Chapter 12: Discernments
Changfeng Martial Hall!?
Those who could work as security guards in a large departmental store like Starlight Center were basically martial artists. The two of them had naturally heard of Changfeng Martial Hall before.
The Changfeng Martial Hall's hall master, Fang Lingjue, was the only person from Zanglong City who had the chance to make it into the top ten in the upcoming Jiang Province Martial Competition.
When it came to the Jiang Province Martial Competition, what the participants had to face were contestants from all over the nine cities in Jiang Province, including those from the capital city—Jiang Province City, a city full of strong experts.
If Fang Lingjue could make it into the top ten, it'd bring glory to Zanglong City.
In the next few years, he'd definitely be a powerful figure in the martial world in Zanglong City.
Not to mention, Starlight Center was in Zanglong City, so they'd definitely have interactions with Fang Lingjue in the future.
After this moment of contemplation, the two security guards' attitudes changed.
"You're a martial artist, right?" said one of them. "He was the one who insulted you first before you retaliated?"
Li Pin showed him the photo of his martial artist certificate.
The security guard's pupils constricted. "A level-two martial artist!?"
Based on the identification number of the card… he was a 22-year-old level-two martial artist?!
If he continued on this path as a martial artist, he'd definitely turn out a Transformative Force expert in the future!
Even more, If he were to succeed in Core Formation in the future…!
The security guard immediately came to a decision.
"That's all we need from you for now. We'll get the records from the security camera and handle the case accordingly. But we'll need to trouble you to leave a contact number."
"Thank you," said Li Pin. He left him his phone number and then left with Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu.
Jing Yunshan was still screaming in agony, half of his face heavily swollen.
It was as Li Pin had said—he had gotten a tight slap on the face for spreading rumors and creating trouble
When the students who came with Jing Yunshan saw that the security guards were allowing Li Pin to leave just like that without doing anything to stop him, they instantly flew into a rage.
One of the students, who seemingly had some status at Hanyang University, took a step forward and said, "Is this how Starlight Center takes care of its customers' safety? He beat someone up to the point where he began to bleed. He even lost a few teeth! You're allowing him to freely leave? If you do that, who'd still dare to come shop at Starlight Center in the future?"
"So many of us witnessed the incident. This guy was minding his own business and looking around Starlight Center with his friends. However, this guy over here couldn't keep check of his mouth and insulted him, a martial artist. That's why the martial artist made a move personally."
The security guard who had spoken with Li Pin said loudly, "Do you guys expect him to just take it when you scold him right to his face? You expect him to just bear with it? Or do you expect him to start cursing back?"
Many people agreed with the security guard.
Although there were many incidents involving martial artists causing problems in public security in Taibai, many people still admired the strong.
In addition, martial artists were the supporting forces for Astral Cultivators. The more powerful martial artists were the first in line to fend off ferocious beasts and demonic creatures, protecting the peace and maintaining stability in Taibai. Therefore, people had a higher tolerance for martial artists' actions.
The student, who felt that he was upholding justice, was so angry that his face flushed. It was as if he was on the receiving end of some unfair treatment.
"You guys…."
When the other students heard that Li Pin was a martial artist, they immediately thought back to his earlier ferocity, causing them to fall silent.
They were all members of the student council and were more concerned about material gains as compared to other students.
They knew what it meant to strive for a friendly settlement and avoid conflict.
"By the looks of it, you guys are still students? Is this how students act these days? Spouting vulgarities in public? Which university are you guys from? I'll go talk to your principal!" said the security guard.
The moment he said that, even the student who had stepped forward fell silent.
A female student turned her gaze at An Wanyi. "Wanyi, Yunshan had ended up in this state because he stood up for you. Can you get your sister to put some pressure on Starlight Center?"
"No," uttered An Wanyi quickly. "It's inappropriate for my sister to get involved in this."
An Wanyi glanced in the direction Li Pin had left in, a hint of horror hidden in the depths of her eyes.
An Youran was competing for a chance to become this great production's female lead.
She heard that another lady who had nothing but looks was also competing for the role. That competitor had entered the production team with funding for the production.
It was because of this that An Youran chose to make a trip back to Zanglong City. She was planning to rely on the home-ground advantage she had here in Zanglong City to show off her popularity to Star Palace Entertainment.
If a commotion were to break out right now…!
Thinking of that, An Wanyi quickly said, "Li Pin is a martial artist. If we drive him up the wall and he goes crazy and starts beating up people, who amongst us would be able to stop him? It's best for us to quickly call an ambulance so they can get Jing Yunshan's wounds under control before they cause long-lasting side effects."
She then said, "At the same time, we can call up the security affairs department and have the public security team deal with him."
This female student quickly nodded as she looked at Jing Yunshan, who was still screaming in agony with his mouth filled with blood.
***
"Brother, is it really okay for us to leave just like that?"
They had reached the street outside the Starlight Center, which was bustling with people.
This was Li Yunyao's third time asking this question.
"It's fine," Li Pin replied patiently. "I know the law."
Li Yunyao's eyes were still filled with worry. "But that person... seems to be the vice president of Hanyang University's student council? You're still a student at Hanyang University. Is it really alright?
He was the student council's vice president!
"Trust me," crooned Li Pin, stroking Li Yunyao's smooth hair.
"Mmm."
Li Pin had always thought that if he ever had a little sister, he had to have heartwarming interactions like this with her.
With this, his wish was finally satisfied.
As for Li Yunyao's worry… he really didn't take it to heart. To him, life and death were the only important things in life.
People with differing insights would judge a situation differently from one another.
If a student from Hanyang University found that everyone was suddenly scolding them, they'd feel that their reputation had been ruined. Also, the pressure created from the university threatening to expel the student might propel them to have a mental breakdown and thereby jump into a lake to end their own life.
However, if that student put aside his role as a student for a moment and thought about what was beyond Hangyang University, he would realize that something like this was insignificant.
A private university was insignificant compared to the entire Jiang Province, let alone when compared to the entire Taibai Kingdom.
Even if Li Pin remained an ordinary citizen, he wouldn't even need to leave Jiang Province to relieve the pressure brought by Hangyang University. He'd just need to withdraw from the university and walk out of Zanglong City.
In life, people only needed to be responsible for themselves and didn't need to pay too much to other people's views of them.
If a capable person was placed in an environment that suppressed their heart, they'd be able to break through the situation relying on themselves. However, even if that person was incapable of doing anything, they could just choose to leave first.
The world was very big and one'd definitely be able to find a place for themselves.
When Li Pin was rubbing Li Yunyao's head, he saw that she was blinking at him, her eyes practically sparkling.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Li Pin asked.
"Brother... you've really... changed a lot," Li Yunyao said.
Li Pin realized that he had gone a little too far.
Did I scare her?
He quietly withdrew his hand while still keeping a smile on his face. "Do you like how I was in the past or how I am now?"
"Of course I like the current you!" Li Yunyao caught his withdrawing hand and wrapped her arm around it. "Don't be sad when you hear this, but I've always hoped that my brother can be bright, handsome, cheerful, and humorous. I wanted my brother to be able to buy me anything I want to eat; to be able to give me a sense of security and step forth whenever I'm in danger, scaring off all the bad people. Right now, you've met all the conditions!"
"Just say it if you want me to buy you snacks. You don't have to beat around the bush by buttering me up," Li Pin replied with a smile.
"I'm not. I'm really praising you," Li Yunyao replied in a light-hearted tone.
"Let's set off for Yunxia ancient street," Li Pin said.
The matter with Jing Yunshan didn't affect his mood in the least.