High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 663: Chapter 11: He Yi_1

In the early winter afternoon, despite the sun still shone brilliantly, the air filled up with a hint of cold that couldn’t be dissipated.

Upon leaving the bustling crowds of Pedestrian Street and turning into a narrow alley nearby, what came into Zheng Qing’s view was no longer the lush greenery he saw on his first arrival, but fallen leaves splashed with golden red all over the ground.

The alley was still deep and tranquil as before. However, the moss-covered corners of the walls were losing their dampness in the dry, chilly air; the spaces between the cracked blue stones underfoot no longer echoed with the sound of insects. The setting, flanked by the silent tall wall on the left and the peaceful buildings on the right, took on an air of desolation and solitude.

The young scholarship student tread on the dry leaves, sprinting all the way, and soon arrived at a familiar black gate.

Compared to his first visit, the Abnormal Life Research Institute appeared much cleaner now.

The rust stains on the iron gate had been thoroughly removed, the slender white doorplate was newly painted, and the gold foils between the large letters were reapplied neatly; the talisman boards hanging on both sides of the gate regained two Door Gods. God Tu and Yu Lei sat sternly in between, casting solemn glances at the gate. Since some time Zheng Qing hardly saw these Door Gods playing cards on the wall. Even the Golden-eyed White Tiger at Yu Lei’s feet stood with its tail erect, pacing back and forth between the talisman boards, assuming a loyal and dutiful posture.

The ivy hanging on the dark green walls either side of the iron gate was neatly fixed too. Perhaps due to the mild climate, even though it’s early winter now, the leaves of these vine plants had not all fallen. The orange, red, and yellow leaves set against the dark green wall, providing an odd sense of vitality.

The gate wasn’t locked but slightly ajar. Anyone unfamiliar would think the gate was firmly closed. Only Zheng Qing, who had frequented this place, didn’t get fooled by this thin gap.

He hesitated at the entrance, brought his head close to the crack and took a peek inside.

As expected, no one was glaring at him from the doorway.

The young scholarship student hesitated for a few seconds and then sighed, casting a glance at the box cradled in his arms.

”You need to cover for me if I get scolded later...”

The elves still lay sound asleep in their small beds, paying no mind to the young wizard’s plea. Zheng Qing couldn’t help frowning, in the end, he didn’t knock on the door, but instead pushed the gate further open with his foot and squeezed himself through the gap.

It wasn’t so much that he was impolite, but rather having been in and out numerous times, he and Doctor Du Zemu had become quite acquainted. He knew that the doctor hated unnecessary formalities; moreover, he knew that the crack in the door was intentionally left for him – suggesting that he shouldn’t knock and create noise anymore.

Thanks to the new application of oil, the iron gate opened without making a sound. Even when Zheng Qing shut the door with his foot, it still didn’t cause much noise.

The courtyard was as quiet as ever.

Zheng Qing carried the box. Unconsciously, he walked on his tiptoes, trying to make his presence felt as little as possible. Even though he knew it was a futile act, people sometimes liked to deceive themselves.

Knowing his way around, he approached the study. Throughout his journey, he didn’t catch sight of any ghost -although seeing a ghost in a wizard’s house is a challenging task. Unlike the slightly ajar gate, the study door was wide open.

The young scholarship student poked his head inside, his eyes meeting the small yellow bird inside the birdcage hanging by the window.

The bird blinked its eyes, flapping its wings, opened its beak and sung cheerfully, ”I have a pair of small eyes which can see everything... peeping at the door and lightening footsteps...”

Zheng Qing inwardly swore ’bad luck’, as his gaze shifted, the two people in the room had turned their heads towards him.

”You’re quite late today.”

Jiang Yu gave him a glance, her tone didn’t seem to convey much blame, instead, there was a hint of... a sense of relief? Zheng Qing wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination.

”I was speaking with the Wandering Wizard... that old man made a fuss over everything.” Zheng Qing hastily explained why he was late and placed the cardboard box he was cradling in his arms on Doctor Du Zemu’s desk.

As he put down the box, he caught sight of a small vial at the edge of the desk from the corner of his eye. The vial, placed between the witch and the doctor, was filled with half-transparent liquid.

However, when he turned his head for a second look, the vial had disappeared without a trace, as if it was only his imagination earlier.

Compared to the witch, the master of the study was a bit more indifferent -— or to put it another way, Doctor Du Zemu had been brooding with furrowed brows since Zheng Qing appeared and hadn’t greeted him.

Only when Zheng Qing put down the box did the doctor seem to snap out of his thoughts. He lifted his head and glanced at the young scholarship student.

Then he turned his face towards Jiang Yu.

”Are you really sure? You need to know, the risks of targeted transformation are high...”

”I’m quite certain, sir.” Jiang Yu rudely interrupted the doctor, her gaze fixed outside the window, her tone was full of determination: ”That’s my requirement... we’ve already discussed this many times.”

”Alright... if you say so.” Doctor Du Zemu seemed somewhat helpless, heaved a deep sigh, poked his eyeball out with his finger, dropped it into the eye-washing solution nearby, muttering, ”If your grandmother knew about this, she would surely boil me alive... ”

Zheng Qing listened to the cryptic conversation between them, suddenly recalling the professional books Jiang Yu borrowed before. His eyebrows raised in mild surprise, vaguely sensing something amiss.

However, before he could ask, Jiang Yu took out a wooden box tied with a red satin ribbon from her Kun bag and thrust it into the hands of the young scholarship student.

”You took first place in the Newcomers Challenge. I haven’t formally congratulated you yet.” The witch explained with a smile, noticing the young man’s baffled expression, promptly added, ”This is a ceremonial gift... As per our customs, it is a must to give friends on such occasions.”

Zheng Qing held the wooden box, his expression a mix of emotions.

The ’we’ in Jiang Yu’s formulation wasn’t about her and him, but referred to the circle ’Aristocratic Wizards’ belong to. From this perspective, she was giving Zheng Qing a congratulatory gift, it would really have been hard for him to refuse.

”Aren’t you going to open it and take a look?” The witch, unable to hold back her laughter, saw his dumbfounded expression as he held the gift box, and prodded him.

Zheng Qing gave a bitter smile, untied the ribbon on the box, and opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was a greeting card.

Underneath the card, lied a blue-black revolver with a wooden handle, which looked antique and heavy, yet emanated an eerie aura.