Starforce Warriors-Chapter 345: New Rhythm

"Then let’s pause the admissions and allow the audit team to proceed," Li Xiaofei said, setting the document aside.

Hu Yuer raised an eyebrow and in a tone that could make any man uncomfortable, teased, "Are you sure you can handle this?"

Li Xiaofei shot back, "I suggest you rethink your choice of words."

Hu Yuer smirked. "Didn’t you say there’s nothing in Liuhe Base City that you can’t handle? Were you just bluffing?"

Li Xiaofei retorted, "Even if I’m bluffing, it’s nothing compared to how good you are at it."

Hu Yuer was speechless.

"Let’s get serious." She said, her tone turning more concerned. "The school has invested a lot upfront. We’re at a critical point in securing new students, and every day we’re closed results in huge losses. If word gets out, those who’ve already enrolled might lose confidence and withdraw. What then?"

Li Xiaofei looked at her, surprised.

The principal role was just a cover for her. Since when did she get so invested in it? Ever the drama queen, Hu Yuer.

"I’ll figure something out," Li Xiaofei replied.

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"I’m not happy," Hu Yuer said, licking her lips. "I need to fight to blow off some steam."

Soon, the sound of their sparring echoed through the room.

***

The next day.

When Li Xiaofei arrived at the entrance of Red Flag High School, he noticed something unusual. Ten fully armed Star Council warriors were stationed at the gate, and the atmosphere was tense. There were also a number of media reporters conducting interviews at the entrance.

As soon as Li Xiaofei rode his motorcycle up to the school gate, a barrage of cameras and microphones turned toward him.

"Hello, may I see your student ID?" One of the Star Council warriors asked, holding out his hand.

Li Xiaofei handed over his long-unused student ID.

"Li Xiaofei, thank you. Please come with me." The warrior said, returning the ID and turning to lead the way.

"Where are we going?" Li Xiaofei asked as he followed.

"I'm not at liberty to answer that." The warrior replied politely. "You'll understand once we arrive."

A few moments later, they entered the administrative office. Inside, Li Xiaofei found a dozen Education Department officials, including Gao Changlin, and some individuals who looked like auditors.

"Li Xiaofei," Gao Changlin greeted him awkwardly, his expression slightly uneasy. "Someone has reported that Red Flag High School's finances are unclear, with rampant corruption and wasteful spending. The regional Education Department has ordered a task force to investigate. We need your cooperation."

"The regional Education Department?" Li Xiaofei sneered. "Isn't it just that old dog, Su Yuncao?"

"Hush, keep it down!" Gao Changlin nearly leapt to cover Li Xiaofei’s mouth. He quickly approached him. "I know you're upset, but try to keep your temper in check. The arm can’t twist the thigh... this is just a formality, so please don't stir up trouble."

Li Xiaofei patted Gao Changlin on the shoulder and said, "Relax. What do you need me to do? I'll cooperate."

Gao Changlin let out a sigh of relief. "There’s a brief individual inquiry for you today. It should only be about ten minutes... it won’t take long."

Li Xiaofei checked the time and said, "I’ve got class this morning. Let’s do it after school."

"Do you think this is a game?" An official from the Audit Bureau couldn’t hold back. "You’re a prime suspect right now, and you must fully cooperate with our investigation or else—"

Before he could finish, his words were cut off. Li Xiaofei’s cold, piercing gaze was like a sharp blade pressing against the man’s throat. The chilling aura of death enveloped him, freezing him in place.

A startled Gao Changlin quickly stepped in to mediate. "Fine, fine. After school is perfectly fine. It’s almost time for class, Li Xiaofei, you better go. Don’t let this interfere with your studies."

Li Xiaofei turned and left without another word.

The official from the Audit Bureau let out a breath of relief, his face flushed with anger and shame. He said, "Old Gao, what’s going on here? You’re the head of the Education Department! Why are you so afraid of a high school kid? When did you get so cowardly?"

Gao Changlin could only offer a bitter smile and replied, "Old Zhao, you’re from Lanfu Base City, so you don’t know Li Xiaofei’s background. This kid is ruthless. He’s got the blood of three hundred to five hundred lives on his hands. If you cross him, he’ll wipe out entire families without hesitation... A wise man stays far from danger."

Zhao Tong, the deputy director of the seventh division of the Audit Bureau, had just arrived that morning from Lanfu Base City. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly asked someone to fetch a file on Li Xiaofei.

After reading it, he took a deep, sharp breath. A high school student with the combat strength of the Five Spirits Realm, who could kill without batting an eye and slaughter star beasts without flinching? And he had been sent here to audit someone like that?

This was a death sentence. All his initial thoughts of this being an easy job with perks vanished instantly. This was a trap. Seeing Zhao Tong’s pale, terrified expression, Gao Changlin couldn’t help but shake his head discreetly. The current state of affairs was collapsing, and governance was rotting.

If mid-level officials in Lanfu Base City were all as clueless and incompetent as Zhao Tong, how could there be any hope for the revival of Great Xia?

***

The morning passed quickly. As Li Xiaofei sat down to eat lunch in the school cafeteria, he could clearly sense that something was off in the atmosphere. Many of the younger students were glancing at him with anxious looks, and an uneasy tension hung in the air.

"Senior, is it true that someone reported Principal Chen for corruption? They say the school might be shut down. Is that really happening?" Wang Yuting cautiously approached him, her voice filled with worry.

Li Xiaofei looked up at the familiar girl. In that moment, he felt all the eyes in the cafeteria turn toward him. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for his response. It felt like the air had frozen.

Li Xiaofei smiled reassuringly. "Don’t worry, that’s not going to happen. Principal Chen will be back soon, and Red Flag High School isn’t going anywhere... I guarantee it."

Wang Yuting let out a long sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."

Suddenly, the tense atmosphere in the cafeteria lifted. The previously anxious students seemed to relax all, and soon, the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the room again.

At that moment, Li Xiaofei’s light core buzzed. He pulled it out and saw it was a call from the famous streamer Little White Dragon in the Waves, Shen Yan.

Ever since Bai Longfei’s wedding, Li Xiaofei and Shen Yan had become good friends. Many of Shen Yan’s exclusives and insider information came straight from Li Xiaofei. Nowadays, Shen Yan had climbed into the top ten streamers in Liuhe Base City.

"Big streamer, what's up?" Li Xiaofei answered the call.

Shen Yan’s voice was unusually serious. "Li bro, I sent you some info on LightChat. You should check it out; things are blowing up online. You need to figure out how to handle this."

"Hmm?"

Li Xiaofei was taken aback.

What is the internet stirring up now?

After hanging up the call, he logged onto the network using his light core and opened the link Shen Yan had sent. Several news headlines immediately popped up.

Li Xiaofei Won’t Live Past Twenty.

The Consequence of Forcing Growth: All Efforts Wasted.

The Dangers of Being Short-Sighted: How Li Xiaofei’s Impending Death Highlights the Importance of Teacher Ethics.

Red Flag High School Has Ruined Li Xiaofei.

How to Prevent the Reoccurrence of the Li Xiaofei Phenomenon.

Each headline was more sensational than the last.

Li Xiaofei rubbed his temples.

"I'm dying soon?"

Why am I the last to know?