Chapter 148: A Man Lives for His Face, a Tree Lives for Its Bark

Aize and Xuanxuan were not close acquaintances, nor did they share any special relationship, so there was naturally no problem with him saying he believed her.

Especially since quite a few people present were aware of the ties between the Ai family and the Moji family. Given their relationship, if even Aize claimed to believe it, Xuan Guo probably had nothing left to say.

Aize stepped directly down from the spectator stands, walked over to the mecha martial arts arena where Xuanxuan and the others were, and said, "I believe they have this capability."

If this kind of mecha modification were made public or inspected by outsiders, it would inevitably infringe upon the interests of the Moji family. Publicity, in particular, was a sensitive issue—every minor alteration in mecha modification or design was immensely valuable. If made public—Aize glanced toward the podium—quite a few people up there would be very pleased.

Moreover, Aize trusted Xuanxuan deeply. From every perspective, he felt that Xuanxuan was incapable of lying, and he was also willing to believe that she possessed this capability. Others might not know, but he did: Xuanxuan had long since taken Kuang Hongyi as her master to study mechas.

A man like Kuang Hongyi would never grant favors just because someone was a young lady or young master from a prominent family. Countless people were waiting to become his disciples, yet he had not accepted a single one, and among those applicants were plenty of scions from major clans.

In terms of mecha modification and innovation, Kuang Hongyi was the only person in the Federation who dared to claim the top spot. To this day, he had only ever accepted Xuanxuan as his sole disciple, which was why Aize firmly believed she had the ability to carry out the modifications.

Why? On what grounds did Aize trust her so much?

If Aize had not spoken up for Xuanxuan, Xuan Guo might not have been this furious. This was the man she had strived for over a decade to win, yet no matter the time or place, he was always good to Moji Xuanxuan.

Under any circumstances, his very first reaction was to trust Moji Xuanxuan.

Even if she could not have him, she would rather destroy him than let Moji Xuanxuan have it easy. Only this single thought echoed in Xuan Guo's mind.

"I wasn't aware you understood Moji Xuanxuan so thoroughly that you can vouch for what kind of mechas she is capable of modifying," Xuan Guo sneered.

Aize was momentarily stunned. How much did he actually understand about Xuanxuan? Truly, not very much—he only wished to know more. Pity there was no opportunity, and she was unwilling. He glanced at Xuanxuan, a smile curving the corners of his lips, suddenly recalling that contact when they had been so close, so very close.

Turning back to Xuan Guo, Aize's expression turned icy. "At least better than you do."

Xuan Guo was choked into silence. Aize's expression was too frigid, making her complexion look increasingly unsightly. Up on the podium, Bai Ruchen smiled and said, "I think it would still be best to openly open and inspect them, preferably to clear these few students of any suspicion."

Bai Ruchen's words sounded righteous and lofty, as if he were entirely acting in the best interests of Xuanxuan and her group.

Kuang Shao grew furious, undisguised contempt written across his features. "Can you possibly be any more shameless? By what right should someone else's intellectual property be made public for you?"

"Oh? Could it be that this intellectual property belongs to your Kuang family?" Bai Ruchen smiled with an air of breezy detachment, his words sharply parrying back, "Why is Young Master Kuang so agitated?"

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Bai Ruchen was implying this mecha had been built by someone from the Kuang family.

The entire audience watched with rapt attention. They had not expected such an exciting twist in this match; they cared little whether the mecha was indeed built by the group members, finding the war of words among these individuals far more engaging.

Xuanxuan raised an eyebrow. Everyone was jumping in to join the fun, but what on earth was Xuan Guo trying to achieve?

A flash of danger crossed Kuang Shao's eyes. He had indeed kept a much lower profile lately, yet it seemed people were now daring to trample right over his head. Just what kind of a nobody was Bai Ruchen?

Xuanxuan glanced at Kuang Shao and tugged at the corner of his garment; causing a scene with him in broad daylight would be rather difficult to explain away.

He looked back at the hand gripping his coat behind him. It was pale and soft, appearing especially adorable due to a slight plumpness. Kuang Shao was momentarily dazed, only to realize he seemed to be excessively protective of this junior sister of his. Though he lost face, he still understood Xuanxuan's intention and refrained from charging forward, though he awkwardly yanked his clothing back anyway.

Xuanxuan glanced at him sideways and clapped her hands—who was eager to hold onto him, anyway?

Up on the platform, Moji Lianhao glared at Kuang Shao. When had this fellow gotten so familiar with Xuanxuan? He then cast a look at Moji Weiliang and his companion standing behind Xuanxuan—what on earth were those two useless fools being paid for?

Zhan Yu watched the pair's interaction, his brows knitting together. Didn't Kuang Shao dislike Xuanxuan? Why were their movements so intimate? Being in a foul mood, Zhan Yu found Bai Ruchen increasingly grating, and his words carried sharp barbs as well. "Is Young Master Bai so anxious to have it made public because you covet this modification method yourself?"

"Young Master Zhan really knows how to joke. Who doesn't know that your Zhan family and the Kuang family share a pair of trousers? Are you trying to cover for Young Master Kuang? No, wait, it should be Elder Kuang, shouldn't it?" Bai Ruchen said with a smile. Though he didn't understand why Zhan Yu was losing his cool so easily, the more flustered Zhan Yu and the others became, the better it would be for him.

Since they were outright claiming that all the mechas belonging to Xuanxuan's group were made by Kuang Hongyi, Xuanxuan raised an eyebrow, while Zhan Yu retorted, "Can Young Master Bai take responsibility for the words coming out of your mouth?"

