IWYTBW - Chapter 17

 Chapter 17

Walking in a Straight Line is the Shortest Distance, Punching Straight Out is the Most Powerful.

Sitting in the luxury car specifically borrowed from Rong Hongxue to showcase his status, Yi Zhen closed his eyes to rest, taking the opportunity to review the information on the six people that he would be up against one more time.

Star Alliance University was itself diplomatic in nature. During the war-filled years, it was not uncommon for extraterrestrial princes and princesses to enroll as so-called exchange students, when they were in reality hostages. To this day, the Alliance University brought together teachers from multiple galaxies. Even if it could be said that Azoth University was open to all, Alliance University maintained a strict, or even harsh, class distinction, making it the perfect choice for the children of the elite and nobility.

Among the many noble alumni, the six led by Natalia Rauðr Dreki made up one of the most prominent ‘status holding/school dominating/weight-throwing and tear producing’ groups of Star Alliance University.

However, judging from the intelligence gathered, the family backgrounds and life histories of these six individuals appear flawless, revealing no signs that they might be transmigrators from another story. It seems that only through direct interaction will the truth be unveiled.

“Did a donkey kick you right in the head?” Yi Zhen sat in the front, while Ai Ling was in the back. As he spoke, he had already instructed Tai’a to raise a soundproof barrier between the seats. “Allowing her to attend this school...”

Anji sat opposite him and explained with slight embarrassment: “Miss Ai Ling’s interview results were still a bit off from what Azoth University required. At that time, the headmaster of Azoth U happened to be the famously cold-hearted Lord Li Zeyu. Even Mr. Rong couldn’t persuade him.”

“I think it’s more likely that people just dislike him,” Yi Zhen remarked coolly. “I refuse to believe that Azoth University doesn’t have any students of average talent who are diligent and hardworking. It’s hard to believe that everyone would specifically target his sister out of spite.”

Anji realized yet again, that in front of this man-eating flower, any flattering remarks he intended for his superior could be chucked out the window; being honest would suffice. At the very least, the honest words he uttered would be far more pleasing to the ear than the honest words the other party had so painstakingly crafted and polished.

“Ahem,” he gave a light cough. “Primarily, Mr. Rong believes that the environment of Star Alliance University will effectively hone Miss Ai Ling’s disposition… Erm, like the saying goes, tribulations bring progress, adversities foster growth.”

Yi Zhen was silent for a while before replying, “Have you ever heard this saying? ‘Any victorious finishing move is a life-saving technique handed down through generations by those who survived.’”

Anji pondered the words for a moment. “No, but it’s a very reasonable thing to say.”

“Alright,” Yi Zhen nodded, “I’ll tell you now, and remember to pass this on to Rong Hongxue when you return—don’t give me that innocent look, I know you will. It’s part of your job. The ultimate secret to victory is this: the so-called ‘adversity education’ works this way: Only those who survive will uphold it as a guiding principle, while many more are destroyed, and those who have perished can no longer speak.”

“To grow up, there must be other paths besides willingly running toward setbacks,” Yi Zhen said, a look of helplessness on his face. “Here, I want to call Rong Hongxue a Motherfucking Idiot. And I know you definitely won’t relay these exact words to him, so I’m just going to say it: Motherfucker.”

Anji looked at him dumbly, his raised hand trembling slightly, while a tiny silver earring clip was still pinched in his hand.

“What’s that?” Yi Zhen, having vented, was feeling an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. He lowered his head in high spirits as he studied Anji curiously.

“These are ear, ear, ear...”

“Ah, thanks for preparing these earrings for me.” Yi Zhen took them, measured them against his ears, then fastened them on his earlobes. “Why are you fidgeting so much? Don’t they look good? They go perfectly with my outfit today.”

“...These are earpieces.”

Yi Zhen: “...”

“Well said, truly impressive.” Rong Hongxue’s voice drifted softly into Yi Zhen’s left ear. “Yes, I heard every... word.”

Tai’a whispered in Yi Zhen’s right ear: [Oh my.]

