High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 858: Chapter 206 Winter Solstice

The aftermath of the D&K opening lasted until the class meeting on Sunday evening, and it seemed to intensify rather than subside.

Thanks to those omniscient media, the events that took place in the depths of the store—such as the wandering wizard who brought a bottle of wine to congratulate them, the two Upper House Members from the Moon Council, and a group of big mice in different colored vests making a racket in the store, and so on and so forth—had all been thoroughly exposed by the journalists.

Including the Rat Immortal from the Underground World of First University, several reclusive big wizards took turns to support an unknown little store, sparking great interest among the readers.

Why would big wizards care about a small shop? Could there be a covert shady background? What dealings did D&K have with the mouse clan of the Underground World? Did the wandering wizard really just congratulate them because a neighboring store was opening? Most importantly, Su Shijun and Duke Milton were seen in the same room!

Zheng Qing could easily imagine the journalist who first uncovered this news, writing the report with a face flushed red, an excited demeanor, and trembling lips. He could even picture the journalist’s quill fluttering frantically over the parchment, leaving behind a messy, illegible original draft.

Since announcing her married and parenting status in September, Su Shijun had kept a low profile, rarely appearing in public. And as for the notorious failures, Duke Milton and Prince William, they were practically invisible, making people almost believe these two individuals didn’t exist in this world.

So, when Su Daxu and Duke Milton appeared together in the same room, it utterly ignited the voracious gossip fire among the readers.

Why did Su Shijun agree to meet with Duke Milton? Was Prince William also present at the time? Was it family pressure or merely a coincidence? It was rumored that a major conflict occurred on-site; did Su Daxu’s ”good man” also make an appearance?

All these possibilities gnawed at one’s curiosity like cat’s claws, irresistible and uncontrollable.

If it weren’t for the fact that this location was under the strict jurisdiction and regulations of First University, the editor of the ”Beta Town Post” would definitely have dragged a few old friends to D&K’s shop to cast a few time-reversal magic spells, to record everything seen and heard, and make a fortune off of it.

Unfortunately, this was Buji Island, the site of a store owned by a registered student of First University.

Especially when some of the children belonged to noble families of big wizards, and one was a scholarship student & young recipient of the Merlin Medal. Making enemies over a piece of gossip with the aforementioned powers was an extremely unwise choice. The investment simply did not match the benefits.

This eliminated the possibility of the media using underhanded tactics.

In contrast, Zheng Qing also had his own people clearly organized.

The entire Absolution Hunting Team, including ’external’ members Jiang Yu and Li Meng, under Zheng Qing’s strict orders, refused all forms of media interviews—originally Xin Fat Man had intended to use this buzz to gain more exposure and fame for D&K, but when a few hot-headed admirers of Su Daxu quietly cast a few minor curses and dung bombs outside the store, Xin quickly abandoned that idea.

As a media person, he understood best how chaotic and blind public opinion could be in the frenzy. It was a ’thermal movement’ of rumors, gossip, and facts.

Failing to find a direct breakthrough, the journalists then turned their attention to the guests who attended the opening ceremony, planning a flanking maneuver.

This time, Merlin did not disappoint them.

The journalists quickly tracked another hunting team that had gone to congratulate the opening, the Trail Viper Hunting Team. They even found out that while the two Upper House Members from the Moon Council were in the store, several members of the Trail Viper Hunting Team happened to be there as well!

Zheng Qing had no reason to keep Andrew Taylor silent.

Although he had somehow reconciled with that young wolf from the Taylor family and even rebuilt a decent relationship, this did not mean that the young wolf would obediently follow every command like a servile schoolboy.

Especially since that short, fat wizard with the loud voice was also someone who craved attention.

”I knew that young wolf was unreliable,” Zheng Qing cursed as he threw down the newspaper that was still emitting the scent of ink and sat down on his bed, arms crossed, beginning to sulk.

It was now four o’clock on Sunday afternoon, and he had just finished lunch, a plate of dumplings stuffed with garlic frog meat.

Originally, these dumplings were prepared for Iseni.

Today was the winter solstice, and according to previous plans, the Absolution Hunting Team was supposed to accept Iseni’s invitation to go to Ling Zhong Lake and participate in a small celebration event of the Fishman Tribe—an initiative between the Absolution Hunting Team and the Tail Serpent Hunting Team to foster mutual trust and enhance exchanges—Knowing the Fishmen’s preferences, the young wizards had specially prepared many frog meat dumplings as gifts.

However, all these plans had to be canceled due to the restless atmosphere outside.

Because that special hunter from the Tail Serpent Hunting Team, the young fishman of the Lake Lingzhong Fishman Tribe, Iseni, had also accepted an exclusive interview from the ”Beta Town Post,” and had stammered wizard language to the journalist about everything that had happened that day.

Such is reality—if there were no stakes involved, people wouldn’t care about slandering the wizards’ ancient adversaries, the evil, stinking fishmen, at casual gatherings. They would even make disgusted faces when mentioning the word ’fishmen.’ But if these fishmen turned out to be useful, those same wizards would also be eager to befriend them anew.

Even if they had to pinch their noses while talking to the fishmen and tolerate their habit of hissing ’hss’ five times in every sentence.

As long as there were benefits, none of this was a problem.

”It’s not all Andrew’s fault,” Xin Fat Man said lazily, lying on his bed while letting the Fat Cat Tuan Tuan walk back and forth across his chest, periodically swiping his face with its fluffy tail.

”The elders say there seems to be Sepulano stirring things up behind the Tail Serpent Hunting Team... you know, that mafia boss has always been at odds with Sir Friedman.”

The elder is Zhang Ji Xin; this is his nickname in the Absolution Hunting Team, commonly used by everyone.

”But what does this have to do with us?” Zheng Qing couldn’t help frowning deeply.

”Are you actually stupid or just pretending?” Xin Fat Man struggled to roll his eyes—a gesture that made him appear as if he was about to suffocate under the fat cat—and said gruffly: ”Have you forgotten the surname of Sir Friedman’s father? Karen! He is also a member of the Karen family! That Duke Milton, who beat us thoroughly, is his direct uncle.”

”The appearance of the Upper House Member of the Moon Council uninvited on Buji Island is a very sensitive and highly newsworthy issue... Sepulano will definitely not miss this opportunity to strike against his rival.”

”He really is bold,” Dylan said, sitting inside a coffin, filing his nails, and shaking his head repeatedly.