04. Investigation and Judgment Team
The next day.
"Stay home and don't wander off," Tang Xi reminded him for the nth time before leaving. "If you get caught by the people chasing you, I won't be able to save you."
Pipi stared resentfully at the closed door, then angrily threw the rag onto the sofa, "I'm so angry!"
Tangxi and Youzai stepped into the campus, and on their way to class, people kept greeting them.
"Tang Xihe, are you taking on any more missions this month?"
"Brother Tang, can you help me out? I only need to complete one more task to break 300 points!"
"Who said I'm your cousin? Stop trying to get involved... Bro, want to team up with us? I'm in the alchemy department, I can make you any kind of elixir you want..."
Tang Xi greeted everyone with an all-welcoming smile, his movements as slippery as an eel, before making an excuse to leave for class. As he entered the classroom, someone shouted at him.
"Tangxi and!"
A short distance away, a burly, silver-haired boy with a narrow waist waved to Tang Xi, his smile revealing two canine teeth, giving him a憨厚 (honest and simple) and sunny appearance. "Over here! Over here!"
Tang Xi covered her face and crouched down as she walked over. "You're so loud! Don't your two roommates get tired of hearing you?"
"Oh, that's how we half-demons talk."
Lang Yuehua patted the empty seat next to her, her scarlet eyes fixed on Tang Xihe, her gaze following his every move. "Your favorite history class, I've reserved the second-row seat for you. I really don't understand you, what's so interesting about history class? All you hear is how powerful the Immortal Alliance is and how treacherous the demon race is. You're the only one in the whole class who listens attentively to history class, everyone else is dozing off."
“Just listen to it as a story. Some people listen to stories to help them fall asleep, and some people listen to stories because they are interesting.” Tang Xihe sat down.
Lang Yuehua lowered her voice, her face mysterious: "I have something to give you."
Tang Xi became wary: "What will you give me now?"
Lang Yuehua looked around, then took out an irregularly shaped sphere from her bag. Its surface shimmered with a silvery light, resembling mercury or some kind of crystal. "Guess?"
Tang Xi rubbed the silver-gray ring with a blood-red crescent moon engraved on her thumb. "You gave me a storage ring before."
"This time it's not a magical artifact."
Lang Yuehua couldn't wait any longer. Like presenting a treasure, he lightly pinched the sphere with two fingers, tearing it apart. He didn't miss Tang Xi's stunned expression, and proudly gave her a thumbs-up: "What's wrong, you weakling? Never seen someone without spiritual power tear apart a magical artifact?"
"Oh, yes, right, I, Tang Xi, have never seen it before." Tang Xi was speechless and composed herself. "After all, I'm a weakling who can cut my lip just by biting open an aluminum cap and chip my upper palate while eating potato chips."
Lang Yuehua couldn't wait to shake the contents of the soft crystal box into her palm. "It's made from the demon core of the Hundred-Spirits Thrush. It doubles your hearing range, and it seems perfect for you."
Tang Xi then condescended to glance at her. The two small red crescent moons emitted a sharp luster. He was stunned and unconsciously touched his earlobes, not expecting Lang Yuehua to be so thoughtful.
How did you know I have pierced ears?
"I knew it all along!" Lang Yuehua said smugly, picking up an earring to put on Tang Xihe.
Tang Xi frowned and awkwardly moved to the side, causing Lang Yuehua's hand to freeze in mid-air and her smile to freeze as well.
"...You don't like it?"
Tang Xi scratched her cheek. "I appreciate your kindness, but I don't usually wear earrings."
"When are you going back to the dorm?"
Tang Xi laughed: "I've been living outside for so long, and I didn't go back to the dorm often during my freshman and sophomore years."
The smile on Lang Yuehua's face gradually faded, then she forced a smile again, her tone carrying an ingratiating and cautious tone that she herself did not realize.
"Are you still angry?"
"No."
Lang Yuehua lowered her eyes, looking aggrieved and helpless. "You must be angry."
"If I get angry, I won't take you on missions."
"..."
"Don't look like you've been abandoned by your father. Take a look at this first." Tang Xi handed Lang Yuehua a note.
Lang Yuehua's expression turned serious as she looked at the words on the note. "Why do you ask that? Have you gotten into trouble?"
"No, there are some things I'm more concerned about..." Tang Xihe quickly said, "I want to investigate myself! Just tell me where I can buy it!"
“No need to buy, I have some, you can use mine,” Lang Yuehua said, looking down at her bag and fumbling for something. She took off a pendant and handed it to Tang Xihe. “I don’t need these things.”
Thanks.
Tang Xi took the talisman and carefully sensed it in her hand.
The talisman, crafted from lapis lazuli, was only a quarter the size of the palm of one's hand, resembling an inconspicuous cultural and creative product pendant. Spiritual energy slowly penetrated it like spider silk, and the talisman in the hand split evenly into two strips.
