High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1528: Chapter 272: The Ever-Closing Distance

Xin Fat Man saw Zheng Qing, at the same time Zheng Qing also noticed the striking Blue Giant deep within the Enchanting Forest.

At that moment, he was riding on the back of a purple spider, on his way back. There were three other figures on the spider’s back—Nikita and Zhuzhu sitting in front of him, held at gunpoint; Zhu Si sat beside him, cheerfully greeting the Enchanting Mice scurrying under the spider’s feet.

The Ancient Leather Giant and the Ghouls lingered on either side of the group, while the Shatak bird flock silently hovered above, casting heavy shadows over them.

”Head that way!” The warlock raised the barrel of his gun slightly, gesturing.

Nikita obediently acknowledged the command and directed the group toward the direction of the Blue Giant.

Rescuing Zhu Si from the Demons wasn’t particularly difficult, especially with Nikita’s help. The Female Demon’s subordinates, including the tracking-savvy Zu Ge, the powerful Ancient Leather Giant, and the ferocious and nimble Ghouls, all contributed their talents to this rescue mission.

This gave Zheng Qing a self-satisfied sense of accomplishment.

He couldn’t wait to reunite with his friends and boast about everything he had experienced today. Especially since he had found Zhu Si and even captured the Faceless Demon. In fact, all of his goals for entering the Dreamland this time had been accomplished.

...

...

”Zheng... your squad captain?! Are you sure?”

Upon hearing the Blue Giant’s words, Jiang Yu raised her head excitedly, almost blurting out Zheng Qing’s real name. Biting her tongue, she eagerly continued to ask, ”Where is he? Is he safe now?”

”Hard to tell.” The Blue Giant shaded his eyes with his right hand, surveying the distance while muttering, ”It should be him, he even waved at me... Looks pretty safe... but why is he mixed in with those Demonic Entities?”

”Demonic Entities?” Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow.

”The creatures of Dreamland—the Ancient Leather Giant, the Shatak bird flock, the Ghouls, and two, no, three Demons.” The Blue Giant counted on his fingers as he spoke, nodding slightly.

”Three Demons? Where’d the third one come from?” Zhang Ji Xin uneasily tugged at the glove on his hands. ”Wasn’t it just two in that tavern earlier?”

”Nikita, Zhuzhu, and another little girl.” The Blue Giant continued acting as a lookout, though as the distant group gradually approached, he grew more perplexed. ”Wait, Zhuzhu... why are there two Zhuzhus? And why are the captain’s eyes red?!”

Zhang Ji Xin exhaled heavily. ”No matter what, Nikita and those Ancient Leather Giants are approaching us—that’s unmistakable... Anyway, remain vigilant. This is Dreamland; any sort of illusion could emerge.”

The remaining four Hunters responded softly, clutching their law books, amulets, and potions tightly.

Furry Bean tilted his head up, following everyone’s gaze to the distance, his face full of confusion.

...

...

”Soon, you’ll meet a group of new friends,” Zheng Qing patted Zhu Si’s hair and smiled. His body was still weak and his voice low, but his mind remained sharp. ”...then we’ll take you home. At home, there are beautiful Ninfus, adorable kittens, and fun, tasty sugar figurines.”

Zhu Si quietly swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

She still didn’t recognize or remember who Zheng Qing was. But she trusted the warlock who had rescued her from the claws of the Demons completely, her faith unwavering in his words.

”Kittens!” she sighed with a mix of longing and regret. ”I really love those furry little creatures too... but my dad doesn’t like them. He never let me raise cats at home.”

Zheng Qing glanced at the little witch with concern.

Nikita was absolutely correct—Zhu Si’s current state was dire. She was barely ’existing’ in Dreamland by clinging to a strong fixation. Bringing her out from here was undoubtedly risky.

But leaving her behind didn’t seem like a good option either.

Because she grew weaker by the day.

Even if she stayed in Dreamland, her existence wouldn’t last much longer. The choice lay between fading into oblivion as foam in the depths of Dreamland or taking a chance at the school, hoping the school’s Big Wizard could save her.

Zheng Qing chose the latter.

”I love cats too!” Zhuzhu, sitting beside Nikita, turned back and lifted the makeup kit in her hand, retouching her face. ”When the time comes, you can give me your cat, and I’ll help you take care of it!”

Compared to Zhu Si, the Faceless Demon exuded more vitality, with meticulously applied makeup making her appear more authentic.

”Cats aren’t allowed in Black Prison,” the warlock tugged at the corner of his mouth, utterly baffled by the reasoning process of the little female demon. Did she think this was all just a game? ”...also, if you like cats, why did you kill that Little White Cat by Lin Zhong Lake? The owner of that cat is ahead; she has saved up a year’s worth of words to have a proper talk with you.”

”I really didn’t want to do that.” The Faceless Demon let out a heavy sigh, clutching the brow pencil in her hand on her lap, her face filled with sorrow. ”But I did it to survive... The captain said anyone who sees my face must die... That little creature saw my face... Afterwards, I felt sad for a long time though... even though it wasn’t human.”

Zheng Qing rolled his eyes, unwilling to discuss ethical views with someone so morally unconventional.

But Nikita spoke up again.

Perhaps she felt the atmosphere atop the spider was fitting for a conversation, so she took the opportunity.

”Who are you planning to turn us over to?” She didn’t turn around, speaking in a faint voice with her back to Zheng Qing. ”The school? The Trident Sword? Danghag? ...Or to some other faction?”

”I’d very much like to put you in a lab,” Zheng Qing muttered, firmly keeping the gun aimed at the female demon. ”Make you endure endless dissection and taste the agony of neither living nor dying... But I don’t have a lab. So, I’ll turn you over to the school.”

The female demon seemed to audibly breathe a sigh of relief.

Zheng Qing raised his eyebrows behind her. ”You like my choice?”

Nikita turned her head, smiling faintly. ”No, not at all. But it’s the best outcome among all the terrible options. Because the school won’t chop off our limbs like the Trident Sword’s wizards, sealing us into pitch-black urns with magical seals... Nor will it shackle us with heavy chains like Danghag’s wizards, making us kneel before those publicly dignified but morally vile Alliance powerhouses... In this aspect, the school’s always been humane. Even if it’s the death penalty, they’ll make it quick.”

”Of course, I don’t like the idea of a death penalty. If I can choose, I prefer freedom.”

Zheng Qing opened his mouth, unsure how to respond to the demon’s forthrightness.

After some moments, he sighed softly. ”As expected, you’re a pure Alpha... even as a Witch Demon, you still yearn for freedom.”