Who left their last words here?

Chapter 83: 18 Years Old, a Teacher! "Someone's Chasing Me" (Part 2)

"Bang! Boom!"

"Major Luo, are you there?"

This time, it was the head of the oversight team who made the announcement.

With a click, the secretary opened the door.

The major greeted them at the door.

His forehead was covered in inexplicable beads of sweat as he calmly surveyed the crowd outside the door.

The corridor outside the door was packed with a large number of people.

As expected, all the key members of the supervisory team were here.

—The visitor is up to no good!
"It's so late, what brings you all here...?"

Knowing full well the answer, the major's expression showed a hint of doubt.

"I knew Major Luo wasn't asleep."

With a hearty laugh, the head of the supervision team nodded well to the young alumnus.

"You're incredibly efficient; you're still busy chasing down wanted criminals while we're resting."

"only……"

"You seem to have messed up again."

The team leader's voice was gentle.

But the colonel's rank slung over his uniform and the content of his words carried a suffocating pressure on his secretary.

"I think we need to talk."

As he spoke, the team leader glanced meaningfully at the office behind the major:

"We came here to help you, but you always seem to be wary of us?"

“If you could handle things on your own, I wouldn’t want to be here on business. You may not know, but today is my wife’s birthday.”

“My father-in-law, Vice Minister Liu, asked me today if I wanted to take a day off to go home, but I declined because of work.”

As he spoke, he shook his head slightly at the major.
"So, what I mean is..."

“You need our help.”

He said seriously:

“If I continue to let you fight alone, I am very worried that something similar will happen again.”

“At that time, not only will Branch 36 be held accountable, but all of us will also be held accountable.”

"—So, I really need to control you a bit, Major Luo."

"..."

The major chuckled twice.

"you're right……"

"There are too many people here, and there's no room in the office. Let's talk in the conference room."

With that, the major walked out of the office as if nothing had happened and closed the door.

The entire office was constructed using the same materials as the black room, which completely blocked external detection.

Moreover, it is prevalent in rituals.

As long as one doesn't step into the office, even if the major throws parties inside every day, the person standing outside the door won't notice.

The major's top priority was to prevent these people from seeing the art club's assassins and black knights.

Otherwise, the supervisory team would probably take action against the major immediately.

Who cares about Bai Zhou anymore? The cold 36th Division will become their warm medal of honor.

Even the least serious art club killer is still an undocumented criminal on the official list.

"Click..."

The door slammed shut with a loud thud.

The office door was tightly closed.

In the secret passageway of the office, the female artist, leaning on her cane, breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon she shivered.

All around me were countless scarlet eyes, and the breaths of wild beasts echoed in my ears.

One by one, black-clad warriors hung like bats throughout the secret passage, their cold eyes sending chills down one's spine.

The artist frowned as he stayed with these strange things.

Now, how is she supposed to get out of this hellhole?

……

That night, the consultations between the major and the supervisory group concluded smoothly and successfully.

Because the major was very accommodating to the supervisory team and had a very good attitude in admitting his mistakes.

He reflected on his mistake of overestimating his own abilities, expressed his willingness to share intelligence, and stated that if the branch were to carry out another operation, he would stand with the supervisory team through thick and thin.

The discussion between the two sides was conducted in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere.

They could wait for the supervisory team to leave and return to the rest area filled with signal jammers.

The tall, burly, and rugged-looking deputy team leader immediately launched into a tirade of curses:
"Stubborn and obstinate! Utterly perfunctory!"

"Firmly believing that the problem can be solved independently, using local forces to confront headquarters—a classic confrontational mindset. I think this major should be invited in for questioning on charges of dereliction of duty!"

Upon hearing this, the shrewd team leader shook his head:
“It’s not that I can’t understand it. Even I’ve heard about it at headquarters. Major Luo has always been ambitious and has high aspirations.”

"I've heard some rumors that this year's selection process may very well involve promoting this distinguished major to a higher rank and sending him to headquarters."

"At this crucial juncture in the advancement of the department, this incident has occurred—"

The team leader chuckled, the implication being clear.

"Therefore, the nature of the problem is completely different whether we solve it or he solves it himself."

"This concerns whether his future prospects can be salvaged!"

"Future prospects?" The deputy team leader glared with his bull-like eyes and snorted coldly.

"What's the future worth? If we let that white boat continue to cause trouble outside, bringing danger to Tinghai and the masses, who will be responsible!"

"not that simple……"

The team leader shook his head again, his meaningful gaze sweeping over the key members of the supervisory team before him, and said softly:

"Don't you think that this Major Luo, who has an extraordinary background and shouldn't be easily provoked, seems to be hiding something?"

"Branch 36, the waters here may be deeper than we think."

Even we... must be careful in our actions.

The deputy team leader frowned, puzzled.

Lowering his voice, he asked:
"what do you mean?"

The team leader pondered for a moment, then turned to look out the window at the clock tower located in the center of the base.

