High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 3036: Chapter 49: Celebration Banquet

”—I heard you blew up the Ziwei Palace again?”

Korma looked at her own dean with a mischievous smile.

She ran into Zheng Qing when she went to get Amber Light—the Greenhill Mansion was hosting a celebration party for Poseidon’s transformation tonight, not a large affair, but the guests invited to the ceremony were all from strong backgrounds. Only wizards of the vice dean level and above from the First University and a few professors with deep ties received invitations from the mansion. Besides them, it was representatives of noble families and those associated with Legendary Wizards.

Korma occupied two identities.

She was both the vice dean of the Edge Academy and closely connected to the newly anointed Legendary Wizard, the Rat Immortal.

Hearing the witch’s teasing, Zheng Qing showed a trace of helplessness.

He couldn’t figure out where everyone got this idea.

”Why do they all say ’again’?”

The young dean’s tone had a hint of annoyance—he’d already lost count of how many times someone had mentioned the matter to him tonight. However, those daring to discuss it in front of him were mostly like Korma, closely connected to him, and the talk was more jesting than malicious, which made it hard for him to respond with a harsh face. Instead, he could only stew in silent resentment: ”...Moreover, it’s now called ’Xuanhuang Palace,’ not ’Ziwei Palace.’

Korma ignored the warlock’s minor correction.

”—I heard Su Shijun and Jiang Yu were also in the Purple Wisteria... uh, Xuanhuang Palace?”

Korma blinked and eagerly asked her second question—it was clear she had come prepared. When asking, she took a step to the side, cleverly blocking Zheng Qing’s escape route.

If Zheng Qing wanted to leave, his only options were to knock over the wine rack behind him or push past the witch in front.

Neither choice would have a good outcome under the public’s watch—for instance, if he pushed Korma during tonight’s party, rumors of discord between the Edge Academy’s two deans would spread rapidly. Danghag might even receive an anonymous complaint about Zheng Qing attacking a subordinate that very night.

”Nonsense!”

The dean of Edge Academy angrily gulped down a mouthful of wine, his face immediately turning a flush of red. He shook his head, speaking rapidly, ”—All rumors! Rumors! When the Xuanhuang Palace issue occurred, they had already left! And the Xuanhuang Palace didn’t blow up, it just had a minor incident during renovations! It’s been resolved! Yes, a very minor incident... just a tree pit got slightly bigger... the backfill was perfect; you can’t even tell there was a tree pit there before now!”

”Perhaps.”

The vice dean of the Edge Academy didn’t seem so easily convinced, showing a skeptical expression as she cited an indisputable example: ”Last time you blew up a street in the North District, and the restoration was also perfect—”

That was at least three years ago.

Zheng Qing muttered in his heart.

So, are all girls this petty? You accidentally blow up her street three years ago, and she still remembers. Besides, that incident had its reasons; should he have just let the outer gods descend without using some special means?

”—So, Jiang Yu and Su Shijun were indeed at your place that day, right?” Korma veered sharply and precisely again, catching Zheng Qing off guard.

Of course, he was very practiced at handling such things.

”Thanks for the concern...”

The warlock mumbled, his gaze unfocused, directly misinterpreting the witch’s curiosity, before shifting the topic: ”There are rumors everywhere, malevolent smears... um, and leaks! Sometimes I really wonder if Xuanhuang Palace is an official agency’s base, I feel like, whatever happens there, in less than fifteen minutes, many people seem to know... Back when I was in school, why didn’t I hear about any gossip from the Babel Tower or The Garden of Eden?”

”Because you weren’t at the right level back then.”

On the topic of leaks, Korma couldn’t help but put aside the gossip, clarifying slightly: ”A person’s circle of awareness and information acquisition changes with their level and status. When you’re a student, most information you get concerns credits, relationships, fights, or some hidden paths in the academy. But when you become a Big Wizard, the information you encounter daily revolves around meetings, deaths, and interest exchanges.

There’s isolation in information between different circles.

Or rather, there’s a barrier to information.

Just like the Ziwei... uh, I mean, Xuanhuang Palace’s news. It doesn’t involve any secret operations or special projects. You didn’t deliberately cover it up—didn’t even desensitize that old locust tree—so when anything happens there, all the legends on the island know. You have to understand, Buji Island is too crowded. With so many legends gathered together, they don’t even need to turn over; just a glance can reveal many things. The difference is whether they choose to stay silent on these matters.

The legends know, and it’s likely their followers or favored juniors will also find out. And you can’t expect a legend who hasn’t signed a Silence Contract to remain silent on small matters—the only thing that truly keeps them silent would be things affecting them directly, or what’s really impactful to their existence at a Legendary Level.”

These insights from Korma, Zheng Qing had some vague understanding of before, just not in precise terms.

”I always thought the official matters were top secret, impossible for ordinary wizards to know.” He mumbled, taking a small sip of Amber Light.

Korma raised an eyebrow.

”Which of those present is an ordinary wizard?”

She chuckled lightly, paused, then added: ”...After all, on this rather dull little island, there’s hardly any entertainment that everyone can enjoy together.”

”To think I could bring everyone joy is truly an honor.” The warlock raised his glass, giving a self-deprecating smile.

”Um, there should be more than one thing amusing people tonight.”

Korma gestured with her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of admiration: ”I didn’t expect that, in this kind of setting, you would dare to invite Jiang Yu... Impressive, truly impressive!”

Zheng Qing felt his stiff smile transform into a melting block of wax.

”—She wasn’t invited by me.” He had to offer a brief explanation, then realized that sounded wrong, and quickly amended: ”I mean, I’m also a guest here.”

”Hmm? A guest owning half the property of Greenhill Mansion?” The Edge Academy’s vice dean looked at him disdainfully: ”I was there at the Danghag hearing... if she wasn’t invited by you, then it’s even worse!”