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The Wizard of Fairy Tale World-Chapter 39Book 2: : Concern
Vol 2 Chapter 39: Concern
"I still have to see it for myself."
Looking at the materials sent by the scouting team, Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before speaking.
It wasn’t that Aunt Ye’s scouting team was unreliable.
On the contrary, they were probably professionals who had conducted a very thorough investigation.
The information provided included not only photos but also geographical data collected from the area.
There were even drone-shot videos.
However, since the Lingshan Method wasn’t a cultivation technique from this world, some of the Sect Master's discussions in The Theory of Spiritual Veins seemed a bit mystical by modern standards and couldn’t be fully explained.
Only by going there in person could Zheng Fa determine if the location was truly suitable for the Lingshan Method.
"At least we’ve ruled out two places."
Tang Lingwu nodded and reassured him, "There are still two more. We can find time to check them out."
Zheng Fa thought about it and frowned, "We won’t have time before the college entrance exam."
Right now, they only had one day off every two weeks.
A round trip to the capital alone would take at least half a day.
And an in-depth mountain survey would take at least two to three days.
But he also wanted to finalize the site for the retirement home as soon as possible—he was already at the fifth level of Qi Refining, and reaching the seventh level would only take another two to three months.
Ideally, he wanted Aunt Ye to start construction before he reached the seventh level of Qi Refining.
"Can’t you take leave?"
"Old Chen…" Zheng Fa shook his head lightly. "He worries too much."
Old Chen had been his homeroom teacher for nearly three years.
Zheng Fa had a good read on his personality—he was responsible to the point of being almost nagging.
"Worried too much…?"
"It’s easy for you to take leave," Zheng Fa explained to Tang Lingwu. "You don’t even have to attend classes, and besides, your mom can easily get permission for you… But I can’t."
Tang Lingwu immediately understood what he meant.
Zheng Fa didn’t have parents…
And he lived on campus.
If he skipped class, he’d easily be caught at his dorm.
With Old Chen’s overprotective nature, there was no legitimate excuse Zheng Fa could come up with, nor any adult to vouch for him.
Zheng Fa thought for a moment before saying, "I’ll try asking Old Chen for leave in a couple of days. If it doesn’t work, I’ll just go for it and explain later."
"Exactly! We cultivators are meant to be free. How can a mere leave slip bind us?" The old man Bai on the side agreed.
Tang Lingwu also nodded slightly, though her gaze held a hint of contemplation.
—
Before Zheng Fa even had the chance to ask for leave, Old Chen came to him first.
"The school is organizing a study tour," Old Chen called Zheng Fa into the office. "The top twenty students from the senior year’s monthly exam can participate. It’s voluntary."
"Study tour?"
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment before asking, "Where to?"
Old Chen’s expression turned a little strange, as if he didn’t quite believe it himself.
"The capital."
"…"
"In the past, even getting a trip to the provincial capital was a huge deal… But this time, they’re being generous—not only are we going to the capital, but we’re flying there and back. The trip will last about three to four days."
Old Chen shook his head, clearly baffled.
"For this monthly exam, only two students from our class made it into the top twenty—you and Tang Lingwu. I already asked her."
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Zheng Fa’s expression grew even stranger.
"She said she needs to check with her mom. But since you don’t have a guardian, I’m asking you directly."
Old Chen added another piece of information:
"Oh, and this trip is free."
Zheng Fa was silent for a long time, struggling to keep his expression neutral. Finally, he solemnly nodded at Old Chen.
"I’ll go."
"Alright, I’ll put your name down. You can head back now."
As Zheng Fa reached the office door, he heard Old Chen muttering behind him:
"If they have money to burn, why don’t they just give me a raise?"
"…"
When he returned to the classroom, Zheng Fa immediately glanced at Tang Lingwu, who was acting as if nothing had happened.
Tang Lingwu didn’t even look at him. Her eyes were fixed seriously on the book in front of her, as if Data Structures and Algorithms had suddenly become the most fascinating thing in the world.
As he walked past her desk, he noticed the corners of her mouth were subtly curved upward, as if she were secretly pleased with herself.
"What did Old Chen want?"
Wang Chen asked curiously when Zheng Fa returned to his seat.
"It was about the study tour."
"Study tour?" Wang Chen’s eyes lit up. "We’re going on a trip? Where? The provincial capital?"
"The capital." Seeing the anticipation on Wang Chen’s face, Zheng Fa paused for a moment before adding, "I’m going. Not ‘we.’ As for you… maybe next time."
"What do you mean next time?"
"Next time, as in when you score in the top twenty of the entire grade." Zheng Fa thought for a moment before adding, "And when some rich little heiress with too much money decides to sponsor you."
"That sounds impossible…"
Wang Chen immediately looked dejected after understanding the situation.
"…Well, if you work hard, maybe—" Zheng Fa started to encourage him.
"Yeah, no. I’d wake up laughing halfway through that dream."
—
The day of the study tour arrived quickly.
Quite a few people were going.
All twenty top-ranking students in the grade were present.
It made sense—traveling to the capital wasn’t cheap, especially under the pretense of educational purposes.
Few parents would refuse such an opportunity.
