In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
The Shrek group had already adapted to life at Order Academy.
Flender handled academy affairs with enthusiasm every day, while Yu Xiaogang immersed himself in spirit theory research, occasionally guiding Tang San's cultivation.
The only oddity was Liu Erlong.
She had been deliberately avoiding Yu Xiaogang.
Whenever Yu Xiaogang went to look for her, she was either not around or left in a hurry. Though confused, Yu Xiaogang ultimately assumed she was busy with academy matters and didn't dwell on it.
This day, inside the headmaster's office.
Yu Xiaogang pushed the door open and was surprised to see Bai Mu seated behind the desk, busy with documents.
"Bai Mu? Why are you here?" Yu Xiaogang asked in mild surprise.
Bai Mu looked up and smiled faintly. "I'm preparing to go on a long journey, so I came to settle some remaining matters."
For some reason, his tone sounded a little strange.
Yu Xiaogang didn't think much of it and glanced around. "Is Erlong not here?"
"She stepped out for a bit," Bai Mu replied calmly. "If you have something urgent, you can tell me."
"No need," Yu Xiaogang shook his head. "I'll look for her later."
He turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he paused slightly.
Strange… it felt like he had heard something unusual earlier.
He shook his head, chalking it up to overthinking, and left.
The footsteps gradually faded away.
Inside the office, Bai Mu let out a quiet breath and looked toward the side room.
"Headmaster Erlong," he said evenly, "you really shouldn't avoid the Grandmaster like this forever."
Liu Erlong emerged, her expression complicated. She clenched her fists, clearly conflicted, but said nothing.
"A dignified headmaster hiding like this—if others saw it, misunderstandings would arise," Bai Mu added lightly. "Face things properly when the time comes."
Liu Erlong lowered her head, her emotions in turmoil. After a long silence, she finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Where are you going?"
Bai Mu smiled. "A place filled with chaos and sin."
He stood up and straightened his clothes. "I'll be away for a while. Take care of the academy."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the office.
—
Downstairs, Bai Mu ran into Yu Xiaogang, who was standing quietly with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance.
"Grandmaster, you're still here?" Bai Mu asked casually.
"Just resting my eyes," Yu Xiaogang replied with a faint smile.
Bai Mu glanced at him and chuckled. "You should exercise more. Health is important."
Yu Xiaogang smiled awkwardly but didn't respond.
"I'm heading off," Bai Mu said lazily, waving his hand as he walked away.
Yu Xiaogang watched his departing figure, a trace of doubt flickering in his eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he returned to the headmaster's office.
It was empty.
Only the window was open, curtains swaying in the breeze.
"…I really am overthinking," Yu Xiaogang muttered with a bitter smile. "How could Erlong possibly have anything to do with him?"
He closed the door and left.
—
Several days later, deep within the academy, inside a newly constructed fireproof secret chamber.
Liu Erlong sat alone, her expression exhausted and complicated. Hatred, resentment, unwillingness, and emotions she refused to name all intertwined in her heart.
When Bai Mu appeared to bid farewell, she asked quietly, "Where exactly are you going?"
Bai Mu fastened his belt and turned back with a faint smile.
"To a place where evil gathers," he said calmly. "Someone has to go there."
Sunlight streamed in from outside, casting a golden outline around him.
"Slaughter City."
Liu Erlong's pupils shrank.
That infamous land of endless killing—where few ever returned alive.
"…Be careful," she said softly.
Bai Mu didn't answer. He simply nodded, turned around, and left.
The door closed slowly.
Liu Erlong stared at the ceiling for a long time, unmoving, her heart filled with indescribable emotion.
—
Bai Mu did not hesitate.
According to information gathered from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Dugu Bo, and other channels, he traveled at full speed and soon arrived at a desolate town on the edge of the wastelands.
He pushed open the door of a small tavern.
Creak.
The harsh sound shattered the silence inside.
The tavern was dimly lit. A dozen or so people sat scattered about, each pair of eyes filled with undisguised malice and violence.
Bai Mu ignored them all and walked straight to the counter.
"I want to enter Slaughter City," he said flatly. "Open the door."
His voice echoed clearly throughout the tavern.
All eyes turned toward him.
The waiter's expression darkened. He pulled out a glass filled with dark red liquid and slammed it onto the counter.
"If you want to enter," the waiter said coldly, "drink this—Bloody Mary."
Bai Mu picked up the glass, examined it briefly, then frowned.
The next moment—
Splash!
He casually smashed the glass onto the waiter's face.
"You don't even dare drink it?" the waiter roared angrily. "And you think you're qualified to enter Slaughter City?!"
Mocking laughter erupted around the tavern.
"Hahaha! Little brat, if you're scared, go home!"
"That's right—Slaughter City isn't somewhere kids belong!"
Insults poured in from every direction, thick with killing intent.
Bai Mu stood quietly at the counter, eyes calm and cold.
The journey to Slaughter City—had officially begun.