Almost at the same time, on the other side.
"Father, Mother, that's basically what happened." Fang Zheng stood straight and spoke respectfully.
In the hall, Fang Yuan's uncle Gu Yue Dongtu, and his aunt sat in wide-backed chairs, both frowning.
The aunt gnashed her teeth. On one hand, she was indignant on Fang Zheng's behalf, on the other, she was somewhat gloating. "That little brat Fang Yuan, it's one thing for him to extort others, but I never expected he wouldn't even spare his own brother. How utterly ruthless and heartless! But since he's committed such a big mistake this time, I reckon he'll be expelled from the academy soon."
"Alright, say no more." Uncle sighed, and spoke to Fang Zheng. "You lost a primeval stone, but it's just one, it's fine. Go down to the accounts room and claim another one. This matter of 'Section 30: Fang Yuan, You're Robbing Again?' has nothing to do with you. Go and cultivate well. With your A-grade aptitude, it's very likely you will become the first middle-stage Gu Master. Don't waste your talent. Your mother and I expect you to be the first."
"Yes, Father, Mother. I'll take my leave." Fang Zheng retreated with a troubled heart.
He thought to himself: "Brother blocked the academy gate today and robbed all the students. He caused such a bad influence, he might really get expelled. When that time comes, should I plead for him or not?"
Two voices clashed in his mind.
One voice said: "Don't plead. He even stole your primeval stones, his own brother. If he gets expelled, he only has himself to blame. Heaven-sent calamities can be survived, self-created ones cannot!"
Another voice said: "But he is your own brother! You share the same face. Blood is thicker than water. Well, even if you don't acknowledge him, you still have to plead. If you don't, what will outsiders think of you? They'll probably think you're cold-hearted and ungrateful."
Watching Fang Zheng leave the hall, the aunt couldn't contain herself and spoke happily: "Husband, we cut off Fang Yuan's living expenses. That little brat couldn't take it and committed a huge mistake this time! He dared to block the academy gate, brawl in public, and extort people. This is a provocation against the academy elders! I'd say it's a sure thing that he'll be expelled."
But the uncle shook his head. "You are overthinking this. Fang Yuan won't be expelled. He might not even receive any punishment at all."
"Why?" The aunt was greatly puzzled.
The uncle gave a cold laugh. "Fighting and brawling are encouraged, as long as there are no serious consequences. Did any student die in this fight? No."
The aunt was somewhat unconvinced. "How do you know there wasn't? In fights, accidents always happen."
The uncle closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. "You are so naive, woman. Do you really think the academy elders are just decorations? When did the guards move? They moved in at the very end. This means the situation was under control the whole time. If someone was seriously injured, they would have rushed out long before, not waited until the end."
"You are not a Gu Master, so you wouldn't understand. The academy doesn't prohibit fights between students, it even encourages them. The more you fight, the better you get at combat. Some students even form deep bonds of friendship through fighting. The elders won't pursue this matter. This has been the custom. If someone intervenes to protect their own, they are the ones breaking the rules."
The aunt was dumbfounded. "So Fang Yuan robs that huge pile of primeval stones and nothing happens to him? We just let him off? That huge pile of primeval stones will be a massive help to his cultivation!"
The uncle opened his eyes, his face full of gloom. "What else can we do? Do you want me to go over there and personally snatch his primeval stones? But this matter can still be turned to our advantage. The fact that Fang Yuan even robbed and extorted his own brother, Fang Zheng, is his fatal flaw. Fang Zheng has A-grade aptitude, he will surpass him one day. Let's use this matter to sow discord and drive a wedge between them. Let's make Fang Zheng completely distance himself from Fang Yuan and work for us!"
And so, three days passed.
The storm caused by Fang Yuan's robbery and extortion did not spread or escalate. Instead, it showed signs of gradually calming down.
No elders broke the rule by coming to personally cause trouble for Fang Yuan. The academy elders naturally turned a blind eye.
Although, in this period, two or three youths, unwilling to accept the outcome of having their primeval stones violently taken, challenged Fang Yuan again.
But after Fang Yuan effortlessly knocked them flat, everyone realized that if they didn't diligently practice their basic martial arts, they couldn't beat Fang Yuan.
Among these youths, a wave of enthusiasm for practicing basic martial arts swept through.