After Wu Zhangkong followed Shen Yi into Shrek Academy, they arrived at the entrance of the Inner Court.
Upon hearing that his teacher resided in the Inner Court, he knelt down right there.
After a long while, Shen Yi returned from informing their teacher. Her Face was pale, and her voice trembled. "Teacher is unwilling to see you."
"I see." Wu Zhangkong remained kneeling, his expression calm.
"Teacher said... for you to just keep kneeling here."
These words brought a flicker of joy to Wu Zhangkong. For his teacher to be angry was better than being ignored; at least it meant there was still a chance.
"Thank you, Shen Yi." He straightened his back.
"Senior Brother, Teacher is just being stubborn. When I mentioned you just now, he couldn't hide his joy. I'll go try to persuade him again; he will surely forgive you," Shen Yi said.
Wu Zhangkong shook his head gently. "I have no right to beg for Teacher's forgiveness. I'll have to trouble you with the assessments for my students tomorrow."
"Don't worry." Shen Yi nodded and turned to leave.
Time passed, and Wu Zhangkong continued to kneel.
Students passed by continuously, and a light breeze blew. He gradually calmed his mind, reminiscing about his own past school life.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, making his heart skip a beat.
"Eh? What are you doing here?"
Arthur walked over and deliberately circled the kneeling Wu Zhangkong twice, his eyebrows raised high. "Teacher Wu, are you cosplaying as a statue? Or has Shrek's assessment started early, and the subject is 'the longer you kneel, the higher your score'?"
Wu Zhangkong snapped his head up. His eyes were filled with bewilderment when he saw Arthur, and he then said in a deep voice, "Why are you here?"
Along with the surprise, a sense of shame suddenly welled up in his heart.
Being caught in such an emotional moment by a friend was truly... "Nothing much, just wandering around." Arthur spread his hands and stepped aside, revealing Ya Li behind him.
"Look, this is the tour guide I found."
Ya Li gave Wu Zhangkong a slight nod, her voice gentle. "You are... Wu Zhangkong? I remember you. It's been a long time."
A tour guide?
Which tour guide is this?!
Wu Zhangkong's pupils constricted. He hadn't expected Arthur to be personally accompanied by the Holy Spirit Douluo.
He wanted to speak, but his cheeks felt inexplicably hot. Arthur had seen him in this state, causing the usually cold and aloof man to feel a rare sense of embarrassment.
"Holy Spirit Douluo." Wu Zhangkong suppressed the unease in his heart, his voice barely maintaining its composure.
Seeing his "calm on the surface, panicking inside" look, Arthur leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Teacher, who are you apologizing to? Your kneeling posture is so perfect. Should I call the kids from Class Zero over to learn from you?"
"Shut up." Wu Zhangkong glared at him, his eyes carrying a hint of warning.
Time to stop teasing him.
Arthur looked at Ya Li. "Holy Spirit Douluo, my teacher is kneeling here like this, and it's making me lose a lot of Face."
Just as Ya Li frowned slightly and was about to speak...
Shen Yi, who had been secretly watching Wu Zhangkong, suddenly appeared. After bowing, she explained, "Holy Spirit Douluo, the situation is like this..."
Hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Ya Li's eyes, and her gaze toward Wu Zhangkong became more understanding. "So that's how it is. Zhuo Shi is a difficult person, and you are just as stubborn to actually stay kneeling like this."
Wu Zhangkong pressed his lips together, offering no explanation.
"Kneeling like this isn't a solution." Arthur activated the power of his Face-Face Fruit. "Holy Spirit Douluo, give me Face and help me persuade Senior Zhuo Shi."
Ya Li was amused by Arthur's blunt and somewhat childish request for "Face." She turned her gaze toward the depths of the Inner Court and said gently, "Zhuo Shi, that's enough. If you really don't want to see Wu Zhangkong, why make him keep kneeling?"
Ya Li's words were quite effective. Within three breaths of her speaking, the trees of the Inner Court rustled without any wind, and a White-haired Old Man appeared.
"The Holy Spirit Douluo is quite leisurely, meddling in the private affairs between me and my disciple." Zhuo Shi's tone was gruff, but he wasn't truly angry.
It was only because it was Ya Li. If anyone else had tried to interfere with him and Wu Zhangkong, he would have exploded long ago.
Ya Li smiled faintly. "I just can't bear to see your stubborn nature. It wouldn't be good if you actually drove your disciple away."
Zhuo Shi was momentarily speechless. After a moment, he looked at Arthur, his eyes filled with scrutiny. "You are Wu Zhangkong's student?"
In fact, he had recognized Arthur at first glance. After all, the Sea Gods Pavilion had held a special meeting for him two and a half years ago.
The events of two and a half years ago—whether it was that Light Cannon or Cai Yueer's subsequent intervention—had made Arthur famous among the high-ranking members of various major organizations.
"Sort of." Arthur's tone shifted. "But you can call me Dean."
"Dean?"
"That's right." Arthur puffed out his chest. "I am the new outer dean. Give me Face and let this matter go."
"You?!" Zhuo Shi was a bit confused. If the other party was the dean, then what was he?
Ever since Cai Yueer stepped down, Zhuo Shi had been the new outer dean of Shrek.
He hadn't wanted the position originally, but when Shen Yi returned and said Wu Zhangkong might come back, he took it upon himself.
Zhuo Shi stared intently at Arthur. "outer dean? Kid, do you know who you're talking to?"
His Soul Power surged unconsciously, and his aged Face darkened.
The terrifying pressure of a Titled Douluo bore down.
However...
Arthur was unaffected.
His expression remained unchanged as he silently retreated behind Ya Li. "The Holy Spirit Douluo can testify. You said that while I'm studying at Shrek, I enjoy the same treatment as the outer dean, right?"
Seeing that Zhuo Shi's pressure had no effect on Arthur, surprise flashed in Ya Li's eyes. It was only then that she realized she couldn't see through Arthur at all.
Then, she said to Zhuo Shi with a certain tone, "That is indeed the case. During Arthur's period of study at the academy, his status is equal to that of the outer dean. I'll vouch for that."
"How come I didn't know about this?" Zhuo Shi frowned. This hadn't been mentioned at the Sea Gods Pavilion meeting back then.
"Is there a problem?" Ya Li's gaze was deep and meaningful.
This was a decision she had made privately, and she had the authority to do so.
If you have any complaints, go talk to my Yun Ming!
The Soul Power around Zhuo Shi suddenly stalled. He felt a chill in his heart under Ya Li's meaningful gaze.
A cold shiver ran down his back, and he couldn't help but look around, fearing that Yun Ming, that shameless Wife-protecting maniac, would suddenly jump out.
Arthur poked his head out from behind Ya Li and grinned. "See? Give me Face and forgive Wu Zhangkong. Let's all just 'make dumplings' together; wouldn't a happy ending be great?"
Zhuo Shi had actually missed Wu Zhangkong as well; he was just stubborn and awkward.
Now, he could finally take the offered way out.
After a cold snort, he turned to look at Wu Zhangkong, his tone still stiff. "What are you still standing there for? Get in! Don't be an eyesore here and let outsiders laugh at Shrek!"
With that, he turned and walked into the Inner Court. His steps were steady, and his previous anger was gone, replaced by a touch of helplessness.
Wu Zhangkong gave Arthur a deep look, his eyes complex—filled with both gratitude and helplessness.
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