Chapter 45: The Cunning Takagi Akira

The next day, in the Gifted Class, the classroom was filled with all sorts of noise and chaos, with some students even teaming up to play games together, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

By the window, Xie Xuanxuan looked at Gao Muqiu and said, “Sister Gao, I heard that Teng Pan is completely fine now, even lively enough to play basketball out on the field. What do you make of that?”

Gao Muqiu didn’t answer right away, instead letting her mind sink into her sea of consciousness, where she confronted the woman in black at its center. “Did you remove the Soul-Devouring Mark from Teng Pan’s body?”

The woman replied coolly, “No.”

Hearing this, Gao Muqiu was puzzled. “Didn’t you say he would be tormented by a thousand ghosts consuming his body? Yet he seems perfectly unharmed, vigorous as ever.”

“He’s still alive because someone has already dispelled the Soul-Devouring Mark within him,” the woman explained.

“What?” Gao Muqiu was shocked. “Who could have resolved the Soul-Devouring Mark?”

“I don’t know yet,” the woman replied, “but I have a feeling that person is somewhere in this school.”

Gao Muqiu frowned slightly. “Could it be your enemy has come looking for you?”

The woman’s face grew grave. “I doubt it, but one must always be cautious. By the way, how is the task I assigned you coming along?”

“I haven’t finished preparing,” Gao Muqiu admitted.

The woman’s expression darkened with anger. “Such a trivial matter, and you still haven’t taken care of it? What use do I have for you?”

Gao Muqiu quickly explained, “It’s truly difficult to find pure boys and girls, especially ninety-nine of them. It’s almost impossible.”

The woman sneered. “Then find children, or newborn infants—they’ll be even better.”

Gao Muqiu fell silent.

Seeing this, the woman’s brow furrowed. “What? You have objections?”

Gao Muqiu replied, “But they’re just children. It’s too cruel.”

The woman’s voice turned icy. “You must remember, if not for my intervention, you would have been killed by those people long ago. There would be no today for you.”

“You must understand, only when I regain my strength can you possess true power. Only with power can you have your revenge.”

“And further, you must realize that on the road to vengeance, there is no room for mercy. If you continue to hesitate, how will you ever accomplish great things?”

Gao Muqiu shook her head. “I understand everything you just said, but I simply cannot harden my heart.”

The woman’s tone was cold. “Then are you willing to let your mother die with unfinished business, her spirit unable to rest? Or stand by while your enemies walk free?”

“I…” Gao Muqiu fell silent. Of course she wanted revenge, but she also knew that taking innocent lives was wrong. This left her deeply conflicted.

Just then, Jiang Xiaofei walked into the classroom.

His arrival instantly silenced the once boisterous room. The students respectfully greeted him as he mounted the podium, “Good morning, Professor Jiang.”

Jiang Xiaofei nodded with satisfaction and smiled. “You’re learning quickly. This is what I like to see.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a male student suddenly stood up and shouted, “Of course! Professor Jiang is the boss of our class!”

As soon as he spoke, Lin Tianfeng chimed in, “Li Xiaocheng is right! Professor Jiang is our boss. Anyone who disagrees can deal with me!”

Some students voiced their agreement, but others were less convinced—particularly Lin Xiaofeng and Chen Hao, who fumed in silence. If it weren’t for their apprehension toward Jiang Xiaofei, they would have opposed Lin Tianfeng on the spot.

Jiang Xiaofei took it all in, smiling wordlessly. Then he looked over at Gao Muqiu and said with a smile, “Miss Gao, please come to my office for a moment. I have something to ask you.”

As soon as he spoke, all eyes turned toward Gao Muqiu, who seemed lost in thought, not responding in the slightest.

Li Xiaofang noticed and called out loudly, “Sister Gao, Professor Jiang is calling you!”

At the sound of her voice, Gao Muqiu finally returned to herself. “What is it?”

Li Xiaofang repeated, “Professor Jiang wants you.”

With a slight frown, Gao Muqiu looked toward the podium. “What do you want with me?”

Jiang Xiaofei smiled. “Come to my office. There’s something I wish to discuss with you.”

“Can’t you just say it here?” Gao Muqiu asked, frowning.

“When I tell you to come, you come. No more questions,” Jiang Xiaofei replied, then walked out of the classroom.

Seeing this, Gao Muqiu had no choice but to get up and, under the strange gazes of her classmates, follow him out.

Outside the classroom, Gao Muqiu trailed behind Jiang Xiaofei. “Professor Jiang, if you have something to say, please say it quickly. I need to study.”

Jiang Xiaofei said nothing until they reached his office and he’d closed the door. Then, with a cold smirk, he declared, “Ghost Emperor, you didn’t expect me to break your Soul-Devouring Mark, did you?”

Those words sent a tidal wave of shock through Gao Muqiu’s heart. Though startled, she replied, “Professor Jiang, what are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

“Playing dumb, are you?” Jiang Xiaofei sneered. “Don’t think I can’t see through your disguise. The Soul-Devouring Mark is the Ghost Emperor’s unique sorcery. Yet you can cast it—if you’re not the Ghost Emperor, then who are you?”

Gao Muqiu hurried to explain, “You’re mistaken, Professor Jiang. I found the Soul-Devouring Mark in an ancient book by chance while exploring a cave. I thought it was impressive, so I practiced it, but I had no idea it was such a sinister spell. Had I known, I’d never have cultivated it.”

Jiang Xiaofei snorted, “You’ve concocted quite the story. Do you really think I’ll believe it?”

“I’m telling the truth, Professor Jiang. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do,” Gao Muqiu said, turning to open the door.

But Jiang Xiaofei reached out and grabbed her shoulder, preventing her from leaving.

Gao Muqiu turned, anger flashing in her eyes. “What are you doing?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Xiaofei’s voice was icy. “I’m going to search your soul and find out if you’re telling the truth.”

“Soul search?” Gao Muqiu gasped, utterly shocked. Just then, a woman’s voice echoed in her mind. Acting quickly, she undid her blouse, revealing flawless, snow-white skin and seductive crimson lingerie.

As if it wasn’t enough, she tore off the red lingerie, then shrieked in a panic, “Help! Professor Jiang is trying to assault me…”

Her shameless outcry made Jiang Xiaofei’s face darken instantly. “Keep screaming and I’ll kill you,” he threatened coldly.

But Gao Muqiu only screamed louder, her voice echoing through the entire floor. Countless students poked their heads out of windows, eager for a spectacle. Yet Jiang Xiaofei blocked their view, shielding Gao Muqiu’s disheveled state. All anyone could see was Jiang Xiaofei wrestling with her, as if doing something improper.

His face grew uglier by the moment. He tried to put her clothes back on, but Gao Muqiu simply tore them off again. After several rounds of this, he failed to subdue her.

Frustrated to the point of violence, Jiang Xiaofei raised his hand to slap her—when Zhou Shiqin burst in, shouting, “Stop right there!”