Early the next morning, Yin Yang arrived at the school gate ahead of schedule. As expected, several buses were parked there.
The bus with the license plate ending in 001 was surrounded by the others.
Shouldering his backpack, Yin Yang walked toward the bus. Just as he reached the door, he was stopped by a man in military uniform.
The man was very polite. He saluted Yin Yang before speaking.
“Sir, please show your identification!”
Yin Yang handed over his student ID. After checking it, the soldier saluted again.
“Mr. Zheng Yang, thank you for your willingness to serve!”
Yin Yang nodded politely and boarded the bus.
He wasn't the first to arrive; two people were already seated inside.
They froze when they saw Yin Yang, their expressions filled with surprise.
One of them stood up immediately.
“Junior, you're going too?”
Yin Yang looked at the speaker and recognized him instantly.
“Yes, senior. Serving my country has always been my goal.”
The senior nodded. Seeing his companion looking confused, he provided a helpful introduction.
“Liu Hong, this is Zheng Yang.”
The man named Liu Hong blinked, then suddenly realized who he was talking to.
“The handsome transfer student?”
“Yes, that's him.”
“Zheng Yang, this is Liu Hong. He's Teacher Liu Jingbai's son and specializes in emergency aid.”
“Hello, Senior Liu.”
“Hello, hello.”
Liu Hong didn't put on airs. As the son of a teacher, he knew more than most students. For instance, he knew that when this person had transferred in, the principal had personally brought him.
As they spoke, more people boarded the bus.
There was Kang Xin, who excelled in surgery.
And Zhao Kuan, who was skilled in surgical procedures.
Every newcomer was a talented individual with real skills.
This was likely why they were allowed on bus 001.
By seven-thirty, the bus was full. A middle-aged officer stepped on board.
“First, I want to thank you all for choosing to participate in this war despite the risks to your lives.”
“While I cannot fully guarantee your safety, I can promise that if sacrifices must be made, you will be the last ones to fall.”
“The war at the front has already begun.”
“Once we arrive, your teachers will provide some brief training, and then the real work starts. I trust you will not disappoint me.”
With that, he stepped off the bus. The engine roared to life with a low hum as they set off.
The bus took them directly to the airport, where they boarded a plane according to their sequence.
After a few hours of flight, they reached their destination.
As soon as they landed, several teachers and military officers approached them.
“We will now begin the roll call. When I call your name, step forward and stand in front of me!”
A burly officer stepped forward, holding a list.
“Zheng Yang!”
“Present!”
Yin Yang answered and stood before him, posture straight and focused.
“Liu Hong!”
“Present!”
The burly officer called seven or eight names before stepping back. He gestured for those he had called to follow him.
Liu Hong naturally walked beside Yin Yang, whispering in a very low voice.
“Be careful. That's the famous Feng Xiangqian. Everyone calls him 'the Madman' behind his back.”
Feng Xiangqian turned his head with a look of annoyance and glanced at Liu Hong. Liu Hong was instantly terrified.
Feng Xiangqian led them to a large courtyard before speaking.
“In school, you were all the pride of your class, pampered wherever you went.”
“But the battlefield is different. The sooner you understand this, the higher your chances of survival.”
As Feng Xiangqian spoke, two teachers in white lab coats walked in.
Liu Hong grew excited when he saw them.
“Mr. Yu, Mr. Yuan! When did you two get here?”
The two teachers didn't even look at Liu Hong; their attention was entirely on Feng Xiangqian.
“Old Feng, things are much more troublesome than we imagined. It's not an ordinary toxin, but a mutated transcendent disease!”
“A disease?”
“Yes!”
“I think I've heard of this method before.”
“You're probably thinking of Black Death Lolita, aren't you?”
“Right, right.”
Feng Xiangqian nodded, confirming the name.
“We also suspect this disease might be a modification of hers, but I heard some news recently.”
“Black Death Lolita was captured by Wu Ji, the City Lord of Huangshan City, and has already been sent to Central City.”
“Oh? Central City? That's perfect. We can go to Central City right now and have them ask Black Death Lolita for help.”
The three of them discussed the matter, while Yin Yang and the others could only catch snippets of the conversation.
After four or five minutes, they finally seemed to notice the students.
“Oh? Zheng Yang? Liu Hong? When did you get here?”
Liu Hong felt awkward, thinking, Are we invisible? You're just seeing us now?
The other five students felt even more awkward. After all, the teachers at least knew the names of Yin Yang and Liu Hong; the others hadn't even been mentioned.
“Teachers, we're here to provide support.”
“Support? Support is good.”
Mr. Yuan nodded, then looked at Yin Yang.
“From now on, you'll follow me and act as my assistant.”
Mr. Yu looked dissatisfied but could only turn to Liu Hong.
“Then Liu Hong, you'll be my assistant.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Both agreed immediately, earning envious looks from the other five.
Same people, different fates.
Everyone was there to support the front, yet these two had become direct assistants to the professors.
If they made it back alive, this would be a glowing addition to their credentials!
The others grew even more envious at the thought.
“The rest of you, don't be discouraged. We are researching a very powerful disease.”
“Indeed. Being our assistant isn't necessarily a good thing; the mortality rate is very high.”
After saying this, they led Yin Yang and Liu Hong away without another word to the others.
The remaining students could only look at Feng Xiangqian.
Feng Xiangqian smiled.
“Don't worry, there's plenty for you to do.”
...
On the other side, Yin Yang followed Mr. Yuan and the others to a room. After changing into protective suits, they entered a ward.
There were three people lying in the ward. They looked young, likely soldiers.
The soldier in the first bed was hugging his knees, his eyes vacant and dull, lost in thought.
The soldier in the second bed had festering skin. His wounds were oozing pus, staining the bandages yellow.
The soldier in the third bed was in the strangest state. Fingers were actually growing out of his festering wounds!
Yin Yang shifted his angle and saw that other wounds contained ears, eyes, and other features.
Just looking at it was enough to make one feel extremely uncomfortable!
“Zheng Yang.”
“Here.”
“Take notes.”
“Yes!”
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