novelUnable to Rebel!
| ← Ch.040 | Ch.042 → |
Translator: Lordbluefire Editor: Lordbluefire
Ba-dum, ba-dum!
The Head Butler was quiet, apart from his fingers drumming against the tabletop as he fell deep in thoughts.
He couldn't help being tempted by Feng Lin's proposition but something felt amiss.
What was so difficult about admission into Interstellar University?
Interstellar Universities recruited students from human population across the entire universe and had only that many admission slots. Only a few thousands accepted would have been the cream of the crop. Besides, there weren't many students who could take part in the examination every year, and the competition was intense. The probability of being admitted would be one to ten thousand, hundred thousand... Perhaps even a million to one?
This Feng Lin had vitality of 1. 5 and was only an apprentice; he was far away from being an actual cultivator. How could he get into Interstellar University?
One must understand that there were many prodigies in each generation of the Feng Clan, and only a few had hope of getting into Interstellar University, much less a low-grade clansman.
Forget about being admitted to Interstellar University, while it was still seven to eight months away from the entrance exams, it wasn't possible for an apprentice to improve that drastically and become a true cultivator!
Wouldn't he have to return to his work obediently at the end of the day?
The Head Butler didn't think that a mere low-grade clansman could surpass the prodigies in their clan in such a short time and get admitted into Interstellar University.
Finally, he managed to pinpoint what was wrong.
No, that isn't right!
He was almost tricked by this rascal!
If he had agreed, then Feng Lin would have gained freedom if he won. Even if he lost, he would've delayed half a year's time before interning at the factory; he wouldn't have suffered any loss.
Without notice, he would have wielded the power over the clan rules and rebelled against it. If everyone followed suit, then wouldn't a rebellion occur?!
Good lad, he really was a great match!
No, he most definitely could not agree to it.
Watching Feng Lin's calm expression, Head Butler let out a gasp inwardly. This lad may be young, but he was practically an evildoer inside. Even so, he was still too inexperienced!
A sneer lifted the corner of his lips. Much as the Head Butler was impressed, he would never allow anyone to take advantage of the loophole in their clan rules!
No one can deviate from the clan rules! No one!
"What a joke. It is your responsibility to carry out your duty to the clan; this cannot be cast aside, so what right do you have to use this as a proposition! As a member of the clan, you should follow the rules obediently and not spend your time on these daydreams. The clan will not allow you to bet on this!" the Head Butler answered coldly. Though he was smiling, his words were humorless, pushing Feng Lin down to a bottomless pit.
Feng Lin frowned. He didn't think that the Head Butler would take away even the opportunity of a bet.
He replied slowly, "Could it be that as the clan's Head Butler, you don't even possess the slightest bit of courage?! What help would a little factory staff have towards the clan? If you won, I would return to work obediently and if you lost, the clan would gain an Interstellar University student. Isn't that the biggest benefit? What would you have against it?"
"What a joke!" The Head Butler didn't hide the disdain."Don't play such tricks with me! Provoking me is useless. If you can gain admission to Interstellar University, then wouldn't the countless seniors and prodigies of the Feng Clan become good-for-nothing? If they couldn't do it, you think you can? I'm telling you it's impossible! The clan rules are not for you to play, if you insist on being stubborn then don't blame me for punishing you accordingly!"
A thorough threat, leaving Feng Lin with an ultimatum.
Feng Lin's expression turned grave, feeling the pressure imposed from the depths of his heart.
Such decadent, clan-level strictness was suffocating. Every rule was like a chain, wrapped around the person in a vice grip. There was not a hint of freedom, making a person wish they could flee immediately.
Now, this Head Butler wouldn't even grant the chance of a bet. He was practically forcing him on to the dead end!
The Head Butler watched on, satisfied by Feng Lin's hopeless expression. He nodded his head as he felt everything was in his control.
"It's not that I'm not giving you a chance! You wish to be rid of this internship? That's easy!" With a sudden glint, he spoke up in amusement as he waited for Feng Lin's reaction. Would it be despair? Or despair? And even more despair!?
"How?" Feng Lin asked lowly, skeptical of the Head Butler's display of kindness. The terms must have been an infuriating one.
Even so, for his own future, he didn't care much of it. Whatever it was, he would give it a shot.
