Chapter 9 – Oaths of Three Douluo
Meng Shenji leaned back slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he studied Ryuga.
"That's a big claim coming from such a small kid," he said, half-playful and half-serious.
"You're not worried we'll steal your secret and silence you?"
Zhi Lin made a slicing gesture across his own neck, the motion light but the implication clear.
His gaze was sharp as he asked, "Aren't you afraid we'll just get rid of you right here?"
Ryuga didn't even blink.
He met each of their gazes calmly.
"Even if you knew my methods, most of it wouldn't work for you. And I don't think Heaven Dou Royal Academy would stoop to killing its own student," he said, his tone steady.
"Especially for a method that can't be applied to everyone."
Bai Baoshan raised a brow, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.
"Oh? Big words for someone who hasn't even grown all his adult teeth yet. And what do you mean it isn't applicable to everyone?"
Ryuga crossed his arms, expression unchanging.
"As you've heard, I'm different even among geniuses," he said quietly.
"I can surpass them all and reach heights they can't even see."
He left the words hanging in the air, letting their weight settle.
Meng Shenji chuckled.
"What? Going quiet already? I expected you to brag more."
His tone held a teasing warmth, testing Ryuga's composure.
Ryuga's face didn't move.
"I'm not a kid," he replied seriously. "I already had three girlfriends since joining the academy and kissed all of them."
The room fell silent.
He looked down and muttered very softly, "Unlike some old fogies who are still single…"
Unfortunately for him, everyone in the room heard it clearly — because they were all high-level Soul Douluo.
The silence that followed was so sharp it could have cut steel.
Even the candle flame on the desk seemed to flicker nervously, as if unsure whether it should continue burning in such a dangerous atmosphere.
Meng Shenji's expression twitched first.
Zhi Lin's jaw dropped a little, his eyes widening.
"Did—did he just call us fogies?" he whispered, disbelief cracking through his stoic demeanor.
A vein pulsed visibly on his forehead.
Bai Baoshan's entire face flushed red — not just his cheeks but all the way to his bald head.
"You insolent brat—!" he sputtered, nearly choking on his own words.
He looked like he might combust at any moment.
Ryuga only leaned back in his chair with a faint smirk.
"I'm just being honest," he said calmly. "Cultivation is important, sure… but life has other joys too."
The audacity was overwhelming.
Meng Shenji burst into laughter first — a booming, uncontrollable sound that echoed across the office.
"Hahaha! This brat has guts!" he wheezed, wiping tears from his eyes.
"You two look like you were scolded by your grandson!"
Zhi Lin and Bai Baoshan glared at him sharply.
"Shut up, Meng! You're no different!" Zhi Lin snapped. "You haven't dated anyone since hitting Rank 80!"
The principal coughed loudly, his laughter dying instantly.
"A cultivation path requires focus," he said stiffly.
Ryuga blinked innocently.
"Does focus mean celibacy?"
All three old men froze again.
This time, even the candle flame seemed to shrink back in fear.
Zhi Lin ground his teeth.
"Kid… I could toss you into the gravity chamber for a week," he warned.
Ryuga shrugged.
"That's fine. Maybe a cute senior sister will bring me water."
"You—!" Bai Baoshan shot forward, beard trembling violently.
"Where does this boy get that mouth from?!"
Ryuga didn't hesitate.
"Genetics," he replied immediately. "My mother says it's from my father."
The way Bai Baoshan choked made Ryuga almost laugh.
Meng Shenji finally slammed his hand on the desk, laughing again.
"Enough! Enough! This little demon wins," he said, waving his hand.
"We can't beat him in conversation."
Zhi Lin crossed his arms.
"If he wasn't so talented, I'd make him clean the spirit beast pens for a month."
Ryuga smiled. "Oh no, elder. You wouldn't bully a seven-year-old, would you?"
Zhi Lin muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
Even he couldn't hide the small embarrassed smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
With the humor settling, Meng Shenji straightened himself.
"Now that we're done joking… we knew you'd come," he said.
That made Ryuga blink in surprise.
"When we were investigating you, your father found out," Meng Shenji continued calmly.
"He directly contacted us."
Ryuga felt a burst of warmth and respect for his father.
Granvill had always been one step ahead.
Meng Shenji smiled gently.
"He told us your circumstances. And said you'd explain everything when the time came."
Ryuga nodded slowly.
"So he trusted all of you."
Bai Baoshan's expression softened slightly.
"We know your father well," he said. "He never lies. And he never exaggerates, not even about his own son."
Ryuga felt a rare moment of gratitude well up inside him.
Meng Shenji raised his hand.
"Since you want secrecy, we will swear our oaths now."
Without hesitation, all three elders stood upright.
"I, Meng Shenji, swear on my martial soul, Black Goblin," the principal intoned solemnly.
"I will never reveal the information Ryuga shares, directly or indirectly, and will help him to the best of my ability for the sake of Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"I, Bai Baoshan, swear on my martial soul, Heaven Star Furnace," the second elder declared firmly.
"I will never reveal any information Ryuga shares, directly or indirectly, and will support him fully for the sake of the academy."
"I, Zhi Lin, swear on my martial soul, Azure Sky Vine," the last elder stated clearly.
"I will never reveal what Ryuga shares, directly or indirectly, and will aid him with everything I can."
A faint glow curled around the three of them — the mark of a binding martial soul oath.
Ryuga stared, momentarily stunned.
He had expected negotiation, persuasion, maybe even having to demonstrate something.
But these three elders had agreed instantly.
Meng Shenji chuckled when he saw Ryuga's expression.
"Surprised? If it wasn't for your father's reputation, we'd have made things much harder," he said.
"But Granvill Ash is a man of absolute integrity. If he said you're worth betting on, then we'll trust him."
Bai Baoshan crossed his arms, looking determined.
"And we want to win at least one Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament before we retire."
Zhi Lin nodded silently.
"So," Meng Shenji said at last, leaning forward with evident anticipation,
"tell us everything you wish to share."
Three Spirit Douluo gazes locked onto him.
Ryuga took a breath, knowing this moment would change the future of the academy — and his own fate.
Written by: Ashborn_
Edited by: Chat GPT