Bai Ruchen brushed it off with a hollow laugh. The Bai family still hoped to arrange a marriage alliance with the Kuang family. If this mecha modification method fell into their hands, their own technological standards would advance significantly, freeing them from the Kuang family's restrictions in this field. Dealing with the Kuang family afterward would then become simple.

The Kuang family had wealth but no political power; their sole reliance lay in mechas and weaponry. If they could suppress the Kuang family in this domain, that would be one thing, but until that was accomplished, Bai Ruchen had no wish to directly offend Kuang Hongyi and Kuang Shao.

Daring to directly name-drop Kuang Hongyi like that was still something Bai Ruchen did not quite dare to do.

Kuang Shao sneered. People from the Bai family were spineless cowards, all talk and no action.

By this time, the commentator nearby was sweating profusely upon hearing their exchange. Why were these young masters starting a quarrel right here? Yet, dare as he might, he did not have the guts to switch the holographic screen away.

Furthermore, he didn't dare to interject; not a single one of these individuals was someone he could afford to offend. Just as he was at his wit's end, he saw the school administration issue a response. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he quickly chimed in before anyone else could speak: "Please do not be impatient, everyone. School leadership Director Wu is coming down to handle this personally."

Xuan Guo down on the arena floor and Bai Ruchen up on the platform both let out simultaneous, cold sneers. Neither of them believed this was crafted by Moji Xuanxuan herself, and they were quite curious to see how the school administration and the Moji family planned to clean up this mess, so they temporarily fell silent.

The school's senior leaders had deliberated for a long time and contacted the Moji family. Moji Yi had stated with absolute certainty that he trusted Xuanxuan, which allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief. They then contacted Kuang Hongyi to confirm that it genuinely was not his work. With the approval of Liao Kun, the principal of the First Federal Military Academy, someone finally stepped forward to address the crowd.

Director Wu specialized in managing matters of this nature. "It appears this affair has generated some controversy. Do not worry, everyone; the First Federal Military Academy will neither condone cheating nor wrongfully accuse an innocent person. The school will provide everyone with a satisfactory answer."

The cold sneers at the corners of Bai Ruchen's and the others' mouths deepened. Such evasive rhetoric was as good as nothing—who did they think they were trying to fool?

"Director Wu, at the very least, you should allow us to witness it with our own eyes, shouldn't you?" If they couldn't see it, it would be no different from nothing at all.

Director Wu glanced at Bai Ruchen. The First Federal Military Academy had always remained independent of the major clans, and countless talents were dispatched from its halls to all corners of the country every year. The people of the First Federal Military Academy feared no one; they were willing to give face if they chose to, but when they chose not to, the academy owed no explanations to anyone, nor would it ever pander to others' whims.

"Is Young Master Bai unwilling to trust my word?" Director Wu wore a smile that did not reach his eyes. Others might fear the Bai family, but he certainly did not.

A Bai Ruchen felt a surge of secret resentment. When had these old fossils at the First Federal Military Academy also chosen to side with the Kuang and Moji families? Yet, he dared not casually provoke the people of the First Federal Military Academy—their network of connections was not something to be taken lightly. He forced out a dry laugh and said, "It's not that I don't trust you, but wouldn't making it directly public appear far more fair?"

"Is Young Master Bai treating all of us like fools?" Zhan Yu asked with a sarcastic smile.

Director Wu smiled as well. Wasn't Bai Ruchen treating everyone else like a fool?

"How does Young Master Bai wish to prove it? What constitutes fairness in your eyes?" Director Wu asked.

Without a moment's hesitation, Bai Ruchen spoke with righteous indignation, "Still, it should be dismantled in public for mecha repair specialists from several major families to inspect."

After catching a glimpse of Director Wu's enigmatic smile, Bai Ruchen coughed. "Of course, personnel from the Zhan and Kuang families can also be present. That would be even fairer."

Xuanxuan remained indifferent. Without her consent, how could anyone possibly dismantle her mecha? Even if it were Kuang Hongyi, he would only be able to take it apart and fail to reassemble it. Facing the people before her, even if there were a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand of them, the outcome would be precisely the same.

However, Moji Weiliang and the others were filled with righteous indignation. Zuo Chen delivered a chillingly sarcastic remark, "A person needs a face, a tree needs bark; it's best to exercise some restraint."

"You don't have to drag your shamelessness out into the open," said Xiao Daopeng.

Zheng Chao and Moji Weihan's faces flushed red with anger; if Xuanxuan hadn't been standing beside them, he probably would have rolled up his sleeves and waded in.

Bai Ruchen cared nothing for these a few greenhorns. Nothing surpassed the importance of interests; once you had interests, who cared about mere face?

Face? Could you eat it?

"You are all still young with long futures ahead of you; you mustn't allow the people around you to deceive you," Bai Ruchen said, putting on the air of a benevolent mentor offering earnest guidance.

Moji Weiliang laughed out of sheer anger. "I fail to understand what Young Master Bai is talking about."

"You ought to call me uncle," Bai Ruchen said with a darkened expression. These two nephews were not nearly as easily manipulated as his father and elder sister had imagined.

Moji Weiliang and Moji Weihan spoke in unison, "We have no such uncle as you."

When they had met last time, they hadn't known. But now that they did, they learned that Bai Ruchen actually collaborated with the Zerg. Such a person was no uncle of theirs. Even if a sliver of blood ties existed, Moji Weiliang said coldly, "I would rather my mother had never had a brother like you."

Moji Weiliang only wanted to say that Bai Ruchen was a disgrace to their mother. Even though they had rarely seen her since childhood, everything they heard from others and from Moji Lianjun's recollections portrayed their mother as a confident, strong, and beautiful woman. How could she possibly have a younger brother who endangered the Federation and the entire human race?