Study Monster Cultivation System

Chapter 200: Repaying grievance with education

Although such a startling change had occurred, Li Zheng was an experienced qin master after all.

His heart might have been in turmoil, but his fingers remained as steady as ever.

He thus turned his body to match Lin Yujing’s, responding to her gaze.

Lin Yujing must have long since stopped being nervous, now seeking even better performance results.

Li Zheng, while fully understanding, dared not truly look Lin Yujing in the eye.

Neither her flowing gown nor her mesmerizing eyes.

But Lin Yujing showed no shyness, her gaze fixed on Li Zheng as she sang with passion, "You are all I long for."

Li Zheng was already drenched in sweat, and he didn’t dare to dwell on it, for fear of losing his composure.

It was only then that he remembered...

Xu Zhu... only appeared to be a Shaolin monk on the surface... but was actually someone who couldn’t resist temptation.

Damn it... Lin Yujing, who normally wouldn’t even spare a word, was now suddenly acting arrogantly as hell.

Was she using the scene to express her emotions, or was it personal vendetta?

Li Zheng became even more agitated, his fingering sliding into disarray.

Under normal circumstances, he would have already started reciting the "Calming Incantation" or "Exhortation to Study."

But right now, doing so would undoubtedly disrupt the rhythm of the playing, and risk turning a beautiful song into a mix of Buddhist tones.

No, that wouldn’t do.

Hold on, hold on, it’s almost over...

Just as Li Zheng was stubbornly gritting his teeth and persevering, he felt a sudden chill on his neck.

A pair of hands reached out to him.

Then, his chin was gently lifted.

Suddenly, he saw Lin Yujing’s face.

So close.

"In other words ~"

"please be true~"

Her voice seemed to bypass his ears and go straight into his body.

Under the gaze of those dreamy eyes, Li Zheng’s technique completely scattered, and he unconsciously reverted to beginner-level mindless chord playing.

He was intoxicated, and he had collapsed.

In a daze, Lin Yujing once again closed her eyes.

"in other words~"

"I wu~~ you~~"

In the end, she still didn’t sing Love!

The long note ended, and the audience screamed.

Simple screams, primarily from the girls.

Completely uncontrollable, they just had to shout out.

Of course, there were boys shouting too, but most of them were cursing.

"Your mother, your mother!" Shi Yang desperately clutched his own head, "Screw chemistry! I’m going to study physics too!"

"Wake up, Duan Yu... it has nothing to do with chemistry or physics..."

"Li Zheng, this bastard... I can’t take it anymore, let’s beat him up together later, shall we?"

"Count me in!"

"Guo Xiang, what mess are you causing..."

...

In the center of the stage, Lin Yujing took a short breath and then retracted her hands with a smile, "That’s the right way to sing."

"..."

"Your face is so hot~" Lin Yujing narrowed her eyes, "Don’t tell me, you took it seriously?~~"

"Serious? With you?" Li Zheng suddenly turned his head, his teeth clenched so hard they seemed like they might bleed, "It’s a performance, just a performance, can you plan it out next time?"

His anger was not solely because of his own embarrassingly thin-skinned face.

It was also about the rate of vitality loss.

Now, it had dropped to 1000...

All of it, taken away by Lin Yujing…

This is bad, really bad…

In the midst of his agony, Lin Yujing cheerfully sat at the electric keyboard, Jiang Qinghua and Zhang Xiaoke quickly took to the stage, the tool classmate responsible for setting up the equipment placed all kinds of instruments beside them, and Tan Hui swiftly sat down at the drum set.

Li Zheng took a saxophone from one of the tool classmates and took a deep breath.

Don’t panic, don’t panic, there’s still a chance.

For safety, he had even activated "Breath of Phonation."

The next 7 minutes were when the stage would truly come alive.

The lights went off once again, returning the scene to darkness.

After three seconds.

Slowly, the sound of a door opening echoed in the venue.

Before anyone could react.

All the lights flared on all at once, and all the instruments started up.

In the front, Li Zheng, with his saxophone ready, gathered all his energy to start blaring arrogantly.

The familiar melody of Conan’s case-solving suddenly resonated throughout the venue.

Childhood memories were instantly awakened, and the dog food that kills was also washed away in an instant.

This time, the entire venue started to clamor.

