Chapter 69: Consultant
The rain continued for several days, from Friday until Monday. Jiang Hong stayed every day in Lu Xiu's dorm, sleeping till almost noon, while the continuous light rain outside turned the leaves a fresh green.
Waking up to the sound of rain, the fresh, moist air from the mountains seeped in, creating a serene atmosphere. Lu Xiu always slept late with Jiang Hong but always woke up a bit earlier. How did Jiang Hong know? Because when he opened his eyes, Lu Xiu's warmth still lingered beside him, warm and comforting.
After getting up, Lu Xiu would start grading final exam papers, checking attendance records, and assigning grades to each student. Seeing him dressed in casual clothes, sitting at the desk, focusing intently, made Jiang Hong feel it was almost surreal.
A dragon as a teacher… A dragon grading papers… A dragon playing mobile games…
Anything, when linked with Lu Xiu's identity, turned magical, including a dragon posting on the confession wall.
But what exactly are we to each other now?!
During this time, Jiang Hong began to feel they really were like a couple, and Lu Xiu seemingly naturally became his boyfriend, but he hadn’t said anything, had he?
"What if he does say something? What should I do then?" Jiang Hong started to worry again.
Fortunately, Lu Xiu didn’t say anything and acted normally. This weekend, they stayed together the entire time. Several times, Jiang Hong completely forgot to worry about their relationship, falling back into their usual routine.
But by the weekend evening, when they parted ways and Jiang Hong returned to his dormitory, listening to his roommates chatting excitedly, he began to feel conflicted again.
Jin successfully asked out the beautiful sister of the Persian cat, but was too nervous to speak. They spent time together as friends, but there was no further progress.
"So what does this mean?" He Jian asked. "Why are you so timid? Just confess!"
"Confess my foot!" Jin almost roared. "I can't say it out loud!"
Zhang Xiting said, "Do you like her?"
Jin replied, "Of course, I like her, but I'm a lion, and she's a cat... I thought about it seriously but still couldn't say it..."
Wearing safety goggles, Jiang Hong was on the balcony, busily welding a part onto a Western sword, listening to the conversation in the dorm and couldn't help but laugh.
"The most important thing is whether you like her or not," Zhang Xiting said. "One must be true to their own heart, just as Russell said..."
"Who is Russell?" He Jian wondered.
"A philosopher of their human race," Jin knew.
"I know, I know!" Jiang Hong quickly responded. "He's one of my idols."
Zhang Xiting snapped his fingers and said, "Now, let's have Jiang Hong answer this question."
Jiang Hong knew exactly what Zhang Xiting was referring to. While focusing on his blacksmithing, he replied, "True wisdom is when we face difficulties and choices, we must ask ourselves 'What is the fact? What is the truth supported by the fact?' Facts don’t change because of what you 'think should be.'"
"Correct," Zhang Xiting said. "Don’t let morality and desire twist it, don't deceive yourself, facts are facts."
Jiang Hong truly admired Russell's wisdom and had always used this principle to guide himself. A year ago, when he considered dropping out, Cao Bin had said the same thing. Perhaps that's why he became Cao Bin's direct disciple. Deep down in their hearts, they shared something similar - respect for facts and truth.
He Jian asked, "Does she like you?"
Jin said, "She accepted the gift and really liked it, what do you think? It's just waiting for me to make a move."
Jiang Hong fell silent again, pushing his safety goggles up to his forehead, silently working on his Western sword, clinking and clanking as he worked.
The fact is, do you like him or not?
Jiang Hong was asking himself this, until the lights in the dormitory were turned off and Jin was still tangled up in his romantic troubles in the dark. Then, Jiang Hong quietly returned to his bed to sleep.
"I heard that Teacher Lu is going to perform at the school anniversary celebration!"
Monday was the practical class exam, with this semester's assessment based on group competition scores. Having completed most of their courses, the students took today's practical exam in a playful spirit, already discussing the upcoming school celebration.
Tomorrow is the anniversary celebration of Cangqiong University. There will be a student charity market and various exhibitions. On the day of the celebration, all magical restrictions on campus will be lifted, and in the evening, there will be performances, with all teachers participating to show a different side of themselves, a phenomenon jokingly referred to as "character collapse," aimed at bridging the gap between teachers and students.
Keda once dressed in women's clothing for a year, epitomizing a literal "character collapse."
