The Underworld is Empty, Yama is Teaching 35

Chapter 35

“Wu Mu!”

Xue Changyi stared at him anxiously.

Wu Mu suppressed the metallic taste in his throat, forcing a smile. “I’m fine…”

Thump—

His eyes suddenly closed, and before he could finish his sentence, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

“Wu Mu!”

“Boss!”

“Quick! Help him!”

Wu Mu had a dream.

He dreamt of a time long ago, when the world was still a chaotic void.

He was a small crow, lying helpless and despairing on the ground, his tiny legs kicking weakly, his withered wings trembling in the wind, on the verge of death…

“Wu Mu…”

“Wu Mu, wake up…”

Who?

Who was calling his name?

The little crow lifted its head with great effort, its beady eyes darting around.

“Wu Mu, wake up…”

His clouded consciousness slowly cleared, his lost strength returning, and he finally opened his eyes.

“Wu Mu? You’re awake?”

Someone was speaking, the same gentle voice that had called him in his dream, the gentlest voice he had ever heard, a voice he would never forget, no matter how many lifetimes, no matter where he was.

“Xue Changyi…” he croaked.

He looked around, puzzled. This wasn’t the principal’s lab, but a dormitory room.

“Where am I…” he wondered.

Xue Changyi said, “Just lie down and rest.”

He continued, “The principal has been removed from his position and detained. The truth about the academy has been revealed, and the First Yama King will handle the case.”

Xue Changyi had exposed the principal’s experiments on the Underworld forum, causing an uproar.

The ancient topic of the encroaching death was brought back into the spotlight, some agreeing with the principal’s methods, others condemning them.

Wu Mu nodded. “If the principal has been removed, then the academy… is it closing down?”

He and Xue Changyi had been planning to resign.

Xue Changyi shook his head. “The new principal will arrive shortly. Teacher Wu, would you like to meet him?”

Wu Mu looked at him, surprised. A new principal?

Jixia Academy, this unusual school, wasn’t closing down, but getting a new principal, and Xue Changyi didn’t seem to object.

Wu Mu got out of bed. “Let’s go.”

Xue Changyi said with concern, “Are you feeling alright?”

Wu Mu gave him a reassuring smile, his usual cold demeanor softened. “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

The new principal’s inauguration ceremony was today. Wu Mu had woken up just in time.

They arrived at the academy’s auditorium. The students were already seated, not just Class Nine, but students from other classes as well.

“Teacher Xue!” Xiang Yu waved. “Teacher Xue, you’re here! Sit here!”

The students of Class Nine welcomed him enthusiastically.

Little Cheng Jiao chirped, “Teacher Xue, we saved you a seat! In the front row!”

Ying Zheng simply asked, “Teacher Xue, are you alright?”

“Yes, Teacher Xue! I can’t believe that principal was such a villain!”

“I should have stabbed him in the head with my Fangtian Huaji!”

Wu Mu, following behind Xue Changyi, was quickly pushed to the outer edge of the crowd.

He watched the enthusiastic students, a pang of jealousy in his heart.

But the little crow didn’t say anything.

He stood there with his arms crossed, observing the chattering students.

“Huh? Teacher Wu? You’re here too…”

Wu Mu: “…” Yes, he was there too.

Xue Changyi chuckled. “Teacher Wu, there’s a seat here, come sit.”

Wu Mu, finally noticed by Xue Changyi, happily strode over, about to sit beside him.

Thump—

Someone suddenly squeezed past him, plopping down in the seat next to Xue Changyi, almost knocking Wu Mu over.

Wu Mu: “…”

The person had two rabbit-ear buns, wore a light pink ancient dress, and carried an ita-bag covered in Xue Changyi badges. He stuck his tongue out at Wu Mu.

—Dong Lan!

Wu Mu glared at him. “That’s my seat.”

Dong Lan put his hands on his hips. “Son, is that how you speak to your father?”

Wu Mu: “…”

Dong Lan turned to Xue Changyi. “Little Ten, I don’t approve of your relationship! I’m Wu Mu’s father, you’re his uncle.”

“What?!”

“Who?!”

“A relationship with Teacher Xue?”

“Teacher Wu???”

“I saw them in the Pangong hallway the other day, were they kissing? I thought the figures looked familiar!”

“Oh my god, are Teacher Xue and Teacher Wu together?”

The students of Class Nine erupted in shouts. “We don’t approve either!”

Wu Mu: “…”

So many objections. His expression remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered, and suddenly—

He clutched his chest, coughing weakly, like a delicate maiden.

“Cough… cough…” He coughed and gasped dramatically.

“Wu Mu!” Xue Changyi asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?”

Wu Mu said weakly, “I’m fine, don’t worry.”

