Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C44

Chapter 44: Escape – Part One

This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.

_{“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”}Two pieces…

“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

_{Three pieces…}Please don’t see…

Three pieces…

_{The bits of metal snapped one after the other, resounding in Jiang Shao’s ears like a death knell. Because of the rush, he nicked his finger but didn’t even notice the pain. Every second made his nerves feel like they were wrung! He had to be faster—go faster—it was the only thought in his mind.}“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

The bits of metal snapped one after the other, resounding in Jiang Shao’s ears like a death knell. Because of the rush, he nicked his finger but didn’t even notice the pain. Every second made his nerves feel like they were wrung! He had to be faster—go faster—it was the only thought in his mind.

_{{Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!}}Two pieces…

Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!

_{Chapter 44: Escape – Part One}
“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

Chapter 44: Escape – Part One

_{“What potential.”}If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

“What potential.”

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}}Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}
“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.}If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.

_{Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…}Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…

_{Snip!}Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

Snip!

_{Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.}
“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.

Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.

_{Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.}We’re almost out…

Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

_{“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”}
“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

_{{Shen-{ge} sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?! }}So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

_{{‘Proven in time’, my foot!}}“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”

‘Proven in time’, my foot!

_{There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.}
Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

_{The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”}The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.

The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”

_{{Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been!} After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-{ge}?”}Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.}
Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

_{“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”}“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-ge? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.

_{“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.}All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.

_{Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-{ge}? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.}“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

_{Everything is over.}
There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

Everything is over.

_{“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-{ge}?”}Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.

“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-ge?”

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}Snip!

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{One more step was left.}“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.

One more step was left.

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}
“Shen-ge?”

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.}
“Young Master Qin?”

Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

_{{In my crоtch!}}All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

In my crоtch!

_{The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”}Two pieces…

The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”

_{One more step was left.}Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.

One more step was left.

_{Snip!}“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

Snip!

_{Please don’t see…}
Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.

Please don’t see…

_{Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.}“Faster…” Jiang Shao’s hands began trembling as he pressed down upon another wire, but the second it snapped, the pliers hit the ground with a barely noticeable thump. Yet it was enough. That was all it took for Jiang Shao to crumble.

Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.}
Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-ge? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.

The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}Awakened, Qin Mo sat still as his senses returned, then asked, “Are you guys ready?”

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.}
The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me...” Jiang Shao muttered as the emptiness made him start recalling “The Grudge”. Unable to stand it anymore, he turned tail and shuffled back to the door. Light, even the smallest sliver of it, would make that room less scary. But before he could get here, his foot struck something, sending him tumbling with a yelp. “Oh my gaaawd!”

Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

_{{We’re just one step away.}}“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

We’re just one step away.

_{Beyond those doors was a pitch-black darkness, one that buried the sight of the distant buildings and guard towers within. It was still nothing compared to the locked warehouse, but it put the three more on guard than when they were inside.}Snip…

Beyond those doors was a pitch-black darkness, one that buried the sight of the distant buildings and guard towers within. It was still nothing compared to the locked warehouse, but it put the three more on guard than when they were inside. Holding their breaths, they crept past the warehouse, towards the area where the camera’s view could reach. Looking even more solemn, Qin Mo turned to look at Jiang Shao. After receiving the confirmation, they continued to move forward.

“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

_{A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.}
“What potential.”

A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}We’re just one step away.

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.}“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

_{Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-ge? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.}
Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.}With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.

In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.

_{Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.}Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.

_{Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.}
Even you, Qin Mo? Even you have been tаinted with the dеsire for such evil pranks? Can you keep living like this? Luckily, we’re blowing this place tonight, and the heavens are so vast there’s a limit to the emperor’s reach. It'd be better for you two to not meet again after this. Otherwise, all it would take is a few more months in this dreadful place for Qin Mo to be consumed by this darkness.

Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

_{“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”}
“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-ge?”

“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”

_{Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-{ge}? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.}Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—

_{“Shen-{ge}?”}“Young Master Qin?”

“Shen-ge?”

_{“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”}Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.