Yi Zhen stopped for several seconds and chuckled. “Hahaha! Good evening.”

Then, in a frantic rush, he grabbed the earring, trying to yank it off with the same clumsy eagerness of a high school boy undressing his partner on their first night together.

“Ah, good evening, Xiao Zhen.” Rong Hongxue said with a hint of a smile, making it hard to distinguish between joy and anger. After all, Yi Zhen remembered very clearly that it was with this same tone, along with a smile, that the man had used when almost crushing him into a pile of mush. “Trying to remove the earrings? Don’t waste your strength. Go back and have Tydol apply some medicine for you in advance. If you try to remove them yourself, you might tear your flesh, and it won’t be pretty when it starts bleeding.”

Yi Zhen’s movements froze. He didn’t doubt the truthfulness of Rong Hongxue’s words at all, so he slowly lowered his hand and whispered, “What do you want to do?”

“I’ve thought about it, and I believe your criticism is valid,” said Rong Hongxue, with a sigh. “My approach to Ai Ling’s education has indeed been too lax and indulgent. Thus, I intend to accompany you in meeting the future ‘Valkyrie of the Red Dragon’... as well as the faction led by Grand Duke Norst.”

Yi Zhen gave a hypocritical laugh. “Haha. How could I trouble you? Look at you. You’ve already walked so far, and you’re still being polite...”

“No need to thank me, Xiao Zhen,” Rong Hongxue said softly. “Just as you mentioned, ‘A day as husband and wife means a hundred days of grace.’ Although, given our situation, the word ‘day’ should indeed be a verb[ e/n: - In the context of the proverb, “日” generally means “day.” The full expression uses “一日” to refer to a single day. - However, the character “日” (rì) can also be used as a verb in Chinese slang, where it colloquially means “to have sexual intercourse.”], it doesn’t hinder me from helping you, does it?”

Yi Zhen: “...”

Goddamn, when his shamelessness kicks in, I really can’t withstand it.

The luxurious, light-powered hover car glided silently like a jet-black arrow, coming to a halt at the entrance of the star-studded rooftop. A valet, dressed in black with white gloves, eagerly approached, but hesitated to extend his hand, seeming to be a bit intimidated.

This hovercar is from Rong Hongxue’s private collection. Three hundred years ago, there was a famous mechanical engineer from the Azoth galaxy called Igarashi Yama[e/n: or Wǔshí Lánshān.. yeah its a name using characters used in both chinese and japanese]. He was addicted to gambling and once made a big bet with a friend. If he lost, he would not be able to build mechas for ten years. Although Igarashi Yama had to leave his beloved workstation, his skills did not disappear. In order to maintain his extravagant lifestyle, he spent twenty years intermittently creating six luxury hovercars with top-of-the-line technology. He then auctioned them off to the richest and most powerful people of the time.

Because his creations possessed a beauty that transcended time and space, divine in nature, these six hovercars were also known as the “Six Auspicious Seats.” Even today, they are still owned by those who wield power and influence.

The one Rong Hongxue lent to Yi Zhen was one of these six imperial carriages of the past, named Gram[e/n: meaning ‘Wrath’], after the jet-black magic sword of the dragon-slaying hero Siegfried. According to mythology, Siegfried used this sword to pierce the chest of the evil dragon Fafnir and bathe in its blood, becoming invulnerable, with skin like steel[e/n: .except for a single spot on his back where a leaf had stuck, preventing the blood from touching his skin.]

At this moment, it came to a halt right before the eyes of the world, having transcended three hundred years. Gram’s shape was as smooth and sharp as a blade. It should have been as black as the eternal night, yet the flawless grinding and polished arcs bestowed upon the car body a radiant brilliance unlike any other. Under the starry sky, it sparkled like a diamond of the night.

Uncaring of all these twists and turns, Yi Zhen thought the name “Gram” was somewhat of a tongue twister. He preferred to call it the... Happy Client Car.