Dong Lan: “…”

Class Nine students: “…”

Dong Lan exploded. “Little Ten, ignore him, he’s faking it!”

Wu Mu: “Cough…”

Dong Lan: “I raised this little crow, I know him better than anyone! He might look cold and aloof, but he’s actually a scheming green tea bitch!”

Wu Mu: “Cough… cough…”

“Quiet down, everyone,” a staff member announced from the stage. “The new principal’s inauguration ceremony is about to begin.”

The bickering between Wu Mu and Dong Lan finally stopped.

Dong Lan still occupied the seat next to Xue Changyi, refusing to let Wu Mu sit there. Wu Mu looked at him pleadingly, but Dong Lan was unmoved. Xue Changyi, however, felt a pang of sympathy for the injured little crow.

He said to Dong Lan, “Old Seven, your chemistry department is over there, why don’t you go sit with them?”

Dong Lan: “!!!”

My little brother doesn’t love me anymore!

He stood up reluctantly, bumping Wu Mu’s shoulder as he left.

“Cough…” Wu Mu coughed again, weakly sitting down in the hard-won seat. “I’m a little dizzy, I think I stood for too long.”

Xue Changyi said with concern, “Should we see the school medic?”

Wu Mu shook his head, his black eyes gazing at Xue Changyi sincerely. He even tilted his head slightly. “Uncle, can I lean on you for a bit?”

Uncle…?

Dong Lan was Wu Mu’s adoptive father, so technically, Xue Changyi was his uncle.

But…

Hearing it from Wu Mu, it sounded strangely… embarrassing.

Wu Mu leaned against Xue Changyi’s shoulder.

Xue Changyi shrugged, trying to move away.

Wu Mu: “…” Wronged, pitiful, helpless.

“Ahem…” Xue Changyi explained, “You just woke up, you need to rest. I’ll absorb your energy, so let’s keep some distance for now.”

Wu Mu: “…” Even more wronged, even more pitiful, even more helpless.

“Students,” the new principal entered the auditorium, standing at the podium, smiling gently at everyone. “Starting today, I am the principal of Jixia Academy, Underworld High School. If you have any questions, please feel free to come to me.”

Wu Mu looked at the man on stage. Tall, with a gentle face and a kind demeanor, he seemed approachable, even to strangers.

“Second Yama King?” Wu Mu said in surprise.

The new principal of Jixia Academy was Xue Changyi’s Second Brother—Li Han!

Li Han, as the new principal, openly revealed the truth about the experiments to the students. If they wished to remain at the academy, they would receive the promised benefits—freedom from reincarnation.

If they wished to leave, they could do so at any time.

The meeting went smoothly. Li Han, gentle and composed, was skilled at reassuring people, the perfect person to handle this mess.

Xiang Yu frowned. “Teacher Xue, now that the lab has been shut down, what about… the encroaching death?”

His question brought a hush over the room.

The encroaching death wouldn’t stop for anyone, it was still slowly approaching, Wu Mu’s weakened state a testament to that.

Dong Lan said, “Don’t worry, the Central Office is still researching ways to combat it, they haven’t given up. There will… there will be a way.”

Dong Lan clearly wasn’t as good at comforting people as his Second Brother. His last words lacked conviction.

If he had been truly confident, he wouldn’t have been manipulated by the principal, almost becoming a murderer.

Ying Zheng said calmly, “Teacher Xue, there’s nothing wrong with researching ways to combat the encroaching death. The former principal’s methods were wrong. We also want future generations to live long and prosperous lives, not face another end… If you need any help, I’m willing to offer my assistance.”

Little Cheng Jiao jumped up and down. “Yes, yes, Teacher Xue! I’ll help too!”

Xiang Yu puffed out his chest, saying boisterously, “Teacher Xue, we’re all willing to help! It’s just a little blood, right? A real man isn’t afraid! Those who don’t help are cowards!”

He glared pointedly at Liu Bang when he said “cowards.”

Liu Bang smiled wryly. “Teacher Xue, it’s fate that brought us together at this academy. We didn’t know before, no one asked for our consent. Now that we know, I’m willing to help.”

“Yes, Teacher Xue!”

“You must be so touched, Teacher!”

Xue Changyi was indeed touched. After just one winter break, the students had placed their trust in him.

He smiled. “Thank you for your understanding. I also have good news for you.”

“What good news? Do we not have to take the make-up exams anymore?”

“We’re so understanding, so the exams are cancelled, right?”

Xue Changyi shook his head. “It’s related to the make-up exams.”

“Related? What is it?”

“Teacher Xue, you’re such a tease!”

“Tell us, Teacher Xue!”

Xue Changyi smiled mysteriously. “The academy has decided to transfer Zhuge Liang, the study committee member from Class Eight, to Class Nine, to boost your average score for the make-up exams.”

All the students of Class Nine: “…???”