Chapter 50: Escape to Safety

　　Section 1: The One-Legged Demonic Guru　　The echoes of the sword energy faded; the demonic creature was gone. A millennium of hatred and enmity, ended in a single breath… The great hall fell back into silence, broken only by the heavy, ragged sound of panting…　　I lay on the ground, utterly drained of strength. The sound of my own gasps, the rapid thud-thud-thudof Feng Shao’s running feet, the soft rustleof Teacher Dan crawling over, and Little White’s cheerful "coo-coo"… all these sounds wove together into a symphony celebrating our narrow escape from death.　　“Hinson, how are you? Are you okay?” Feng Shao pulled me up in one swift motion, his face deathly pale.　　I gave him a weak nod. Only then did he let out a long sigh of relief and slump down beside me.　　Teacher Dan, face and hair caked with dust, crawled over with difficulty. He patted my shoulder and asked softly, “Hinson, how did you end up here?”　　“It’s… a long story…” I wiped my face. The stench of foul green slime mixed with chicken manure was so overpowering it made all three of us feel sick. But we had to hold back the urge to vomit, or we’d waste precious water and energy.　　“Clean up, quick!” Feng Shao couldn't take it anymore. He finally pulled out his water bottle and some tissues, frantically scrubbing my head and face until I looked somewhat human again.　　“Water! Thirsty!”　　Feng Shao fished out a small bottle of mineral water from his pack, unscrewed the cap, and helped me drink. With the water, I finally regained a sliver of strength.　　“Where did come from? Let me have a sip!” Teacher Dan reached for the bottle and gulped it down in one go.　　“Hey, that was my emergency reserve water!” Feng Shao’s hand was quick, but he only managed to grab an empty bottle. “Damn it, we’re completely out of water now!”　　I gave them a weak chuckle and asked if they still had their rope.　　“Yeah! Dyneema wind rope. What, you planning to hang yourself?”　　“Shut up!” I shot Teacher Dan a glare. “Give me the rope and the bottles. I’ll get us water.”　　They exchanged a skeptical glance, neither believing me. I didn't bother arguing. I gathered all the water bottles and empties myself, asked Teacher Dan for his rope, and stumbled over to the water lift shaft.　　“You want me to fetch the water?”　　“Yes! You’re so clever, Sister Molly!” I secretly conversed with Lin Molly in my mind, careful not to let Teacher Dan and the others notice.　　A short while later, Lin Molly shook the rope from below. I quickly called my teammates to help me pull it up. When three full bottles of water appeared before our eyes, they were stunned by my trick.　　Teacher Dan: “Whoa! Is there a well downeng Shao: “And it’s a smart well that even screws the caps back on!”