In the aftermath of the calamity, the surviving students gathered in the classroom, with some girls huddling together, sobbing uncontrollably. Little Fly, slipping on the wet floor, fell hard. When he got up, his hands were smeared with sticky blood and bits of flesh. His face turned pale, and he couldn't help but vomit violently. Little Fly's grandfather hurriedly patted his back, pulling out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket. He held it under Little Fly's nose, and the smell gradually calmed the boy's nausea.
A-Lai, observing the unsuitable conditions, suggested finding the principal, and the remaining students quickly agreed. A-Lai picked up his spear and led everyone out of the classroom, aiming to meet up with the principal on the fourth floor. Little Fly's grandfather brought up the rear, his brows furrowed in deep thought. He whispered a few words to some female students, and only one girl remained relatively calm, nodding in acknowledgment.
The path to the fourth floor was blocked by debris piled up by the villagers. It took a considerable effort for A-Lai and the others to make their way through. Upon seeing familiar classmates and teachers, the students broke into tears again, while some villagers collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. A-Lai noticed the principal lying in a corner of the corridor, pale and semi-conscious.
"Is the principal badly hurt?" A-Lai asked urgently.
"His breathing is still stable. He should come around slowly," the physics teacher responded.
One student, with tears streaming down his face, exclaimed,"It's all my fault! I got so scared and ran the wrong way. If it weren't for the principal, I'd be dead!"
At that moment, the principal lay there, his face pale, eyes tightly shut, occasionally furrowing his brows as if his soul was wandering, struggling to find its way back.
The physics teacher, noticing the oppressive atmosphere, tried to lighten the mood."The principal is a good man, but he's also a pitiful one," he said with a forced smile. Seeing the puzzled looks on the young students' faces, he continued,"I've heard that the principal was once a brilliant theoretical scientist. He met his beautiful, equally accomplished wife in the big city, and it was something he was very proud of at the time."
"Gradually, though, the principal's wife often dined with her old friends. Sometimes, she would even drive a close male friend home alone. She would also help cook for a colleague's husband when the colleague was away on business, explaining that it was a way to repay the colleague for helping her. Strangely, every time she returned, she would report to the principal as if it were the most normal thing in the world."
"Is she stupid?" one student asked, bewildered.
The physics teacher chuckled."High IQ and high EQ are two different things. The principal was very troubled at first, which led to mistakes at work. Later, he realized that his wife didn't care about his feelings at all. She didn't care if he minded or not, or perhaps she didn't value their relationship."
"Can such a marriage last?" the student shook his head in disbelief.
"Of course not," the physics teacher continued."According to the principal, they often quarreled, and the principal started drinking heavily. Later, his wife insisted on joining a nude yoga club for fitness and demanded that the principal join her." The physics teacher raised his eyebrows, revealing a big secret he had heard."They had a huge fight over it. The principal was strongly opposed, but his wife was determined to take him to see the club."
"Do city folks really play that wildly?" a male student asked, his eyes filled with longing.
"Yes, it's the first time I've heard of it too. It's said that the principal saw people at the club doing more than just yoga; they were secretly engaging in bolder activities. As a result, the two had a cold war, and the principal even lost his enviable job."
"What happened then?" Even the crying girls stopped to listen.
"She insisted to go to the club alone. One rainy night, heartbroken, the principal left the city and came to our little village."
"Oh, that's how the principal ended up here!"
"Sir, are you making this up? Why would the principal tell you all this?" another student questioned.
"Pfft, with my drinking skills, I can get anyone to spill their secrets," the physics teacher replied nonchalantly.
---
A-Lai's master, Elderly Gongsun, who favored wearing a bright floral cotton-padded jacket and sported a small braid, sprinted swiftly through the forest. Suddenly, a towering werewolf blocked his path. The werewolf howled long and loud at the moon, its fists clenched, eyes blazing with red fury. Yet, Elderly Gongsun showed no fear. He bellowed,"You are nothing but a puppet on strings. Let me help you break free!"
The werewolf lunged, its claws glinting like daggers, but the old man leaped over the nearly three-meter-tall creature with a nimble flip. In mid-air, he tapped his long corn-stalk pipe, scattering embers. In the faint sparks, countless thin black strings connected the werewolf's head to the dark sky, like a marionette controlled by a night demon.
Landing behind the werewolf with fox-like agility, Gongsun glanced skyward in suspicion before continuing towards the school. Without turning back, he flicked his left hand, sending his pipe spinning like the sharpest shuriken over the werewolf's head. The invisible strings snapped instantly, dissolving into a dark mist that fell to the ground. The werewolf, as if waking from a dream, shook its head in confusion, its red eyes gradually turning back to amber. The wild expression faded, replaced by a cold, arrogant demeanor. It cast a frosty glance at Gongsun's retreating figure before swiftly leaving.
Running on, Gongsun sensed something and halted, looking up at a distant tree. Moments later, a soft sigh came from the branches, and a woman in a red cheongsam appeared. Her white legs glowed under the moonlight with an eerie beauty.
"Didn't expect Lord Gong herself—what a surprise!" Gongsun's tone was light, but he felt a twinge of concern. He knew tonight was strange with the invasion of beasts, but encountering one of the top ten demon generals was beyond expectation. Lord Gong was the Demon King's confidante, her strangeness far exceeding that of ordinary generals. Gongsun realized that such a high-level appearance indicated the Demon King had a strong interest in this place, making him worry that A-Lai's hidden identity in the village might be exposed.
"Old man, if you interfere, I'll call my brothers. You might have to stay!" Her voice was cold and sinister.
"Nonsense! I can call my brothers too!" Gongsun retorted fearlessly. The two seemed like blustering children, both threatening to summon reinforcements.
"You're just a lonely old man. What backup do you have?" Lord Gong sneered, her eyes gleaming with cunning."I have a suggestion. Let the young ones handle this, and we step aside, agreed?"
Gongsun considered for a moment, then nodded slightly."Alright, you don't call your backup, and I won't call mine. But since we're here, how about a little duel?"
Lord Gong glanced at him with a look of regret."You old geezer, I'm not interested in fighting you!" She chuckled, turning away, her red cheongsam blazing like fire in the night, as bright as blooming peonies. In a flash, she was ten steps away.
Gongsun hesitated briefly, suspecting that Gong's departure at this moment was not a good sign. He swiftly moved, his pipe's long stem thrusting like a spear towards Gong's back. She turned into a wisp of smoke, reappearing in another direction. Gongsun didn't relent, his fingers, as sharp as eagle talons, reached for Gong's heart again. If he struck, a live heart would be ripped out. She twisted away, turning into green smoke once more, leading him deeper into the forest.
The beauty ahead smirked, a trace of triumph in her smile."Foolish old man, you've fallen for my trick!"