The waiter hesitated for a moment, but Yi Zhen had already walked down without a care. He went around to the other side and helped Ai Ling lift up the flowing hem of her dress.

“You should have waited for the servant to help you,” Rong Hongxue stated all of a sudden.

“What’s this? What else have you planted on me besides the audio bug, some kind of surveillance camera?”

“Can’t these two functions be combined into one?” Rong Hongxue asked lazily. “I was just guessing, but you’re actually quite predictable.”

Ai Ling heard the voice and vaguely understood who Yi Zhen was talking to. This time, however, she remained silent, her emotions a bit complicated.

Passing through the lavishly decorated black-and-golden corridor, the view opened up into a grand terrace. A multi-faceted, mirror-like crystal contraption covers the ceiling, bringing the myriad stars from eons ago within arm’s reach. They twinkle and gleam, as if asking to be plucked and admired up close.

Standing before her were the so-called friends she had once trusted, the very ones who had nearly caused her death: Natalia, Oliver, Jin Qi, Ursula... Yet, unlike before, she no longer felt ashamed or fearful. On the contrary, she experienced a cruel pleasure in her desire for revenge, mingled with a concealed sense of pride.

I am not alone; I have someone by my side, Ai Ling thought to herself. Soon, you will no longer be able to laugh.

Yi Zhen simultaneously spotted the lead, Natalia. The young woman was tall and voluptuous, with charming, curly black hair that cascaded down her shoulders. She also wore a blood-red dress. Upon seeing Ai Ling, her beautiful face subconsciously fell, and the smile on her lips faded—as if Ai Ling’s attire had deeply offended her.

“Are you angry?” Yi Zhen’s lips were closed, but his internal force wrapped around his voice, transforming it into a thread that blew into Ai Ling’s ear.

Ai Ling was utterly astonished. She had originally intended to ask Yi Zhen how he had done it, but then she thought about it. There were already so many strange things he had done, and this was nothing new.

“Enraged.” Her smile remained unchanged, “Yet the more enraged I am, the calmer the mind becomes.”

“Very good, keep it up.” Yi Zhen said.

“Ai Ling—” Natalia beamed, enthusiastically opening her arms and walking towards Ai Ling. “We were so happy when we heard you were inviting us to dinner at Starfall! I never thought you’d ever forgive us!”

Her companion, Jin Qi, a petite young woman with a round face and round eyes, also looked up at Ai Ling. “Yes, Natalie’s right. I’m so sorry. When I went home that day, my mother was furious. Luckily, your invitation helped resolve the situation...”

Ai Ling reluctantly gave Natalia a hug, “I…”

“Alright now,” a handsome, golden-haired and blue-eyed youth walked over and said with a chiding tone, “Give Ai Ling a moment to catch her breath.”

He turned to Ai Ling and asked with concern, “Ai Ling, how are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?”

As soon as he asked that question, the rest of the people immediately gathered around, their eyes filled with anticipation as they waited for Ai Ling’s reply.

Yi Zhen looked on coldly.

Indeed, they were pretty troublesome to deal with. Not only did they have the advantage of numbers, but they were also very shrewd. With just a few words, they managed to seize the initiative while singing and acting.

He opened his mouth and said, “Ai Ling, there’s no rush, so you can savor the taste of friendship later. Let’s first invite the guests to take their seats.”

Upon hearing the voice, Natalia seemed to notice his presence for the first time. As the highest-ranking lady here, she extended her hand first, saying, “Who might this gentleman be?”

Yi Zhen grasped her hand and replied, “Hello, I am Yi Zhen.”

The once bustling atmosphere suddenly cooled.

Natalia’s skin had only lightly brushed against the other person’s, yet she hurriedly yanked her hand back. She scrutinized the young man before her with suspicion, feeling that what she had touched was not a living being, but rather a cold and smooth jade statue.

Is this the famed Yi Zhen we’ve heard so much about?

