Chapter 183

Chapter 183 Due to her coercion and partly his own selfishness, Leeds had to divert half his time to researching a cure for the terminal illness, using epidemic patients for drug trials. Some deaths were due to these terminal illness experiments, not the epidemic ones. By then, Leeds’ conscience was already heavily burdened, but Leeds’ mom kept pressuring him. In her words, those experimental patients had only days left and had volunteered for medical progress, so it didn’t matter whether they were used for epidemic or terminal illness research. After tirelessly developing a cure for the epidemic, Leeds’ mom mistook it for the terminal illness cure and gave it to her husband. The result? Her husband died, and the epidemic cure was gone. Made overnight, its data wasn’t recorded, and remaking it would take days—days the epidemic couldn’t afford, as each delay meant more deaths. It didn’t end there. The next day, their homeroom teacher, now the white-bearded principal, discovered Leeds was conducting dual experiments on patients. He didn’t publicize it but barred Leeds from continuing any experiments, including epidemic ones, disappointed in his prized student. Under the triple strain of guilt, teacher’s disapproval, and his father’s death, Leeds resolutely chose to end the epidemic with his life. With both husband and son gone, Leeds’ mom finally regretted it. She sold their old house, sending the proceeds, her school compensation, and money from Cyril to the families of students who died in Leeds’ experiments, then moved here. Before moving, Cyril visited once to help sort Leeds’ belongings. A month later, he suddenly asked if Leeds had developed the epidemic cure. Leeds’ mom affirmed he had. She didn’t admit she’d used the cure, likely knowing Cyril would assume the principal’s ban prevented its release. For her reputation, she stayed silent. Leeds’ death was orchestrated by Leeds’ mom, and while Leeds was at fault, as Jiang Tianming said, his final act of sacrificing his life to end the epidemic, though not absolving his wrongs, ensured his achievement wouldn’t be erased. "Will this video make Cyril retreat, or will he keep attacking ‘Alpha Ability Academy’?" Jiang Tianming asked Su Bei, closing the video. The video proved Cyril’s revenge was misplaced. If he were acting alone, Jiang Tianming wouldn’t doubt his reaction. But Cyril was now with "Black Flash," and this undercover mission, though driven by personal motives, was also an assigned task. Would he abandon it upon learning he didn’t need revenge? "Fifty-fifty," Su Bei said, uncertain. From Cyril’s earlier behavior, he likely had deep ties with the principal. His love-hate stemmed from believing the principal caused his friend’s death. Learning the truth might not stop the mission, but the white-bearded principal’s safety was assured. And if the principal was safe, "Alpha Ability Academy" was likely secure. On the way back, Jiang Tianming was subdued. Despite witnessing many tragedies growing up, his calm exterior hid a soft heart. Leeds’ story could’ve had a relatively happy ending, but Leeds’ mom’s interference caused more deaths without changing anything. Inevitable tragedies were sad, but avoidable ones, like this, sparked anger. It was 2 p.m., the subway nearly empty, their car completely so. Knowing his words wouldn’t be overheard, Jiang Tianming sighed, wanting to discuss what they’d learned with Su Bei. But turning, he saw Su Bei fiddling with round sunglasses from who-knows-where. His intended words caught, and he twitched his mouth: "What are you doing?" "Playing with sunglasses?" Su Bei calmly put them on, pairing them with his golden braid and mysterious aura. If not for his modern, youthful clothes, he’d look like a fortune-teller. He was masking his Ability. After breaking the "Black Flash" leader’s suppression, allowing fate to toy with him, they’d surely scrutinize his Ability more. Using his Ability required looking at others’ "Destiny Compasses." Though practice made it subtler, sharp-eyed observers could still notice. While being found out might not harm him, Su Bei preferred to stay hidden—his mysterious persona needed to be consistent, just in case it proved useful someday. Sunglasses hid this well and added flair. Su Bei was pleased. Jiang Tianming didn’t want to talk. Su Bei’s look snapped him out of it. With Su Bei’s mischievous nature, sharing his feelings would likely lead to mockery, not comfort. But his restraint came too late—Su Bei’s gaze landed on him. Noticing Jiang Tianming’s lingering disappointment, Su Bei, who knew him well, quickly guessed the cause. Raising an eyebrow, he smirked wickedly, sliding the sunglasses down to reveal playful purple eyes: "Is our Jiang Jiang feeling sorry for Leeds?" Jiang Tianming was