_{When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.}
“Oh, him? He’s sitting right beside you,” Qin Mo replied in a breathy whisper. His tone, mirroring that heard in horror films, made Jiang Shao’s nerves again stir. Despite knowing he couldn’t make out his fingers, his head still whipped from left to right as though they had a shot of catching a trace of Shen Zhuoyun.

When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.

“Faster…” Jiang Shao’s hands began trembling as he pressed down upon another wire, but the second it snapped, the pliers hit the ground with a barely noticeable thump. Yet it was enough. That was all it took for Jiang Shao to crumble.

_{When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.}“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.

_{On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.}
“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.

_{With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.}Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”}
“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”}With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”

_{With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.}Beyond those doors was a pitch-black darkness, one that buried the sight of the distant buildings and guard towers within. It was still nothing compared to the locked warehouse, but it put the three more on guard than when they were inside. Holding their breaths, they crept past the warehouse, towards the area where the camera’s view could reach. Looking even more solemn, Qin Mo turned to look at Jiang Shao. After receiving the confirmation, they continued to move forward.

_{Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.}
Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…

Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{{What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?}}“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.

What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

_{“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.}In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.

_{Snip…}Please don’t see…

Snip…

_{With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.}
What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

_{{Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!}}“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!

_{Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.}Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

_{“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”}Even you, Qin Mo? Even you have been tаinted with the dеsire for such evil pranks? Can you keep living like this? Luckily, we’re blowing this place tonight, and the heavens are so vast there’s a limit to the emperor’s reach. It'd be better for you two to not meet again after this. Otherwise, all it would take is a few more months in this dreadful place for Qin Mo to be consumed by this darkness.

“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

_{{Please don’t see…}}“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

Please don’t see…

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”}
Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

_{Three pieces…}“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”

Three pieces…

_{{Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.}}“Shen-ge?”

Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

_{There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.}One piece…

There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

_{Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.}
The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.

Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

_{The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me.}Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me...” Jiang Shao muttered as the emptiness made him start recalling “The Grudge”. Unable to stand it anymore, he turned tail and shuffled back to the door. Light, even the smallest sliver of it, would make that room less scary. But before he could get here, his foot struck something, sending him tumbling with a yelp. “Oh my gaaawd!”

_{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}
Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{Qin Mo dragged Jiang Shao and dragged him behind some shrubs, putting an end to the boy’s chance. The shrubbery was the only belt of greenery on the school grounds, and Shen Zhuoyun hid himself behind another clump.}Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

Qin Mo dragged Jiang Shao and dragged him behind some shrubs, putting an end to the boy’s chance. The shrubbery was the only belt of greenery on the school grounds, and Shen Zhuoyun hid himself behind another clump. But as it was winter, the bushes had no leaves. There was no way shrubs in that state could hide the bodies of three large boys. The second that person came closer, their presence would be exposed!

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}One piece…

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{{Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.}}Three pieces…

Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

_{“What potential.”}
Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

“What potential.”

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.}When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.

Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

_{Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.}“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

_{There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.}Three pieces…

There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

_{Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.}
A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

_{“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-{ge}?”}Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}We’re just one step away.

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”}
That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{We’re almost out…}
‘Proven in time’, my foot!

We’re almost out…

_{“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.}Qin Mo dragged Jiang Shao and dragged him behind some shrubs, putting an end to the boy’s chance. The shrubbery was the only belt of greenery on the school grounds, and Shen Zhuoyun hid himself behind another clump. But as it was winter, the bushes had no leaves. There was no way shrubs in that state could hide the bodies of three large boys. The second that person came closer, their presence would be exposed!

“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

_{“Oh, him? He’s sitting right beside you,” Qin Mo replied in a breathy whisper. His tone, mirroring that heard in horror films, made Jiang Shao’s nerves again stir. Despite knowing he couldn’t make out his fingers, his head still whipped from left to right as though they had a shot of catching a trace of Shen Zhuoyun.}Everything is over.

