Chapter 36: 36, Gray-haired person sending off the black-haired

Ren Xiaosu had asked them to return, and these students dared not disobey.

The students had once gone home to complain to their parents about Ren Xiaosu’s misdeeds, yet the parents’ responses were unanimous: “It’s good for the teacher to teach you more; you should be grateful, not resentful, do you understand? Never complain! Especially don’t complain to your substitute teacher…”

The students were baffled—before, their parents had always sided with them, yet now they had turned entirely to Ren Xiaosu’s side?

Moreover, the parents’ tone seemed odd…

The students sensed something amiss in their parents’ words and pressed further. Li Youqian’s father, Li Facai, spoke with grave solemnity: “Stop asking, my daughter. Study well, and don’t trouble your substitute teacher Ren Xiaosu, do you hear? Your father doesn’t want to send you off with white hair and bring you back with black hair…”

Li Youqian was startled—how had the phrase about a parent’s white hair sending off a child’s black hair even come up?!

Thus, the students now stood unnaturally meek before Ren Xiaosu. The moment he finished speaking, they scrambled back to their seats as if frightened.

The lesson stretched until dusk.

As the sky darkened, the students gazed longingly at Ren Xiaosu, who grew more animated with each passing moment. Finally, Li Youqian could bear it no longer: “Teacher, it’s getting dark—we won’t be safe if we don’t head home soon.”

Previously, when students had said this, Ren Xiaosu would dismiss them. So when Li Youqian finished, all waited eagerly for his response.

Ren Xiaosu smiled gently: “It’s alright. Nothing will happen to you.”

That day, Ren Xiaosu lectured straight through until eight o’clock before dismissing them. By then, the sky had fully darkened. He received no thank-you coins, yet he minded not.

After all, how could gratitude arise without oppression?

“Come, I’ll escort you home,” Ren Xiaosu said, his demeanor growing kinder.

Yet the students exchanged glances—they suddenly realized this substitute teacher, Ren Xiaosu, seemed to wield some unspoken power…

Before, Ren Xiaosu had to release the students before dark, for lingering meant danger.

Now, he deemed wasting time trivial, but the students *must* learn useful knowledge! They *must* grasp the cruelty of this world!

Ordinary folk might fear for a crowd of children, but here, in the settlement, Ren Xiaosu’s physical prowess—twice that of a normal adult—rendered safety concerns moot.

Anyone without a gun was beyond his reckoning.

Ren Xiaosu personally delivered each student to their parents in order of proximity. Some neighbors, seeing Ren Xiaosu labor tirelessly to teach and ensure their safety, praised him as a fine teacher.

The parents, unaware of his motives, assumed his kindness genuine. This single escort home earned Ren Xiaosu six thank-you coins…

Ren Xiaosu mused: *Before, I’d not fully harnessed my initiative. Toiling for medical visits, I’d earned twelve coins. But with a shift in mindset, I’ve reaped fifty!*

The cost? Merely a night without speaking to Yan Liuyuan…

Truth be told, the total class time that day was but five hours. Before Ren Xiaosu’s substitution, the students had never imagined survival class could fill five hours!

The next day, Ren Xiaosu rushed to the school, but Zhang Jinglin, the schoolmaster, could not hold back: “You must not keep them so late again. Learning requires balance and gradual progress—even if you wish to impart all knowledge, it must be done slowly!”

Ren Xiaosu humbly accepted the advice: “Fear not, I shall not delay dismissal today.”

Yan Liuyuan, standing nearby, wore a cold expression. He knew Ren Xiaosu would not delay—yesterday’s marathon session was merely to harvest today’s gratitude!

Yan Liuyuan understood Ren Xiaosu’s nature too well!

As expected, at the stroke of four, Ren Xiaosu smiled warmly: “Would you like to dismiss?”

The classroom fell silent. None knew why he asked. To say yes would imply his teaching was inadequate; to say no, they feared he’d truly honor their wish…

So they said nothing.

Ren Xiaosu smiled: “Learning needs balance. Yesterday, I poured much knowledge into you, so today I’ll not delay—let you digest what you’ve learned, and allow you to relax…”

The students nearly wept with gratitude…

“Dismiss!” Ren Xiaosu declared.

“Stand!”

“Thank you, teacher!”

“A thank-you from Li Youqian, +1!”

“A thank-you from Wang Dalong…”

“A thank-you from…”

As before, save Yan Liuyuan, Ren Xiaosu collected twenty-three thank-you coins. His total neared seventy-three—within reach of unlocking his weapon!

Yet at that moment, through the open classroom door, Ren Xiaosu glimpsed Wang Fugui hurrying into the school.

“Old Wang, what brings you?” Ren Xiaosu asked, his mind leaping to whether Xiaoyu had encountered trouble at the clinic. He turned to leave, intent on fetching Yan Liuyuan.

Wang Fugui said: “Prepare yourself. That band is emerging from the Barrier. Someone brought me Luo’s missive—I don’t know how they managed it, but Luo agreed to let you guide them!”

Ren Xiaosu froze. His first thought was not of Xiaoyu’s safety but of the band’s hidden purpose. How else could they have swayed Luo?

Had they offered sufficient incentives, or did Luo’s shadow loom behind their journey to Jingshan?

Regardless, Ren Xiaosu might indeed have to make this trip.

He strode toward the school’s rear courtyard. Wang Fugui, anxious, called out: “Where are you going?”

“I seek Master Zhang to discuss matters. Let Yan Liuyuan and Xiaoyu stay at the school—at least until I return,” Ren Xiaosu said firmly.

Only thus could he act without worry.

Yet if these people believed Ren Xiaosu would let them slaughter him in the wilderness, they were gravely mistaken.