Chapter 390: School Field Trip

April 2011, late spring.

The sun on the horizon was lukewarm, its bright yellow rim emitting a translucent white; although spring was clearly about to end, there was no hint of the scorching heat of the approaching summer.

Perhaps spring does not want to end so quickly, so it strives to linger; a lonely cool breeze sweeps the campus, and the girls of Heavenly River involuntarily pull their necks tight, quickening their steps, their skirts fluttering over their pretty thighs, yet youthful vigor seems unable to change their fate of shivering in the cold wind.

Everyone believes this warm summer will be wonderful, so they early on switched into the short skirts prepared for midsummer, but facing late spring, even with hopeful hearts, they were choked by the untimely weather.

The tall buildings of Heavenly River, almost the highest point in the whole city, Yuan Tian Sha Li Na looked down from above at the steel metropolis, still a bit damp from last night's spring rain; now the sun had just fully risen over the horizon, and the city was gradually shedding its shadows.

After the rain comes clear weather.

The sunlight was gradually rising, though not warm, it at least offered some mental comfort; Yuan Tian Sha Li Na, standing high, wore a white professional teacher's outfit, her long hair tied in a ponytail, holding two cups of hot cocoa. She took a small sip, and the steam she exhaled formed a white mist that veiled her slightly bewildered eyes.

At that moment, her gaze suddenly withdrew from the bustling students and focused on the figure in an unchanging white garment climbing the steps step by step; her bright eyes suddenly lit up.

The person she had been waiting for finally arrived; she realized an unbearable truth that needed verification.

"So eager to find me?" he said, walking to Yuan Tian Sha Li Na's side, admiring the sun that looked like a boiled egg; he hadn't even had breakfast yet.

Without even thinking, she knew the visitor was Jiang Xia; there are few who can answer Yuan Tian Sha Li Na's doubts, and few who always wear white; the only one who could make the snake‑scorpion beauty Yuan Tian Sha Li Na wait must be her superior.

Now the only person above her is Jiang Xia; she is a traitor and also an undercover agent.

"Hmm, I have a small matter to ask about, hoping for an answer." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na carefully handed him one of the cups; she revered him, so even this simple gesture made her extremely nervous.

"No need to be nervous; I'm not a monster, I won't eat you." Jiang Xia smiled, taking the warm cocoa; its temperature was just right, neither scalding nor cold.

Jiang Xia sipped it in small mouthfuls, and immediately a warm current surged through his body, as if the engine of a long‑idle machine had restarted, spreading throughout, his stomach began to work.

It must be said, at the city's highest point, with a perfectly gentle breeze, sipping warm cocoa feels like drinking a mug of warm yellow wine while ice‑fishing—warm and pleasant.

He actually isn't afraid of the cold and doesn't need thick clothing; the clothes just have to be comfortable and look good.

But one must admit, some environments provide experiences that relax the mind.

Perhaps sometimes wandering aimlessly northward, under the sky‑piercing glacier, a lone person leaves the camp, carrying a small lantern stove, leaving footprints with each step.

Braving the howling snowstorm, while holding a frolicking dog, admiring the snowy scenery alone, that's actually quite nice.

He thought of this, and heard Yuan Tian Sha Li Na continue, "Last night a person calling himself Li Hua contacted me; he knows my undercover identity and told me things I didn't know. I can't verify the truth of this information, so please tell me."

"Speak, then, for the sake of your cup of hot cocoa." Jiang Xia gave a faint smile; Professor Jiang Ben was probably starting to get anxious, and of course he was a bit anxious himself.

"Li Hua told me that Wang Guangming does not seek to gather his Twelve Disciples, but rather wants their Constellation Switch." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na, at the railing, grasped the rail with a slight force.

"Exactly, Wang Guangming's goal is indeed that." Jiang Xia drank the cocoa in one gulp; although he had only recently been turned, he still respected Wang Guangming, at least using honorifics when relaying messages, but now he addressed him by full name.

After all, their way of calling names differs from theirs; when first meeting someone relatively unfamiliar, they only use the surname, such as Yamada, Ge Xing, or Yue.

But after a long acquaintance, as the relationship becomes intimate, the address shifts from surname to given name.

If an unfamiliar person calls them by their given name, they consider it a serious offense.

That could make Yuan Tian Sha Li Na completely abandon a decade‑plus of feelings; it seems she knows the consequences of gathering the Constellation Switches.

