"Rumble—"
Suddenly, the entire earth began to shake.
Everyone looked up in surprise, gazing at the sky.
"Heavens! What in the world is happening?"
"Is this an earthquake?"
"How could there be an earthquake so suddenly?"
The students cried out in alarm.
Even the Dean and his wife were startled.
Fear appeared on their faces.
"What do we do?"
The Dean asked his wife.
"I... I don't know what to do either!"
The wife looked at the Dean in panic.
Just then, the ground shook violently a few more times.
"Rumble!"
The ground trembled intensely.
The entire earth seemed to be vibrating.
"What's happening?"
"What's going on?"
"Heavens! Is it an earthquake?"
Numerous students screamed, their faces draining of color in fear.
"Ah!!"
At that moment, a piercing scream rang out.
A female student, who had just gotten up from the ground, had her legs pierced by a massive rock, blood gushing out.
She looked at the sky with a pale face, appearing to have narrowly escaped death.
"Help! Someone, help!"
Hearing this, everyone rushed towards the student in fear.
"Quick! Go get a physician!"
"No, no need, I... I have no strength left, I... I'm going to die, who, who will go get a physician?"
The girl said weakly.
"No! We must get a physician!"
"We can't delay!"
Everyone chimed in.
The girl's lips curled into a mocking smile. She closed her eyes and collapsed onto the ground.
In a classroom at Tian Xing Academy.
Huangfu Aofeng looked at Huangfu Aohan, remaining silent.
Huangfu Aohan lowered his head, not daring to meet his father's gaze.
After a long pause, Huangfu Aofeng finally spoke.
"Han'er!"
Huangfu Aohan, head still down, nodded.
Huangfu Aofeng was silent for a while.
Finally, he said, "Han'er, have you truly decided to marry that woman?"
Huangfu Aohan nodded.
Huangfu Aofeng took a deep breath and said, "She is from the Huangfu family. If, if she were to betray us, what would we do?"
Huangfu Aohan's eyes flickered a few times. Finally, he looked up and said with determination, "Father, please rest assured. Even if I die, I will never allow anyone to deceive you!"
"Since you have made your decision, then father will respect your choice. Your wedding will be held in three months. At that time, you can divorce that slut!"
"Thank you, Father!"
After speaking, Huangfu Aohan turned and left the classroom.
"Han'er, you must treat her well!"
Huangfu Aofeng couldn't help but instruct.
Huangfu Aohan's footsteps paused slightly upon hearing this. Then, he nodded and strode out.
Huangfu Aohan reached the doorway and turned back to Huangfu Aofeng and his wife, waving with a smile.
"Father, Mother, I shall take my leave."
"Go ahead!"
After Huangfu Aofeng spoke, he turned and left the classroom.
---
In a valley on the western outskirts of Tian Xing City.
A group of men in black were surrounding a young man.
"Ahhh!!"
The young man cried out in pain repeatedly, his body covered in blood, on the verge of death.
"Who are you, why are you trying to capture me? Let me go!"
The young man shouted.
A tall man dressed in black kicked the young man in the chest, sending him flying.
The young man landed on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face pale.
"You scoundrel! How dare you injure my comrade, I'll kill you!"
The tall man in black roared and charged at the young man.
Seeing the man in black closing in, a look of despair appeared on the young man's face.
He offered no resistance, closing his eyes and awaiting the pain.
"Bang—"
Suddenly, a powerful force struck him, and the young man was sent flying, crashing into the grass and rolling several times.
The young man struggled to open his eyes and looked at the figure before him, a bitter smile appearing on his lips.
"It's you?"
Huangfu Aofeng looked at the young man before him, saying in surprise.
Huangfu Aohan's face lit up with surprise, "Father, why are you here?"
Huangfu Aofeng looked at Huangfu Aohan and sighed, saying, "I was in seclusion in the capital when I learned of trouble here, so I hurried over!"
Huangfu Aohan nodded upon hearing this.
"It's good that you're alright!"
"I thought I was going to die!"
Huangfu Aofeng looked at Huangfu Aohan with a heavy tone, "You must understand, this matter is extremely serious! If anyone discovers your identity, it will be disastrous!"
Huangfu Aohan's expression turned solemn.
He looked at Huangfu Aofeng and said slowly, "Father! I understand your concerns! Therefore, I have already had all the hidden guards withdrawn. No one will find us!"
Huangfu Aofeng breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Huangfu Aohan's words, but then his expression became heavy again.
"Han'er! Have you truly thought this through?"
Huangfu Aohan nodded, his tone resolute.
"Father, please believe me!"
Huangfu Aofeng looked at Huangfu Aohan's determined gaze, sighed, and said, "Very well! Father will agree to your request! However, you must remember, no matter what, never let anyone discover your identity, understand?"
"I know!"
"Good! You may go!"
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Aohan cupped his hands, turned, and left the classroom.
After leaving the academy, Huangfu Aohan did not depart immediately.
Instead, he bought several sets of clothes on a street near the academy and changed into them.
Then, he found an inn nearby, ate his fill, and leisurely left.
Not long after Huangfu Aohan left the inn, he encountered Huangfu Aofeng's personal guard.
"Master, you have finally returned!"
The guard bowed respectfully to Huangfu Aohan.
Huangfu Aohan glanced at the guard indifferently and said coldly, "How is the investigation of the matter I entrusted to you?"
The guard replied respectfully, "The investigation is complete. This subordinate has already sent the news to the Second Prince and the Eldest Princess!"
"Very good! Continue the investigation. Find out everyone. I will make them pay a heavy price!"
Huangfu Aohan's gaze turned ice-cold.
"Yes, this subordinate understands!"
After speaking, the guard respectfully stepped aside.
Huangfu Aohan turned and headed towards the Huangfu family.
---
The next day, early morning.
Huangfu Aohan woke up early, washed up, and headed towards the academy.
Upon entering the academy, Huangfu Aohan walked directly to the Dean's office.
He found that quite a few people had already gathered in the Dean's office.
The Director of Studies stood on the podium, looking at the students below, and announced loudly, "Today, I have summoned everyone here because a group of men in black sneaked into Tian Xing City last night and cruelly killed our country's students. Today, I will give you a fair opportunity to identify them. If you find them, report them to the academy immediately and kill them without mercy!"
Huangfu Aohan entered the Dean's office and found that many people had already gathered.
The Director of Studies stood on the podium and announced loudly, "A group of men in black sneaked into Tian Xing City last night and cruelly killed our country's students. Today, I will give you a fair opportunity to identify them. If you find them, report them to the academy immediately and kill them without mercy!"