Compared to one-time listening talismans that instantly monitor and destroy, this inferior talisman is clearly more useful; it can store information and allow for remote monitoring.
The key point is that you don't have to spend your own money.
"This is a good item! It's worth over 200 immortal coins on the market, so expensive. I'll borrow it for a day and return it to you tomorrow." Tang Xi accepted it without any hesitation.
"So, are you coming back to live here?" Lang Yuehua pressed again, her tone somewhat aggressive.
Tang Xi didn't answer. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the teacher enter the classroom and made a shushing gesture. "Class is starting."
Tsk.
A hint of melancholy flashed in Lang Yuehua's eyes, but she quickly concealed it and hurriedly opened her book. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's get to class."
...
When Lang Yuehua opened her eyes with a yawn, Tang Xi was engrossed in organizing her notes.
"Going to the cafeteria?"
"No, it seems someone is looking for me."
Tang Xi zipped up her backpack, glanced at the back of the classroom, and asked in a low voice, "Do you know who this guy with the silver-rimmed glasses is?"
Lang Yuehua turned her head back in confusion. There were only three people left in the empty classroom. A boy wearing silver-rimmed glasses was looking in the direction of the two from dozens of rows away.
"Zhang Benyi from the investigation team is a very stubborn bookworm." Lang Yuehua paused, then suddenly realized, "What you wrote on the note, was it because of them?"
"I'd like to know too," Tang Xihe gave a vague answer.
Lang Yuehua: ?
Is that true or not?
Tang Xi picked up her schoolbag and stood up, smiling at Lang Yuehua, "You should go back. I don't want to implicate you. I heard that some people in the investigation team are targeting half-demon."
"But……"
"Could you please clean my bed for me? I'll probably be going back to school to stay after my sister's entrance exam," Tang Xi said. "After all, it'll be time to find materials for my thesis soon."
Lang Yuehua: !!!
He jumped up immediately: "You really came back! Have you forgiven us?!"
"...I've never been angry." Tang Xi said with some helplessness, "I've been telling you for two years that I'm not angry. I'm tired of saying I'm tired, but you haven't asked if I'm tired yet."
"Okay, okay, I'll go back and help you tidy up in a bit!"
Lang Yuehua skipped away happily, her tall and strong figure accompanied by her somewhat childish back view, creating an indescribably strange and comical scene.
No sooner had he left the classroom than Zhang Benyi strode in from the last row, his calm face bearing a scrutinizing look.
Tang Xihe seemed oblivious to Zhang Benyi, and continued walking out of the classroom with her schoolbag on her back. The corridor was crowded with students who had just finished class, and the school path was a bit noisy at noon. Occasionally, passing students would point at Zhang Benyi, who was wearing epaulets, while casting curious glances at Tang Xihe.
Zhang Benyi caught up with Tang Xihe in a few steps, and then heard Tang Xihe calmly say, "You look like you've been waiting for me for a long time."
"You are 'Mission Master' Tang Xihe?" Zhang Benyi walked side by side with him.
Tang Xi replied modestly, "I dare not accept the title of Master. What brings you here?"
Zhang Benyi strode forward and blocked his way, showing his identification from the side pocket of his coat. He raised his voice and said, "I am Zhang Benyi from the investigation team. I suspect you are practicing strange energy in private. Please come with me to the student affairs office. Teacher Qin is looking for you."
These words caused an uproar among the surrounding students, with many speaking up for Tang Xi.
"How could that be? Your investigation team must have made a mistake. Besides Gui Fang, who else would cultivate demonic energy?"
"Exactly, he's always joking around. You guys must have taken some joke he made seriously."
"But why is Tangxi always able to complete more than 80% of the tasks? Isn't that strange?"
"..."
Teacher Qin?
Tang Xi narrowed her eyes slightly.
In the original work, the villain's teacher, Qin Xiuluo, is a specially appointed teacher at Huaxia University of Arts and Sciences. He has developed a method to balance the side effects of cultivating evil energy. He only has one disciple, Gui Fang Wu Di, who later becomes an absurd character who fights the protagonist to the point of destroying the world.
Tang Xi doesn't think that a supporting character who can teach villains is as clean as a blank sheet of paper. Moreover, why would a teacher who has no connection with cannon fodder passersby suddenly look for her?
Something unusual must be going on. Tang Xi asked in return, "Did Qin Xiuluo instruct you?"
Zhang Benyi was taken aback, missing the point: "You... have no respect for your elders! You should call him Teacher Qin!"
"You accuse me of secretly cultivating demonic energy? That's just empty talk. Where's the evidence?"
The people around them started to jeer:
"That's right! Where's the evidence?"
"Don't always use your student council status to arbitrarily arrest people."
"Okay, let's all go. It's not like the student council has made mistakes more than once or twice. They're sure they've made a mistake this time too."
