Chapter 71

Chapter 71

At Mingjiang No. 7 Special School, Li Que was preparing his lessons in the office when the system’s notification sounded.

[Ding! The host helped Meng Mo complete his first speech and establish an ambitious dream. Reward: 66 Good Teacher Points!]

Li Que was delighted. Sixty-six points was already a considerable reward!

The speech had not been a waste of effort after all.

Even more gratifying was the system’s confirmation that Meng Mo had established a dream of his own. Nothing could be more important.

After teaching at Mingjiang No. 7 Special School for many years, Li Que understood that the greatest challenge in education was not imparting knowledge. It was encouraging students to sprout and grow from within.

A child with dreams and confidence would work hard of his own accord. By comparison, a teacher’s earnest lectures and constant admonitions often accomplished very little.

[Ding! The host has received an additional reward: twenty custom staff ID cards!]

The system had granted him an extra reward as well.

Curious, Li Que immediately took out all twenty cards and examined them.

Each consisted of a plastic holder and an insert printed with spaces for a name and position, along with a box where a photograph could be attached.

They looked no different from ID cards made for a few yuan at any print shop.

But Li Que was long accustomed to this. The system’s rewards were sometimes completely illogical and bizarre.

He casually set the cards aside and began considering his next steps.

Organizing the visit to an elderly woman living alone and holding the Cultural Festival had already given him a great deal of inspiration.

Education needed to emphasize well-rounded development. Classroom instruction alone had a limited effect on students’ physical and mental growth.

His recent experiences with Lin Xiaoyu and Meng Mo had only deepened that conviction.

He picked up the Long-Term Student Development Plan he had begun drafting earlier and started refining it.

A long while later, Li Que finally typed the last word. After checking the document for typos and formatting errors, he printed it out.

He intended to discuss it with Vice Principal Leng and Dean Qin.

After all, he was only a teacher. No matter how good an idea might be, it would be useless without the school administration’s support.

“Teacher Li.”

A knock sounded on the door. Leng Qingyan and Qin Shiyu had arrived.

“Please, come in.” Li Que smiled. “I was just about to look for both of you.”

They entered, looking puzzled.

“What did you want to discuss with us, Teacher Li?” Leng Qingyan asked.

Li Que handed them the plan he had just printed.

“I’ve drafted a development plan. Could you take a look and tell me whether it’s feasible?”

They were both astonished. They knew that any development plan created by Li Que would be no ordinary document, so they opened it with utmost solemnity.

The more they read, the more alarmed they became.

“First: strengthen social engagement. Frequently organize off-campus volunteer service, cultural activities, and other practical experiences for students…”

Qin Shiyu’s expression grew grave. “Teacher Li… Is it finally time for the students to venture outside?”

She had long anticipated the day Li Que’s students left the school. Every one of them would be an earthshaking existence.

Had that moment finally arrived?

“This is mainly intended to broaden the students’ horizons and give them more practical experience,” Li Que explained. “Our last visit to Grandma Zhang Mingcui had excellent results, for example.”

Qin Shiyu’s expression turned complicated.

So it was true.

Li Que intended to send his students out to quell the chaos!

She could almost envision the storms that would soon sweep across the outside world.

“This is wonderful!” Leng Qingyan exclaimed excitedly.

She came from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau and had spent her life fighting anomalies. Her greatest dream was to see every anomaly exterminated and the peaceful world of the past restored.

Li Que’s target was clearly no longer limited to the Cat-Faced Crone. He was preparing to sweep through every enemy in their path!

Qin Shiyu continued reading.

“Second: promote compassionate care. School faculty should frequently show concern for students and participate in activities together… What exactly does this mean?”

“Many students sent here lack care and affection from their families,” Li Que explained. “We can only do our best to make up for it as teachers.”

“I believe the faculty should live and grow alongside the students. We could regularly organize friendly sports matches between teachers and students, for example. It would help bring everyone closer.”

Qin Shiyu and Leng Qingyan were dumbfounded.

Friendly sports matches between teachers and students?

They were supposed to compete against that group of monstrous anomalies?

The very thought made their scalps prickle.

“Teacher Li, wouldn’t that be asking a little too much of the faculty?” Qin Shiyu asked, her expression complicated.

“Would it?” Li Que replied.

“I previously asked Vice Principal Leng to substitute for me for several lessons. The students in my class still think very highly of her. Feeling a teacher’s care and concern can help students develop confidence…”
“What’s more, I believe the faculty can continue growing throughout the process as well, don’t you?”

The moment Qin Shiyu heard Li Que’s final sentence, realization struck her.

