Human Genius? Sorry, I’m a Deviant-Chapter 116: The Self-Interested Individualist

"Not just a madman."
Qin Bai narrowed his eyes at the execution platform: "He's a sophisticated self-interested individualist. They always find lofty justifications for their crimes, claiming it's for everyone's benefit, but they never mention how much money Du Shanhe paid them."
In the distance, staff were washing down the guillotine.
Water mixed with blood seeped into the sandy ground.
"Remember this, Su Zhan."
Wang Mingyuan sighed: "The measure of a society's civilization isn't just how it treats the strong, but also how it treats the weak."
"I understand."
Su Zhan looked toward the execution ground exit and asked: "Teacher, why do you think... Zhou Yueshan specifically spoke to me at the end?"
"Because he recognized you were the youngest here, the easiest to sway."
Qin Bai sneered: "That old fox was scheming until his dying breath."
Wang Mingyuan put an arm around Su Zhan's shoulder: "Let's go. Forget the words of such people."
The three of them left.
The morning fog had completely dissipated.
Qin Bai sneered coldly: "That old fox was scheming until his dying breath."
Those bloodstains would soon dry under the sun, disappearing without a trace.
......
Thick clouds rolled beneath the aircraft wings.
The military transport plane's engines emitted a deep rumble.
Inside the cabin, bright lights illuminated several rows of simple seats fixed to metal walls.
Su Zhan tightened his seatbelt, feeling the slight vibrations of the aircraft.
He still had trust in this kind of military transport plane.
But commercial flights though...
For safety's sake, better not take those in the future.
This military transport plane had been arranged by Qin Bai through connections.
Because Qin Bai was also returning to Vermilion Bird Academy with them.
Initially, Qin Bai had suggested taking a commercial flight directly.
But he met unanimous opposition from both Su Zhan and Wang Mingyuan.
The reason was... commercial flights were somewhat uncomfortable.
Qin Bai was somewhat confused, but still pulled strings to arrange a military transport plane.
Only then did Su Zhan and Wang Mingyuan agree.
Now he was on his way back to Vermilion Bird Academy.
He remembered the last time he went to Vermilion Bird Academy was also after watching Doberman's execution.
History always shows remarkable similarities.
Now, after watching the execution of those who collaborated with Du Shanhe, he was once again on his way to Vermilion Bird Academy.
Qin Bai sat opposite, flipping through a document.
Wang Mingyuan sat by the window, gazing through the small porthole at the gray sky outside.
The cabin intercom sounded with the pilot's voice: "Estimated arrival at Vermilion Bird Academy in one hour. We may encounter turbulence during the journey. Please keep your seatbelts fastened."
Su Zhan stretched his somewhat stiff shoulders and broke the silence: "Commander Qin, after we return, will the investigation into Du Shanhe's case continue?"
"Of course."
Qin Bai didn't look up, his fingers tapping lightly on the file: "As long as he's alive, the Aberrant Purge Division won't stop pursuing him. However, what comes next has nothing to do with you. You just need to focus on your academy training."
"Su Zhan."
Wang Mingyuan added gently: "This incident has already concluded. Your focus should return to your studies."
"Don't forget, this semester is the second half of your first year. There will be final exams that determine whether you can successfully advance to the second year. Even though you're very strong among freshmen, you can't afford to be careless."
Qin Bai sat opposite, flipping through a document.
"His identity as an aberrant has been exposed. He won't achieve much now."
Qin Bai shook his head with a smile: "If he dares show his face, his fate will be the same as those on the execution ground."
The cabin fell silent again.
Only the continuous rumble of the engines remained.
Su Zhan leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.
Images from the execution ground surfaced in his mind.
Pleading cries, the cold guillotine, Zhou Yueshan's meaningful gaze before death.
"Don't think too much about it."
Wang Mingyuan seemed to sense his thoughts and said softly: "Where there's light in this world, there will be shadows. Our purpose is to ensure the shadows don't consume the light."
"Sounds nice."
Qin Bai scoffed: "If you ask me, we should just burn the shadows clean."
The transport plane passed through turbulent air, the fuselage shaking violently several times.
Su Zhan gripped the armrests tightly.
Outside the window.
"His identity as an aberrant has been exposed. He won't achieve much now."
The three of them disembarked from the plane.
Su Zhan took a deep breath.
Truth be told, the air quality in Vermilion Bird City was much better than Jiang City's.
Su Zhan checked his phone for messages.
All his teammates had already arrived. Now they were just waiting for him.
After a month apart, he actually missed them somewhat.
......
Under the phoenix tree in the academy square.
Su Zhan spotted four familiar figures from afar.
"Yo, Brother Su is back!"
Xu Hao was the first to jump up and wave, jogging over: "How was winter break? Let me tell you, my parents were so annoying..."
Qin Bai scoffed: "If you ask me, we should just burn the shadows clean."
Liu Ziming sauntered over with hands in pockets.
Now they were familiar enough to mercilessly tease Xu Hao about his height.
Well... after all, a height of 1.6 meters was quite rare among adult males.
Hearing this, Su Zhan instantly felt comfortable inside.
This felt right.
The moment Liu Ziming spoke, that familiar feeling instantly returned.
"Get lost! They kept urging me to return to the academy every day!"
Xu Hao rolled his eyes, imitating his parents' tone: "Hao Hao, we don't need your help at home. Hurry back to training! Old Wang's son next door has already reached Dew Realm second stage! They even asked about my cultivation progress during New Year's Eve dinner..."
"Didn't you tell them you've already reached Dew Realm fifth stage?"
Su Zhan laughed.
He felt relieved inside.
After all, Xu Hao and the others weren't like last time, being careful not to hurt his feelings because of parents.
Well... maybe they forgot about him being an orphan after a month.
But the outcome was good.
Being overly cautious about hurting his feelings like last time would have been boring.
"I did tell them."
Xu Hao shook his head helplessly: "What's the use? No matter how strong you become, you'll always be a child who never grows up in your parents' eyes. They always find reasons to criticize you."
Feng Jue leaned against the tree trunk and glanced at him: "At least someone urges you."
"Oh? Our Brother Feng is homesick?"
Liu Ziming became interested: "Last time you mentioned having a younger sister. With your personality, how did it go this time back home? Don't tell me you two just stared at each other awkwardly."
Feng Jue ignored his teasing and said calmly: "It was fine. I went back to tutor her with homework."
"Middle school or high school?"
"Second year of high school."
"No way?"
Liu Ziming exaggeratedly covered his chest: "You can still tutor second year high school? I've completely forgotten even basic quadratic equations!"
Well... after all, a height of 1.6 meters was quite rare among adult males.
Xie Xi remained merciless: "Waste."
"Hey hey, it's normal for college students to forget high school math!"
Liu Ziming protested loudly, spotting Su Zhan approaching: "Brother Su, you judge this—"
Su Zhan laughed: "On this point, I actually agree with you."
Well, if you asked him to tutor someone during high school, he might have been able to do it.
But now he was in college.
High school: Peak intelligence.
College: Intelligence low point.