51

Capítulo 14

As luck would have it, Tang Chen turned around and asked, "Hengzhi, have you finished writing your economics report?"

"It's almost finished writing." A warning bell rang in my mind, and I quickly lied.

But this didn't work on Tang Chen, who was overflowing with kindness. "I'll take Yu Zheng to catch his ride and then come back to check on you."

Huang E let out a smug laugh (only then did she dare to make a sound), but Miss Yu Zheng's expression changed, though only for a moment.

“…We’ll see tomorrow.” I chuckled dryly. “I have something to do with Shuo tonight.”

"Then let's do it tomorrow." Tang Chen put his arm around Yu Zheng intimately and smiled gently at her. "Let's go."

She smiled sweetly, but glanced at me.

I swear, if looks could kill, I would be lying on the ground already.

Shuo is a witch.

Aside from Huang'e and me, almost no one else knew about this. I don't know where she learned her skills, but it was definitely not from the Eastern school. She treated me with exceptional favor, which flattered me greatly.

Thanks to her kindness, my broken body finally has a period of health, and I even have a weapon for self-defense.

(Although it severely depleted my wallet)

I didn't ask her about it, since she didn't want to talk about it. But she did subtly teach me some "common sense," such as "Muyue."

This is a term I made up myself. She only said that for the three days before the full moon, everyone should come to her place to bask in the moonlight. Indeed, after basking in the moonlight like that, my health improved a lot. Since she didn't ask me to join any religion or worship any strange gods, and the ritual was so simple it was almost nonexistent... then there seemed to be no reason not to go.

(The important thing is that it doesn't cost any money)

Although I don't really like going out at night, I've lived here for almost a year, and everyone knows I'm under the old man's protection. Few demons who truly covet Tang Sanzang's flesh dare to come and negotiate with me because they're also wary of the Empress's sachet I carry.

After all, the example of the White Bone Demon serves as a stark warning, and people still cherish life.

So, Huang'e and I rode our motorcycles along the moonlit mountain roads. Apart from a few hitchhikers and some little demons nagging me about sharing Tang Sanzang's flesh, we didn't encounter any obstacles.

On the mountain road less than a mile from the town, it suddenly became quiet, and even the chirping of insects ceased.

Just as I was wondering what was going on, Huang E suddenly grabbed my shoulders tightly, "Heng Zhi!"

I slammed on the brakes, and was forced to lower my head by the weight of the desolate creature, which then let out a scream.

I guess I was dreaming while riding my motorcycle. In the mountains of Taiwan, there was a huge lioness blocking the way on the mountain road, with a limp leopard in her mouth.

"Huang'e, come back!" She quickly returned to my left shoulder. I tried to accelerate, but the motorcycle seemed to be dead.

The lioness roared, and I screamed along with her, pulling out my slingshot and shooting her, but she wasn't hurt at all; instead, she became even more enraged.

Oh dear, oh dear… I stuffed the absurdity into my coat and turned to run. I came to university, but I don't use much of it in reality; what I use most is the variety of living beings.

Before going to university, I was already suffering from monsters and ghosts. But after going to university, I not only had to deal with gods (old men), but I even fought with demons.

Now a new species has been added... an incredibly ferocious creature!

But they have four legs, and I only have two. I was caught up with after running only a short distance. It's a pity the town is right in front of me!

Just as I was thinking, "I'm doomed," a dark shadow flew over my head, startling the lioness.

It was a black panther about the same size as a lioness.

For a moment, I had the illusion that I was on the African savanna, where these two exceptionally ferocious creatures began to fight. I desperately wanted to take the opportunity to escape, but my legs were too weak with fear, and I knelt on the ground, unable to move.

Finally, the black panther scratched the lioness's face, causing her to roar repeatedly, but she was pinned to the ground by the black panther's front paws and couldn't move.

Just then, a small black cat strolled over and sat down in front of the pair of ferocious creatures.

