High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 942: Chapter 4 The Bookstore on the Other Side

Although magic couldn’t be used for cleaning, the size of San You Bookstore wasn’t big, so it didn’t cause Zheng Qing much trouble.

There was a public tap outside the store and the store itself was stocked with garbage bags, dusters, and other tools. Zheng Qing dusted, swept, and in just over half an hour, had cleaned both inside and out.

The remaining ”Fu” characters and Spring Festival couplets, following his family’s tradition, were to be taken down on the morning of New Year’s Eve and replaced with new ones.

Because cleaning kicked up dust and filled the air with dirt, the Yellow Flowered Cat had slipped away from Mr. Wu’s recliner early on, clutching the small TV and scurried down the alley behind the shop to Hui Zi Ji—Zheng Qing was very doubtful that the TV could receive any signal in Hui Collation.

Besides, the cleaning wasn’t entirely without gains.

During breaks between sweeping, Zheng Qing looked around at the bookshelves that surrounded him and the dense array of books, which suddenly reminded him of a wish he had long ago—when he got old, to open a bookstore where he could bask in the sun, read books, occasionally sip some tea, and enjoy the leisure time. The thought alone was just wonderful.

At the moment, there was still a very long time before he could live that dream of retirement.

But that didn’t stop him from making some early plans for his dream.

”Maybe, I could take some of the unsold books from Mr. Wu’s bookstore and sell them in D&K?” As he thought this, he couldn’t help but punch his own palm; it seemed like a good idea—not only would it help expand sales for Mr. Wu’s shop, but it would also allow him to accumulate experience and provide the Hunting team’s shop with new merchandise.

It was indeed a case of multiple benefits with one action.

Of course, due to distance, he couldn’t discuss this idea with his companions for the time being. But that didn’t stop him from spending five minutes to jot down this plan in the notebook he carried with him.

With everything in order, Zheng Qing turned his attention to the southeast corner of the bookstore.

There was a split-level area separated by a wooden staircase there, with the space above for placing assorted items and cabinets, and a black lacquered wood door below. Behind the door was a passage leading to another San You Bookstore in Hui Collation.

Mr. Wu had asked him to mind the store, which naturally meant taking care of both premises.

Thinking this, Zheng Qing picked up the bucket, mop, and other tools, and walked towards that black door.

”It’s been half a year since we last met,” the young wizard murmured to himself as he stretched out a finger to stroke the head of the brass little snake on the door.

The little snake was coiled atop the turtle base, motionless, as if it were indeed a lifeless object.

Zheng Qing tugged at the corner of his mouth, picked up the brush hanging on the door, and skillfully dipped it into the small jug of sesame oil next to it before applying it to the tip of the snake’s tail. Soon after, a small turtle head poked out from the turtle base, stretching its neck to bite onto the snake’s tail.

”Click, click, click, click...”

As the turtle’s neck stretched longer, it operated the mechanism inside the door. Zheng Qing took the opportunity to pull on the brass ring the little snake formed, and the black lacquered wood door swung open.

”Take your time eating, I’m heading over now,” Zheng Qing turned back to reapply some sesame oil to the snake’s tail, then cheerfully greeted the brass snake and brass turtle before walking into the dark passage with his bucket and tools.

Neither the turtle nor the snake on the door responded to the young wizard’s greeting, continuing to relish the small dab of sesame oil with gusto.

After walking about a hundred meters along the passage, there was another wooden door.

Pushing open the door, the familiar background music from Tom and Jerry once again leaped into Zheng Qing’s ears.

”Can’t you let me finish an episode of the cartoon in peace?” the Yellow Flowered Cat grumbled, jumping up from the chair, and with the mini television in its arms, scurried back to San You Bookstore in Yunhua Residential Complex in the opposite direction from Zheng Qing.

”There’s actually a TV signal here,” Zheng Qing muttered, shouting at the Yellow Flowered Cat’s retreating figure, ”Turn down the volume of the TV... The hair salon’s owner has already complained! And I just cleaned over there, don’t drop your fur on the ground!”

His reply came in the form of a loud ’bang’ as the door slammed shut.

”Same bad temper as always.” The young wizard sniffed and shook his head.

Similar to Yunhua Residential Complex, San You Bookstore in Hui Zi Ji was quiet and tranquil, but unlike Yunhua Residential Complex, here in Hui Zi Ji, Zheng Qing could use magic and talismans without any restrictions – he realized this immediately as he stepped into the shop.

”Disgusted with showing dew!”

”Scatter brightly and sweep!”

”Remove the dirt from my window!”

”Wash my curtains clean!”

Gleams of magic light flickered one after another within the cramped store, and Zheng Qing felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction radiating from within as he experienced the brisk and efficient sweeping effect around him.

”Hmm, this is indeed the right way to use magic...” The warlock’s face beamed with contentment as if he had just bitten into a juicy steak while hungry, ”But speaking of which, why did Mr. Wu set up a magic-restricted area over there... Could it be due to the ordinary people around, to avoid the observer effect?”

These thoughts flickered through his mind, but his hands did not pause for a moment.

In just about a minute, Zheng Qing had cleaned the San You Bookstore in Hui Zi Ji spotless, not a speck of dust remained. Not even the pots of clivia on the windowsill were overlooked—he shined their leaves until they sparkled and even watered and fertilized them.

”Indeed, magic is the primary productive force.” He kicked the water bucket by his foot that he had never gotten around to using, listening to its clang, and sighed with a tsk, ”Work is fast, good, and easy... No wonder everyone loves magic.”

He unhinged the door plank and opened the shop door.

The ancient, dilapidated street of Hui Zi Ji once again appeared before Zheng Qing’s eyes.

Perhaps because the Spring Festival was drawing near, the street had a more festive atmosphere.

Strings of red lanterns swayed gently in the sky, occasionally a paper-crafted dragon would swoop by them, at times opening its large mouth to swallow a lantern, with bright sparks dripping from the corners of its mouth;

Multicolored brocade chickens spread their wings, scattering beautiful chords, surrounded by the twittering of little birds playing accompaniment;

There were also swarms of fireflies, blue or green, purple or red, clinging to the vines, bushes, and even the eaves and clotheslines on both sides of the alley; even the bright sun overhead couldn’t overshadow their dazzling presence.

In addition, there were more street vendors setting up stalls on both sides of the street.

”Wow, it’s been half a year, and Hui Zi Ji has made progress?” Zheng Qing widened his eyes, surveying the surroundings, his surprise apparent, ”Since when did it have fireflies!”

”A month ago,” the familiar and smug voice next to him answered the young wizard’s question, ”To be precise, twenty-five days ago, on Christmas... I’m glad my kin didn’t forget about me and sent these Christmas gifts back from the New World.”

Zheng Qing turned around.

A tall and skinny warlock with a lock of long hair on his forehead was grinning at him.