Chapter 66: Principal Lankai (1)

However, before he could express his feelings, a voice like a broken gong bellowed, “Since when are lowly wastelanders allowed into the noble academy? This is an insult to my eyes! Someone, beat him to death for me!”

Before Le Kai could even get angry, Lambo was already bristling with rage. He charged forward and kicked the arrogant, hideous youth hard, cursing fiercely, “Damn it, whose dog wasn’t tied up and is barking madly in front of me? I’ll beat the life out of you, you blind brute!”

He shouted as he rained blows on the boy without restraint.

The ugly youth looked no more than fourteen or fifteen, thin and frail, clearly no match for Lambo. Under Lambo’s storm of punches and kicks, he was soon stunned and burst into loud, miserable sobs.

Wu Niantian, his sister, and Le Kai were both amused and exasperated, while the two bodyguards of the ugly youth, under the Wu siblings’ menacing glare, felt immense pressure and cold sweat streamed down their faces—they dared not move a muscle. As servant-class bodyguards, they knew full well that these scions of power could kill them as easily as slaughtering a chicken, without facing any consequences.

“Enough, Lambo. Let’s keep a low profile on the first day.”

“L-Lambo? You’re the mayor’s son? I’m so sorry, I was blind and offended you, young master! Please give me a chance to make amends, let me serve you faithfully from now on!”

The ugly youth’s anger instantly dissolved into terror upon hearing Lambo’s identity. Although his own family held some local influence, compared to the mayor who governed all of Central China City, they were nothing. Offending the mayor’s son—how could he survive?

Tired from the beating, Lambo grabbed the ugly youth by the collar. Gazing at that already unbearable, pig-like face, his own expression changed drastically. He turned to Le Kai, uncertainty in his voice, “Was this really done by me?”

Le Kai suppressed a laugh. “Consider it minor cosmetic surgery. He was even uglier before.”

Looking at the face, Lambo truly lost all desire to continue. He shoved the boy aside and warned, “Open your damn eyes next time. If I catch you bullying your classmates again because of your status, I’ll send your whole family to dig in the mines.”

“I wouldn’t dare, never again! Young Master Lambo, please let me serve by your side! My only purpose in entering the academy was to see you, and to meet you in such an extraordinary way is surely fate! You’re my idol—how could I live without you!”

The ugly youth wailed as he spoke, shamelessly clinging tightly to Lambo’s legs as if afraid he would escape.

Lambo’s face darkened at once, his disgust rising to the point of nausea. He shouted, “Let go of me, damn it!”

“If I let go, you’ll run off! I refuse, unless you agree to my request!” The ugly youth’s display of pathetic affection was so powerful it made everyone’s faces change. The Wu siblings even twisted their bodies away, struggling to suppress a wave of nausea.

Lambo nearly fainted on the spot, barely restraining the urge to stomp the boy to death. Gritting his teeth, he said, “I’m not running. Get up first and we’ll talk.”

The boy’s tears turned to a beaming smile, a transformation so alarming that it nearly knocked Lambo off his feet, leaving him utterly miserable.

Surprisingly, though the youth looked weak, he was rather sturdy; even after Lambo’s beating, he bounced up quickly and fawned, “My father is Wu Liande, chief of the Eastern District Police. My name is Wu Qingyi. Young Master Lambo, I hope you’ll look after me from now on. If you need anything, just say the word. I may not be skilled in much else, but I know all the ins and outs of this academy…”

Lambo waved him off with clear distaste. “Enough, I get it. I’m going to register now—go amuse yourself. If I need anything, I’ll come find you.”

“Young master, let me follow you! I can handle the registration for you!”

“Get lost! Didn’t you hear me? If you want to tag along, the first rule is you have to listen to me.”

“Yes, yes, as you wish, young master. I am always at your service.” Wu Qingyi nodded eagerly, as obedient as a lapdog, stepping aside.

Lambo couldn’t stand another moment, escaping at a brisk pace.

When they were gone, the two bodyguards hurried over, guilt-ridden. “Young master, was this really necessary?”

Wu Qingyi waved them off, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his face, revealing his true, sly features. His small eyes now held no trace of fear or servility—only a venomous cunning, like a viper’s, as he stared after Lambo’s group, a cruel smile curling at his lips.

“To throw aside his image and attack a noble for a mere wastelander—this little wastelander is no ordinary person.” Wu Qingyi’s smile was cold and predatory, like a snake ready to strike.

Lambo’s mood was soured by Wu Qingyi’s antics, leaving him gloomy and silent—a far cry from his usual boisterous self. Not until they reached the principal’s office did he finally smooth his features, pinched his cheeks into a pleasing smile, and pressed the doorbell.

“Come in!” The principal’s voice was as steady and authoritative as legend described, carrying a weight that made every student tremble upon entering. Even the usually fearless Lambo adopted a respectful demeanor, much to Le Kai’s surprise.

The principal’s office was spacious and bright, but furnished with austere simplicity. Aside from a coffee table and sofa, there was only a massive desk—elevated more than a foot above the rest of the room. Seated behind it, the principal seemed as lofty as an emperor of old, looking down from his throne.

This subtle pressure made Le Kai secretly criticize the principal in his heart. It reminded him of his own “Art of Strategy”—using the environment to create advantageous conditions. The right setting and atmosphere could exert a quiet psychological domination, giving one the upper hand.

Now, with the principal seated high behind his desk and Le Kai and Lambo standing before it, they felt like criminals before a judge, their spirits unconsciously subdued. Even the mischievous Lambo behaved like a model student, barely daring to speak.

“This is the Le Kai your father spoke of?” The principal, though only in his fifties, already had a head of white hair and seemed somewhat weary. Yet his commanding presence was unmistakable. The pressure he radiated was not of brute strength, but an intangible aura—like a pauper meeting an emperor, overwhelming and involuntary.

“Yes, Grandpa Lan Kai—I mean, Principal Lan Kai. This is Le Kai,” Lambo stammered, quickly lowering his head, unable to meet the principal’s piercing gaze. Since childhood, Lambo had always feared this grand-uncle, fleeing at every meeting. In truth, this uncle of the mayor had never once been harsh with him.