High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1323: Chapter 70: Learning and Practicing at the Proper Times

Not every shop could encounter that withered elder wizard-like peculiar customer.

Most of the time, transactions at the fair occurred in a quiet and silent atmosphere. However, in stark contrast to this ambiance were the myriad of goods in the market, dazzling the young wizards with endless wonders to behold.

Of course, as outstanding students of Jiuyou Academy, they didn’t just come to the fair to look around. The trio observed while simultaneously questioning and answering each other, reviewing their lessons:

”The requirements for grinding pearl powder?”

”Use it when fresh and undrilled, grind it into powder, and only then is it fit for consumption. If not fine enough, it can harm a person’s organs.” Zheng Qing first recited the lesson before explaining, ”It means pearl powder must be finely ground before it can be used as medicine.”

”The effects of pearl powder?”

This time, Jiang Yu was quick to answer: ”Taken as a primary medicine, it can soothe the soul and stabilize the spirit, and when used topically, it beautifies and nourishes the skin. As an adjuvant, it can nourish the liver and improve eyesight, detoxify and promote tissue regeneration, strengthen bones, and lower blood pressure. Related prescriptions include Real Pearl Pills for reviving the spirit; Pearl Yellow Powder for removing toxic fire and shock; and Wax Paste for treating all kinds of poison and carbuncles.”

”There’s also the ’Pearl Jade White Jade Soup’.” Zheng Qing added earnestly.

”Pearl Jade White Jade Soup?” Jiang Yu’s face showed clear confusion, ”With all three having similar properties and each being a stone medicine, can they be combined into a soup?”

The warlock suppressed his urge to laugh, pointing in another direction:

”Are those the Yan people?”

The witch’s attention was indeed diverted: ”Wow... it really is, it’s my first time seeing them.”

”Me too!” It was rare for something Xiao Xiao hadn’t seen before.

”That coral tree is so big... even taller than the one in Professor Li’s office!”

The young wizards sighed in amazement, their eyes dazzled by the sight.

In addition to common items like turtle shells, pearls, corals, and seaweed, they also saw many rare magical creatures and magic materials.

For instance, the ”Ran Fish” with the head of a fish and the body of a snake, with six legs, was said to have eyeballs that ward off evil, and its meat could protect against nightmares. Zheng Qing really wanted to buy some, but upon seeing the astonishing price, he ultimately and reluctantly gave it up.

Then there was the Red Fish with a human face that cried like a little child, which, if only its head were exposed above water, no one would believe it was a fish.

There were also stalls selling young magical creatures.

The most expensive among them was a baby Tiger Jiao, with the head of a bird, the body of a fish, and the tail of a snake, priced at twenty jade coins, firm and non-negotiable. The watching wizards all said it was a noble breed with Jiao blood, available only at Quankela Fair and nowhere else, their assertive claims casting serious doubt as if they were all in on it.

Moreover, Zheng Qing finally encountered the so-called ”Live Maggot Cheese” that Su Shijun had mentioned.

It was a type of sheep’s milk cheese, quite popular in Sardinia, where locals called it ”Casu Marzu.” The white cheese was covered with a layer of pale yellow ferment, which seemed like cream, teeming with countless tiny white maggots. An ancient wizard, his face gaunt like a walnut, cut off a small piece of the cheese with maggots using a silver knife, then popped it into his mouth, chewing with a look of bliss.

A few drops of sticky white substance splattered on the corners of his mouth, with a wriggling thin tail barely visible.

Zheng Qing felt the food in his stomach churning violently.

He quickly averted his gaze, determined never to look that way again. At the same time, he made an effort to twist Little Fox’s head away. It had been greedily staring at that piece of cheese, its drool soaking the sleeve of the warlock’s robe.

”I think the sheep milk ban should cover all sheep milk products, as well as all creatures at the school, including Poseidon,” Zheng Qing muttered, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe Little Fox’s drool and simultaneously giving it a strip of spicy beef jerky.

Little Fox’s attention immediately shifted from the stinky ”Casu Marzu” and began to munch contentedly on the tasty treat by its mouth.

”Maybe,” Xiao Xiao replied absentmindedly.

He was listening to a conversation between several Bell Lake Fishmen nearby.

They were discussing the recent curfew at Jiuyou Academy with a Siren, a beautiful Female Demon, while those male Fishmen, with various shiny ornaments hanging from their fins and frighteningly sharp teeth in their mouths, talked animatedly.

”This is absolutely overreaching... Hiss! Jiuyou Academy has no right to restrict the freedom of the Lake Bell fishman tribe!” one of the male Fishmen hissed, showing off his strong biceps to the Siren.

”You just mentioned the Lake Bell Fishmen... Lake Bell is part of Jiuyou Academy,” the Siren seemed to enjoy being the center of attention and didn’t mind the Fishmen discussing somewhat provocative topics.

Another Fishman, a bit wiser, heaved a heavy sigh:

”Hiss... When humans wield the knife, we are but fish on the chopping block. It’s just the way it is...”

Hearing this response, Zheng Qing couldn’t help but snicker to himself.

There couldn’t have been a more fitting reply—they indeed were fish meat. As for whether the wizards of Jiuyou Academy were interested in playing the role of the cutting board and the butcher’s knife, that was a far more complex topic.

”Do you think everyone’s fondness for sheep milk has something to do with ’that thing’ from the other night?” Jiang Yu had been somewhat restless since she saw Poseidon’s interest in ”Casu Marzu.” She tugged at Zheng Qing’s robe and whispered in his ear.

Zheng Qing shook his head slightly.

”Let the school handle this matter. It’s none of our concern,” he whispered back. The ’thing’ Jiang Yu mentioned was the shadow of an Outer God that Zheng Qing had encountered while destroying an entire street the week before last.

That incident had been weighing on the minds of the two young wizards like a heavy stone.

Elsewhere, Xiao Xiao was scrutinizing the male and female wizards whispering to each other with a teasing look in his eyes, making Zheng Qing’s heart flutter.

In his haste, he happened to spot a new stall a few steps away, his eyes lighting up with delight, he pulled Jiang Yu towards it, asking, ”Is that Jiao blood ink, right? That’s what you wanted to buy before.”

His voice was loud, as if trying to signal to Xiao Xiao that his relationship with Jiang Yu was purely platonic.

Xiao Xiao paused for a second before he tugged at the corner of his mouth, revealing a hint of mockery.

Jiang Yu hadn’t expected Zheng Qing to change the subject so swiftly. Following the direction he pointed, she nodded happily, ”Yes, Xiao Meng said using loose ink for talisman painting lacks punch. She wanted to try something with a bit more power.”

Zheng Qing had been painting talismans for over a decade and had never known that ink could have varying ’strength,’ but he wasn’t about to argue with a Witch about it. Perhaps it was because Spirit Witches are more sensitive and can discern the subtle differences between inks, he reassured himself inwardly.

”Oh? Little Qing Qing? Are you guys here too?”

A somewhat boisterous familiar voice rang out behind the young wizards, making Zheng Qing stiffen all over.

Very few people called him that.

It gave him the creeps.

Turning around, Sister Korma was approaching with two wizards from the North District, beaming and greeting him. The two Northern District wizards looked on silently with their eyes fixed forward as if the words hadn’t just come out of their Great Sage’s mouth.