Chapter 129: Don't Talk to Me About Justice

"Any bugs found?" Han Youyi asked.

"None, everything is normal."

Chen Fan felt a bit exhausted. The hurdle of the Left Alliance Leader had to be cleared one way or another, but since he was currently at his wits' end, he could only set it aside for now.

"The activity center is closing soon. Pack up and head back early to get some rest." Han Youyi held a stack of dense, handwritten notes—likely the bugs collected throughout the evening.

"Alright, let me review the replay, then I'll leave."

Chen Fan put the VR goggles back on. He had lost that game in the end. The number 11, the Golden Lion, was the Guard; he had confidently used his ability to protect himself on the first day only to be killed, and in the process, he had dragged the unsuspecting Seer down with him. Li Peijun, the Witch, had reported a fake saved player, buying herself one extra day. Players 1, 2, and 3 were a wolf pack, and by the end, there weren't enough turns left to win regardless of the strategy.

"At least I'm not the one to blame for this loss; I was the only one who landed an active kill," Chen Fan said, feeling strangely smug despite the defeat. After all, it was a rare performance that exceeded his usual level.

When he stepped out of the activity room, the sky was already pitch black. Chen Fan quickened his pace, making sure to chat with the Elder along the way.

"Where were you thrown to by the shockwave?"

"Up in the sky. Stuck on a cloud, believe it or not. I think I'm actually hanging from a tree on a cliffside. There's nothing but clouds all around, and I don't dare move. It’s freezing whenever the wind blows; it’s infuriating!" the Elder grumbled indignantly.

Chen Fan was just as frustrated. "So much for 'as long as your will remains firm, no one can knock you down.' How did I end up being rubbed into the dirt by that guy?"

"Unless that NPC also evolved a 'Will Body' form, you two are on the same level. It’s just that his intelligence completely crushed yours, so being rubbed into the dirt is actually a pretty decent outcome," the Elder analyzed matter-of-factly. "Besides, you weren't technically knocked down. After the first palm strike, you were in a half-crouch; after the second, you were on your knees; and after the third, you were driven into the ground. Strictly speaking, none of those count as being knocked down. Do you see what I mean?"

"I was being pressed into a pit like a piece of farm produce, and you call that not being knocked down? You old, oily, undead relic, you’re going to be the death of me!"

The Elder consoled him: "There’s always tomorrow. That guy isn't going anywhere. We’ll plan carefully and catch him sooner or later."

"Earlier, when I used the Star-Sucking Technique, wasn't I supposed to be able to absorb cold energy? Why did I turn into an ice block when I tried to absorb him?" Chen Fan asked, puzzled.

The Elder shrugged. "Because the opponent is cunning. He kept pumping cold energy into your technique with one hand while freezing you solid with the other. If your brain had been a little quicker, you could have broken the cycle."

"Good grief! You’re the one hanging from a tree branch in the clouds the whole time, and you have the nerve to criticize me? I didn't see you helping at all," Chen Fan retorted with disdain.

"Next time, I'll attach a stronger entity—maybe a Yue Buqun-style character, specialized in counter-character builds. I guarantee I'll have him pinned down."

"Don't give me any more guarantees. I don't believe you; you've sabotaged me too many times." Chen Fan felt a lingering fear. The Elder had no credibility and spoke whatever came to his mind.

The Elder chuckled, unoffended. "Suit yourself. Sir Knight, put on a good performance tomorrow. The justice of society needs you to defend it."

Chen Fan slapped his forehead. "I almost forgot about that! Do you know what I’m hoping for most right now? I just hope the New Moon suppresses my abilities to the minimum tomorrow. I’d be happy to be a blank slate, as long as I don't end up doing something foolish."

"Your control over magic is better than most people's. You won't go astray like Wang You, so don't worry."

...

"For the sake of the world's justice, strike down all evil forces!" Chen Fan ripped off his blanket and roared.

The Elder laughed: "Pfft, hahaha! It seems your luck isn't great. Your magic is in a state of high surge."

"Can you stop with the sarcasm? I’m terrified of things going wrong! 'A knight fears no hardship, only to safeguard justice and order.'" Chen Fan felt his mouth slipping out of control; he desperately wanted to tie his tongue into a knot.

The Elder mimicked a certain powerful third-generation heir and started clapping. "Very good, very good! You're hitting your stride. Keep it up! Remember: those whom God wishes to destroy, He first makes mad."

"I think I’m the one God wants to destroy! What kind of luck is this? 'To defend justice, even if it means destruction, the Knight shall not shrink!' What am I saying? To hell with justice! I don't want any of this high-and-mighty nonsense. I just want to protect order. Oh, god, I’m not talking anymore! Even in silence, the Knight will protect everything with his actions."

Chen Fan argued with himself in bed. The difficulty of controlling the "Knight" card was far higher than he had imagined. Fortunately, the conflict was limited to his speech; he could still control his physical movements.

"Excuse me, student, cutting in line is wrong. Why are you cutting the line?"

While waiting for food, two large, hulking guys pushed in front of Chen Fan, chatting and laughing as if they were standing in front of him quite naturally.

"Huh? What did you say? We're cutting in line? Heh, that’s a laugh." The guy in the basketball jersey, banking on the fact that he was a head taller than Chen Fan, showed no fear and even shook the sweat from his hair onto Chen Fan.

"I’ll tell you why we're cutting in line: because we have no manners. Hahahaha! Are you satisfied now?" The other guy, a lanky beanpole about the same height as Chen Fan, mocked him.

Chen Fan was speechless. He hadn't even been the one to say that first line, and now that they were bullying him to his face, the situation became awkward. He couldn't win in a fight, and backing down would be too humiliating.

"You two are disrupting public order. I shall judge you in the name of justice." Chen Fan’s hands suddenly moved beyond his control. He grabbed the basketball player by the collar with such force that the man was lifted off the ground.

"Boom!"

Before anyone in the room realized what was happening, a magnificent right hook landed squarely on the opponent's face. Chen Fan could vaguely see a few teeth flying out of the guy's mouth.

This punch was thrown for justice!

The man seemed to faint instantly after that one blow, never getting up to shout again. The beanpole was so terrified that he dropped to his knees and begged for mercy.

"Fang Chang knows he was wrong! Please... please let me go. I’m willing to... write an apology letter. I’m willing to... make amends."

"Oh, god? Did I hurt someone? Damn it, this Knight is setting me up! If he ends up in the hospital, won't I get disciplined? No, no, I can't hit the one kneeling!" Chen Fan was terrified. Now, only his thoughts were his own. If his brain were taken over, he would be no better than a walking corpse—not even a tool that could speak.

"Well, I think..." Chen Fan tried to gather his thoughts, hoping to turn a big problem into a small one, but the Knight’s "logic" kicked back in, and his hands and mouth stopped obeying him again.

"If justice is not upheld, then evil will inevitably run rampant. I hope this iron fist will help you remember this lesson." Chen Fan’s face tightened as he raised his fist and swung down without mercy.