The journey to Zone 9 was even farther than to Zone 7.
Qin Siyang had initially thought that zones with close numbers should be adjacent.
Later, he found out that only zones after Zone 100 were generally next to each other. Before Zone 100, this rule did not apply.
For example, the areas surrounding Zone 7 were Zone 23, Zone 39, Zone 55, and Zone 80.
As for Zone 9, it was more than a day's drive away from Zone 7.
Including an overnight rest, it took nearly a week for Qin Siyang and Li Tianming to reach their destination.
Similar to entering Zone 7, the road to Zone 9 also passed through several thick glass walls.
Qin Siyang pondered who exactly these glass walls were meant to separate from whom.
After arriving in Zone 9, the driver dropped them off at the entrance of Yucai Kindergarten, as they had requested.
The kindergarten's entrance had two iron gates, painted with lively and adorable illustrations. Cartoon versions of three-winged flying fish, anthropomorphic millipede mushrooms, and more.
It was around two in the afternoon, and the kindergarten had not yet finished classes.
Inside, the lights were bright, and Li Tianming and Qin Siyang could hear the joyful laughter of children playing on the playground.
They walked up to the security room at the entrance, where the guard glanced at them, assuming that this one older man and one younger man had come to pick up a child.
"First time picking up your kid? There are still two hours before school ends."
"No, we're here to see Principal Zhang."
"You're looking for Principal Zhang?"
"Yes."
"Hold on, I'll check."
The guard made a phone call, then opened the iron gate and let them in.
Beep! Beep! Beep!
As soon as Qin Siyang stepped through the gate, an alarm sounded.
The guard stopped him.
"Sorry, we need to check your belongings."
The guard took the Hunting Dagger and Blind Judge from Qin Siyang's waist and had him pass through again.
"You'll have to leave your Hunter's weapon here at the security room. You can pick it up when you leave."
"Alright."
Qin Siyang understood. After all, the kindergarten was full of children. Carrying weapons could be a serious problem if there were any accidents.
The guard pointed to a square-shaped building nearby.
"Principal Zhang is on the third floor of that building. He's waiting for you in his office."
"Thanks."
Li Tianming and Qin Siyang walked along the cushioned path inside the kindergarten, watching the children playing under their teachers' guidance. A nostalgic look appeared on both their faces.
However, Li Tianming was reminiscing about his own son, while Qin Siyang was remembering his childhood.
Li Tianming sighed, "Kids… so carefree."
"No. The kids in this Zone 9 kindergarten are carefree," Qin Siyang corrected.
In the dark alleys of the slums, there were many children of the same age. Orphans wandering the streets.
A certain child's face resurfaced in Qin Siyang's mind. The one who had delivered his letter to the police station's mailbox.
He had gone back to that alley once.
But he never saw that child again.
Hearing Qin Siyang's words, Li Tianming also let out a sigh.
The staircases in the building were extremely low, and each floor was divided into three short flights with two landings in between, thoughtfully designed for the children's limited stamina.
The two of them reached the third floor and stopped outside the principal's office.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Come in."
Li Tianming pushed open the door.
The spacious office was bright and clean.
Neatly arranged bookshelves, high-end chairs, and carefully placed children's toys.
In the midst of this well-organized and subtly luxurious environment sat a middle-aged man with scruffy facial hair and disheveled hair.
He looked completely out of place in the office.
He grinned at Li Tianming, "Old Li, long time no see."
Li Tianming pulled out a chair and sat down without any hesitation, "Old Zhang, it's been two years since we last met. You seem to be living better than I am."
"To be honest, spending every day with a bunch of little brats and having no one to talk to isn't that great. But compared to your situation, exiled to the middle of nowhere. yeah, I guess my life is better."
"You really haven't changed. Still just as blunt and tactless as ever," Li Tianming pulled out a cigarette and tossed one to Zhang Kuang.
But Zhang Kuang waved his hand, "No smoking. Not allowed in the kindergarten. Parents would complain."
Li Tianming paused for a moment, surprised, "The kindergarten bans smoking, but when do you ever care about that?"
"I don't smoke anymore. If I smell like cigarettes and the parents find out, they'll file complaints."
"You quit smoking?", Li Tianming's eyes widened.
"Zhang 'Smoke Stack' quit smoking? You used to have a cigarette glued to your hand. If you don't smoke, how the hell have you survived all these years?"
Zhang Kuang gave a helpless smile, "I quit a long time ago. I live off my principal's salary now. If I get two or three complaints a week, forget about getting paid. I'll end up owing the education department in fines."
'Living off his salary?'
Qin Siyang was a bit puzzled.
'Doesn't Zhang Kuang have any savings?'
'Or had he, like Li Tianming, gone through a divorce and lost everything?'
Li Tianming put his cigarette away.
"Old Li, you and Qin Siyang are here to hunt Gods at the Safe Exit, right?"
"Yeah. This kid has me wrapped around his finger. He wants to squeeze in a few more jobs while I'm still free before my new position starts."
Zhang Kuang looked at Qin Siyang and smiled, "Kid, you and Old Li seem to get along well."
"Not bad. Professor Li looks out for me since I'm young."
Zhang Kuang nodded, "You talk well. Real smooth. Just like Old Li. But I wonder, behind the scenes, are you also like him. Always looking for ways to cut corners and slack off?"
Qin Siyang immediately said, "No way! I'm just as righteous behind the scenes as I am in public. If you don't believe me, go ask around at Ju'an Academy. The whole school will vouch for me as a 'model of virtue'."
Li Tianming glanced at Qin Siyang, "Your shamelessness is reaching new heights."
Seeing the two of them getting along so well, Zhang Kuang didn't bother with small talk and went straight to the point.
"I can handle your food and lodging, but I can't help with hunting Gods."
"If you're looking to hunt, the closest Safe Exit with the lowest number is Safe Exit No. 213. You'll have to go through a tunnel to get there, which means you need a vehicle. If you want to go, you'll have to get some kind of ride."
"I live in the kindergarten, my life is more regimented than a prisoner's, and I never go out, so I sold my car ages ago."
"You'll have to either rent or buy one yourselves."
Qin Siyang looked at Li Tianming, "Old Li, can you drive?"
"I can. But why should I drive for you? I'm your Insurer, not your chauffeur."
"Old Li, don't be so petty. We've been through thick and thin together—why start keeping score now?"
Li Tianming snorted, "Kid, your morals sure are flexible. When there's trouble, it's all about 'sticking together through hard times.' But when there's an advantage, suddenly it's 'self-reliance.'"
Qin Siyang grinned, "Well, I did learn from the best—Old Li himself."
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