classroom.