“Oh, him? He’s sitting right beside you,” Qin Mo replied in a breathy whisper. His tone, mirroring that heard in horror films, made Jiang Shao’s nerves again stir. Despite knowing he couldn’t make out his fingers, his head still whipped from left to right as though they had a shot of catching a trace of Shen Zhuoyun.

_{{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}}Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{Jiang Shao wanted to curse.}
Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

Jiang Shao wanted to curse.

“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!}
If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

Young master Qin… You truly are incredible! Even Shen Zhuoyun—a guy that commands the same reverence as a god—can be wrung dry by you… You are the true master!

_{Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.}Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…

Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

_{Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.}
So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

_{{‘Proven in time’, my foot!}}Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-ge? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.

‘Proven in time’, my foot!

_{“What potential.”}Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.

“What potential.”

_{Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.}“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

_{One more step was left.}
“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”

One more step was left.

_{{Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—}}‘Proven in time’, my foot!

Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—

_{Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.}Even you, Qin Mo? Even you have been tаinted with the dеsire for such evil pranks? Can you keep living like this? Luckily, we’re blowing this place tonight, and the heavens are so vast there’s a limit to the emperor’s reach. It'd be better for you two to not meet again after this. Otherwise, all it would take is a few more months in this dreadful place for Qin Mo to be consumed by this darkness.

Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}But such relief was short-lived.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{We’re just one step away.}
Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

We’re just one step away.

_{Jiang Shao wanted to curse.}Two pieces…

Jiang Shao wanted to curse.

_{{We’re just one step away.}}Jiang Shao wanted to curse.

We’re just one step away.

_{Awakened, Qin Mo sat still as his senses returned, then asked, “Are you guys ready?”}It’s over.

Awakened, Qin Mo sat still as his senses returned, then asked, “Are you guys ready?”

_{Three pieces…}The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”

Three pieces…

_{Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.}Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-ge? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.

_{In my crоtch!}
“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

In my crоtch!

_{Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.}Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

_{“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”}Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…

“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

_{When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.}Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.

_{“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”}
With a prudent expression, Qin Mo got up and put on his jacket, his voice low: “Let’s begin.” With that, the three of them pushed open the warehouse door Jiang Shao had picked with the wire, the old thing causing a harsh creak to echo through the still night. The sound was so unpleasant that it had given Jiang Shao a start.

“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

_{{In my crоtch!}}Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

In my crоtch!

_{{Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.}}Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.

Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

_{Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…}
Beyond those doors was a pitch-black darkness, one that buried the sight of the distant buildings and guard towers within. It was still nothing compared to the locked warehouse, but it put the three more on guard than when they were inside. Holding their breaths, they crept past the warehouse, towards the area where the camera’s view could reach. Looking even more solemn, Qin Mo turned to look at Jiang Shao. After receiving the confirmation, they continued to move forward.

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”}“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

_{What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?}
When they arrived at the northern wall, they stopped in front of the barbed wire fence.

What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

_{“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.}If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{{Shen-{ge} sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?! }}The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me...” Jiang Shao muttered as the emptiness made him start recalling “The Grudge”. Unable to stand it anymore, he turned tail and shuffled back to the door. Light, even the smallest sliver of it, would make that room less scary. But before he could get here, his foot struck something, sending him tumbling with a yelp. “Oh my gaaawd!”

Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

_{“What potential.”}Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

“What potential.”

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}
Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{{In my crоtch!}}Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

In my crоtch!

_{“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.}“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”

“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

_{{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}}Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{{Shen-{ge} sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?! }}Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—

Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

_{Three pieces…}
We’re almost out…

Three pieces…

_{Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.}What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}
Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{{What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?}}Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

_{{Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been!} After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-{ge}?”}A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{“Young Master Qin?”}The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.

“Young Master Qin?”

_{Please don’t see…}
With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

Please don’t see…

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”}“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-ge?”

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}
Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”}“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

_{{Please don’t see…}}Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

Please don’t see…

_{Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.}Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

_{Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.}
Snip!

Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.

