High School of Demon Hunting

Outside the gate.

A gentle night wind swept through, causing the lush vines on the wall to collide with each other, creating a continuous rustling sound.

The Door Gods on the talisman board were silent, just like the dark blue metal door.

Ghent and Yulei stood firm, staring straight ahead with an imposing aura, while the golden-eyed white-haired tiger squatted beside Yulei, its tail curled in front, glaring at the two guests who "remembered something amusing," with a hostile gaze.

Zheng Qing suspected that next time he came, this white-haired tiger would make things difficult for him.

Of course, this thought only flashed through his mind, as most of his attention was on the last words of Doctor Du Zemu—"Like a forbidden curse"—was he deliberate, or accidental? Or was he probing something?

Distracted by these thoughts, he hardly noticed Doctor Du Zemu walking a few more steps forward after sending them off.

Until Jiang Yulian’s voice stopped him.

"Please hold, we can make our way back ourselves." The witch’s voice sounded a bit uneasy. She subtly tugged Zheng Qing’s robe, indicating for him to chime in.

Zheng Qing turned around, finally realizing what was happening.

The cold wind in the alley had somehow stopped, yet the vines on the high walls remained restless. Many broad leaves were subtly lifted, revealing pairs of curious, watchful eyes—perhaps these sprites—or the eyes behind them—were curious about what kind of guests warranted the famed Alchemy Grandmaster to personally see them off.

"Please hold, please hold." Zheng Qing followed the witch’s lead, urging with a hint of apprehension.

"Hmm, it’s alright."

Doctor Du Zemu waved casually, seemingly oblivious to the unusual stares around, walking a few more steps before noticing the young wizards decisively not moving any further. Helplessly, he shrugged: "No need to be so serious, just a stroll after dinner, no problem."

Zheng Qing certainly did not believe such words.

Because in just a few steps, the heads poking out from under the wide vine leaves grew in number, many eyes now blatantly unrestrained, seemingly not caring if the wizards noticed their peculiarity.

Zheng Qing did not want any trouble.

He and Jiang Yu planned to graduate early this term.

"Earlier, you mentioned wanting to purchase the refining technique of the Philosopher’s Stone..." Before Doctor Du Zemu’s sentence was finished, Zheng Qing wished he could punch him to silence.

Because as soon as those words came out, the surrounding watchful eyes sharpened considerably, seemingly illuminating the dark alley. Many eyes that originally focused on the doctor abruptly shifted to Zheng Qing. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Just an intention, an intention," the young teaching assistant hastily corrected the doctor’s remark; his voice was dry from the tension. "You haven’t agreed, have you?"

The sharp eyes returned to a gentler state.

Doctor Du Zemu, with hands resting on his belt, chuckled but then earnestly continued: "No need to be nervous... I’m just saying, if you intend to use the ’Philosopher’s Stone’ to cure the sprites’ anomalies, the cost would be exorbitant, which I would advise against. If you use my refining method for the Philosopher’s Stone, I would still advise against it... Killing one innocent life to save another is never a solution, especially since if you want to refine a Magic Stone, the number of innocent lives required will surely exceed one."

Zheng Qing’s expression turned serious.

Before tonight, he indeed had not considered this angle of the issue—though he originally had not planned to use the ’Dushi Philosopher’s Stone’ to treat his sprites.

Under the broad leaves of vines on both sides, rustling sounds emerged, seemingly someone letting out mocking laughter, though Zheng Qing wasn’t certain.

Before leaving, he turned back for a final glance at the position of the ’Abnormal Life Research Institute.’

The group was quite some distance from the gate; the dark door mouth loomed in the deep alley like the vaguely open mouth of a beast, the white plaque on the left wall like a fang, exuding a chilling aura.

He suddenly remembered another matter.

"Doctor," the young wizard halted abruptly, pondering carefully before asking: "When I arrived, I noticed your plaque had some new inscriptions... One said ’related department of Edge Academy.’ Does that imply you also hold a position at the Edge Academy?"

His inquiry was rather vague.

The owner of the plaque responded evasively as well.

"Indeed, we are colleagues," Doctor Du Zemu explained nonchalantly: "Of course, I am not responsible for teaching work; the Edge Academy collaborates with my laboratory for some ’useful research’... every academy has dedicated researchers; it’s nothing unusual."

He didn’t seem inclined to explain the meaning behind the words ’related department.’

Zheng Qing wanted to ask further, but Jiang Yu decisively pulled him backward.

"It really is an intrusion tonight," the witch politely interrupted the conversation between the two warlocks, apologizing: "But we have a class later..."

Zheng Qing finally recalled his evening class on the ’Abus Duo Conjecture,’ sheepishly quieted himself.

Until they exited the alley.

He then apologized: "Sorry for the trouble, it’s mainly that I haven’t seen the doctor in ages, couldn’t help but talk a bit more... The ’related department of Edge Academy’ on his door, aren’t you curious?"

"Curious, but not every curiosity should be satisfied."

The witch briefly commented, glancing back with a hint of longing at the now blurry alley entrance, ultimately returning her gaze: "However, I think next time you can visit on your own."

Zheng Qing was left silent.

He first visited Doctor Du Zemu’s laboratory through Jiang Yu’s introduction.

Back then, the doctor was ousted by the school, isolated, with hardly anyone aware of him even on Buji Island, while the Jiang Family was the biggest supporter of this institute, hence Doctor was very hospitable to Jiang Yu’s arrival.

But today, when the two returned, Doctor Du Zemu had lost the eagerness he showed during the witch’s initial visit, his attitude somewhat indifferent. Instead, Zheng Qing, who received a cold reception initially, now became a welcomed guest due to his changed identity.

Such a change could hardly be described as ’arrogance before familiarity,’ but it inevitably left an uneasy feeling within.

One could only say that, being a wizard from Alpha, even a long-time dedicated Alchemy Grandmaster could not avoid being tainted by the academy’s utilitarian and indifferent aura.