"Teacher, what are you going to dress up as this year?" someone asked.
Keda, watching the exam, wanting to see how well his students had learned, shouted, "Focus on your exam! Don't think about all that other stuff!"
Jiang Hong, Lian Jiang, Jin, and the snake demon Chang Jun were grouped together. While waiting for their turn, Jiang Hong and Lian Jiang sat in a corner, chatting quietly.
After that night, the relationship between Jiang Hong and Lian Jiang progressed further, as if they had discovered some secrets about each other, bringing them closer.
"I'm actually quite curious about Teacher Lu..."
"Do you think he's the one who confessed?" Jiang Hong was still pondering.
"Of course, it's him. Who else could it be?" Lian Jiang replied.
Jiang Hong said, "But Lu Xiu... he hasn't said anything."
Lian Jiang: "Oh?"
Jiang Hong: "I can't just go and ask him directly! It would be too awkward, what if it's not him?"
Lian Jiang: "What else then? Are you going to ask everyone who might confess to you? 'Is it you? Is it you? Are you the one who confessed to me on the confession wall? Hey, mister, do you like me? Oh, it's not you? Then after eliminating all other possibilities, it must be Teacher Lu, right...'"
"Shut up!" Jiang Hong wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it, feeling even more embarrassed.
Lian Jiang burst into laughter, resting a hand on Jiang Hong's shoulder.
Jiang Hong asked, "Are you still single lately?"
Although Lian Jiang and Xiao Pi were always together, Jiang Hong felt that Lian Jiang treated Xiao Pi more like a younger brother. It's possible that Xiao Pi might even get jealous if Lian Jiang dated someone. But to Jiang Hong, the two of them together seemed so beautiful! Lian Jiang was handsome and trendy, skilled in skateboarding, cheerful, good-tempered, kind, and radiated warmth and enthusiasm.
Xiao Pi was the kind of young boy who seemed to need caring for, often appearing naive and lacking confidence. Jiang Hong also often felt a desire to protect and cherish him.
Lian Jiang said, "He made me a broadsword, and I was so touched."
"Hmm, is it really that moving?" Jiang Hong wondered, thinking that Lu Xiu must have been quite touched when he received the Western sword.
"Let's get back to talking about Teacher Lu..."
"I think there's no need to continue this topic..."
"First, you need to be clear about whether you like Teacher Lu or not."
"Stop it, it's our turn to go on now."
"It's still early."
"No, it's not..." Jiang Hong said. "Lian Jiang, listen to me."
Suddenly, Lian Jiang asked, "Have you not yet accepted your own sexual orientation?"
"Huh?" Jiang Hong was suddenly confronted with the main conflict.
Lian Jiang really hit the nail on the head.
It seemed true. Jiang Hong thought it over and over, and was about to mention this, so he explained, "I've never liked a boy before, nor have I been pursued by one. Suddenly being in this situation, it's indeed hard for me to... digest."
Lian Jiang suggested, "Okay, let's make a hypothesis. Since demons can shape-shift, what if Teacher Lu turned into a big sister?"
Jiang Hong: "!!!"
Lian Jiang gestured for him to imagine.
Jiang Hong: "???"
"Let's not go there!" Jiang Hong said. "That would be too strange! Aren't dragons only male?"
Lian Jiang replied, "It's the art of transformation, which is quite reasonable."
"No, no, no," Jiang Hong said, "He can't transform into a big sister. I still like Lu Xiu as he is. If he were a big sister, it would feel completely different, I..."
"So," Lian Jiang snapped his fingers, signaling to Jiang Hong, "do you like him as a man or her as a woman?"
Jiang Hong finally chose to face the facts and nodded: "I like him as a man. No, I should say, I like him as he has always been, and I don't want him to change."
Lian Jiang asked, "What if I did this...?"
Lian Jiang pretended to kiss Jiang Hong, who jumped in surprise and immediately said, "Stop! That's disgusting!"
Lian Jiang was just pretending and shrugged, "So, you don't accept other men."
Jiang Hong said, "Of course, that's exactly why I'm so... conflicted. Alright, thank you, Lian Jiang. I understand now."
Lian Jiang quickly helped Jiang Hong understand his own feelings; in this respect, Jiang Hong was truly grateful to Lian Jiang.
Hmm... Jiang Hong realized that he indeed liked Lu Xiu.
