Chapter 16 Villains
The students admitted this time were divided into four classes, ranked from highest to lowest score: Class A (Heavenly Class), Class B (Heavenly Class), Class A (Earthly Class), and Class B (Earthly Class).
Gu Dashun came in second and naturally entered the top class, while Xiao Liulang came in second to last and entered the bottom class.
As for Gu Xiaoshun, who was admitted through connections, he was also assigned to Class B of the Earth Division.
Gu Dashun had originally wondered what kind of important person Gu Xiaoshun had saved, but in the end, he only ended up in the worst class. It seems that the other party doesn't have much influence at Tianxiang Academy.
"That's Class B of the Earth Rank over there, go ahead." After pointing out the way to Gu Ershun, Gu Dashun turned around and headed towards Class A of the Heaven Rank.
Gu Ershun had dreamed of going to school like Dashun since he was a child, and now that his dream had finally come true, he was overjoyed.
However, he was a little unhappy that he was assigned to the same class as Xiao Liulang. Although he didn't know what the difference was between Class A and Class B, Xiao Liulang ranked second to last in the exam. What kind of good class could he be in?
I need to find the old man whom Gu Xiaoshun saved and ask him to transfer me to Gu Dashun's class!
Gu Ershun took it for granted, completely unaware that there was anything wrong with his thinking.
He glanced disdainfully at the students, raised his chin, and was about to go inside when suddenly, the lecturer spoke up: "Who are you?"
Gu Ershun said, "I am a new student, Gu Ershun."
Upon hearing this, the teacher stopped looking at him and said calmly, "Where did this guy come from, auditing the class? There's no such person in the class. Get out."
Gu Ershun was taken aback.
All the students looked at him, and Gu Ershun's face flushed red instantly: "I...I am..."
"Has Gu Xiaoshun arrived yet?" the teacher interrupted him.
The classroom was very quiet.
"Has Gu Xiaoshun arrived yet?" the teacher asked again.
The students began to whisper among themselves.
Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Ershun are clearly related, yet the teacher didn't even ask...
The students began to whisper among themselves, and when they looked at Gu Ershun again, their eyes held a more intriguing look.
Gu Ershun lost face and turned to find Gu Dashun, hoping that Gu Dashun could solve this problem for him. However, he didn't expect that Class A of the Heavenly Rank had already started classes.
Gu Ershun had nowhere to go and was so embarrassed that he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
After class ended, Gu Dashun was called out by his own teacher.
"Master Chen," Gu Dashun bowed respectfully.
Master Chen thought for a moment and asked him, "You know about your brother's enrollment, right?"
Gu Dashun nodded: "I know, one of the academy's stewards personally delivered my brother's admission documents to the village. May I ask... what happened?"
Master Chen frowned: "Gu Xiaoshun was admitted, but Gu Ershun came instead. Are you aware of this?"
Gu Dashun noticed something was wrong when he saw Chen Fuzi's expression. His eyes flashed, and he lowered his gaze, saying, "I don't know anything about it. I left first. Those two are my second uncle's younger brothers."
"I understand, you can go to class now," said Master Chen.
“Master, my younger brother…” Gu Dashun looked at Master Chen, his expression somewhat uneasy.
Master Chen waved his hand: "It's nothing, it's your second uncle's business, it has nothing to do with you. Focus on your studies, you did well on the exam this time, the dean thinks highly of you."
Gu Dashun went to class.
He glanced in the direction of the corridor.
Gu Ershun is timid and probably won't say anything out of line.
...
After Gu Jiao went to the market, she went straight to her old stall. Everyone seemed to know that she was going to sell mountain products there, and they had reserved a spot for her early on.
Gu Jiao brought freshly picked mushrooms and dried black fungus today.
"Is this edible? Isn't it said to be poisonous?" the auntie selling sweet potatoes asked, holding up a piece of black fungus.
“I sell them, they’re edible,” Gu Jiao said.
Black fungus that has been sun-dried has lost its tannins and porphyrins, and will not cause any poisoning reactions.
The auntie who sold sweet potatoes believed her: "Can I trade you some more sweet potatoes?"
Gu Jiao nodded: "Mm."
Most of the black fungus and mushrooms in the basket were traded for side dishes by nearby vendors, leaving only a small portion to be sold to passersby.
Gu Jiao picked up the basket with one hand.
The heavy basket on her back was filled with radishes, sweet potatoes, winter melons, and pumpkins, yet she picked it up with ease.
Everyone stared in disbelief as she walked out of the market.
Gu Jiao didn't return to the village; instead, she went into a dusty alley.
Xue Ningxiang also came to the market.
Her mother-in-law's chronic leg pain flared up again, and since she didn't have the money to go to the town's clinic, she had to come to the market to buy some herbs from a barefoot doctor.
After buying the medicine, she was about to go back when she inadvertently caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
She stared intently at the other person, making sure she wasn't mistaken, and became even more puzzled.
"Why would she come here? And go to a place like that?"
That alleyway wasn't a good place; as far as Xue Ningxiang knew, there were gambling dens, brothels, and illegal workshops...
Xue Ningxiang really couldn't understand what Gu Jiao was doing there.
Was I scammed or...?
Xue Ningxiang frowned and quickly followed.
However, Gu Jiao disappeared as soon as she crossed the alley. Across the street was a large gambling den, to the left was a brothel, and to the right was something else entirely. From time to time, shrill screams could be heard, and people would fall out with bruises and swelling on their faces, then vomit blood and collapse on the ground, never to get up again.
Xue Ningxiang was terrified and turned to walk back, but was blocked in the alley by several thug-like men.
"Oh, where did this pretty young lady come from? She's quite the beauty!"
"Yeah, right? Want to hang out with us for a bit?"
The two men in front of her were talking as they reached out their groping hands towards Xue Ningxiang. The two men behind her, though not physically assaulting her, also grinned lewdly.
The four men surrounded her, completely blocking her way.
Xue Ningxiang was about to scream, but one of the men covered her mouth.
These four seemed to be used to this kind of thing before; they coordinated perfectly. One person covered her mouth, the other two lifted her up, and then all of them started groping her.
Xue Ningxiang couldn't call out or move, and tears of despair welled up in her eyes!
Just then, a clear, cold voice came from behind them: "Hey, move aside."
Just as the group was getting into the swing of things, they suddenly heard a woman's voice and were secretly delighted, thinking that another woman had come knocking on their door.
But when they turned their heads, they saw a little girl with red spots on her face.
Not only is her face ugly, but she's also skinny; she clearly hasn't grown up properly.
The men immediately lost interest in pinning her down, and the man who had covered Xue Ningxiang's mouth shouted, "Get out of the way!"
I said, move aside.
Her voice wasn't loud, and her tone carried a hint of nonchalance, yet somehow, a strange chill ran through everyone's hearts.
"Tch~" It was the same man who had covered Xue Ningxiang's mouth. He laughed disdainfully, released Xue Ningxiang, and walked towards Gu Jiao.
He threw a punch at Gu Jiao!
Xue Ningxiang couldn't bear to look and closed her eyes!
Click!
"ah--"
The sound of bones breaking and screams startled everyone.
Gu Jiao didn't give anyone a chance to react. She grabbed the second man by the collar and slammed him against the wall, knocking him unconscious on the spot.
The remaining two rushed at her, but they couldn't even touch a corner of her clothes before she kicked them in vital areas twice in succession, leaving them lying on the ground unable to get up.
However, at that moment, the first man who had fallen suddenly struggled to his feet, grabbed a brick, and slammed it down on the back of Gu Jiao's head—
Good morning, everyone.
(End of this chapter)
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