The Students' Battle

Tange No. 1 Middle School.

Hundreds of Demon Beast roamed the campus, trampling the green belts and searching for the scent of humans.

Fortunately, the students had all taken refuge in the underground shelter and were temporarily out of danger. The teachers split into two groups: one group of experienced and highly skilled teachers swept away the Demon Beast on campus, while the other group of less skilled teachers stayed behind to form a defensive line with some students with outstanding cultivation, and also to calm down the other somewhat panicked students.

"That's strange. Weren't they saying the change wouldn't happen for another month? How come it happened half a month earlier?"

Qingyan carefully pressed himself against the wall, stealthily moving in the shadows to conceal his presence and avoid being discovered by the Demon Beast outside.

He didn't enter the school to do anything heroic; he saw it as a golden opportunity. His target happened to be at the school today, and with the chaos and rampant Demon Beast, it was the perfect time to fish in troubled waters.

Normally, with a group of teachers possessing at least Level Eight Internal Cultivation wandering around the school, he wouldn't dare to sneak in and assassinate them. Right now, the teachers are busy hunting Demon Beast and protecting students, so they have no time to worry about anything else.

As a professional assassin, even a novice, Qingyan had spent a lot of time investigating intelligence beforehand. He knew that his target was a painting fanatic. Once she started painting, she would be completely absorbed in it, completely isolated from the outside world and unaware of anything else. Even if the fighting outside was deafening, she would not be distracted in the slightest.

So this is a good opportunity. If the target happens to be painting in the art room when the Demon Beast attacks the school, it may stay there and not go to the shelter.

Of course, if the target is not in the art room, Qingyan will abandon this operation.

A professional assassin should have this kind of patience, prioritizing their own safety above all else. A failed mission is no big deal; as long as they're alive, they can launch a second mission, a third mission... and eventually succeed.

Qingyan already knew the location of Tange No. 1 Middle School by heart, and was even more familiar with the distribution of the classrooms than the freshmen. Mastering the terrain was a professional quality that an assassin must possess.

"This is the art room."

Qingyan peeked through the window and was pleasantly surprised to find that there was another person inside.

"As expected, it's still there! I guessed right! Not giving up on this operation just because the odds weren't high was the wisest decision ever. Hmph, what's written in 'The Peerless Assassin's Tale' is right. The true way of an assassin is to seize every opportunity, even if there's only a one percent chance of success. As long as you try, there's hope for success."

He carefully confirmed the other person's appearance, which matched the information in the file. The person was sitting intently in front of the easel, painting with a brush, completely unaware of the changes happening in the outside world.

"I'm sorry, young lady. While I greatly admire your professionalism, business is business. As an assassin, once I accept a mission, all targets are treated equally. The ruthless take lives, and the one who harms lives without mercy."

Qingyan quickly memorized the arrangement of items in the art room and used his innate geometric imagination to create a three-dimensional model, devising the best assassination plan.

He placed his finger on the keyhole of the classroom door, used a special method to gather his inner True Qi, and with a gentle pull, opened the lock.

The moment he pushed open the door, he channeled all his strength, moving like a cheetah, and with no retreat, he fiercely attacked Hongdou was still focused entirely on her painting.

Success!

Almost the instant this thought crossed her mind, the window of the art room that wasn't facing the corridor suddenly shattered, and a huge black shadow burst through the window, rushing towards Hongdou. It was an eagle-shaped Demon Beast, which arrived first despite being behind, and blocked Qingyan's path.

Unable to reverse the all-out attack, Qingyan thrust his One Sword into the Demon Beast's back, unleashing all the pent-up, violent True Qi. It transformed into a storm of power within the monster's body, instantly tearing Demon Beast to pieces.

Blood and flesh splattered everywhere. A severed wing landed on Hongdou's head, obscuring her vision. Some of the Demon Beast's blood splattered onto the canvas, ruining a masterpiece that was just beginning to take shape.

Even though Hongdou could focus her mind, her concentration was interrupted at this moment. She first frowned, then shifted her gaze from the canvas to herself, glancing at the Demon Beast corpse lying at her feet, and at Qingyan, who was frozen in place after her all-out attack.

She tilted her head, guessing the "truth," and said to Qingyan, "Thank you for saving me."

Qingyan was also taken aback by the sudden turn of events, and subconsciously replied, "You're welcome, it's what I should do."

No, that's not true!

Qingyan immediately came to his senses. He was an assassin, not someone who came to rescue people. This was completely different from his plan.

Fortunately, the other party seemed to think that he had saved her and was completely unprepared. Now was also a good opportunity to strike. As long as he aimed at her slender neck and One Sword her, the mission would be accomplished.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Hongdou asked with concern.

Looking into those innocent eyes, Qingyan sighed inwardly.

I'm sorry, but I'm a ruthless assassin. I only see the mission, not the innocent.

He suppressed his guilt, caught his breath, and circulated his True Qi again, ready to make a move, when another figure flew in through the window and entered the art room.

"Are you two alright?"

Qingyan at the newcomer. He was tall and upright, with a serious face and an imposing presence. His cultivation was unfathomable. According to the information in his memory, he was Murong Zhe, the dean of students at Tange No. 1 Middle School.

This was a top-tier expert, one of the most powerful martial artists below the Spirit Transformation. Realizing this, Qingyan immediately abandoned his thoughts and dared not act rashly.

Murong Zhe observed the situation and deduced the "truth." He nodded to Qingyan and said, "Thank you for saving my student. May I ask your esteemed name?"

"... A passerby who just happened to be passing by, call me Nameless." Qingyan was flustered and at a loss for words, but he pretended to be calm and answered in a cold tone.

He was afraid that the other party would see through his ruse, so he quickly turned and left after speaking.

Murong Zhe sighed inwardly. Seeing the school attacked by Demon Beast, he not only did not avoid it, but also risked his life to save people. This kind of intention alone is rare and precious. After doing good deeds, he did not want to leave his name. He is a true righteous man!

Suddenly, Hongdou said, "You look so familiar, I feel like I've seen you somewhere before..."

My identity has been exposed!

Qingyan froze instantly, a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, chilling him to the bone. With Murong Zhe's cultivation level, he probably wouldn't need more than three moves to kill him.

"By the way, aren't you the uncle who often sells breakfast at the school gate in the morning? Your fried dumplings are really good. There's an international student studying cooking at Xianglan High School where I live, and when it comes to fried dumplings, your skill is just as good as his."

"Thank you, and please come again next time."

Qingyan resisted the urge to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and hurriedly left.

Looking at the departing figure, Murong Zhe sighed sincerely, "The common people are indeed full of hidden talents, and righteousness often comes from humble backgrounds. The ancients were right."

Chapter 142 The Students' Battle

"No. 3 Xun Hurricane)!"