He paused for a moment, then Lian Jiang seriously said, "However, if you two don't get together, you might return to your original sexual orientation, or you might start liking other men and then only like men. I once had a crush on a boy in junior high, and I thought it had nothing to do with sexual orientation; I just simply liked him. We never ended up together, so..."
Lian Jiang shrugged, and for a moment, his usually cheerful eyes flickered with a hint of melancholy.
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement, saying, "Facing one's own heart is the most important thing."
"Exactly," Lian Jiang said. "Admit if you like someone, don't overthink it, and leave the rest to fate. Come on, it's our turn now!"
The four-person team gathered in the arena, and Jin asked, "Are we summoning Lu Xiu today?"
"No need!" Jiang Hong was in a much better mood now, feinting a move. He planned to rely solely on the physical techniques he'd learned from Cao Bin, neither using the Book of Everything nor summoning Lu Xiu to defeat his opponents.
"Go Lian Jiang! Go Jiang Hong!" Xiao Pi was cheering them on from the side.
Lian Jiang made a dashing gesture with his hands, conjuring his broadsword from thin air and leaning it diagonally on the ground, creating a 'clang' as he stood in front of his teammates like a tank, immediately drawing cheers from the crowd. Even Keda shouted, "Cool! I'm rooting for you!"
This was Lian Jiang's first time officially taking on the tank role in combat, usually, it was Jin who bore the brunt of the magic attacks. Jiang Hong couldn't help but admire, "So cool."
The battle commenced, and this time, they secured a splendid victory. Lian Jiang's broadsword danced up and down, while Jiang Hong proved to be more troublesome for the opponents, who were cautious of provoking him, fearing a sudden summoning of Lu Xiu for retaliation. Over the year, almost everyone underestimated Jiang Hong's combat skills, mistaking him for a mere summoner.
This gave Jiang Hong an opportunity; he first took down one opponent, then closed in and disrupted a classmate's spell, throwing them out of the ring with a sweeping takedown.
Cao Bin's physical techniques were indeed the bane of mages, and Jiang Hong's team, almost entirely eschewing magic in favor of physical prowess, swiftly won three, four, five victories in a row. With Lian Jiang drawing fire, Jin, Chang Jun, and Jiang Hong, all speedsters, struck fast and hard.
Their opponents were utterly frustrated, unable to cast their spells effectively.
In the end, they faced He Jian's team. He Jian took to the air, while Zhang Xiting used hypnosis on the ground, finally defeating them and pushing them out of the ring.
"See that? See that?" Keda addressed all the students, saying, "What is magic? Let's reiterate! Magic must be executed at a safe distance. You all like to learn and practice magic, don't you? You think I don’t teach enough magic, always training you in hand-to-hand combat. You want to learn flashy magic, forbidden spells, right? Study the law of causality, learn nuclear-level super spells... You look down upon combat, archery, cold weapons, all wanting to be great wizards with instant special effects, sound effects, holy light, undead dark mists! Cool and mind-blowing, isn't it? Now you see, right? You see?"
"When facing a combat-type enemy," Keda said, "your mages are just walking into a punch, not to mention in a confined space. Even in an arena, the enemy won’t give you time to cast your spells completely. In a battlefield, this way of fighting will only get you backstabbed."
Laughter erupted from the sidelines as Keda continued, "The aim of an attack is to take down the enemy, not to display fireworks. Next semester, you all know where your weaknesses lie."
"And don’t get too cocky," Keda added, "A purely physical team has to earnestly endure the enemy's control, right? Look, Zhang Xiting's magic clearly counters you. Without a ranged unit, facing flying units becomes a problem."
Jiang Hong was drenched in sweat from the fight. Although he lost, he felt exhilaratingly satisfied. This was his first time genuinely competing with his classmates without relying on magical artifacts or summoning Lu Xiu, and he even won.
It could be said that only today did Jiang Hong truly feel like a real demon hunter.
He lay on the grass outside the arena, looking up at the clear sky after the rain, and smiled.
Lian Jiang came over to give him a high-five, then gestured for him to look. Following his gaze, Jiang Hong saw Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu was standing on the other side of the arena, talking to Keda, and now watching him.
Jiang Hong immediately got up, but Lu Xiu vanished in a flash, and a text message appeared on his phone: [Well fought.]
