I Am a Rune Engraver, Carrying a Knife Makes Perfect Sense-Chapter 15 - The Moon Sovereign Rune!

—

Near the depths of the plaza, closest to the Xinhuo Pavilion, two groups of students were locked in a tense standoff. Their eyes burned with anger, and it seemed like a fight could break out at any moment.

It had all started when someone from the opposing group made a passing comment about Wang Qingqing. At first, the students from Experimental High School had let it slide. But when they started calling Wang Qingqing a “dangerous individual,” tempers flared.

“She’s from our school! Who are you to talk about her?!” someone had shouted.

That was when Yang Dian had stepped forward to challenge the speaker to a duel. Unfortunately, he was promptly knocked flat with a single punch. After that, Yang Dian had left, saying he was going to get Xu Shen—but he hadn’t returned yet.

Now, the two groups stood glaring at each other, as if trying to settle the matter through sheer eye contact.

—

“Where are the principals? Why is it just students here?” Xu Shen asked as he walked up beside Yang Dian.

“They’ve all been called into the Xinhuo Pavilion for something. No idea what’s going on,” Yang Dian replied.

“So, no principals around?”

“Yeah.”

“Point out who hit you.”

Without hesitation, Yang Dian pointed to a scrawny blond kid standing smugly in the opposing group. The blond kid, Zhang Zhuangshi, stood with his hands on his hips, a look of disdain on his face.

Xu Shen raised an eyebrow. “That guy? He looks like he’s been drained dry. You couldn’t beat him?”

“Boss, he’s from the Zhang family,” Yang Dian explained, rubbing his bruised eye. “After he awakened, his dad paid for him to get a high-tier Nether Realm rune—the Crimson Flame Lion Rune. It counters my Skyhawk Rune perfectly.”

“The Zhang family? The ones who run the underground black market?” Xu Shen’s eyes narrowed as he recalled hearing about them before. Zhang Ling, that fat squad leader, was also connected to the Zhang family.

“Yeah, his dad’s in charge now. This guy’s been acting like a king ever since.”

“You got beef with him?” Xu Shen asked, noting the anger in Yang Dian’s tone.

“Just some old grudges. I wasn’t planning to bother with him today, but then he started talking about Sister-in-law...” Yang Dian admitted honestly.

Xu Shen nodded in approval. His opinion of Yang Dian rose slightly—at least he’d gotten beaten up for a good reason.

“Alright. Watch this.” Xu Shen patted Yang Dian on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

Yang Dian grinned. “Boss is about to start something again.”

—

In the center of the standoff, some senior students from other schools were watching the scene unfold with amusement. They weren’t involved but were enjoying the drama like spectators at a theater.

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“You guys beat up one of our students. When Xu Shen gets here, none of you are leaving!” someone from Experimental High School shouted.

“Yeah! Our Brother Shen is—”

“Is what? Say it!” someone from the opposing group challenged.

“He’s... got a black hand! You know what that means? A hand so black it’s legendary!” the student stammered.

“Then bring him out already! What’s taking him so long? Is he scared?” Zhang Zhuangshi sneered from the front of the opposing group, arms crossed.

“What’s this Xu Shen anyway? East Street? Never heard of him,” Zhang Zhuangshi scoffed. “And what I said isn’t wrong. Ghost Attribute talents are dangerous. If they’re not controlled, what happens if we get another disaster like before?”

“Is that your business to worry about?” someone from Experimental High School retorted.

“Tch, useless trash,” Zhang Zhuangshi said dismissively. “I heard that Ghost Attribute awakener is Xu Shen’s girlfriend? Where is he? Too scared to show up?”

BANG!

Before Zhang Zhuangshi could finish his sentence, his vision went black as he collapsed face-first onto the ground.

The crowd froze in shock.

Emerging from the opposing group’s ranks, Xu Shen casually tossed aside a cracked brick. He glanced down at Zhang Zhuangshi and muttered, “What a joke. Can’t even take one brick and you’re out here running your mouth?”

Dusting off his hands, Xu Shen crouched down and grabbed Zhang Zhuangshi by the hair, lifting him off the ground like a ragdoll.

Though dazed from the brick strike, Zhang Zhuangshi was still conscious—he was mid-Awakening Realm, after all. But as his head throbbed with pain and he found himself face-to-face with Xu Shen’s smiling visage, panic began to set in.

“You little—”

SMACK!

A sharp slap sent two of Zhang Zhuangshi’s teeth flying as his right cheek swelled instantly.

“You were looking for me, weren’t you? Why aren’t you saying anything now? Too excited to speak?” Xu Shen asked mockingly.

“I...”

SMACK!

Another slap landed on his left cheek, leaving it just as swollen as the right.

“You talk too slow,” Xu Shen said with a sigh, shaking his head in disappointment. “I hate people who waste time with their words.”

“Let go of my hair and fight me one-on-one!” Zhang Zhuangshi spat through bloodied lips.

“What was that? Fight you?” Xu Shen asked incredulously.

“What? Are you scared?” Zhang Zhuangshi sneered weakly, trying to muster some bravado.

SLASH!

Before he could say another word, a sharp pain cut across his face as blood trickled down his cheek. Xu Shen’s black knife gleamed ominously in his hand.

The crowd collectively took a step back in fear. This guy wasn’t just bold—he was downright ruthless!

