Everyone was startled and quickly turned to look. Who else could have fallen to the ground but that dark-skinned youth? The two youths beside him were shocked and hurriedly checked on him, discovering he had already lost consciousness.
They immediately turned around, glaring at Su Yu, and said sternly, "You've caused trouble now. Do you even know who he is?"
Keke, standing next to Su Yu, also paled and said, "That guy is a member of the royal family. You've stirred up trouble this time."
Juzi's eyes flickered with uncertainty, clearly never expecting things to escalate like this. Su Yu, however, didn't seem to care at all. He had anticipated this outcome before the fight even began. The guy looked like a lump of coal; how could Su Yu not recognize him? But he wasn't going to indulge this guy. So what if he was royalty? Did Su Yu look like someone who wouldn't dare hit him?
What a joke.
Su Yu gathered his belongings, not sparing the others a glance, and turned to leave. At that moment, the two youths with the dark-skinned one exchanged a glance and then blocked Su Yu's path.
"You caused trouble, and you're still thinking of leaving?"
"Wait until the imperial guard comes to punish you!" one of them said coldly. They weren't going to let Su Yu go; if he left, they'd be the ones in trouble.
Su Yu raised an eyebrow slightly and said indifferently, "Good dogs don't block the way. Do you two want to get hit as well?"
"Hitting a royal family member, and you still dare to act so arrogant?"
The other youth laughed in disbelief. He had never seen someone this brazen. Did Su Yu know where he was? This was the Sun Moon Empire. The person he just hit was a member of the Sun Moon royal family. And after hitting a royal in the Sun Moon Empire, he still dared to act so wildly? It was like he had a death wish.
"Let's not forget that he attacked me first. I was just defending myself. And even if I did hit him, so what?"
Su Yu glanced at the two youths and said, "If you don't move aside, I'll make sure you end up just like him."
"You… you're too arrogant!"
"Arrogance requires skill, and I just happen to have it."
Su Yu smirked and took a step forward. Intimidated by Su Yu's aura, the two youths didn't dare stop him.
"Do you have the guts to leave your name?" one of them shouted unwillingly as Su Yu reached the classroom door.
"Su Yu."
A faint voice echoed as Su Yu's figure disappeared. But that single name left everyone in the classroom stunned.
"He's Su Yu?"
Juzi's pupils contracted. Was this the academy's once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy? The student who was specially approved by Illustrious Virtue Hall to enter as long as he advanced to a Level 5 Soul Engineer?
Juzi was shocked. A genius like him was sitting right next to her?
"Wow, Juzi, did you hear that? He's Su Yu! He's in our class!"
Keke was both surprised and delighted, bouncing up and down as she grabbed Juzi.
"Not only is he handsome, but he's also such a genius. Wow, I love him!"
Keke clasped her hands to her face, hearts practically floating in her eyes. Juzi helplessly tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, "Alright, Keke, there's no way either of us could be with him. Don't get any ideas."
"Why not? Am I not cute?"
Keke tilted her head, striking a pose that made several male students in the class dazed.
"You're cute, but... ugh, forget it."
"But even if he's Su Yu and highly valued by the academy, he might still be in some trouble this time."
Juzi shook her head.
Hearing this, Keke frowned, a trace of annoyance flashing in her eyes. These spoiled brats from the royal family were truly unbearable. But unfortunately, they were all nobles—not easy to deal with.
"Juzi, what should we do?"
Keke asked worriedly. Such a handsome guy—was he going to be in trouble?
Juzi was also a bit troubled. This incident was partly connected to her. After all, the one who got beaten up was one of her suitors. He had probably tried to impress her by picking a fight with Su Yu, only to end up getting schooled instead.
"I don't know. I just hope he can get through this."
Juzi bit her lip, feeling helpless. She was in a weak position herself unless she asked that person for help. But although she relied on that person, she was deeply wary—even fearful—of him. That man had a twisted possessiveness over her. A man who was ruined inside, with a darkness in his heart that was unimaginable. Unless necessary, she didn't want to interact with him.
