High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 2390: Chapter 611: After the New Year’s Eve Vigil

After sitting for a long time, the lamp extinguished, and he got up to see the Big Dipper slanting;

Children try to stay awake, keeping vigil with a noisy uproar.

The wizards’ New Year’s Eve vigil ritual is quite similar yet slightly different from that of the commoners.

The so-called ’similarity’ refers to lighting the New Year’s fire, the family sitting together all night until dawn, a process almost identical to the ancient ritual; the ’slight difference’ is the wizards’ New Year’s fire can truly ward off evil and prevent plagues, and the Nian beast is a genuine magical monster.

Of course, in modern times, especially in a place like Buji Island where wizards gather, the so-called Nian beast is merely a mystical creature with strange behavior. Many wizards even go to the wilderness or the lakeshore to keep vigil, hoping to catch a glimpse of this now rare and legendary magical creature.

It was Zheng Qing’s first New Year in the Wizard World, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of curiosity.

After entering the Wizard World, if there was any childhood wish he had, aside from keeping a little mermaid in a bathtub, it would probably be the ’Nian beast’.

He has always been curious about what this legendary monster looks like. Although there are images in the library, the saying ’learning from books is shallow’ seems apt, as the description in books leaves something desired and makes people want more.

But considering he was recently attacked by a raven and the aftereffects still lingered, causing accidents throughout the night by breaking cups and collapsing chairs, the young cost student wisely refrained from making any extravagant requests during the vigil, sitting dutifully at the table, occasionally poking Poseidon to wake up and ensure her beautiful big tail didn’t get singed by the lamp flames.

The entire Greenhill Mansion would be brightly lit all night tonight.

Except that in other rooms, the New Year’s fire consists of hanging Ancient Gublai Fairy Fires on the walls and corridors; only in the main hall where everyone gathered was the New Year’s fire a small oil lamp.

Though the lamp was small, its flame was bright; the pea-sized green flame burned quietly atop the oil lamp, its luminous glow filling the room completely, releasing magical brilliance filled with blessings.

The mansion’s maids did not need to work tonight, dressed in loose casual clothes, gathering in threes and fours, some sitting cross-legged on the sofa reading quietly, others sprawling before the little tea table playing checkers. Yet some, more lively and spirited, reverted to their fox race true forms, playfully chasing each other with their tails between tables and chairs delightfully.

Zheng Qing sat amidst a group of foxes, surrounded by constant chirping and chattering, his gaze lingering among various fluffy big tails, stirring an incessant urge to secretly tug one.

”Pulling a tail is worse than pulling hair.”

Su Shijun easily detected the impulsive glint in the boy’s eyes, warning him prematurely: ”If you get scratched all over the face because of it, don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Gah!

A light blue little fox heard the witch’s warning and jumped eagerly to Zheng Qing’s side, fur bristled like a blob of blue cotton candy, simultaneously growling a threatening sound. Poseidon, who had been dozing off, seemed revitalized upon hearing the sound and waved her tail, promptly chasing the little blue fox in play.

Zheng Qing instinctively designated the little blue fox as Su Ya.

”How could it be...” he chuckled dryly, watching the two little foxes frolic, tugging the blanket covering his legs, as if attempting to conceal the thought of tugging a fox tail.

Crack.

A stack of red envelope wrappers was tossed into the boy’s lap by Su Shijun.

”If you find yourself bored, you can start preparing everyone’s New Year’s money.” The witch, seemingly amused by some thought, flashed a cheerful expression: ”By custom, everyone in the mansion gets New Year’s money, including Dong Dong.”

Perhaps merely an illusion.

Upon Su Shijun uttering the words ’New Year’s money’, Zheng Qing felt all the foxes in the room subtly glance at him, eyes sparkling. Coupled with the central tea table, where the pea-sized green flame flickered, inexplicably sending a slight shiver down his spine.

”New Year’s money... is it?”

Zheng Qing felt caught off guard with this term—before today, in his ingrained impression, he was the one receiving New Year’s money—but immediately, recalling his ’identity’ in Greenhill Mansion, a peculiar feeling inexplicably arose in his heart, as if this seemingly mundane occurrence signaled the end of a certain phase in his life.

”How much do you give?” Lacking experience, the boy softly consulted the witch who handed him the envelope wrappers.

Su Shijun was engrossed in reading ”The Prelude of Cereno” with great relish—after discovering that Furry Bean served as Poseidon’s personal attendant, she developed a strong interest in Tingdalous hunting dogs, sourcing many related books. Upon hearing, she tilted her head toward the boy and innocently blinked.

”Me? What do I give?”

She showed no hint of masking the surprise on her face, her tone carrying a touch of schadenfreude: ”You’re the mansion’s male master, aren’t you! By the way, my share of New Year’s money is included as well!”

Zheng Qing’s mouth twitched slightly.

He had reason to suspect the witch was eyeing his little stash. At the beginning of next month, namely March 1st, the first batch of five Blood Symbol Bullets to Trident Sword was due, and prior to that, the well-funded Investigation Bureau had already transferred the entire sum to the boy’s account at Sam’s Pass in full confidence he wouldn’t default.

A few days ago, while searching for someone at San You Bookstore, Zheng Qing discreetly slipped into the Sam’s Pass branch in Beta Town, withdrawing the first batch of 750 jade coins, storing them in his grey cloth bag.

For no other reason than the reassuring weight they imparted.

Just like now.

Although aware of Su Shijun’s playful tricks, the jade coins clinking in the grey cloth bag bolstered the boy immensely, allowing him to effortlessly ignore such antics.

”There’s enough for everyone!” He gestured generously, retrieving one jade coin from the grey cloth bag and slipping it without hesitation into a red envelope.

Judging by the number of maids present, he felt he could celebrate the New Year weekly.

It was at this moment that Su Daxu’s ethereal voice echoed beside him: ”Typically, whether copper coins or jade coins, New Year’s money is sealed in groups of nine. Nine aligns with the Nine Luminaries, ruling over earthly fortune and misfortune... Of course, ten is also nice, epitomizing perfection.”

Zheng Qing immediately halted his activity.

Though jade coins were durable, he feared their inability to bear the intensity of his emotional turmoil. He then bowed his head and glanced at the red paper envelope in hand and the grey cloth bag beside him, letting out a heavy sigh.

Naturally, Greenhill Mansion wouldn’t give its maids a heap of copper coins for New Year’s.

A pile of gold beans was rather crass.

The mere thought of his yet to be warmed jade coins slipping into others’ pockets stirred a deep-seated ache in Zheng Qing’s heart.