Chapter 354: The Teacher Is Compassionate And Benevolent.

Starry Sky Hotel, Temporary Detention.

Li Xiaofei’s inner energy had been sealed, and he was still bound by those green vines.

“If you knew it would come to this, why do what you did in the first place?” Su Yuncao asked. “Where have you hidden Zhou Ruomin and the other two?”

Li Xiaofei sneered. “Do you really think I’ll tell you?”

Su Yuncao shrugged indifferently. “Whether you tell me or not doesn’t matter. You’re already a prisoner. Let me teach you a simple truth, in the face of absolute strength, any schemes or strategies you come up with are as fragile and laughable as thin snow.”

Li Xiaofei remained silent, his face still carrying a cold smile.

Su Yuncao continued, “All your efforts, your so-called counterattacks, are useless. They don’t move me in the slightest. Don’t believe me? Look for yourself.”

Su Yuncao activated the light core with a gesture, projecting a virtual screen into the air. The screen flickered, switching between various forums, livestreams, trending topics on Weibo, and other websites that just hours ago had been filled with Li Xiaofei’s carefully edited videos.

“See that?” Su Yuncao grinned. “All your videos are gone. The tidal wave of resistance you thought you’d inspire is gone in three short hours. It didn’t even cause a ripple. Isn’t it hopeless?”

Li Xiaofei sighed inwardly. Even five hundred years ago, the internet, despite its flaws, could still provide a voice for the powerless. While it also led to a surge in smear campaigns, it had still managed to bring down more than a few powerful figures. But in this era, personal influence had swelled to such an extent that it could suppress even the most damning evidence. Everything had truly been erased in just three hours.

"Even those letters you sent to the Education Department and the Police Department have been intercepted," Su Yuncao said with a slight smile. "And even if they hadn’t been, what difference would it make?"

His smile deepened. "The head of the Education Department? A former colleague of mine. Three of the Deputy Directors in the Police Department? My former students. Do you really think you could bring down a giant like me with just a flimsy video and the accusations of a nobody like Zhou Ruomin?"

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "How would I know if I didn’t try?"

Su Yuncao raised an eyebrow. "And now that you know, does it fill you with despair?"

"I'm a little disappointed, perhaps, but I’m not despairing," Li Xiaofei replied. "There are still people in this world who value light, justice, and have a sense of honor and shame."

"Is that so?" Su Yuncao’s smile was dripping with smugness and cruelty.

He leaned in closer and whispered, "Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you reach the depths of despair. In the upcoming public trial, I’ll use the same methods you tried to use against me. I’ll make sure you’re utterly disgraced across the entire light-network. When the time comes, as those so-called righteous people turn against you and spit their accusations, you’ll be sentenced to death."

Li Xiaofei looked him straight in the eye. "We’ll see."

"You really are a genius," Su Yuncao said, straightening. "But alas, a wasted one. Such talent, and yet, you refused to serve me."

Su Yuncao strode toward the door of the cell and commanded, "Guards, begin the torture."

Torture may not always break a person's will. But it certainly inflicted pain. For Su Yuncao, who had nearly lost control of the situation, making Li Xiaofei suffer was a form of interest he intended to collect. At the same time, a flood of reversed narratives overwhelmed the light-network like a tidal wave:

Unmasking Star Student Li Xiaofei: A Villain Standing on the Bones of Nearly a Thousand Corpses.

How Did a Gang Enforcer Magically Transform into a Dual-Badge Holder?

The Audacious Conspirator: Why Li Xiaofei Framed Master Su.

The Videos Accusing Master Su Were Fabricated by Gang Members.

I Am from Liuhe, and I Am Ashamed of Li Xiaofei.

Hero? No, a Blood-Soaked Butcher.

Why Did Li Xiaofei Target Master Su? Because Master Su’s Arrival Thwarted His Plan to Turn the Base City into a Mafia Stronghold.

Is Red Flag High School Responsible for This?

Police Proceed with Next Steps, Arresting Several of Li Xiaofei’s Accomplices.

Li Xiaofei’s Criminal Gang on the Verge of Collapse.

Public Trial Tomorrow Morning at 8 AM.

Countless headlines like these exploded across the internet in an instant. Behind the light core screen, Su Yuncao sat with a satisfied smile.

What a foolish child, Li Xiaofei. To think he was naive enough to try and use public opinion against someone like me. Little did he know, public opinion is always in the hands of the truly powerful. The common people are merely puppets, forever manipulated and deceived. Tomorrow will be the climax and also the end. And as the victor, I would have the last laugh.

In his arrogance, Su Yuncao didn’t realize that somewhere along the way, he had grown excited. So excited, in fact, that the defeat of a small-town boy had become a cause for celebration. It was beneath him, yet he reveled in it.

***

The next day at 7 a.m.

The alarm clock in the prison rang for the 541st time. This special alarm not only emitted sound but also radiated a unique wave that affected the neural pathways of the human brain. The purpose was clear: to prevent the prisoner from getting any restful sleep and to keep them in a state of constant mental agitation.

Wu Xinyu, the guard in charge, opened the cell door. He looked at the young man hanging from the torture rack, his tattered clothes soaked in blood and his eyes bloodshot. A smug smile crept onto Wu Xinyu's face.

"Clean up his wounds and get him a fresh set of clothes," Wu Xinyu instructed. "The public must see a Li Xiaofei who appears untouched by torture, because our teacher’s image must remain flawless and benevolent."

"Yes, senior." The assistants replied.

Several of them entered the cell and began working. They, like Zhou Ruomin, were also Su Yuncao’s students, and had been beneficiaries of his privileges and favoritism. Naturally, they idolized their teacher and were steadfastly loyal.

At the same time, Liuhe Base City was in an uproar. More accurately, they were being forced to witness this public trial. Official channels, popular streamers, all local TV stations, and the highest-trafficked forums were set to broadcast the entire event live. Schools were dismissed. Malls were closed. Factories halted production.

Everyone received the notification; they were required to watch the public trial from start to finish, whether through the internet or on television. The venue for the trial had been set at the grand conference hall of the Starry Sky Hotel.

Once, Li Xiaofei had stood in this very hall, bathed in glory as he received his dual badges. Today, that glory was about to be stripped away. Time passed quickly, and before anyone realized it, the clock struck 8 a.m. All channels began their broadcasts on time. The public was quickly treated to a hall filled with people.

Li Xiaofei, dressed in prison clothes, sat calmly in the defendant’s chair. A panel of eleven judges, assembled from both Lanfu Base City and Liuhe Base City, presided over the trial.

In the audience, prominent figures from Liuhe Base City were seated in the jury box. They ranged from notable elites and officials to representatives from all sectors. Among them were three key power players: City Leader Xie Renyu, the military commander Mai Zixiong, and Star Council Inspector Wu Fohai. The assembly was nothing short of prestigious.

"Li Xiaofei, open your eyes," demanded the elderly judge from Lanfu Base City, striking his gavel forcefully. "We will now announce the charges against you. Remain silent and listen carefully. After the reading, you will have the opportunity to defend yourself... You are charged with ten counts of criminal offenses..."

The public trial had begun.