High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1099: Chapter 161 Qingming Festival

Friday was April 3rd, and the following day, Saturday, was Qingming Festival.

Traditionally, this day was a fixed festival in the Wizard World, and First University would normally have a day off, allowing students enough time to commemorate their ancestors and welcome spring by planting willows, while also preventing the surge of Yin energy and the harm of wandering spirits.

Of course, for those studying within First University, the latter reason sounded more like a joke. After all, in the entire Wizard World, no ghost dared to harm First University students within the campus.

Many clubs took advantage of these traditions to set up haunted houses, horror labyrinths, and other events on this day as team-building activities to foster friendship among students.

However, this year was different from previous ones.

Since Qingming Festival fell on a Saturday, which was already a non-working day, the professors and Committee Members of First University, after a brief discussion, decided not to provide an additional holiday this year and merged it with the Saturday holiday.

It must be said that, for most students, this was as bad as news could get.

A somber atmosphere had spread from Friday evening, accompanied by a drizzle, enveloping the entire campus. It was unclear whether this was due to the festival’s influence or the students mourning the lost day off.

Early Saturday morning, Zheng Qing received a discharge certificate from the nurse as usual and went straight to the Flying Garden for his morning class. He had another matter to attend to that morning.

However, when he arrived at the usual tree beneath which he practiced, he unexpectedly saw the figure of Elena.

”Good morning!” The Gypsy witch greeted Zheng Qing cheerfully, ”You seem to be recovering well... Do you always have your morning class here?”

Zheng Qing cautiously nodded, glanced at the witch, and then at Xiao Xiao, who was already sitting aside meditating.

Xiao Xiao, holding his old turtle, shrugged, indicating he was also unsure of what was going on.

Zheng Qing’s gaze returned to Elena—today she wore trousers and a shirt, a rare sight. Her usually loose long hair was also tied up in a bun, revealing her pale neck, making her look exceptionally efficient. Zheng Qing couldn’t shake the feeling that Elena seemed sunnier and more radiant than usual.

”Are you planning to go to the Hunting Ground?” Zheng Qing eyed the Law book and Amulet hanging from the witch’s belt and ventured, ”I recall Matthew’s Hunting team hasn’t trained in a long while... Are you planning to join the Spring Hunting?”

”I am planning to participate in the Spring Hunting,” the witch stretched her arms and replied with a smile, ”Only, I’m not joining Matthew’s team but the Caravan Hunting Team.”

Spring Hunting was similar to the Winter Hunt, a regular practical activity hosted by the school. The Caravan Hunting Team, formed by the Gypsy witches, had participated in the freshmen competition last year alongside Zheng Qing’s Absolution, although their results were not spectacular.

Learning that Elena had left Matthew’s team to join the Caravan Hunting team, Zheng Qing felt an inexplicable touch of glee.

This hint of glee added a splash of color to the gloomy weather.

As Zheng Qing practiced boxing in the light rain, he felt his energy livelier than usual.

Soon, the morning class was over.

Xiao Xiao left obediently under the watchful eyes of a male and a female wizard, also taking away a certain Little Fox that had been clinging to Zheng Qing — visiting Zheng Qing during morning classes had become a habit for Poseidon at the school.

”I will help it wipe its fur,” the shorter male wizard explained unnecessarily as he left, ”You see, so many raindrops have fallen on it; it wouldn’t be good if it catches a cold.”

Whimpering, Poseidon was held in Xiao Xiao’s arms, its two large eyes looking at Zheng Qing with suspicion, not understanding why he wasn’t coming along. But thinking about the unrestrained fun it could have without Zheng Qing’s supervision, the Little Fox quickly discarded its confusion and happily let Xiao Xiao take it away.

With the departure of the ’third wheel,’ the atmosphere between the young male and female wizards became slightly more detached than before.

Zheng Qing took a deep breath, feeling the scent that was slightly different from usual in his nostrils; he started a conversation just to speak, ”Have you changed your perfume? It smells a bit different from before.”

Elena raised her eyebrows, her face showing a sly smile, ”Which scent is better, the previous one or this one?”

Upon hearing that, Zheng Qing’s expression froze — he realized his question was a bit foolish. More importantly, he always felt a strong sense of deja vu with this dialogue.

”Both are equally delightful,” the young scholarship student answered promptly, ”The previous fragrance was rich and intense, like a blooming red rose; the current one is subtle and lingering, like an orchid blooming in the Abyss. Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums, each has its own merits.”

The Gypsy witch snorted softly, crossing her arms over her chest and stepping aside.

This pose made her figure appear even more slender.

”Later, our hunting team will go to the outskirts of Silent Forest for training; do you need any materials that I could gather for you?” It seemed that Elena wasn’t too comfortable with the peculiar atmosphere between them either; she directly stated her intention without any further preamble.

An odd feeling in Zheng Qing’s heart grew stronger — coincidentally, he was also going to Silent Forest today, albeit not in his current identity, but as a certain Black Cat.

A few days ago, Korma had informed ’Black Cat’ via a prearranged channel to start the first search in the Silent Forest today.

Her reasons were sound. On one hand, today was Qingming Day; for safety, many students would stay in the dormitories and not venture out. On the other hand, the Yin energy churning between heaven and earth today might stimulate the Secret Realm to reveal its traces. If this opportunity was seized, the contract might be fulfilled in one search.

For Zheng Qing, although the task involved certain risks, he felt that with the care of the Vice President of the Student Union and the Rat Immortal, he should be able to cope, so he did not refuse and agreed.

However, he cautiously limited the search to before noon for safety reasons.

That is, from nine in the morning until one in the afternoon.

After some hesitation, Korma eventually did not reject this suggestion.

”Why choose today to go into the forest? Today is not a good day... and it’s not safe in the forest either,” Zheng Qing thought of his task for the day, which gave him a headache, and he couldn’t help but vaguely dissuade the witch, ”Maybe your hunting team can discuss it and consider going in a couple of days?”

Elena slapped the Law book hanging at her waist forcefully, unconcerned, ”The dark tide has just receded a few days ago; the forest is stable right now... Didn’t you see that the tricksters from the North District are seizing this period to collect resources in the forest?”

”It’s a good opportunity to train.”