Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared-Chapter 78 - A Professor

78: Chapter 78 A Professor

78 -78 A Professor

Suddenly, a month has passed since the new semester began, and Gu Fan has been living in a constant rotation of school, work, and home.

Now, he’s busy with his studies, work, finding time for romance, practicing self-defense, and between all of these activities, he finds it challenging to juggle everything.

Over the past month, Gu Fan has contacted Teacher Liu to ask about the progress of the manuscript deciphering, but all he was told was that Teacher Liu didn’t make contact with the experts until the semester had begun.

It then took another week to deliver the manuscript to the experts, and because of their busy schedules, it would take quite a long time to get a reply.

The longer the wait, the greater the uncertainty, and Gu Fan is troubled about whether he’ll be on the receiving end of someone’s ill intentions again.

Yet, all he could do is wait.

After all, he wasn’t an expert and he didn’t possess the skills needed to decipher the manuscript by himself. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Just then, Du Jun approached Gu Fan, revealing he had used his connections to find some experts specializing in exoteric historical culture and suggesting they bring the manuscript to them.

However, when Gu Fan mentioned that he had already found an expert in this field, Du Jun was taken aback, looking at Gu Fan in disbelief.

In Du Jun’s eyes, Gu Fan was just an ordinary person with no access to the resources or connections needed to find such experts.

Gu Fan knew what Du Jun was thinking from his expression but chose not to explain himself.

Another two weeks swept by, and Gu Fan found himself remembering the manuscript during his free time, wondering about its progress.

However, he didn’t want to rush the experts as it might upset them.

As time gradually sipped away, feelings of impending crisis stirred within Gu Fan.

Finally, he decided to seek out Teacher Liu again, this time bringing with him a book on the exoteric, presenting himself as a eager learner.

Gu Fan asked many questions about exoteric matters, so many that even Teacher Liu could not answer them all.

This eventually led to the subject of the manuscript, a conversation that Gu Fan used to further his objective.

Unable to resist Gu Fan’s enthusiasm for the mysteries and culture of the exoteric, and finding Gu Fan’s questions also piqued his own curiosity, Teacher Liu agreed to accompany him to meet the expert in this area.

A professor of archaeology at a well-known university and an authority on exoteric history and culture, he was highly respected by all, including Teacher Liu, one of his own students.

Under Teacher Liu’s introduction, Gu Fan was led into Professor Luo’s office, which was jam-packed with books and piles of research materials.

An elderly gentleman with grey hair, approximately sixty-five years old and wearing some reading glasses, was immersed in his documents on his desk.

“Teacher!” Teacher Liu greeted him warmly, with utmost respect.

Professor Luo put down his documents and responded with a smile, “Ah, Little Liu, come in, sit down.”

“Thank you!” Teacher Liu sat down, and Gu Fan followed suit, smiling and looking respectfully at the obviously knowledgeable and professional professor.

Seeing an unfamiliar face, Professor Luo raised an eyebrow, and Teacher Liu quickly introduced, “This is one of my classmates, Gu Fan.

The manuscript I gave you last time was provided by him.”

“Oh, is that so?” Professor Luo looked delighted and shook hands with Gu Fan, giving off the impression of a respected but down-to-earth scholar.

Professor Luo continued, “Young man, your manuscript is extremely valuable.

I must thank you.

You have made a significant contribution to our country’s cultural research.”

Gu Fan immediately assumed a modest attitude: “No problem, I’ve only played a small part.

The manuscript isn’t of much use to me anyway.”

At this point, Teacher Liu chimed in, “By the way, Teacher, how is the investigation on the manuscript going?”

Upon hearing this, Professor Luo’s face lit up with excitement: “I’ve been researching this manuscript for quite some time.

I’ve gone through numerous references and I’ve come to realize its true value.

If I’m not mistaken, this manuscript is a map from the powerful era of the Great Night Country, with lots of information that we currently do not have.”

“Oh, really?” Teacher Liu looked delighted on hearing this news, and Gu Fan, unable to contain his excitement, asked, “So does it show the approximate location of the Qian Ye ancient country?”

On hearing this, Professor Luo got excited: “Young man, you even know about Qian Ye?

That was a very short-lived kingdom.

Its history is barely documented, just a few rumours here and there.

There’s really no way to verify it.”

Gu Fan promptly pointed out, “Teacher Liu told me about the Great Night Country and Qian Ye.

I was initially just listening out of interest.

But when I found this exoteric manuscript at home, I heard about treasure and all and got really excited.”

Professor Luo laughed and said, “Indeed, it is said that the Great Night Country, during its prosperous era, did hold many treasures.

To this day, treasure seekers have never ceased to visit it.”

