High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 123: Chapter 47 Amulet_1

”This is the South Cross Crucifix from Florence, reportedly personally blessed by the Archbishop of Florence. Though Catholicism’s reputation in school leaves something to be desired, one cannot deny their exceptional understanding of sacred philosophy.”

The Wandering Wizard held a vermilion-lacquered box, offering it to Zheng Qing, showing him the glistening silver ornament nestled inside:

”I heard you have been assigned the penalty of mid-night patrol by the college’s labor committee... frankly, this punishment is a bit harsh for a newcomer.”

”Although there’s not much evil in the campus but occasionally a few earth-bound spirits filled with resentment may surface from the depths of the campus. For them, the South Cross Crucifix bathed in redeeming light is even more terrifying than sulfuric acid.”

”Where is Florence?” Zheng Qing naively asked another question.

”Another name of Florence.” Xiao Xiao removed the crucifix from the box, examined it closely, and, satisfied, put it in his pocket, ”I’ll take this! There might be more lingering spirits roaming in the library than on the campus.”

Zheng Qing shrugged his shoulders and looked at the next box.

”Five-Color Peach Charm, made from hundred-year-old peach wood struck by lightning. One inch and three points in length and weighs seven mace. The unfinished relief of God Tu and Yu Lei is delicately carved on it. It’s perfect for praying for blessings, avoiding misfortunes, and exorcising evil spirits.”

”This is also an item consigned by a guest... From its condition and patina, it looks like this peach charm has been worshipped for over fifty years. It’s a great home amulet for many wizard families. I guess some child might have sneakily taken it out of his home.”

The Wandering Wizard nodded and laughed. ”If I had such a peach charm at home, I would never sell it... Removed from its original place of worship within its family, the effectiveness of this peach charm would be greatly diminished.”

”What a waste!”, Xin Fat Man grabbed the peach charm and stuffed it into his bosom, then grumbled angrily, growing dispirited. He glanced at Zheng Qing and winked, ”You lack common sense, can’t take care of the peach charm, let me help you!”

”I’ve always been curious why God Tu and Yu Lei always play cards,” Zheng Qing nodded nonchalantly, complaining, ”Every time I saw a Door God in Great Ming Pavilion, these two were always playing cards... I have seen several different types of Door Gods in the campus building this week, all playing cards without exception.”

”Because there are only two of them, even if you include Yu Lei’s white tiger, it’s just three of them. They don’t have enough people to play mahjong,” Xiao Xiao kindly explained from behind, ”Moreover, carving a few playing cards is much simpler than carving a set of mahjong. Magic craftsmen are by nature averse to trouble.”

”But why do they play cards?” Zheng Qing was still puzzled, ”aren’t they guardian gods?”

”Aren’t you a student? Why do you come to the bar!” exclaimed Xin Fat Man looking as if he had seen a ghost, ”Guardian gods are also... gods, ok! They too need to chill sometimes. You should know, keeping an eye on the door all day is a hard job!”

Zheng Qing withheld a laugh, shifting his attention to the box in the back.

”What’s in this little box? Why is it not open?” He pointed at the small vermilion box within the black lacquered small box, asking the Wandering Wizard, ”Is something sealed inside the box?”

The black lacquered small box was about an inch long and two fingers wide. All sides were seamlessly adjoined except for a tiny hole on the top, the size of a grain of rice. Golden runes, which Zheng Qing recognized as seal symbols, were painted all over the box.

”As you see,” the Wandering Wizard smiled, his finger lightly running over the black lacquered small box, pausing for a moment at the rice grain-sized hole, ”there’s indeed something sealed in this box... But, this little thing serves as an excellent guardian for wizards. It’s a flying centipede.”

”A flying centipede?” Zheng Qing felt like he had heard of this creature somewhere.

”Flying Centipede. Magic creature kingdom, ancient creature class, insect genus, multi-legged class, winged family, centipede genus, flying centipede species. It specializes in treating evil spirits, and feeds on demon’s brains,” Xiao Xiao also gathered close, carefully inspecting the black lacquered small box:

”This ancient insect’s seed is now extremely rare. It’s said that only the Hundred Herb Gardens in Shaoxing harbor a few remaining nests. The Zhou Family of Shaoxing regards them as treasures and protect them. Illicit dealing of this little thing can get you sued in the High Court of the Witch Covenant by the Zhou Family.

”No wonder he’s his son. He knows this rare creature like the back of his hand.” The Wandering Wizard clapped his hands in admiration, ”I have no further explanation. But I do confirm that this little thing was indeed consigned to our shop for sale by a young master from the Zhou Family of Shaoxing. Given the token, it’s legal possession and can be publicly traded.”

Xiao Xiao turned silent, his face dark, and retreated, no longer uttering a word.

Zheng Qing noticed that anytime he mentioned his father to Xiao Xiao, the little boy’s mood would plummet.

So, he swiftly steered the conversation to another topic.

”Why do I get the impression that your shop is filled with valuables from other people’s homes?” Zheng Qing peered at the Wandering Wizard while grinning at him, ”Shops that pawn and sell random items evoke thoughts of casinos and pawnshops—both are rather unpleasant places.”

”It is indeed a virtue to possess the treasures of the world. Perhaps their virtue is lacking,” the Wandering Wizard slickly replied, while subtly complimenting the young wizards, ”Take you promising wizards, for instance, I can’t imagine you would degrade these exquisite artefacts for a few jade coins.”

”How does the flying centipede get out of the box?” Zheng Qing examined the small black lacquer box, intrigued.

”That’s the magic of it,” the Wandering Wizard stopped at that, smiling without uttering a word.

”Then how do you use this flying centipede?” Zheng Qing shifted his line of questioning. ”Do I need to open the box when I encounter a demon?”

”I can demonstrate it for you.” The Wandering Wizard clapped his hands, and a Multi-arm Tribe Attendant came in carrying a metal cage about two feet high.

In the cage was a demonic rat with crimson red eyes.

Compared to regular rats, it was larger, with dramatically prominent muscles around the shoulders and protruding fangs that made this creature from the sewers appear surprisingly intimidating.

Seemingly sensing its grim fate, the caged rat struggled wildly, rattling the cage and giving off the impression that it could break free and run amok at any moment.

The young wizards stood up nervously.

Zheng Qing even pulled out a few talisman papers from his grey cloth bag, just in case.

When the cage was about ten steps away from the black box, the box trembled slightly, and a golden ray shot out abruptly, striking the cage.

The young wizards were startled!

But the Wandering Wizard remained calm, observing the scene with an air of assurance.

”Squeak! Squeak!”

After a sharp, brief shriek, the demonic rat collapsed inside the cage, motionless.

The golden ray then retreated back into the box.

The entire event took less than five seconds, and the young wizards didn’t even get a good look at the shape of the golden ray.

”Oh my!” Zhang Ji Xin, holding a black donkey’s hoof, was astounded. ”So, this is a flying centipede! I always thought it was a toy meant to fool children!”

”Impressive,” Xiao Xiao commented concisely.

”Truly worth every penny,” Xin Fat Man nodded in agreement.