The dean trembled with anger as he pointed an accusatory finger at me, stuttering the word "you" over and over again. One of the school leaders next to him chimed in, "Song Yang, how dare you talk to the dean like this! Don't forget, you haven't graduated yet!"

I was past the point of caring. After today's events, I had already prepared myself for this eventuality.

The dean anxiously turned to the people around him, "Go get the ball back. Bai Lei must not die!"

Right then, Xiaotao sent a message. Upon listening to it, I said, "Wait a minute. There’s a little situation over here. Please repeat what you just said!" Then I turned up the volume to the maximum. "Bai Lei has been rescued. He’s downstairs now," she reiterated.

The crowd’s fury turned into joy. I sighed, watching them run down the stairs, excited to see him. These professors weren’t worldly or enlightened, but mice cowering in their shoes, afraid the responsibility might fall upon them. They dared not hope for great accomplishments or saving the innocent—they only hoped to be free from mistakes. It was the rule the general populace lived by.

I unscrewed a leg off the chair and hid it behind me. Turning to the poisoned student, I assured, "There may not be an antidote. But don't worry, I'll think of some way to save you."

"What? If there is no antidote, I’ll surely die!” he looked up at me in horror.

"Medical technology is very advanced now,” I chuckled. “Worse comes to worst, you can do a blood dialysis. Just don’t get excited or move too much."

He nodded and asked anxiously, "How much will it cost?"

"The police will definitely help with your medical expenses!" I promised.

"Call the ambulance in,” I asked Xiaotao as I walked out the building. “There’s a student in Lecture Building No. 2 who’s been poisoned. Send a car as well."

"Can we go in now?"

"Don't worry, it's almost over!" I declared.

Near the stairs stood Bai Lei surrounded by the masses, followed by Song Xingchen in the back. I observed him with Cave Vision and confirmed that he was indeed an imposter. There was a clear line behind his ear as if he were wearing a high imitation human skin mask.

When our eyes met, his seemed to gleam. He strode over and said, "Thank you for saving my life. I must properly express my gratitude when this is all over."

The school leaders noisily argued for their contributions, claiming to have supported me in dealing with the criminal, boasting of the university’s unyielding mettle in the face of crime.

If everything went according to Deng Chao's plan, then I would now be badly poisoned. Appearing as Bai Lei meant he had more tricks up his sleeve, but unfortunately, his plans ended here.

I held out a hand and said, "Mr. Bai, nice to meet you."

Bai Lei reached over to grab my hand but I was ready. Pulling out the chair leg from behind, I bashed his face hard. Bai Lei staggered, nearly falling down the stairs. The people around us were too stunned to respond.

"W-w-what are you doing?!" cried the dean.

Before Bai Lei could steady himself, I went on the offensive once more, thrashing him with the chair leg. I pointed at him and sneered, "Look at his face clearly!"

"Bai Lei’s" face was slanted, the eye holes having slipped down to his cheeks as if he had no eyes. His voice suddenly changed and Deng Chao blurted, "How did you find out?"

"Did you think your plan was perfect?” I scoffed. “For the past year, you’ve been in prison while I have been dealing with criminals who are more dangerous and cunning than you. The gap between you and me cannot be filled by your stupid tests!"

Anger churning inside of me, I swung the chair leg at him once more, the force strong enough to knock Deng Chao's human skin mask off his face. Blood spurted from his nose.

"What the hell are you trying to prove by killing so many innocents?” I mocked. “Even if you prove that you’re smarter than me, in everyone else’s eyes, you’re a pathetic and cold-blooded criminal, a loser and a psycho!"

Deng Chao's mouth was filled with blood and his eyes burned with fury. "Song Yang, you turned me into this!” he accused. “All their deaths are on you!"

"Me?” I quipped. “You chose to do all this. You deserve everything that’s happened to you."

With a loud roar, Deng Chao suddenly pulled out a dagger and charged towards me. I caught sight of a cold gleam but it was too late to retreat. Fortunately, Song Xingchen secured Deng Chao’s arms from the side, knocking the latter down as his shoulder crashed heavily to the ground, dagger falling aside.

Song Xingchen mercilessly stepped on his chest. "I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!" Deng Chao resentfully bellowed.

What a mad dog!

I informed Xiaotao of Deng Chao’s arrest and asked her to send in the officers and paramedics. Deng Chao broke into sardonic laughter, "Song Yang, do you really think I didn’t prepare a Plan B?"

I glared coldly at him. "What’s the time now?” he asked.

"12:55!" I said, glancing at my watch.

"I’ve hidden the children in a place no one can find,” he grinned. “The bombs must be reset every hour or they will explode. That’s the insurance I created for myself. In five minutes, even God won’t be able to save them!"

"You’re lying!" I retorted.

"Look at my face,” he smiled venomously. “Does it look like I'm lying?"

He was telling the truth. I clenched my fist, fighting the impulse to throw him down the stairs. "What do you want?" I asked.

"I could tell you to let me go, but I’ve changed my mind.” He continued, “Why don’t you chop off a hand and I'll call a friend to reset the bomb. At the end of the next hour, you can chop off your other hand and so on, until both your hands and feet are gone. That way, you have at least four hours to find the children!"

"If you won't tell us, I know torture methods horrible enough to pry those lips open!”

"I don't care!" he laughed.

Upon further contemplation, I was certain Deng Chao would do as he threatened. So I instructed Xiaotao to ensure the paramedics brought enough hemostatic bandages to rescue me. Xiaotao was confused but I turned off the radio before she could question me.

I rolled up my sleeves and ordered Song Xingchen, "Do it!"

"No way," Song Xingchen shook his head coldly.

"There’s no time left. Hurry up!” I urged. “You’re good with the sword. Anyway, I can always sew it back on later!"

Song Xingchen remained motionless but I couldn’t wait any longer so I grabbed the dagger from the ground, ready to sever my own hand. Suddenly, the dagger in my hand was swept away. Holding the unsheathed Tang Sword, Song Xingchen huffed, “This sort of sacrifice is meaningless to the Song family!"

"I command you to sever my hand!” I yelled. “Or you get the hell out of here!"

The onlookers were stunned speechless while Deng Chao was thrilled, his insane laughter echoing in my ears. Song Xingchen seemed to have made up his mind. "Fine, close your eyes!"

Song Xingchen slowly drew out his sword. At the thought that my hand would soon be separated from my arm, I was too afraid to look down.

Swish. The violent surge of blood that resembled a fountain soon followed. Song Xingchen's technique was so masterful I felt no pain except for the cold in my limbs.

Seconds later, a sharp scream reverberated in the corridor. "Ahhh, my hand!"