_{The bits of metal snapped one after the other, resounding in Jiang Shao’s ears like a death knell. Because of the rush, he nicked his finger but didn’t even notice the pain. Every second made his nerves feel like they were wrung! He had to be faster—go faster—it was the only thought in his mind.}“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

_{On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.}Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.

The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}One more step was left.

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{Snip!}With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

Snip!

_{{Please don’t see…}}One piece…

Please don’t see…

_{Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.}Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{{Please don’t see…}}Please don’t see…

Please don’t see…

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.}
One piece…

Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”}A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

“A—” Before the scream could leave his lips, he stuffed his left hand into his mouth and bit down hаrd, afraid he would make a sound. Like this, he stayed, as the gaping wound that pushed his flesh to the outside steadily gushed out.

_{Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.}Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{Even you, Qin Mo? Even you have been tаinted with the dеsire for such evil pranks? Can you keep living like this? Luckily, we’re blowing this place tonight, and the heavens are so vast there’s a limit to the emperor’s reach. It'd be better for you two to not meet again after this.}
Two pieces…

Even you, Qin Mo? Even you have been tаinted with the dеsire for such evil pranks? Can you keep living like this? Luckily, we’re blowing this place tonight, and the heavens are so vast there’s a limit to the emperor’s reach. It'd be better for you two to not meet again after this. Otherwise, all it would take is a few more months in this dreadful place for Qin Mo to be consumed by this darkness.

_N/ASharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

N/A

_{On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.}Two pieces…

On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.

_{Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…}Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.

_{Snip!}Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

Snip!

_{But such relief was short-lived.}Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

But such relief was short-lived.

_{Jiang Shao wanted to curse.}Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

Jiang Shao wanted to curse.

_{Two pieces…}
The bits of metal snapped one after the other, resounding in Jiang Shao’s ears like a death knell. Because of the rush, he nicked his finger but didn’t even notice the pain. Every second made his nerves feel like they were wrung! He had to be faster—go faster—it was the only thought in his mind.

Two pieces…

_{The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me.}“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

_{{Everything is over.}}“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

Everything is over.

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}Please don’t see…

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.}
Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.

_{But such relief was short-lived.}“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

But such relief was short-lived.

_{{In my crоtch!}}‘Proven in time’, my foot!

In my crоtch!

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{“A—” Before the scream could leave his lips, he stuffed his left hand into his mouth and bit down hаrd, afraid he would make a sound. Like this, he stayed, as the gaping wound that pushed his flesh to the outside steadily gushed out.}
“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

_{Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.}Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

_{“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.}In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.

“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

_{{Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been!} After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-{ge}?”}“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.}A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

_{Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.}‘Proven in time’, my foot!

Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

_{{What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?}}Snip!

What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

_Snip!
“Faster…” Jiang Shao’s hands began trembling as he pressed down upon another wire, but the second it snapped, the pliers hit the ground with a barely noticeable thump. Yet it was enough. That was all it took for Jiang Shao to crumble.

Snip!

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_Snip!
“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.

Snip!

_{The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.}A few hours before Jiang Shao arrived, he and Shen Zhuoyun were engaged in an in-depth ‘discussion’—one no easier than their training—in which he had naturally also failed to keep pace.

The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.

_{The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.}Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}Everything is over.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{But such relief was short-lived.}
“A—” Before the scream could leave his lips, he stuffed his left hand into his mouth and bit down hаrd, afraid he would make a sound. Like this, he stayed, as the gaping wound that pushed his flesh to the outside steadily gushed out.

But such relief was short-lived.

_{“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.}Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

_{Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—}
Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—

_{But such relief was short-lived.}Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

But such relief was short-lived.

_{{It’s over.}}Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

It’s over.

_{“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”}
Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

“Young master Qin!” he shouted, but Shen Zhuoyun was the one to respond. “Not yet. Let him sleep for a bit longer.”

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{Jiang Shao wanted to curse.}Please don’t see…

Jiang Shao wanted to curse.

_{Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.}Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

_{Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!}
“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

Shen-ge sounds less energetic than usual, too… Oh my gosh! Did our little master completely ‘drain’ him?!