"You've grown faster than I expected," Keda approached Jiang Hong and said, "Impressive."
Jiang Hong smiled sheepishly as the students dispersed, heading back to the dorms to shower and change.
Keda asked, "Do you have Cao Bin's class later?"
Jiang Hong: "Yes... oh no, it's already half past one!"
Today's practical class was extended due to the exam, but the other students had no classes in the afternoon. It was their last class, with only Jiang Hong and Xiao Pi having to attend the comprehensive demon hunting course.
Keda handed Jiang Hong a lunch box, saying, "Teacher Lu brought this for you."
"Thank you!" Jiang Hong, spotting the 'A' grade Keda gave their group, jumped up, clung to Keda, then ran off happily.
"There's a consultant coming to the Demon Hunting Committee today!" Keda said to Jiang Hong. "They're specifically looking for you!"
"Okay!" Jiang Hong replied, "Got it!"
A consultant? Jiang Hong arrived outside the Central Administration Building, having finished his last exam. He was now incredibly happy, pondering where to go for the summer vacation.
Lu Xiu had been quite busy lately, perhaps preparing for the school anniversary program. Jiang Hong hadn't yet had the chance to discuss their summer plans; would they be together for sure?
Jiang Hong headed to the S-class residence, where Si Gui was busy assembling a LEGO model.
"Done with exams?" Si Gui asked.
"Yes," Jiang Hong replied, opening the lunch of goose liver sandwich and stir-fried noodles that Lu Xiu had bought him, along with a sports drink.
"Did you do well?" Si Gui asked, focused on his LEGO.
"How did you know?" Jiang Hong asked. "Can you see my grades?"
"No," Si Gui glanced at Jiang Hong, "but I can feel that you're very happy."
"Because the finals are over," Jiang Hong said with a smile. "And I've resolved another worry, well, sort of resolved."
Si Gui simply responded, "Hmm."
Sometimes Jiang Hong felt an inexplicable psychic connection with Si Gui, like now. Even though Si Gui said nothing, Jiang Hong intuitively felt that Si Gui was a bit frantic, as if contemplating destroying the entire world.
The thought of Si Gui harboring the desire to become a great demon lord was frightening.
But what exactly was upsetting him? Oh! The model... there was a piece that wouldn't fit.
Jiang Hong said, "Do you want a sandwich? Let me help you."
Cao Bin hadn't arrived yet, and it was already 2:10 PM. Jiang Hong helped Si Gui fit a tiny part into place, apologizing, "Sorry, I'm all sweaty."
Si Gui waved it off, nodding appreciatively, the dangerous, world-destroying vibe dissipating.
"Is a visitor coming to the Demon Hunting Committee?" Jiang Hong asked curiously, "I heard they specifically asked for me."
"I don’t know," Si Gui replied, "but I'll be here, so don't worry."
Jiang Hong hummed in acknowledgment, then realized Si Gui meant he would intervene if the visitor tried to cause trouble. Touched, he remembered how Si Gui used to ignore everyone, but everything changed since Si Gui declared, "I've made you a friend." His offer of friendship was genuine, truly seeing Jiang Hong as a friend.
"Sorry for being late," Cao Bin entered, followed by Xiao Pi and another boy.
"Oh, it's fine," Jiang Hong, whose sweat had finally dried, replied, "I'm still eating... lunch. Hello!"
Jiang Hong noticed the new boy holding hands with Xiao Pi. A new student?
The boy smiled and nodded at him. He seemed only two or three years older than Xiao Pi, about seventeen or eighteen, with slightly long hair covering his ears, pale skin, and a slim figure. His features were delicate, his eyes and brows like ripples on water, lips softly outlined, and a straight nose. His nose and eyes gave Jiang Hong a sense of familiarity.
"This is the chief consultant of the Unresolved Affairs Department of the Demon Hunting Committee," Cao Bin introduced. "The department, also known as 'Question Mark Division,' has only two members. Besides him, the other is the principal’s... relative. He's come today especially to consult with you on some matters."
"Oh, okay, great," Jiang Hong, flattered, quickly stood up, wiped his hands on his clothes, and shook hands with the visitor.
The boy smiled and shook Jiang Hong's hand, his hand slightly cold. He then took out an electronic screen, writing: [Hello, my name is Chen Lang, and I am deaf-mute.]