“Yes, this map was left behind by my neighbor when they moved.

Apparently, their ancestors had traveled abroad, and I suspect they were seeking treasure,” Gu Fan paused, his face betraying a trace of hesitation.

It seemed as if he had something difficult to say.

Gathering courage, he finally spoke, “The truth is quite simple.

This map is useless to me, but in the hands of an expert, it might indeed unearth a treasure.

Perhaps…am I right?”

Seeming to understand Gu Fan’s intent, Professor Luo immediately became serious and said righteously, “My dear student, I appreciate your provision of this map.

However, any historical and cultural relics found abroad should be handed over to the state for preservation.”

“I was just asking out of curiosity.

If there’s no reward, I don’t mind.

After all, I’m not particularly short of money.” Gu Fan explained in such a way, finding a plausible excuse to mask his true designs.

If a small portion of the treasure could be claimed, that would provide a perfect cover for his true intentions.

“That’s right.

Young people shouldn’t always be thinking about making money or taking shortcuts.

Instead, they should focus on their work and contribute more to their country.” Professor Luo preached, word by word, and Gu Fan appeared to listen attentively and with humility.

After Professor Luo finished speaking, Gu Fan asked, “Does this map specify the exact location of the treasure?”

In response, Professor Luo shook his head, “This doesn’t seem to be a treasure map.

According to the information I currently have, this is a military map.

It seems that the Great Night Country intended to ally with several other countries to attack the ancient Qian Ye Kingdom.”

“Oh, so the ancient Qian Ye Kingdom is marked on the map?” Gu Fan was even more curious, because his ultimate goal was the Qian Ye Kingdom.

“That’s my current speculation.

We’ll only know for sure after I’ve fully decoded this map.

However, if we can truly locate the Qian Ye Kingdom, we might be able to uncover what happened to the once-prosperous kingdom that vanished overnight.” When Professor Luo said this, he was filled with anticipation, his zealous spirit eager to unravel this mystery.

At that moment, Gu Fan agreed without hesitation, “Indeed, uncovering historical mysteries is important.

We should know more about the truths of history.

If Professor Luo plans to search for the ruins of the Qian Ye Kingdom, may I join?

I would like to contribute and witness it.

I also want to do something meaningful in my youth.”

“Oh, that’s not a bad idea,” Professor Luo said, an approving look on his face, before adding, “If the opportunity arises, I will consider taking you.”

Upon hearing this, Teacher Liu, who stood nearby, began to fret, “Teacher, I was the one who introduced you to this.

I also played a part.

When it comes to unraveling historical mysteries and achieving great deeds, you can’t leave me out.”

Professor Luo immediately replied, “Alright, alright, I certainly won’t forget about you.

After all, you are one of my most accomplished students.”

Subsequently, Gu Fan asked many questions about overseas cultural history, allowing Professor Luo to showcase his knowledge.

His lively explanations were carried out to his satisfaction, and he spoke with great enthusiasm.

Gu Fan always displayed an expression of curiosity and surprise.

As long as he could please Professor Luo, it would be enough to ensure he was included in the search for the Qian Ye Kingdom.

Gu Fan understood that even if they knew what was on the map or where the Qian Ye Kingdom was located, their inexperienced group of students couldn’t excavate secrets by themselves.

They would need the guidance of an expert like Professor Luo.

The afternoon passed as Gu Fan, Professor Luo, and Teacher Liu engaged in conversation about foreign culture and history, losing track of time until it grew dark.

Gu Fan was about to say goodbye, but Professor Luo, who seemed to have missed the joy of teaching, insisted on keeping him for dinner.

This implicitly told Gu Fan that Professor Luo had a good impression of him and might consider taking him on the archaeological expedition.

Gu Fan could not refuse.

He was more than happy to stay, knowing that dining together is a social activity, and relationships between people are not maintained through chatting alone, but also through shared experiences that resonate emotionally.

Gu Fan was pleased with this visit’s outcome.

Not only did he befriend a professor who might help him unravel the mysteries, but his decision to take leave was not in vain.

Upon receiving Gu Fan’s sudden leave request, Leng Le outwardly approved without issue, but internally, she felt a storm brewing.

She was desperate to know what Gu Fan was up to.

Clearly, something important had come up, and she needed to keep an eye on him.

Leng Le made this judgment because she knew that Gu Fan didn’t have any classes that day and was originally scheduled to work.

Furthermore, Lin Xi was still on campus and Gu Fan had ample opportunities to date her, which wouldn’t be a reason for him to take leave.

Leng Le inquired about Gu Fan’s whereabouts in a caring tone, asking if he had encountered any difficulties.

However, Gu Fan’s responses remained vague, simply stating he had some minor matters to handle.