_{{Everything is over.}}“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

Everything is over.

_{{It’s over.}}That guy was very adept at the art of “dragging” things out. So no matter what questions Qin Mo proposed or contradictions he pointed out, that guy always countered with, "Everything will be proven with time.”

It’s over.

_{“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”}Please don’t see…

“Watch your mouth, boy,” the man spat. “Do I look like Yang Fanghong to you?”

_{“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.}
In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.

“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

_{With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.}With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

_N/A
Just take your time.

N/A

_{{Please don’t see…}}“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.

Please don’t see…

_{Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.}Sharing a glance with one another, Shen Zhuoyun and Jiang Shao pulled out the old pliers and began snipping the interlocked wires. Neither thіck nor thin was a description of those wires. What’s more, upon closer examination, the links in the fence wound around each other like braided dough, so for every cut wire, strength is then required to pull apart the rings.

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}“Calm down. Just take your time.” Qin Mo took a deep breath, his own restless pupils gradually settling. “It’s okay. No one is coming.”

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”}But such relief was short-lived.

“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

_{Just take your time.}
Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

Just take your time.

_{There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.}We’re almost out…

There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.}Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

_{“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.}
The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”

“Squeak.” Shen Zhuoyun replied weakly.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}We’re almost out…

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”}
All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

The two had gotten through half of the circle, but Qin Mo suddenly called out in a whisper, “Someone’s coming!”

_{Three pieces…}What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

Three pieces…

_{All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.}“Young Master Qin?”

All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_Snip…
“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

Snip…

_{“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.}Jiang Shao had no problem with the request and turned his focus to feeling around for the pliers they stashed beforehand with Shen Zhuoyun. After finding them, he checked to make sure the knife he kept hidden on himself and the wire had not fallen off after all the thrashing around from earlier. Once those were done, he sat still until eleven, when Shen Zhuoyun finally moved to wake Qin Mo up.

_{The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.}Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}
Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}There was no response; the warehouse remained dead silent.

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{Chapter 44: Escape – Part One}Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

Chapter 44: Escape – Part One

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{Awakened, Qin Mo sat still as his senses returned, then asked, “Are you guys ready?”}Please don’t see…

Awakened, Qin Mo sat still as his senses returned, then asked, “Are you guys ready?”

_{“What potential.”}“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

“What potential.”

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}
Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.}“What potential.”

Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

_{Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-{ge}? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.}If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{Chapter 44: Escape – Part One}Qin Mo twisted his head back to Jiang Shao, seeing his panicked expression, but surprisingly calmed down.

Chapter 44: Escape – Part One

_{One piece…}Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

One piece…

_{One piece…}
In my crоtch!

One piece…

_{“Shen-{ge}?”}‘Proven in time’, my foot!

“Shen-ge?”

_{“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”}In moments like these, the boy's voice with its slight rasp was especially persuasive in times of helplessness. Jiang Shao slowly rose to his feet, then shut his eyes. He ignored the pain that made his muscles twitch. He ignored the feel of the blood leaking and sticking to his cheek. Gradually, the tremor in his right hand subsided.

“Shen Zhuoyun?” Qin Mo called out. “How about giving us a squeak?”

_{It’s over.}
Instead of waiting to be found, it’d be better to use our fury to try again! There might just be enough time to—

It’s over.

_{Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.}
Qin Mo dragged Jiang Shao and dragged him behind some shrubs, putting an end to the boy’s chance. The shrubbery was the only belt of greenery on the school grounds, and Shen Zhuoyun hid himself behind another clump. But as it was winter, the bushes had no leaves. There was no way shrubs in that state could hide the bodies of three large boys. The second that person came closer, their presence would be exposed!

Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

_{One piece…}Snip!

One piece…

_{The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me.}
On top of that, the white circle of chalk Qin Mo drew on the fence was still there, practically beaming against the mesh of wire with the night as a backdrop.

_{{We’re just one step away.}}Please don’t see…

We’re just one step away.

_{{Everything is over.}}It’s over.

