Chapter 50: The Enrollment Storm (Part 4)
Bie Tianxin was somewhat surprised, not expecting Tang Thirty-Six to directly admit to this matter. He said with a hint of mockery, "Although your conduct is extremely displeasing, at least you are somewhat candid."
Then he looked at those students with a half-smile and said, "You all heard that."
Those young students immediately panicked. Some who were preparing to apply but hadn't filled out the forms yet quietly moved toward the edge of the crowd, taking advantage of the moment when no one was watching. Those who had already submitted their application forms turned pale with regret. A young boy looked nervously at Chen Changsheng and stammered, "You... you see... I just filled out the registration form... can I withdraw it?"
"Of course you can withdraw." Tang Thirty-Six heard the boy's voice but didn't turn his head. Instead, he kept staring into Bie Tianxin's eyes and said, "But those who withdraw now will never have another chance to enter the National Academy."
Then his eyebrows lifted, and he smiled, saying, "And as for any student of our National Academy, I swear on the honor of His Holiness the Pope that they will absolutely not suffer any consequences from having to face the challenges from the other academies."
Hearing these words, the hands of several young students who were about to retrieve their forms froze on the table. The National Academy was actually swearing by the name of His Holiness the Pope? And this person appeared so relaxed—could it be that things weren't as that man had described?
Bie Tianxin sneered coldly, "Swords and blades have no eyes. What guarantee do you have? Or are you trying to pull some clever trick again?"
Tang Thirty-Six looked at him with a faintly mocking expression and said, "People like you, who lack true wisdom, naturally tend to see everything as clever tricks."
If he were truly playing clever tricks, then when that man had publicly accused the National Academy of harboring malicious intentions in its enrollment, he could have flatly denied it. After tricking these students into the National Academy, whatever happened next could be dealt with later. But he didn't. Instead, he openly admitted in front of everyone that the new students recruited by the National Academy would naturally represent it in the inter-academy martial exhibition.
In the face of those attacks meant to strike at the heart and were difficult to refute, candor is often the most powerful weapon. This is the great wisdom of a gentleman.
As it turned out, many people were willing to accept this candor. Some young students, after much deliberation, still retrieved their application forms from Chen Changsheng. But more students trusted Tang Thirty-Six's promise, or rather, they dared not question the character of His Holiness the Pope. Although somewhat uneasy, they continued to complete the registration process. Soon after, more people stepped forward and joined the queue to apply for the National Academy.
Realizing that his words had little effect, Bie Tianxin's expression turned gloomy. He shifted his gaze to Chen Changsheng and said contemptuously, "If they aren't deceived later, they'll have me to thank for what I said just now. And I imagine you must be quite angry right now, having your sinister intentions exposed. From now on, it will be much more troublesome for you to exploit these students."
Chen Changsheng and Tang Thirty-Six exchanged a glance, and they truly became angry.
The National Academy's recruitment was, of course, related to the pressure exerted by the Tianhai family, but they had absolutely no intention of exploiting these students from the various prefectures and even the countryside.
They had no such base intentions, yet someone forcibly pinned this label on them. This was an attack on the heart.
And any such accusation that required no evidence, only the darkening of people's hearts, was the hardest to refute and the most infuriating.
"I know you're angry right now, but... you'll just have to endure it. Because you're no match for me. Even that wolf cub lying in the National Academy was once my defeated opponent." Bie Tianxin looked at Chen Changsheng with an indifferent expression and asked, "What about you? When are you going to lose to me?"
"As expected of Bie Tianxin, the one who calculates all hearts."
Tang Thirty-Six walked in front of Chen Changsheng, looked at him, and asked, "I'm very curious—can you calculate what I'm going to do next?"
Bie Tianxin raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at him with interest, and said, "You want to fight me?"
"I can't beat you." Tang Thirty-Six said very honestly.
Bie Tianxin felt quite pleased and said with a smile, "Then I suppose all you can do is mock me a couple of times and say some sour words."
