Chapter 17 It Seems Quite Reasonable to Me_2

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"That's right," he said.

"Hasn't anyone looked for him?"

"Dean Jing Hongchen personally issued an order. Wang Shaojie studied with me in seclusion for a month. Isn't that normal? You have to understand, when a Soul Master is engrossed in researching soul tools, it's quite common not to see them for three to five months," Jing explained.

Qin Xiao was momentarily stunned by the response.

So, Dean Jing Hongchen was involved too?

Wang Shaojie became even more anxious, "Teacher, Qin Xiao is back now, can you let me go this time?"

"Why should I let you go? What does his return have to do with you?"

Xuan Ziwen frowned.

"How can it not be related? Doesn't this prove that I didn't harm him?"

Wang Shaojie argued desperately.

But who was listening to him?

Ju Zi couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Qin, what exactly happened after you told me to leave that day?"

"Why couldn't we find you? Where have you been all this time?"

Ju Zi was voicing the questions that everyone had.

Qin Xiao did not immediately answer, but instead glanced at Wang Shaojie.

He thought to himself: Kid, you're in for it today.

He had decided to throw all the dirty water on Wang Shaojie's hands.

After all, the guy was already half-dead.

It wouldn't matter if he trampled on him some more.

After taking a deep breath, he slowly began, "Well, it's a long story...

After I rescued you, I sensed a powerful presence lying in ambush before we parted ways, so I had you leave first."

"As it turned out, my hunch was correct, and I was the target of that Soul Emperor-level expert."

"Left with no choice, I had to flee."

"The journey was exceedingly arduous. I fled from Mingdu to the far northern lands before I had a chance to catch my breath and slay that Soul Emperor. Then, after some time to recover, I finally set out on the road back..."

Qin Xiao spun the tale with skill.

He perfectly explained why he had gone to the far northern lands.

However.

After listening to Qin Xiao, Wang Shaojie was completely dumbfounded.

What kind of nonsense was this guy spouting?

I only sent a Soul Emperor to help that idiot Zimu; when did I ever send someone to kill Qin Xiao?

He was utterly bewildered.

He was thoroughly confused. The story Qin Xiao was telling didn't match the script he had received.

Wuuu wuuu wuuu.

As Ju Zi listened to Qin Xiao, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Images involuntarily came to her mind: a ragged young man, covered in wounds, fleeing across the ground.

Behind him, a Soul Emperor-level expert persisted in the chase.

And the young man was in constant danger of losing his life.

But he refused to give up.

Clenching his teeth.

If he fell, he would get back up and keep running forward.

If he bled, he wouldn't even glance at his wounds, just kept moving forward.

"Uncle Qin, you've suffered so much..."

The far northern lands, how remote they are.

Who knows how much suffering Qin Xiao endured?

Do any family members understand?

While Xuan Ziwen glared furiously at Wang Shaojie, "Do you have anything else to say?"

"Teacher, I do have something to say... I really didn't send anyone else to kill Qin Xiao..."

Wang Shaojie argued with all his might, "And think about it, does what Qin Xiao say even make sense?

He's just a Soul Master, not even a Grand Soul Master. What chance does he have to escape a Soul Emperor-level expert's pursuit?

And even more outrageous, he claims to have killed the Soul Emperor who was after him?

Do you really believe that? Even the novels circulated within our empire wouldn't dare to write something like that."

He felt that Qin Xiao's words were full of holes.

Ju Zi and the others must have been predisposed to believe Qin Xiao's story without thinking.

But he was clear-headed.

He had to point out the flaws in Qin Xiao's story.

At the same time, he grew even more resentful towards Qin Xiao.

Damn it.

You're trying to pin this on me, aren't you?

That's too much.

Lucky for me, I'm not a pushover either.

If you want to play mind games with me, you'll have to wait a few more years.

He was inwardly smug.

In his view, Qin Xiao had messed up. Not every accusation could be easily thrown his way.

However.

What shocked him happened next.

After he had finished speaking, neither Xuan Ziwen nor Ju Zi showed any sign of outrage at having been deceived.

Instead, they nodded solemnly.

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"Do we believe huh?"

"Uncle Qin slaying a Soul Emperor, what's there to doubt about this?"

