My Mosquito Clones Are on a Killing Spree

Chapter 59: Chapter 51: Threat

Once Lin Yi had entered the training hall’s washroom.

Zhang Quan took a deep breath, as if to suppress the surging emotions in his chest. He turned to the principal, Chen Zhenguo, beside him, his eyes shining with unconcealable amazement:

”Principal, this kid... he’s a true genius!”

Chen Zhenguo pursed his lips and said matter-of-factly:

”No kidding! Lin Yi is the only student in our school to break through and become a Martial Artist. Do you really need to point out that he’s a genius?”

His tone held a trace of pride.

”No, Principal, I’m talking about his skill with the spear!”

Zhang Quan’s voice rose a few notches, filled with incredulous excitement:

”Do you know? In just one day! A single day! He’s actually mastered the ’Lunge-and-Hold-Spear Stance’ to his very bones! That perfectly natural posture, that feeling of becoming one with the spear... I’ve taught spear techniques for so many years, and I’ve never seen such terrifying aptitude!”

”The way I see it, his talent for the way of the spear might be even more heaven-defying than his talent for Cultivation! At this rate, it’s possible... he could actually cultivate a ’First Grade Spear Realm’ before he graduates high school!”

”What?!”

The composure on Chen Zhenguo’s face instantly froze, replaced by utter shock:

”Are you saying Lin Yi can develop a Spear Realm before the college entrance exams? Is his talent really that great? He’s only eighteen this year, isn’t he?!”

”Zhang Quan, you can’t just say things like that! If I remember correctly, you come from a family of spear masters. You first held a spear at five, and your spear skills reached the Control Level by twelve. You were called a genius among geniuses. But even you only managed to painstakingly condense a First Grade Spear Realm after becoming a Third-Grade Martial Artist at the age of thirty, right?”

A bitter smile appeared on Zhang Quan’s face:

”Principal, in the path of skill, time alone doesn’t guarantee results. Talent is the key that determines one’s upper limit! And Lin Yi... he is, without a doubt, the most terrifyingly talented person I have ever seen when it comes to the way of the spear! That Spiritual Energy he has... it’s as if he were born to wield a spear!”

Seeing Zhang Quan’s earnest expression, Chen Zhenguo suddenly smiled, a hint of teasing in his eyes:

”Those are all words of high praise. Why not say them to the kid’s face? Let him feel good about himself, give him some more motivation?”

Zhang Quan flushed and rubbed his hands together awkwardly. ”Ahem... It’s just... I’m afraid he’ll get conceited from his early success! Geniuses need to be pushed, don’t they?”

”Oh, come on!” Chen Zhenguo exposed him mercilessly. ”I think you’re just afraid of being outshone by a student and losing face, aren’t you? A dignified Third-Grade Martial Artist, a spear instructor, getting his years of hard work matched in a single day by a kid who just started... It must not feel good, huh?”

”Principal!” Zhang Quan shot back, his face flushing red as if someone had stepped on his tail. ”I admit I’m not as talented as Lin Yi, but I’m still one of only two teachers in this school who has mastered a ’Realm’! You’re a highly respected elder, sir, over sixty years old, and if I’m not mistaken... you haven’t managed to cultivate a single Realm, have you?”

The latter half of his sentence carried a small hint of revenge.

’Sure, I can’t beat Lin Yi, but I can beat you!’

Chen Zhenguo choked, losing a bit of face himself. He snorted irritably:

”Hmph! That whole ’Realm’ business isn’t something normal people can cultivate anyway! It’s all mystical nonsense!”

He then glared, putting on his principal’s authoritative air:

”So what if you’ve cultivated a Realm? A First Grade Realm only boosts your combat power by 20%! So what if you have a First Grade Spear Realm? I’m a Fourth Grade! You’re a Third Grade! I’ll crush you with my Grade difference alone, kill you with one punch! Believe it or not?”

Zhang Quan knew the old principal’s temper well and understood he wouldn’t gain anything by arguing further, so he quickly raised his hands in surrender:

”I believe you, I believe you! Principal, you’ve got the stronger fist, so you call the shots! But... you didn’t make a special trip here today just to watch this kid, Lin Yi, put me down, did you?”

He keenly sensed a trace of worry deep in Chen Zhenguo’s eyes.

Sure enough, the relaxed look on Chen Zhenguo’s face vanished instantly. His expression darkened, and he lowered his voice:

”Something’s happened! The Public Security Bureau... they messed up! This morning, they set up an operation to capture Yan Hao, but... there was a screw-up, and Yan Hao escaped!”

”Yan Hao?!”

Zhang Quan’s pupils contracted sharply.

As one of the five people who had stayed behind to guard the school during the Red Moon disaster, he of course knew who Yan Hao was and, even more so, his connection to Lin Yi.

”You’re worried about... Lin Yi’s safety?”

Chen Zhenguo nodded gravely:

”Although I communicated with the Public Security Bureau right away and had them seal the details of Yan Shan’s death, there were too many witnesses when Lin Yi killed Yan Shan. There’s no guarantee the information won’t leak.”

”I’m also to blame for this. After the Red Moon disaster ended, I was swamped and forgot to issue a gag order to the students. It’s possible some of them went home and told their parents, and if those parents used it as gossip over drinks and told others... there’s no way to contain the news. So we have to prepare for the worst!”

