A group of eight or nine students stood before the exit gate, all wearing faintly nervous expressions, unsure whether they could sneak out of the city.
It was actually difficult for the staff to tell students apart from everyone else. Most of the surviving population was now young or middle-aged, and the academy did not consider age during enrollment. Its students ranged from teenagers to people in their twenties or thirties.
However, Zhou Qinfeng had given advance notice and provided an approximate time when students might try to leave the city. So during that period, the staff asked those exiting a few extra questions.
"What are you leaving the city for?"
Faced with the staff member's question, one student pretended to be calm and gave the excuse they had prepared beforehand.
"We're planning to go to Ming City."
The students had done their homework in advance and knew what excuse would let them leave the city smoothly.
Ming City was adjacent to Pinglu. It was also a mountain city, but its infrastructure was much poorer and its urban area was smaller.
Still, quite a few people who had relocated to Pinglu felt that it was too crowded and wanted to live in Ming City instead. This was officially permitted and was an excuse for leaving the city that was almost never blocked.
The staff member glanced at them, recalled his superior's instructions, narrowed his eyes, and asked carefully, "Are you really going to Ming City?"
"Of course we are."
At that moment, Teacher Chen emerged from the booth and headed toward the gate.
One sharp-eyed student spotted her and immediately cried out in a low voice, "Teacher Chen!"
The other students turned at the sound. When they saw Teacher Chen, they were all startled, then immediately wilted. They knew that