"Captain, QiYe is still a temporary member. He shouldn't participate in a mysterious cleansing operation before being formally accepted," Wu XiangNan frowned slightly.
Chen MuYe shook his head. "From the current information, this mythical creature specializes in camouflage, lurking, and infection. Its cultivation level isn't very high. QiYe has received half a month of training, and his strength has improved considerably. This would be a good opportunity for him to practice."
"Moreover, he was a student at the Second High, so he's most familiar with it. He was also classmate to Liu XiaoYan. It makes the most sense for him to approach her."
Chen MuYe then looked at Lin QiYe and continued, "Of course, you're a temporary member. I won't force you. If you don't want to go, stay here."
"I'll go." Lin QiYe didn't hesitate for a second.
Chen MuYe was right. After over half a month of training, his combat ability had grown significantly, and he was eager for an opportunity to put what he had learned to use.
Moreover, to survive in this dangerous era, one had to become familiar with danger itself. Lin QiYe, while preferring to avoid unnecessary risks, would never pass up an opportunity to sharpen himself.
"Then let's start the operation," Chen MuYe stood up, then turned to Li YiFei. "You'll go with QiYe and the others."
Li YiFei froze. "But, I'm just an ordinary person… What if…"
"They will protect you," Chen MuYe's tone was unwavering. "You've seen the mythical creature, and you're the one who knows it best. You have to go."
Hearing Chen MuYe's almost commanding tone, Li YiFei reluctantly nodded.
"If the operation goes well… I'll give you a chance to join the Nightwatchers," Chen MuYe said slowly as he walked toward the door. "This is..."
"Take it. The magazine's full." Leng Xuan's calm voice interrupted.
"But… my marksmanship… What if I accidentally harm someone?" Lin QiYe's face looked troubled.
Leng Xuan glanced at him meaningfully before turning to leave. "The purpose of a gun is not just killing."
Lin QiYe stood still for a moment, then put the handgun into his pocket and walked toward the corridor.
…
Twenty minutes later.
Three figures stood before the gate of the Second High School, each carrying a different box, looking troubled.
"QiYe, why are your school uniforms so ugly?" Hong Ying looked down at the red and white striped high school uniform with disdain.
"The girls' uniforms are actually fine," Lin QiYe pointed to his blue and white uniform. "The boys' are the real eyesores. Besides, whether a uniform looks good depends on the person."
"Well, at least you're doing okay," Hong Ying smiled as she looked at her own white short-sleeve with a red-and-white school jacket unzipped, a long ponytail swaying in the wind. She looked youthful and spirited.
Beside her, Si XiaoNan had a completely different look. She wore a cartoon long-sleeve shirt, with the school uniform wrapped around her waist like a skirt. Her long black hair was tied into two big buns, looking like a shy, innocent girl.
Hong Ying winked at Lin QiYe. "QiYe, didn't expect you to be so charming!"
Lin QiYe: ...
"The problem now is that the first class of the morning is already halfway through. How are we going to blend in?" Lin QiYe glanced at the time and then at the fierce-looking security guard at the gate.
"And we're carrying all this stuff, we're sure to be stopped and questioned," Si XiaoNan said softly, looking at the black box in her hands.
"That's easy," Hong Ying's lips curled up in a smile. She pointed at the tall two-meter wall nearby. "We'll just climb over!"
Lin QiYe pondered for a moment and then turned to Si XiaoNan, whose height only reached his shoulder and who looked delicate and fragile. "I don't mind, but XiaoNan might have some difficulty…"
Si XiaoNan: (-?_-?)
She silently rolled her eyes at Lin QiYe, then in a flash, ran to the wall. She lightly tapped the wall with her toes a few times, and in an instant, her body floated up like a light butterfly!
She held the black box in one hand, spinning gracefully in the air before landing silently on the other side of the wall.
Lin QiYe: ...
Hong Ying chuckled, covering her mouth. "QiYe, don't be fooled by XiaoNan's soft appearance. She's already been with the Nightwatchers for two years. Don't underestimate her!"
After speaking, Hong Ying quickly followed, running up to the wall, making a few quick steps along it like a graceful swan, easily scaling it with elegance and ease.
Lin QiYe approached the wall, his mind flashing back to the beautiful wall-climbing performances of the two, his mouth twitching.
A little embarrassing…
He took a deep breath, threw the black box over first, then jumped high, his hands bracing the edge of the wall, easily clearing it.
Though it looked okay, compared to Hong Ying and Si XiaoNan's graceful displays, Lin QiYe suddenly felt a bit self-conscious.
"Not bad, a bit handsome!" Hong Ying handed the black box back to him, encouraging him with a smile.
Lin QiYe shook his head, wanting to quickly end this topic. "Let's stick to the plan. I'll go to the class and get close to Liu XiaoYan. You two head to the office building to investigate the head teacher."
"Got it. Any issues, just use the earpiece to communicate." Hong Ying pointed to the invisible earpiece in her ear and turned to leave with Si XiaoNan.
After taking a few steps, she stopped and turned around, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Uh… where's the office building? And, where's the head teacher's office?"
Lin QiYe helplessly pointed to the distant tall building. "403."
…
"…So, we say that the odd changes don't, and we watch the symbols in the quadrant. This formula is something everyone should remember. Now, let's look at the next question…"
On the podium, the middle-aged man wearing glasses, full of energy, was explaining.
Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed.
Knock knock knock!
Everyone turned to look at the door, only to see Lin QiYe, who hadn't been in class for several days, standing calmly at the door, holding the black box and slightly bowing.
"Report."
"Lin QiYe?" The math teacher was surprised. "Where have you been these past few days?"
"My eyes had some issues, so I stayed in the hospital for two weeks."
"Ah, I see… Come in and sit down."
The math teacher pushed up his glasses, and since Lin QiYe had been a special student before, they were much more tolerant with him and didn't press him too hard.
With the curious eyes of the class on him, Lin QiYe calmly walked back to his seat and sat down.
His spiritual power swept across the room, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Let's continue the lesson, class…" The math teacher tapped the blackboard, drawing everyone's attention back to the lecture.
Lin QiYe subtly touched his earpiece, and Chen MuYe's voice came through.
"Lin QiYe, how's the situation?"
"I've entered the classroom," Lin QiYe lowered his voice.
"Can your Forbidden Domain detect them?"
"Yes."
"How many are there?"
Lin QiYe's brow furrowed slightly, his voice becoming serious.
"Not looking good…"