High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2325: Chapter 546: A Copper Bean

Zheng Qing always knew that the Northern District of Beta Town was gray.

This gray is not only the literal gray — the wizards living in the North District ’like’ to wear those gray, rough linen robes; the houses in the North District often have their outer walls painted in a pale gray; even the sky in the North District appears gloomier than other parts of the island.

This gray also carries a philosophical meaning — compared to other districts in Beta Town or other wizard societies in the world, the social rules in the Northern District seem less black and white, resembling a Silent Forest disguised as human society, where the Wizard’s Codex and the Jungle Rules coexist, and the line between good and bad is somewhat blurred.

Just like the vague and brief conversation between Crow No.3 and the Northern District Wizard in fine robes, Zheng Qing could easily deduce what kind of transaction they were conducting.

In the modern era where Danghag and the Wizard’s Codex are gaining popularity, it seems impossible that the ancient slave trade still exists in the Northern District of Beta Town.

But Zheng Qing knows this is the reality of the North District — at least, it was the reality before Korma advanced — because tricksters, though possessing magical reactions, have very weak magic power, making them ideal subjects for black magic experiments.

Many tricksters voluntarily sign harsh contracts selling their bodies and souls, perhaps to exchange for a powerful healing scroll for their family, or to give their children a chance to join small magic organizations like the ”Bikini Cabin,” or perhaps just out of hopelessness, wanting to end their long and cold reality with a short, glamorous life.

At least, this is how the North District was like until last year.

Since Korma advanced to Big Wizard, as her prestige grew, the sky in the North District gained a few hints of sunlight, and the robes of pedestrians on the streets also got more colorful. A small but significant change is that on this visit to the North District, Zheng Qing hardly saw any little wizards in tattered robes selling inferior amulets made from frog tongues on the streets.

Originally, he thought everything was moving in a positive direction.

Until he witnessed this scene.

”So, what you mean is, because of insufficient strength, you can’t get enough good materials?” Crow No.3 asked coldly and mechanically.

The fat wizard caressed the ruby ring on his hand and carefully answered: ”As you see... now in the North District, more and more people have received that one’s curse mark. The problems we used to solve with sticks and axes can now be solved by them with just a few frogs... Without other methods, we can’t continue this business.”

”If?”

Crow No.3 repeated this subtle word, staring fixedly at the shameless guy in front, and after a long pause, softly asked: ”What does ’if’ mean?”

The fat wizard glanced at the still-slumbering Gu Diao sculpture on the door lintel.

Lowering his gaze, Zheng Qing saw a subtle and greedy light flash in his eyes.

”I’ve heard your experiments can now stably bring the subject up to registered wizard level?” He lowered his voice, speaking quickly: ”If I become a registered wizard, or a few of my puppets reach registered wizard level, then those frog-wielding folks will absolutely not refuse my goodwill...”

”Where did you hear that?” Crow No.3 interrupted his delusion.

”A very reliable channel.” The fat wizard accompanied his words with a smile, and a sly glint was in his eyes as he ambiguously answered: ”Buji Island is only so big, there aren’t many places where such information can be obtained.”

”Wandering Bar?”

Crow No.3’s tone carried some peculiarity as he sized up the fat wizard before him, and after a while, nodded slightly: ”Indeed, we have some transactions with that old thing, but...”

”A hundred healthy, intact experiment subjects!” The fat wizard rubbed his hands together like a feasting fly and eagerly offered his terms: ”Delivered within a week!”

”A week? Can you get that many?”

”If strength permits... In fact, we already have enough targets, just limited by objective conditions... If strength permits, absolutely no problem within a week! You know my reputation!”

This time, Crow No.3 pondered for a long time.

Then he extended a gloved hand to grip the fat wizard’s hand, shaking it: ”Your reputation is indeed good, so... we’ll give you a chance.”

With that, he withdrew his hand and turned, quickly disappearing into the shadow at the street corner.

Standing in place, the fat wizard trembled slightly, and opened his palm.

In his palm lay a peanut-sized bean.

Under the bright moonlight, Zheng Qing could clearly see the pale yellow metallic sheen on the surface of the bean and the clear letter ’M’ engraved on it.

Like hot sunlight melting snow, the copper bean in the fat wizard’s palm slowly melted in the cold moonlight, turning into a liquid with tentacles growing out of it, and following the lines of his skin, slowly absorbed into his hand.

A very faint trace of blood flashed across the fat wizard’s eyes.

A gentle breeze stirred his wide robe as if he sensed something, he raised his hands and examined every hair on them, grinning broadly with silent joy on his face.

What happened afterward, Zheng Qing didn’t see.

Because he found himself involuntarily leaving the entrance to Gu Diao Street, rapidly exiting the Northern District of Beta Town, as if ’riding’ an invisible escape technique. Before him was a rapidly retreating view, and the surrounding scenery frantically poured into his eyes, forcing him to close them, feeling a fleeting heat occasionally sweep over his body.

Moments later, the sensation of frantic motion gradually dissipated.

The young scholarship student cautiously opened his eyes, surprised to find himself at the entrance of Wandering Bar. He lifted his head and precisely caught sight of a window in the second-floor box, where a wizard wearing a Raven Mask was carefully tugging on the curtain.

A sudden awareness dawned within the young man’s heart.

Observing the scene he witnessed earlier tonight was most likely because of his urgent desire to catch the Raven. So, everything he observed tonight would only be related to the Raven.

With this awareness, Zheng Qing seemed like a real ghost, passing through walls. Soon, he arrived at the booth where the Raven was.

As expected, another familiar figure was in the room.

The Wandering Wizard was bandaging the wound of an injured sprite. The small tweezers dexterously twirled in his wide palm, and swiftly, he treated the sprite’s injury, tying a neat bow at the wound.