Chapter 46 Was It You Who Killed the Scorpion?

Everyone turned their heads to look. They saw Liu Qiangjun, the Director of the Education Bureau, stepping out of the car. Closely behind him was Zheng Zucai.

Seeing this, Xia Xiuwei hurried forward to greet Zheng Zucai. “I didn’t expect you to attend my daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony, Teacher Zheng. I’m sorry I didn’t come out to welcome you sooner—please forgive me.”

Zheng Zucai smiled and nodded. “You’re too polite, Chairman Xia. I came uninvited; I hope I haven’t disturbed you.”

Xia Xiuwei replied with a smile, “Your presence is an honor, Teacher Zheng. We couldn’t be more delighted. Please, come in and have a seat so we can talk.”

With that, everyone walked inside together. However, Xia Ling remained standing at the door.

Xia Xiuwei looked at her, puzzled. “Xia Ling, aren’t you coming in?”

Slightly embarrassed, Xia Ling replied, “Dad, you go ahead. I’m waiting for a friend.”

A hint of displeasure flickered across Xia Xiuwei’s face. The most important guests had already arrived, yet Xia Ling was not inside to greet them, but waiting outside instead. Did this mean there was a guest more important than even Zheng Zucai and the others?

Just as he was about to call Xia Ling inside, a taxi slowly pulled into the parking lot.

Everyone looked at the taxi in surprise.

“Hmm? Someone actually took a taxi to the birthday banquet?”

“Must be one of Xia Ling’s classmates.”

Despite their words, curiosity filled everyone’s hearts. Given the Xia family’s status, any of Xia Ling’s classmates would surely be from wealthy families as well. Could they really not afford their own car, and had to take a taxi? It was rather embarrassing.

Dai Guoqiang and Liu Qiangjun exchanged glances, shook their heads slightly, and paid no further attention.

The taxi came to a stop, and a handsome young man got out. Xia Ling’s eyes lit up with delight when she saw him, and she waved, calling out, “Xu Han, over here!”

Xia Xiuwei rubbed his chin. The name sounded vaguely familiar. Meanwhile, Zheng Zucai and the others' eyes brightened with recognition.

Xu Han walked up to the group, gave a small bow, and greeted them. “Directors, Teacher Zheng, good afternoon.” Then he turned to Xia Xiuwei. “Hello, Uncle Xia.”

Liu Qiangjun grinned. “Well, well, I didn’t expect our top scholar to be here too. So it was Xu Han Xia Ling was waiting for? They make quite the pair, don’t they?”

Dai Guoqiang nodded in agreement. “Indeed, indeed.”

“They’re the perfect example of a talented young man and a beautiful young woman,” he added.

Xia Ling’s cheeks flushed scarlet. “Uncle Dai, Uncle Liu, what are you saying? I—I’m going inside!” With that, she hurriedly turned and ran indoors.

Xu Han was completely bewildered. He looked questioningly at Zheng Zucai.

Zheng Zucai chuckled. “Xia Ling waited outside for you for quite some time, you know.”

Xu Han replied, embarrassed, “You’re joking, Teacher Zheng.”

Dai Guoqiang’s gaze suddenly fell on Xu Han’s finger. “Xu Han, is that a Soul Ring you’re wearing?”

Xu Han was taken aback, then nodded.

Dai Guoqiang asked with some urgency, “Can you tell me where you got that ring?”

Xu Han, puzzled, replied, “I took it from a fugitive.”

A fugitive?!

Everyone was startled, exchanging glances.

Dai Guoqiang’s excitement only grew. He gripped Xu Han’s shoulders and asked nervously, “Was this fugitive called Scorpion?!”

Xu Han nodded slightly.

Dai Guoqiang’s eyes lit up. “Excellent! So you were the one who killed Scorpion!”

Xu Han scratched his head. “So… you’re not going to arrest me, are you?”

Dai Guoqiang burst out laughing and patted Xu Han’s shoulder, giving him a thumbs-up. “Well done! Scorpion was a most-wanted criminal, marked for execution! I never expected he’d fall at your hands. If I’m not mistaken, we met at the edge of Shadow Marsh, didn’t we?”

Xu Han nodded again.

“Remarkable, truly remarkable!” Dai Guoqiang exclaimed. “By the way, twenty thousand in cash will be transferred directly to your account, and you’ll also be credited with a second-class merit. To have such an honor right after graduating high school—perhaps not the first ever, but certainly unprecedented!”

Zheng Zucai nodded approvingly, his gaze toward Xu Han now filled with even greater admiration. “Excellent, quite excellent! I’ll have to talk to the school about awarding you an extra hundred credits.”

Xia Xiuwei smiled. “No wonder you’re the national top scholar! Please forgive me for not inviting you personally, Xu Han.”

Dai Guoqiang waved a hand. “Enough with the formalities. Today is Xia Ling’s coming-of-age celebration—she’s the star. We old-timers should content ourselves with watching from the sidelines.”

Everyone nodded in agreement. As they walked into the manor, many people were shocked to see Xu Han entering alongside the directors, and began speculating about his identity. The place was suddenly abuzz.

Inside, Lei Hongyang was playing with his phone when the commotion outside made him frown. “What’s with all the noise?” He got up, limping to the doorway, and instantly spotted Xu Han standing beside Dai Guoqiang and the others.

“It’s him!!!” Lei Hongyang’s eyes blazed with fury. It was this very man who had broken both his legs just yesterday, leaving him utterly humiliated. He’d wanted to get back at him, but never even knew who he was. Now, by sheer coincidence, they met again!

Seething, Lei Hongyang stormed out of the house, pulled out his staff, and pointed it at Xu Han, shouting, “You little bastard! The road to heaven you refused, but you barge into hell uninvited! Today, I’ll make you pay!”

Xu Han glanced at him, but before he could speak, Tieshan frowned and interjected, “Lei Hongyang, what do you think you’re doing?”

Xia Ling quickly stepped in front of Xu Han, glaring at Lei Hongyang. “Lei Hongyang, put that weapon down right now! If you dare to start a fight here, I’ll tell Uncle Lei immediately!”

Seeing Xia Ling defending Xu Han only made Lei Hongyang’s rage burn hotter. “Ling’er, you’re taking his side? Yesterday, this brute broke my legs! He was vicious—someone like him is nothing but trouble!”

The onlookers all turned to Xu Han in shock.

“He looks pleasant enough, but clearly he’s ruthless.”

“He doesn’t seem like a good person—better stay away.”

“Pretty bold of him, breaking Lei Hongyang’s legs. Does he not know who Lei Hongyang is?”

Lei Hongyang caught the whispers and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He wanted everyone to see Xu Han’s true colors, so Xia Ling would realize who was truly reliable.

At that moment, Dai Guoqiang stepped forward and spoke, his voice carrying the authority of the Director of the Investigation Bureau. “Quiet!”

Instantly, silence fell.

Dai Guoqiang turned to Lei Hongyang. “Since you claim Xu Han broke your legs, tell us what happened. Only with the facts can we judge right and wrong.”