Chapter 41: The Price of Justice

The outcome was entirely predictable.

“Why? They’re the ones who made the mistake; why should my brother bear the responsibility?” Yingning glared furiously at Liu Li.

“They were clearly insulting and bullying a classmate. Teacher, you can go and see Wu Ming; his face is covered in bruises from Xiang Ling’s beating! This is all evidence!”

“Enough, this matter is settled, Yingning. I’m also thinking of you, unwilling to see your studies affected by other issues…” Liu Li sighed, rubbing her temples as if battling a headache, then waved us away.

“Now, hurry back to class. I will handle this matter.”

‘Handle it… which likely means expelling me, doesn’t it?’

“Handle it?” Yingning, though naive, was not foolish. She instantly discerned that ‘handling it’ was not what she had envisioned, her gaze turning cold.

“Teacher, I believe there is still justice in this world. The law will grant us fairness.”

Liu Li nodded noncommittally.

“Mm… you two should go back now.”

After leaving the office, the young girl did not return to the classroom.

I followed her to the edge of the sports field, where we found a patch of grass and sat down.

“I’m sorry… Brother…” The young girl bowed her head, a hint of dejection in her posture.

I instinctively patted the young girl’s back.

“The school board members are the true overlords of this institution. They control the school’s financial lifelines, acting as the helmsmen for its operations and development.

Likewise, they hold sway over every individual working here, possessing the full authority to dismiss or replace anyone in any position.

Liu Li… Teacher Liu is merely a humble class teacher. She has her own family and children to care for, and her teaching position is the very foundation sustaining her household.

Between us and her own family, who do you think she would choose?”

While the young girl was not unintelligent, she had not yet reached an age where she could discern the world’s inherent impurities.

She was merely a seventeen-year-old high school student.

Other high school girls her age were likely engrossed in petty squabbles, much like Xiang Ling, weren’t they?

“Don’t blame yourself; you’ve already done exceptionally well,” I said with a smile.

“I know what you’re saying; I’ve thought about it,” the young girl said, clenching her fists.

“I initially believed that Teacher Liu, as an instructor at a law school, would surely have some recourse.

After all, this institution supplies judicial talent to the nation and its official bodies; national oversight is far stricter here, so it might not be as helpless against the school board as an ordinary school.

If Teacher Liu has no way, then there’s still the dean, and the principal.

If all of them are equally powerless, then we’ll simply represent Wu Ming ourselves! We’ll take it to court! I refuse to believe there isn’t a single place in this world where justice can be upheld!

No matter how powerful the Xiang family is, can they truly cover the sky with one hand and blind the truth?”

‘The young girl’s agitation likely stemmed from my undeserved burden of blame.’

I plucked a blade of grass and chewed on it idly.

“At its core, this incident is merely a minor squabble between students. It’s uncertain whether a court would even accept the case.

Moreover, what makes you so sure Wu Ming would be willing to pursue legal action with you?”

“This is an extremely egregious case of campus violence! The perpetrators have committed multiple offenses! Xiang Ling and Xiang Renhe, the offenders, are both over fourteen years old and should bear appropriate legal responsibility! Criminal penalties should be imposed based on the severity of the abuse! This incident is more than sufficient for formal indictment!” Yingning declared, her expression earnest.

“They have gone too far. I believe the law can grant Wu Ming justice and clear your name, Brother! It will not allow the aggressors to continue evading punishment! Brother, we may lack power and influence, but thankfully, we are not ignorant of the law.

The law is the only path left for us…”

‘While I had long known Yingning to be a good girl brimming with a strong sense of justice, I never imagined she would be willing to pursue legal action over the injustices around her!’

‘A lawsuit… the depths of that world far exceeded anything found within the school walls…’

Though I wished for the young girl to forever retain her innocence and sense of justice—I preferred a sister like her over some money-grubbing socialite or venomous shrew corrupted by society.

However, if she continued down this path, the young girl would likely be harmed!

I stared intently into Yingning’s eyes, stating with utmost seriousness, “Either we hire an assassin, then.”

‘There shouldn’t be anything wrong with that, right?’

Yingning’s expression was a sight to behold.

First, her small mouth parted in astonishment, then her eyes slowly widened.

Finally, she drew a sharp breath, raising her voice with extreme concern.

“Brother! How could you even think such a thing!”

“Our objective is simply to resolve the problem, isn’t it?” I said nonchalantly, still chewing on the blade of grass.

“Once the problem is dead, there are no more problems. It’s a simple truth… And I guarantee no one would ever trace it back to us.”

Yingning grabbed the soft flesh at my waist and twisted it forcefully.

“I… Hiss… Ow! That hurts!” I gasped, wincing in pain.

“You absolutely cannot entertain such thoughts! While it might offer a temporary solution, and many might evade justice for a time… if you’re caught, you’ll die!

You’re not some hitman or criminal mastermind from a movie; don’t imagine it’s that simple!” Yingning looked at me with worry, then sighed.

“I still want to try… to try pursuing a lawsuit… Brother, do you remember how Mom and Dad died?”

“Alright, what’s past is past,” I quickly interjected, changing the subject.

“At worst, we’ll just transfer schools, won’t we?”

“No!” Yingning’s brows shot up, her delicate face filled with resolute determination.

“Since we’ve encountered such a matter, there’s no reason to shy away from it.

Whether it’s for you, Brother, or for Wu Ming, who is constantly bullied, or even for the countless ordinary people suffering from campus violence…

If everyone gives up defending their dignity out of fear of trouble, then who will stand up?

In the future, how many more will be tormented by that lawless brother and sister? And how many are currently enduring the ravages of campus violence?”

Yingning rose from the grass, offering a self-deprecating smile.

“I know my thoughts are perhaps a little too idealistic, a bit too much like a ‘saintly mother’ (TL Note: A Chinese slang term, ‘sheng mu,’ referring to someone who is overly compassionate, often to their own detriment, or who takes on others’ burdens unnecessarily).

Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but I will do everything in my power to eradicate the injustices of this world… This is the vow I made to this world the moment I chose to pursue a law degree!”

A gentle breeze swept across the grass, rustling through it in a soft wave and stirring the girl’s hair.

Though the girl’s eyes were still red-rimmed, her gaze shone with the brilliance of stars.

‘This was precisely why I called her an emissary of justice.’

I sighed.

“Su Heroine, playing the hero isn’t as enjoyable as it seems…”

“I’m not playing a game!” the young girl retorted, glaring at me.

“We are the weak, and the law is our only weapon!”

‘The young girl was right; the law was the last straw for the weak.’

‘But ultimately, it was still just a straw…’

‘A straw cannot save a person; it offers only psychological comfort.’

“Alright,” I said, standing up and patting the young girl’s shoulder.

“I have three potential solutions here. Would you like to hear them?”

The young girl, surprised that I had solutions, nodded instinctively.

“The first is to hire an assassin.”