Chapter 140: The Grand Magic—Witch Academy

“You’re much more agreeable than those before you. Since that’s the case, let’s have a pleasant cooperation.”

There was a hint of a smile in Witch Qi’s eyes, making Sang Chu even more certain—those “people before” must have been the previous ticket holders who’d come to negotiate, just like her.

Looking at Witch Qi’s old, dry hand, Sang Chu smiled and reached out to shake it. “Pleasure working with you.”

She was never one to play the good person. No matter the situation, her first thought was always to protect herself. Only after ensuring her own safety would she consider doing anything more.

In her current predicament, even if this academy was truly guilty of all sorts of crimes, all she could do was watch, one eye open, one eye closed.

When Witch Qi handed her the crystal token, she spoke with a half-smile, “Your Highness, you’re quite resourceful. Do you happen to have any roses?”

Sang Chu replied, “I do, and I also know how to cultivate them. But the method is known only to me—even my sisters can’t do it. If the Dean needs it, I can share it with you privately. It’s just that, this matter…”

“You know, I know, and no third person will know. Your Highness can rest assured!”

Sang Chu smiled, “Then I’ll have to trouble the Dean to keep it secret for me.”

Witch Qi said, “If Your Highness ever needs life water, no matter how much, I can have it delivered to you.”

Sang Chu glanced at her. For those who needed the rose, it really was important. “Magical water can’t make roses grow—otherwise, why would they be so rare? Don’t worry, Dean. If I say I can give you some, I will. It’s just that it’ll take some time. The roses are extremely precious, and I only have a few seeds on me. If anything happens to them, they’ll be gone. Please be patient.”

Witch Qi: “As long as you can give me a rose, I’ll pay you a thousand crystals for each one!”

“Thank you. But I’m afraid the roses still need some time to grow. I’ll be tending to them for a while. If you’d like, you can send someone to keep an eye on me.”

Witch Qi paused, then laughed, “In that case, I’ll pay half the deposit to Your Highness now. I hope our cooperation goes smoothly.”

“Thank you.”

……

When Sang Chu left the Witch Academy, her expression relaxed a little. After she stepped out, she could clearly sense that some of the people secretly watching her had withdrawn.

However, those who remained were even more dangerous.

“Your Highness Sang Chu, would you like me to arrange accommodations for you?”

Following her was Witch Qi’s subordinate—a handsome man in a witch’s robe embroidered with three hyacinths. He looked refined, but Sang Chu knew, from those cold eyes, that his hands were stained with plenty of blood.

Sang Chu said, “That won’t be necessary. I just need to move. Come with me to the inn—I’m moving to Granny Mi’s little shop.”

“Granny Mi?” Liu Shu looked at Sang Chu in surprise. Clearly, he didn’t know she’d only approached Witch Qi because of the word “Mi.”

Sang Chu asked, “Liu, do you know Granny Mi?”

Liu nodded, “Everyone knows her, Your Highness. Let’s go—it’s getting late. I imagine you’d rather spend the night indoors than out in the cold.”

Cold?

Sang Chu didn’t know what that meant, but she didn’t ask.

Witch Qi now cared more about her life than anyone else. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have sent someone to watch over her.

Rather than calling it surveillance, it was more like protection. After all, there were plenty of desperate people in this city. One careless move, and she’d be gone.

Back at the inn, the owner was even more shocked to see Sang Chu than when he’d learned she was a princess.

“Sir Liu, why are you bringing Her Highness to my little shop?”

Liu shot him a look, then stepped back to stand behind Sang Chu. “I’m here to protect Her Highness. If she wants to move out, you’d better keep her room ready.”

“Yes, yes, of course! Don’t worry, Sir Liu, Your Highness—the guest room is ready for you. You can move in any time!”

Sang Chu: “Thank you.”

She then went upstairs and sent a message to Sang Jingwen, briefly explaining the situation.

Meanwhile, guarding the door was Ke, who was now extremely grateful his companions hadn’t acted rashly.

If they’d dared send her to the Witch Academy, he’d be the one dead by now!

Ke bowed at a ninety-degree angle. “Sir Liu, Your Highness, please, after you.”

“Mhm. Liu, wait for me here. I’ll wake my brother, and then we’ll head out.”

Liu: “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Sang Chu went inside. The living room door wasn’t closed, so she pushed it open. Sang Jingwen and Yi had already woken up and were sitting on the couch.

Mu Xue, still rubbing her sleepy eyes, stumbled out. “Ah, you’re back!”

Without Sang Chu around, the group had been anxious. Mu Xue had been so scared, she’d been shivering all over. She didn’t dare get close to Nana, but also didn’t dare stay far away, afraid of provoking her. It left her exhausted, too scared to sleep, and miserable.

Sang Chu: “Yes, I’ve found a new place to stay. Everyone, freshen up—I’m going to check on Nana.”

Lin Muxue nodded, her mind still foggy from being tormented by Nana. She wandered over to the sofa and sat down next to Lu Minli.

Lu Minli, seeing her drowsy state, said softly, “If you’re tired, lean on me and nap for a bit. When Ah Chu comes back, she’ll let us know.”

Mu Xue didn’t refuse, slumping against her, eyes drooping shut.

In the bedroom—

Nana was curled up, hugging her tail and trembling. When she saw Sang Chu, her eyes lit up as if she’d seen her savior. Sang Chu paused mid-step.

She didn’t understand why Nana looked at her like that. Was it just because she’d saved her?

Suddenly, Sang Chu had a bad feeling—maybe she’d gotten herself into big trouble.

“Sang Sang.”

Nana’s soft voice made Sang Chu let out a long breath. She walked over and sat on the bed, pulling out a blank magic card. “Have you thought it through? If you sign with me, you’ll never have freedom again.”

“Yes. I have no home now. You saved me, so I’ll follow you. I believe only you won’t hurt me.”

Without hesitation, Nana pricked her finger and dripped blood onto the card, then quickly grabbed Sang Chu’s hand, pricking her finger as well and letting her blood fall onto the card.

A star flashed on the card, and Nana instantly vanished. Her image now appeared on the card’s surface.

The back of the card had also changed, now showing a rose with blood-red letters: [Sang Chu, contract holder].

Picking up the card, Sang Chu raised an eyebrow and grinned, whispering to the rabbit on her shoulder, [Didn’t expect this card to be so useful!]

[Of course! Why else do so many people spend a fortune to get a contract card, and then spend even more to stay here? This place may be dangerous, but there are plenty of opportunities and treasures!]"