speechless but answered: "Not exactly. I know Leeds wasn’t innocent. But in the end, his father died, he died, and after this comes out, he’ll face infamy. All of this could’ve been avoided. And the one who caused it all..." Leeds wasn’t innocent. No matter how his mom pressured him, he made the choices. He could’ve deceived her but conducted the experiments, showing his intent. Even if the patients were near death, it didn’t erase his fault. But the least innocent was Leeds’ mom, yet she survived. Though she gave the compensation to victims’ families, it didn’t absolve her. "Aren’t you overthinking?" Su Bei asked, amused. "The older generation’s story should be judged by them. The principal didn’t act against Leeds’ mom or reveal the truth, showing he accepts this outcome. What Cyril and the victims’ families do is their business." Su Bei suspected the principal told the victims’ families the truth, as they deserved to know if he was clear-headed. The uninvolved public was kept in the dark. Cyril was an exception—the principal thought he was uninvolved, unaware he’d misunderstood and planned revenge on "Alpha Ability Academy." As for why the principal didn’t clarify, it was likely to protect Leeds’ reputation and prevent Cyril from mental collapse upon learning his revenge was misguided. But as Cyril said, the principal was too indecisive. His silence endangered "Alpha Ability Academy" students. Though, this was also a form of training, perhaps why he hadn’t spoken. "You’re right," Jiang Tianming nodded after a moment. He shouldn’t obsess. A thousand people have a thousand Hamlets—this matter varied by perspective. Only those involved could judge it. Back at the school, it was much quieter. Infected students wandered aimlessly like zombies, as if no normal ones remained. The giant screen in the sky was gone, leaving the teachers’ battle outcome unknown. But from the campus state, it wasn’t optimistic. Using Invisibility Charms, they hurried to the broadcast room, which was empty. Thankfully, knowing they’d return, clues were left. Lan Subing left a yellow hairpin on the microphone. Seeing it, Jiang Tianming understood: "To the Support Academy’s Combat Track classroom." "Why there?" Su Bei followed, curious. "Because Subing dropped her hairpin there during our sparring match," Jiang Tianming said with a smile. "She left it to remind me." At the destination, the combat classroom’s door was locked, confirming they were right. Jiang Tianming knocked twice, and Elvis’s wary voice came: "Who?" "It’s me, Jiang Tianming. Su Bei and I are back," he replied. Hearing them, the door opened. Inside, Su Bei and Jiang Tianming dropped their invisibility. Besides familiar faces, there were unfamiliar classmates taking shelter. Oddly, everyone looked grim. Elvis and Tiffany sat in a corner, frowning, barely reacting to their arrival. Seeing them materialize, Ai Baozhu, drinking water, nearly choked: "Cough, cough, cough! Su Bei, what’s with that look?" Seeing everyone’s surprise, Su Bei raised an eyebrow, his sunglasses bobbing with his expression. Confident in his style, he spread his arms and spun: "Doesn’t it look good?" Everyone was speechless. Admittedly, it was good-looking. With Su Bei’s face, it was hard to look bad. A black jacket over a white school uniform gave a crisp, youthful vibe. The sunglasses added a roguish charm, fitting his aura surprisingly well. "But I’m really curious when you bought those fortune-teller sunglasses," Ai Baozhu couldn’t help asking, unable to imagine anyone buying such round lenses. "Before ‘Endless Ability Academy,’ that summer," Su Bei said. He’d used them to check Destiny Compasses after first altering his Ability. Time had flown, stirring an odd feeling. Elvis refused to watch Su Bei’s antics, turning to Jiang Tianming: "What did you find?" Facing eager looks, Jiang Tianming nodded: "We got something. It might help. Catch us up first." Hearing it might help, everyone brightened. Ian, the talker, explained: "After you left, we kept fighting, holding a rough balance. But then the screen showed the teachers struggling. They seemed weaker, losing ground. The principal never used his Ability, getting pushed back by Cyril. The last second before the screen cut, Cyril was about to stab him with a sword." His eyes reddened. Unlike the rarely seen Wu Di at "Endless Ability Academy," the "Alpha Ability Academy" principal was beloved, so his potential fate hit hard. Now Su Bei and Jiang Tianming understood Elvis and Tiffany’s grim faces—they were close to the principal, some even here because of him. His peril unsettled them. Ian took a deep breath: "The teachers’ plight shook everyone, morale plummeted. We were barely holding balance; it broke, we lost the broadcast room, and escaped here." "Have you