Chapter 29: Family Grudge

The guards, teachers, and students behind Mr. Gron parted to the sides, creating a wide path in the middle of the corridor.

A strong young man wearing a short black cape, a chest guard on his left chest, and a majestic sword at his waist strode in. He wore high-top riding boots with two pure gold spurs on the heels, which occasionally clinked together with a crisp sound.

The young man was quite handsome, with striking pale golden hair. Unfortunately, his left eye had been slashed by a blade. A fierce scar ran from his left temple down to his chin, completely ruining his appearance. His eyeball must have been cut too, as a black eyepatch was tightly fastened over his left eye, hiding it beneath the leather.

Mr. Gron frowned. He seemed to recall this young man somewhat. Lin Qi also frowned. The young man looked very similar to Black Horse Haus, but his manner and bearing were much more mature and steady. Especially notable was the emblem on the young man’s chest guard: a rooster crowing at the sky, its claws gripping the neck of a dying poisonous serpent. This emblem represented the Empire’s Royal Legion.

Lin Qi’s face fell. A relative of Black Horse Haus? He had heard that the Round Table Knight Society was inherited by Black Horse Haus from his older brother. His older brother had graduated with top honors from the Imperial Army Academy and, after joining the military, was said to have accomplished many great deeds.

He once heard Black Horse Haus boast while drunk that his own older brother had led a team of the Empire’s most elite knights on a risky expedition into the northern Five Great Archipelagos, where they ransacked a werewolf tribe and returned victorious. Judging by the aura of this young man, he was indeed a veteran who had experienced life-and-death battles, much like the desperate men under Lin Qi’s father’s command.

Six soldiers in light armor followed closely behind the young man. Their chins were lifted at a forty-five-degree angle, their faces filled with arrogance and pride. No one could be more conceited than these reckless soldiers and fierce officers. Their haughtiness made Mr. Gron and Father Barin frown involuntarily.

The young man approached Lin Qi. He stared hard at Lin Qi with his single eye, then slowly extended his hand and said with a smile, “Lin Qi? My apologies. This time, I made a small mistake. I shouldn’t have listened to Haus’s nonsense. Someone who just sobered up hadn’t yet figured out what really happened.”

Looking at the hand extended toward him, Lin Qi puffed out his chest and simply clasped his hands behind his back. Shake hands with this young man? Lin Qi wasn’t that foolish. This was clearly a seasoned military elite who had survived deadly battles. Lin Qi wasn’t stupid enough to test his strength against him. Although Lin Qi had been training his body and building his strength since he was three years old under his father and a group of odd uncles, he felt no need to compete with him.

What if he won? What if he lost? Lin Qi was now a student in Fifth University’s Finance and Accounting Program. He had to behave like a well-mannered, excellent student. He must always remember that he was a university student who used his brain, not a warrior who went around shirtless, wielding weapons and cutting people down.

The young man’s expression darkened slightly. As someone of noble birth, Lin Qi’s response could be seen as disrespectful to his entire family. He snorted coldly, withdrew his hand, and gave a slight bow to Mr. Gron and Father Barin. “I am Haulin of the Bavell Family. I deeply regret what happened today. All losses will be covered by my Bavell Family.”

Pausing briefly, Haulin said calmly, “However, I beg Dean of Academic Affairs and Father not to hold them accountable. They are all respectable individuals who carry out their duties faithfully. Surely you won’t be unforgiving over an unintentional mistake?”

Haulin made clear his family background. The Bavell Family was a military noble family that rose during the Hundred-Year Land-Island War. Almost all the men in the family held military positions. Though their title wasn’t high, their hidden influence was not to be underestimated. By stating his family name, unless Mr. Gron and Father Barin wanted to antagonize the Bavell Family, they had to let the matter drop.

After all, Lin Qi hadn’t suffered any disadvantage. After all, those Dragoons and Copper Helmets had already been punished. And after all, the Empire’s noble circle had its own unwritten rules. Even though Father Barin was a servant of God, transcending worldly authority, he didn’t dare rashly offend a powerful hereditary noble family with strong potential.

Especially since Lin Qi had nearly chopped himself into eighteen pieces with an axe just yesterday!

Father Barin could only be considered one of Lin Qi’s dubious friends, not a life-and-death brother. So Father Barin puffed out his chubby chest and said with great solemnity, “Since they have cleansed their sins, then God is merciful.”

Blinking, Father Barin stepped aside, adopting an expression that suggested the matter had nothing to do with him.

Mr. Gron took out his white handkerchief again, wiped his nose, and casually felt the smooth small medicine bottle in his pocket. Putting the handkerchief back, Mr. Gron said gravely, “I hope such an incident does not happen again. Sir Haulin, this is the campus of Fifth University.”

Haulin bowed slightly and apologized sincerely, “My Bavell Family will cover all the losses. This was my fault. All losses will be borne by my Bavell Family. Moreover, I must apologize to Mr. Lin Qi. He is innocent. It was my useless younger brother who was drunk and talking nonsense.”

Haulin handled it skillfully. Lin Qi had prepared irrefutable evidence: a diligent, excellent university student helping Father Barin transcribe prayer texts—how could he be linked to the tavern attack and arson case? So Haulin simply dropped the matter. Even if the case were brought before the king, with a teaching assistant priest as a witness, Lin Qi would undoubtedly be safe.

Father Barin and Mr. Gron left the dormitory satisfied. They knew Haulin likely had some private words to share with Lin Qi. The embarrassed Dragoons and Copper Helmets gave Lin Qi a deep look, then quickly left the scene after accepting a money pouch from Haulin.

Lin Qi leaned against the doorframe, smiling as he looked at Haulin, who also wore a smile. “Did you have something to say to me, Sir?”

Haulin ordered the six soldiers behind him to disperse the students watching in the corridor. He stood before Lin Qi with his hands behind his back. Sighing lightly, he shook his head and said, “Haus is useless. He couldn’t even beat you. He comes from a military noble family, yet he couldn’t outmatch an ordinary student of common birth in strategy or strength. He will face severe punishment from the family.”

Lin Qi nodded slowly, staring straight into Haulin’s single eye, and said coldly, “And then?”

Haulin turned and walked leisurely toward the staircase.

As he walked, he said indifferently, “The family remembers you. Lin Qi, you have successfully earned the hatred of the Bavell Family. But the family won’t stoop to your level. We will have Haus defeat you openly, defeat the family you belong to openly!”

Lin Qi laughed happily and shook his head gently.

“The family I belong to? Hah, go to hell!”