In the end, Qin Xin couldn’t hold back any longer.

She couldn’t just stand by and watch Jiang Yuan get beaten into a cripple.

She knew Jiang Yuan’s personality well. He was a model student through and through, with hardly any bad habits. He’d even received an award for helping others.

Someone like him shouldn’t have been treated this way. Even if Jiang Yuan really was Codename Jiang, then the world deserved his revenge.

People deserved it.

Anger surged through her, and she couldn’t stop herself from wanting to freeze every classmate who’d hurt Jiang Yuan to death.

“Qin... Xin, s-stop...”

Lying on the ground and coughing up blood, Jiang Yuan tried to persuade Qin Xin to calm down and stop.

At Jiang Yuan’s words, Qin Xin clenched her fists and suppressed her murderous impulse. She slowly withdrew her power, then went over and helped Jiang Yuan to his feet.

Yi Nanye rushed to Jiang Yuan’s side at once and grabbed his shoulder too.

“This is your first formal warning. Release Jiang Yuan immediately and wait for the special task force to arrive and take you into custody!”

“Hmph...”

Hearing Yi Nanye’s warning, Qin Xin only gave a couple of scornful laughs. White frost rapidly spread toward Yi Nanye. Yi Nanye frowned at the sight. So she really was going to fight.

“Cough, cough... Qin Xin, calm down.”

“Yi Nanye, please wait here for a moment. I need to talk to her.”

“But...”

“If you have time... you’d be better off investigating who’s pulling their strings...”

Jiang Yuan was struggling to speak. Yi Nanye sighed when she heard him. What had happened after school was sudden, and clearly planned in advance. Even Qin Xin’s outburst might have been part of someone’s plan.

“Then make it quick. We don’t have much time.”

Unexpectedly, Yi Nanye didn’t press the issue. She quickly made the right call, pointing to her neck to let Jiang Yuan know she’d activate the audio surveillance, so nothing would go wrong even if he was alone with Qin Xin.

“Qin Xin, help me up to the rooftop first.”

“Okay!”

After Qin Xin helped Jiang Yuan out of the classroom, Yi Nanye immediately shut the door and took out her phone to report the situation. She knew the whole thing had just been broadcast live online for the world to see. Qin Xin’s reputation and standing were in serious danger now.

Some of the girls had already been livestreaming the beating of Jiang Yuan.

“Phones. Hand them over.”

Yi Nanye held out her hand, demanding that the girls turn in their phones.

“Why should we give them to you? They’ve got our private stuff on them, you...”

A gunshot rang out. A bullet grazed the speaking girl’s ear, and the shrill whistle of it still rang in her ears, reminding her that she’d come within a hair’s breadth of death.

“Y-You actually fired at a civilian! You’re finished! I’m going to report you! I’ll...”

“Shut up!”

As soon as Yi Nanye finished speaking, another bullet whizzed past the girl’s ear. This time, it really did graze her flesh. The girl winced and immediately clapped a hand over her ear as blood trickled down her arm.

“You’re suspected of taking part in terrorist activities. If you don’t want to be arrested, do as you’re told.”

Yi Nanye’s ruthless actions certainly managed to cow them. The girls didn’t dare say another word. One by one, they stepped forward and obediently handed over their phones.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the school building...

Qin Xin helped Jiang Yuan up to the rooftop and sat him down. The roof of their school was open to the public, since the edges were all enclosed by wire fencing.

But as soon as Jiang Yuan sat down, Qin Xin threw her arms around him.

“Are you okay? Does anything still hurt?”

“It’s nothing serious... I’ll be fine if I put some ointment on it when I get back.”

“Jiang Yuan, you can’t go on like this. You’ll die sooner or later. The military hasn’t arrived yet, so come with me. I’ll take you to someone. They’ll protect you, they...”

“You mean the followers of Codename Jiang.”

Jiang Yuan knew what kind of people they were: terrorists in the truest sense of the word. He knew that a good number of terrorist organizations and cults around the world openly claimed to support Codename Jiang.

They were all people who wanted to overthrow the existing world order, and their goals aligned with Codename Jiang’s actions. It was no surprise they supported him. Some believed Codename Jiang was an emissary of God; others went so far as to claim he was God reincarnated.

In their eyes, Codename Jiang was nothing less than a living god, someone they could entrust their twisted faith to.

“Yes... but they’re the only ones who’ll accept you.”

Qin Xin slowly loosened her embrace. Once they’d drawn apart, she took Jiang Yuan’s hand. Her hand was a little cold, but her eyes shone with fervent resolve. Jiang Yuan was taken aback, then gave a faint, rueful smile for no particular reason.

“What about you?”

“I’m going with you!”

Qin Xin looked at Jiang Yuan with utter seriousness.

“Going off to become a terrorist together?”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do.”

Jiang Yuan slowly raised his hand and placed it against Qin Xin’s face. His hand was a little dirty, but he could still wipe away the frosty mist gathering at the corners of her eyes.

“Qin Xin, listen to me. I suspect those cults and terrorist organizations are the ones who put up the bounty money. They want to make sure I can’t get back on the right path, and drag you down with me while they’re at it. It looks like you’ve already been in contact with them in private.”

“I... At first, I couldn’t be bothered with them. But after seeing you beaten so badly, I had to consider what they were saying. People are stupid. They can’t tell right from wrong. You’re the embodiment of good, yet you’ve fallen into hell to be tormented. This world needs to be cleansed...”

“They’ve brainwashed you, haven’t they? I never thought you’d believe this stuff too. Remember what I’m saying now: rather than doing bad things together, I’d rather there still be someone by your side on that frozen sea in the future, facing it with you.”

“But I’ve already...”

“We can still turn this around. Take me to see that cultist now. I’ll notify the military. They can treat what you’ve done as undercover cooperation. And remember, don’t let your concern for me cloud your judgment again—unless you want the whole world cursing us both.”

Jiang Yuan quickly figured out how to turn the situation around. The more dangerous things got, the more important it was to stay calm.

“Okay!”

Qin Xin agreed at once. She didn’t want to become a terrorist either. Of course she’d much rather be with Jiang Yuan openly, in the right, and receive everyone’s blessings.

She immediately helped Jiang Yuan up and was about to take him downstairs when Yi Nanye suddenly emerged from the stairwell.

Qin Xin immediately looked hostile, as if she’d attack at the slightest provocation. Yi Nanye simply smiled calmly and held out a pistol.

“Take this. Once you leave the school gates, a blue sedan will drive past. Get in and force the driver to take you to your destination. He’s one of ours.”

“What are you...?”

“I’ll report it the way Jiang Yuan suggested. But I don’t want there to be a next time!”