Including Shi Yang.

"Ah ah ah ah! Your mom, he can play the sax too?!"

"Damn it, Xu Zhu is just unreasonable!"

Li Zheng himself got more and more into it, his whole body twisting.

Alright, 4100 now!

Conan is just the best.

In one minute’s time, just when Conan had finished playing, utility player Zhang Xiaoke quickly brought in an electric guitar to take over from the sax.

Tan Hui shook his head, and the drum beat suddenly changed.

Li Zheng twisted his waist fiercely, strumming wildly, and immediately entered the chorus of Digital Monster’s "Butter-Fly."

Even more intense screams instantly drowned out everything else.

Vitality value also topped out at 4500.

In his excitement, Li Zheng’s performance grew more confident.

After playing this song, all the instruments’ sounds halted at once, Tan Hui turned around to switch hammers, and started beating on a bizarre, large drum, the beat like the opening of a war.

Hearing this, many already sensed what was coming.

"Shadow of Fire???"

"It’s time for Shadow of Fire!!"

In the center of the stage, Li Zheng stepped back and Jiang Qinghua stepped forward.

With a fierce raise of his head and a gathering of breath, the sound of the bamboo flute pierced the air like a bayonet.

"Ah!!" This time, Du Shitong in the front row screamed first, "So it’s here!"

In the midst of all the shouting from the audience, only Chengzhu remained slightly calm.

"Lake Ying... that’s just too freakish... but speaking of Shitong..."

Just as he was about to ask something, he saw the vice president listening intently.

"Aigh..." Chengzhu could only heave a sigh as well.

Thank goodness for this show...

This New Year’s, it would probably be remembered forever.

At this moment, the performance on stage has actually just passed the halfway mark.

Just when everyone thought that the girl with twin tails was just a utility player, she suddenly took over the microphone, becoming the singer for "A Certain Scientific Railgun," "only my railgun." Though not many knew the name of the song, nobody could sit still once the melody started.

Unexpectedly, what followed "A Certain Scientific Railgun" was the even more addictive "Pure Land of Bliss". Zhang Xiaoke completely entered the ultimate two-dimensional state, finally living up to her outfit.

In the end, it was Li Zheng’s violin solo for "Crimson Lotus Bow and Arrow". This piece, due to its inexpressible original work, had been heard by fewer people, but it was especially fervent; at the lift-off of the chorus, at least a hundred people stood up in unison, pounding their right arms against their left chests, shouting to offer their hearts.

After this barrage of craziness, although the few on stage were already gasping for breath, they also felt thoroughly satisfied.

The applause and screaming went on and on.

And on.

And on.

Even though they had bowed and thanked the audience many times, it still continued.

This was actually a common occurrence for concerts in music halls, where endless applause forces the band to stay on stage for an encore.

Seeing such a strong momentum, the two principals also sent a message up, asking them for an impromptu additional performance.

The few people on stage discussed and had no choice but to deliver a cello version of Doraemon that had been practiced but was shelved due to lackluster effect.

It’s worth mentioning that among them was Jiang Qinghua’s performance on the triangle.

However, the response was still enthusiastic, and in the end, Principal Li had to come on stage to calm things down before the Lake Ying Band was reluctantly let go.

Only when the host started the closing remarks did the group finally manage to move to the side of the stage.

"There’s a recording of this, right?" Zhang Xiaoke grabbed Li Zheng’s arm and started shaking it like crazy, "Need a recording, need a recording, need a recording!"

Li Zheng was having a great time in the second half, but hearing this, he was reminded of the shameful first half.

"Need my ass... it’s better without..."

Lin Yujing approached, chuckling, "Need a recording~~"

"What’s so good about it, it’s boring." Li Zheng swore, blushing, "Just you wait... there will come a time when I’ll embarrass you."

"About that..." Jiang Qinghua floated over from somewhere, "Actually, I also want the recording... such a performance isn’t easy to come by. At 30, when I watch it again, I’ll probably laugh a lot."

"Right!" Tan Hui sat not far away, wiping his eyes, "I never thought it would really happen; I want to show it to my daughter..."

Li Zheng and the others didn’t expect that the most unrestrained and passionate one would turn out to be the nonexistent music teacher.

Sigh...

Who doesn’t have a dream that’s been ground to dust?

