Chapter 46: The Unconventional Path to a Weapon

Despite his confusion about how Qiao Xia knew his rival carried a knife, Li Lin Guan didn’t dwell on it.

Instead, he led Qiao Xia directly towards Class 8 of the second year.

Speaking of Li Lin Guan’s rival, he was actually quite a formidable individual.

However, fate seemed to have a cruel sense of humor, much like the saying, ‘If Zhou Yu was born, why must Zhuge Liang also exist?’

Li Lin Guan’s background was even more powerful.

Furthermore, having dominated the school’s territory for a year, he naturally held the upper hand over his rival.

From then on, the two were like fire and water, constantly clashing.

Although his rival was a year younger than Li Lin Guan, he couldn’t contend with the sheer number of Li Lin Guan’s subordinates.

Consequently, any slight movement or rumor from the rival was immediately reported by loyal, eager followers who scurried to provide verified information.

Once Li Lin Guan received word, he never tolerated such actions.

He would immediately confront his rival, deliver a severe beating, and thus solidify his reputation as the school’s strongest bully.

After being repeatedly thrashed by Li Lin Guan, his rival grew increasingly frustrated and disheartened.

It was said that he was recently looking for an opportunity to fight Li Lin Guan to the death, always carrying a fruit knife in his backpack.

Upon hearing this news, Li Lin Guan merely scoffed, believing the kid lacked the guts to commit murder.

Even if he did, Li Lin Guan wasn’t a dead man.

He was confident he could easily evade any attack.

It was simply no big deal!

However, as Li Lin Guan thought about his rival, a realization suddenly struck him.

Although Qiao Xia and many of his subordinates were second-year students, Li Lin Guan himself was in his third year.

During their discussion on the rooftop, when they spoke of finding food on the fifth floor, he should have mentioned that he was familiar with that level.

Yet, he mused, even if he had suggested going to the fifth floor first, Qiao Xia likely wouldn’t have agreed.

So, Li Lin Guan dismissed the thought.

Though he hadn’t known Qiao Xia for long, beyond recognizing his impressive combat skills, Li Lin Guan had also observed that Qiao Xia was a resolute individual, unwavering in his decisions regardless of others.

The only reason Qiao Xia could be persuaded to come out and search for food was probably because he already harbored that intention himself.

Otherwise, even if he were beaten to death, Qiao Xia would not have budged.

Li Lin Guan didn’t feel he was being used as a pawn.

On the contrary, he felt a greater sense of security following someone like Qiao Xia.

If Qiao Xia possessed a fickle personality, even if he had saved Li Lin Guan’s life, Li Lin Guan wouldn’t be so readily obedient to his commands.

[Wait here for me first…]

Upon reaching the classroom door of his rival, before Li Lin Guan could even survey the surroundings for potential dangers, such as a sudden attack by Red-Eyed Patients, Qiao Xia simply reached out and opened the door.

He strode inside without hesitation.

His utterly fearless demeanor greatly impressed Li Lin Guan, who couldn’t help but feel that Qiao Xia had a rather untamed approach.

‘Big Brother, these are extraordinary times. Couldn’t you be a little less unconventional?’

Had he not known Qiao Xia and recognized him as a cautious and steady person, Li Lin Guan might have assumed Qiao Xia was simply the first foolish cannon fodder to die in a TV drama.

Unaware of Li Lin Guan’s internal complaints, Qiao Xia, having experienced premonitions, knew well that Li Lin Guan would face no danger while retrieving the knife.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have met his end with his heart torn out by a Red-Eyed Patient in Class 1’s classroom.

That was why he entered without a second thought, determined to seize every precious second to acquire a suitable weapon.

Recalling this, Qiao Xia’s brows furrowed involuntarily.

He wondered if “Red-Eyed Patient” was still the appropriate term.

Though Qiao Xia had later been killed by several Red-Eyed Patients, he hadn’t gone down without a fight.

Instead, he had used his last ounce of strength to deliver a heavy blow to the Red-Eyed Patient who had killed Li Lin Guan.

However, even after he pulled the knife from the Red-Eyed Patient’s chest and repeatedly stabbed it more than a dozen times, ensuring its chest was utterly riddled with holes, the Red-Eyed Patient could still move.

It showed no signs of weakness from its injuries.

Li Lin Guan had initially stabbed a Red-Eyed Patient, which caused it to pause briefly.

Yet, when Qiao Xia wielded the knife, the Red-Eyed Patient didn’t even falter, continuing its assault on Qiao Xia.

It was as if it had grown accustomed to being stabbed…

Still, even if the Red-Eyed Patients’ existence defied understanding, their current human form implied there must be a way to kill them.

Especially since a knife could penetrate their chests; they weren’t invulnerable, like solid walls that weapons couldn’t breach.

Next, he simply needed to locate the Red-Eyed Patients’ fatal weakness and then strike a decisive blow.

With this thought, a plan began to form in Qiao Xia’s mind.

Even if he found himself in hell, Qiao Xia refused to surrender his fate to others.

He would firmly grasp it within his own hands.

No one would dare take anything from him!

[Found it! That kid actually brought a knife to school. What nerve!]

Just as Qiao Xia finalized his plans, Li Lin Guan produced a familiar fruit knife.

Qiao Xia immediately nodded to him, then naturally reached out, took the knife, and tucked it into his waistband, ensuring it was easily accessible.

Li Lin Guan had no objections to this, deferring completely to Qiao Xia.

[Come with me, but you must remain silent.]

[No matter what happens next, do not make a sound.]

After a moment’s thought, Qiao Xia decided to offer Li Lin Guan a warning.

If they encountered Red-Eyed Patients at the classroom door again, they absolutely couldn’t make too much noise, lest they attract others.

At that point, escaping would become nearly impossible.

[Huh? Will something unexpected happen? Should we call over Ye Dafeng and his brother? We could look out for each other if we’re all together.]

Upon understanding Qiao Xia’s meaning, Li Lin Guan suddenly thought of his two subordinates, Ye Dafeng and his brother, who were still gathering food in their own classroom.

What if something happened to them?

The more Li Lin Guan thought about it, the more anxious he became.

His gaze turned to Qiao Xia, filled with a hint of plea, unwilling for his subordinates to die here.

[Don’t worry, your subordinates will be fine. It’s *you* who might encounter trouble if you follow me.]

Witnessing Li Lin Guan’s concern for his subordinates, Qiao Xia’s opinion of him shifted slightly.

He mused that even if Li Lin Guan was a school bully, he was genuinely good to his own people.

Therefore, he simply shook his head at Li Lin Guan, indicating there was no immediate danger to his subordinates.

However, he needed to state the unpleasant truth upfront.

If Li Lin Guan followed him, they would encounter danger within a few minutes.

If Li Lin Guan was afraid, Qiao Xia wouldn’t force him to come along.

[Then it’s settled. I believe you can turn danger into safety… At worst, this life that should have ended yesterday can just be sent back to King Yama!]

Once he learned that Ye Dafeng and his brother would be safe, Li Lin Guan silently patted his chest.

He declared that he would follow Qiao Xia without complaint, even if it meant being killed by a Red-Eyed Patient.

Seeing Li Lin Guan’s resolute expression, Qiao Xia instinctively tightened his grip on the fruit knife’s hilt.

He thought to himself, ‘This time, neither of them will die!’