Chapter 213 A furious confrontation with Yan Shaozhe! Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven!
At this moment, Yan Shaozhe stood at the edge of the execution platform, facing those pairs of questioning eyes, and took a deep breath.
He straightened his robes, ignoring the Body Sect expert who was eyeing him menacingly beside him, and turned his gaze to the crowd below the stage, his voice steady and sincere.
"Gentlemen! Please hear me out!"
"Shrek Academy has always protected Douluo Continent, a fact that you all can attest to."
"But some situations are not as simple as they seem."
He pointed at Ma Xiaotao, his tone tinged with regret.
"Xiao Tao's situation is completely different from those evil spirit masters who actively devote themselves to evil paths and harm living beings."
"She was affected by the mutation of her martial soul. While carrying out surveillance missions and protecting civilians, she encountered an attack of extreme energy, which caused her soul power to run out of control."
"This was a serious cultivation accident, not her intention."
The audience was completely silent.
Yan Shaozhe's words carried the protectiveness of an elder towards a younger generation, an attitude that easily resonated with people.
After seeing everyone's reaction, Yan Shaozhe continued, "Moreover, what you may not know is..."
"Our Shrek Academy has always had a Shrek Inspection Team."
"Although we have never said it to anyone, we have always been protecting the safety of Douluo Continent free of charge!"
"In the past, Ma Xiaotao, as a member of the inspection team, fought against evil spirit masters many times and saved countless innocent people."
"Shrek Academy will always remember her contributions, and the common people of the continent have also benefited from her kindness."
"Should all her past contributions be erased simply because of one out-of-control accident?"
"The academy has come here today to take her back and use Shrek Academy's top-tier methods to cleanse her of the evil energy within her and guide her back to the right path."
As Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, some whispers arose from the audience.
"It sounds…that seems to be true." A young Soul Master said in a low voice, "I've also heard of Ma Xiaotao from the Surveillance Corps. She's said to be really strong and has killed quite a few evil Soul Masters."
"Yes, if the mutation was caused by an accident, then it should indeed be treated, not killed."
Many people's expressions softened, and their hostility lessened considerably when they looked at the bound figure on the execution platform.
Yan Shaozhe's explanation, to some extent, dispelled their suspicions that Shrek Academy was protecting evil spirit masters.
However, Liu Yuan, standing to the side, always wore that indifferent smile.
He looked at Yan Shaozhe as if he were looking at a clown performing a clumsy act.
"Dean Yan, well said." Liu Yuan stepped forward, his voice echoing across the main hall square.
"Since you've brought up her merits, let's settle the score. What about the innocent people who died at her hands? What about them?"
Liu Yuan's words silenced the crowd in the square instantly.
Liu Yuan turned to look at the crowd below the stage and said sternly, "She saved people before, and that is indeed a merit."
"But after she became an evil spirit master, how many innocent spirit masters did she personally kill? Can any of you give an exact number?"
He snorted coldly and continued, "Weren't those who died, their families, also members of the Douluo Continent?"
"Just because she once performed meritorious service, she can be exempted from punishment for murder?"
Liu Yuan sneered, his gaze fixed on Yan Shaozhe.
"Dean Yan, you always avoid the important issues."
"I ask you, if we follow the usual rules of Shrek Academy, would you kill an ordinary evil spirit master on the spot?"
"Have you ever considered whether they mutated because of a 'mission'? Or is it that Shrek Academy's justice has always been based on favoritism?"
"When you killed others before, it was out of a sense of justice, even at the cost of family ties."
"Now it's your own people's turn. Your merits and demerits cancel each other out. You are the 'victims' who can be cured."
"Dean Yan, aren't you Shrek Academy getting a little too used to your double standards?"
Liu Yuan's series of questions completely ripped away Yan Shaozhe's fig leaf of "tolerance".
The crowd below the stage began to stir.
"That's right. If an ordinary evil spirit master kills someone, Shrek Academy never shows any mercy."
"Merit is merit, but that's in the past. Just because someone was a good person before doesn't mean they can get away with killing someone now."
"A life for a life, that's the most basic principle."
The crowd's sentiment shifted rapidly. The initial awe of Shrek quickly transformed into disgust at such hypocritical rhetoric after Liu Yuan's rebuttal.
Yan Shaozhe stood on the stage, his face turning extremely ugly.
Looking at the scrutinizing, suspicious, and even angry gazes of the people around him, he opened his mouth, but found that he couldn't refute them at all.
Because no matter how he tries to explain, he cannot circumvent the undeniable fact that "Ma Xiaotao committed murder".
His usual erudition and eloquence seemed pale and powerless in the face of Liu Yuan's logic that went straight to the heart of the matter.
He stood there, silent, his lips pursed, and fine beads of sweat on his forehead.
Seeing Yan Shaozhe's embarrassed state, Xian Lin'er and Old Song behind him were extremely anxious.
"Shao Zhe, we can't let him talk anymore, or the academy's reputation will be ruined!" Xian Lin'er urged in a low voice that only the two of them could hear.
"Shao Zhe, think of a way to fight back! Where's your usual eloquence?"
Yan Shaozhe remained silent; his throat bobbed, but no sound came out.
He found himself trapped in a logical dead end: no matter what, if he tried to exonerate Ma Xiaotao, Shrek would appear hypocritical.
Liu Yuan watched this scene with a hint of disdain in his eyes.
He turned to Du Bu Si and nodded slightly, then looked at the audience and said loudly.
"It seems that Dean Yan cannot answer this question."
Liu Yuan slowly walked towards the control lever on the execution platform, which was the switch responsible for activating the execution mechanism.
"Since Dean Yan, as the dean of Shrek Academy, cannot bring himself to punish his own students for their crimes, and disregards the victims in order to maintain the so-called 'teacher-student relationship,' then it seems that justice at Shrek Academy cannot be served today."
Liu Yuan's hand gripped the cold metal rod.
"Very well, since Dean Yan still has personal feelings in his heart, and since Shrek Academy can't bring itself to do this."
"Then I'll take this knife for you."
Liu Yuan looked around at the tens of thousands of people watching this scene, and finally his gaze fell on Yan Shaozhe's pale face.
"Since your Shrek Academy dares not kill them, my Body Sect will do it!"
"The laws that Shrek Academy dares not enforce, my Heavenly Soul Empire will enforce."
Liu Yuan took a deep breath and suddenly exerted force with his palm.
"Today, on behalf of Shrek Academy and on behalf of all the innocent people in the world who have been harmed by evil spirit masters, I will send her on her way."
(End of chapter)