Just as they started packing up, preparing to move everything to the car, Chengzhu suddenly ran over, out of breath, "Don’t rush..."

"Oh?" Li Zheng saw him and started backing away, "No encore, no more shows."

"It’s not that..." Chengzhu ran up, somewhat embarrassedly raising his hand.

You could clearly see a white envelope in his hand.

"Sigh..." Li Zheng breathed out a sigh, "It’s my fault."

Indeed, this was his fault.

In his zeal to complete the mission, he had exaggeratedly radiated his personal charm, disturbing the hearts of others.

Sorry to all the teachers and students of City First School.

It was my fault.

Li Zheng was flushed with embarrassment and reached out to take it: "Please tell her that the primary task of high school students is to study, they should definitely not start dating too early..."

"Huh?" Chengzhu quickly shrank back and said, "What are you thinking? It’s not for you."

"???" Li Zheng was shocked.

Chengzhu walked step by step towards Jiang Qinghua: "Someone... this is for you..."

Jiang Qinghua was startled, "Me???"

"Yes, you..." Chengzhu stuffed the small envelope into Jiang Qinghua’s hands, sighed deeply, then turned around, "It was hard work. After the performance video editing is finished, it will be sent to you. You’ve all taught me a lot too..."

Having said that, he waved his hand and left.

Only a few dazed people were left behind.

Li Zheng and Jiang Qinghua were especially stunned.

Li Zheng: How is it possible... I have this day too?

Jiang Qinghua: How is it possible... I have this day too?

Afterwards, the two looked at each other.

Li Zheng: You also have this day?

Jiang Qinghua: You also have this day?

"Hey!" Zhang Xiaoke was not pleased, and gave Jiang Qinghua a knee poke in the butt, "If anyone should have it, it should be the three of us, how come it’s your turn?"

"Yeah..." Jiang Qinghua himself also rubbed his head.

Although he looked innocent, his heart had already thought of someone...

The melody high and the meaning profound.

A true friend is hard to find.

One is enough.

Is it her?

Lin Yujing wasn’t usually interested in gossip, but love letters to Jiang Qinghua were indeed rare, which also piqued her curiosity. She moved closer to Jiang Qinghua and said, "Hmm, let’s read the love letter."

"Is that okay..." Jiang Qinghua swallowed.

Li Zheng also pressed forward: "You all peeked at mine; hurry up."

"No way..." Jiang Qinghua took a deep breath and turned away, "Let me check the content first, then you can see if it’s okay."

"Oh, getting excited, huh!" Zhang Xiaoke was about to barge in with selective amnesia.

It was still Li Zheng, who managed to hold Zhang Xiaoke back for the time being: "Let it be, let him read it first."

Jiang Qinghua, under pressure, nervously opened the envelope and slowly unfolded the paper.

The paper was wax-colored and slightly fragrant.

The handwriting was also delicate and ancient—

[Melody conveyed in the sound of a flute]

[A hidden childlike dream in the cold]

[If you are the tune in the score]

[I will express the five notes]

[A song reveals the grand spirit]

[Spring breeze seeks entrance at the door]

"Ah..." Jiang Qinghua sighed.

This poetry, this writing, it must be her...

But who is she?

What does all this mean?

Jiang Qinghua, lost in thought, didn’t realize

Li Zheng, Lin Yujing, and Zhang Xiaoke had been peeking for quite a while.

"Ugh..." Lin Yujing looked distressed, "It turned out to be her..."

"I’m so blind, I actually quite liked her," Zhang Xiaoke punched herself.

Li Zheng also shook his head in pity: "I thought she was someone who studied hard, I was mistaken."

"What?" Jiang Qinghua hurriedly folded the letter and turned around, "How come you all understand it?"

"Isn’t it obvious?" Zhang Xiaoke looked at Jiang Qinghua as if looking at a doggie, "It’s an acrostic poem, just read every fourth word."

"Is it?" Jiang Qinghua looked down again and sneakily started reading.

The fourth word...

Poetry

Child

At

Five

Grand

Door

Poetry Child at door five?

"Her name is..." Jiang Qinghua suddenly realized.

"Du Shitong, right? She’s probably waiting for you at door number five," Li Zheng patted Jiang Qinghua, "Better go reject her, advise her to study hard, and not to be distracted."

