Before the two could get far, a crowd suddenly surrounded them.
A dozen burly men poured out from both sides of the street. Every one of them was powerfully built, with a straight back and steady steps; one look told of their military background. The four at the front carried a stretcher with a man lying on it, his entire body wrapped in bandages. His exposed skin was covered in burns and bruises, and his face was swollen like a pig's head. It was none other than Guang Long, whom Hu Fangyuan had beaten off yesterday.
Another group held up an enormous white cloth banner, with eight large, crooked characters written in black ink: A life for a life, a debt must be repaid!
They also held up four large photographs, unmistakably showing Hu Fangyuan, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue.
Hu Fangyuan's photograph was particularly large, with three large characters painted across it in red: Murderer.
Fortunately, however, this was the entrance to a Soul Master Academy. Although these burly men acted as if they had nothing to fear, they did not charge straight through the academy gates. They merely blocked the entrance, lined up abreast with a menacing air.
Their leader stood over two meters tall and was exceptionally imposing, a full head taller than the burly men beside him. He had a large bald head and a full beard, each bristle sticking out like a steel needle. His arms were bare, exposing muscles so powerful they were frightening, each sharply defined as though carved from rock.
He stood at the very front, his cold gaze fixed intently on Hu Fangyuan and Gu Yue.
"You two were the ones... who injured my little brother?"
The bald man wore a dangerous expression, his voice low and hoarse, like millstones grinding together. He looked ready to strike at any moment, making Hu Fangyuan and Gu Yue wary of acting rashly.
Hu Fangyuan's pupils contracted slightly.
This fellow's Soul Power fluctuations... were strong. More than one notch above Guang Long's.
Fortunately, a moment later-
"Who are you people? How dare you cause trouble at the academy gates!"
An angry shout rang out.
Long Hengxu pushed through the crowd with a dozen teachers, all looking furious. Behind them followed quite a few students who had rushed over upon hearing the news, forming a long, tightly packed line.
But at the sight of the people outside, Long Hengxu's heart tightened slightly as well. They knew perfectly well that this was a Soul Master Academy, yet still dared to block its gates. They must have something to rely on.
"My name is Guang Biao. The one lying there is my little brother."
The imposing bald man spoke coldly. He did not display any particularly ferocious presence, but his low voice rang in everyone's ears like a thunderclap.
Such powerful Soul Power!
Long Hengxu's pupils contracted.
Then he suddenly remembered that name.
"Guang Biao? You're Guang Biao, commander of Eastsea City's Mecha Brigade?"
His voice held a measure of disbelief.
Every city had its own armed forces. Besides the regular police deployments that maintained normal order, there were also military deployments. Eastsea City was a large city and lay along the coast. Consequently, the Federation had stationed a Mecha Brigade of five hundred Soul Guidance Mechas here.
The Mecha Brigade had division-level organizational status, only one rank below Eastsea City's chief administrator, and neither was subordinate to the other.
Upon learning that the imposing, muscular man before him was actually Guang Biao, Long Hengxu's expression changed dramatically.
Even if Eastsea City's chief administrator were here, he probably would not be able to order this man around!
"I'm not here as the commander of any Mecha Brigade. I'm simply an elder brother whose little brother has been seriously injured," Guang Biao said coldly. His gaze swept over those present before finally settling on Hu Fangyuan. "Hand over the attacker."
"Commander Guang Biao, I wonder whether there might be some misunderstanding here."
Long Hengxu's tone softened considerably. "Those photographs clearly show four children. Surely your younger brother couldn't have been injured by these four children? I think there must be a reason behind this. Why don't we calm down and investigate things thoroughly first?"
Long Hengxu knew very well that he could not afford to offend this man.
The man commanded an entire Mecha Brigade.
In other words, all these burly men before him were Mecha Masters.
Although ordinary people could also become Mecha Masters, they were a minority, after all. Most Mecha Masters were Soul Masters. Even if their ranks were not high, they had extensive experience both in controlling Soul Tools and in combat.
These people before them truly were not opponents the academy could contend with. Moreover, they could call upon the power of their mechas at any time. If things really escalated, the academy would suffer badly.
"A misunderstanding?"
Guang Biao looked as though he had heard something amusing.
He pointed at Guang Long on the stretcher. "My little brother has a penetrating wound in his left arm, second-degree burns all over his body, and three broken bones. And you're telling me this is a misunderstanding?"
He took a step forward, his enormous figure casting a broad shadow. "My little brother was beaten into this state. As his elder brother, I cannot shirk my responsibility. Naturally, I'll investigate-but the investigation will take place at my premises."
"Enough nonsense. Hand him over. By waiting here, we've already shown Eastsea City due respect. I'll give you another twenty minutes. If you don't hand him over, we'll go in and find him ourselves."
As his words fell, the dozen burly men behind him stepped forward in unison.
Thud!
Their synchronized footfalls made even the ground tremble slightly.
A grim, murderous military air swept toward them.
The students immediately grew restless, and some of the more timid ones instinctively backed away.
Long Hengxu's face darkened, and he said sternly, "Commander Guang Biao, don't go too far. This is an academy, a place for educating students. Which one of you didn't come out of an academy? I won't hand him over. If you have the nerve, drive your mechas over our corpses. Otherwise, don't even think of setting one foot inside Eastsea Academy."
The students, who usually had plenty of complaints about the strict Director Long, could not help feeling their blood boil at the sight. Some of the older students had already moved behind him of their own accord, straightening their backs and staring at the burly men opposite them.
By this point, Hu Fangyuan had long since taken Gu Yue behind everyone else. He showed absolutely no intention of stepping forward to shoulder the blame just because he had caused this incident.
He hid behind the crowd, exposing half his face as he watched Guang Biao at the front and listened to the exchange, making calculations in his mind.
A Soul Emperor-level Ironclad Dragon Martial Soul... a little troublesome.
Gu Yue stood beside him, somewhat puzzled, but still lowered her voice to ask, "Hu Fangyuan, are you sure Teacher Wu can intervene in time?"
Hu Fangyuan smacked his lips. "Not sure. Worst comes to worst, we run back when the fighting starts. Director Long can take at least a few hits. Anyway, Teacher Wu won't just stand by and do nothing."
The corner of Gu Yue's mouth twitched.
Seeing Hu Fangyuan act as though none of this had anything to do with him, she truly felt a little admiration for this embodiment of humanity's worst traits. Where did he get the sheer gall to say such things?
He was clearly the one who had caused the trouble, yet now he was hiding at the very back and speaking as though it were only natural.
Just then-
"I only believe in strength."
Guang Biao abruptly strode forward.
He took one step, planting his foot on the ground.
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