"We won't leave for a day or two."

"Just observe and wait patiently."

"Isn't there a saying?"

He turned to look at the crowd, a smile playing on his lips, and made a "whoosh" sound.
"—Let the bullets fly for a while!"

……

The Gem Witch had no interest in whether the bullets flew or not, nor in the intrigue and backstabbing of these officials.

All she knew was that although the food, drinks, and entertainment here were quite good...

But if things continue like this, she will never be able to catch the wanted criminal Bai Zhou and get the huge reward.

Do you know how much that costs?
There's the official bounty, the major's bounty on the black market, and the bounty from the Bauhinia Group.

The triple bounty amounts to several million Federal Credits!
You could spend your whole life spending money on it!

Leaning against the wall in the corner with her arms crossed, the Jewel Witch coldly observed the conversation of the supervisors and made her decision.

The major is incompetent, and the supervisory team is dragging its feet—it seems I must personally take charge!

—The Jewel Witch strikes for justice!

As long as she takes action, wouldn't it be easy to capture Bai Zhou, the mere bomber?

She will personally take action to investigate the relevant information.

Where should I begin my investigation...?

The Jewel Witch looked out the window thoughtfully.

However, at the same time, a question also arose in the mind of the Jewel Witch.

The commotion here has been ongoing, and even the headquarters of the Special Administration has sent people over...

Is the Court of Law and Orders still not making a move?
Although the Jewel Witch dislikes those rigid and dogmatic "zombies" the most.

But she also had to admit that those people's efficiency and ruthless style were truly a beacon of justice.

All officials hold the Hall of Laws in the highest esteem, but it is precisely because of the existence of the Hall of Laws that the authorities are truly the authorities, and the rats of the mysterious world can only forever hide in the shadows.

...So, what about those "zombie" people?
What are you busy with?

Is there some unknown major event that is holding them back?
Or perhaps, for some other reason...?
……

The night is long.

Bai Zhou spent the night on the air conditioner's outdoor unit and had a good night's sleep.

When I woke up, I stepped on the buzzing outdoor unit of the air conditioner, and there was a loud "bang".

Bai Zhou, whose whole body ached and whose back was sore, felt especially that he needed a place to stay.

I wish I had taken a hot bath before bed last night.

If things continue like this, even if the major doesn't kill him, he'll die of a stroke on some air conditioner unit.

Objectively speaking, although spirituality can purify the body.

But the life of a stray cat was still too challenging for Shirazumi, who had obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness.

Burning a spiritual essence every day as a form of bathing... apart from Bai Zhou, no extraordinary person would do something so extravagant.

Everyone regards spirituality as the most precious essence of their own body, so much so that they are extremely stingy with it even when it comes to experimental research, let alone using it for bathing...

In short, finding a new place to live is absolutely necessary for Bai Zhou!

Bai Zhou was pondering where he could find a house that didn't cost any money...

The sun rises in the east.

The crows also awoke.

As soon as she woke up, she reminded Bai Zhou with a serious expression not to forget today's schedule.

"journey?"

"Yes, have you forgotten? Teacher Xiaobai."

Xiaobai... Teacher?

Bai Zhou: "..."

The sky was clear and the air was crisp on this day.

September 2, 2030, the fifth day of the eighth lunar month.

Federal Coconut Day.

The weather is clear, making it auspicious for groundbreaking, relocation, and moving into a new house.

On this day, psychology teacher Bai Zhou took office and arrived at his beloved Yuanmeng Middle School.

Before even stepping into the school, while waiting at a traffic light at an intersection, Bai Zhou, a newcomer, did something truly good for the students.

"Hey kid, you've dropped your summer homework!"

Picking up the workbook from the ground and seeing the words "Summer Homework" on it, Bai Zhou quickly reminded the student sitting on the back of the electric scooter in front of him.

—How could something so important have fallen to the ground so easily when I was just holding it?

It happened right when the traffic lights changed.

Fortunately, he discovered it in time.

The middle-aged man on the electric scooter took the summer homework, his brow furrowed, and he turned to look at his son behind him, revealing a sinister smile that held no meaning.
"Hurry up and thank this big brother!"

The student's face visibly flushed, and he seemed too grateful to speak.

"No thanks, no thanks."

Bai Zhou waved his hand repeatedly and left gracefully, without leaving his name.

The unsung hero who successfully did a good deed deserves to have his merits increased!

"..."

"Congratulations on passing our interview! Yuanmeng Middle School warmly welcomes talented individuals like you to join us!"

In the campus office, the dean of academic affairs and Bai Zhou shook hands firmly.

Not long after, the dean of academic affairs took Bai Zhou to complete the onboarding procedures. The two walked one after the other through the corridor inside the teaching building.

At this moment, Bai Zhou had transformed into an ordinary-looking young man, resembling a college graduate looking for a job.

It is not a ritual, and therefore there is no spiritual fluctuation; rather, it is a magical disguise technique.