"In my opinion, this is as normal as it gets."

Both of them had come to understand Qin Xiao's combat strength directly or indirectly.

One could say, they also grasped the lethality of the sniper rifle.

Without sufficient preparation on the enemy's part, isn't killing a Soul Emperor straightforward?

Even, forget a Soul Emperor level expert, if a Soul Sage level expert is caught off guard, they'd still be done for.

After being stunned for a moment, Wang Shaojie looked somewhat manic, "Crazy, you all are really crazy!

Even if he is a Grand Soul Master, he can't just slay a Soul Emperor!

Such a thing has never happened in our Sun-Moon Empire. Even in Soul Land, has there ever been such an occurrence? And you still nod along!

This is truly unbelievable.

Are you mocking me for lacking knowledge?

Wait, I get it, you're in cahoots with Qin Xiao, ganging up to dupe me, aren't you?"

Wang Shaojie suddenly had an epiphany.

These guys really wanted to put him in a deadly situation.

It's as if they're trying to claim that the mud in his crotch isn't feces even when it's clearly not so.

"Heh, Wang Shaojie, one must be responsible.

The eyes of the masses are keen; your little schemes have long been seen through.

Does it disappoint you that I didn't get killed?"

Qin Xiao looked at Wang Shaojie and chuckled.

He was genuinely happy.

After all, given his current status, taking out Wang Shaojie would be a bit troublesome.

Moreover.

In the Sun-Moon Empire, he hadn't acquired everything he wanted yet, and couldn't leave.

But Wang Shaojie couldn't stay.

Fortunately, there was Xuan Ziwen. His teacher's identity, status, and strength were among the very top in the Sun-Moon Empire, so what was the problem with getting rid of a wastrel relative?

Who could object?

Definitely no one.

"Qin Xiao?"

I hear he's already returned?"

Just then, a voice came from outside the lab door.

Subsequently, a somewhat disheveled figure barged in.

It was none other than Dean Jing Hongchen of the Imperial Sun Moon Soul Academy.

After entering the lab, he looked around with wide eyes.

It didn't take much effort for him to find Qin Xiao.

Suddenly, he let out a sigh of relief.

It's good that there's no trouble.

He had rushed over without stopping as soon as the academy's gatekeeper informed him of Qin Xiao's return.

Now, seeing him, he was quite satisfied.

No missing arms or broken legs, at least he was in one piece.

"Where did you go, kiddo? You actually know how to come back!"

Although Jing Hongchen's words sounded a bit reproachful, they were laced with deep concern.

After all, Qin Xiao was the successor he valued highly.

He can't afford any mistakes.

"Dean, you can't blame Uncle for this. It was all Wang Shaojie's mischief behind the scenes, Uncle was only risking his own safety to... to save me,"

Ju Zi boldly interjected, speaking up for Qin Xiao.

"Oh, what's the whole story? Tell me about it."

Jing Hongchen raised his eyebrow, curious to know the ins and outs of the matter.

"Uncle must be tired after just coming back. I heard everything clearly when Uncle was talking about it, so let me tell you what happened..."

Ju Zi considerately stepped forward.

Jing Hongchen nodded slightly, "No problem."

Subsequently, Ju Zi began narrating the previous conversation with Qin Xiao, "Here's what happened..."

Squeak, squeak.

A moment later, Jing Hongchen's fists were clenched tightly, and seeing Wang Shaojie, his eyes gleamed ferociously, "Boy, do you have anything to say for yourself?"

"Dean, I'm wronged..."

"Please think carefully, does what they say make sense? A Soul Master killing a Soul Emperor, is that reasonable? Even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn't dream of such a thing. "

Wang Shaojie wailed, "Ju Zi and the others are deceived by Qin Xiao, you should be able to perceive the truth and make a fair judgment, right?"

He cried.

He really cried.

Being falsely accused was just too damn grievous.

Ju Zi and Xuan Ziwen could be let off.

They were typical of favoring kin over justice.

But as the Dean of the academy, Jing Hongchen should be more rational, right?

He should adhere to principles of fairness, openness, and justice.

After a moment's reflection, Jing Hongchen nodded slowly, "I think, a Soul Master killing a Soul Emperor, that's quite reasonable?"