Each punch landed solidly, making Brian Clark scream like a slaughtered pig, but William Thompson controlled his strength perfectly—painful, but not injurious. He didn’t want to finish off Brian Clark all at once; slowly tormenting him to death was the real revenge. The thugs he took out earlier were in self-defense, so he bore no legal responsibility. As for Brian Clark, he had no intention of committing murder; toying with him to the utmost was far from foolish. Besides academics, William Thompson’s high intelligence was on full display here as well.

Brian Clark’s face was bruised and swollen, and his screams gradually faded.

William Thompson stopped, thought for a moment, then took out Brian Clark’s wallet, emptied all the cash, and stuffed the wallet back into Brian Clark’s pocket. Brian Clark had treated William Thompson this way before, but today the tables had turned. William Thompson was simply returning the favor, reclaiming what was once taken from him.

In the distance, the long wail of police sirens sounded.

William Thompson calmly straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, waiting for the police to arrive. He was confident that, at most, he’d be asked a couple of questions and then told to wait for further notice. Legally, he hadn’t broken any laws; all these thugs were armed. If he hadn’t fought back, his own life would have been at risk.

The police who responded to the call were shocked by the scene—casualties everywhere. Upon inspection, they found that, except for one—the eldest son of the police chief who had just been arrested today—the other three dead and one injured were the city’s most notorious gang leaders. Now, three were dead in one go, and the other was crippled.

This time, Brian Clark got what he deserved. Without his father’s protection, and with many people already displeased with his family, now no one dared to meddle. The police handled the case by the book. The thugs, who had long been wanted for murder, were killed without consequence. These blacklisted figures had already been marked; it just happened to benefit William Thompson, who, after giving a statement, walked out of the police station with ease.

The forensic doctors performing autopsies on the thugs were all stunned. Each of the three had been killed with a single, lethal blow—ruthless and precise. The attacks were executed in one fluid motion, with finger strength alone crushing human bones. The force required was immense, and the techniques used were among those employed by special forces worldwide—far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary student. No one would believe it if they heard.

However, William Thompson did attract the attention of a few in the police department, but they soon dismissed their suspicions. After all, there’s talk of spontaneous qigong abilities in humans; perhaps someone else, under such dangerous circumstances, could also unleash hidden potential. How could a teenager with a clear background possibly have trained in such professional killing techniques?

Brian Clark’s father, Jack Clark, was arrested for corruption, bribery, and abuse of power. After trial, it was said he would be executed in the autumn.

With everyone turning against him and his father gone, Brian Clark lost his backing and became dispirited. However, Helen Carter’s case was still being suppressed, with many people implicated, so no one wanted to make a bigger scene.

From that day on, it was as if the sun rose in the west—William Thompson turned the tables on Brian Clark, constantly seeking him out, beating and extorting him. In short, whatever Brian Clark had done to him before, William Thompson repaid in kind. As long as he didn’t take Brian Clark’s life, he tormented him slowly, savoring the thrill of revenge. For William Thompson, he had never realized how satisfying it could be to bully someone—deriving pleasure from another’s pain was truly exhilarating.

Whenever he had time, William Thompson would wait for Brian Clark on his way to or from school, first greeting him with a cold, mocking smile, and then...

Section Six

Like a movie playing, William Thompson’s thoughts returned from memory to reality. Looking at the student council president and others who had once ignored his suffering but now came to stop his revenge, he felt they were as foolish as idiots. One does not stoop to argue with fools.

“How did he treat Helen back then? I’m already being merciful.” William Thompson tossed out this line and turned to leave.

The student council president and those with him were left speechless. The incident with Helen Carter was a tragedy that neither students nor teachers at Huaming High wanted to mention. Her captivating beauty and talent had earned her the title of prodigy, but fate was cruel—because of Brian Clark, her life was cut short. Even now, the student council president was indignant that Brian Clark could do such a thing. Now, with William Thompson becoming ruthless and feared by all at school, the president felt a chill down his spine. If he angered William Thompson, he might be the next to have his neck snapped.

June 9th—an ordinary day for most, but for all third-year high school students in China, it was the day of liberation—the end of the college entrance exam. Freedom at last! The oppressive life of senior year was finally over, never to return. Let the cheers for freedom ring out.

The afternoon of June 9th, at plot number 17949 in Wanshou Mountain Cemetery.

A bouquet of fresh flowers lay before a bluestone tombstone, the inscription newly carved: “Beloved daughter Helen Carter.”

The photo on the tombstone was still clear—a delicate, lovely girl with a sweet smile.

A boy sat silently before the grave. He had been there for three hours, motionless and expressionless. After placing the flowers, he said nothing. Only tears welled up in his eyes, falling one by one and soaking the front of his shirt.