High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1377: Chapter 124 The Way of a Gentleman is Threefold

When Mr. Wu told Zheng Qing ”Fearless Brave” and informed him that the most terrifying thing in this world was ”the truth,” Zheng Qing appeared serious on the surface, but was somewhat dismissive in his heart.

What truth could be more frightening than having a Forbidden Curse Seed within one’s own body? The repeated experiences had already honed the nerves of the Young Wizard to incredible resilience.

Thus, when he heard that Demons and Wizards in essence were the same and that the Wizard society was also cannibalistic, the Young Wizard showed an exaggerated expression, but his mood did not fluctuate much.

Then, Mr. Wu informed him that inside the Black Prison, there was a Xuanhuang Wood, and its Xuanhuang Fruits could help Demons transform and save Wizards who had been corrupted by demonic energy.

Zheng Qing’s gaze flickered, as if a pebble had been dropped into the lake of his heart.

Whether it was a shortcut to break through and become a Big Wizard and achieve Legend, or the truth behind the Professors’ busy activities within the Black Prison, it added a touch of worry to the Warlock amidst his sudden realization.

Then Mr. Wu told him that Professor Yao was an Old Demon who had lived for God knows how long.

That pebble abruptly swelled, turning into a Boulder that smashed into the smooth and mirror-like surface of the Young Wizard’s heart. Zheng Qing finally felt just how horrifying ”the truth” could be.

”I always thought only children were impulsive and that adults were all very sensible,” the Young Wizard mulled over Mr. Wu’s words and murmured his thoughts.

Mr. Wu adjusted his glasses, his face bearing a slight sneer.

”Adults... There are no real adults. Most of those you see as adults are nothing but grown-up children. Not to mention, many children deep down don’t ever want to grow up.”

Yes, to you, everyone is just a child.

The Young Wizard critiqued in his heart and then worriedly asked, ”Do all the school’s Professors know about this? What if Professor Yao suddenly has a voracious appetite one day?”

”Not everyone can accept the truth,” Mr. Wu simply and sublimely answered the first question, then elaborated on the second question: ”As for the issue of controlling cravings... The tobacco Old Yao smokes often includes Wizard blood steeped leaves. Those blood packs are supplied by the school hospital, and Lady Bella has been very strict in monitoring his consumption.”

Zheng Qing’s mouth twitched.

The relationship between the school hospital’s Lady Bella and Professor Yao was subtle, and many students had noticed. But before, most, including Zheng Qing, thought Lady Bella and Professor Yao were lovers in their youth.

Reality gave him a hard slap in the face.

Romantic and beautiful love after all, is only a story in fairy tales; reality is always cruel and despairing.

”You actually could have told everyone the truth,” the Young Wizard sighed deeply, his gaze falling on a small puddle at the edge of the grass.

Not long ago, an ant that had crawled away from the grass at his feet was struggling near that small puddle. The turmeric-colored mud spots seemed like heavy chains binding the ant’s legs, each step forward requiring an arduous struggle.

”Indeed, there’s nothing worth concealing,” Mr. Wu surprisingly agreed with the young man’s view, but then he presented an irrefutable analogy: ”But, just like a pot used over a long time, whose surface is washed clean, if someone were to turn it over one day, the bottom is still black... Everyone just wants to eat the delicious dishes stewed in the pot, and nobody wants to see that dark bottom.”

”You can imagine, if we tell the school’s Wizards that those creatures who enjoy feasting on your flesh and blood are actually beings of the same kind as you, and some of them are even your familiar neighbors, friends, colleagues... How terrifying would that situation become?”

”Most Wizards can’t even bear to hurt a rabbit. What sort of reaction do you think they would have when told their neighbor or colleague once was an Ogre?”

”Why do those wizards who know the truth keep their mouths sealed tight about such matters?” As soon as Zheng Qing asked this question, he immediately realized the answer, ”Oh, a Silence Contract!”

On his first day of school, he signed a Silence Contract with the Witch Union Moonfall Airline Company, receiving guardianship over a group of Sprites in exchange for his ’silence’ about the details of an incident on a private flight.

After nearly a year into his schooling, with various incidents transpiring, Zheng Qing had signed numerous Silence Contracts. Consequently, he had a profound understanding of the binding power of these contracts.

”Of course, of course. The Silence Contract is naturally the most important reason.” As he spoke, Mr. Wu produced a wrinkled parchment from nowhere and handed Zheng Qing a feather pen, prompting him to sign:

”...That’s why the news available on the market is monopolized. On the other hand, we must never deny that in certain circumstances, some wizards break free from the bondage of Silence Contracts...”

Speaking of which, Mr. Wu winked at Zheng Qing:

”However, those wizards who can break free from the Silence Contract are usually the ones who have a profound understanding of the essence of magic and wizards. Naturally, they wouldn’t make a fuss telling others.”

Zheng Qing took the feather pen and quickly signed his name on the corner of the parchment.

Then he watched his own name burn away with a line of fire until nothing was left.

”I initially thought the lessons you gave me were to teach me how to fight against demons,” said Zheng Qing, looking at the charred spot on the parchment with emotion, ”...or rather, you wanted to teach me how to protect the Black Prison.”

As he contemplated how to fight against demons or... He stole a glance at Mr. Wu’s expression, plucking up the courage to say, or how to protect the Black Prison.

Zheng Qing was not very bright, but he wasn’t dumb either. Plus, with advisors like Xiao Xiao, and know-it-alls like Xin Fat Man, the Absolution had internally confirmed long ago that the Black Prison would be attacked by demons—a battle that could potentially spill over into the entire Wizard World.

Zheng Qing had assumed that this was the purpose of Mr. Wu’s lessons.

Mr. Wu laughed heartily.

”A few issues in the Black Prison, at worst, would lead to the creation of one or two Ancient Demons,” he removed his glasses and rubbed the corners of his eyes, ”Do you think I would waste precious time on such trifles?”

Zheng Qing was inwardly astounded.

Perhaps only Mr. Wu would consider the birth of one or two Ancient Demons a trifle.

”...The lessons I teach you are meant to help you apprehend some more fundamental aspects of being a wizard,” Mr. Wu put his glasses back on and looked at the Young Wizard with a much more serious expression, ”It’s unrelated to magic power, unrelated to spells, unrelated to the world... some concepts that exist within a wizard’s body, deeper and more fundamental.”

”When you reach a certain point on your path, you will realize the importance of ’essence.’ But by then, you will no longer have the chance to turn back and correct your essence... I have high hopes for you, for you to go that far.”

”Mr. Wu, how far is that far?”

”Possibly even farther than the distance I’ve traveled now.”

”Mr. Wu, what exactly is this ’essence’ you speak of?”

”It’s a concept of being human. It is born from the self, yet transcends the self. As the saying goes, The Way of a Gentleman is Threefold: the kind have no worries, the wise have no doubts, and the brave have no fear.”