Chapter 572: Top 20 Here, Who Dares to Detain Me?

Zhang Yu sensed that something was amiss and decided not to engage in further conversation before understanding the situation.

Noticing Zhang Yu becoming increasingly uncooperative and giving evasive answers, Xu Yang Zhenren cleared his throat.

He said, “Student Zhang Yu, the Shuangxiu Jiao resorts to any means to achieve its goals, and its members are all inveterate liars.”

“Such people will do anything for Shuangxiu.”

“No matter what Shui Haiyu said, you’d best not believe it.”

Zhang Yu pointed to his school ranking displayed above his head and calmly said, “Sirs, I’ve just finished a competition and need quiet.”

“I am ranked 44th in the entire school. If you truly wish to interrogate me, please obtain approval from your superiors first. Then I will cooperate with your work.”

Yun Yuqing, beside him, snorted and said, “Zhang Yu, investigating the Demonic Cult is a major matter that even the Tianting is concerned about. From top to bottom, everyone at Wanfa University, whether teachers or students, must cooperate.”

“Speaking with you politely now is giving you a chance. Once we actually take you in for questioning, things will no longer be up to you.”

Zhang Yu said calmly, “Sirs, I still need to rest.”

He gestured to the door with his right hand: “Please leave.”

Seeing Zhang Yu remain unmoved, Yun Yuqing messaged Xu Yang Zhenren: “Captain, what should we do? He’s not intimidated.”

Xu Yang Zhenren replied: “This Zhang Yu is too calm.”

Yun Yuqing: “What do you mean?”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “Look at all the suspects we’ve dealt with. Has any of them been as calm as him?”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “I sense no disgust, fear, or anger towards the Shuangxiu Jiao from him.”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “The Shuangxiu Jiao, in his words, sounds like an ordinary organization.”

Yun Yuqing paused slightly, recalling Zhang Yu’s behavior, and was surprised to find it was true.

Xu Yang Zhenren: “And he was reserved when talking about Shui Haiyu’s issues. He must know something.”

Yun Yuqing: “So what? He’s in the top 50 in the school and an apprentice of Ciji Zhenjun. While the Lianqi Department can’t control us, if our superiors don’t approve, we can’t do anything to him.”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “There’s definitely something wrong with this Zhang Yu.”

Yun Yuqing: “How so?”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “My intuition, built from apprehending hundreds of demonic cultists, tells me.”

Xu Yang Zhenren: “There’s definitely something going on with this Zhang Yu.”

Zhang Yu urged again, “Sirs, are you not leaving yet?”

Xu Yang Zhenren smiled slightly and said, “I know Lianqi Department students are very busy, either studying materials or preparing experiments. Student Zhang Yu, with such excellent grades, your time must be very valuable, right?”

Zhang Yu frowned and asked, “What do you want to say?”

Xu Yang Zhenren continued, “Shui Haiyu caused a one-hour strike at Shanhai Vocational University.”

Staring intently at the surprise in Zhang Yu’s eyes, Xu Yang Zhenren went on, “This news has been suppressed for now, and not many people know about it.”

“Shui Haiyu has already fled. After investigating him, we found he sent you many emails.”

Xu Yang Zhenren advised, “Student Zhang Yu, if you would allow us to examine your Yan Hai to confirm that the data within hasn’t been corrupted by the Shuangxiu Jiao, proving your innocence, that would be good for you.”

“What if people suspect you’re involved with the Shuangxiu Jiao and send you to a Jiexu Institute for a few months? That would be troublesome for you, wouldn’t it?”

Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened, “Are you threatening me?”

Xu Yang Zhenren chuckled lightly, “Student Zhang Yu, don’t be so resistant. We are doing this for the school’s safety and for your own good.”

Before the situation became clear, Zhang Yu naturally wouldn’t hand over his Yan Hai for inspection. Who knew what their intentions were, or if they would tamper with his Yan Hai?

Zhang Yu simply pointed to the ranking above his head and said calmly, “Do you see my ranking above my head? If there are any issues, according to the rules, you must apply to your superiors and then inform the director of the Wanfa Lianqi Department.”

After saying this, Zhang Yu’s rank of 44th in the school seemed to swell.

Yun Yuqing, beside him, said coldly, “Zhang Yu, being in the top 50 in the entire school is impressive, but it doesn’t mean you’re above the law. You’re not in the top 20, let alone the top 10. If you’re linked to the Demonic Cult, you can still be apprehended just like anyone else…”

Before Yun Yuqing finished speaking, Zhang Yu’s ranking above his head suddenly changed.

First, his departmental ranking fluctuated, jumping from 13th to 12th, then 10th, 8th… finally settling at 6th.

Then, his school-wide ranking flashed intensely, leaping from 44th to 35th in one go, then to 21st, and finally, with a series of blinks, it jumped to 19th under the astonished gazes of Xu Yang Zhenren and Yun Yuqing.

“Top 20 in the school?”

Yun Yuqing, witnessing this, exclaimed, “What did you do? How could your ranking suddenly jump so much?”

Zhang Yu glanced at his 19th-place school ranking and smiled slightly, “Haven’t you ever won a competition award while at school?”

Yun Yuqing was still incredulous, thinking, “How could it increase so much?!”

Xu Yang Zhenren’s expression changed slightly, and he thought, “Such a significant jump can only mean… he took first place in this Design Competition among a hundred schools.”

Xu Yang Zhenren stood up and said, “Congratulations, Student Zhang Yu.”

Watching the two depart, Zhang Yu messaged Zhang Pianpian again, asking for relevant information.