"Talent isn't used like that," the black cat said.

"I will not allow any creature to invade my territory!" the lioness roared.

That's too aggressive. Wait until you understand the inviolability of fate and balance before returning your power. The black cat meowed softly.

Then the lioness disappeared. The black cat glanced at the black panther, and the enormous panther vanished into the black cat's shadow.

The black cat strolled over leisurely, squinted its eyes, and nudged my hand in a friendly manner.

"...Guan Haifa?" It wasn't until now that I recognized him. Isn't this Shuo's black cat?

She meowed twice, jumped onto my motorcycle, and asked me to take her back to her home in Shuo.

Shuo chuckled at me, "Tonight's going to be exciting."

"Guan Haifa just spoke!" I shouted excitedly.

“Oh, really?” Shuo said casually. “That’s quite rare. She’s always been very sparing with her words.” After thinking for a moment, she chuckled. “Last time she spoke up, saying she wanted to change her name to ‘Guan Haifa’ because she likes a black panther in a dark elf book.”

…I mean, it's strange enough for a cat to want to read a book, but it's even stranger to want to change its name after reading one…

“Don’t blame that child.” Shuo’s eyes, which had seen through the ways of the world, were calm. “She was worried that her people would be harmed by monsters, but she didn’t think that not all monsters are evil... and that innocent people should not be affected.”

I nodded blankly, feeling a bit dizzy and lightheaded.

The next day, Tang Chen didn't come to help me review the report.

Because his girlfriend fell asleep on the Kuo-Kuang Express bus, she was hit in the face by the sudden braking and may be disfigured, so he took a bus to Hsinchu overnight to visit her.

Let's just leave it at that; many things are better left unexamined.

However, I was even more polite and serious with Tang Chen. To maintain our good friendship, it was best not to get too close and arouse the jealousy of his lioness girlfriend.

To be honest, I'm alright with dead people, and I can barely handle monsters, but I have absolutely no skill with living beings (especially the beings of witches). Guan Haifa is unlikely to actually come and protect me, so relying on Huang'e is simply a pipe dream.

"It wasn't me pressing down on your head, it was your head, not me, that was in her mouth!" Huang E was furious. "What do you mean, huh? What do you mean I can't count on you? Tell me!?"

I really did "think" too loudly just now.

I encountered her a few more times afterward, and I was incredibly polite to her, which she reciprocated with equal courtesy. I don't know how much she understood about her talent; perhaps she just considered it a dream. But she did stop using emotional manipulation and pressure, and instead started coming to the school to keep an eye on her, or asking Tang Chen to visit her in Hsinchu.

This is a good thing. Relationships can easily wear down if they're too far apart. Keeping that lioness on her toes will prevent her from getting overwhelmed by too many advances from her seniors.

"Really?" Shuo asked, seemingly casually, which startled me.

"What do you mean, real or fake?" I sipped my tea somewhat awkwardly. "What's more important is that Tang Chen is happy. Although the lioness is quite scary, Tang Chen's constitution and personality require a more proactive partner."

Shuo looked at me for a while, his expression gradually becoming sorrowful. "...Hengzhi, you are not Tang Chen."

"Of course I'm not him." I was completely confused.

“But you want to help him succeed because you can’t succeed yourself.” Shuo gently shook his head. “That’s wrong.”

I wanted to argue, but couldn't utter a single word, my face flushed red. After much thought, a sudden wave of sorrow washed over me. Everything I wanted most, I would never have. But Tang Chen possessed everything I longed for most.

Family, parents, friends.

If I could feel jealousy, maybe it would be better. But I've heard too much of Huang E's ugliness; I've become deaf in one ear. I can't even feel jealousy, which is pathetic.

I like Tang Chen; he's my best and only friend. Since my life is so broken, what's wrong with doing my part to make his life whole? He hasn't done anything wrong, just like I haven't done anything wrong.

