High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2051: Chapter 272: The Seventh Sunday

The next morning.

Academy Back Garden, Dorm 403.

When Xiao Xiao and Zheng Qing discussed the wizard who anonymously posted a task on the bulletin board, it unknowingly triggered memories of last night’s experience in the young scholarship student’s mind, stirring up those complex feelings once again.

”Truly a wealthy heartless person!”

The Absolution Diviner’s comment on the task issuer interrupted Zheng Qing’s recollection. His consciousness broke through the haze, returning to reality, as if a camera out of focus was adjusted, the clarity and deconstructive effects improved until every line creating the world’s contours became sharp and discernible.

”...Why don’t I hand over this task to you?” The young scholarship student looked at his diviner with a fawning expression.

The short warlock adjusted his glasses, scrutinizing him suspiciously: ”You are willing to give up this money-making opportunity? How much are you planning to pay?”

”Twenty gold beans!” Zheng Qing straightforwardly offered an exact number.

”Ha.”

The Doctor sneered repeatedly: ”If I didn’t remember wrongly, you just said ’the other party is willing to pay twenty gold beans for these assignments’... if you give me twenty gold beans, it means you won’t earn even a copper throughout the process... do you think I would believe such a transaction?”

”We’re brothers, you have to believe me, not even one less of twenty gold beans!” The young scholarship student patted his chest, adamant.

To perhaps strengthen his persuasion, he immediately pulled out two jade coins from a grey cloth bag and slapped them in front of Xiao Xiao.

”Only ghosts would trust you.”

The diviner pouted but found it difficult to shift his gaze from the jade coins’ green glow—he was not particularly affluent to begin with, and dating had added many unforeseen expenses to his budget, making life increasingly tight.

”Well, no matter how much the other party actually gave you, whether you secretly pocketed some commission or not, I’ll take this task.” Xiao Xiao finally accepted the two jade coins: ”...These assignments, twenty gold beans are quite a high price.”

It must be acknowledged that the disparity between people is significant.

Some people brush off spending a dozen jade coins as trivial, some work diligently to finish a dozen assignments without batting an eye, and some neither have splurges nor dry eyes, yet their expansive friendships and thick-skinned nature are commendable.

Perhaps feeling guilty for ’exploiting’ his friend, Zheng Qing opened a drawer, counted out a dozen poor-quality talismans, and generously handed them to Xiao Xiao: ”Here, keep these talismans, ask for more if you need!”

These poor-quality talismans included Calm Heart Talismans, Clear Heart Symbols, and even Invisibility Talismans, all uniformly designed to help Xiao Xiao avoid external interference, allowing him to focus more intently on assignments.

”Heh... Seems like you indeed pocketed a fair bit, otherwise you wouldn’t be so attentive.”

Xiao Xiao shook his head mockingly, accepting the stack of talisman papers without hesitation, but picked out a few particularly inferior ones and threw them back to Zheng Qing: ”Swap two usable ones, these have broken symbol gall... Also, is there a time limit on this task?”

Zheng Qing obediently took the few scraps, directly tossed them into the trash can, and rummaged through the drawer for a while before finding suitable ones to hand to the Doctor.

”If it can be completed by next week, that’s best,” he pondered over Belfinger’s given deadline and weighed: ”If it can’t actually be finished in time, dragging it for a few more days should be okay.”

”The Hunting Party finals are likely scheduled for next week, is that alright?” Xiao Xiao raised his eyebrows, shaking the piece of parchment in his hand: ”...Did you plan on making me a substitute by handing over so many assignments?”

Zheng Qing laughed dryly twice.

”You are Absolution’s best diviner, and no one would replace you.” He responded very smoothly: ”...But if you really have no time, Jiang Yu also has good grades in the divination class.”

Xiao Xiao rolled his eyes and finally stopped tearing at the gauzy veil of disgrace on their team captain’s face. After receiving ’supplements’ and ’tasks,’ he didn’t spend more time and quickly left the dormitory.

...

When Zheng Qing saw Xiao Xiao again, it was already class meeting time in the evening.

As he removed the invisibility talisman under the door frame marked with 601, a round of enthusiastic applause immediately broke out in the classroom, mixed with sharp whistles.

”The most important member of Jiuyou Academy’s super student hunting team has finally arrived!”

The stick figure behind the door shouted with its usual exaggerated tone: ”...Let’s welcome—with cheers and applause—the arrival of Zheng · Captain · Qing!”

A few excitable classmates obligingly cheered loudly.

Though two days had passed, the passion from Moon Hunting infected everyone in the academy, and further fueled by newspapers and acclaim from brotherly academies, more and more people began to truly realize how far Absolution had come in this hunting competition, realizing what the ’super’ in ’super student hunting team’ praised by Beta Town Post meant.

To give a very straightforward example, the Second Rank battle formation.

Absolution constructed a blood and flesh condensed Bo Fu Clan giant through deploying the Second Rank battle formation, the display of ’great’ within wasn’t the ’great’ of the Big Wizard, but intriguingly similar in essence—a suggestion already made by more than one expert in their commentary that the young hunters of Absolution Hunting Team’s future accomplishments will far exceed the public’s imagination.

Therefore, tonight’s class meeting, Zheng Qing once again felt the enthusiasm of his peers.

The warlock had a stiff smile on his face, continuously greeting classmates, even as he passed Jiang Yu’s desk he couldn’t manage a proper conversation with her.

Until he retreated to the ’Absolution corner’—the spot they often occupied had already been christened ’Absolution corner’ by some busybody—only then could the young scholarship student slightly exhale a breath of relief.

”If you feel it’s not enthusiastic enough, you could try removing your invisibility talisman outside.” The Fat Wizard turned around, smilingly suggesting to Zheng Qing.

”Thanks, no need.” The warlock nervously declined while looking around: ”Has anyone run out of invisibility talismans? You’re welcome to get more from me.”

As he spoke, he had already spread out yellow paper and ink stones, intending to seize the time to produce a few more talismans before the class meeting began.

”Why are everyone so busy!” Xin Fat Man popped an Arhat Bean into his mouth, puzzled: ”The editorial department gave me several article tasks, and I still find time to chat...”

”Because you always cram your drafts in the final hour before the deadline.” Zheng Qing countered without lifting his head.

The Fat Wizard seemed not to have heard Zheng Qing’s jab.

”Brother Xin being busy is understandable, because besides Absolution’s tactical plans, he helps his brother manage numerous internal ’Will’ affairs,” he rattled off while not forgetting to toss another bean into his mouth: ”Mr. Zha being busy is also rational, preparing invisibility talismans for everyone isn’t a light task... but Doctor, you being busy is a bit perplexing.”