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Chapter 421: A Poor Attempt at Defamation
Chapter 421: A Poor Attempt at Defamation
According to his original plan, Li Qian was supposed to go outside the city today to see if he could catch any other rodent companion beasts.
However, after hearing Bai Bingbing's suggestion, he eagerly took on the task of documenting the statues and stone carvings from other ancient ruins. He was not one to decline such an opportunity.
After breakfast, he put on his VR glasses and ventured into the temple complex. Since he had already explored the area the day before, his scanning process was much more efficient this time.
In just about an hour, Li Qian had documented all the statues and stone carvings that had taken him most of the day to examine the previous day.
Upon returning to the camp near the Stone Tower, Li Qian noticed that most people had already left. He asked, "Where are Teacher Liang and the others?"
"They went further into the underground palace," Bai Bingbing replied.
"Let's go in as well," Li Qian said, still intending to go outside the city. Without any delay, he headed straight towards the Stone Tower, wanting to document the statues and stone carvings inside as soon as possible.
Additionally, Li Qian planned to consult Teacher Liang about the strange dance depicted in the murals.
Soon, they entered the interior of the Stone Tower's corridor, and it didn't take long for them to reach the underground palace they had visited the day before.
At this moment, the underground palace was bustling with activity. Teacher Yang, Teacher Huang, and Teacher Liang, along with a large group of students, were engaged in explaining and teaching.
Li Qian observed this scene but had no intention of joining them. While the teachers' lectures were undoubtedly important, documenting the statues and stone carvings was a more urgent task.
So, Li Qian immediately activated his VR glasses and began scanning meticulously. Bai Bingbing, on the other hand, joined Teacher Liang's group to listen to the lecture.
Irina casually found a corner, closed her eyes, and rested. Neither the teachers' lessons nor the statues and stone carvings in the underground palace interested her.
Li Qian, focused on his task, paid no attention to his surroundings. He scanned the stone carvings inside the underground palace and then moved on to the first stone chamber.
As soon as he entered, he glanced around and was stunned, freezing in his tracks. He saw that the stone carvings on one wall of the first chamber had been crudely defaced with several scratches.
The stone carvings on this wall were significantly damaged, making it impossible to discern their original content.
Moreover, the scratches appeared to be freshly made, judging by their appearance.
Li Qian was perplexed. Who would do such a thing in the underground palace, where a large archaeological team was working? It was as if they had no fear of being caught red-handed.
"Li Qian, why are you defacing the murals!" Just as Li Qian was feeling confused, someone suddenly shouted loudly.
Li Qian instinctively turned around and caught a glimpse of someone disappearing in a flash. He thought it might have been a member of the Shazhou Defense University team.
Witnessing this, Li Qian couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly. He never imagined that such a crude attempt at framing someone would happen to him.
"I..." Li Qian shook his head helplessly, then paused to think. He had a rough idea of who was behind this, so he remained still, not making any other moves.
At this moment, if he were to leave, things would become even more complicated. And with that person's loud accusation, he couldn't just walk away.
Soon, the large archaeological team approached. They also noticed the scratches on the murals and gave Li Qian strange looks.
"Li Qian, why would you vandalize ancient artifacts? You should know that damaging historical relics is a serious crime!" A horse-faced male student shouted loudly.
"Yes, this guy doesn't look like a decent person at all!"
"I've been annoyed by him for a long time. He has the face of a thief with beady eyes and a rat-like appearance."
"..."
"The archaeological site is a sensitive area. Allowing someone who knows nothing to wreak havoc is utterly irresponsible."
The last statement was made by the leader of the Shazhou Defense University team, the so-called "Teacher Huang."
Listening to these accusations and insults, Li Qian couldn't help but frown.
He had no idea what was going on, but people were accusing him of vandalizing the ancient artifacts and even attacking his appearance, which seemed a bit excessive and amounted to personal attacks.
Moreover, Teacher Huang, without any evidence, had jumped to conclusions, not only defaming Li Qian but also implicating Teacher Liang. He was certainly not a good person.
No wonder the saying, "A crooked beam cannot support a straight roof," rang true.
Indeed, at this moment, Li Qian had almost figured out the situation and identified the person responsible for framing him.
Li Qian coldly scanned the crowd and then walked straight towards the horse-faced male student, "You were the one who shouted earlier, right?"
Even with just a quick glance, Li Qian could roughly identify the person who had shouted earlier as the horse-faced male student, judging by his physique and silhouette.
"What's the matter? Now that your scheme has been exposed, do you plan to silence me?" The horse-faced male student, feeling guilty, flinched for a moment when Li Qian's intense gaze fell upon him. However, he quickly mustered his courage and confronted Li Qian.
