Chapter 408: The Daughter Isn't the Hope, [Mask] Is

Fresh blood spattered, shattered heads, paired with the terrifying monsters striking poses nonstop on the light screen — the Martial Arts Joint Examination's atmosphere was instantly pushed to its climax.

The entire venue fell dead silent for a split second, then erupted into a clamor ten times higher and more piercing than all the previous cheers combined.

"There are monsters!"

"Someone's dead!"

"Not just one, there's more……"

Pong——

A dull heavy boom, and another head was ruthlessly crushed underfoot, flesh and blood spraying everywhere, the air thick with the heavy stench of blood.

Immediately after, a second humanoid monster leapt into the air and landed heavily on the platform; its appearance was almost identical to the first monster's, the biggest difference being that the first monster had a filthy tattered garment looped around its neck.

The two monsters excitedly pressed their heads together, their scale-covered arms bumping and rubbing against each other, making a "rustle" sound.

Their expressions were intimate, movements natural, as if two close girlfriends were linking arms and striking a pose for the camera!!

However, this was merely the beginning.

Third, fourth, fifth…… very quickly, half the ring's perimeter was occupied by these monsters.

They were uniform in height, nearly identical in looks, matching in temperament, forming a circle striking poses for the camera, expressions excited, not the least bit stage-shy.

Together they struck poses for the camera, and at first glance the sight actually resembled a well-trained top-tier girl group enthusiastically showing off their charm and allure to the lens.

The clamor on campus rose another notch, decibels directly proportional to the number of monsters taking the stage.

The "girl group" on the platform seemed extremely satisfied with the "cheers" below, gaping their bloody maws wide, laughing even more wildly.

On the presidium, the school leaders all stood up in unison; their originally beaming smiles froze instantly, faces turning paper-white.

"Th-this…… where did these monsters come from?"

"The security guards? Where are the security guards?!"

"Principal, get the Principal out of here first!"

Chaotic uproar rose and fell, the scene completely out of control.

Principal Xue Xun Yu's forehead veins bulged; he could no longer maintain his usual composed calm.

His gaze swept over the wreckage before him — shattered heads, splattered blood and gore, the school anniversary banner stained red and white with filth, and that troupe of monsters primping and posing on the light screen.

The muscles on his face twitched uncontrollably, yet even so, amid the chaos he swiftly pinpointed the core of the management problem.

"Cut the live broadcast immediately, have the TV station people shut off all the cameras!"

Xue Xun Yu roared in a hoarse voice; his voice cut through the noise with exceptional force, like a clear stream instantly sobering the people around him by several degrees.

The Special Commissioner stood with arms crossed, overlooking the scene before him; his eyes flickered, but his face remained utterly unruffled.

Worthy of a big shot from the Upper City — the composure of one who would not change expression even if Mount Tai collapsed before him.

This noble bearing cultivated from the womb is something Lower City people can hardly learn no matter how they're educated.

The corner of his mouth curled slightly, revealing an arc of intrigued amusement, his tone carrying a hint of mockery:

"Thought it'd be a dull, run-of-the-mill joint exam; didn't expect the finale act to be quite the eye-catcher.

Didn't come all this way to watch for nothing, hehe——"

Completely unlike his earlier droopy-eyed, distracted look while watching the matches, the Special Commissioner now had his eyes wide open, gaze fixed dead-straight on the live broadcast picture on the light screen.

Right now, these explosive sound effects, dazzling colors, and even the scents in the air elevated No. 8 Middle School's performance to the ultimate degree.

"Now this is what you call exciting……"

The Special Commissioner murmured low, his tone laced with excitement he could barely conceal.

Compared to the play-house matches from before, the chaos and madness taking the stage now clearly suited his appetite far better.

"Special Commissioner, it's dangerous here; shall I escort you out first?"

Feng Ju's tone was respectful, but his heart was anxious like ants on a hot pan.

His nerves were strung tight; he appeared to be speaking to the Special Commissioner, but his eyes were actually glued dead-still on the platform.

His filial daughter, all his pride, his future hope — Feng Yuhuai — was still on the platform!

The Special Commissioner merely sneered, his tone dripping with undisguised mockery:

"Why leave? Rare to see a good show; how could I not watch? Besides……"

Before the words fell, the Special Commissioner suddenly reached out and seized Feng Ju's iron arm in a grip. His strength was immense; Feng Ju, caught off guard, lost his balance instantly and nearly toppled to the ground.

Feng Ju hurriedly steadied himself, meeting the Special Commissioner's icy, ruthless eyes in shock.

The Special Commissioner stared straight at him, voice bone-chillingly cold:

"Don't go looking around blindly. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity — keep your eyes peeled. Who knows, 【Mask】 might take the chance to sneak out for an extra snack!"

Feng Ju's heart raced, but he didn't dare neglect public duty for private concerns.

Moreover, what the Special Commissioner reminded him of was indeed highly likely to happen.

The Special Commissioner released Feng Ju's hand, gave a cold snort, and ordered in a tone brooking no refusal:

"What are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and call all your people over."

Feng Ju took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

He fished his phone from his pocket; the screen kept vibrating, displaying the three characters "Wang Xiuli" — his wife calling.

A flicker of struggle flashed through Feng Ju's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by ruthlessness.

With his pitch-black finger he decisively swiped away the call, then dialed another number.

He thought to himself:

"Yu Huai has always been clever and quick-witted; those monsters' brains aren't too normal either, currently distracted by the cameras…… she should be able to seize the chance to escape.

As long as she can get off the platform and blend into the crowd, she'll be safe."

Feng Ju's thinking wasn't wrong.

After all, from a normal person's perspective, no matter where the monsters came from, monsters eating people is random, so as long as you blend into the crowd and run faster than others, the probability of being caught and eaten isn't that high.

Moreover, his own daughter was one of the top four in the joint examination; theoretically speaking, her odds of escaping with her life were far higher than those of 99% of the students present.

Feng Ju's thoughts raced, his brows tightly knitted, and at the same time he shouted urgently into the phone:

"Have the brothers change into plainclothes for disguise, everyone rush to No. 8 Middle School immediately! Anyone who dares show up late or not come at all, I'll skin him alive!"

Hanging up the phone in a rage, Feng Ju turned around, bent at the waist, and said fiercely to the Special Commissioner:

"Special Commissioner, rest assured, if 【Mask】 dares show his face today, I, Feng Ju, will stake my very life to capture him and bring him back for you."

Seeing this, the cold ruthlessness on the Special Commissioner's face finally eased slightly; he nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile:

"With this determination of yours, I am reassured. I know you are worried about your daughter in your heart, but you must believe that heaven protects the fortunate; she will certainly be safe and sound."

Speaking to this point, the Special Commissioner's gaze grew deep:

"Do not sacrifice the greater good for a small matter and ruin your own future prospects; you must understand, your daughter may not be able to bear the hopes of your entire family, but..."

The Special Commissioner paused for a moment, then added meaningfully:

"【Mask】 can!!!"

(End of Chapter)