A crimson sun slowly sank towards the mountains in the west.
Its light was no longer blinding, but gentle and bright.
The western sky was dyed a deep red. The sunset clouds stretched endlessly like imperial consorts who had received rewards, happily clustering around the emperor to sleep together.
Everything on Qing Mao Mountain was bathed in a hazy rose color.
Rows of stilted houses were draped in a golden veil.
The forest surrounding the academy seemed to be coated in a thin layer of oil.
A gentle breeze blew. The students, clutching the newly received Yuan Stone subsidies, walked out of the classrooms feeling refreshed and invigorated.
"I really wonder what Fang Yuan is thinking, giving up the position of class leader!"
"Hahaha, 'Chapter 54: I'm the Class Leader!' His brain is fried. He probably spends all day thinking about killing people. Let's not bother with this lunatic."
"Speaking of which, I was really startled the day he stormed into the academy. It was terrifying. I had nightmares all night when I got home."
The students left in twos and threes.
"Hello, class leader."
"Mm."
"Hello, class leader."
"Mm-hmm."
Gu Yue Mobei swaggered along, and wherever he went, the students bowed to him respectfully.
His expression couldn't hide his excitement and intoxication.
Such was the charm of power.
Even the slightest privilege could make a person feel their own worth.
As the sun set in the west, the dying rays as red as blood, Mobei looked at it and thought happily: 'Why haven't I noticed it before? The sunset is really quite lovely...'
"Hmph, just because he became class leader, he's gotten cocky. What's so great about that?" Gu Yue Chicheng deliberately lagged behind, unwilling to bow to Gu Yue Mobei. "I really don't know what's going on in Fang Yuan's head, giving up a perfectly good position as class leader. Still, it's a good thing he did. Otherwise, how could someone in third place like me become the vice class leader?"
Gu Yue Chicheng felt a mix of bewilderment and relief.
"Hello, vice class leader!" Just then, an ordinary student passed by and immediately bowed to him.
"Hehe, hello to you too." Gu Yue Chicheng nodded, a smile blossoming on his face.
After the student had passed, he naturally thought: 'The life of a vice leader isn't bad; being the leader must be even better. If only I were the class leader instead of the vice leader!'
Having just felt relieved at his good fortune, Chicheng was now eyeing the position of class leader.
Under the clan system, the ranks of power were like carrots, each one bigger than the last, deeply tempting him.
'Although I only have Grade-C talent, I believe everything will get better and better.' Gu Yue Chicheng was filled with hope for the future.
However, at this moment, Gu Yue Fangzheng, who was also a vice class leader, was in a terrible mood. His expression was extremely sullen.
"Brother, you!" He stared wide-eyed at the entrance of the academy, where a solitary figure was blocking the way.
"Same as usual. One Yuan Stone each." Fang Yuan stood with his arms crossed, his tone flat.
Fangzheng opened his mouth, struggled a few times before finally saying, 'Brother, but I'm the vice class leader now!'
'Indeed.' Fang Yuan nodded impassively, casting a cold glance at Fangzheng. 'The vice class leader's subsidy is a full five stones. You'll hand over three.'
Fangzheng was dumbfounded and couldn't speak for a moment.
A group of youths surrounded Gu Yue Mobei as they walked over.
Seeing Fang Yuan blocking the school gate, Gu Yue Mobei flew into a rage and pointed at Fang Yuan: "Fang Yuan! You have some nerve! You still dare to block us?! I am the class leader now! You are just an ordinary student. When you see me, you must first bow and greet me!"
His answer was Fang Yuan's fist.
Caught off guard, Gu Yue Mobei was struck, stumbling back several steps, his face full of disbelief: "You hit me? You dare to hit me?! I'm the class leader!"
His answer once again was Fang Yuan's fist.
*Thump thump thump.*
After a few exchanges of blows, Gu Yue Mobei was knocked to the ground by Fang Yuan and fell unconscious.
The youths all around stared dumbfounded, none of them knowing how to react for a moment.
This wasn't how they had imagined things would go!
The guards at the gate watched everything happen right under their noses and could not help but whisper among themselves.
"Fang Yuan knocked down the new class leader. What do we do?"
"Just leave it."
"What do you mean?"
"Just watch, then call the other guys to clean up the mess."
"But..."
"Hmph, do you want to provoke someone like Fang Yuan? Think about what happened to Wang Da and Wu Er!"
The guard who asked the question shuddered and said nothing more.
The two guards at the gate stood bolt upright. They let the robbery happen right under their noses, as if they were deaf and blind, hearing nothing and seeing nothing.