Chapter 42: Run away

A wave of hostility and a strong sour scent washed over him.

“Vice President Hao Tianhui must be joking. I’m just classmates with them. We’re all kind-hearted people—wouldn’t it be normal to care enough to visit a sick classmate?”

Faced with Vice President Hao Tianhui’s cold sarcasm, Li Zuhao responded calmly and without flinching.

His words resonated well with the Justice Gals, who stood firmly behind him in support.

They also helped ease Kaixin Min’s embarrassment.

Because Li Zuhao said “them” without singling out Min, it gave her a way to save face.

But this was only the beginning of the battlefield…

Soon after, a large group appeared in the Jihuang Academy cafeteria—a squad of Sword Club members dressed in training robes.

At their head was the most popular and influential figure in the high school division.

Ace of Swordsmanship Saki Haruka: Swordsmanship Champion and Sword Club Vice Captain.

“Saki Haruka? What wind blew you here too?”

Even Vice President Hao Tianhui wiped the playful smile from her face and stood to greet her, adjusting her collar.

Not only was Hao Tianhui surprised, but Li Zuhao was as well.

He hadn’t expected Saki Haruka to leave the dojo voluntarily and come here on her own.

It didn’t make sense; Li Zuhao couldn’t read her intentions.

Saki Haruka’s aura had evolved too—no longer the woman who let him toy with her so easily before.

She now exuded a transcendent and ethereal air.

Ever since Saki Haruka’s Supernatural Guardian Spirit had appeared due to her deep sorrow last time, her temperament changed.

No wonder Kaixin Min was so jealous of her—she was truly extraordinary.

But for Li Zuhao, this was good news.

All the targets—the yandere girls, the savage girlfriends, the bad women—were now gathered in one place.

This saved him a lot of effort. He didn’t have to deal with them one by one.

He could just cause a big commotion all at once.

“What’s this?”

Saki Haruka’s gaze landed on the Voluntary Withdrawal Letter on the table, her expression immediately turning cold.

She showed no kindness toward the Student Council Vice President.

“Voluntary withdrawal?”

Min, who had arrived first but was slower to react, finally noticed the document on the table because of Saki Haruka’s words.

“Private duels are against school rules. And he posted the video online, causing serious damage to the school’s reputation. He must be severely punished,” Vice President Hao Tianhui explained.

“That’s what he wanted to fight? You Student Council people sent someone to bully him! And now you come punish the victim? You’re nothing but a den of snakes and rats!”

Kaixin Min couldn’t hold back and pointed at the Student Council members, shouting curses.

“This is all President Lei’s order. If you have complaints, take them to President Lei. Right now, I just want to finish my duty. Don’t make things difficult for me,” Hao Tianhui said, feigning calm with the official stance.

But inside, she was overjoyed—she came here to make Li Zuhao loudly expose President Lei’s crimes.

Having someone else shout his accusations was just as effective.

Her goal was accomplished.

Besides, Min’s voice was much louder than Li Zuhao’s; she was like a built-in amplifier, her words spreading to every corner of the Jihuang Academy cafeteria.

“This is utterly shameless! Completely unreasonable! Is this what our Student Council has become?”

Min yelled.

“I warn you, throwing a tantrum won’t work against President Lei. His orders are absolute. Don’t interfere with enforcement, or you’ll be marked for a major demerit,” Hao Tianhui threatened.

But she secretly hoped Min would shout even louder—the more noise, the happier she was.

“What about those seniors who started the fight? How will you punish them? Are they going to be expelled too?”

Min demanded.

“Their punishment will be discussed later. They’re not in school today—they were beaten into the hospital. President Lei said to wait until they recover before making suggestions,” Hao Tianhui replied.

“That’s not how punishment works! Either punish all involved or none! Who knows what tricks you’ll pull later? They’re all your Student Council people. You’re just stalling,” Min transformed completely into Li Zuhao’s mouthpiece, fiercely questioning.

Li Zuhao didn’t even have to speak; he sat quietly beside them as a mascot.

Min seemed like his personal lawyer, single-handedly battling the corrupt powers.

Of course, Ace of Swordsmanship Saki Haruka wasn’t the type to shout and make noise; she just stood quietly and listened.

But she played a huge role too—like a guardian deity.

Min dared to shout so loudly at the Student Council officers largely because she had Saki Haruka and the Sword Club’s backing.

The Justice Gals alone wouldn’t have the courage to confront the Student Council directly—at most, just some words.

But now, the flame of rebellion against authority had been ignited!

This was exactly what Hao Tianhui wanted—to stir public anger and push President Lei into the fire.

President Lei was mercilessly set up without even knowing it because most of the Student Council’s power had already been bought off by Hao Tianhui.

A faction.

President Lei had long been hollowed out by scandals; no one in the Student Council wanted to protect him anymore.

Scandals were the strongest and most powerful attack against those in power.

Unlike businessmen, the powerful fear nothing except a ruined reputation.

But at least until yesterday, President Lei still had loyal followers—like the four seniors who caused trouble for Li Zuhao.

However, once the violent video went viral, no one dared to remain President Lei’s loyalists.

Not only were those four seniors absent from school today—

President Lei himself took a leave and didn’t show up.

The four seniors might really be hospitalized, but President Lei was definitely dodging public opinion, feigning illness to skip school.

The Student Council quickly became Vice President Hao Tianhui’s one-woman show.

All that was left was for President Lei to submit a voluntary resignation letter, and she would firmly sit at the pinnacle of power.

“This junior sister is right. The Student Council has no reason to punish only one side. To be fair, both sides should be called together for judgment,” Saki Haruka spoke up.

Her words were decisive, firmly claiming the moral high ground.

The Student Council truly had no reason on their side.

That was why no one wanted to help President Lei.

“But…”

Hao Tianhui softened her tone appropriately.

She didn’t really want to help President Lei reverse the case, nor did she truly intend to persecute Li Zuhao.

Playing the villain was just to tarnish President Lei.

“Alright, I admit you’re right. I do think it’s a bit improper. Let me go back and persuade President Lei. We’ll take a longer view.”

Given an exit, Hao Tianhui instantly changed her expression, feigning reluctance but decisively joining the side of justice.

“Tate!”

But at that moment, Li Zuhao was about to stir the pot!

Just as the three factions reached consensus and the yandere girls prepared to unite…

“Bang!”

Li Zuhao suddenly slammed his hand down hard on the table, startling everyone.

But when they turned to look at him, Li Zuhao’s daring move had already been completed.

He had struck the table with his right hand, reopening the wound that had just been stitched, blood oozing out.

Then, using his left hand, he smeared his own blood and quickly signed his name on the Voluntary Withdrawal Letter.

This earth-shattering and soul-stirring act left the surrounding girls dumbfounded.

This scene was not something that would appear in a shoujo manga—it was something out of a wuxia comic.

“You don’t need to argue anymore. I’m done playing with you all. I’m leaving.”

Li Zuhao slowly stood, tossed the blood-signed withdrawal letter in front of Hao Tianhui, and immediately walked off.