Chapter 10: Rotten Inside

Though the word "cheating" wasn't explicitly mentioned, the combination of terms like "suspected," "unconventional methods," and "College Entrance Examination-related information" left no room for doubt. The implication struck each heart like a muffled thunderclap!

BOOM—! ! !

The classroom and corridor were initially plunged into a deathly silence, the aftermath of utter shock.

Then, a massive uproar and furious debate erupted like a dam bursting, flooding the air with panicked voices.

"Impossible! Ke Jie? Why would he need to cheat? He's an A-Rank Talent!"

"But the police are here... and they mentioned a named report and leads..."

"Could it be a mistake? Or is someone framing him deliberately?"

"A-Rank Talent doesn't mean he wouldn't take shortcuts. The Ke Family has so much influence."

"But this is so sudden..."

Speculation ran rampant.

The students' gazes darted back and forth between the ashen-faced Ke Jie and the stern-faced police officers, their eyes filled with disbelief and uncertainty.

Instinctively, many refused to believe it, but the police's sudden arrival and grave demeanor forced them to consider the possibility.

The color drained from Ke Jie's face, his heart clenching as if gripped by an icy hand.

How did they know? How did they find out? Did the Su Family uncover some clue?

Even in the grip of terror and rage, Ke Jie didn't completely lose his composure. He knew that his only way out was to deny everything vehemently.

He straightened abruptly, his voice rising with forced indignation while desperately maintaining an air of calm:

"Slander! This is utter slander! Would I, Ke Jie, need to resort to such tactics? You've all witnessed my Talent and power firsthand! Who? Who's behind this false accusation?!"

As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept across everyone present, lingering deliberately on the faces of Ke Lu and Su Rou, a clear insinuation.

His lackeys quickly caught on, their hearts pounding with fear, but they stiffened their resolve and muttered in agreement:

"Y-yeah! Brother Jie would never need to cheat!"

"Someone's just jealous of Brother Jie's Talent and family background!"

The two police officers' expressions remained unchanged as they repeated their official statement:

"We will verify the specific details of the report and the evidence during our investigation. For now, please cooperate with us and return to assist with the investigation."

Two police officers stepped forward, though they didn't physically restrain Ke Jie, the invisible pressure they exerted already enveloped him.

At that moment, the image of Ke Jie as a prodigy, which he had cultivated earlier, didn't immediately collapse, but it was now shrouded in a heavy shadow called "suspicion."

Outside the classroom:

"Ke Lu, is it true that your brother cheated on the College Entrance Examination?"

As soon as the group stepped out of the classroom, a group of gossip-mongers swarmed forward with questions.

College Entrance Examination cheating was, in the eyes of most students, an abstract concept, something they only encountered in television news reports.

Now, it had materialized right before their eyes. Amidst their shock, the blazing fire of gossip proved impossible to extinguish.

The lead officer paused, his brow furrowing slightly. He subtly shifted his tall frame to shield Ke Lu from the overly agitated student while his steady gaze swept across the agitated crowd. His voice, though soft, carried an inherent authority:

"Students, please remain calm and do not gather around. The investigation is still underway in accordance with legal procedures. Please refer to official updates for accurate information and refrain from spreading unverified rumors."

"Please make way and do not obstruct official duties."

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd parted as if guided by an invisible hand, slowly clearing a path.

The phrase "obstructing official duties" instantly suppressed the restless agitation in many hearts.

No one was willing to risk potential trouble and responsibility just to satisfy fleeting curiosity.

Another officer stepped forward and unclipped an object from his duty belt—a pair of standard-issue steel handcuffs—which he swiftly secured around Ke Jie's wrists.

His movements were professional and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing the coldly gleaming silver handcuffs, Ke Jie's hands trembled involuntarily.

A surge of extreme humiliation and venomous hatred rapidly overwhelmed his instinctive fear.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his terror. At this point, he had no choice but to face the situation head-on.

He shouted to the crowd, "Don't worry, everyone! My father will clear my name!"

In the distance, inside the Principal's office...

In the distance, at the principal's office,

The Dean of Academics paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan, occasionally stealing glances at the principal's reaction.

