Chapter 139
Chapter 139 - Wolf Tribe's Attack
“Ye Hao,” the director muttered upon seeing Ye Hao's arrival, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
“This case was directly managed by the Internet Supervision Department, and our superiors have demanded that the criminals be dealt with sternly,” Ye Hao stated flatly, locking eyes with Meng Yongyan. “In other words, you're looking at a minimum of six months behind bars.”
Ye Hao's declaration left Meng Yongyan and the others in shock.
No one had anticipated the situation escalating to this level.
“Ye Hao, I'm aware it's because of you that the Internet Supervision Department got involved,” the director said after a moment's hesitation. “They're still kids. Give them a chance.”
“Director, do you honestly believe kids would relentlessly attack an innocent girl without any remorse?” Ye Hao shook his head slightly and continued, “Besides, I recall they even pressured the principal to revoke my enrollment.”
The director was taken aback; he was well aware of the incident.
”Director, if they aren't adequately punished now, who's to say they won't repeat such actions in the future?”
The director remained silent.
“There's something else you should know. Tang Pianpian has been deeply traumatized. She's just filed for withdrawal from the school.”
“Withdrawal?” The director shot to his feet, startled.
“I have to ask you, when a girl was being slandered and shamed, where were the school leaders and teachers to defend her? Now that the perpetrators have been apprehended, as a school teacher, you're attempting to mitigate their sentences.”
The director was at a loss for words.
“Given the severe impact on Tang Pianpian's well-being, the sentence for the five of you will be even harsher. Additionally, you'll be facing civil liabilities,” Ye Hao said, his gaze fixed on the ashen-faced Meng Yongyan and his cohorts. “I've engaged the top lawyer in the country. Prepare yourselves for a substantial compensation claim.”
With that, Ye Hao turned and walked away.
The director exhaled deeply and departed.
Back at the villa, Ye Hao found Momo anxiously pacing outside Tang Pianpian's door.
“Pianpian still won't come out,” Momo said, her concern evident.
“I'll check on her,” Ye Hao said, pushing the door open.
Tang Pianpian sat hugging her knees, her demeanor reminiscent of a child's innocence.
Ye Hao approached her, hesitating briefly before wrapping his arms around the sorrowful girl.
Tang Pianpian froze in surprise.
Realizing it was Ye Hao embracing her, a blush tinged with sweetness crept across her face.
This was the first time Ye Hao had ever held her.
Gazing into Tang Pianpian's lovely face, Ye Hao murmured, “Do you know what's most important in cultivation?”
After a short pause, he continued, “Without a heart as steadfast as a rock, your journey will be fraught with difficulty, regardless of how exceptional your spirit root may be.”
“If you were faced with such a situation, wouldn't you feel sad?”
Ye Hao nodded, admitting, “I would feel sad for a moment, but life must go on. Dwelling on sorrow serves no purpose.”
“Why does it seem to me that we're increasingly losing our humanity?”
“We're only shedding the parts we don't need.”
“Does human nature encompass both the good and the bad?”
“Indeed. Our current task is to cast away the negative aspects of our nature.” With that, Ye Hao lifted Tang Pianpian in his arms. Amidst her exclamations of surprise, he ascended step by step into the sky.
Excitement lit up Tang Pianpian's radiant face as she clung tightly to Ye Hao's neck.
“Could you take me to the stars?”
Ye Hao's face shifted with concern, “I'm not capable of that yet.”
In truth, Ye Hao was struggling to remain aloft even briefly, his vital spirit rapidly depleting.
After ascending a bit more, Ye Hao gently floated down, returning to the sanctuary of Tang Pianpian's room.
“When will I have the strength to do something like that?” Tang Pianpian asked, her arms still encircling Ye Hao's neck.
“You'll be able to once you reach the first level of Body Refining.”
“But that's still a month away,” Tang Pianpian remarked, her voice tinged with disappointment.
“Be grateful for what you have,” Ye Hao replied with a wry smile. “Without a spirit stone and Qi-nourishing Pills, it would take you over a year to achieve that level.”
“But I really hope so.”
“Then you must dedicate yourself to your training.”
“I'm sleepy,” Tang Pianpian said with a yawn, leaning against Ye Hao and promptly dozing off.
Ye Hao was taken aback.
Did Tang Pianpian fall asleep that quickly?
A smile soon graced the corner of Ye Hao's mouth.
He gently lifted the blanket and carried Tang Pianpian to the bed, then tenderly tucked her in.
Of course, Tang Pianpian wasn't truly asleep.
She simply wanted Ye Hao to keep holding her as they slept.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the courtyard.
Ye Hao's gaze turned icy.
Tang Pianpian woke with a start.
“What's going on?”
“Stay here,” Ye Hao instructed before leaping out the window.
He saw that the villa's door had been forced open, with five individuals confronting Qingqing and two other women.
Each of the five exuded an immensely powerful aura, their strength far surpassing Ye Hao's current level.
“Who are you?” Ye Hao stepped forward and demanded.
“Mind your own business,” the leader, a white-haired young man, retorted sharply.
“They're from the Wolf Tribe,” Qingqing informed.
The presence of the Wolf Tribe here suggested that the Fox Immortal might have met her demise.
“Do members of the Wolf Tribe have the audacity to intrude upon the homes of the Supernatural Bureau?” Ye Hao asked the white-haired young man with a frosty stare.
“You're with the Supernatural Bureau?” The young man looked surprised.
Ye Hao produced his badge and tossed it to him. “Certainly.”
After inspecting the badge, the white-haired young man threw it back, saying, “If you're with the Supernatural Bureau, then you ought to know better than to meddle in the Demon Tribe's internal affairs.”
“I may not have the right to meddle in your Demon Clan's affairs, but Qingqing and the others are agents of the Supernatural Bureau,” Ye Hao countered, glancing at Qingqing.
Qingqing and the other two women presented their credentials.
The white-haired young man's brow furrowed.
This was becoming complicated.
He gave Ye Hao a piercing look, then gestured for the four Wolf Tribe youths to follow him as they departed.
Once they were gone, Qingqing spoke gravely, “We need to get out of here.”
“Are they that formidable?”
“I'm confident I can take them down, but it will come at a steep cost.” Qingqing looked at Ye Hao, “The Wolf Tribe is teeming with masters, so we must leave.”
“I'm sorry,” Ye Hao said with a tinge of bitterness.
It was such a suffocating feeling!
But what could Ye Hao do?
“There's no need for apologies,” Qingqing gently shook her head. “The Fox Clan and the Wolf Tribe are natural adversaries. I'll take Momo and Sugar into the wilderness to train and to take down members of the Wolf Tribe.”
“You could seek refuge in the Keepers of Forbidden Lore,” Ye Hao suggested after a brief pause.