Chapter 69: Consultant
The rain continued for several days, from Friday until Monday. Jiang Hong stayed every day in Lu Xiu's dorm, sleeping till almost noon, while the continuous light rain outside turned the leaves a fresh green.
Waking up to the sound of rain, the fresh, moist air from the mountains seeped in, creating a serene atmosphere. Lu Xiu always slept late with Jiang Hong but always woke up a bit earlier. How did Jiang Hong know? Because when he opened his eyes, Lu Xiu's warmth still lingered beside him, warm and comforting.
After getting up, Lu Xiu would start grading final exam papers, checking attendance records, and assigning grades to each student. Seeing him dressed in casual clothes, sitting at the desk, focusing intently, made Jiang Hong feel it was almost surreal.
A dragon as a teacher… A dragon grading papers… A dragon playing mobile games…
Anything, when linked with Lu Xiu's identity, turned magical, including a dragon posting on the confession wall.
But what exactly are we to each other now?!
During this time, Jiang Hong began to feel they really were like a couple, and Lu Xiu seemingly naturally became his boyfriend, but he hadn’t said anything, had he?
"What if he does say something? What should I do then?" Jiang Hong started to worry again.
Fortunately, Lu Xiu didn’t say anything and acted normally. This weekend, they stayed together the entire time. Several times, Jiang Hong completely forgot to worry about their relationship, falling back into their usual routine.
But by the weekend evening, when they parted ways and Jiang Hong returned to his dormitory, listening to his roommates chatting excitedly, he began to feel conflicted again.
Jin successfully asked out the beautiful sister of the Persian cat, but was too nervous to speak. They spent time together as friends, but there was no further progress.
"So what does this mean?" He Jian asked. "Why are you so timid? Just confess!"
"Confess my foot!" Jin almost roared. "I can't say it out loud!"
Zhang Xiting said, "Do you like her?"
Jin replied, "Of course, I like her, but I'm a lion, and she's a cat... I thought about it seriously but still couldn't say it..."
Wearing safety goggles, Jiang Hong was on the balcony, busily welding a part onto a Western sword, listening to the conversation in the dorm and couldn't help but laugh.
"The most important thing is whether you like her or not," Zhang Xiting said. "One must be true to their own heart, just as Russell said..."
"Who is Russell?" He Jian wondered.
"A philosopher of their human race," Jin knew.
"I know, I know!" Jiang Hong quickly responded. "He's one of my idols."
Zhang Xiting snapped his fingers and said, "Now, let's have Jiang Hong answer this question."
Jiang Hong knew exactly what Zhang Xiting was referring to. While focusing on his blacksmithing, he replied, "True wisdom is when we face difficulties and choices, we must ask ourselves 'What is the fact? What is the truth supported by the fact?' Facts don’t change because of what you 'think should be.'"
"Correct," Zhang Xiting said. "Don’t let morality and desire twist it, don't deceive yourself, facts are facts."
Jiang Hong truly admired Russell's wisdom and had always used this principle to guide himself. A year ago, when he considered dropping out, Cao Bin had said the same thing. Perhaps that's why he became Cao Bin's direct disciple. Deep down in their hearts, they shared something similar - respect for facts and truth.
He Jian asked, "Does she like you?"
Jin said, "She accepted the gift and really liked it, what do you think? It's just waiting for me to make a move."
Jiang Hong fell silent again, pushing his safety goggles up to his forehead, silently working on his Western sword, clinking and clanking as he worked.
The fact is, do you like him or not?
Jiang Hong was asking himself this, until the lights in the dormitory were turned off and Jin was still tangled up in his romantic troubles in the dark. Then, Jiang Hong quietly returned to his bed to sleep.
"I heard that Teacher Lu is going to perform at the school anniversary celebration!"
Monday was the practical class exam, with this semester's assessment based on group competition scores. Having completed most of their courses, the students took today's practical exam in a playful spirit, already discussing the upcoming school celebration.
Tomorrow is the anniversary celebration of Cangqiong University. There will be a student charity market and various exhibitions. On the day of the celebration, all magical restrictions on campus will be lifted, and in the evening, there will be performances, with all teachers participating to show a different side of themselves, a phenomenon jokingly referred to as "character collapse," aimed at bridging the gap between teachers and students.
Keda once dressed in women's clothing for a year, epitomizing a literal "character collapse."