If I can't mend my own brokenness, can't I at least complete his path? At least I can be a little proud that my best friend has everything, and I did my part.

“That’s right.” I looked up. “That’s good. Because he gave me a very precious gift.”

Huang E suppressed a look of disgust and patted me with its wing.

I know she has done her best.

And then? Everything was as usual after that.

Tang Chen is still my good friend, and Xiao Lian still grows up beside him like a piece of fruit. She's really oblivious... even the lioness can't scare her, but the lioness has never taken her seriously.

What gives me the creeps is that Tang Chen's lioness girlfriend keeps focusing her attention on me, which scares me terribly.

I was relieved that she wasn't disfigured. If there had been even the slightest scar on her beautiful face, she would have made a huge fuss about it.

The only saving grace is that this disastrous semester is finally coming to an end.

The lovely summer vacation has finally arrived.

Looking back on this school year... do I really think I can make it through the next one?

To be honest, I have absolutely no confidence.

(Girlfriend finished)

Eleven Masters of Desolation

I originally thought I would have to retake the exam or take summer courses, but I passed all of them smoothly.

I guess the old man couldn't stand me adding to the family (and causing trouble) over there, so he offered a considerable amount of blessings, or it might be the principal's grateful response, or maybe the professors were just blinded by greed... or it could be a combination of all of the above.

In short, I can smoothly advance to the second year without spending any money to make up for lost credits, which makes me so moved that I want to cry.

But with summer vacation approaching, I'm starting to worry again. Second graders won't have to live in the dorms anymore, as required. Although the dorms are always noisy and give me a headache, they're really cheap. The allowance my dad gives me is barely enough to cover living expenses, let alone my expensive "consumables."

Fortunately, with Shuo's help, I saved on medical expenses and managed to get by. However, I'm not capable of moving out.

But I've been bothered by this noise for a whole school year, and I'm worried about my mental health if I have to stay on call 24/7.

With a heart full of worries, I went to bother Shuo again.

I'm the kind of person who's homeless—even though my dad sent a limousine to pick me up, I don't want to go back. They'd be terrified if I even made a phone call.

The dorms weren't open during summer vacation, so I really had nowhere to go except to come find Shuo with my luggage. Although Tang Chen strongly invited me to his house... firstly, I'm not thick-skinned enough, and secondly, I was genuinely terrified by his fierce girlfriend.

Even monsters and ghosts aren't this scary. I can handle even curses and spells. But I really have no way to deal with this kind of fierce and savage creature.

Shuo is such a good person... even though she's a witch. If she hadn't taken me in, I would really be homeless.

“I always spoil the last student,” Shuo said to me casually. “Summer vacation is only two months long, so you can work to pay for it… We can talk about rent when the semester starts.”

I stared wide-eyed, speechless. I'm not a very dexterous person; I probably broke more dishes than I helped at work.

Despite being a student, I truly lack any talent for cultivation.

“That’s right. You’re infested with a demon. Just being alive is a great achievement. Any talent you have will be worn away.” Shuo laughed. “It’s not that I really want you to be a witch… You’ll suffer if you lack talent.”

Her pupils, larger than anyone else's, gazed at me. "But I don't just teach people to be witches... or rather, the definition of a witch isn't that narrow. Learn whatever you can... don't hold any prejudices."

Hey, who says I have bad luck? Maybe it's a bit strange... but I'm always very lucky. Whenever I feel like I've reached a dead end, a new path immediately appears.

When I encounter harsh people who cause me suffering, there are always warm and selfless people who fill the gap and make up for it.

"...Even without talent, I will try my best." I solemnly promised.

She chuckled, "You don't need to try too hard, just follow your heart. Actually... it doesn't matter if you don't have talent, you're already a sorcerer."

…ah?

“A shaman is nothing more than someone who communicates with spirits. Isn’t that what you’re doing?” She nodded. “Are you sure you want to live here next semester? I’ll charge the same rent as the dorms, how about that?”