Eight years later, after school.
Tang San turned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, I have to go away for a while. When I come back, I'll take you away from here."
"Brother San, what are you going to do? I'll go with you," Xiao Wu asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Xiao Wu, you can leave the academy?" Tang San was surprised. He had thought they had placed Xiao Wu in his class because they feared he would run away instead of staying at the academy.
It had never occurred to him that he could actually take Xiao Wu away at any time.
Xiao Wu froze. "The academy isn't closed off. Why wouldn't I be able to leave?" She tilted her head at him. "Don't tell me you thought I was locked up here?"
Tang San did not answer immediately.
He really had thought she was locked up here. Or rather, he had always assumed Heaven Beyond Heaven kept Xiao Wu at Cloudtop Academy to control her more easily, and that she could not leave the academy grounds.
After learning that she had lost her earlier memories, he had never asked, afraid of bringing back painful recollections.
He fell silent for two or three breaths before speaking. "Then that's perfect. Come with me."
Xiao Wu blinked, not quite following. "Huh?"
"I have something to take care of. I was originally planning to go alone," Tang San said. "Since you can leave, let's go together."
Xiao Wu looked at him. "Sure, let's go, then. When do we leave?"
"Now," Tang San said.
The two left through the academy gates. The guards did not even look at them, and no one stopped them even though Xiao Wu was leaving with him.
"Brother San, where are we going?" Xiao Wu asked.
"Slaughter City. I will end