”Once Yan Hao finds out it was Lin Yi who killed Yan Shan... with that guy’s vindictive nature, he will absolutely stop at nothing to get revenge on Lin Yi!”

Zhang Quan’s heart leaped into his throat.

No matter how much of a genius Lin Yi was, he was still just a newly broken-through First-Grade Martial Artist with shallow Qi and Blood and a severe lack of actual combat Experience.

If he were really targeted for a sneak attack by a Second-Grade Martial Artist who was full of killing intent and specialized in speed... the consequences would be unimaginable!

”I’ve already negotiated with the Public Security Bureau,” Chen Zhenguo said in a low voice. ”They’ve agreed to issue a C-class Energy Gun and lend it to Lin Yi for self-defense for the time being. That thing is pretty powerful. In a long-range ambush, even a Third-Grade Martial Artist could fall if they’re careless.”

But Zhang Quan’s brow was tightly furrowed as he shook his head:

”The Energy Gun is powerful, but its drawbacks are also obvious. Yan Hao’s Refinement focused on his lower limb bones; speed is his forte! Once he closes the distance, with Lin Yi’s current nerve-response speed, he probably wouldn’t even have a chance to raise the gun before being killed instantly! Up close, an Energy Gun is just a useless piece of metal!”

Chen Zhenguo looked at Zhang Quan with a burning gaze. ”That’s why Lin Yi needs a personal bodyguard!”

Zhang Quan froze, pointing at his own nose. ”You... you mean me...?”

”That’s right!” Chen Zhenguo said decisively. ”It’s settled! Starting today, have Lin Yi move into your place! Put your teaching duties on hold for now; let the other teachers cover for you. Your mission is to protect Lin Yi twenty-four hours a day, up close and personal! Plus, you can guide him in his spear techniques nearby. It’s a win-win.”

Zhang Quan was completely dumbfounded and retorted instinctively:

”Huh? But... Principal, why not have him stay at your place? Your home is bigger and safer!”

A ’you-know-what-I-mean’ expression appeared on Chen Zhenguo’s face. He sighed, his tone carrying a hint of roguish helplessness for an old man:

”Sigh, you know my son was sacrificed a few years ago... And while these old bones of mine are over sixty, for a Martial Artist, this is still the prime of my life! So... I’ve been working hard with my wife, trying to have another child to carry on the family line, you know? It’s... not very convenient at home. You, on the other hand...”

”I heard you and Xiaozhao got divorced? You’re a single man with nothing to do at night. It’s perfect. Let Lin Yi go over and keep you company, save you from being all lonely.”

Zhang Quan: ”...”

Fine.

This reason... was so upright and even tinged with personal concern that he had no way to refute it!

’The old principal is busy trying to produce the next generation for the country; it really wouldn’t be right for Lin Yi to get in the way.’

Just then, Lin Yi walked out of the locker room, carrying a flat, rectangular weapon case on his back that was half his height.

Inside the case was his Owl Dragon Long Spear, disassembled into three sections.

Chen Zhenguo immediately composed his expression and told Lin Yi everything about Yan Hao’s escape and the potential threat.

He concluded solemnly:

”Lin Yi, that’s the situation. For your safety, starting today, you’ll move into Teacher Zhang’s house. He will be responsible for protecting you.”

After listening, Lin Yi didn’t show much panic on his face. He just nodded calmly:

”Okay, I’ll follow the principal’s arrangements.”

To him, it didn’t matter where he lived.

’Saving on rent is an unexpected bonus.’

He was more concerned with practical matters and asked directly, ”Principal, this Yan Hao, what’s his specific strength?”

”Yan Hao is a Martial Artist who has just entered the Second Grade,” Chen Zhenguo said grimly. ”His Qi and Blood value is around 350 cal. When he was First Grade, his Refinement focused on his lower limb bones. His extreme speed is his trump card. You must be extremely careful.”

’Qi and Blood of 350 cal...’

Lin Yi recited this silently in his mind, but a barely perceptible glint of sharpness and... relief? flashed deep in his eyes.

’That’s not so much!’

He calculated to himself.

He had now completed the Refinement of 9 torso bones, and his Qi and Blood was already 123 cal.

Following this trend, as long as he completed the Refinement of 29 torso bones, his Qi and Blood value would surely surpass 350 cal.

And there were 51 torso bones in total.

Completing the Refinement of 29 torso bones would only put him at the First Grade Middle Stage!

’A First Grade Middle Stage crushing an early Second Grade?’

’Sounds... pretty awesome!’

Of course, he could despise the enemy strategically, but he had to take him seriously tactically.

Lin Yi knew very well that the gap between Grades wasn’t just about Qi and Blood, but also about combat Experience and Martial Skills.

He would not let his guard down.

’Looks like besides having the Mosquito Avatar continue to sweep through illegal underground factories for resources, I’ll have to add another task: search for Yan Hao’s whereabouts on the side!’

Lin Yi quickly formulated a plan in his mind.

「The school bell rang melodiously, signaling the end of the day.」

”Let’s go. We’ll get you settled at my place first.” Zhang Quan patted Lin Yi’s shoulder, his tone returning to the calm composure of a teacher. ”I’ll go get the car. Wait here for me.”

He turned and left, heading for the parking lot.

Lin Yi nodded, casually slinging the heavy weapon case onto his back. The metal edge of the case cut a hard, cold line through the twilight.