"Teacher, what are you going to dress up as this year?" someone asked.
Keda, watching the exam, wanting to see how well his students had learned, shouted, "Focus on your exam! Don't think about all that other stuff!"
Jiang Hong, Lian Jiang, Jin, and the snake demon Chang Jun were grouped together. While waiting for their turn, Jiang Hong and Lian Jiang sat in a corner, chatting quietly.
After that night, the relationship between Jiang Hong and Lian Jiang progressed further, as if they had discovered some secrets about each other, bringing them closer.
"I'm actually quite curious about Teacher Lu..."
"Do you think he's the one who confessed?" Jiang Hong was still pondering.
"Of course, it's him. Who else could it be?" Lian Jiang replied.
Jiang Hong said, "But Lu Xiu... he hasn't said anything."
Lian Jiang: "Oh?"
Jiang Hong: "I can't just go and ask him directly! It would be too awkward, what if it's not him?"
Lian Jiang: "What else then? Are you going to ask everyone who might confess to you? 'Is it you? Is it you? Are you the one who confessed to me on the confession wall? Hey, mister, do you like me? Oh, it's not you? Then after eliminating all other possibilities, it must be Teacher Lu, right...'"
"Shut up!" Jiang Hong wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it, feeling even more embarrassed.
Lian Jiang burst into laughter, resting a hand on Jiang Hong's shoulder.
Jiang Hong asked, "Are you still single lately?"
Although Lian Jiang and Xiao Pi were always together, Jiang Hong felt that Lian Jiang treated Xiao Pi more like a younger brother. It's possible that Xiao Pi might even get jealous if Lian Jiang dated someone. But to Jiang Hong, the two of them together seemed so beautiful! Lian Jiang was handsome and trendy, skilled in skateboarding, cheerful, good-tempered, kind, and radiated warmth and enthusiasm.
Xiao Pi was the kind of young boy who seemed to need caring for, often appearing naive and lacking confidence. Jiang Hong also often felt a desire to protect and cherish him.
Lian Jiang said, "He made me a broadsword, and I was so touched."
"Hmm, is it really that moving?" Jiang Hong wondered, thinking that Lu Xiu must have been quite touched when he received the Western sword.
"Let's get back to talking about Teacher Lu..."
"I think there's no need to continue this topic..."
"First, you need to be clear about whether you like Teacher Lu or not."
"Stop it, it's our turn to go on now."
"It's still early."
"No, it's not..." Jiang Hong said. "Lian Jiang, listen to me."
Suddenly, Lian Jiang asked, "Have you not yet accepted your own sexual orientation?"
"Huh?" Jiang Hong was suddenly confronted with the main conflict.
Lian Jiang really hit the nail on the head.
It seemed true. Jiang Hong thought it over and over, and was about to mention this, so he explained, "I've never liked a boy before, nor have I been pursued by one. Suddenly being in this situation, it's indeed hard for me to... digest."
Lian Jiang suggested, "Okay, let's make a hypothesis. Since demons can shape-shift, what if Teacher Lu turned into a big sister?"
Jiang Hong: "!!!"
Lian Jiang gestured for him to imagine.
Jiang Hong: "???"
"Let's not go there!" Jiang Hong said. "That would be too strange! Aren't dragons only male?"
Lian Jiang replied, "It's the art of transformation, which is quite reasonable."
"No, no, no," Jiang Hong said, "He can't transform into a big sister. I still like Lu Xiu as he is. If he were a big sister, it would feel completely different, I..."
"So," Lian Jiang snapped his fingers, signaling to Jiang Hong, "do you like him as a man or her as a woman?"
Jiang Hong finally chose to face the facts and nodded: "I like him as a man. No, I should say, I like him as he has always been, and I don't want him to change."
Lian Jiang asked, "What if I did this...?"
Lian Jiang pretended to kiss Jiang Hong, who jumped in surprise and immediately said, "Stop! That's disgusting!"
Lian Jiang was just pretending and shrugged, "So, you don't accept other men."
Jiang Hong said, "Of course, that's exactly why I'm so... conflicted. Alright, thank you, Lian Jiang. I understand now."
Lian Jiang quickly helped Jiang Hong understand his own feelings; in this respect, Jiang Hong was truly grateful to Lian Jiang.
Hmm... Jiang Hong realized that he indeed liked Lu Xiu.
