The problem with the Meditation Method could not be explored any further for the time being, due to the lack of information.
As the only method Tang Qi could cultivate at present, he would not give it up. His strength was growing every day; encountering risks was only natural.
After tidying up, Tang Qi went straight down to the first floor, which had already been dealt with. Though it had been the scene of his confrontation with the killer, Stana had negotiated for the body parts to be transported away overnight. The police department would also compensate Tang Qi—or rather, the homeowner—for the losses.
Looking at the wall that had nearly been destroyed, Tang Qi casually made himself some breakfast, then went to school after eating.
After one night, the atmosphere at St. Thorn High School was completely different from yesterday's.
That shocking murder case should originally have caused a huge uproar, but because of Tang Qi's intervention, the stir had barely begun before it was snuffed out.
With the official authorities involved, public opinion naturally turned toward praising the efficiency of the Messer City Police Department.
Yet within Thorn High School, many people were still discussing the case.
The students were excited, while the faculty and staff heaved great sighs of relief, their expressions much more relaxed and cheerful.
Adults always had more to think about than these immature children.
A brutal serial killer capable of skinning four young girls alive had been hiding on a campus full of boys and girls. If it had gone on any longer, the faculty would likely have been living in constant fear.
Things were best this way.
Of course, this lively atmosphere had nothing to do with Tang Qi and Sally, as usual.
The main reason was Sally. At first, Tang Qi had thought Sally was isolated by nearly all the students because prominent figures from groups like the Sisterhood and fraternities bullied her.
But after observing for the past few days, Tang Qi discovered that was probably not the main reason.
Sally's situation at St. Thorn High School was somewhat strange. She was not entirely being bullied; most students avoided Sally like the plague, as if they feared catching something bad from her.
For example... bad luck.
Tang Qi had only learned this after numerous students had hinted at it, openly or otherwise, over the course of the day.
Compared with Sally, Tang Qi's outward image was actually quite good.
After all, this body had refined features, a decent family background, proper manners, and the achievement of defeating a popular upperclassman. Without Sally dragging him down, Tang Qi might well have joined the ranks of the popular boys.
Perhaps out of kindness, perhaps out of sympathy, many students had offered him reminders.
That made Tang Qi recall what he had heard during their first meeting: Sally's nickname seemed to be "Unlucky Sally."
He vaguely understood something, but Tang Qi did not accept their good intentions.
Tang Qi had come to St. Thorn High School for two reasons.
First, to use the mysterious power here to avoid facing the Samira Family for the time being.
Second, to learn about this brand-new world while concealing himself by playing the role of an ordinary high school student.
Since it was an act, his current situation was ideal.
He did not need to become popular, nor did he need too many friends. An ordinary Asian student who studied quietly and had only Unlucky Sally as a friend could not have been more fitting.
That was what Tang Qi thought, and what he did.
To him, it was naturally no great matter—just ordinary.
But to Sally, it was somewhat extraordinary.
Sally had also noticed some of the other students' reminders to Tang Qi. So when she realized after school that she had not lost Tang Qi, her only friend, a brilliant smile immediately appeared on her pretty face beneath those exaggerated black-framed glasses.
But it quickly faded. Looking uneasy, she softly reminded Tang Qi, "I really am very unlucky. Anyone who becomes friends with me will become unlucky too."
Faced with the girl's well-meaning warning, Tang Qi smiled faintly. "It's all right. I'd like to see just how unlucky it can get. If it really is such a miraculous phenomenon, perhaps I'll enjoy accepting it even more."
As he said this, Tang Qi could not help recalling what had happened since meeting Sally: the campus bullying on the first day, then the street thugs, and finally the Bronx Dog-Faced Man. A strange feeling swept through his heart.
But he quickly suppressed it and offered a few words of reassurance, lest the girl continue worrying.
Tang Qi said he planned to visit Messer Library to borrow some materials, but he was unfamiliar with the route and hoped she could guide him.
Sally was indeed distracted and happily agreed.
But the moment they walked out of the teaching building's lobby, they were startled by the bustling scene outside.
Within the tree-lined area surrounded by four teaching buildings, many tables and booths had been set up in every corner, along with several tents. Countless male and female students were busy with their own tasks. Long lines had formed in front of some tables, while others had scarcely any visitors.
Quite a few students were also weaving through the crowd, handing out flyers and similar materials.
"This is... I remember now, today seems to be club recruitment day."
"One of St. Thorn High School's traditions. All the school clubs conduct centralized recruitment on this day, mainly for newly enrolled ninth-grade students."
Seeing Tang Qi's confusion, Sally immediately explained from beside him.
Tang Qi glanced around and indeed saw conspicuous signs hanging before the tables and tents, all bearing club names. The most popular were undoubtedly clubs like the dance club and boxing club, which gathered the popular students.
The ones with few visitors were various Weird and Wonderful clubs, such as the Clown Club, the Ancient Clothing Club, and the Bad Joke Club.
Tang Qi did not look at those popular clubs. His gaze focused specifically on the obscure clubs tucked away in the corners.
But after looking around, he did not find his target.
"Sally, I heard St. Thorn High School has a club called the Ascetic Society Club?"
Tang Qi asked casually.
Hearing the question, Sally frowned. Just as she was about to think, she seemed to suddenly remember something and immediately said, "The Ascetic Society Club? I remember now. It seems it was just yesterday that the Ascetic Society Club was disbanded."
"Disbanded?"
"Yes. I heard that instructor from the Church of Light in Mihuang State believed students had no need to practice asceticism, so he ultimately disbanded the club. He himself returned to the church in Mihuang State as well."
"I see. I was thinking of seeing the bearing of an ascetic."
Tang Qi narrowed his eyes slightly. In his mind appeared once more the place Pastor Sinbani had marked as the Ascetic Society Club's activity area when Tang Qi had first entered St. Thorn High School and then rented that small building—a secluded place centered around a bell tower.
Sally's words now explained why Tang Qi had not seen the strange scenes Pastor Sinbani had mentioned, the Ascetic Society Club members training, these past few days.
It turned out the club had suddenly been disbanded.
Such an inconspicuous clue only deepened Tang Qi's doubts. Together with The Penitent's Treasure Map he had sent away through Stana's hands last night, that serial number, and that faint scent of conspiracy, the feeling grew ever stronger.
"Besides, there's one place in the entire campus I still haven't checked: there."
Many thoughts ran through his mind, but his expression remained unchanged.
Only that faint sense of urgency in his heart became harder to dispel.
"Let's go, before Messer Library closes."
Tang Qi lowered his eyes and said calmly.
Before you continue