Chapter Sixty: You Might Be in Trouble!
Around 8:30 in the morning, Huacheng University was bustling with activity.
A hurried junior coming from outside collided with a senior running with a large meat bun in his mouth, guided by fate, as they turned the corner.
On the other side, a cool, aloof guy picked up a sweet, injured boy with a twisted ankle. They exchanged smiles, and the spark in their eyes was called friendship.
A professor with a crooked tie buried his head in his phone, quickly typing in the game chat box, “Brothers, I have to leave, class is starting soon!” “Skip class? I wish I could, but I’m the teacher!”
Luxianbei, carrying a backpack, walked through the crowd, trying to suppress the anxiety within him, maintaining a calm expression.
Although he hadn’t done anything wrong, his backpack contained a kitchen kn*fe and seventeen or eighteen charms, making him feel as if he were carrying a bag of “arms,” causing an inexplicable sense of panic.
It seemed much more convenient to have the Ming King Statue with him, Luxianbei thought, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about getting caught. As a foolish and delusional youth, it made sense that he could carry the Ming King Statue out.
…
The first class on Monday morning was Professor Ma’s, and attendance was particularly high.
After much effort, when Luxianbei finally navigated through the crowd and arrived at the classroom, it was already full, with only a few spots near the podium still vacant.
He chose a seat relatively far from the podium and gazed at the empty podium, frowning slightly.
Strange, Professor Ma hasn’t arrived yet?
As Luxianbei pondered this, the bell rang outside the hallway, and Professor Ma walked into the classroom as the bell rang.
That originally spirited old man looked particularly dispirited today, his complexion pale, dark circles under his eyes, and his hair a mess, with his sideburns seemingly turned snow white overnight.
Professor Ma stumbled to the center of the podium, and when the bell stopped, he weakly said, “Study quietly today. I’ll check the surveillance; whoever skips will lose marks!”
After saying that, he hurriedly left the classroom.
The same words sounded today like a tiger had its claws pulled, letting out a mournful cry that lacked the intimidation of the past, and soon the classroom was filled with noise.
Luxianbei looked in the direction in which Professor Ma had left, his confusion deepening.
Professor Ma was strict but was not the type to be hard on others while being lenient on himself; he usually arrived well ahead of time to prepare before class.
Today, he not only was late, but he also appeared feeble; what could have happened?
Could he have encountered some strange event?
After pondering for a moment, Luxianbei decided to catch up and take a look.
Although he was timid and afraid of danger, he couldn’t just ignore the possibility that Professor Ma was in trouble!
However, it wouldn’t be meddling too much; it could be considered a small act of kindness.
If Professor Ma truly had encountered an urban legend, he could benefit from it and receive some core essence of the legend.
Though he didn’t have to worry about hunger for the time being, he still felt that having over sixty Spring Breeze spells was a bit too few.
If possible, he planned to make three to five hundred more as a backup.
If he couldn’t be of any help…
Wasn’t there still the Siye Society?
Then he could first think of self-preservation, and then report it; perhaps my report could nudge the danger back into its cradle, and I might even earn some credit! Luxianbei thought.
…
In the long corridor, the light was dim, obscured by the walls.
Professor Ma leaned against the wall as he walked, his mind filled with the events of the past few days. He could occasionally hear whispers around him, murmuring something mad, fragmented, and nonsensical, which left him disoriented. It felt as if a shadow was slowly creeping up behind him, waiting to tear him apart.
“Clang—Clang—!”
Suddenly, a light sound of wood colliding rang in his ears, causing him to flinch and turn sharply towards the source of the sound, shouting, “Who! Who’s there?!”
Professor Ma’s sudden outburst, with bloodshot eyes and a face filled with negative emotions, left Luxianbei at a loss for words. After a moment, he weakly said, “Professor, it’s me, Luxianbei.”
“Whew—!” Upon seeing Luxianbei’s face, Professor Ma let out a sigh of relief, and then steeled himself, saying seriously, “Didn’t I tell you to study quietly? Why did you come out? Hurry back, or I’ll deduct your marks!”
Does he only think about deducting marks? Luxianbei cursed inwardly but weakly said, “Please don’t, Professor. Let’s talk properly! Didn’t you ask me to help in your research room before? I didn’t know where it was, so I came out to ask.”
Everything should be done gradually; Luxianbei didn’t directly ask Professor Ma about his abnormalities because many things, if asked bluntly, likely wouldn’t be directly answered.
“Oh…” Professor Ma nodded thoughtfully, with a bitter smile he said, “No need. Just go back and study! You can’t be involved in this project anymore.”
That set of bamboo slips had already triggered a series of strange events, and Professor Ma had seriously considered stopping his research.
Though so far, there had been no casualties, he still felt there was greater danger lurking where he couldn’t see it.
At this time, to drag someone like Luxianbei, who hadn’t been exposed to the bamboo slips, into it wouldn’t be something he could do.