"There are two ways! One, you'll become a true basic cultivator before the internship. When that happens, the clan will support you fully in attending the entrance exams for Interstellar University. The other way is for you to compensate the clan for bringing you up, and pay an amount of a million star coins. Thereafter, you can achieve your freedom!" The Head Butler laughed sinisterly.
"What?" Feng Lin's eyes darkened. He had only three weeks before the start of the internship; it was practically impossible to become a basic cultivator in that short amount of time. Yet, the other way would require him to pay a million star coins. How was he supposed to pay such an exorbitant amount? Isn't that robbery?
Besides, as a low-grade clansman, what had the clan given him growing up? Low nutrition fluids and nothing more!
That would require a million star coins?
This must be the most hilarious joke in the entire world!
Observing Feng Lin's silence, the Head Butler's smile turned cold."No cultivation! No money? Then what right you have to negotiate with me? Did you think the clan was a charity? The clan went through the effort in raising you, yet you want to escape your responsibility! Now, you only have these two choices. You either do your duty obediently, or pay the fee! Otherwise, there's nothing to talk about!"
His sinister laughter was ceaseless, appreciating the view of Feng Lin's despair and helplessness.
Feng Lin pursed his lips into a tight line, refusing to give up just like that.
He knew that he could retreat. If he did, he would never be able to turn his life around.
"I reject!" Although he knew that the repercussions would be unimaginable, Feng Lin still gave his answer.
At this point, he no longer had any room to retreat.
"What?" Feng Lang was stunned by the sight. Does this guy have a death wish? The Head Butler has already told him that it is impossible, yet he still seems so fearless. The Head Butler will never let it go.
Feng Lang seemed to have seen the impending, miserable end of Feng Lin.
Reality seemed to be unraveling in that direction as well.
"Come again?" At the sound of his words, the Head Butler's expression darkened. The thick aura surrounding him rolled in waves, rushing towards him.
The immense pressure he felt previously rose. It had felt like a hill pressing against him before, but it felt as heavy as a mountain now.
Feng Lin tried his hardest to keep his back straight, refusing to bend over.
Creak, creak.
The creaking began to sound continuously from his spine as though it was about to break.
A man's spine could never break. Once broken, they could never stand up straight again.
Feng Lin's held a sullen expression, tightening both his hands into tight fists. His nails dug into his palms as blood began dripping from the contact.
This might will never push me down!
Was this the power of a basic cultivator? How much was his vitality? 10? 20? Or even...
He had never felt as weak as he did now, and the thirst to grow stronger was even more insatiable than it did before.
What a pity. In the end, he still lacked the time and opportunity. The pressure of destiny was already in front of his eyes before he could strengthen himself.
Why would he have to suffer through such indignance otherwise? Given more time, he could have destroyed everything with his fists.
Seeing that he was unwilling to admit defeat, the Head Butler lost his patience.
With a casual wave of his hand, a gust of violent gale swept over. Like a sandbag without defense, Feng Lin's body was cast aside by the force, knocking hard against the walls and landing unceremoniously on the ground.
"Guards! Feng Lin has defied the clan rules. Place him in detention for a week! If he commits any crime during that time, then force him into the clan's factory!" The Head Butler's voice rang with authority. Even if he deemed that Feng Lin had committed a crime, it wasn't worth a death penalty. He had given what he thought as the most worthy severe punishment!
The gates opened without sound as three muscular men dressed in black walked over stoically.
This was the clan's enforcement team. Every one of them had a vitality of at least 3. They were fierce and imposing, sneering as they surrounded Feng Lin.
Feng Lin swayed as he got up and let out a cough as he yanked himself away from their hold."Get your hands off, I can walk by myself!"
With that, he gave a final, unimpressed glance towards the Head Butler before leaving with his head held high. In the end, he never did bend his spine!
At the side, Feng Lang was stunned.
What a great lad, a real man indeed!
The Head Butler stared coldly after Feng Lin's retreating figure, expressionless as though he was looking at an inanimate object.
Hmph, want to defy and bring chaos to the clan rules without being a basic cultivator? Dream on!
Slowly, he opened his palms, his fingers curled as though it was holding something, looking like Buddha's Wuzhi Mountain. *
(T/N: Wuzhi in Chinese can be directly translated as Five Fingers. )
Feng Lin was like the monkey in his palms, no matter how much he leaped...
He would never be able to rebel!
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