He paused for a moment, then Lian Jiang seriously said, "However, if you two don't get together, you might return to your original sexual orientation, or you might start liking other men and then only like men. I once had a crush on a boy in junior high, and I thought it had nothing to do with sexual orientation; I just simply liked him. We never ended up together, so..."
Lian Jiang shrugged, and for a moment, his usually cheerful eyes flickered with a hint of melancholy.
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement, saying, "Facing one's own heart is the most important thing."
"Exactly," Lian Jiang said. "Admit if you like someone, don't overthink it, and leave the rest to fate. Come on, it's our turn now!"
The four-person team gathered in the arena, and Jin asked, "Are we summoning Lu Xiu today?"
"No need!" Jiang Hong was in a much better mood now, feinting a move. He planned to rely solely on the physical techniques he'd learned from Cao Bin, neither using the Book of Everything nor summoning Lu Xiu to defeat his opponents.
"Go Lian Jiang! Go Jiang Hong!" Xiao Pi was cheering them on from the side.
Lian Jiang made a dashing gesture with his hands, conjuring his broadsword from thin air and leaning it diagonally on the ground, creating a 'clang' as he stood in front of his teammates like a tank, immediately drawing cheers from the crowd. Even Keda shouted, "Cool! I'm rooting for you!"
This was Lian Jiang's first time officially taking on the tank role in combat, usually, it was Jin who bore the brunt of the magic attacks. Jiang Hong couldn't help but admire, "So cool."
The battle commenced, and this time, they secured a splendid victory. Lian Jiang's broadsword danced up and down, while Jiang Hong proved to be more troublesome for the opponents, who were cautious of provoking him, fearing a sudden summoning of Lu Xiu for retaliation. Over the year, almost everyone underestimated Jiang Hong's combat skills, mistaking him for a mere summoner.
This gave Jiang Hong an opportunity; he first took down one opponent, then closed in and disrupted a classmate's spell, throwing them out of the ring with a sweeping takedown.
Cao Bin's physical techniques were indeed the bane of mages, and Jiang Hong's team, almost entirely eschewing magic in favor of physical prowess, swiftly won three, four, five victories in a row. With Lian Jiang drawing fire, Jin, Chang Jun, and Jiang Hong, all speedsters, struck fast and hard.
Their opponents were utterly frustrated, unable to cast their spells effectively.
In the end, they faced He Jian's team. He Jian took to the air, while Zhang Xiting used hypnosis on the ground, finally defeating them and pushing them out of the ring.
"See that? See that?" Keda addressed all the students, saying, "What is magic? Let's reiterate! Magic must be executed at a safe distance. You all like to learn and practice magic, don't you? You think I don’t teach enough magic, always training you in hand-to-hand combat. You want to learn flashy magic, forbidden spells, right? Study the law of causality, learn nuclear-level super spells... You look down upon combat, archery, cold weapons, all wanting to be great wizards with instant special effects, sound effects, holy light, undead dark mists! Cool and mind-blowing, isn't it? Now you see, right? You see?"
"When facing a combat-type enemy," Keda said, "your mages are just walking into a punch, not to mention in a confined space. Even in an arena, the enemy won’t give you time to cast your spells completely. In a battlefield, this way of fighting will only get you backstabbed."
Laughter erupted from the sidelines as Keda continued, "The aim of an attack is to take down the enemy, not to display fireworks. Next semester, you all know where your weaknesses lie."
"And don’t get too cocky," Keda added, "A purely physical team has to earnestly endure the enemy's control, right? Look, Zhang Xiting's magic clearly counters you. Without a ranged unit, facing flying units becomes a problem."
Jiang Hong was drenched in sweat from the fight. Although he lost, he felt exhilaratingly satisfied. This was his first time genuinely competing with his classmates without relying on magical artifacts or summoning Lu Xiu, and he even won.
It could be said that only today did Jiang Hong truly feel like a real demon hunter.
He lay on the grass outside the arena, looking up at the clear sky after the rain, and smiled.
Lian Jiang came over to give him a high-five, then gestured for him to look. Following his gaze, Jiang Hong saw Lu Xiu.
Lu Xiu was standing on the other side of the arena, talking to Keda, and now watching him.
Jiang Hong immediately got up, but Lu Xiu vanished in a flash, and a text message appeared on his phone: [Well fought.]
