Wang Mingyuan was about to leave with Su Zhan.
Three men in Investigation Division uniforms appeared at the door.
The leader held a document: "Team Leader Du, routine investigation. Please cooperate."
Doberman remained calm, leisurely adjusting his cuffs: "Investigator Li, working so late?"
"You know about this villa case."
Investigator Li handed over the document: "We need your assistance verifying a few matters."
Doberman glanced at the document: "Just this? Of course I'll cooperate with routine procedures... but are you sure you want to proceed now?"
Wang Mingyuan cleared his throat: "Since you're both on official business, I won't disturb you further."
He supported Su Zhan as they continued toward the exit: "Team Leader Du, we'll catch up another day."
Doberman called out to stop them.
He spoke coldly to Su Zhan: "Do you really think I can't deal with you? Heh... you'll find out tomorrow."
On the road.
Su Zhan contemplated before tentatively asking: "Teacher Wang, why does Doberman respect you so much?"
"I'm a teacher."
Wang Mingyuan smiled: "Respecting teachers is normal."
Su Zhan rolled his eyes internally.
Someone like Doberman only cared about power and connections.
Since Wang Mingyuan didn't want to explain, he wouldn't press further.
As for Doberman's threat earlier...
He'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
"The day after tomorrow is Awakening Day. Did you buy the Awakening Serum?"
Wang Mingyuan abruptly changed the subject.
"Teacher Wang, you know my family situation."
Su Zhan spoke slowly: "I can't possibly stake my entire livelihood on that extra 3% chance."
As an Aberrant, this was a guaranteed losing bet.
Wang Mingyuan looked at him twice before finally saying: "Get some rest. As adults, we're responsible for our own lives."
The next morning.
Su Zhan came to school as usual.
Nearly 90% of classroom seats were empty.
Some were hospitalized for injuries, others receiving psychological treatment.
And some... would never return.
Outside the school gates, heart-wrenching screams reached the classroom.
"Give me back my daughter!"
"Class 3-2 - 30 out of 45 students dead! We entrusted our children to you, and this is how you repay us?!"
"Reporter, right? Yes, this school! Heard about last night's villa party incident? Exactly that one! What do I know? I'll tell you everything I know - you must expose this school!"
The irony was laughable.
They only dared confront the school, not the party organizers or Li Yuqin.
"Soft persimmones are easy to squeeze."
Su Zhan shook his head helplessly.
Such was human nature.
Still, incidents like this happened constantly throughout Daxia.
Their protests would achieve nothing.
After all, the real killers were Aberrants - harassing others instead?
Weren't they just bullying the weak?
Sure enough, the City Patrol Division soon arrived.
Arresting all the troublemakers.
Making trouble? Save it for the interrogation room.
These weren't peaceful times.
With fog creatures outside and Aberrants within,
Harsh laws ruled this chaotic era.
"Su Zhan."
A cool voice called out.
Su Zhan turned to see Li Yuqin pushing open the classroom door, walking gracefully toward him.
"Li Yuqin?"
Su Zhan was surprised.
For a silver-spoon heiress like her,
To come to school the next day as if nothing happened after last night's bloodbath,
Rather than hiding at home trembling...
Li Yuqin gave him a wary glance before quickly leaving.
Su Zhan: ? What was that about? Am I that scary?
Just then.
Wang Mingyuan entered with a grave expression: "Su Zhan, come with me."
He walked out without further explanation.
Su Zhan, full of questions,
Followed Wang Mingyuan to the school building rooftop.
The wind howled across the open space.
"Su Zhan, checked your phone?"
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses.
"What?"
Su Zhan didn't understand.
"Look up Doberman."
Wang Mingyuan explained.
Su Zhan subtly studied his expression, finding no deception.
He took out his phone.
Phones were banned at school.
But Wang Mingyuan wasn't so petty
As to stage this just to confiscate it.
Searching "Doberman" yielded shocking results:
[Possible Aberrant Student Discovered at Jiang City High School]
Su Zhan's pupils contracted as he clicked.
The top result was a short video interview with Doberman in his Aberrant Purge Division uniform, expression solemn:
"Preliminary investigations suggest last night's party showed signs of deliberate Aberrant manipulation. Survivor Su Zhan is a suspect with clear motive."
The comments section exploded:
I'm from Third High! Su Zhan always gave off creepy vibes!
Heard his parents were Aberrants executed by the Purge Division!
Proof needed.
Scrolling down revealed countless sensationalist articles:
"Sources say 'Su' repeatedly avoided mandatory health checks..."
"Experts analyze his unusual behavioral patterns..."
...
Su Zhan stared at the flashing screen.
What a move.
No wonder Li Yuqin avoided him earlier.
He laughed coldly inside.
Doberman's scheme was vicious - needing no concrete evidence,
Just sowing seeds in the court of public opinion.
Human nature would nurture those seeds into towering trees.
People didn't care about truth, even when accusations were vague or full of holes.
When millions simultaneously brand you a monster,
You become one whether you are or not.
"Teacher Wang, Doberman is framing me."
Su Zhan said slowly.
"Doberman... really loves his brother."
Wang Mingyuan didn't respond directly, instead making this remark.
Su Zhan waited silently.
Wang Mingyuan adjusted his glasses: "In Daxia, falsely accusing someone of being an Aberrant carries the death penalty."
Su Zhan listened quietly.
His inherited memories confirmed this.
False accusers must pay the price - otherwise society would collapse into chaos.
"Know why it's so severe?"
Wang Mingyuan answered his own question: "270 years ago, the Liangshui Village incident occurred."
He opened his phone, displaying grayscale photos:
Burned houses, bodies hanging from trees, crowds cheering with banners.
"A rumor spread in some town about Aberrants living there.
Back then, Aberrants had just emerged - the entire nation was on edge.
Three accusations meant certain death - better safe than sorry.
Within a week, 321 people were lynched."
Wang Mingyuan spoke slowly: "Later investigations proved all were ordinary people... completely innocent."
The final photo showed a close-up of a little girl's corpse.
So young. What a pity.