Chapter 163: Turning the Tables!

The four students indeed harbored suspicions that Wang Chen had set a trap for Cai Kun. However, it was merely a suspicion; after all, obscured by the smoke, none of them had seen the events clearly.

In this sense, Wang Chen’s strategy was not a covert plot, but an overt one. He was not at all worried about being exposed; in fact, it would have been strange if his design had gone unnoticed. The true power of an overt plot lies in the fact that even if you know you are being played, you cannot find the evidence to prove it.

This was precisely the case. Cai Xu relied solely on these few witnesses, yet he had insisted on dragging them into the public eye for a confrontation. Being mere students, they lacked the mental fortitude to commit perjury on his behalf in front of a crowd.

The archer student looked Wang Chen in the eyes and asked, "Was what you said on stage just now the truth?"

Wang Chen smiled. "Naturally, it was the truth."

The archer nodded. "I believe you." He leaned in and whispered to the other three students. Then, he stepped forward and announced, "I will act as our spokesperson to explain the details of what happened in the secret realm."

At this point, a staff member from the Organizing Committee approached. "Please, let us go to the conference room to discuss this."

Cai Xu glared, shouting, "What? Does the Organizing Committee intend to shield Wang Chen?"

Cold sweat beaded on the staff member’s forehead. "Sir, you misunderstand. We will certainly handle this impartially."

"Then say whatever you have to say right here on this stage!" Cai Xu demanded firmly. He pointed to the crowd below. "Let everyone here bear witness and help me urge the committee to punish Wang Chen severely!"

The staff member stood frozen, feeling trapped and uneasy.

The Chief Organizer stepped up from behind the scenes. "As Mr. Cai requested, let us clarify the matter here. If we were to spirit them away, it would only breed further suspicion among the onlookers."

The staff member felt a sense of grievance; it was the secretary who had ordered him to bring them in, yet now the leadership was taking all the credit for being transparent. Not daring to argue, he retreated to the corner of the stage to stand like a silent backdrop.

The archer student then began to recount what the four of them had seen and heard. When he finished, silence fell over the crowd.

After a long pause, the Chief Organizer spoke first. "Mr. Cai, according to this student's account, it does not seem possible to confirm that it was Wang Chen who caused Cai Kun’s misfortune."

Cai Xu’s eyes widened at this. "Isn't it obvious?"

The Chief Organizer shook his head. "It was Cai Kun who took the initiative to seek trouble with Wang Chen; this was a private grievance between them. Furthermore, it was Cai Kun who voluntarily entered the smoke alone. We cannot assume that Wang Chen accounted for every variable. Unless he can manipulate human consciousness, I don't see how that would be possible."

The Chief Organizer concluded, "I understand a father’s love for his son, but I ask that you reconsider your accusations."

Cai Xu’s expression turned savage. "The Organizing Committee is blind and is shielding a criminal! Very well! Since you cannot provide me with justice, I will claim it myself!"

A flicker of light flashed at Cai Xu’s fingertips as he donned a pair of dark gold gloves. He lunged, his large hand reaching out to grab Wang Chen.

"Look out!" the Chief Organizer cried, eyes wide. "Protect Wang Chen!"

The two burly guards standing beside him immediately thrust their arms out, blocking the path. Long Wushuang and Tang Ruotong also reacted swiftly, stepping in front of Wang Chen.

Cai Xu’s claw struck the guards, and a sound like metal clashing against metal rang out. The guards winced, clutching their hands in pain.

The Chief Organizer’s face changed. "Alchemy gloves! Cai Xu! Do you intend to commit violence in public?"

Alchemy gloves could amplify a user's attributes, and because they were easy to carry and lacked class or level restrictions, they were generally considered tools for assassination. The clash between Cai Xu and the guards made this clear; had it not been for the guards' class-based physical enhancement skills—which they habitually maintained while on duty—Cai Xu’s claw might have torn off a chunk of flesh. And that was without even considering the impact on Wang Chen, who appeared to be a Life Shaman.

"Security! Subdue Cai Xu at once!" the Chief Organizer shouted.

Four or five large men from the crowd rushed onto the stage. They gripped Cai Xu with powerful arms and utilized a spatial dampener to neutralize the storage ring on his finger.

Cai Xu’s gaze was sinister. "Wang Chen, you have many people protecting you today, but you will eventually be alone. When that time comes, I will deal with you!"

"You can worry about that after you get out of the Security Bureau!" the Chief Organizer raged. Cai Xu had threatened Wang Chen right in front of him; he clearly had no respect for his authority. The committee had organized the university tournament and was responsible for the safety of the students until it concluded. Cai Xu’s actions were nothing short of a slap in the face to their security measures.

The Chief Organizer waved his hand angrily, signaling for security to lead him away.

Just as the situation seemed to be settling, Wang Chen gave a subtle nod to someone in the crowd. A booming voice rang out from below.

"Hold it!"

The Chief Organizer didn't even turn around. Upon hearing that voice, he felt an ominous premonition, much like the one he had felt when hearing Cai Xu’s shout during the live stream.

A man stepped out from the group of reporters, striding toward the stage with long, determined steps.

"And who is this?" the Chief Organizer whispered to his secretary.

The secretary looked bewildered. "I have no idea. He came from the press section, so he should be a reporter."

"But are all reporters this fond of showing off?" The secretary’s tone was helpless. "Wearing such a huge pair of sunglasses..."

The newcomer was a young man with a bird's-nest hairstyle and toad-shaped sunglasses. It was none other than Wu Jiajie, who had been waiting outside Wang Chen’s building for an entire day and night.

He leaped onto the stage, bypassing the stairs entirely. This habit gave the Chief Organizer a strong sense of déjà vu—did everyone who wanted to cause trouble here have a disdain for using stairs?

Reaching the Chief Organizer, the bespectacled young man introduced himself. "Greetings, Chief Organizer. My name is Wu Jiajie, an officer of the Luzhou Professional Association."

As he spoke, he handed a business card to the Chief Organizer and extended his right hand. The secretary took the card, inspected it, and nodded to the Chief Organizer to confirm the man’s identity. The Chief Organizer shook his hand, puzzled as to why he was here.

Wu Jiajie’s fingers flashed—a motion that once again triggered a sense of déjà vu, causing the guards around the Chief Organizer to tense up, instantly activating their respective defensive skills.

Fortunately, Wu Jiajie did not produce a weapon; he simply handed a stack of documents to the Chief Organizer. Then, taking the microphone, he spoke in a loud, clear voice: "Wang Chen, a member of our association, was pursued and besieged several days ago by hired thugs who threatened to cripple him."

"Fortunately, I happened to be heading to Wang Chen’s residence to discuss business and was able to repel the thugs and protect him."

Wu Jiajie removed his sunglasses, his expression solemn. "After an investigation by our association, we have confirmed that the one who hired the thugs was none other than Cai Kun!"

"You're full of crap!" Cai Xu, still restrained, bellowed in rage.