Chapter 52: Traitor?

The newly appointed leader of the slum, accompanied by the mid and high-level members of the Cloudy Sky Gang, brought star coins, food stamps, water tickets, and porridge tickets to visit and console the families.

"I established the rules long ago. The gang will ensure that those who die for the gang will never have to worry about those they leave behind," Li Xiaofei declared in front of everyone. "I, Li Xiaofei, will keep my word. From now on, the parents of these nine brothers are the parents of the entire gang, and their children are the children of the gang. Anyone who dares to bully or exploit them will be opposing me, Li Xiaofei."

"Thank you, president."

"My son... did not die in vain."

"Our slum has welcomed a righteous leader."

The elderly and women were grateful beyond words. The children looked at Li Xiaofei with reverent eyes. Even the former members of the Blackblood Gang looked gratified. After all, people's hearts were made of flesh. Many of Li Xiaofei's initiatives after taking charge had obviously been planned for the benefit of the entire slum.

They were not fools. They naturally understood the benefits of following such a leader. The slum did not believe in tears but believed in its leader. The gang's ethos had long been ingrained in the blood of every slum martial artist. There was a set system of rules in the slum. When you ascended to the pinnacle of the gang hierarchy following these rules, everyone would submit to you.

Yang Cheng and Chu Yuntian exchanged glances, feeling a surge of excitement. The president's skill in winning people's hearts was truly remarkable. As long as he could keep his promises, the slum would eventually become a united, unbreakable force under his leadership.

As his right-hand men, their futures were limitless and even more prestigious than those of Dugu Yilong and Wu Potian before them. Sure enough, Li Xiaofei entrusted the authority to distribute resources and sell the spoils to the two of them, solidifying their positions as second-in-commands in the slum.

The second hunting expedition outside the city was put into motion. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner. The slum was quietly revitalizing.

Li Xiaofei entered the Secret Time Pavilion once again. Since he didn’t have the Starforce Reagents to replenish his energy and had to rely solely on his breathing technique, he failed to reach the Ninth Stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

However, he grew even more proficient at combining the Great Strength Vajra Fist and Graceful Step of the Waves. Additionally, he mastered the Gale Sword Technique left by Zhong Yuanshan, and Wu Potian's Great Xia martial lineage's ultimate technique, the Three Steps Cicada Catch. Li Xiaofei's growth rate was beyond normal comprehension.

Two days later, Li Xiaofei's online purchases finally arrived. The light network's virtual world, created by the supreme Star Council, ensured unparalleled security. Even though One Thought Supergod did not know Li Xiaofei's real identity, he could still transfer the funds securely. Similarly, online shopping would not expose one's real identity or address.

Li Xiaofei collected his purchases, feeling elated. When he returned home, he immediately handed them to his aunt.

"Thank you," Little Aunt said calmly. "Don't spend money recklessly in the future."

But Li Xiaofei noticed a gentle smile at the corner of her mouth. Little Aunt was always a reserved person and rarely showed her emotions. She hadn’t shown any expression even when she had been tied to the stake by Luo Li. So that faint smile was enough to indicate she was in a very good mood.

On the other hand, Little Jie and the others were ecstatic, screaming with excitement when they received their gifts.

"Thank you, Brother Xiaofei."

"Thank you, president."

"We will study hard."

The children's eyes were filled with hope for a better future. Li Xiaofei felt a strong sense of accomplishment. This sense of fulfillment was even more intense than when he had killed Dugu Que, Bai Zhu, and Ghost Scholar. The duty of a martial artist is to protect, not to kill.

Li Xiaofei started wearing a titanium silk vest and black sportswear to school. He would change into his school uniform upon arrival and switch back to his other clothes when he returned home.

In the blink of an eye, the opening ceremony of the High School War God League had arrived. This was a significant event for Liuhe Base City.

Celebrities would be in attendance. It was said that even the city chief, the military garrison commander, and the heads of the five major families would attend. The official light network tv channel of Liuhe City, Channel One, had dispatched its most skilled broadcasting team to live-stream the entire draw and schedule arrangement process to ensure transparency and fairness.

The principal, Chen Fei, took Yan Chiyu to attend the opening ceremony. Li Xiaofei and the other team members naturally stayed at school to continue their preparations. Unfortunately, Red Flag High School, a failing school with the worst track record and on the verge of losing its accreditation, had no status and was only granted two attendance slots.

***

Half a day later. The principal, Chen Fei, and Yan Chiyu returned. Both of them wore gloomy expressions. Yan Chiyu went straight to the mainframe room and began training intensely, while Chen Fei trashed his office in a fit of rage. The students could feel the principal's anger.

What had happened?

Everyone was curious but too afraid to ask the two involved. However, it didn't take long for someone to find some clues.

"Everyone, check this out online..."

Wang Yuting posted a video link in the school group chat. In the video, at the opening ceremony of the High School War God League, representatives from the other thirty-one high schools had their own designated seats. Only Red Flag High School was left out.

Principal Chen Fei and student representative Yan Chiyu were standing at the back of the venue, ignored like unwanted nuisances. It was a blatant humiliation.

There were various opinions in the comment section below the video.

Red Flag High School is so pitiful.

Does this mean they've already been preemptively stripped of their accreditation?

The Education Department must really despise Red Flag High School to do something like this.

Setting that aside, the female student representative from Red Flag is really beautiful—so cold, elegant, and striking.

Don't you know who she is? That's the famous Yan Chiyu.

Who's Yan Chiyu?

She was once the brightest ancient martial arts prodigy in Liuhe City. Three years ago, when she graduated from middle school, all the top twenty high schools in the city were scrambling to recruit her.

Then why did she choose the poor and weak Red Flag High School?

No one knows the reason.

So now her brilliance has faded, and she can only stand at the back of the venue like a lackey.

Countless people were discussing and lamenting the plight of Red Flag High School on the Light Network. They also expressed regret over the fall of a once-great prodigy.

To the students of Red Flag High School, these discussions felt like gleaming, cold knives stabbing deeply into their hearts. They were all students painstakingly nurtured by Chen Fei. They considered the principal their father and the school their second home.

When they saw the person they respected most and the place they cherished being publicly humiliated, the young boys and girls were infuriated.

Why? Why would the Education Department do something so unfair?

Some students couldn't help but leave comments questioning the Education Department on its official website. At that time, a rumor began circulating online.

Actually, Red Flag High School's seats were taken at the last minute.

I heard the same. It's because two members of the Jiepeng exchange delegation suddenly wanted to attend the opening ceremony, so the Education Department gave Red Flag High School's seats to the Jiepeng people.

Is that true?

Even if Red Flag High School is not doing well, why should the Jiepeng dogs take seats meant for us Great Xia’s people?"

Are the people in the Education Department traitors?

The news caused an uproar.