In addition to the students, the school assigned three accompanying adults—
Old Chen, a female teacher, and a vice principal.
"Once we’re out, I’m responsible for your safety," Old Chen said sternly, addressing the students. "No one is allowed to go out alone. Boys, report to me before leaving. Girls, report to Ms. Wang. Follow instructions at all times. Understand?"
Everyone nodded eagerly, excitement barely contained on their faces.
A bus was already waiting at the school gate to take them to the airport.
The moment Zheng Fa saw the driver, he was 100% sure who was behind all this—
Baggy shorts, don’t think I won’t recognize you just because you put on slacks and sunglasses today!
After boarding, the vice principal and teachers sat in the first row.
The rest of the students filed in and took their seats.
Most people sat alone unless they were close friends.
However, what puzzled Zheng Fa was that several boys who had initially chosen aisle seats suddenly shifted to window seats, as if deliberately leaving spots open.
When Tang Lingwu boarded and glanced around the bus, Zheng Fa understood…
She first looked at the driver, then scanned the cabin before walking straight to him.
The moment she sat down beside him, those boys silently moved back to their original seats…
"Was this your doing?"
Hearing Zheng Fa’s question, Tang Lingwu quickly shook her head as if refusing to admit anything. But when she saw the disbelief still lingering on his face, she lowered her voice and muttered, "Group effort."
"?"
—
When they arrived in the capital, Zheng Fa finally understood what she meant by group effort.
The hotel they were staying at wasn’t particularly fancy—just a budget hotel.
Zheng Fa was assigned to share a double room with a male student he wasn’t very familiar with.
As the two sat in awkward silence, a sudden knock broke the stillness.
When Zheng Fa opened the door, he was met with an unexpected sight—not only was Tang Lingwu standing there, but Aunt Ye was with her.
And to his greatest surprise—so was Old Bai.
"What’s all this…?"
"We’ll explain on the way. I’ve already spoken with your principal," Aunt Ye said in a low voice. "Time is tight… Getting to the mountains will take a few hours. We need to leave tonight."
"I can go alone," Zheng Fa immediately understood her intention and glanced at the dark sky outside.
It was already past ten at night.
If they were heading into the mountains, they’d be pulling an all-nighter.
"Who’d be at ease letting you go alone?" Aunt Ye waved him off. "If you’re really worried about me getting tired… just give me a massage."
"…"
Old Bai chimed in immediately, "Me too!"
…Was he getting addicted to Nourishing Spirit Talismans now?
—
Meanwhile, in a room upstairs, Old Chen was sharing accommodations with the vice principal.
"Huh?"
Through the window, he happened to catch sight of Zheng Fa and the others.
"Isn’t that Zheng Fa… Where’s he sneaking off to?"
He was just about to open the window and call out when a hand patted his shoulder.
"Don’t shout. I approved it," the vice principal said with a grin.
"Huh?"
Old Chen was baffled.
"Do you know how this study tour even happened?"
"Didn’t the school organize it?"
The vice principal scoffed. "With our budget? You think we’d splurge on something like this?"
"…"
"Here’s the truth—someone came to us with money, saying it was a charitable donation to give back to society. Guess who?"
"Tang—"
The vice principal clapped him on the shoulder. "Exactly. And it’s not just the trip. Even getting permission to tour Capital University—that was arranged through her connections. Otherwise, you think our school has the prestige for that?"
Old Chen suddenly understood.
Looking at Zheng Fa and the others disappearing into the night, he murmured, "So this whole trip was arranged just for Zheng Fa, and the rest of us are just extras?"
"Bingo!"
"But still…" Old Chen frowned. "Zheng Fa has no family. I still feel responsible for keeping an eye on him."
The vice principal sighed and shook his head. "They didn’t want Zheng Fa to feel singled out, so they went all out to cover everything. Think about it—"
"The students get a fun experience and broaden their horizons."
"The school gets photos and PR material to brag about in the future."
At that moment, their door received two knocks.
The vice principal grinned as he opened it, revealing four bottles of beer and a big bag of skewers. "And as for us, my friend—married men get a rare taste of freedom!"
"Everyone wins!"
"But does Zheng Fa even know…?" Old Chen still seemed uncertain, his gaze following Zheng Fa’s retreating figure.
Just then, Zheng Fa casually raised his arm and gave a small wave in the air.
Old Chen’s phone vibrated.
Checking the screen, he suddenly smiled and turned back inside. "Hey, you’re just gonna eat without me? Drinking alone is no fun! I’ll join you!"
"That’s the spirit!"
"I get it, Vice Principal." Old Chen laughed as he snatched a skewer. "It was bound to happen eventually!"
—
Zheng Fa lowered his arm.
Tang Lingwu, watching him curiously, asked, "What was that about?"
"Just letting a certain overly concerned man know I’m safe," Zheng Fa replied.
Then he turned to Old Bai. "And what are you doing here?"
"I helped arrange your visit to Capital University. And also…" Old Bai’s eyes flickered, his expression unreadable.
"I came to see someone."
"See someone?"
"A dying man," Old Bai said, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.
Zheng Fa immediately understood.
…So this was a test for him.