Chapter 101: You Can't Trap a Wolf Without Relinquishing the Lamb!

Rumors are fiercer than tigers.

Whether rumors are truly as ferocious as tigers is hard to say, but they certainly have the power to incite people who are far more dangerous than any beast.

Clearly, someone wanted to ignite a scandal between Tang Fei and Phoenix.

From above, Tang Fei would enrage the Imperial Family. After all, the royals would never tolerate their noble princess marrying a refugee boy from the Old Lands. Even a mere rumor was an intolerable provocation against the majesty of the throne.

From below, he would incite the common people. They would assume that with the Princess as his backer, Tang Fei was using his influence to frame talented students and force them to drop out.

Together, both sides would join forces to crush Tang Fei.

Then there were the noble families who already had designs on Phoenix; seeing such news, they could no longer sit still. If Phoenix were to marry into another prestigious family, that would be one thing—everyone would just compete based on their own merits. But if she favored a boy from the Old Lands, then the solution was simple: find a way to eliminate that boy first. He did not deserve a seat at the table.

This was Shen Boyu’s maneuver. With Shen Anyuan’s revenge plot having already failed, he applied a little pressure, shifted the focus, and pushed Tang Fei into an even more perilous trap. This time, whether Tang Fei lived or died, he would end up offending a great many people. Some would act now, while others would wait for the right moment.

Just as he had said, if Shen Anyuan couldn’t finish the job, then let everyone finish it together. Borrowing the strength of others to fulfill one’s own agenda—that is the mark of a true chess player.

Unfortunately, those who seek to manipulate public opinion are always destined to be consumed by it.

Under the orchestration of Shen Anyuan, countless media sites and influential celebrities deliberately steered the narrative, hurling abuse and attacks at Tang Fei. They branded him as "despicable," "shameless," a "conspirator," a "coward," a "gigolo," and a "nouveau riche," propelling him—a complete unknown—to the headlines of all major media platforms.

The tide began to turn when a girl named Liang Xinyuan stood up for Tang Fei. She posted on "Galaxy," the Phoenix Empire’s largest media site, titled: "How long has it been since you refused someone?"

"Your life is comfortable, and your money is all budgeted, but a colleague asks to borrow money for some reason. Will you refuse?"

"When you’re out at a party with friends and a roommate asks you to bring back food, will you refuse?"

"When you don’t want to attend a dinner party but worry about hurting your boss’s feelings, will you refuse?"

"When you don’t want to accept a confession from a friend, but you’ve been close for years, will you refuse?"

—

"Yes, I haven't. I don't know how to refuse others, preferring to wrong myself instead."

"As adults, we consider too much. For the sake of dignity, appearances, friendship, and our futures, we have lost the freedom to choose."

"We prefer to compromise just to keep up appearances. Yet, afterward, we want to slap ourselves: Why did I agree? Why didn't I refuse?"

"Why am I saying all this? Because I truly envy Tang Fei’s attitude toward life. He can refuse things so naturally that it’s actually satisfying to watch."

"I’ve seen that video, and I’ve watched it many times. Lu Yang challenged him, and he refused. Lu Yang drew his blade to block his way..."

"As an adult, when someone has clearly refused you, why do you resort to such barbaric methods to force them to accept? Why is it that in your eyes, Tang Fei is the one in the wrong?"

"Yes, Tang Fei did take a step forward. But if that blade hadn't been in his way, how would the subsequent events have occurred? How would Lu Yang have been ordered to drop out?"

"Lu Yang did something wrong, and Tang Fei only did what he should have done. I still hold to this point: those who do wrong should be punished."

"What Tang Fei did was simply ensure that those who did wrong were punished. That is all."

"I’m going to watch the video again, because that feeling of refusing others without any scruples is just so refreshing. The fact that someone can do what I cannot is why I like and respect him. It has nothing to do with who he is, but what kind of person he is."

"Sister, you said it so well! You’re my voice! What did Tang Fei do wrong? He just did what he had to."

"Exactly! That Lu Yang is so annoying. Why does he think just because he wants to compete, others have to comply? Who does he think he is?"

"Don't you guys think Tang Fei lives so freely? He does what he wants without caring about others' opinions. Isn't this a form of self-reconciliation?"

"The girl is right. There are just too many rules for adults to follow, and it’s exhausting. Seeing Tang Fei, I feel like this is the life we actually want."

"He’s not just a breath of fresh air; he’s a mudslide. But, I happen to love this mudslide."

"Me too."

—

Liang Xinyuan’s words didn’t just defend Tang Fei; they spoke the secret thoughts of countless others. What are we living for? Can we live like Tang Fei?

Countless people commented on the post, and even more shared it. Many were moved and began writing their own articles to echo Liang Xinyuan’s views, supporting Tang Fei’s actions. Thus, the war between those who disparaged Tang Fei and those who supported him raged across countless battlefields, escalating from verbal sparring to colorful insults about each other's relatives.

Seeing that her post was gaining massive influence and traction, Liang Xinyuan simply created a fan group for Tang Fei on "Galaxy."

Team Name: Tang#Fei.
Team Slogan: Where you fall, you lie flat.
Team Mission: Protect the most authentic Tang Fei.

You have to understand, usually, only real stars and virtual idols have fan groups. Tang Fei was just an ordinary person who had been dragged into a scandal by smear campaigns. But as the abuse continued, the wind shifted; supporters grew, and now there was even a fan group.

As soon as the Tang#Fei organization was founded, it attracted endless attention.

"Where you fall, you lie flat. I love it! This speaks to my soul."

"You lie, I lie, salted fish need no ideals."

"Only when you fall do you realize that lying down is the most comfortable."