The last time she and Li Que went to Five Dragons Mountain, Leng Qingyan had substituted for his classes.

By the time they returned, Leng Qingyan had advanced directly from B-plus-class to A-minus-class!

Was this what Li Que meant by “continue growing”?

Qin Shiyu’s heart began pounding. It was as though a radiant path had opened before her.

“I understand. He intends to use this opportunity to increase our strength!”

Everything became clear.

The things Li Que intended to accomplish in the future were part of an unfathomably far-reaching plan involving levels beyond their imagination.

At present, Leng Qingyan’s and Qin Shiyu’s strength was still too low.

If they wanted to participate, they would have to do exactly as Li Que said and continue growing.

“I understand now. The faculty must also continue growing if we are to embrace the future!”

Every trace of doubt vanished from her voice.

“Teacher Li has put so much thought into this!” Leng Qingyan exclaimed as well.

Li Que was delighted that both women supported the proposal.

“I’ll need your support to implement this plan, Vice Principal Leng, Dean Qin.”

Leng Qingyan nodded. “I’ll handle the first item and search outside the school for suitable social-engagement projects for the students!”

All she had to do was find anomalies on which Li Que’s students could practice. That was her area of expertise.

“I’ll take responsibility for the second,” Qin Shiyu said with a nod. “I’ll start preparing and try to organize an activity involving both teachers and students in the near future.”

Li Que nodded gladly. “Thank you both.”

The two women were preparing to leave when Qin Shiyu noticed the stack of ID cards on his desk.

“Hmm? Teacher Li, what are these?”

“Oh… just a few little trinkets,” Li Que explained.

But the moment Qin Shiyu picked one up, her beautiful eyes turned intensely grave.

As soon as the staff ID card entered her hand, she distinctly sensed a terrifying anomalous power that made her tremble.

Her anomalous entity, the Sovereign Seal, began to quiver. It radiated greed alongside the most extreme fear.

“Is this… an anomalous entity tied to rules?”

Qin Shiyu was deeply shocked.

Anomalous entities of this kind were exceptionally rare. Every one ever discovered had been rated above S-class!

Her Sovereign Seal possessed a portion of similar power and was considered exceedingly precious within the Hall of Anomalies.

Yet compared with this blank staff ID card, it amounted to nothing. It was being completely suppressed.

The pressure she felt was no weaker than when she faced Abyss!

“Could this be… an SSS-class anomalous entity?!”

Qin Shiyu was shaken to her core. A single object at this level would cause an uproar throughout the entire country.

Yet Li Que had casually produced a whole stack of them!

“Teacher Li, are these staff ID cards meant to be issued to the school faculty?” Leng Qingyan asked curiously.

Li Que certainly would not have made so many out of boredom. If they existed, he had to have some purpose in mind.

The idea had not occurred to Li Que, but since Leng Qingyan asked, he nodded.

“That would work.”

On reflection, more officials might visit or inspect the school in the future. Having every staff member wear an ID card would certainly look more professional.

“All right. I’ll distribute them…”

Leng Qingyan immediately picked up the stack. The instant the cards entered her hands, shock spread across her face.

She stared incredulously at Qin Shiyu.

Qin Shiyu’s beautiful eyes were equally complicated. She gave a slight nod.

…

Leng Qingyan’s mind was still buzzing after they left the office.

“An SSS-class anomalous entity… one for every member of the school staff?!”

“They might even be above SSS-class…” Qin Shiyu murmured.

“First he prepared to increase our strength, and now he’s given us these things. Vice Principal Leng, I suddenly feel that we should count as Teacher Li’s followers now, shouldn’t we?”

Leng Qingyan came to a realization as well.

Only followers would be qualified to receive objects this precious.

“No wonder Director Shi and Director Xu were so desperate to secure positions here…” she marveled. Those who boarded early truly were the lucky ones.

“I’ll distribute the staff ID cards right now.”

She took a deep breath.

There were enough for every staff member.

…

Before long, in addition to Qin Shiyu and Leng Qingyan, the school’s other “staff members” had received ID cards as well.

The Wraith-Mother who handled cleaning, the elderly security guard Shen Yuan, Meng Yan from the boys’ dormitory…

The instant these mighty anomalies received their staff ID cards, they became almost delirious with excitement.

“So this is the benefit of following the right person?”

Nightmare was ecstatic. He impatiently wrote his name on the staff ID card, then cursed furiously:
“That little brat Meng Mo! If he’d brought me here to work sooner, wouldn’t I have made my fortune ages ago?!”

Nightmare felt that all his years cooperating with the Hall of Anomalies had been a complete waste of time.