Everything is over.

_{“Faster…” Jiang Shao’s hands began trembling as he pressed down upon another wire, but the second it snapped, the pliers hit the ground with a barely noticeable thump. Yet it was enough. That was all it took for Jiang Shao to crumble.}So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{{It’s over.}}“Do you have some kind of grudge against our instructor, sir?” Jiang Shao gritted out as the wrenched collar dug into his neck. “If you do, can you go take it out on him? Why are you messing with me?!”

It’s over.

_{“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”}
Please don’t see…

“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

_{Two pieces…}Qin Mo cursed that guy in his heart but soon ran out of steam to do even that, quickly falling asleep. But only he took to slumber; Jiang Shao didn’t dare close his eyes.

Two pieces…

_{Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.}“Young master Qin, please don’t scare me like that. You may not know it, but I am tenderhearted.” With a saddened expression, Jiang Shao sat in a spot nearby before asking, “By the way, where’s Shen-ge?”

_{{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}}With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{Jiang Shao could make out the sound clearly and was aware that the owner was not far from him, so he did his best to hold back his laughter. What’s more, he could sense something was between those two, a bit different than usual…}All three froze. But after a second, Jiang Shao shot the pliers in his hand towards the wire; however, Qin Mo stopped him halfway.

_{‘Proven in time’, my foot!}
Please don’t see…

‘Proven in time’, my foot!

_{One more step was left.}“Shen-ge?”

One more step was left.

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}Having no idea the newly arrived boy’s imagination had broken through the confines of the Milky Way itself, Qin Mo yawned, his voice carrying traces of fatigue. “Let’s get some rest for now.” His voice weakened as he continued, “We’ll be on the move once it's night.”

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.}“What potential.”

“Yeah,” the other two replied in unison.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.}The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.

Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

_{{In my crоtch!}}We’re almost out…

In my crоtch!

_{{Please don’t see…}}“Because I just feel like it!” Having his weakness exposed, the instructor lashed out in embarrassment. “Let’s see if your precious Yang Fanghong can get you out!” After saying that, he tossed the boy inside and shut the door with a slam.

Please don’t see…

_{Please don’t see…}
The one in question was a guard, humming and swaying as he stumbled by the wall. After a while, the man stopped in front of a flowerbed and unzipped his trousers, taking care of a certain bodily function.

Please don’t see…

_{Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.}Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

Qin Mo chuckled, adding to the common phrase, and withdrawing the leg that did the deed. As for the victim, his face was drained of colour, and he was on the verge of crying.

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}Jiang Shao shouted some more. He could’ve sworn his last calls had an echo. Yet there was no response from the two who were supposed to be there, only silence. A silence that seemed to devour all there was.

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

_{Qin Mo could feel his heart slamming against his chеst. The thumping was so loud it sounded like his ears were ringing. Turning his head to look at the two behind him, he could tell he wasn’t the only one with nerves.}
Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

_{Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.}Now is not the time to panic. He can’t lose his nerve right now.

Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

_{But such relief was short-lived.}Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

But such relief was short-lived.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}Reaching into his pocket, Qin Mo pulled out a piece of chalk and began drawing a circle on the wire, one big enough for a single person to crawl through. As the chalk glided over the fencing, his hand trembled.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{“Shen-ge?”}
But such relief was short-lived.

“Shen-ge?”

_{“It slipped… My hand… It slipped… It slipped…” Jiang Shao bent over in a panic to pick them up, but forgot about the sharp claws of the wire still hanging loose. In less than a second, the jagged edges sank into his cheek, leaving a deep gash on his face.}“How are you guys doing?” Even Qin Mo couldn’t stop himself from asking, urging. He knew he shouldn’t rush them. He knew more hurrying meant more of a chance for things to go awry, but he unexpectedly found himself a bit panicked.

_{“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”}“A—” Before the scream could leave his lips, he stuffed his left hand into his mouth and bit down hаrd, afraid he would make a sound. Like this, he stayed, as the gaping wound that pushed his flesh to the outside steadily gushed out.