"After the Constellation Switches are gathered, will Heavenly River be destroyed?" Yuan Tian Sha Li Na lowered her head, looking at the students passing below.

"Exactly, Li Hua knows your undercover identity because he's on our side, but I never told you. Why do we need to stop Wang Guangming?"

Jiang Xia casually took a sip of the cocoa, "When the Twelve Star Disciples' switches are gathered, a colossal device capable of spatial translocation will be created; in an instant it can span tens of thousands of light‑years."

"I think you already know the consequences now, Sha Li Na." He turned his head toward the already somewhat shattered Yuan Tian Sha Li Na.

"Hmm, it's truly unbelievable, this actually is real." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na stepped back sharply, "How could he do this! Are all those students his victims?"

"Of course, they were test subjects at first; once the experiment is complete, these useless things should be mercilessly discarded, thrown into the trash."

"Wang Guangming may have deep feelings for Heavenly River, just as you once did; although he spreads the switches across Heavenly River, you are also a teacher, and your affection for the students is genuine, yet he still did it. That sentiment does not affect his actions; this is what a true superior is—someone who can abandon everything he possesses for a single goal."

Jiang Xia said, "Once the Spatial Portal activates, the recoil from the translocation will not only destroy Heavenly River, but also annihilate this nation and kill the millions living here."

"Including us?" Yuan Tian Sha Li Na was silent for a while, then said, "Everyone except him will die, just to fulfill his ideal, *damn it."

Jiang Xia gave Yuan Tian Sha Li Na a strange look; so she also curses.

Although the curse sounded fine, such vulgar words coming from a beautiful female teacher still felt odd.

"He won't succeed; although his plan is good and is now progressing toward success, he overlooked an important factor." Jiang Xia said lightly.

"Because of you, I believe you will stop him." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na affirmed her judgment, and the earlier tension seemed to vanish together with that angry outburst.

There's nothing to fear; just do it and it's over.

"Uh, you could say that, even if it's not precise."

In fact, as long as Ge Xing Xian Wu and the Core Switch are hidden, a Core Child in that portal cannot open it at all.

Even a universe‑wide Switch‑seeker would fear provoking some unknown cosmic monster; only a Core Child can enter the coordinates recorded on the Core Switch.

"No, it couldn't be more precise." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na suddenly laughed, stretched lazily in the sunlight, her graceful curves becoming even more elegant under the light.

Leaning relaxed against the railing, she said, "Wang Guangming's next step is to go to Kyoto, using the school‑trip period to destroy the Four Gods Barrier, which is said to have been erected by ancient onmyōji and talisman masters."

"Then what's your command? I'll obey you absolutely, whether it's just putting on a façade or betraying on the spot, either is fine." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na waited for the man to speak.

"Destroy the barrier, and let all the energy converge on Heavenly River." Jiang Xia said.

Having the energy converge will cause all future Twelve Star Disciples to skip the prerequisites and ascend directly, which is exactly what he needs.

"Alright, I'll definitely complete the mission." Yuan Tian Sha Li Na said.

She didn't ask why; a competent subordinate never questions any command from a superior.

It's not because she understands the mission's consequences, but because she believes the final outcome will certainly be good.

Even if both sides issue identical orders, the execution will differ noticeably; the same mission goal can be carried out willingly or unwillingly.

She accepted the mission; her obedience to Jiang Xia was heartfelt, while toward Wang Guangming it was now merely a performance. "So what are we planning to do during this school‑trip holiday? We can't, like me, be on vacation yet still work for the boss, can we?" Yuan Tian Sha Li Na asked.

She still held a bit of anticipation; such an important mission probably wouldn't send her alone.

"I'll go to Kyoto." Jiang Xia said.

Kyoto has many attractions; you can take a train all the way to Kiyomizu‑dera, admire the torii gates and cherry blossoms, walk across the Moon‑Crossing Bridge, stroll through Fushimi Inari Taisha, and enjoy Kōdai‑ji.

A school‑trip is about traveling; who knows, you might even find some rare 2D merchandise you want to buy.

Such Kamen Rider merchandise won't exist in this world's future, and even if it did, she wouldn't buy it.

These things, the genuine ones he has can transform, while the pirated copies bought back can only serve as decorations and have no meaning at all.

Perhaps attending a comic convention is also a good choice, using real armor to scare them.

"Alright, I'll go prepare right away," Yuan Tian Sha Li Na nodded.