Li Qian chuckled and took a few steps closer, "I haven't even summoned my companion beast, and you're accusing me of trying to silence you? Besides, with three teachers and members of the Investigation Bureau present, they will certainly conduct a fair investigation. I didn't damage any relics, so why should I be afraid?"
"You claim you didn't damage the ruins, but how do you explain this?" Professor Huang pointed at the scratched stone engravings and questioned.
Li Qian looked at Professor Huang and smirked, unbothered by the other's motives. He retorted, "Professor Huang, what does this prove? Just because I'm standing next to a pile of dung, it doesn't mean I'm the one who dropped it!"
Many students frowned, finding his words rude and crude.
Li Qian, however, paid no mind to their reactions and continued, "I'd like to ask, have we met before, fellow student?"
"No," the horse-faced boy replied, somewhat dazed, unsure why Li Qian was asking.
Li Qian went on, "If we've never met, how did you know my name just now?"
"I heard it from others, but what does that have to do with you damaging the ruins?" The horse-faced boy insisted that Li Qian was responsible for the destruction.
Li Qian stared into the boy's eyes and asked with a hint of mockery, "Are you certain you saw me personally vandalize these ruins?"
"I didn't witness it with my own eyes, but you were the only one inside at the time," the horse-faced boy's tone slightly less assertive.
He didn't understand Li Qian's boldness, but he was just a hired hand, and if he implicated himself, it would be a loss. So, he didn't reveal everything.
Only at the end did he realize he had fallen into Li Qian's verbal trap.
His response confirmed that the one who had shouted earlier was indeed him, and escaping unnoticed wouldn't be that simple.
Li Qian fixed his gaze on the horse-faced boy and said in a neutral tone, "In other words, you didn't see me vandalize the ruins, but you saw me near the damaged ruins?"
"What's the difference?" The horse-faced boy replied instinctively.
Li Qian's mouth twitched, pitying the boy's intelligence. "The difference is huge; there's a world of difference between being at the crime scene and being the criminal."
"But you were the only one at the scene, and if you can't prove your innocence..." Professor Huang started to back up his student.
His words were left unfinished, but the meaning was clear.
Just then, Professor Liang stepped forward from the crowd and said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Li Qian, are you certain these scratches have nothing to do with you?"
"Mhm." Li Qian nodded, cooperating with Professor Liang's questioning, but he couldn't help feeling a bit perplexed.
Although they hadn't interacted much, Professor Liang should have some understanding of him. With this in mind, he added, "I can't think of any reason to damage this place!"
"I also find it regrettable, even heartbreaking, that these ruins were destroyed."
The horse-faced boy scanned the crowd and noticed some people were swayed by the words. He immediately followed up on Li Qian's statement, accusing, "Who knows why you destroyed this place? What secret motive do you have that you won't tell us?"
"I believe in Li Qian!" Just as the horse-faced boy finished, Bai Bingbing stepped forward without hesitation, voicing her support for Li Qian.
"I also believe in Li Qian!" A girl who was close to Bai Bingbing also spoke up.
"Believing or not doesn't matter; right and wrong will be determined!" Professor Huang spoke again, his voice stern.
At that moment, Professor Yang, a man in his thirties who had been watching from the sidelines, spoke up, "Everything must be proven with evidence."
"Yes, everything must be backed by evidence. So, I hope, Li Qian or any other student, if one of you is responsible, it's best to admit it willingly. That way, we can be lenient. But if we have to wait for the evidence to surface, the consequences will be on you." Professor Liang chimed in, her words carrying a subtle threat.
If she hadn't brought Li Qian into this, Professor Huang would have protested by now, though it would have been futile.
"Don't think that with the excavation almost over, we won't take measures to protect these artifacts." Professor Liang spoke calmly.
Her words made the horse-faced boy's heart race with fear, worried the truth would be exposed. But after careful recollection, he was certain the archaeological team couldn't produce any evidence, so he prepared to deny everything.
Li Qian, of course, wouldn't give up. With confidence, he asserted, "Professor Liang, I indeed did not damage these ruins. When I entered, they were already vandalized!"
"Good, very good. Since you've chosen to tough it out, I have no choice but to present the evidence!" As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a furry, dog-sized pet beast appeared, covered in white fur and resembling a snowball.
Professor Liang pointed at the pet beast, similar to a snowball, and said, "This pet beast, named 'Time Sprite,' is an extremely rare time-based pet beast capable of rewinding time within a certain range."
(End of Chapter)
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