Soon after Xu Yang Zhenren and Yun Yuqing left Zhang Yu’s room, they both received messages from their superiors.

“Who told you to investigate the 19th-ranked student in the school? Did you follow procedures? Do you have any organizational discipline left? Are you trying to overthrow everything?”

Xu Yang Zhenren replied helplessly, “He wasn’t that rank a minute ago.”

“Don’t tell me that. Vice Principal Qiyun just had people collect materials to publicly commend Zhang Yu for his achievement as the top student among a hundred schools.”

“You violated regulations by investigating a student ranked 19th. Go explain yourselves to the school leadership.”

Listening to the angry reprimand from her superior, Yun Yuqing’s face turned pale.

Meanwhile.

At the Investment Management Office of Wanfa University.

As Mo Sha Zhenren entered the office, he saw the director and a stranger conversing pleasantly.

Seeing Mo Sha Zhenren enter, the director waved him over and said, “Mo Sha, this is Yun Yang Zhenren from Wandao Group.”

The director then said to the other person, “This is Mo Sha Zhenren from our office, specifically responsible for matters concerning students in the Lianqi Department.”

Upon hearing the name Wandao Group, Mo Sha Zhenren’s heart tightened slightly. He knew it was a colossal enterprise originating from above the sixth level, a lucrative group under the sect’s jurisdiction, truly a company among companies, a group among groups.

Mo Sha Zhenren quickly greeted the other party.

Then, Yun Yang Zhenren smiled faintly and said, “I’ll get straight to the point.”

“The group has always been expanding into new markets. This time, a leader saw the entries for the Magic Artifact Design Competition and was very interested in the work of Zhang Yu, who took first place.”

“So, they wanted me to come to Wanfa University to explore some collaboration with Student Zhang Yu.”

Yun Yang Zhenren came here because, conventionally, outstanding students in the Lianqi Department would sign various contracts with the school.

For things like the establishment of laboratories, research institutes, and companies, the school would contribute a significant amount of Lingbi and, in return, act as an agent for the students’ various patents.

In Yun Yang Zhenren’s view, Zhang Yu should be no different.

The director, Tai He Zhenjun, laughed heartily upon hearing this. As the director of the Investment Management Office, he had felt immense pressure since the economic crisis.

Although he had caught his breath as the economy gradually recovered, he was still burdened by countless targets and tasks.

Now, seeing the Wandao Group wanting to collaborate with a student from the Lianqi Department, it was a sudden boost to his performance.

While student-related investments never constituted a large portion of his responsibilities and were never his primary focus, being associated with the Wandao Group meant good performance.

It was precisely because Tai He Zhenjun’s main energy was focused on investments in finance, business, and real estate, and he was unfamiliar with student projects, that he called Mo Sha Zhenren.

Mo Sha Zhenren, however, was slightly taken aback: “First place… Zhang Yu?”

Yun Yang Zhenren from Wandao Group smiled faintly and said, “Although the awards haven’t been officially presented yet, the rankings are essentially confirmed, and the data should have been synchronized with Wanfa University.”

“Of course, the key is Student Zhang Yu’s design; we are indeed very interested.”

Tai He Zhenjun, the director of the Investment Management Office, asked, “Mo Sha, what’s the situation with Zhang Yu’s company? Tell us.”

Mo Sha Zhenren couldn’t help but send a message: “Director, it seems we… haven’t invested in Zhang Yu, don’t have his copyrights, and don’t own shares in his company.”

Tai He Zhenjun: “Such an excellent student, why no investment?”

Mo Sha Zhenren: “He’s only in his fourth year, and he only transferred to the Lianqi Department recently…”

Yun Yang Zhenren looked at the two and asked, “Sirs, is there a problem?”

Tai He Zhenjun smiled slightly and said, “No problem, we’ll contact Zhang Yu for you right away.”

Zhang Pianpian: “According to the investigation results of the Patrol Team, Shui Haiyu was taken away by the Shuangxiu Jiao.”

Zhang Pianpian: “No data was found indicating he was detained by a righteous deity from the Lingjie.”

Zhang Yu: “Did someone hijack the Lingjie at that time?”

Zhang Pianpian: “Uncertain for now.”

Zhang Yu was going through the messages from Zhang Pianpian when he saw a friend request from someone named Mo Sha Zhenren.

Seeing that the other party wanted to buy his design blueprints, Zhang Yu frowned slightly and did not respond for the time being.

Just as he disembarked from the flying boat, he was stopped directly by Mo Sha Zhenren.

“Student Zhang Yu, correct?” Mo Sha Zhenren glanced at the ranking above his head, and his face grew even more enthusiastic: “Knowing that you took first place in the Design Competition, the school leaders are greatly encouraged.”

Zhang Yu was not new to Kunxu, and the more enthusiasm he felt from the other party, the more wary he became: “What do you want?”

Mo Sha Zhenren: “I am Mo Sha Zhenren from the Investment Management Office. The school wants to invest in promising talents like you.”

“Your design blueprints haven’t been sold yet, have they?”

“The school plans to buy them all at a high price.”

Zhang Yu said, “Excuse me, I have something to attend to right now. Let’s discuss this later.”

Mo Sha Zhenren quickly stopped him and said, “Wait, Student Zhang Yu, our leader wants to see you…”

Just then, a projection appeared before Zhang Yu.

Ciji Zhenjun calmly said, “Mo Sha, my apprentice and I have some things to discuss. Your Investment Office matters can wait until later.”

Watching the two depart, a trace of resentment flashed across Mo Sha’s face.