“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

_{Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.}What exactly were these guys up to before I showed up? Did a little ‘something something’ take place…?

Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

_{So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.}The thing about fear is that the bulk of it is drummed up by the person themself. Jiang Shao was no coward, but even he would be frazzled being in a pitch-black room—the poor boy’s heart was weak! “Please don’t scare me...” Jiang Shao muttered as the emptiness made him start recalling “The Grudge”. Unable to stand it anymore, he turned tail and shuffled back to the door. Light, even the smallest sliver of it, would make that room less scary. But before he could get here, his foot struck something, sending him tumbling with a yelp. “Oh my gaaawd!”

So he simply sat there with eyes gaping wide, staring at the nothingness until the person delivering their dinner came and left.

_{Qin Mo dragged Jiang Shao and dragged him behind some shrubs, putting an end to the boy’s chance. The shrubbery was the only belt of greenery on the school grounds, and Shen Zhuoyun hid himself behind another clump.}
Not long after the man rezipped his trousers, his gaze straightened, catching sight of a white circle on the fence. The confusion on his face was clear, as if he were unsure why such a random thing would appear. Stepping forward reflexively, he finally noticed the wires had been cut. With this, the confusion from earlier, in an instant, was now gone.

_{{Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!}}Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

Where the fυck am I supposed to find a place out here in the open?!

_{“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”}Jiang Shao started snipping the wires again, his speed faster than it was a moment ago, while overrun with panic.

“Come on, sir! You can’t do this!” Jiang Shao yelled as the door shut in his face. “You’re being unfair!”

_{“Young Master Qin?”}
Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

“Young Master Qin?”

_{Gulping hаrd, scenes from horror films began flashing through his mind like a reel. “S-shen-{ge}? Y-young master Qin?” Groping the air as he tottered forward, he called out once more, his voice trembling, yet not a whisper sounded in return.}Of course, not a soul paid attention to his bellow, yet Jiang Shao was revelling in his heart.

_{The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.}“It’s too late for that,” Qin Mo whispered. “Just hide.”

The result of racking his mind was such a salаcious conclusion. In his heart, he gave Qin Mo a thumbs up.

_{Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.}Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.

Jiang Shao’s heart deflated. He watched as that guard saw their tracks, following it until his gaze landed on his body, then locked onto the desperate one that was his own.

Check me out… I am an acting god! One of the best there’s ever been! After getting drunk on his own praises for a few minutes, Jiang Shao yelled into the darkness: “You there, Shen-ge?”

_{“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.}Please don’t see…

“I didn’t start it, I swear! Bighead Yuan was the one who started it, sir!” Jiang Shao pleaded as an instructor dragged him by the collar, their destination the warehouse.

_{With a nod of the head, he indicated it was their time to begin. Stepping backwards to clear the way, he found a corner in the wall to stay in. It was the perfect spot, allowing him to see everything around the bend and having some cover while he served as the lookout.}Hearing the sound of flowing water, Jiang Shao was immensely thankful the guard was still a good distance away.

_{Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.}“Young Master Qin?”

Jiang Shao could only pray that the person was only passing by. He could only plead that they didn’t notice the fence.

_{One piece…}Shen Zhuoyun moved much faster than Jiang Shao did; his snaps and snips tinkled like rain, making the other boy feel useless—making him tremble at the thought of a wayward instructor hearing the noise and coming their way.

One piece…

_{{If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!}}N/A

If we all oversleep and miss our chance, it’s not hаrd to guess who’ll get the blame!

_{Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.}We’re almost out…

Their lives were on the line at the moment, but there was not enough time to cut their way through.

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

The Grudge/Ju-on is a Japanese horror film, a classic at this point. There was also an English adaptation called The Grudge. Watch the original if you haven’t… Or don’t if you’re squeamish.

Updated on a Saturday. Raws: jjwxc

Bad Boys Boot Camp: V1-C44

Chapter 44: Escape – Part One

Author's Note:

Notes:

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