Even Zhang Xiaoke couldn’t stand it when she heard this, she grabbed Li Zheng’s shoulder in protest.

"Master... I might not be human... but you’re truly a dog..."

"What happened?"

"You both were just like that," Zhang Xiaoke pointed accusingly at Lin Yujing, "You only allow yourself to play with fire with Jingjing, and Qinghua can’t even light a lamp?"

Lin Yujing suddenly launched an attack, grabbing Zhang Xiaoke’s face with both hands and swiftly began to knead, "It’s a performance, it was all a performance, knead punishment!"

"Wu wu wu wu!..."

"Number five... number five..." Jiang Qinghua rapidly scanned the entire venue, "Shi Tong..."

"Hey." Li Zheng’s expression tensed, "You wouldn’t..."

"Kindred spirit!" Jiang Qinghua turned back, gripping Li Zheng’s shoulders tightly, "Quick, help me find gate five... When people start leaving... I’ll lose her..."

"Kindred spirit, as in someone who can understand your flute playing?"

"Right!"

"I see..." Li Zheng glanced at Lin Yujing, who was caught in a mutual kneading scuffle with Zhang Xiaoke, his expression gradually growing somber, "With that being said... I understand now, gate five is to your left rear..."

"!!!"

…

On the ride back.

Lin Yujing and Zhang Xiaoke were sound asleep together, all cozied up.

Zhang Xiaoke was sprawled across the chair back, oblivious to the fact that Lin Yujing had already sneakily reclined on her legs.

It was as if she was using her as a blanket.

Across the aisle, Jiang Qinghua couldn’t stop giggling foolishly at her phone.

Looks like she’s grown a lot more hair.

Li Zheng alone, next to her, sat solemnly, his eyes closed.

At that moment, he was actually quite panicked.

This group performance had his teammates performing too powerfully, dividing his attention too much.

The task, far too precarious.

But it was what it was, the result was already out, time to face it.

[Task Accepted: Unparalleled II]

[Countdown: 00:00]

[Timer Ended]

[Unparalleled Closed]

[Highest Instantaneous Recovery Rate: 5182.2/minute]

[Average Recovery Rate: 3051.7/minute]

[Total Vitality Restored: 508.6 hours]

"Whew…" only then did Li Zheng breathe a sigh of relief.

Good thing it was a performance for an 8000-strong audience, patched up here and there, barely scraping by.

Although his teammates had stolen the spotlight, without them, this explosive performance would have been impossible to pull off.

Except for Lin Yujing; she was a major disruptive factor, nearly leading to their downfall because of her.

If I perform with her again, I’m a dog.

Thinking about Lin Yujing’s despicable behavior during the performance only made Li Zheng angrier. He decided to scrunch up a piece of paper and threw it at her.

The paper ball accurately hit Lin Yujing’s nose.

Lin Yujing groggily opened her eyes, rubbed her nose, irritably patted Zhang Xiaoke’s belly, then promptly tilted her head and drifted back to sleep.

Sleeping so soundly after such vile actions, truly infuriating.

Li Zheng couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and closed his eyes to ponder the task’s outcome.

[Task Completed: Unparalleled II]

[Game Coins: 5?35]

[Please choose one Unparalleled title:]

[1: History Textbook, select a history book of under 10 million characters and fully understand and memorize it.]

[2: Biology Prince, select biological material of under 2 million characters and fully understand and memorize it.]

[3: Senior Programmer, select the development manuals for three programming languages and fully understand and memorize them.]

As expected... the reward this time was a no-brainer.

He had decided on it at first glance.

Without a sound, Li Zheng acquired a new title.

But his first move wasn’t to study which programming language to learn.

He touched his forehead instead.

Still there... still there...

Casually, he glanced at his current status list.

[Title: Li·?Succubus·Human-shaped Dictionary·Senior Programmer·Zheng]

[Buff: Chemical Frenzy, Entering Demonization (not activated)]

[Talent: Chemical Meditation]

Well... not as spectacular as he had imagined.

But a solid restoration of 104 hours of vitality value per day, that was still quite impressive.

Just like this, moving forward at full speed for four months.

Heh heh...

There will be tears.

By then, Lin Yujing will definitely cry.

Using learning to repay grievances is the right way to deal with her.