Chapter 39: Her Simp

The moment the kitten lunged, Xie Jili moved in perfect unison, executing a lock and takedown that sent Qiu Xu crashing to the ground.

It was fortunate that Xie Jili had acted in time.

Nian Tu had not seen it clearly, but the exceptional dynamic vision of the males nearby was enough to capture everything that had happened in that fleeting instant. That white cat had been vicious enough to strike directly at the throat, with a speed that was truly terrifying. The military academy students asked themselves honestly if they could have dodged that attack, and they could not help but break into a cold sweat, their gazes towards the cat shifting to one of profound wariness.

"Is that... a cat?"
"What breed is it? That speed is just too fast..."
"It can't be a cat; it must be a Beastman!"
"I think so too! It must be at least S-rank!"

If Xie Jili had not intervened simultaneously, causing the cat’s strike to miss, Qiu Xu would likely have been bleeding on the spot. Of course, even as it was, his state was hardly any better. Being beaten down in public by Xie Jili and thrown heavily to the ground, he had been completely helpless from start to finish. Qiu Xu scrambled to his feet using his hands and feet, his head hanging low, consumed by a shame so profound it felt like death.

This was the second time he had tasted such humiliation at the hands of Xie Jili. The reason he had harbored a grudge against Xie Jili in the first place was precisely because Xie Jili had been "unwise" during a one-on-one assessment in a certain class, refusing to fake a loss and instead trampling his pride into dust in front of everyone.

Qiu Xu gritted his teeth. Even though Xie Jili had technically saved him this time, he felt no gratitude. Adding new grudges to the old, he glared at Xie Jili with resentment and suddenly sneered, "Looking at the way you protect her, you really look like a dog!"

"She's just a commoner female with no mental power," he spat, his voice laced with jealousy. "Only a lowly pauper like you would play the sycophant for a female like that!"

Though these words were spoken in a fit of rage, they were Qiu Xu’s true thoughts regarding Nian Tu. As Xie Jili’s arch-rival, Qiu Xu had naturally not missed the "good news" of Xie Jili’s public breakdown some time ago, which was how he had first taken notice of Nian Tu. Even though he admitted that Nian Tu was indeed somewhat cute, a female who was merely cute but lacked mental power did not fall within the dating criteria of a noble male. While the ratio of females to males in the Empire was indeed skewed, the elite classes never lacked females. As a powerful aristocrat, Qiu Xu was destined to have a high-ranking female as his mate.

And yet, no matter how strong Xie Jili was, he was only fit to have a female without mental power!

Qiu Xu finally found a sense of superiority in front of Xie Jili, venting his emotions recklessly. He looked at Xie Jili with contempt before turning his lecherous gaze toward Nian Tu. "Abandon him and keep me company instead, how about it? I can give you so much." Even though he only intended to play with Nian Tu and had no intention of forming a permanent bond, the benefits he could provide would far exceed anything Xie Jili could offer. "Being with a low-life male like this, what can he give you? He... ugh!"

A pebble whistled through the air from afar, striking him square on the shoulder. Qiu Xu staggered, letting out a cry of pain. He turned his head in fury, wanting to see which blind fool had dared—

"P-Professor Li..."

The torrent of abuse died on his lips, and he offered a sheepish, awkward greeting. The old professor did not buy it and glared at him. The group of veteran professors had not been successfully held back by Lu Zhan; they had come in a formidable force to collect Nian Tu, only to stumble upon this scene. Every one of them was fuming, their faces creased with extra wrinkles of indignation. Which department did this student belong to? He was a disgrace to their Imperial Military Academy!

The area fell into silence as Lu Zhan walked quickly toward Nian Tu. He knelt on one knee, reaching out to straighten the hem of the young female’s skirt, which had become disheveled in the panic. With a look of repentance, he pressed his forehead gently against the back of her hand. "I’m late..."

When Qiu Xu saw this, he looked like a chicken whose neck had been wrung; he could no longer make a sound. Recalling the words he had just spoken, his face turned deathly pale. Why was Lu Zhan here?! Right, he had forgotten—Lu Zhan was also one of Nian Tu’s males. The insults and attacks he had hurled at Xie Jili could just as easily be aimed at Lu Zhan. After all, like Xie Jili, Lu Zhan was also what he called a "low-life male," and having come from a trash planet, his origins were even humbler than Xie Jili’s.

Qiu Xu could not help but shiver. He dared to provoke Xie Jili, but he absolutely dared not provoke Lu Zhan to his face. Lu Zhan had once been a notoriously ruthless figure at the Imperial Military Academy. Back then, he too had been bullied for his low status, but he was not one to suffer in silence like Xie Jili. The most massive brawl in the history of the Imperial Military Academy had been led by Lu Zhan.

The bookish medical student, once he rolled up his sleeves, became the embodiment of violence. His white coat stained with blood, he had beaten several noble scions so severely they had to be rushed to the emergency room. Yet, because he was a medical student, he had precisely calculated the force to ensure he didn't kill anyone or incur any criminal charges; he had only received a moderate disciplinary action because the commotion was too great. The fact that he could maintain a terrifying calm in the midst of extreme violence was what made Lu Zhan so chilling.

The old professors accompanying Lu Zhan clearly remembered the brutal incident involving their prize student. One after another, they hurriedly held Lu Zhan back, preventing him from transitioning from his current calm appearance to an immediate physical assault. Student brawls were not considered a major issue, but a faculty member assaulting a student was a different matter entirely. Lu Zhan had just started his position; there was no need to ruin his bright future for the sake of someone like this. Problems could be solved without resorting to violence.

Professor Li kept a stern face and said coldly, "I will speak with the dean of their college and demand a strict review of the students' moral character. A student like this will certainly receive the punishment he deserves!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the training grounds erupted in noise. Most students applauded the move. Qiu Xu was a typical caricature of a spoiled noble brat—relying on the protection of his ancestors, he was arrogant and overbearing, sitting on unearned privileges and taking them for granted. Listen to the garbage he had spewed! So what if someone was a commoner? So what if they lacked mental power? Attacking a fellow student based on status was bad enough, but he had dared to mock a female! He clearly treated the laws of the Empire as nothing.

"Take the rest of the day off; come back to work tomorrow," Professor Li, who was the current dean of the medical school, said with a wave of his hand, granting Lu Zhan leave. When he looked at Nian Tu, his wrinkled old face softened into a kind smile. He then urged Lu Zhan, "Go back and keep your little female company; don't let her be unhappy." He hoped the young female wouldn't harbor a bad impression of the Imperial Military Academy because of today’s events.

Several old professors took the initiative to add Nian Tu as a contact, even queuing up politely and carefully, not daring to crowd her for fear of startling her. Nian Tu was flattered and overwhelmed.

Qiu Xu, meanwhile, was in a state of pure terror. The reason he had dared to offend Nian Tu was that she was a commoner with no mental power; he hadn't believed anyone of significance would back her. But looking at the current situation, these highly respected, prestigious old professors were showing such deep regard for Nian Tu, clearly signaling they would support her to the end. These old men held up half the sky of the Empire’s medical field; even if the Qiu family weren't just minor nobles, even the royal family would have to treat these professors with the utmost respect!

Qiu Xu huddled there, gray and shrinking, trying his best to make himself invisible.