Chapter 21: 019 Be honest with others
Indeed, as Li Qingming had said, guessing the school rules was not a difficult task.
Most people were simply scared silly, plus the course schedule was so tight that they did not have time to summarize and reflect.
Additionally, there were indeed a few people who had guessed some rules but were still unsure, or chose to keep them secret.
Upon seeing this, Cai Zhixin couldn't help but sit back down in frustration, muttering under his breath, "Why be so generous... wouldn't it be better to take a few more with you..."
In the front row, the top student with glasses also stood up and said to everyone, "Let's stay calm for now, and don't trust Li Qingming so easily. Actually, I thought of the school rules at the beginning, but there were several points that did not match... Anyway, be careful, this could be a trap set by Li Qingming."
With her reminder, the nerves of the crowd, which had just relaxed, tensed up again a little.
Indeed, it was very difficult to believe that Li Qingming was a good person; every move of his should be part of a meticulous criminal plan.
Under the hesitant gazes of everyone, the girl with glasses then adjusted her glasses and looked at those who had fallen:
"Among these people, about one-third can be seen to have violated the school rules at a glance.
"Most of the remaining boys probably had bad luck because of the accidental swearing, which is a retribution for their improper language on normal days. Alas, when it comes to crucial moments, it can't be taken back."
Upon hearing this, the few boys present were all terrified and covered their mouths.
Fuck! But one absolutely cannot swear anymore!
Next, the girl with glasses pointed to a few ordinary girls lying on their desks: "But there is still one-third of people whom I really can't find any faults with, they haven't said a word, never touched anyone else, and haven't left their seats. How did they violate the school rules?"
"Usually, I'm too lazy to explain to laymen," Li Qingming sighed for a rare moment, moving his joints as he stood up, "but there's no choice, I need you all to understand the situation."
Saying this, he walked over to the most innocent-looking girl, observed her dormant posture for a moment, and then said, "She dyed her hair."
"Huh?" The girl with glasses asked puzzledly, "Her hair is very black, without a single strand of any other color... wait a second! She dyed it black???"
Another girl raised her hand blankly: "I can testify... she actually has a lot of white hair..."
"But normally, dyeing hair black is allowed..." the girl with glasses mumbled to herself, "However, that is subjective management scope. As the ruler, simply executing the school rules he understands... That also makes sense."
Meanwhile, Li Qingming had completed his next sample observation: "She painted her nails."
After that, one after another.
"She drew something on her school uniform.
"That smell... that must be due to lack of hygiene,
"He spat on the floor during morning reading.
"He called someone by their nickname.
"Her... I really don't know, I'm not a monitor."
"E-cigarettes!" Ji Xiaoxiang, drawing courage from who knows where, suddenly raised her hand, "She has been sneaking e-cigarettes in the toilet, I guess it's in her backpack."
"That's right, any kind of tobacco is prohibited from being carried," Li Qingming nodded in satisfaction, then raised his hand to stop her deskmate, "No no, don't go through someone else's backpack, that would also break the rules."
The girl who was about to search the backpack for evidence instantly tensed up.
"What about her?" the girl with glasses suddenly pointed towards the window, "I have been watching Zhang Qingyi closely. From the first class until now, she has never left her seat and only talked to Ye Qian. She wouldn't swear at someone she liked, right?"
At this point, even Li Qingming could not help but look towards that regrettable tall figure.
Zhang Qingyi, I should thank you.
It was your clumsy confession that made me 100% certain that the Secret Realm's rules were the school rules.
Article 17, strictly forbidding male and female students from engaging in love talk and overly intimate relationships.
Hadn't I just memorized it thoroughly?
Just as Li Qingming was considering whether it was necessary to reveal this private matter, the previously silent Ye Qian spoke up.
"She did," Ye Qian said somberly, nodding, "Zhang Qingyi swore."
Li Qingming was momentarily stunned.
Then he understood.
That's fine, I guess.
This person's brain really wasn't up to par.
He had just reminded them about being "honest with others," look at the foolish lies this idiot told just to save face.
On the other side, the girl with glasses suddenly caught on to something and pointed at Li Qingming's waist, saying, "What about you! You've been openly carrying a weapon around! That has to be against school rules, right?"
"I can only say I was lucky," Li Qingming looked down and patted the hilt of his sword at his waist, "Prohibiting the carrying of dangerous items is a matter of public security regulations, many schools include it in their rules, but ours just happens not to. And by the way, it's exactly because I've come to no harm that I've managed to rule out things like the high school code of conduct."
Then he patted his school uniform blazer, "This was lucky as well. I usually don't wear a blazer in the spring. It was thanks to Han Chun's questioning that I put it on, I owe him a life debt for that."
At this point, Li Qingming's expression revealed a sudden excitement as he once again focused on Ye Qian.
"You're right, survival is purely a matter of probability, it's total chaos here.
"Without these coincidences, I would have been the first to fall.
"The smartest and the dumbest people don't really differ that much.
"This is...
"Fantastic!"
Caught up in this burst of exhilaration, everyone was certain, Li Qingming was truly enjoying himself.
Enjoying the inexplicable thrill, enjoying the inherent chaos of equality, enjoying the unexpectedness of death.
In the face of that demonic smile, that fear which had just begun to disperse crept back into everyone's hearts.
"Who has the school rules?" someone suddenly asked, "Spit it out, let's all take note!"
"They should be on the official account, but we can't access it here, mom... mom's the best, I mean mom's the best!"
"Is there a printed version?"
"A printed version of the rules... I'm not even sure if such a thing exists in this world..."
"Even if it did exist, who would bring it?"
"Does anyone have it memorized?"
"Who would be so bored as to memorize this…"
"This..."
"This..."
Once again, silence fell upon the crowd.
And once again, their eyes turned towards that man.
Amidst that bewildered and desperate gaze, the man who could recite the school rules by heart had already taken his seat back.
By now, the girl with glasses seemed to have lost her soul, only managing to ask in a trembling voice, "Li Qingming... is reciting the school rules also part of your Secret Realm preparation?"
"Who would prepare for that?" Li Qingming looked at her, somewhat puzzled, "Isn't knowing the school rules a student's duty? It's your disregard for it that I don't understand."
"…" The girl with glasses was left speechless, plopping down onto a stool.
The rest were so choked up they couldn't utter half a word, hardly able to find a foothold for rebuttal.
After a few seconds of this awkward silence, Zheng Ruixing clenched his teeth and directly asked Li Qingming, "Qingming, just tell us, how can you be persuaded to share the school rules?"
"Good, you're smarter than you look," Li Qingming raised his hand with satisfaction and said, "Starting now, don't speak to me, don't interrupt me, just watch quietly, and meanwhile, use your brains."