He had just submitted Su Rou's Awakening certificate—an S-Rank Talent in the Healer Class. Combined with the Su Family's resources, she was undoubtedly destined for greatness, barring any unforeseen setbacks.

But along with the Awakening certificate, the Su Family had also submitted transfer applications for both Su Rou and Ke Lu, leaving the Dean of Academics utterly stunned.

An S-Rank Talent? A guaranteed top student! And they were transferring right before the College Entrance Examination?

This wasn't just about the teachers' performance or the school's potential for advancement. More importantly, transfers were forbidden at this stage, weren't they?

According to Imperium law, Senior High Third Grade students were prohibited from transferring during the second semester, except under extraordinary circumstances.

With the College Entrance Examination registration already completed, the Su Family couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Yet they had still submitted the applications, citing the school's "grave misconduct" toward its students as justification.

Panic-stricken, the Dean of Academics rushed to the principal's office, seeking immediate guidance.

Leisurely seated at his desk, the Principal had a thermos of wolfberry tea to his right.

He seemed to have anticipated the Dean of Academics' arrival. After glancing at the transfer application, he casually tossed it aside and said slowly, "What's the rush? The sky isn't falling. If the Su Family wants to leave, submitting an application is their right."

"As for the reason, you don't need to delve any further."

He picked up his thermos, deliberately blew on the steam, and took a sip.

Having risen to the position of Dean of Academics, how could he possibly miss the Principal's underlying message?

We've done something shady, just ignore it and pretend nothing happened.

The Dean's body stiffened, a chill crawling up his spine.

He opened his mouth to speak again, but when his gaze met the Principal's calm yet subtly warning gaze, he swallowed his words.

He knew that in his position, ignorance was safer than knowledge, and not digging deeper was wiser than digging too deep.

No matter how prodigious a student's talent or how lofty their future achievements might be, it ultimately made little difference to their teachers.

There was no point in jeopardizing his own career by antagonizing the Principal, or even those pulling the strings behind him.

Though reluctant, the Dean of Academics nodded and said, "Principal, I understand."

Seeing the Dean's discretion, the Principal didn't press further. A hint of satisfaction crossed his face as he waved dismissively. "Very well, you may leave. Your bonus this month will be doubled. Keep your subordinates' mouths shut. Say what needs to be said, but not a single word more."

"Yes, Principal. I understand."

This was a hot-potato hush money, carrying an unmistakable threat.

The Dean dared not meet the Principal's gaze and hurried out of the office.

Inside the Principal's office, the Principal's composed smile froze abruptly. His mental senses had detected police arriving at the school. His eyes narrowed, and a sense of crisis washed over him. Why now?

The moment he heard the phrase "College Entrance Examination cheating," he understood instantly. He didn't know how Ke Lu had found out, but there was no time for recriminations. They had to cover up the truth!

The Principal sent a telepathic message: The scandal has broken. Police are taking Ke Jie into custody. Dispose of the Spirit Power examiner involved in the incident.

With a creak, the office door swung open.

The Principal, already frazzled and irritated, snapped at the unwelcome knock. "Get out! I have urgent matters to attend to. No one is to disturb me right now!"

He assumed it was some clueless subordinate barging in with trivial matters, but he suddenly realized something was wrong.

How could he, a Master-level cultivator, have failed to sense their approach?

He turned to find a figure in a police uniform standing at the door.

Raising an eyebrow, he feigned familiarity. "Well, well, I didn't expect the Criminal Investigation Captain to grace us with his presence. My apologies for not extending a proper welcome."

The Captain remained utterly unmoved by the Principal's polite words.

He raised his hand, displaying a police badge and an arrest warrant stamped with a crimson official seal.

"We've received a verified report and conducted a preliminary investigation. You're suspected of involvement in College Entrance Examination fraud and multiple instances of corruption and bribery. You must come with us immediately for questioning."

The Principal's mind raced. Knowing the terrifying power of Ke Zhan's hypnosis, he was certain the police lacked concrete evidence.

As long as the opposing side hadn't broken through the hypnosis, his side could rest easy.

It wouldn't be long before they could emerge.

With this thought, he smiled confidently, his tone firm: "Cooperating with investigations is every citizen's duty. However... if it turns out this is a false accusation, we won't let them get away with it either."