These three or four children appeared to be about the sa age as the ghost from earlier, suggesting a possible link between them.
In instances, children are never synonymous with innocence and cuteness.
From the very first instance, Gu Mian had been deeply aware of the astonishing destructive power children possessed.
Looking back, none of the children he encountered in instances seed to be good sorts. The Upper Class children in this worldview certainly wouldn't be paragons of sunshine and goodness.
Naturally, the real world also has no shortage of troubleso children. In childhood, before a sense of right and wrong is fully ford, most people cheer for thrilling and sensational scenes. Thus, animal cruelty is a common behavior among this age group, ranging from dismbering ants to torturing cats and dogs. Gu Mian had once seen an elentary school classmate insist on teaching chicks to swim. Ignoring their struggles and cries, he put them into a half-ter-high water bucket, clapping and cheering from the sidelines. Of course, all those chicks ended up dying. But this still wasn't enough to satisfy the child's desires. Later, he glued the dead chicks' claws to the side of the bucket to prevent their bodies from sinking, cheering excitedly, "They learned! They learned!"
The imnse destructive power of children stems from their self-centeredness, unbridled curiosity, and ignorance of the world. Ignorant children, if guided even slightly, can easily go astray and cause greater destruction. To instill correct values in them, regulations suddenly appeared, such as: "No ghosts in supernatural novels," "No hauntings in school stories," "No suicide among minors in stories," "No retelling fairy tales as dark tales," and "No animal cruelty scenes involving minors in stories."
Gu Mian felt that if he were the protagonist of a novel, that novel might face a 404 error at any mont.
As people grow older, their understanding of the world gradually increases, while their curiosity and destructive urges decline. Adults no longer ponder such questions as how to teach chicks to swim. Except for a few ntally unhinged individuals, others wouldn't torture animals.
Of course, the above applies only to people who grow up in a normal world. The world they were in now was clearly not a normal one. In this world, the inherent cruelty of children is infinitely magnified.
A little boy at the door spoke up, "I want to take one to play with... but they're so dirty."
Due to the rain last night, rain stains were visible on their clothes, and their damp-dried garnts emitted a sour stench.
The Lower Class People in the room also saw the figures standing at the door. Upon noticing the children, they all instinctively took a few steps back, and the previously joyful atmosphere instantly vanished. Judging by the reactions of these Lower Class People, they must have suffered terribly at the hands of these children. Perhaps these children had used these Lower Class People for experints like, "Can a person hold their breath underwater for three hours?" "How much force from several horses can one person withstand?" or "Can internal organs remain intact if the skin is cooked seven-tenths of the way through?"
Although they complained about the dirt, the children at the door didn't leave imdiately. Instead, their eyes darted about, their disdainful gazes lingering on the group as if selecting pets. It was clear that they were very bored. Children can't sit still; they will find sothing to do before a performance begins.
Soon, one child's gaze fixed on Gu Mian.
Among this slovenly group, Gu Mian was indeed a conspicuous presence.
"That one looks good!" The little boy staring at Gu Mian pointed a finger at him.
Gu Mian was quite gratified; it was rare for soone to see past his impenetrable mask to his handso face.
The boy's words imdiately attracted the others' attention. The other children also looked at Gu Mian and nodded in agreent. "Indeed, not bad."
Gu Mian puffed up his chest with pride. The people in this world might not be all there ntally, but their taste is pretty good!
He wore a mask, so others couldn't see his expression, but his puffed-out chest and defiantly raised chin clearly conveyed Gu Mian's joyful mood.
"He actually looks happy?" The surrounding Lower Class People thought this person was completely unhinged.
The children also noticed sothing was amiss.
"What's wrong with him?" the children at the door muttered amongst themselves.
This wasn't how Lower Class People usually reacted when chosen by them. Fear and trembling were the expected reactions. But this person before them not only showed no normal emotions, he exuded an aura of pride and self-satisfaction, perhaps even a hint of... approval?
Looking at this man exuding an aura of pride, the children cracked cruel smiles. "You, co here..."
Hearing this, Gu Mian imdiately beca excited. He grinned, eagerly taking a large stride toward the door.
As he took that step, a strange feeling arose in the hearts of the children at the door.
At this mont, Gu Mian was already impatient to take the next step.
But a voice abruptly ca from the corridor outside the door, interrupting Gu Mian's advance. "Children, what are you doing here?" The voice, cheerful in tone, belonged to Teacher Shi Shilu. Judging by it, he seed to know these children.
"Uncle Slaughter," the children turned towards the newcor, a smile on their faces. "It's too boring outside. We wanted to play with them for a while."
This so-called "play for a while" was, of course, not genuine play. They just wanted the Lower Class People to join them in so cruel gas.
"Today is Carnival. These people all have to go on stage later, so I can't lend them to you," Teacher Slaughter bent down and smiled. The smile on his pale face was particularly terrifying. "But after the performance, you can choose any of them you wish. You can even take them all."
Upon hearing this, the children pouted. Though it was ant to be a cute expression, the gesture held no cuteness when they made it. "Then we'll go find Uncle Lu Yi to play with first, and co back after the performance."
As they spoke, they shot a vicious glare at Gu Mian.
But Gu Mian was engrossed by the title "Uncle Lu Yi," completely ignoring the children's expressions.
The instance mission was to 'gain Lu Yi's approval.' The 'Uncle Lu Yi' they ntioned must be the mission target.
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