According to Karasu, this is the basic requirement for becoming a "hunter," although Shirashu has reservations about it.

...What kind of hunter needs disguise as a basic skill?

Now, he is a psychology PhD graduate from Tinghai University, applying for a position as a psychological counselor.

—His name is Zhou Ya.

All the documents were fake, and the interview was entirely based on psychological suggestion; it was blatant cheating.

But Bai Zhou successfully infiltrated Tinghai City's top key junior high school and replaced the psychology teacher who had taken a long leave of absence.

"Teacher Zhou, is something on your mind?"

The middle-aged director, with a bald head, round face, and wearing a plaid shirt, couldn't help but speak up in concern when he saw Bai Zhou's somber expression.

"Oh, not really."

Bai Zhou realized what was happening and waved his hands repeatedly.

He appeared expressionless on the surface, but was actually extremely nervous inside.

The director noticed Bai Zhou's furrowed brows and assumed that the psychology PhD was contemplating the philosophy of life again.

But actually, 18-year-old Bai Zhou doesn't know anything.

He was just thinking about what to say to fool the director.

"Speaking of which, Teacher Zhou is really eager to learn."

While wondering why the new counselor was so quiet and introverted, and whether she could really guide the students, the academic affairs director tried to make small talk with Bai Zhou to improve their working relationship.

"Carrying such a thick book with you at all times must mean it's a very profound professional book."

Bai Zhou was always holding a book thicker than a brick, its cover wrapped in kraft paper, making people curious about its contents.

"Ah, this..."

Bai Zhou looked down at what was in his arms and nodded solemnly:

"Learning has no end; this is the lesson my teacher assigned me."

"Your teacher..."

The academic affairs director was filled with respect.

He must be a famous professor at Tinghai University.

Such important figures were previously only seen in textbooks and on television, and there was absolutely no way to contact them.

With that in mind, he became much more hospitable to Bai Zhou.

"..."

After about ten minutes, Bai Zhou finally completed his onboarding procedures as the director handed him a set of office keys.

The moment Bai Zhou received the keys and employee badge, he felt a little dazed by the familiar feeling.

The last time I went through the onboarding process was in the Special Administration Bureau, where everyone was armed...

Sitting in his bright and spacious private office, Bai Zhou looked around curiously before placing the thick book he was holding on his desk and opening it.

A majestic black cat with its arms crossed is drawn in large size on the cover.

The title above is:
Black Cat's 8000 Questions!
The subtitle is "The Federation's First Large-Scale Popular Science Comic Series".

—This is the “professional book” that commands the respect of the dean of academic affairs.

...But in reality, the teacher Bai Zhou was referring to could only be Ya.

The incredibly thick book that Ya made Bai Zhou study was neither a psychology textbook nor a book on mysticism.

Her original intention was to have Bai Zhou go to the bookstore to buy a copy of "100,000 Whys".

But the bookstore was sold out and had no stock.

So, after careful consideration, Ya helped Bai Zhou choose a book called "The Mischievous Black Cat's Eight Thousand Questions".

"You need this more than any knowledge of the occult!"

Seeing how serious Teacher Ya was, Bai Zhou also took the study of this book to heart.

They even held it in their arms with great care.

However, for some reason, at Crow's insistence, the book's cover was wrapped in kraft paper again.

Anyone who didn't know better would think she was doing something shameful...

Bai Zhou was puzzled.

"Wow..."

The sound of turning pages echoed in the quiet office.

After reading the contents of the book for a while, Bai Zhou yawned and looked out the window at the sunlight and the quiet campus.

Psychologist...

What an amazing experience.

Hopefully, no foolish student will actually need his psychological counseling.

Bai Zhou was thinking this—

What you fear most often comes to pass.

During what should have been a quiet time for students to attend classes, someone knocked on the door of this counseling room.

"...Please come in."

"Quite reluctantly," Bai Zhou replied.

Then, he turned to look in the direction of the office door and sat up straight in his office chair.

...The girl who came in was wearing a military training uniform.

The large, round glasses and the delicate yet youthful round face were both familiar and unfamiliar to Bai Zhou.

The face looked familiar because it resembled someone from the past.

And they had met.

—Although it was in a rather unsightly way that they parted ways.

The reason he felt unfamiliar with the other person was that he didn't know them at all.

All I know is that my classmates call her...

Class Monitor Xiao Fang?

"My dear, dear, dear teacher—"

However, in Bai Zhou's memory, the precocious and poised class monitor, Xiao Fang, had disappeared.

She stammered, as if she had encountered something extremely terrifying.

The young girl looked helpless, and simply slammed the door shut, blocking the office door with all her might.

Through the tightly closed window, she anxiously peered outside:

Can I hide here?

The girl, her lips pale with fright, was still in shock and asked nonsensical questions.

But she brought news that invigorated Bai Zhou:
"Help, help me, teacher!"

"—Someone, something is chasing me!"

(End of this chapter)