"You've grown faster than I expected," Keda approached Jiang Hong and said, "Impressive."
Jiang Hong smiled sheepishly as the students dispersed, heading back to the dorms to shower and change.
Keda asked, "Do you have Cao Bin's class later?"
Jiang Hong: "Yes... oh no, it's already half past one!"
Today's practical class was extended due to the exam, but the other students had no classes in the afternoon. It was their last class, with only Jiang Hong and Xiao Pi having to attend the comprehensive demon hunting course.
Keda handed Jiang Hong a lunch box, saying, "Teacher Lu brought this for you."
"Thank you!" Jiang Hong, spotting the 'A' grade Keda gave their group, jumped up, clung to Keda, then ran off happily.
"There's a consultant coming to the Demon Hunting Committee today!" Keda said to Jiang Hong. "They're specifically looking for you!"
"Okay!" Jiang Hong replied, "Got it!"
A consultant? Jiang Hong arrived outside the Central Administration Building, having finished his last exam. He was now incredibly happy, pondering where to go for the summer vacation.
Lu Xiu had been quite busy lately, perhaps preparing for the school anniversary program. Jiang Hong hadn't yet had the chance to discuss their summer plans; would they be together for sure?
Jiang Hong headed to the S-class residence, where Si Gui was busy assembling a LEGO model.
"Done with exams?" Si Gui asked.
"Yes," Jiang Hong replied, opening the lunch of goose liver sandwich and stir-fried noodles that Lu Xiu had bought him, along with a sports drink.
"Did you do well?" Si Gui asked, focused on his LEGO.
"How did you know?" Jiang Hong asked. "Can you see my grades?"
"No," Si Gui glanced at Jiang Hong, "but I can feel that you're very happy."
"Because the finals are over," Jiang Hong said with a smile. "And I've resolved another worry, well, sort of resolved."
Si Gui simply responded, "Hmm."
Sometimes Jiang Hong felt an inexplicable psychic connection with Si Gui, like now. Even though Si Gui said nothing, Jiang Hong intuitively felt that Si Gui was a bit frantic, as if contemplating destroying the entire world.
The thought of Si Gui harboring the desire to become a great demon lord was frightening.
But what exactly was upsetting him? Oh! The model... there was a piece that wouldn't fit.
Jiang Hong said, "Do you want a sandwich? Let me help you."
Cao Bin hadn't arrived yet, and it was already 2:10 PM. Jiang Hong helped Si Gui fit a tiny part into place, apologizing, "Sorry, I'm all sweaty."
Si Gui waved it off, nodding appreciatively, the dangerous, world-destroying vibe dissipating.
"Is a visitor coming to the Demon Hunting Committee?" Jiang Hong asked curiously, "I heard they specifically asked for me."
"I don’t know," Si Gui replied, "but I'll be here, so don't worry."
Jiang Hong hummed in acknowledgment, then realized Si Gui meant he would intervene if the visitor tried to cause trouble. Touched, he remembered how Si Gui used to ignore everyone, but everything changed since Si Gui declared, "I've made you a friend." His offer of friendship was genuine, truly seeing Jiang Hong as a friend.
"Sorry for being late," Cao Bin entered, followed by Xiao Pi and another boy.
"Oh, it's fine," Jiang Hong, whose sweat had finally dried, replied, "I'm still eating... lunch. Hello!"
Jiang Hong noticed the new boy holding hands with Xiao Pi. A new student?
The boy smiled and nodded at him. He seemed only two or three years older than Xiao Pi, about seventeen or eighteen, with slightly long hair covering his ears, pale skin, and a slim figure. His features were delicate, his eyes and brows like ripples on water, lips softly outlined, and a straight nose. His nose and eyes gave Jiang Hong a sense of familiarity.
"This is the chief consultant of the Unresolved Affairs Department of the Demon Hunting Committee," Cao Bin introduced. "The department, also known as 'Question Mark Division,' has only two members. Besides him, the other is the principal’s... relative. He's come today especially to consult with you on some matters."
"Oh, okay, great," Jiang Hong, flattered, quickly stood up, wiped his hands on his clothes, and shook hands with the visitor.
The boy smiled and shook Jiang Hong's hand, his hand slightly cold. He then took out an electronic screen, writing: [Hello, my name is Chen Lang, and I am deaf-mute.]