Besides, she and Su Yu had only just met. While she felt a bit sorry for him, she didn't think it was serious enough to risk everything and ask for help. And with the academy's protection, Su Yu's life wouldn't be in danger, right? Juzi thought to herself.
"Huh?"
Keke was disappointed by Juzi's response. But what could they do? Su Yu had offended a royal family member!
That was the royal family!
Keke and Juzi exchanged glances, both letting out a sigh.
...
Compared to Keke and Juzi's concern, Su Yu himself didn't care at all.
The Sun Moon royal family? They might be nobles in Juzi's and other Sun Moon Empire citizens' eyes, but to him, they were nothing.
He didn't despise soul beasts or humans, but a royal family's collusion with evil soul masters, spreading death and destruction.
If given the chance, Su Yu wouldn't mind wiping out the entire Sun Moon royal family. If in the original story, Huo Yuhao had blown up the royal family instead, Su Yu wouldn't have criticized him; he would have given him two big thumbs up.
Su Yu casually returned to the dormitory as if nothing had happened. Not long after, Wang Dong'er also came back. Just after finishing lunch and thinking about taking a rest, someone from the academy came and summoned Su Yu.
Su Yu made his way to the principal's office, where he found Jing Hongchen leisurely sipping tea with his legs crossed.
Hearing the door, Jing Hongchen glanced up, his mouth twitching.
"Come in!" he said grumpily.
Su Yu stepped in with a cheeky grin.
"Hall Master!"
"Cut the crap."
Jing Hongchen put down his teacup, looking at Su Yu with a mixture of irritation and amusement.
"Su Yu, you are something. On the first day of school, you've already knocked someone out. Do you even know who you hit?"
"That was a member of the royal family. You've got guts, kid. You'll do anything!"
Just a few days ago, Jing Hongchen had felt a bit guilty about misunderstanding Su Yu and had even thought about compensating him. But now, on the very first day, Su Yu had caused trouble by knocking out a royal. What compensation? It would be a miracle if Su Yu didn't get punished!
"Hall Master, you know me."
Su Yu put on an innocent expression.
"Would I ever hit someone unprovoked? It was that guy who hit me first. What could I do? I couldn't just let him hit me. My upbringing doesn't allow me to take a hit without fighting back. And I only gave him a light kick. Who knew he couldn't handle it?"
Jing Hongchen: "..."
You knock someone out and then say they couldn't handle it? Is that even human logic?
Jing Hongchen was both amused and exasperated. This kid was something else.
Skipping classes for months could still be excused, but now he had hit someone. There was no talking his way out of this. But that royal family member wasn't blameless either. Su Yu hadn't provoked him, so why was he causing trouble? Did he think everyone feared the royal family?
Su Yu wasn't some pushover raised in luxury. Did they think he'd just take it? And those royal brats, causing trouble in the Royal Soul Engineering Academy—did they think they didn't have to respect the authority of Illustrious Virtue Hall's master? This was Jing Hongchen's territory!
Jing Hongchen was also annoyed with those royal brats. From a personal standpoint, he was definitely on Su Yu's side.
First, Su Yu had a deep background and significant influence. In this world, power and connections matter. A regular royal getting hit was no big deal. But if Su Yu was wronged, Jing Hongchen suspected the palace might be attacked that very night.
While royal power was mighty, this was a world of the strong, and not everyone respected royalty. The Ice God Hall's power made it equal to Shrek Academy, capable of dealing with the empire on equal terms. Su Yu was the heir to the Ice God Hall, essentially the equivalent of an imperial crown prince. His status wasn't something an ordinary royal could compare to.
Second, Su Yu himself was important. Su Yu was practically the future grandson-in-law Jing Hongchen had his eye on, virtually family to him. And you dared bully someone in the Hall Master's territory? You've got some nerve!
