On the other side, Sheriff Black and the agents from Sector 13 launched continuous strikes against the criminal syndicate's transport lines, intercepting most of them and rescuing over forty children. However, a few managed to deliver their cargo to the transaction points, and after several transfers, it eventually reached the Black Hand's headquarters.
Inside an office at the Black Hand headquarters.
Looking at the three boys before him, Bai Qi felt a touch of unease.
Behind every child was a family.
Despite this, some sacrifices were necessary for his upcoming plan.
As a demon, the first thing to shed was one's humanity. Moreover, he was saving the world, and in the grand scheme of things, these minor sacrifices were insignificant.
The three boys had been given sedatives in advance and now lay quietly before Bai Qi like merchandise, awaiting his selection.
Finally, Bai Qi chose an Asian boy. Valmont nodded and ordered the other two to be dealt with.
The ninja brought the boy before Bai Qi, activated the Sheep Talisman, and extracted the boy's soul from his body, temporarily storing it in a clay jar. Bai Qi's own soul then departed from the stone statue and entered the boy's body.
The soulless stone statue dimmed, its crimson dragon eyes returning to stone.
"Sheng Long? Are you still there?"
................
The next day.
The school bell rang, and students quickly returned to their seats. A red-haired female teacher wearing large glasses walked into the classroom, followed by a somewhat frail yet handsome boy with yellow skin, sporting a sunny smile that instantly garnered goodwill.
"This is our new classmate, please say hello to everyone."
Standing at the podium, the boy said, "Hi everyone, my name is Bai Qi. I'm from Zhonghua. I like music and kung fu. I'm happy to be studying with all of you."
The teacher said, "Classmate Bai Qi is new to Meguo. I hope everyone can help Bai Qi integrate into the class quickly."
She then turned and said, "Classmate Bai Qi, please choose a seat."
Bai Qi scanned the class, his gaze finally landing on Xiao Yu, who was sleeping. Coincidentally, the seat next to Xiao Yu was empty.
The teacher, sensing something was amiss, tried to intervene, but it was too late. Bai Qi walked boldly to the seat next to the sleeping Xiao Yu and sat down.
"Chen Xiao Yu."
Pulled from a deep sleep, Xiao Yu instinctively shouted and delivered a flying kick to the side.
Xiao Yu's reaction sent the entire class into uproarious laughter. The teacher, however, looked as black as the bottom of a pot, with a hint of fear in her eyes.
The reason for her fear wasn't the embarrassment in front of her students; Xiao Yu's eccentricities were nothing new, and everyone was used to them. But this time was different. This new transfer student was no ordinary person. She had heard from the principal that he had connections with the school board. If this child were to complain after what happened, and if Xiao Yu's kick had actually caused serious harm, she might be packing her bags by tomorrow.
Who was Bai Qi? He was a great demon, after all. Would he really be sent flying by a mere kick from a little girl (who was actually a Saint Warrior)? That would be a huge loss of face.
Bai Qi quickly stood up from his seat, shifted his body to the side, and with a smooth motion, grabbed Xiao Yu's kicking leg.
The entire class was dumbfounded.
"Wow, Zhonghua kung fu."
Someone in the back must have said it first, and then others echoed the sentiment.
Xiao Yu, still groggy from sleep, finally realized someone was next to her.
"Chen Xiao Yu, sit down quickly, class is about to start."
During class, while the teacher lectured, Bai Qi and Xiao Yu began to chat.
In a foreign land, seeing a fellow countryman of the same skin color and nationality was naturally heartwarming. Coupled with Bai Qi's actions just moments ago, it further piqued Xiao Yu's interest in him.
"Hello, my name is Chen Xiao Yu. You can call me Xiao Yu."
Xiao Yu quietly introduced herself.
"Hello, Xiao Yu, my name is Bai Qi. Your flying kick was amazing, where did you learn it?"
It was worth noting that in the original story, Xiao Yu was rarely praised at school. Being complimented so suddenly by someone made the usually boisterous Xiao Yu a little embarrassed.
"Uncle Long taught me. You caught it very well too."
"Thanks. I'm not as lucky as you to have an uncle who teaches martial arts. I'm self-taught, and my elders think learning martial arts is dangerous, so I've been practicing in secret."
As he spoke, Bai Qi put on a distressed expression.
Bai Qi's words struck a chord with Xiao Yu. Wasn't she in the same boat? Fearing she might get into fights at school, Uncle Long only taught her basic fundamentals and withheld any truly powerful techniques. Furthermore, he always found excuses not to bring her along on his adventures.
Seeing Xiao Yu's reaction, Bai Qi was secretly pleased.
Among the main characters, Xiao Yu was the easiest to approach. Everything Bai Qi had said so far was tailored to her interests, making her feel a sense of shared experience and thus drawing them closer. When the time was right, he could even find an excuse to visit the antique shop.
After all, the antique shop was the main base for the protagonist group, and it held many treasures. Foremost among them was the Tome of Magic, a book that even Sheng Long desperately coveted. Although it was eventually destroyed, its contents would undoubtedly be of immense help to Bai Qi.
Xiao Yu glanced at the teacher at the front of the room, then scooted her chair closer to Bai Qi, nudging him with her arm. "Listen to me, you can't just be a good kid. Adults are always thinking about this and that."
"Take Uncle Long, for example. My Uncle Long has a similar philosophy to your parents; he's afraid I'll encounter danger, so he never brings me on adventures. But then, it's always me who rescues him in times of crisis. So, trust me, it's for the best."
Bai Qi's eyes lit up, and he said with admiration, "Cool, Xiao Yu, I didn't realize you were so capable."
For the rest of the time, Xiao Yu recounted various adventures she and Uncle Long had experienced. When she got animated, she gesticulated wildly, even breaking three pieces of chalk in frustration. However, realizing that one of the speakers was a child of a school board member, she could only grit her teeth and bear it.
"Let me tell you, there was this one time Uncle Long was tied to a plane by bad guys, you know, like that kind of plane."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm."
Bai Qi nodded, indicating he understood.
"As the plane took off, I bravely rushed forward and pulled Uncle Long up. Then, Uncle Long fought the bad guys at the back, while I was in the cabin, flying the plane. After the plane landed, another big, fat bad guy appeared. Even Uncle Long couldn't defeat him. That's when I put on the Ox Talisman... Oh, you don't know what talismans are, do you? Let me tell you, talismans are..."