Seeing Professor Ma continue forward, Luxianbei opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time, then finally gritted his teeth and chased after him, asking, “Professor Ma, have you… encountered some mysterious event?”
At Luxianbei’s question, Professor Ma’s pupils contracted slightly, and he suddenly turned to look at him, a look of astonishment on his face, “Why do you… do you know something?”
“Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing…” Luxianbei scratched the back of his head and said seriously, “I’m quite interested in these matters and have done some research, I…”
After a pause, Luxianbei fabricated a story, “I can read faces. From your appearance, I guessed that something might have happened to you.”
I’ve read the advanced series of the mysterious study book “The Book of Siye”; what’s wrong with exaggerating my abilities a bit? It doesn’t cost me anything!
Besides, I’m not lying, just from Professor Ma’s complexion, with his forehead looking greenish, like a green-faced ghost, anyone could tell he was in trouble, Luxianbei thought.
“Really?” Professor Ma looked at Luxianbei with skepticism.
Luxianbei nodded, affirming, “Really. If you’ve encountered any matter, please do let me know.”
“Actually…” Professor Ma opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time before continuing, “It’s not that I encountered a problem, but one of the students involved in the project has.”
At this point, a bitter expression appeared on Professor Ma’s face. Luxu was a student he held in high regard, yet in just a few days, he seemed to have a problem with his mental state, which he felt was closely related to that set of bamboo slips.
“I’m just about to see him. If you really have… uh, that kind of ability, and if you’re willing, perhaps you can come along and take a look. Maybe you can help.”
Professor Ma had spent his life studying ancient special characters and had come across some mysterious events; he didn’t believe there were no forces in this world that science couldn’t explain, so he chose to trust Luxianbei once.
“Uh… I’m willing, but I can’t guarantee I can help,” Luxianbei said.
“Let’s give it a try?” Professor Ma forced a smile and said, “Regardless of the outcome, thank you on behalf of that kid first.”
“Additionally, if there is real danger…” As Professor Ma spoke, his expression suddenly turned serious, looking directly into Luxianbei’s eyes, “Kid, promise me that if it’s too dangerous, you’ll prioritize your own safety.”
“Mm… mm…” Luxianbei responded twice, thinking, even if you didn’t say, I would do that.
…
About ten minutes later, Luxianbei found Luxu in the postgraduate dormitory at Huacheng University.
He was sitting curled up in the corner of the room, wrapped in a blanket, shaking as if he were having a seizure. His eyes were wide, bulging slightly, and his gaze was vacant, invoking an inexplicable association with a dead goldfish.
Luxianbei observed Luxu for a dozen seconds, during which he realized that he hadn’t blinked even once, and the question arose in his mind, “Doesn’t his eyes get dry?”
Following that, he scolded himself in his mind, Luxianbei, clearly, the other person is in a much more troublesome situation, and here you are worrying about whether his eyes are dry!?
“Luxu, this is Luxianbei, my student and your junior. He knows a bit about… uh, your situation, so I thought he could give you some advice. Maybe he can help you,” Professor Ma said.
Professor Ma and Luxianbei entered the dormitory with a key borrowed from the dorm manager, and for these two unexpected visitors, Luxu showed no signs of surprise, or perhaps he simply didn’t seem to notice their presence at all, staring blankly at the front.
Seeing Luxu silent, Professor Ma sighed lightly and began to explain in his stead, “A few days ago, this kid came to me, saying he might have depression and wanted to withdraw from the research project. At that time, I was busy with my work and didn’t pay much attention, so I contacted an old friend who deals with psychological research and recommended Luxu to go and see him.”
“My old friend, after a whole afternoon of diagnosis, found that Luxu didn’t show typical symptoms of depression, just excessive fatigue and anxiety. At the time, I didn’t pay much attention, so I gave him a few days off to rest properly.”
Pausing, Professor Ma looked at Luxu with a touch of pity, “This morning, I received news about him injuring his roommate; after I rushed over to understand the situation, I learned he hadn’t slept at all for these past few days. His roommate couldn’t stand his mumbling at night, so a conflict arose.”
“According to what his roommate said…” Professor Ma lowered his voice, leaning in close to Luxianbei’s ear and whispered, “His roommate said that when he acted out, he was completely hysterical, like an outbreak of rabies, and even showed signs of wanting to bite, as if… possessed by something.”
Luxianbei, “…” Oh dear, what should I do about this? If he’s really possessed, it must be an evil spirit type, right?
For other types of urban legends, one could try to confront them, but for an evil spirit type, it’s invisible and untouchable…
It’s pretty tricky. Last time, Miss Zhu put me through hell.
While pondering, Luxianbei glanced at his backpack.
Should I… try using a charm? Perfect timing, as I want to know the power of the Spring Breeze spell. Luxianbei thought.
