Chapter 8: Brother, I Am Ruthless

"Who are you calling an idiot?" Ye Kun frowned and stood up. Among his peers, he was considered quite tall, and with his shaved head and somber expression, he gave off a bit of a menacing vibe, which made the two young masters feel pressured.

You think you can mess with one of Kun’s people just because you feel like it? This kid is under my protection—after all, he’s taken the fall for me more than once.

"You... what do you want? I—I’m from the Yuan family!" Yuan Zhen was something of a bully among his age group, but even he faltered under Ye Kun’s presence, stammering as he spoke.

"Straighten your tongue before you talk."

"You want to... ah—" Yuan Zhen hadn’t finished his sentence before a long table came crashing down in front of him.

"Big brother, was that ruthless enough? Did I look like Mother?" Ye Qin clapped his hands with pride.

Ye Kun was speechless. If Mother were as ruthless as you, I’m afraid Father would have been beaten half to death by now.

Still, Ye Qin’s strength was impressive for his age—he’d managed to lift a long table, probably using every ounce of strength he had.

Ye Qin’s move stunned everyone present. Even Feng Dian, standing nearby, was left dumbfounded for quite a while before he came to his senses.

"Yuan Zhen, are you all right?!"

Yuan Zhen had only been grazed—there was no blood. Even if Ye Qin was strong for his age, it was only so much, but it was enough to intimidate.

Still, to be fighting within a few hours of class starting—they would surely be scolded for this.

Yuan Zhen looked shocked; it was the first time anyone had dared to fight back, and he didn’t know what to say.

"You hit me…!!!" Yuan Zhen glared at Ye Qin as he got up, feeling both wronged and furious.

Ye Qin was about to retort, but Ye Kun stopped him. "Yeah, I hit you. So what?!"

Brothers have to stick together outside—there was no way Ye Kun would let Ye Qin take the blame alone. As the elder brother, he had to stand up for the younger, although it always seemed to be the younger brother causing trouble, and Ye Kun never got a chance to share the blame. It was enough to give him a headache.

"Fine! You bald brat, just you wait—I’m telling the teacher!" Yuan Zhen shouted, his little face red with anger.

"That’s right, tell the teacher! You’re finished!" Feng Dian chimed in.

Ye Kun thought they were about to do something drastic, but it turned out they were just tattling.

His little brother, though, looked a bit anxious, his eyes darting about, clearly aware of the consequences of reporting to the teacher.

As the elder brother, how could he bear to see such a pitiful scene unfold?

"Only little kids tattle to the teacher. If you’ve got the guts, don’t leave after class," Ye Kun said softly. His tone was so arrogant it was bound to stir up resentment; clearly he was trying to take the blame onto himself.

After all, they were just children—such a provocation worked instantly.

"Fine! You two, don’t leave after class! Or you’ll never be able to show your faces in Taixi County again!" Feng Dian threatened, making the surrounding classmates shiver. Gods may fight, but please don’t drag us mortals into it.

The words sounded very familiar to Ye Kun. These two kids were actually quite amusing.

Soon, Old Wei walked in.

"Teacher, they were fighting just now."

At these words, the room fell silent. Someone had actually tattled.

Ye Kun glanced over and saw the snitch was a little girl, her long braid tied neatly, her face righteous—Ye Kun could tell she was the fiery sort.

She wasn’t afraid of retaliation?

Old Wei’s expression darkened. "Ba Wanqing, tell us precisely what you just witnessed."

From his tone, it was clear they were in trouble. After all, Old Wei had run this private school for some time, and no student had ever dared to fight—until today. If he didn’t punish them, how could he maintain order?

Ba Wanqing’s eyes were wide and bright; it was obvious that she would grow up to be a beautiful woman, though with a hint of thorns.

Ye Qin watched Ba Wanqing curiously, wondering why she would report them. Was she helping him? But why help him? Could it be she liked him? On his very first day at school, was he already favored by a girl? It was the first time he’d surpassed his elder brother in something, and the thought made him a little happy.

But Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen were glaring daggers at Ba Wanqing. If she weren’t the county magistrate’s daughter, they’d have taught her a lesson.

Ba Wanqing was indeed the county magistrate’s daughter—a little princess of Taixi County, and thoroughly doted upon. Yet she wasn’t spoiled; she aspired to become a Sword Emperor—a female Sword Emperor, no less.

She recounted the incident fairly, showing no favoritism.

Feng Dian and Yuan Zhen nearly exploded with anger. From Ba Wanqing’s account, they were the arch-villains.

Old Wei let out a heavy sigh. "The four of you! Go stand outside as punishment!"

Afterward, he called out to the gatekeeper, "Summon their parents!"

"Yes, sir!"

When Ye Qin heard that their parents would be called, he panicked and looked to Ye Kun for help.

But Ye Kun was at a loss—how could he have foreseen Ba Wanqing would report them?

The four children stood beneath the willow tree, their faces full of misery. Clearly, they all dreaded their families finding out.

"This Ba Wanqing! We have to think of a way to get back at her!" Yuan Zhen muttered, still fuming.

"I hate tattletales the most! I’m going to find a disgusting bug and put it in her hair!" Feng Dian added.

"You can’t do that—she’s a girl after all," Ye Qin said softly, sneaking a glance at Ba Wanqing in the classroom. She looked back at him, and he quickly lowered his head.

Ye Kun chuckled quietly, not bothering to join in—it was all just childish mischief, after all.

"You and I still have unfinished business!" Feng Dian huffed, all pride.

Ye Qin didn’t back down. "Anytime."

These kids—still thinking about fighting, when they should be worrying about facing their parents.

No one knew how long they stood there, but by the time school was over, they were still there.

Feng Dian shot Ba Wanqing a warning glare as he left.

She paid him no mind, leaving with her waiting guards and riding away in a carriage. The county magistrate was truly wealthy.

After all the students had gone, several adults entered.

Ye Ming was among them; Dongmen Meng hadn’t come, which made Ye Qin breathe a sigh of relief—nothing was more terrifying than seeing his mother’s stern face.

The other two men were also distinguished, though far more refined in appearance than the rugged Ye Ming.

Ye Qin had expected his father to scold him as soon as he came in, but nothing happened. How odd.

"Gentlemen," the three fathers greeted the teacher.

Old Wei let out a long sigh. "Today, something truly disheartening occurred. My old heart can’t bear it..."