"Protect the best Tang Fei, I’m here..."

"Have you guys noticed? Tang Fei is actually quite handsome."

"Hey, don't covet my husband! We’ve already registered our marriage!"

—

Because everyone wanted to "lie flat," more and more people joined the Tang#Fei group. Dozens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands...

In this era, technology is increasingly advanced, but the pressure on human survival is growing. In the past, humans only competed with each other; now, they must compete with artificial intelligence and robots. One slip, and your field or job could be replaced.

We may be giants in action, but we wish to be "dwarfs" in thought. Thus, more and more people joined the Tang#Fei group.

"I’m too tired, I just want to lie down." This was the collective cry of the masses.

With the growth of the group and Liang Xinyuan’s organized and disciplined counterattacks, the influential celebrities who had launched the initial offensive immediately quieted down. They only wanted to get paid, not risk their careers. There was no need to ruin their credibility with their fans for a single contract.

And so, people on New Star noticed that a strange name had suddenly appeared in the conspicuous spots of major media search trends: Tang Fei! Along with it came the group’s slogan: "Where you fall, you lie flat." This just goes to show how deeply that slogan resonated with people.

—

Tang Fei was completely unaware of these events. Led by Ran Ran, he arrived at the Disciplinary Committee’s conference room.

Lu Yang was there too. The five members of the Disciplinary Committee were watching the entire process of the dispute on the big screen. This footage was provided by the Martial Arts Hall and was far clearer and more comprehensive than the versions circulating online.

When Lu Yang saw Tang Fei walk in, he glared at him with venomous eyes. He knew his situation was dire; one wrong move and he would be kicked out of school, suffering the same fate as Shen Qingping. Although he studied Ancient Martial Arts and judged heroes by their cultivation level, in the same tier, higher academic credentials always meant more opportunities.

Centuries ago, it was said that young people should develop morally, intellectually, and physically.

As the video ended, the Director of the Disciplinary Committee, Han Chunguang, turned to Tang Fei and Lu Yang. "Both parties are here. Do you have anything to say?"

"Director, I’ve been framed," Lu Yang declared. "I had no intention of hurting him. I only drew my blade to block his path, wanting him to accept my challenge. His injury was entirely his own doing, intended to frame me and get me expelled!"

"I framed you?" Tang Fei immediately retorted. "Did I pull the blade for you? Did I hold it against my own chest? Didn't I explicitly refuse your challenge?"

"Even after I refused, you wouldn't back down and forced the blade against my chest. In my panic, I accidentally took a step forward and was cut by your blade. And you dare say I framed you? If I was framing you, why would I cooperate so well?"

"I didn't cut you! My blade only tore your clothes; it didn't even pierce your skin!"

*Riiiip!*

Tang Fei pulled open his clothes to reveal a shocking, bloody wound. "You call this not piercing my skin? This is just tearing my clothes? In front of so many teachers, how can you lie so shamelessly?"

Han Chunguang nodded to one of the committee members, who walked over to Tang Fei and examined the wound. After a moment, he announced, "The wound is genuine."

"It wasn't me! It wasn't me!" Lu Yang’s eyes widened as he shouted, "This has nothing to do with me! He did it himself! It has nothing to do with me!"

As a practitioner, he knew what it felt like when a blade cut flesh. He was certain he had only torn the fabric.

"I cut myself? How insane would someone have to be to say that? What does you leaving have to do with me? Why would I hurt myself like this?"

"Both of you, step outside," Han Chunguang ordered.

"Director, you have to believe me!" Lu Yang pleaded. "I really didn't hurt him. I tried to pull the blade back, I just didn't react in time..." Lu Yang knew that if he walked out now, his fate was sealed.

"Go out first. We need to discuss and vote on the final result," Han Chunguang said.

A staff member came over and escorted Tang Fei and Lu Yang out. Han Chunguang looked around the room and said, "Let’s vote. All those in favor of expelling Lu Yang for malicious assault, please raise your hands."

All five members raised their hands. They had seen the wound—it was gruesome and pitiful. Even if Tang Fei had caused it himself, Lu Yang was the one who had drawn the blade first. Besides, Tang Fei’s own younger brother was the closing-door disciple of Dean Shang Xiulin. While the Disciplinary Committee had independent authority, this was still the territory of the Imperial First Military Academy. Lu Yang had acted wrongly, and without anyone of weight to protect him, sacrificing him was the most logical outcome. Everyone would be satisfied, and who cared about Lu Yang?

Soon, Lu Yang received the final vote: he was expelled.

He glared at Tang Fei with bloodshot eyes, spitting, "Tang Fei, just you wait. I won't let you get away with this."

Tang Fei waved him off, not even bothering to reply. What was there to say to trash like him?

Ran Ran walked over, looking at the blood seeping from Tang Fei’s chest. "Does it hurt? Why be so cruel to yourself?"

Tang Fei grinned, "We have an old saying in the Old Lands: 'If you don't risk the child, you can't catch the wolf.' Only by kicking the first challenger out hard will there be no second or third..."

Tang Fei didn't know if Lu Yang’s challenge had some hidden motive, but he knew that if this wasn't handled well, he would have endless trouble. As his fame grew, more people would come to challenge him. Would he accept or refuse? He could refuse once, twice, three times, but he couldn't refuse forever.

Therefore, the best way was to make people afraid to challenge him lightly. If they wanted to challenge him, they had to be prepared to pay the steepest price. Lu Yang was the "prominent bird" that had been shot; he had to destroy this bird so that the other monkeys watching would learn to fear him.

"Let’s go. I’ll help you bandage it," Ran Ran said, nodding as she realized the sense in his words.