When the Wraith-Mother put on her staff ID card, she raised her broom and nearly began dancing.

The infant in her arms even released a baby’s delighted laugh. Qin Shiyu was deeply surprised. This anomalous mother and child were gradually becoming more and more human.

Meanwhile, inside the public restroom, Qin Zhenye protested indignantly.

“Why doesn’t a septic worker count as staff? I work hard clearing the pipes every day! Vice Principal Leng, you can’t discriminate against me…”

Leng Qingyan paused and thought for a moment.

“You have made some contributions, but Teacher Li hasn’t formally recognized you yet. So for now… I think you can only be considered an outside contractor.”

“We can’t issue you a staff ID card yet.”

Qin Zhenye fell silent. At last, he mustered his manure-fueled determination.

“I’ll work hard and become a permanent employee as soon as possible!”

…

Leng Qingyan and Qin Shiyu saved the security booth for last.

“Something like this… is for me?”

The instant Shen Yuan accepted the staff ID card, he grew dazed. Shock and excitement warred across his aged face. In the end, he even bowed from afar toward the teaching building where Li Que was working.

His reaction stunned Leng Qingyan and Qin Shiyu all over again.

They had only suspected that these objects might surpass SSS-class.

For Abyss to treasure one so profoundly all but confirmed it!

…

Meanwhile, inside an office at the Anomaly Suppression Bureau, Shi Xuan reported everything that had happened in Mingjiang City to Xun Fayin and the others.

In his version of events, Li Que was an ordinary man who had obtained a Divine Seal Fragment by accident but had never contained it himself.

The fragment later fell into Lin Xiaoyu’s hands, allowing her to inherit the Water God’s Authority. Meng Mo followed soon afterward.

After Abyss was drawn to the city by the ceremonies of divine investiture, he formed an alliance with Rain and the Dream Demon. He was now the master of Mingjiang No. 7 Special School.

Shi Xuan and Xu Changjiang had spent all of yesterday constructing this explanation.

Far too many factions had become involved with Mingjiang No. 7 Special School, and much of what had happened could not possibly be concealed.

Their only option was to preserve a reasonable chain of events while obscuring Li Que’s existence as much as possible.

“Abyss has conspired with the Water God and the other anomalies…” Xun Fayin mused.

“Brother, he’s only a somewhat stronger anomaly,” Xun Silu said bluntly from beside him. “Yet he dares covet the Divine Seal Fragment and scheme over that place. In my opinion, we should find a way to capture him!”

“The Xu family may have behaved dishonorably, but objects like that really should remain under the control of Old-Grave Clans like ours.”

Xu Changjiang’s and Shi Xuan’s expressions shifted slightly.

Xu Changjiang cast Shi Xuan a worried look.

Shi Xuan had warned him that although one or two people in the Special Anomaly Investigation Bureau were decent, they still came from the Old-Grave Clans. Whether they could truly be trusted remained uncertain.

It now appeared that although the Xun family had not sunk to the Xu family’s level, these elite clans still regarded everyone beneath them as insignificant ants.

They made no attempt to hide their arrogance.

“No,” Xun Fayin said, shaking his head.

“Abyss is no ordinary anomaly. He nearly took that crucial step in the past. He may have been gravely wounded later, but we still must not underestimate him.”

Xun Silu sighed. “Fine. Then we’ll follow your original plan and bring him under our command.”

Xun Fayin neither agreed nor disagreed. He looked at Shi Xuan.

“Director Shi, would you take us to Mingjiang No. 7 Special School?”

“I would like to speak with Abyss in person. There may be room for cooperation between us.”

Shi Xuan felt a flicker of concern, but he nodded. “Very well.”

The group headed downstairs and got into their vehicles, with Shi Xuan and Xu Changjiang leading the way.

“Brother, when we see Abyss, we should scatter a few sheets of our family’s Old-Tomb Joss Paper first,” Xun Silu said directly.

“That stubborn old relic has rejected numerous Old-Grave Clans before. He refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit. Unless we show him the difference between us, he won’t lower his head!”

Xun Silu radiated confidence and superiority.

Their clan had supported this mission and permitted them to bring Old-Tomb Joss Paper. It should be more than enough to suppress the SSS-class Abyss.

His approach was very simple. As members of an Old-Grave Clan, they could simply crush anyone who refused to submit.

Xun Fayin’s face darkened. “Don’t act recklessly!”

“Whether dealing with Abyss or any other anomaly, you must show basic respect.”

“All right, all right. I know,” Xun Silu said impatiently.

His eyes were filled with disdain.

…