High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1450: Chapter 194 In Front of the Museum

Unlike the library, the First University Magic History Museum is located in the depths of the Silent Forest, like the school’s research institutes or hunting grounds, with its own separate area.

It was just past eight o’clock in the evening when Zheng Qing and Xiao Xiao appeared in a clearing not far from the museum.

This was not Zheng Qing’s first encounter with the school’s Magic History Museum.

Not long ago, during Mr. Wu’s lesson, he had taken Zheng Qing to briefly stay in one of the exhibition halls of the Magic History Museum. The North American Bison, the burning frame, and the peculiar combined apes in the exhibition hall left a deep impression on the young wizard.

But entering this museum through the front door was still a first-time experience for Zheng Qing.

So it was not until he was in front of the museum that the young scholarship student realized that it was not like the Book Mountain Library, where you could enter through a glass door in the front hall by simply swiping an identity card at the entrance.

”You mean that because it’s after hours, we can’t get in?” Zheng Qing stared at the shimmering lake in front of the museum and turned to glance at Xiao Xiao, somewhat speechless.

He thought that once they arrived at the museum and had Doctor Xiao leading the way, they would be able to go straight in. Unexpectedly, they hadn’t even seen the shadow of the museum’s main gate before being blocked by this abruptly-appearing small lake.

This was a small lake about one square kilometer in size, with many large willows drooping along the banks.

The lake water burbled, and besides the shimmering water light and the reflection of the golden yellow round moon on the lake’s surface, not a ripple could be seen. The lakeshore was overwhelmed by lush aquatic plants and large willows, and Zheng Qing could not find where the water came from or where it went, but he could faintly make out the target he was looking for.

The black front door of the First University Magic History Museum lay sleeping across the small lake.

”It’s you who can’t get in, not including me.”

Xiao Xiao corrected Zheng Qing’s inappropriate words and then began explaining the current situation: ”Normally... I mean, if you come during working hours in the daytime to visit this museum, you wouldn’t see this lake. In the daytime, there would be a moon-reflecting screen in front of the museum, decorated with a lake, water, a moon, and various water-based magical creatures. At night, once the moonlight falls, the screen turns into this lake, constructing the outermost layer of protection for the museum.”

Zheng Qing looked up at the vague white moon shade hidden behind the clouds in the sky, then lowered his head to look at the clear, golden round moon on the lake surface.

”Everyone knows there’s something wrong with this lake,” the young scholarship student grumbled: ”The moons in the sky and on the lake are different... Who would be foolish enough to fall into such a trap!”

”That’s why this lake is there to make unwanted visitors think twice.” Xiao Xiao took out a stack of access cards from his pocket, casually drew one out, and tossed it to Zheng Qing: ”But we’re not thieves... We are guests with legitimate identities.”

Zheng Qing caught the card in surprise.

It was a temporary work ID for museum staff, allowing the cardholder free access to the museum, without time restrictions.

”Can I use this work ID too?” Zheng Qing flipped the off-white card in his hands back and forth. Apart from ’First University Magic History Museum’ and ’Temporary Access Permit,’ there were no other key words, no cardholder identity information, nor magical anti-counterfeiting measures: ”...Where did you ’borrow’ this from?”

He emphasized the word ’borrow’ quite heavily.

Xiao Xiao adjusted his glasses: ”Didn’t I tell you this afternoon? A few days ago, the museum borrowed some people from the library to help, and these temporary access cards are what we used. I mentioned to my colleague that a friend wanted to visit the museum when it’s empty, and borrowed a few cards... this kind of thing is quite common.”

”Do they think you’re dating your girlfriend?” Zheng Qing said with a giggling smile.

”... Although these work IDs are not named, not just anyone can use them,” Xiao Xiao didn’t respond to Zheng Qing’s teasing but reminded him sternly:

”Didn’t I ask you to bring your student card before coming here? Only on-campus students with proper credits can use these work IDs... This is a slightly lazy but very effective screening method. The school probably thinks even if a student wanted to sneak around the museum, it wouldn’t cause too much trouble.”

In the midst of their conversation, rustling footsteps were heard from behind.

Xiao Xiao immediately shut up and gave Zheng Qing a knowing look.

Zheng Qing took out a thick, bulging law book from the grey cloth bag, opened the title page, and activated the array for the binding spell. A pale green magical halo flickered in the gloomy night, and soon a tall figure appeared in the sight of the two male witches.

It was Jiang Yu.

She was wearing a large cloak, underneath which was a tight-fitting hunting outfit made of little dragon skin, and long boots on her feet. Many miscellaneous magical trinkets hung at her waist, and she also held an open law book in her hand.

Zheng Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The two almost simultaneously stowed away their law books.

”You’re quite early.” The young government-sponsored student smiled and went up to greet the witch, waving his hand: ”Where’s Li Meng? Is she willing to stay put in the dormitory? That fluffy bear can’t keep her in check.”

”I left Meng Meng with Greenhill Mansion. Su Councilor is willing to help look after her for the night,” the witch answered nonchalantly, taking out her pocket watch to check the time: ”...Besides, it’s not early anymore, didn’t you say to meet before 8:30? It’s already quarter past eight.”

Zheng Qing’s smile froze on his face.

He almost forgot that Jiang Yu already knew about his relationship with Su Shijun. But even so, since when did the two of them get so close?

The male witch cast a suspicious glance at the witch, trying to detect any hint from her expression.

But the moonlight was dim tonight, and the witch maintained her usual aloof expression. Zheng Qing stared for a long time, so much so that Xiao Xiao coughed by his side in reminder, but he found no clues.

”Ahem,” Xiao Xiao coughed lightly twice, interrupting the young government-sponsored student’s rather impolite ’stare’, and enthusiastically waved to Jiang Yu, handing her a temporary work permit: ”Did you bring your student card? We can only go in if both cards are used together.”

Jiang Yu nodded, took the temporary work permit, and silently observed it.

Almost simultaneously with the witch’s arrival, more erratic footsteps came from the woods. The three turned their heads to look, and quickly, two robust figures approached the shore through the darkness.

It was Xin Fat Man and Zhang Ji Xin.

”Why are you two even later than the lady?” Zheng Qing took the opportunity to hand them their passes, moving closer to the two companions, and complained in a low voice.

”You can’t blame me for this,” Xin Fat Man, not having the slightest intention of keeping a low profile, immediately started to raise his voice: ”It’s all Zhang Ji Xin’s brother, he had a support meeting tonight and detained him for ages. I went to find him and ended up serving tables with him for half the night!”

The sleeping waterbirds by the lake were startled awake by the witch’s loud voice, and began to squawk chaotically.

Zheng Qing glared fiercely at the fat man.

On the other side.

Zhang Ji Xin’s face was slightly flushed as he clumsily accepted the card, and asked in a rough voice, ”We couldn’t take any shortcuts and had to come from the Ring Mansion corridor, passing by several pavilions... so do we go in now? Hey, why is Sister Yu here too?”

He greeted Jiang Yu with excitement.

”Everyone else was inconvenient tonight, so we asked the class Monitor for help,” Zheng Qing explained succinctly, pushing Zhang Ji Xin towards the lake.