Era of Mist

Slumped in her chair, Zhao Qingmiao touched her face in a daze as tears suddenly began to stream down her cheeks.

They were tears of relief.

They were tears of regret.

’I... just a moment ago, I was cursing him so maliciously in my heart, swearing at him so viciously, and it turns out he was the one who saved me? Just a moment ago, I was gloating because Zhou Nan was going to cause trouble for him, and it turns out he was the one who stepped forward when I was in despair?’

’I... I’m an animal! I’m just a beast!’

’Big Brother, I was wrong! I was really wrong!’

’You have to come back safe!’

While Zhao Qingmiao was screaming this in her heart, what about Shi Tiexin?

Shi Tiexin was still frozen in place.

He wore a mask of solemn dignity and calm composure, but inside, he was bewildered. ’Huh? What’s going on? I’ve only ever heard of girls going to the bathroom together. Do guys at Fengming First Middle School do that too?’

’Feels kinda... gay...’

「Let’s rewind time a little.」

"The Black-Handed Hungry Tiger is here!" a boy yelled frantically as he stumbled back into the classroom—but Shi Tiexin didn’t hear him. Because another consciousness was solidifying in his spiritual domain, like a cerebral thrombosis or a stroke, his senses were currently a bit dull. Unless he was actively trying to listen, his hearing wasn’t very sharp.

He vaguely heard something, and the classroom seemed to be in an uproar, but Shi Tiexin paid it no mind.

’Isn’t this trash class always in an uproar during every break? What’s there to be surprised about?’ So, Shi Tiexin continued to ponder how he was going to get his hands on elementary school textbooks and supplementary secret manuals.

After thinking for a long time, he realized it was a thorny problem. Fengming First Middle School had a closed-campus policy. The school was completely sealed off during the term, and no students were allowed to enter or leave. They were only permitted to leave for winter and summer vacations. Summer vacation was still a long way off, and it would certainly be after the final exams. He didn’t have time to wait that long.

’Could I get a teacher to write me a pass, claiming I have some special business and need to leave campus? But I’m new here. For one, I don’t know what kind of reasons are considered serious enough to be allowed to leave. For two, I have no idea about this body’s original social connections, let alone how much the school knows about them. If I speak up rashly, I could blow my cover, and it’ll be even harder to ask for leave next time.’

’Besides, it seems like people in this trash class have no rights and are disliked by the teachers. I’d probably open my mouth just to have the teacher assume I’m making it all up. Wouldn’t that be a raw deal?’

’Hmm...’

’Okay, it wouldn’t exactly be a raw deal, because I would, in fact, be making it up.’

’But how the hell am I supposed to get my cultivation manuals and supplementary secret manuals?!’

’Forget it, forget it. I’m overthinking this.’ Shi Tiexin snapped out of his deep thoughts and suddenly realized his bladder was completely full and about to burst. ’Right, I drank five bowls of soup this morning. I’m lucky my capacity is large enough to have held it this long. If I keep holding it, I definitely won’t last another class period.’

’That settles it. I’m going to the bathroom!’

CREAK. Shi Tiexin pushed his chair back and stood up. Instantly, all eyes in the class were on him. A hush fell. Shi Tiexin froze for a second, finally taking in the scene before him.

’This situation... looks like a small gang is bullying that Xiaodouya?’

’Look how swollen her face is. The class president here really can’t handle things. If I were president, I would’ve beaten those guys to a pulp long ago. But whatever, I shouldn’t get involved. I’m new here, I don’t know the full story, so how can I know who’s right and who’s wrong? Besides, maybe this is just a tradition in the trash class.’

’Maybe they have a custom here of beating up the class president every few days. It’s a different world, after all. Can’t be getting surprised by everything.’

’Is it a bad idea to walk over there right now? But nature’s call is the most urgent call of all, and my bladder is about to explode. I can’t piss my pants over a little thing like this. No matter what, nothing’s stopping me. I have to get through!’

And so, driven by the urgent need to pee, Shi Tiexin marched up to Teng Chaoguo with the unstoppable momentum of a god slaying gods. Not for any other reason than the fact that Teng Chaoguo was blocking the only path to the bathroom.

Teng Chaoguo faced Shi Tiexin and started bristling. "Well, if it isn’t Champion Scholar Stone. What’s this? Stepping up at a time like this? What do you want?"

Shi Tiexin raised an eyebrow.

’Champion Scholar Stone?’

’This guy knows me?’

’So he’s an acquaintance. That makes things easier.’

"Are you trying to take the five cartons of cigarettes for this piece of trash—"

’I don’t have time for your bullshit, I’m about to leak!’ After rolling his tongue in his mouth to get the words right, Shi Tiexin stated succinctly, "Bathroom." ’I’m just going to the bathroom. Move aside. After I pass, you can do whatever you want. That ’piece of trash’ and ’five cartons of cigarettes’ have nothing to do with me!’

"Bathroom?" Teng Chaoguo’s expression suddenly became twisted and hideous. "Alright, alright. Champion Scholar Stone has really grown a pair. You dare to invite me to the bathroom? Good. Very good. In that case, let’s go. To the bathroom!"

’Huh? Sorry, I was just thinking about how badly I had to pee, so I wasn’t really paying attention. But from what I caught, does this guy have to go to the bathroom too? I mean, you were in the middle of beating someone up, and you’re just going to leave them here and walk away? Then again, who knows? Maybe he has to pee urgently too?’

’Whatever. I don’t know where the bathroom is anyway. If he’s willing to go, I can just follow him. Saves me from running around looking for it and ending up leaking halfway there.’

"Lead the way."

And so, Teng Chaoguo and his four cronies escorted Shi Tiexin out of Class 28, heading toward the trash classes’ infamous Black Bathroom. The name of the Black-Handed Hungry Tiger resounded throughout the trash classes, and all the students scurried to the sides to make way, as if the Clean Street Tiger was on patrol. After the six of them passed, the students eagerly put their heads together, buzzing with discussion. They couldn’t tell if Teng Chaoguo had gained a new powerhouse for his crew or if some brave soul was challenging the authority of the Black-Handed Hungry Tiger.

Look at that big dude in the back! His aura is super intense; he doesn’t look like a lackey at all. Look at the situation—they’re heading to the Black Bathroom to throw down!

Meanwhile, Shi Tiexin, the center of all this attention, was utterly perplexed.

’Look at all the students lining the path like they’re welcoming an imperial envoy. Does going to the bathroom always come with this much pomp and circumstance? Or is this another one of this place’s unique customs? I have to hold it in, blend in, and not look surprised. But this trash class in the Heart Technique Sacred Land is too mysterious. All these weird customs keep popping up one after another. I don’t get it, I just don’t get it...’

However, Shi Tiexin wasn’t a complete idiot.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the four lackeys who seemed to be escorting him like a prisoner. He quickly understood in his heart that he had apparently been misunderstood and dragged into some kind of incident.

’No, this has nothing to do with me. I can’t get involved in this mess. I should just go take a piss first, then find a chance to clear things up. Although my impression of that little seedling is okay, we don’t know each other. Whatever grudges you have, you can solve them yourselves. It’s none of my business. I’m new here and just got disciplined. It’s better to keep a low profile and endure for now...’

Just as he was thinking this, Shi Tiexin suddenly felt the solidified, silent consciousness in his spiritual domain stir and emit a faint sound.

...Endure...

Huh?

Shi Tiexin frowned. ’What’s going on? Why does it seem like that consciousness is about to awaken from its dormant state? What on earth stimulated it?’