The date of this school trip was moved up by a month, and the original destination was altered, the purpose being to have fourze appear at the barrier site in Kyoto.

And as Ruyue Xian Tairan's homeroom teacher, even if she has no special assignment, she will still go along.

But the task that was originally detested has now become a proper trip, and with someone accompanying, it's just too delightful.

Yuan Tian Sha Li Na finally, after telling Jiang Xia that all the information from Li Hua had been handed over, turned and walked down the steps to class.

The feeling of climbing up versus going down is completely different; panic, confusion, fear all vanished, replaced by a satisfied anticipation.

Jiang Xia finished the now‑cooled hot cocoa, looked at the star representing Scorpio, and saw that the remaining zodiac signs were Capricorn, Gemini, Pisces, Aquarius, and Taurus.

The rest should come quickly; they'll be collected soon.

"School trip!"

In the classroom, watching the big characters the teacher wrote on the blackboard with white chalk, the classmates shouted excitedly, leaping about like randy monkeys.

The school trip lasts a full week, during which there's no homework, no restrictions, and most importantly, we can travel.

This is far more exciting than a simple vacation, and the trip being moved up a month makes it pure heaven!

"For this school trip, our destination is Kyoto; everyone can plan, and students may freely form groups."

Yuan Tian Sha Li Na watched the cheering students, and a joyful smile appeared on her face.

She could empathize with her students' excitement, after all she also graduated from Heavenly River, having once been a student herself, she understands what this trip means.

"Kyoto? Shouldn't we go to NASA? I still want to see a spaceship with my own eyes," Chengdao Youmu pouted, lying on the desk in displeasure.

NASA, the agency that studies the universe and space, holds an unimaginable allure for Chengdao Youmu, who aspires to become an astronaut.

"It's fine, Youmu, next time it'll be the same," Ruyue Xian Tairan gently comforted.

The week's duration, it's unknown whether the teacher will go; if he stays alone at Heavenly River, he might be lonely.

Thinking of that, Ruyue Xian Tairan couldn't help but smile; it should be them who are lonely, not the teacher.

However, since they're going on the school trip, the teacher should also have a holiday, though it's unclear whether the teacher is free.

"Xiao Yuan, I have a question?" Ruyue Xian Tairan raised his hand and asked Yuan Tian Sha Li Na at the podium.

"What's the question, Xian Tairan?" Yuan Tian Sha Li Na asked gently.

"Um, will all teachers go on the school trip?" Ruyue Xian Tairan scratched his head, "like the PE teacher or the psychology teacher, for example."

"Generally, whether a teacher goes depends on his own schedule, and professions like PE teachers and psychology teachers, being rather special, usually don't accompany students on trips."

Yuan Tian Sha Li Na could barely hold back a laugh; they're really like children, so easy to guess.

It's just asking whether your teacher is going, and you even added a PE teacher; there's no need to phrase it like that, it's too obvious.

"I see." Ruyue Xian Tairan felt a bit down, and will have to ask the person himself later.

"However, I know a psychology teacher who will accompany us to Kyoto," Yuan Tian Sha Li Na said, shifting her tone as she saw Ruyue Xian Tairan's disappointed expression.

"Could it be?" Ruyue Xian Tairan's eyes reignited with hope.

Yuan Tian Sha Li Na turned toward the white figure at the doorway and said to Ruyue Xian Tairan, smiling, "He's already come in."

"Everyone, quiet down, please. Since Teacher Da Shan has other matters, this teacher will replace him and go with us to Kyoto," Yuan Tian Sha Li Na clapped her hands, keeping the classroom silent.

"Hello everyone, I'm Jiang Xia, and we'll be going on the school trip together," he quickly wrote his name on the blackboard.

"This teacher is so young…"

"He's really handsome…"

"I wonder what he teaches…"

The female students' exclamations nearly blew the roof off.

"He really is a teacher!" Ruyue Xian Tairan stared at the person on the stage, at a loss for what to do with his limbs.

"Xian Tairan, how's this psychology teacher?" Yuan Tian Sha Li Na blinked curiously.

"He's fine, he's fine," Ruyue Xian Tairan chuckled.

In the office, our Da Shan Zhong Tai was silently shedding tears over the application form in his hand; if it weren't for Teacher Yuan's request, he would not have given the chance to that pretty face.

"It's such a hard‑won chance for me to travel together with Teacher Yuan!"

Happy National Day; may you also, like Jiang Xia, enjoy a week‑long free trip.

(End of chapter)