High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 212: Chapter 136: The Chronicles of a Sophomoric Teenager_1

White Ding Calendar, thirteenth day of September, fourteenth day of the lunar calendar August.

Saturday.

Suitable for worshipping, praying for blessings, and lighting incense;

Avoid building, marrying, and cooking.

As a full-blooded Earth wizard, Zheng Qing hadn’t done any insane modifications to his body, so in the end, he didn’t vomit sulfuric acid on Xin Fat Man’s face.

Of course, as compensation, he snatched Fat Man’s Peach Amulet and hung it around his own neck.

Before leaving home, Zheng Qing specially checked the old almanac, then hastily lit three sticks of incense in front of the shrine, praying for tonight’s patrol to go smoothly without a hitch.

There were only a few hours left until the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival, which is also known as the Autumn Worship Day in the wizarding world.

The ancients said, ceremonies of the four seasons, spring is called yue, summer is called di, autumn is called chang, winter is called zheng; also, ’di’ is the ceremony when Yang Qi is at its peak, ’chang’ is the ceremony when Yin Qi is at its strongest, so wizards choose the Sun and Moon, the extremes of Yin and Yang, as the worship objects of the Spring and Autumn rituals.

Zheng Qing didn’t care about the whims and ideas of ancient wizards, his only concern was whether any evil spirits would come over uninvited, messing up his patrol duty, as the day of the greatest Yin energy is approaching.

It was now ten o’clock at night.

The patrol time arranged for him by the campus maintenance committee started at one in the morning, but because the dormitory manager, Grandpa Niwu, often got off work around eleven o’clock - if it was a day with abundant moonlight, such as around the fifteenth of each month, Grandfather Wu might get off even earlier. So, to avoid being locked in the dormitory, Zheng Qing had to leave early.

Usually at this time, he should be lying on his spacious and comfortable six-pillar bed, under the white light tube in the dormitory, enjoying the spiritual nourishment of the wizarding world and ready to meet the Duke of Zhou at any time.

But now, he was forced to wear a large red gown, carry the lawbook, hang a bunch of amulets around his neck, tuck a stack of talismans in his chest, and come to the lakeside of Bell Lake anxiously, not knowing when he might see a ferocious face.

Could there be anything worse than this?

The cold wind whizzed by, making the state-funded student shiver in unease.

Zheng Qing sighed, wrapped himself up in his gown and started to jog down the tree-lined road. Besides the cold wind, he was accompanied by the intermittent chirping of insects.

The weather was good.

Maybe because it’s close to the fifteenth, the moon is both bright and round, and looks a bit bigger than usual.

The cool moonlight flowed through the dancing tree shadows, trickling onto the bluestone path, flickering on and off, making it look even more serene and lovable.

If it were an ordinary day, Zheng Qing might rejoice at this gift from heaven, and even pick up his brush, spread out yellow paper, and sketch a few talismans that fit the yin spirit under the moonlight.

But now, all he can do is pray that those creatures who love the full moon can control their desires and not run around in the campus.

The assembly point notified on the punishment notice is located by the lakeside of Bell Lake.

To be exact, it’s in front of a small wooden house next to the pier.

The owner of the small wooden house is named Ferna, an old campus worker of the school, mainly responsible for caring for the flowers and plants around Bell Lake, keeping an eye on the narrow boats on the pier, and occasionally acting as the ferryman of the Silent River, often taking curious students on a tour of the mysterious Buji Island on his small wooden boat during holidays.

It is said that the old man Ferna used to be a professor at the First University, but because he is advanced in years and not very proficient in the modern theories resulting from the development of magic, he applied for retirement. However, he is a restless man, so he joined the campus maintenance committee to help the First University look after Bell Lake.

Zheng Qing firmly believed in this theory.

Because Lin Zhong Lake was right next to the Book Mountain Library, and Zheng Qing’s study spot was by the window. He had seen more than once through the window, the old man patrolling the lake, swinging his cane to knock those Fishmen that had surfaced back into the water.

One stroke for each, one stroke for each.

Those incredibly strong Fishmen who once left Zheng Qing and other rookies helpless went obediently back into the water under this old man’s stick.

If he is not a former professor, who else could teach those monsters such a lesson with impunity?

If you follow the lakeside path to its end, you will reach the pier of Lin Zhong Lake.

This pier, built of logs, was the only transport hub in the entire lake. Regardless if they were visitors from Silent River or people intending to travel to Lake Heart Island, they will invariably have to meet this pier.

The old man Ferna’s log cabin was located at the entrance to the pier.

Today, the old man wasn’t staying in his cabin as usual. Instead, he was leaning on his wooden stick by the big blue stone by the lake, squinting his eyes as if enjoying the beauty of the moonlit Lin Zhong.

His old hunting dog named May was lazily lying beside him. Its fluffy tail was constantly waving, batting away the glowing insects on the ground.

When Zheng Qing arrived at the pier, there were already many unfamiliar faces gathered here.

The petite Lin Guo held onto a thick, large book. A deadly wind lamp floated above his head, making him stand out amongst the silent wizards.

”A very good wind lamp.” Zheng Qing stretched out his hand to feel the flickering lights behind the stained glass, continuously complimenting, ”The most amazing aspect is that it can actually float in the air... You must have put a lot of thought into this lamp.”

”This lamp belongs to Grandpa Ferna.” Lin Guo gave an embarrassed smile,” Grandpa saw me reading under the fireflies and lent me this wind lamp.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Qing quickly greeted the old man, Ferna.

The old man turned his head and replied in a rough voice, ”Mmm, the light from the fireflies is too dim, and the frequency is low. It’s not good for your eyes if you use it for long periods of time... You guys are still young, you need to learn to take care of your eyes. Otherwise, it’ll be troublesome when you get old... Like this old fellow here.”

As he spoke, he scraped his toe against the old hunting dog lying in the grass.

Sir May’s wrinkled face shook, and he whimpered softly as if to complain.

The old man let out a couple of hee hees to soothe him, ”I know, I know, your nose is sharp, you’ll be fine even if you’re blind!”

When Zheng Qing greeted old man Ferna, the small boy next to him was still holding onto his thick notebook. From his muttering, you can vaguely hear the phrase ”Ascend to the sky in the spring equinox, dive into the abyss in the autumn equinox.”

”Are you still hoping to encounter a dragon tonight?” Zheng Qing turned his head, taking a dig at him.

”Sigh...” Lin Guo put away his scroll, lifted his hands, and sighed like a mini adult, ”The materials needed for alchemy are too numerous... and too expensive! A few grams of dry planetary powder costs ten jade coins, a piece of philosopher’s stone crumbs can only be exchanged with school credit... We have not been in the school for long, where would we get so much school credit!”

”We have not been in the school for long, and you have already started using the Philosopher’s Stone.” Zheng Qing held back his laugh, silently commenting, ”I remember the application of the Philosopher’s Stone is only mentioned in third year Alchemy course, isn’t it?”

”I just started learning earlier.” Lin Guo twisted his body in embarrassment, then sighed again, ”I didn’t expect too much... I just want to gather a few milliliters of Dragon Saliva Water and a few scales, that will be enough experimental raw materials... of course, if our patrol team can be a bit rougher and make it vomit blood, that would be even better.”

”You’ve thought enough.” Zheng Qing stopped the little boy from continuing his wild imaginings.

Sure enough, at this age, there is nothing they wouldn’t dare imagine.