"Get me some food, I want to watch a show."
"..."
Hearing the whispers of the onlookers, Zhang Benyi frowned in annoyance. His already cold and ruthless features looked even more menacing. He put away his identification and revealed his magical artifact: "The Strange Qi Compass doesn't lie. Come with me..."
Tang Xihe hefted her schoolbag and interrupted him: "What is the operating principle of the Strange Qi Compass?"
"Of course, it's to tell the user the direction of the aura of demons and evil spirits..."
"That's right."
Tang Xi snapped her fingers. "So many people at school keep monster pets. If I suddenly hug someone's monster pet and take a deep breath, wouldn't I be absorbing the monster pet's aura into my body?"
"Sophistry!" Zhang Benyi said angrily. "I'm too lazy to waste words with you. Are you coming or not? You suspicious fellow, if you had run into the detective team, you would be lying on the ground by now."
Tang Xihe chuckled. "You think I'm suspicious? I think you're quite suspicious too. You're accusing me of cultivating strange energy without any evidence. So many people at school keep demonic pets, why are you only targeting me? I only have 0 points."
Zhang Benyi's lips twitched. "How could someone who has completed hundreds of missions have 0 points?"
Tang Xi asked seriously, "Do I really have 0 points?"
Zhang Benyi, unable to contain himself any longer, exclaimed, "You're asking for a mission with zero points? How come you didn't die in the secret realm?"
That being said, Zhang Benyi was still somewhat uncertain.
Yesterday evening, news spread like wildfire that Tang Xihe, the perennial runner-up of the Martial Arts Department, had failed in his challenge. In less than a day, the rumor that "Tang Xihe has 0 points" spread throughout the Magic University, and even the juniors of the Spirit Source Department, who were engrossed in their research and indifferent to worldly affairs, were quietly discussing the matter.
Tang Xihe is considered one of the school's celebrities. Since entering the school, he has often led students from different colleges to do tasks, and many people have benefited from his help.
He seemed completely unaware of this and had mild social anxiety. He never showed up except for tasks and classes. Now, he was nonchalantly scratching his stomach in front of Zhang Benyi: "I really have 0 points. If you don't believe me, give me a challenge."
"...Do you want our weapon crafting department to get a warning?"
Zhang Benyi adjusted his glasses. "The departmental ranking competition is coming up soon. I'm not that idiot Xuan Er."
The two didn't lower their voices, and the surrounding classmates erupted in a commotion, surrounding the two who were locked in a stalemate.
Zhang Benyi touched his lower back: "Teacher Qin specifically instructed me to personally take you back to the student affairs office—"
"What are you doing!"
A thunderous roar shook the entire audience, and the onlookers automatically made way for the newcomer. A tall, blond man, swaying his arrogant golden cloak, walked in.
"Who's causing trouble at school? I heard there's some idiot who's abusing his student council status to do bad things..."
The arrogant, rough voice paused. After realizing the situation, Xuan Yingxian took two steps back and looked at Tang Xihe as if she had seen a bursting cockroach:
"Tang Xihe! It's you again!"
Why is it always you?
Tang Xihe flicked a teleportation talisman from her sleeve: "Sorry, the rabbits at home haven't eaten yet. I need to go back and refeed them."
Xuan Yingxian yelled, "Stop right there! I want to fight you one-on-one!"
Zhang Benyi protested, "Wait! I'm taking Tangxi and me with me! Don't interfere!"
Xuan Yingxian frowned and said disdainfully, "Who do you think you are? You're so arrogant. Do you even know who I am? Just because you're in the student council, you think you're right? Don't you know about first come, first served?"
"You...you two shameless bastards!" Zhang Benyi roared. "Tang Xihe! I was here first! Come with me! Teacher Qin has questions for you—"
...
Where are they?
"Tangxi and!"
Their fury resounded through the sky.
·
They slipped away to Tangxi and returned home.
"Owner!"
Pipi happily pounced on it, only to be slapped away by Tangxi with a single palm strike. "Daily question: A contract, perhaps!"
"That depends on your hygiene today."
Tangxi went into the kitchen without even taking off her shoes. As if she had just remembered, she poked her head out of the kitchen and instructed, "Put my schoolbag in my room."
Pipi obediently flew over and snatched Tang Xihe's schoolbag, so heavy that it almost fell to the ground 'bag and demon together'.
Tang Xi pretended to be busy, opening his palm to reveal the lapis lazuli spirit stone shimmering in his hand. While carefully listening for the location of Pipi's voice, he infused it with spiritual energy.
The talisman split in two in the palm of his hand with a soft cracking sound, and one half turned into dust and disappeared into thin air.
Tang Xi put the other half of the talisman into her pocket and said loudly, "I have class this afternoon, and I don't want to cook dinner. How about I pack it for you?"
Pipi answered loudly, "Okay!"
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