Chapter 33: Detective Zheng Kaiming (Part Two)

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After completing three rounds of cultivation on the field, Shi Tiexin ended his practice. His internal organs had reached their limits; the rapid extraction of nutrients from food always came at a cost and could not be sustained indefinitely without harming his foundation. Besides, refining three strands of primal vital energy in such a short time required his body to adjust.

Those three wisps of primal energy drifted like a faint mist in his lower abdomen—intangible and invisible. Yet when Shi Tiexin clenched his fists, he felt a distinct surge in vitality and spirit compared to before. Of course, having eaten a hearty meal, he felt better than starving, but after refining primal energy, his strength and vigor surpassed even the feeling of fullness.

It was as if he had been an empty shell before, and now something was finally filling him from within, making him more substantial inside and out.

This sensation would only become more pronounced with progress. Once he accumulated a hundred strands of primal vital energy, he could break through to the next stage of energy cultivation. By his calculation, gathering a hundred strands could be completed in just over ten days.

However, primal energy dissipated easily. A serious fight, insufficient nutritional replenishment, or even an emotional outburst and heavy breathing could consume it. This energy was intimately tied to the essence of human physical capacity—easy to extract, but just as easy to convert back into raw physical strength.

Thus, the theoretical time to accumulate energy often differed drastically from reality. Especially at the Orphans’ Institute of Tumubao, where constant strife and fighting were the norm, Shi Tiexin theoretically could have completed this phase in seventy days, yet in practice, it took him over a year the first time.

Now, however, at Fengming No. 1 High, with good food and lodging, and after subduing Teng Chaobiao as a warning to others, things were different. As the saying goes, one strong punch saves a hundred—now, in this vast school, any thug thinking of provoking him would have to weigh the consequences, especially after witnessing the fate of those who crossed him.

So, for now, even external conflicts had largely been settled.

Such excellent cultivation conditions—this was truly a first for Old Iron in his life. No wonder this place was called a sacred ground for cultivation!

Fed and refreshed, Shi Tiexin was debating whether to attend class that afternoon or to scout out the grounds in preparation for skipping school. After all, his mind was entirely preoccupied with the matter of the elementary mind technique manual. If he could get that settled soon, he could begin his real cultivation without delay.

To be in a sanctuary of mind arts and not advance in one's mastery would be such a waste.

At that moment, Shi Tiexin noticed a student entering his field of vision, heading directly toward him. He didn’t know this person, but the eye-catching and familiar red armband was unmistakable.

It was one of the Disciplinary Committee’s enforcers.

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“You’re Shi Tiexin, right?” The committee member was straightforward: “Come with me to the Dean’s office. Director Zheng wants to see you.”

Director Zheng? Wasn’t that the man with the broad forehead? What did he want? Perhaps he wanted to check if Shi Tiexin was living and eating well in the ‘garbage’ dormitory?

Since he couldn’t figure it out, Shi Tiexin didn’t bother to dwell on it. He simply nodded and said, “Lead the way.”

The bell rang for the next class, and the entire school instantly quieted. The Disciplinary Committee student led Shi Tiexin through the office building, their footsteps echoing in the empty corridors.

The committee member glanced back at Shi Tiexin, wondering to himself. Usually, if the Dean’s Office wanted someone, they’d just announce it over the PA and have him come. Whatever this kid had done must be serious if they sent the Disciplinary Committee to fetch him in person.

But seeing how calm and composed he looked made the committee member uncertain.

The students in the ‘garbage’ class were a closed-off group. Their petty dramas were beneath the notice of the top students, so nothing of Shi Tiexin’s conflict with Teng Chaoguo had reached the elite classes or the Disciplinary Committee.

Uncertain, the committee member decided not to think further, simply delivered Shi Tiexin to the office, knocked, and after announcing him, told Shi Tiexin, “Go in.”

Shi Tiexin pushed open the door to the Dean’s office. The room was simply furnished and carried an air of severity that pressed upon visitors the moment they entered. But such an atmosphere hardly moved Shi Tiexin. In fact, he couldn’t even force himself to act affected, so he maintained his steadfast and fearless demeanor.

Zheng Kaiming sat in his chair, scrutinizing Shi Tiexin up and down, noticing a subtle change—something indefinable, but he seemed more spirited. Sunlight poured through the large window, casting a glow on Shi Tiexin’s face, giving him an air of righteous vigor.

Zheng Kaiming observed every detail closely, searching for clues. Shi Tiexin’s gaze was steady and direct, posture upright, relaxed yet composed. There was no sign of anxiety or bravado. Only someone with unwavering conviction and rigorous self-discipline could possess such poise.

By all appearances, this was a model student. Would he really get into fights with delinquents?

Zheng Kaiming began to doubt his own judgment, but he still needed to lay down the law. Just like yesterday, when he’d said expulsion instead of just class reassignment—scaring students was always entertaining!

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He deliberately put on a sinister half-smile. “Shi Tiexin, how are you finding life in Class Twenty-Eight?”

Shi Tiexin didn’t perceive the malice behind Zheng Kaiming’s expression. He figured the strange smile must be due to an unusual skull structure or facial muscles—perhaps he was just born looking like that when he smiled, and meant no harm. Yes, that must be it.

If that was his natural look, why be bothered by it?

So he’s really here to check on my well-being, thought Shi Tiexin. Not a bad teacher, after all.

With a calm face, Shi Tiexin replied, “It’s fine.”

“Fine? I don’t think so. On your very first day in Class Twenty-Eight, you committed a major mistake. Is that what you call ‘fine’?” Zheng Kaiming watched Shi Tiexin closely, hoping to catch a reaction, but all he saw was confusion.

After years of dealing with students, Zheng Kaiming could spot an act a mile away. Yet this time, Shi Tiexin genuinely seemed not to understand.

In truth, Shi Tiexin was indeed baffled. “A major mistake?”

Huh? I made a major mistake? What did I do wrong? Could the rules of this mind arts sanctuary be so strict that I’ve somehow violated them without knowing?

Zheng Kaiming was starting to believe Shi Tiexin was innocent, but decided to press once more. “Oh, spare me the act. Beating up Teng Chaoguo and four others, and even dunking Teng Chaoguo into a—urine bucket! Don’t tell me you weren’t responsible for that?”