High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 3040: Chapter 53: Degeneration and Progress

”——We can’t continue to supply you with those Fu Bullets for the time being.”

Zheng Qing shook his head apologetically.

He was past the time when he needed to sell his core abilities for a few hundred jade coins. The complicated work at the Edge Academy and relevant departments left him no time for such trivial matters. Taking a step back, even if he wanted to spare some time to make a few Fu Bullets for the Trident Sword out of care for juniors, the Trident Sword was not eligible to accept them.

After all, those Fu Bullets were related to Forbidden Curses. When Zheng Qing’s identity was previously unclear, the relevant departments might have turned a blind eye. But now, Zheng Qing was one of the heads of those departments, and as an official institution of the Alliance, the Trident Sword could not take the lead in violating the underlying consensus and rules of the Alliance’s operations.

”——If you guys could get the relevant department’s approval, then we could discuss it further.”

After kindly refusing, Zheng Qing added, ”Of course, since I can’t continue to fulfill the agreement, if it causes any loss to the Trident Sword, I’m willing to fully compensate...”

But compensation was impossible.

Even if he was willing to give compensation, the Trident Sword couldn’t accept it. Even if the Trident Sword was willing to accept it, the school and other Legends would be displeased.

However, this attitude was necessary.

As expected, upon hearing Zheng Qing’s apology, Andrew’s chubby face turned pale in an instant: ”No, no, just joking... What I mean is, it would be best if you could continue providing those Fu Bullets, but if you can’t, it’s okay, it’s okay!”

Zheng Qing sighed slightly at heart.

This was probably the biggest reality in the Wizard World — when you become a Legend, or have a legendary status, with more freedom also comes less freedom, for example, the freedom to be equal with the ’dust’.

For low-level Wizards, it’s best if Legends do nothing.

Just like the story of the blank paper and ants Zheng Qing once heard in Old Yao’s Philosophy of Magic class; any interference by Legends in this world will cause harm — whether with good or bad intentions — so it’s best for them to do nothing, like a mountain, sitting quietly.

Even the world of the White Ding follows similar rules — the Sage Emperor governs by doing nothing, so the world remains peaceful — as stated in the Taoist Scripture ’governing a large country is like cooking small fish,’ Legends are the embodiment of large countries.

”Just joking.”

The young Legend soothed the Trishula Commissioner with a pat on the shoulder, paused, and tried to restart an appropriate topic between the two, but no matter how he thought, his initial connection with Mr. An was related to Thomas. When he followed Thomas to contact the Wizard World for the first time, the scene of two young wizards passionately discussing the hunts seemed to be just yesterday.

Zheng Qing sighed slightly: ”——Any news about Thomas from the Trident Sword?”

Andrew’s mood grew more depressed.

”No,” he said in a somewhat forlorn tone, bowed his head, ”Sorry - what I mean is, while I can’t apologize on behalf of them, I’m really sorry.”

Zheng Qing then recalled that Andrew seemed to know Nikita as well.

In the end, there wasn’t much more for the two to talk about.

But this imperceptible rift didn’t lead to noticeable silence, as more and more wizards with raised glasses gathered around as Zheng Qing stayed in the corner for a bit longer, making the area especially lively.

Initially, it was a few witches, perhaps seeing that the owner of Greenhill Mansion was not nearby, boldly wandering around the young Legend. Zheng Qing wisely maintained a safe distance from them, even if there was an exchange, it was merely polite clinking of glasses.

Then came a few middle-aged wizards—some self-recommendations applying to be a professor at Edge Academy; another claimed they solved a certain magic problem and needed Zheng Qing to provide a lab for validation; others subtly inquired if there was a way to join the relevant departments, and so on, diverse and varied.

Until finally, the distinguished elder wizards arrived.

Unlike the simple greetings during the blessing for Poseidon, the elder wizards who chased him to the edge of the banquet now bore serious expressions, clearly not merely there to say hello.

And indeed, this was the case.

The Elder of the Black family, representing the Wizard Council and noble families within the Alliance, lodged an informal protest against the Edge Academy for hiring an ogre for formal teaching duties.

”——This is a silent decadence.”

The Black family elder’s expression was grave, his tone impassioned: ”Even the Witch Demons from the Land of Desolation have reasons to speak. The Alliance’s most vital reason for recognizing them as Demons is their cannibalism, but now we’re hiring an ogre to act as a mentor for young wizards! If the school accepts ogres, why not Witch Demons? Yesterday they accepted Fishmen, today it’s ogres, tomorrow will it be Witch Demons? Eventually, will there be no distinction between decadence and non-decadence?”

”It’s not that exaggerated; Professor Hanibal’s records were also reviewed by the School Works Committee and the Professor Joint Meeting, he’s been a vegetarian since birth, and his magic power is even purer than most little wizards...” Zheng Qing explained absentmindedly — Professor Hanibal is the two-headed ogre hired by Korma. He couldn’t help but remark wryly that the school could tolerate a Legendary Demon as dean, so how could they possibly care about the mere title of ’Ogre.’

Of course, at this moment, the two wizards discussing this matter tactfully avoided mentioning a certain Legendary Demon, even if it was a very noteworthy subject for both parties.

”——This matter has nothing to do with whether it’s reviewed or the purity of magic power.”

The Elder of the Black family persisted in their point: ”A dam of a thousand miles destroyed by a tiny ant, the school is a place cultivating the Alliance’s next generation of core strength. If a single rat drops into the soup, it will affect the entire generation’s thinking!”

”Thoughts are inherently in constant change.”

Korma’s slightly mocking voice arose beside, ”One-thousand years ago, wizards hung the skulls of vampires in their living rooms; Five-hundred years ago, skinning the scalps of Shaman Wizards was fashionable; Three-hundred years ago, Fishmen were demons any wizard could freely kill... And now? The Blood Race are our coworkers, Shamans are our colleagues, Fishmen live in Lin Zhong Lake, blowing bubbles for fun every day. Is this decadence, or progress? If the Alliance’s next generation only sticks to old traditions stubbornly, this Alliance will only stagnate in a pool of stagnant water, slowly evaporating in the sunlight.”

The wording was quite polite.

Zheng Qing thought, if Korma’s attitude hadn’t changed, he surely wouldn’t have illustrated with ’stagnant water,’ but would have pointed at the elder wizard opposite and called him a ’dry bones in the grave.’