Xu Shen smiled coldly as he lightly tapped Zhang Zhuangshi’s bleeding face with the flat of his knife. “Why would I let go of you and fight fair? I’ve got the advantage now—what makes you think you can make demands?”

Each tap of the blade sent jolts of pain through Zhang Zhuangshi’s face. His body trembled uncontrollably as he stared into Xu Shen’s eyes—eyes that were smiling but utterly devoid of warmth.

“What did you say earlier? Repeat it,” Xu Shen demanded softly.

“I-I said she’s kind and beautiful... my goddess...” Zhang Zhuangshi stammered through trembling lips.

SMACK!

Another slap landed on his already swollen face.

“My girl is your goddess now? You’ve got guts,” Xu Shen growled.

“I was wrong! Brother Shen, please stop hitting me!” Zhang Zhuangshi cried pitifully, tears streaming down his face. He felt like all his bad karma had come crashing down on him today.

He had been so smug earlier—showing off his new rune and humiliating Yang Dian in front of everyone. But now... now he was being humiliated in turn by someone far more terrifying than he could have imagined.

—

Satisfied that Zhang Zhuangshi had learned his lesson, Xu Shen tossed him aside like trash. The blond boy landed in a heap among his group of friends, who quickly scrambled to help him up.

“Anyone else have something to say?” Xu Shen asked casually as he turned to address the crowd. His friendly smile sent chills down their spines. “I’m always happy to have a reasonable discussion.”

“Nope! We think you and Wang Qingqing are perfect together!” someone blurted out nervously.

“Yeah! You’re like a golden couple—meant to be!”

“I’m your biggest fan now!” another added enthusiastically.

Several girls in the crowd didn’t say anything but stared at Xu Shen with admiration in their eyes. So manly... they thought. Strong and protective... what a dream boyfriend.

—

BOOM!

A thunderous noise interrupted their chatter as the massive bronze doors of Xinhuo Pavilion began to creak open. Hundreds of Xinhuo Guard members appeared around the plaza, forming a protective perimeter around the students and watching all directions vigilantly.

Xu Shen turned his gaze toward Xinhuo Pavilion—a colossal structure resembling a giant bronze cube. It was at least three or four basketball courts in size and exuded an imposing aura.

The bronze doors opened just enough to reveal a narrow gap before stopping. From within emerged Ding Wentian and several other high school principals, their faces grim with worry as they hurried toward their respective students.

—

“What happened?! Zhang Zhuangshi! Who did this to you?!” One High School’s principal shouted angrily upon seeing Zhang Zhuangshi’s swollen face and missing teeth.

Ding Wentian initially smirked but quickly suppressed it when he noticed Xu Shen standing nearby with an innocent expression. He could already guess what had happened.

Zhang Zhuangshi shook his head silently, unwilling to say anything further. But one of his classmates pointed at Xu Shen and shouted, “Principal! It was him—Xu Shen did this!”

The One High School principal turned to glare at Xu Shen with cold eyes.

“What are you gonna do about it? Fight me yourself?” Ding Wentian stepped forward protectively, glaring back at his counterpart.

“Hmph! Forget it!” The One High School principal scoffed before storming off with his students in tow.

—

As they walked toward Xinhuo Pavilion’s entrance, Ding Wentian sighed heavily and muttered to Xu Shen, “Can’t you stay out of trouble for five minutes?”

“They started it,” Xu Shen replied nonchalantly. “If no one messes with me, I won’t mess with them.”

Ding Wentian couldn’t argue with that logic but still warned him, “Just... go easy next time.”

Changing the subject, Xu Shen asked quietly, “What happened inside? You all looked pretty shaken.”

Ding Wentian hesitated before responding telepathically: The Moon Sovereign Rune—a high-tier Silent Realm rune exclusive to Yuan City—was stolen yesterday.

Xu Shen’s eyes widened in shock.

Each city had its own exclusive rune—Yuan City’s Moon Sovereign Rune was said to resemble a majestic moon wolf emperor. Most Xinhuo Guard members used weaker variants like the Ghost Wolf Rune derived from it.

The Moon Sovereign Rune was stored deep within Xinhuo Pavilion under the watchful eye of its Guide. Only those who made significant contributions and reached certain cultivation levels were allowed to engrave it.

But now... someone had stolen it?

Don’t overthink it, Ding Wentian added quickly. The thief was killed by the Guide yesterday—but there’s definitely a larger conspiracy at play.

Between the ghoul outbreak and this theft attempt... they’re connected.

Ding Wentian sighed before continuing aloud: “Anyway, no point worrying about things beyond your control. Let’s head inside.”

—

As they reached Xinhuo Pavilion’s entrance, Xu Shen marveled at its sheer size and intricate design. The bronze surface was covered in countless complex runes that radiated an aura of majesty and power.

“Only students are allowed inside today,” Ding Wentian reminded them sternly. “Remember—you can’t take any techniques out with you. Memorize them while you’re inside.”

“If you’re caught stealing... well, death might be the least of your worries.”

Ignoring further warnings, Xu Shen slipped through the doors eagerly—only for everything to go black as soon as he stepped inside.

When his vision cleared moments later, he found himself standing in what looked like an endless starry void. Before him stood an elderly man dressed in scholarly robes, hands clasped behind his back as he regarded Xu Shen calmly.

“Xu Shen,” the old man said softly. “What cultivation technique are you practicing?”