contacted Teacher Meng?" Jiang Tianming asked. If Meng Huai messaged from that space before, he might now. "He said to contact him when you return," Lan Subing said, then asked curiously, "What did you bring back? Is there really more to it?" "There is, but we promised not to share," Jiang Tianming replied while messaging Meng Huai. "If Cyril later decides to reveal it, you’ll know." Though Leeds’ mom’s actions were infuriating, Jiang Tianming would keep his promise not to disclose. A message pinged, and Jiang Tianming checked. The video format aided Meng Huai’s plan. He told Jiang Tianming to send it, then went silent. After sending it and closing his phone, Jiang Tianming said seriously: "The item might make Cyril retreat, but it’s not guaranteed. We need to act." "But how?" someone grumbled. "You weren’t here—you don’t know we can’t beat them. Can’t kill, can’t bind—there’s no way!" Another added: "I’m ready. If they find this place, don’t blame me for killing. With the principal down, I can’t hold back or I’m done." Besides fear of accountability, they’d held back believing teachers could fix this. Even if infected, as long as they weren’t killed, they could recover. But with teachers possibly unable to help, they had to rely on themselves. "Why not lure all infected to one place and lock it?" Jiang Tianming suggested. They hadn’t before because many normals remained, and without coordination, friendly fire was likely. Now, nearly all normals were here. Besides them, only second- and third-years remained, who could hold out if the infected were drawn over. The idea seemed feasible. Si Zhaohua’s eyes lit up: "The field!" "Alpha Ability Academy’s" field was surrounded by high fences and an iron gate, locked at night to prevent students sneaking in to fight. Now, it was perfect for trapping infected. Realizing the plan’s potential, everyone gathered. The boy who’d said it was hopeless coughed awkwardly: "Got a plan?" "A bit. Listen and point out flaws," Jiang Tianming said, unbothered by the boy’s earlier complaint, laying out his plan. "First, a team needs to get the field’s keys. Native students might know where?" "In the sports office!" Ian raised his hand. "Every sports teacher’s office has a set. I know where— I can go." The sports office housed teachers for field-related classes, like Ability combat or ranged attack. Jiang Tianming nodded, continuing: "After getting the keys, a team needs to draw the infected’s attention at the field and hold out until most enter." Ai Baozhu hesitated, then stepped up proudly: "Who else but me for this? Fine, I’ll take it!" Her words lightened the heavy mood. Jiang Tianming stifled a laugh, coughing: "Let me finish assigning tasks. Then, a team needs to ‘herd’ the infected into the field. Finally, a team rescues those drawing attention." After outlining the plan, he asked: "Any flaws or additions?" "Missing a Plan B?" Ian asked. The plan was solid, but what if a step failed? Jiang Tianming had considered this, turning to Su Bei: "Can you predict our success?" With a cheat like Su Bei, no need for blind backups. They could adjust if he foresaw failure. Su Bei’s eyes, hidden behind sunglasses, glanced at their "Destiny Compasses." Most were normal, except Ai Baozhu and a few whose small pointers leaned right, with large pointers at a bad spot—"Injured." "Which academy are you from?" Su Bei asked a boy, forming a guess. "Me? Defense Academy," the boy replied, puzzled, then tensed, recalling Su Bei’s Ability. "Am I in trouble? Save me! If it’s risky, I’ll stay here for a slim chance of rescue." "Not you," Su Bei shook his head, but before relief set in, added, "Everyone staying at the field will be in trouble." Everyone was stunned. Jiang Tianming frowned: "Is locking the infected the issue? Can Baozhu’s group not hold them? Or can’t the field contain them?" "That’s for you to figure out," Su Bei said, sprawling on the sofa, clearly unaware of the exact issue. Jiang Tianming pondered. Su Bei only flagged Baozhu’s group, meaning attracting infected and rescuing were fine. So, Baozhu’s group couldn’t hold. He asked: "What if we add more people?" "Try grouping first," Su Bei said. Jiang Tianming nodded, addressing the others: "Let’s assign roles. For the final rescue, Zhaohua, Ian, you two together—okay?" This was because Si Zhaohua could fly people out, and Ian could absorb them into his Ability. Together, they could evacuate everyone at the field. Separately, they’d be less effective. Both understood, nodding: "No problem." Seeing no objections, Jiang Tianming continued: "All Defense Track students stay at the field to hold until most infected enter. Ian, take one person to get the keys, then head to the field to lock it after the infected enter. The rest guide the infected to the field."