As the favored junior of her family, she had followed her grandfather from a tender age and had met a wide array of characters, from emperors who reigned supreme over the world, to stray dogs at the end of their ropes. Natalie was proud of her judgment: she could tell apart the obsequious from the humble, and the aloof from the noble, all at a glance.

Yet the man before them belonged to none of these categories. Just by standing there, he illuminated the surrounding darkness.

“As it turns out...it was you.” She said, full of meaning.

Around them, a few low chuckles echoed. Yi Zhen calmly said, “Yes, it’s me. Considering your usual interest in me, and particularly in my sex life, you should already know why I’m here today, shouldn’t you?”

Anji almost choked. What an impressive get-to-the-point manoeuvre!

Natalia’s smile faltered. “...I beg your pardon? Did you just say...”

“I trust that you have all heard, and understood, what I have said. Am I in some sort of retirement home, that I must repeat myself over and over again to all of you important but hard of hearing figures?” Yi Zhen smiled helplessly. “Please, be seated! Sit down, all of you. Let us dispense with idle pleasantries.”

Tai’a said: [Have you begun already?]

Yi Zhen: “What are you afraid of? Rong Hongxue and I are in on this crime together. At worst, I’ll push him out to take the fall.”

Tai’a: [Well, then I wish him good luck in advance.]

Jin Qi looked at him in shock: “You have a lot of courage to dare to speak to us like this!”

“But you all have quite the nerves of steel yourselves, to commit such a heinous act of premeditated murder,” Yi Zhen remarked casually. “In comparison, I am a true law-abiding citizen, maybe even worthy of a commendatory banner.”

“Stop right there!” Oliver Oculus Tempestis[e/n: His surname is 暴风眼 (Bàofēngyǎn), literally Storm Eye, but...], with his blonde hair and furrowed brows, demanded, “What do you mean by those words?”

“Oh,” Yi Zhen stopped in his tracks and turned to look at him. “Do you want me to give you a detailed explanation?”

“You must pay for your rash words and slander--”

Yi Zhen’s voice was soft, yet in the silence, it was strikingly clear: “Jin Qi stole the key to the main control room; you were responsible for diverting the patrolling instructor; Ursula StellaObscura figured out Ai Ling’s simulation room number, which was supposed to be confidential; Qi Jiayou threatened the others to leave the classroom immediately and then chained the outer door of the simulation room; while Nishikawa Hiroki was the only bystander among you. He probably knew that Ai Ling had a crush on him, so he was willing to repay that affection with a bit of cheap recompense.”

Yi Zhen held up his finger and pointed, naming one person at a time. Whoever he pointed at couldn’t help but recoil, unable to utter words of refutation before the next attack came.

Finally, he turned to Natalia. “As for you, Natalia Rauðr Dreki, you did nothing, and yet you did everything. You orchestrated this so-called amusing prank from behind the scenes. Then, overwhelmed with joy at your cousin Ashtale Rauðr Dreki’s early return from completing his military orders in the Crimson Cloak Galaxy, you forgot about this... friend of yours, whom you had locked up in the simulation chamber.”

He looked around. “Should I continue?”

Big Brother, how could you act so dishonorably?

This is more than just a straightforward question, this is a knockout blow that has shattered the opponent’s nasal bone and sent their brains flying out!

Anji was dumbstruck, he could no longer think of any way to ease the tension... Unless the giant crystal mirror above their heads collapsed in its entirety, which could possibly bring an end to the suffocating atmosphere.

Silence reigned as Yi Zhen sighed.

“See, I just said that we shouldn’t exchange pleasantries. We should’ve sat down and talked first, but you all didn’t listen to me. What’s the result?” He spread out his hands. “Now it’s so awkward—there’s no harmony at all.”

Ai Ling cleared her throat and tried to maintain her expression as she slowly sat down onto the main seat.

“Everyone, please be seated,” she said with perfect articulation, “And please, don’t stand on ceremony with me!”

The fragrance of flowers was rich and intoxicating. Anji gazed longingly at the server not far away, who held a tray of freshly cut rose puddings. He felt an overwhelming urge to dive headfirst into them.

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