High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1321: Chapter 68: Gate of the Fish

Zheng Qing politely declined the goldfish’s sales pitch.

The enthusiasm emanating from the goldfish’s expression suddenly dissipated, and its tone turned notably colder, ”Since that’s the case... may I ask what brings you here?”

”To attend the Market hosted by Spring Guest,” the Warlock answered cautiously.

”Please show your invitation and specify your introducer,” the goldfish demanded with utmost seriousness.

”This...” Zheng Qing hesitated, uncertain whether to show his invitation to the large goldfish in front of him.

”I am the gatekeeper at the entrance of the Market,” the goldfish flicked its tail—allowing the magic rune on its fin to become even more conspicuous—and spoke with notable pride: ”...all guests wishing to enter require my verification!”

If you hadn’t also been moonlighting as a peddler just now, your credibility might be a bit higher.

The young state-funded student mused to himself, also realizing that the Aquatic race must have truly declined; they could have found a more presentable gatekeeper, such as a real Merman or Siren.

”It was Professor Garcia who invited us... He is an Elder of the Lake Bell Fishman Tribe and serves as a professor of Fishman Language at First University,” Zheng Qing explained as he passed over his invitation.

Then he realized he was facing a goldfish, which had no arms.

The goldfish blew out a large bubble.

”You can stuff the invitation inside,” it said.

Zheng Qing did as instructed.

Once the invitation was inserted, the bubble suddenly lit up with a conspicuous green glow.

”A guest who meets the criteria,” the tone of the goldfish seemed a tad disappointed, yet it quickly perked up again: ”...according to the rules, you may bring one pet, one female companion or male companion, and no more than four servants... Is he your male companion?”

The goldfish lifted a fin, pointing at Dr. Xiao standing beside the Warlock.

”Servant,” Zheng Qing replied sternly, with a cold, firm voice.

”Very well, guest with invitation, accompanied by one pet, one servant,” the goldfish recited in a sing-song voice, then enthusiastically inquired once more: ”Would you like to use our parcel storage service? Only one silver dime for an entire night, honestly priced!”

”No, thank you,” Zheng Qing refused with a smile.

Then he turned his head and whispered to Xiao Xiao: ”...Does it only know that one idiom?”

”Perhaps,” Xiao Xiao, still preoccupied with being labeled a ’servant,’ answered half-heartedly.

”Is it possible to enter a bit later?” Zheng Qing turned back to the goldfish guard, asking very politely: ”We have another associate on the way.”

”Perhaps,” the goldfish seemed somewhat listless—Zheng Qing suspected it had overheard his conversation with Xiao Xiao—and waved its belly fin: ”Such matters are for you esteemed Warlocks to decide... after all, I am merely a fish.”

There was a slight air of awkwardness.

The goldfish flicked its tail and hopped back into the pond to rehydrate.

Zheng Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He had been quite worried that the goldfish would openly question his rudeness, which would have been terribly embarrassing.

”Should we go out and wait, or wait right here?” Holding Poseidon and stroking its fur, Zheng Qing sought his companion’s opinion: ”I lean towards waiting here... outside, that golden eagle is fighting fiercely with Night Qi, and going out could be troublesome.”

””

”You’re the boss,” the doctor still sulked, ”after all, I’m just a servant.”

Zheng Qing felt a toothache coming on.

”This has nothing to do with me, okay?” he complained, his gaze lingering on the goatee under Xiao Xiao’s chin for a moment before choosing to change the subject, ”...How much longer will that beard be on your face? Why don’t you just cut it off? Don’t you think it looks silly?”

”No, I find it quite amusing,” Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses, lifted his chin, his goatee quirking up in an unexpectedly proud manner, ”Cutting it off won’t make me any smarter... As for how long it’s going to last, Professor Li said that within twelve hours of stopping the goat’s milk substitute, the ’goat-like features’ will disappear. Of course, I’ll still need to go to the campus hospital for a check-up to make sure there are no lingering effects...”

As they spoke, a fresh breeze flowed into the entrance of the oak tree hollow.

Jiang Yu squeezed in, carrying a pearl-colored clutch.

She’d changed out of the red academic robe she had been wearing during the day, now donned in a pale red bias-cut skirt, with a bun at the back of her head, pierced by a jade hairpin. Wisps of hair fell along her cheeks, interspersed with some fuzzy decorations.

Compared to usual, her outfit today added a touch of playfulness to her elegance.

Upon entering the hollow, she looked around then immediately spotted the two warlocks standing by the pond, waved happily, and trotted over to them.

”The environment here is more secluded than I expected.” After arriving beside the warlocks, Jiang Yu tenderly complained, flicked the strands of hair by her ear, fanning herself with her hand, ”...If I had known about the tree hollow, I might have worn more convenient clothes.”

The little fox in her arms gave a soft cry.

Finally, the warlocks came out of their brief daze, opened their mouths, and stuttered a reply, ”Oh, right... I only found out after I got here too. This place, this environment, is indeed a bit annoying.”

Xiao Xiao, expressionless, turned to look at the pond.

The witch pursed her lips and smiled.

The water in the pond splashed as the goldfish guard appeared before them again, full of vigor.

”Would you like a Bubble Head Charm? Sir... and lady,” it greeted them enthusiastically, ”Five coppers for a whole night, fair to young and old... Though not needed within the market, the stands outside in the water do require a Bubble Head Charm. Without it, you’ll absolutely need one. Would you like one, sir?”

Zheng Qing blinked.

The speech was identical to before.

”No, we don’t need one, we’ve said that already,” the warlock refused promptly this time.

”Then may I ask what is your purpose for coming here?”

”We’re here to attend the market.”

”Please present your invitation, and state your introducer.”

Zheng Qing took a deep breath.

”We’ve already checked our invitation,” the warlock carefully responded, somewhat unsure whether this goldfish was the same one from before, ”...I don’t know if you remember. Or was it your colleague who checked for us?”

”Impossible, I’m the only goldfish the market entrance manager has!” The goldfish flatly denied, stepping back to place a fin firmly against the rune-etched scale armor at its waist, eyes full of suspicion, ”State your identities, strangers... Uninvited guests are not welcome here!”

Compared to Zheng Qing, the newly arrived witch seemed to have a clearer idea of what was going on.

”A goldfish’s memory lasts only seven seconds,” the witch whispered into the student’s ear: ”Of course, a magic goldfish’s memory might be a bit better, but don’t get your hopes too high.”

”Ten minutes!” The goldfish opposite them—Zheng Qing finally confirmed it had excellent hearing—called out annoyedly, ”My memory lasts longer than seven seconds!”