High School of Demon Hunting-Chapter 2377 - 598: Born to Die
The memo was very short.
Su Shijun didnβt take long to read it. π§ππππΈπ¦π£πππ·ππ.π€π°π
Yet those mere ten seconds gave Zheng Qing a strong sense of sudden weightlessness, as if he was walking on a path, only to step into thin air and fall straight off a cliff; it also felt like diving into a bottomless ocean, a cold and dark sensation overwhelmed him instantly.
The young wizardβs expression was stiff, awkwardly curling his toes inside his shoes, wishing desperately for the first time that he possessed some advanced magic that could make him blend into the air and vanish.
Just a few minutes ago, his conversation with Su Shijun included topics such as βchildrenβ, βdadβ, βman of the houseβ, which stirred emotions and excitement. But a few minutes later, she captured a green paper crane.
This bizarre situation gave the young wizard a misplaced feeling of being caught in a compromising position.
"Great."
The owner of Greenhill Mansion unexpectedly praised the young man, her expression inscrutable: "In the Moon Council, showing emotion signals weakness; people prefer wizards who maintain absolute composure at all times, it makes them feel reassured. Your expression now is quite commendable."
Zheng Qing wanted to pull out a smile, but he suspected the cells on his face were already frightened stiff, losing all ability to control facial muscles.
"However," the witch turned her gaze back to the piece of paper, repeating a keyword with a tone of certain suspicion: "...sending flowers?"
The male wizard finally felt a bit of vitality return to his tongue and lips: "Ah... Ha, haha... Things have been busy lately... almost forgot."
"You sent flowers to other girls? On Valentineβs Day? And noted it in a memo?"
"Friends, very good friends... Xiao Xiao told me such courtesy is expected of adults." Zheng Qing didnβt hesitate and shifted the blame to the doctor, simultaneously striving to change the subject: "Iβm not even sure whether to magically conjure a bouquet or buy fresh flowers... is there a place in Beta Town that sells flowers?"
"You could pick a bouquet from the garden at the Greenhill Mansion; itβs the best in Beta Town," the witch suggested calmly: "Just donβt pick Su Yaβs Seven-Color Flower... or she will curse you."
Zheng Qing suspected someone else wished to curse him.
"Can I?"
The male wizard displayed an extremely fake excitement, his voice warped to a level that embarrassed even him: "What flowers do you think I should pick?"
"You want me, to help you, choose flowers for another witch?" The mansion ownerβs last trace of smile vanished, staring blankly at the male wizard as if pondering whether his brain had been devoured by monsters during the winterβs hunting tasks: "I really believe now that youβve eaten the ravensβ beans."
For a fleeting second, deep inside Zheng Qingβs heart, an extremely subtle delight arose; he thought heβd found someone capable of taking the blame. But quickly, he realized that the paper crane was born before he consumed that Copper Bean; the scapegoat candidate vanished like a soap bubble in the sun, bursting.
Simultaneously, the witchβs prior rhetorical question brought a sense of familiarity.
This damned, intense deja vu.
In just a moment, he suddenly recalled a time long ago when he asked one witch to help choose a dress for another witch; but compared to that time, the current situation was entirely different.
"Oh, no, not really."
The male wizard, belatedly, finally realized the stupid thing he did, promptly trying to fix it: "What I mean is, itβs not of trouble to you, I can solve it myself... phew..."
The young wizard sighed heavily, abandoning further struggle.
Tricks are unreliable, sincerity alone wins hearts.
Itβs very unwise for a simple young wizard to be evasive and stammer before a great wizard. βEyes like torchesβ arenβt merely adjectives for a Big Wizard, Zheng Qing knew better than to believe Su Shijun couldnβt decipher the real situation with her wit and perceptiveness.
Best to be honest, perhaps itβd ensure a proper end.
The male wizard thought sorrowfully, stealing a glance at the witch behind the deskβat this moment, she was holding a porcelain cup, sipping the warm milk inside with her head down, the pale green paper rested on the wide desk, its creases writhing seemingly trying to return to the shape of a paper crane.
He swallowed, softly yet sincerely saying: "What I mean is, I wish I could say we are just friends, or that I am not as terrible as you imagine... but saying that would make me seem even more hypocritical. You are very nice, truly. If you want to hit me, I can completely understand."
Su Shijun set down the porcelain cup, her gaze that scrutinized the young man was intriguing.
"Never thought Iβd receive a βgood person cardβ in my lifetime," she said gently, picking up that green piece of paper with a flick: "...even if that was made public, who would believe it."
Zheng Qingβs eye twitched slightly, recalling the evening he was hit with a blunt object.
He felt an intense sense of guilt.
However, the witchβs next words shocked him into lifting his head.
"As for hitting you, that isnβt necessary." Su Shijun lowered her eyes, speaking casually: "For one, youβre still young, without the capability to bring shame to Qingqiuβs reputation; secondly, domestic violence violates the Wizardβs Code, I am a Big Wizard of the Alliance, an Upper House Member of the Moon Council, more reason to set a good example... would you want Dong Dong to lose his father at such a young age... hmm, if I hit you, would it stop you from sending flowers?"
No.
Zheng Qing responded sheepishly but dared not utter those two words.
He couldnβt pinpoint whether it was her use of βyoung chickβ or the mention of Poseidon and βdomestic violenceβ that fueled a sudden burst of courage, but he felt an eerie atmosphere in the room during their dialogue.
Knock knock.
A few light knocks on the door interrupted the strange ambiance.
Zheng Qing breathed out deeply, feeling as if he had surfaced after diving in the deep sea. Su Shijun tapped the desk, the study door silently opened, and Greenhill Mansionβs head maid stood outside, saluted the two inside before silently entering.
"Outside are three agents from the Magic Association Investigation Bureau, claiming thereβs a topic concerning the Allianceβs safety needing discussion with Master Zheng Qing," the head maid reported succinctly.
Zheng Qing was momentarily dazed before recalling that the Magic Association Investigation Bureau is the formal term for the Trident Sword, so long unheard of, he didnβt immediately remember the term.
But why is the Trident Sword looking for him?
"Trident Sword?" Su Shijun asked the question from his heart, her fingers fiddling with the paper, her brows slightly furrowed: "Early morning, why are these folks here... did they mention what matters specifically?"
Although part of the same Alliance, the relationship between the Trident Sword and the Moon Council remained rather delicate, and they rarely interacted privately.
"βNo comment, miss,β thatβs their reply." The head maid very thoroughly and seriously conveyed what the black-robed ones outside intended to express.
Su Shijun wound the paper into a thin strip on her fingerβshe didnβt seem to intend on returning it to the male wizard, naturally, Zheng Qing didnβt have the guts to ask for it backβturned to look at the male wizard, her tone carried a hint of teasing: "What have you been doing this winter besides beating a big wizard to death, to have the Trident Sword at Greenhill Mansionβs door?"
