Chapter 43: Trust in the Integrity of a Swordsman

Qin Xuan and Dongfang Qingwan walked together toward the School of Business building.

“I didn’t expect you to be so radical, to deal with them so harshly,” Dongfang Qingwan remarked with some surprise.

“They were far too arrogant. It’s not their fault to be born in the Land of the Rising Sun, but to behave so brazenly on Huaxia’s soil—they had to be taught a serious lesson,” Qin Xuan replied with a smile.

Had they not been so insolent, and tried to stop Dongfang Qingwan halfway as if harboring some intentions, Qin Xuan would never have beaten them up without cause.

“What happened to your hand?” Dongfang Qingwan suddenly noticed Qin Xuan’s tightly clenched fist and frowned.

“It’s nothing,” Qin Xuan said dismissively.

“How can it be nothing? You’re bleeding!” Dongfang Qingwan stamped her foot, seized his left hand.

“Really, it’s fine. You don’t have to worry,” Qin Xuan tried to withdraw his hand, but with a gentle tug, he failed.

“Who said I’m worried about you! It’s just—” Dongfang Qingwan glanced at his left hand and saw a deep gash, evidently cut by a sharp weapon. She gasped in alarm. “What happened? You got hurt just now?”

“It’s just a scratch—just now, that Kato Shinji was a ninja. Be careful in the future,” Qin Xuan explained as he retrieved his hand.

Ninjas were the most common cultivators from the Land of the Rising Sun. Though they were often treacherous and fond of little tricks, their combat ability was not to be underestimated.

Earlier, Kato Shinji had hidden a smaller shuriken beneath his first dagger. When Qin Xuan released his true energy to knock the dagger aside, the shuriken took the opportunity to slice open Qin Xuan’s palm.

Though Qin Xuan was a swordsman, he was not invulnerable. Being wounded by such a cunning trick was quite normal.

All of this happened in an instant. No one else present had seen what occurred.

“Ninja?” Dongfang Qingwan frowned. “Do such people really exist in the world?”

Qin Xuan chuckled. “I am a genuine swordsman myself, so what do you think? And as for you—if there weren’t things like ghosts and monsters, why would your grandfather have asked me to protect you?”

“Oh.” Dongfang Qingwan thought about it and found his words reasonable. Then she gazed at his face and said, “Let’s go to the infirmary. You’re bleeding so much…”

“No need, it’s just a minor wound,” Qin Xuan insisted.

“Go!” Dongfang Qingwan shook her head, her tone resolute. “I still don’t like you very much, but since you’re hurt because of me, I can’t just watch you bleed.”

“Let me correct you—I just couldn’t stand those students from the Land of the Rising Sun. I didn’t get hurt because of you.”

“Whatever you say, but you’re coming with me to the infirmary now.”

Dongfang Qingwan stood her ground, glaring at Qin Xuan.

Truthfully, it was just a minor injury for Qin Xuan. Even without any treatment, his recovery would take only a few hours. But seeing how determined she was—more stubborn than he—he relented. “Alright, we can go. But please, believe one thing.”

“What is it?”

“Please believe in a swordsman’s integrity,” Qin Xuan said solemnly. “Don’t think so poorly of me. I’ll do my best to protect you, but I hope you can trust me and stop making trouble, alright?”

Dongfang Qingwan was momentarily stunned. Qin Xuan so rarely showed such earnestness, and his words gave her heart a slight tremor.

Could it be she had been too suspicious, too harsh with him?

But then she remembered the photo Wenhao had just sent—

“The girl in red is the apprentice of a friend of my master—her name is Liu Qianqian. She got drunk with Zhou Xiaoyu and the others, I just took her to rest,” Qin Xuan explained, seeing what she was thinking. “Also, she’ll be staying at our villa. She’s a lovely girl, don’t overthink it, alright?”

Dongfang Qingwan nodded slowly.

“Sorry. I believe you now, great swordsman. Come on, let’s go to the infirmary—you’re bleeding so much…”

Qin Xuan smiled faintly.

Problem solved!

The two of them turned and headed toward the infirmary.

...

“Next, Business Administration Class One.”

Room 101 of the Business School was holding the School of Business freshmen’s annual assembly, with several hundred students gathered together.

On the podium stood the grade director, an older man in his fifties with a balding head, reading names from the list with a face as gloomy as if someone owed him several million.

“Qin Xuan.”

“Qin Xuan?”

“Qin Xuan!”

The grade director was losing his patience.

“Another absentee. Let me remind you all, this is the very first freshmen’s annual assembly of our Jinling University School of Business. Everything discussed here is very important. Anyone absent will be noted, and I will speak to you individually afterward.”

His face was ashen as he spoke.

He had only called the names in four classes, yet already over a dozen students were absent—a first for him since he became grade director. After all, this was Jinling University, and in his mind, the students here ought to be of the highest caliber.

“Next, Zhou Xiaoyu.”

“Present,” Zhou Xiaoyu replied lazily from below.

Sitting beside him, Xiao Gang looked puzzled. “Xiaoyu, why isn’t Qin here? Do you think something happened?”

Zhou Xiaoyu clapped him on the shoulder. “You think anything could happen to our boss? Don’t worry. Look, Dongfang Qingwan isn’t here either—maybe they’re off somewhere enjoying themselves. Sometimes you have to go all out for romance. Missing a grade assembly is nothing. You single guys wouldn’t understand.”

Xiao Gang nodded, half understanding.

Suddenly, Gao Tie passed over his phone. “Look at the forum— isn’t this Qin? He got into it with those Japanese guys! Qin’s famous again!”

Zhou Xiaoyu looked and was stunned.

...

“Dongfang Qingwan.”

“Dongfang Qingwan?”

The grade director called twice, but there was no reply. He frowned, but knowing her status, he dared not get angry.

Just then, his phone rang.

“Everyone quiet, no talking. I’ll take a call and continue roll call after.”

There was a chorus of disapproval from the crowd, but he ignored it and answered. As the conversation continued, his already gloomy face darkened further—clearly, it was bad news.

“Hmph, what a disgrace!”

He hung up, his expression so grim it seemed as if someone owed him tens of millions now.

“Everyone quiet! I have an announcement to make—a word of warning.”

At this, the auditorium fell somewhat silent.

“Freshman Qin Xuan has assaulted a student from the Land of the Rising Sun without cause. This matter will be dealt with seriously,” the director said acidly. “The Land of the Rising Sun and our Huaxia have always been close friends. Our university has always welcomed international students. Anyone disturbing the peace between our nations—”

Unfortunately, before he could finish, a wave of uproar interrupted him.

“What the hell! Friends since ancient times, my ass! Screw you, baldy!”

“Get lost! It was those Japanese punks who provoked Swordsman Qin first!”

“Swordsman Qin is a righteous hero, a true man’s man! If you want to punish him, punish me too!”

The students were in an uproar. Clearly, they knew about the incident before he did—and knew every detail. The reason was simple: the campus forum had already posted the full video.

Watching the crowd on the verge of revolt, the grade director was utterly at a loss.