So from any angle, Jing Hongchen would protect Su Yu. He had only called Su Yu over to give him a little warning, to tell him to keep a low profile and stop stirring up trouble. But judging from Su Yu's expression, Jing Hongchen knew the kid hadn't taken any of it to heart.
"Alright, enough nonsense. You did hit someone this time, no denying that. According to reports, your kick wasn't light. That royal member likely has a concussion and some fractured ribs. Can't you hold back a bit?"
Jing Hongchen sighed. It was one thing to hit someone, but knocking them into a hospital bed? That was a bit too much. The royal family was fuming.
"Hall Master, I did hold back. Otherwise, he'd be dead by now."
For once, Su Yu was genuinely innocent. He did hold back. At full strength, his punches and kicks could exceed 60,000 pounds of force. If he hadn't held back, that guy would have been a pile of mush. He had already restrained 90% of his power. Could they still blame him?
Jing Hongchen: "..."
Did this even count as holding back? So not killing him was considered holding back? Jing Hongchen was speechless but deeply impressed.
"Enough with the excuses. The royal family wants to throw you in prison. What do you think about that?"
Jing Hongchen had already received word that the royal family wanted to imprison Su Yu, but he had blocked them. Who cared about the imperial guard? Did you want to come into the academy and arrest someone? Not on my watch. Did they forget whose territory this was?
As the Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, Jing Hongchen didn't fear a few royal members. Even the emperor's direct heirs wouldn't dare disrespect him. That was the power of Jing Hongchen's position. Whoever he supported had a higher chance of ascending the throne, making him a key player in the Sun Moon Empire's political landscape.
"I'll sit back and watch. With you here, why would I be worried? You wouldn't let one of your students get dragged off, right?"
Su Yu grinned mischievously. He wasn't worried in the slightest. Not only did he trust Jing Hongchen to protect him, but with his background, he didn't need to take this situation seriously at all.
Jing Hongchen: "..."
For a moment, he was speechless. This brat thought he had Jing Hongchen wrapped around his finger. It was frustrating, but he couldn't get mad. After all, this was his precious granddaughter's crush. What if he scared him off by being too harsh? Jing Hongchen felt a twinge of discomfort. He was starting to realize that he had no way of dealing with this kid.
After calming himself, Jing Hongchen coughed and said, "Since it was self-defense, I won't hold you responsible this time. But there won't be a next time, understand? If you get into another fight, I'll dock your allowance. You wouldn't want to lose your monthly 100,000 gold soul coins, would you?"
A threat from the Hall Master? The Hall Master counter-threatened! Surely losing 100,000 gold soul coins a month would be enough to keep Su Yu in line. But little did he know, Su Yu didn't care about such a paltry sum. He already had over a billion gold soul coins. He lacked everything but money.
"Understood. I'll stay humble and focus on my studies. Thank you, Hall Master. I should kneel and thank you."
Su Yu thanked him repeatedly, but his body didn't move an inch.
Jing Hongchen's mouth twitched. You say you should kneel, but you don't do it?
Rolling his eyes, Jing Hongchen asked, "The reserve team selection is coming up. How prepared are you? Do you have confidence in making the top four? Don't disappoint me by failing to make the reserve team."
"Don't worry, Hall Master. I'm aiming for the championship," Su Yu's voice was firm, full of confidence.
"Funny, Xiao Hongchen is also aiming for the championship. I'm curious to see which of you is stronger."
Xiao Hongchen was exceptionally talented, a young Soul King and a Level 5 Soul Engineer whose power rivaled that of a Level 6 Soul Engineer. Su Yu, though only a Soul Ancestor, had an ultimate martial soul and formidable combat abilities. Jing Hongchen couldn't tell who would come out on top, but he knew it would be quite the showdown.
"Then Hall Master, you just wait and see," Su Yu smiled. When the competition arrived, perhaps the result would surprise Jing Hongchen.
"Alright, I'll wait and see. Now get out of here. I've got more things to handle."
Jing Hongchen waved his hand, signaling for Su Yu to leave. He still had to clean up Su Yu's mess, and it wasn't a small one.