Tang Thirty-Six shook his head and said, "I never do that kind of thing."
Bie Tianxin's eyebrows lifted even higher, because he was genuinely curious. He really wanted to know how this young man would respond in this situation.
Tang Thirty-Six leaned in close to him, looked him straight in the eye, and said very seriously, "."
His voice was very soft, and the place was somewhat noisy at the moment, so aside from him and Chen Changsheng, only Bie Tianxin himself could hear clearly.
Bie Tianxin thought he hadn't heard correctly. His eyebrows rose even higher, and he asked in confusion, "What did you say?"
"I said, ."
This time his voice was louder, so more people heard those four words.
The clamor of discussion instantly vanished. The area in front of the National Academy became deathly silent. Everyone turned to look at him.
Especially the stewards under the awning and those Tianhai family experts. They knew Bie Tianxin's background and identity, and their gazes at Tang Thirty-Six were filled with extreme shock.
Bie Tianxin's expression was even uglier than imaginable. His eyes suddenly turned ferocious, as if he wanted to devour someone.
Tang Thirty-Six looked at him seriously and asked, "Aren't you the one who calculates all hearts? Did you calculate that I would say this to you?"
Bie Tianxin's pupils contracted slightly, and a killing intent began to emerge. His voice seeped through his clenched teeth, icy cold: "Say that again?"
"Are your ears not working well?" Tang Thirty-Six seemed somewhat surprised. He looked at him and said, "Then this time you must listen clearly. ."
At the entrance of the National Academy, there was not a sound.
Bie Tianxin was furious to the point of laughing. The mockery at the corners of his mouth had all turned into coldness: "So you're looking for death."
Chen Changsheng walked in front of Tang Thirty-Six, blocking Bie Tianxin's line of sight.
He didn't like Tang Thirty-Six using foul language, but thinking about that man's earlier disgusting, heart-striking words, he had to admit that only Tang Thirty-Six's response was effective. This was the principle of brute force overcoming skill, and vulgar words breaking a cunning mind. Moreover, Tang Thirty-Six was standing up for the National Academy and for him. So no matter how inappropriate his words were, or even if they were wrong and would bring great trouble to the National Academy, Chen Changsheng had to stand with Tang Thirty-Six. However, he couldn't bring himself to say such dirty words. He only said calmly, "His words are also my stance."
So, this was the stance of the National Academy.
Bie Tianxin calmed down, but became even more dangerous. It was as if a cold sword intent was about to burst through his clothes.
Chen Changsheng seemed to see Guan Bai by the street that day. A sword intent flashed in his eyes, giving off a sharp and aggressive feeling.
"So you both want to die." Bie Tianxin looked at him calmly and seriously.
"I don't want to die." Chen Changsheng said. "If you hadn't come to provoke us first, things wouldn't have gotten this ugly."
Bie Tianxin looked at Tang Thirty-Six, a half-smile on his face, and asked, "Before you said those four words, didn't you bother to find out who my mother is?"
If it were an ordinary person, unaware of Bie Tianxin's background, hearing this would make them inquire about his origins. If they knew his background, who would dare to utter foul words involving his parents?
However, Tang Thirty-Six was no ordinary person. He said with a faintly mocking tone, "Is the Eight Winds and Rains that big a deal?"
(I know using foul language isn't good behavior, and some readers won't be satisfied with this kind of conflict. But for me, this is something that provides spiritual comfort. In many places on the internet, you encounter certain peculiar types of people. Hmm, this kind of person is like Ding Xie, but even more sour and sarcastic. I once tried reasoning with such people, but later I learned that the only way to deal with them is like this. Yes, friends who follow my Weibo probably know that these four words are my standard insult. Also, I think aside from the last sentence, the rest of the foul language will probably be replaced by beautiful and lovely little stars, right? Oh, and a few days ago I mentioned the book I've been reading. Many friends asked for the full title. Since it's too long, I'll post it on WeChat. See you tomorrow.)