Chapter 17
When everyone returned to Shrek Academy, even Zhu Zhuqing, who seemed obsessed with training, went off simply to rest after such a long and exhausting journey. Only Flender and Zhao Wuji were in no hurry.
Shortly after their arrival, Flender was informed that during their absence, an old friend had visited the academy. He had initially intended to meet Yu Xiaogang alone, but Zhao had insisted on being present.
"Xiaogang, it's been a long time!" Flender greeted his friend jovially.
"Yes, it really has been a long time," a smile flashed across the melancholy face of the Grandmaster.
"Zhao, this is probably your first time meeting him in person. You can call him the Grandmaster; that's what everyone calls him."
"So, you are the famous Grandmaster," Zhao carefully observed the frail man before him. "Greetings, my name is Zhao Wuji."
"No need for formalities with me, Immovable Bright King. What's far more important is that you've returned, which means Tang San must have returned as well. How is he? Is he safe and sound? What ring did he obtain?"
"He's fine. We were very fortunate; everyone returned safe and sound. Grandmaster, you truly trained these children well; even I feel a bit foolish next to them."
Xiaogang's face immediately softened noticeably. Clearly, he was extremely pleased by the praise.
"As for the rings, in my humble opinion, they are truly monsters among monsters..." Flender took over, beginning to recount everything that had happened.
"Encountering such powerful beasts in a single expedition—it's both a stroke of luck that you survived and a catastrophe that it happened at all," Xiaogang sighed and shook his head before stating confidently. "In any case, now that I'm here, I will guide these little geniuses to shake the Douluo Continent."
"Xiaogang, that's actually what I wanted to discuss. I've decided that Shrek Academy will be relocated to the capital."
"To the capital? That's not bad, but can you afford land there? The academy doesn't exactly look wealthy."
"That's why I'm going to merge with Erlun."
"...Flender, this isn't a funny joke. Have you forgotten our agreement? I agreed to help and send Little San here for training on the condition that you tell that woman nothing about me. And now you're saying you want to go straight to her?!"
" There's no other way. What we have at our academy isn't nearly enough for these children. At this rate, it won't be far from self-study. Moreover, we can't give them what they desire—the opportunity to participate in the tournament. Xiaogang, this is our obligation to them."
"No, I'm not ready," Xiaogang shook his head.
"Xiaogang..."
Flender was already prepared to start persuading his friend, but Zhao Wuji, who had specifically positioned himself behind the Grandmaster, gave him an intense look and shook his head, reminding him of their agreement.
"..." Flender let out a heavy sigh and spoke after a moment. "I understand. If you wish, Tang San is in the dormitory right now."
At that moment, the Grandmaster, who had sunk back into melancholy, felt bewildered.
'No, wait, what's wrong? Why aren't you trying to persuade me?' raced through Xiaogang's mind, who was now starting to feel strange.
"Come on, I'll take you to the dormitory," Flender said, deciding to ignore his friend's confusion.
"Hmph, that's better," Zhao grunted, standing in the middle of the street and watching as Flender and Xiaogang walked away.
As soon as he finished speaking, a female figure emerged from the shadows beside him.
"You pleasantly surprised me, Teacher Zhao," I said with a light smile on my lips, causing him to jump back a good ten meters in surprise.
"Little devil, don't scare me like that."
"I'll think about it," I smirked. "But, by the way, I must admit, you did an amazing job. Perhaps I shouldn't speak this way about someone whose knowledge I used, but as a person, I despise Yu Xiaogang."
"This... is unexpected," Zhao replied, clearly flustered.
"Not so unexpected. It's just that I don't revere him as blindly as Tang San does. Especially since the knowledge he possesses and claims as his achievements was merely stolen from the Hall of Souls. I truly find it hard to respect him, but I also don't want to quarrel with Tang San. However, now... hee-hee." I couldn't help but giggle. It had been so long since I'd felt like laughing out loud in this world! And I didn't even intervene personally this time. My intervention was only indirect, yet the result is so exquisite.
"What do you think a person as pathetic and overly proud as Yu Xiaogang will do? How quickly will he feel wronged by his friends, deciding they betrayed him? How quickly will he decide that Tang San betrayed him? What will he do? Aren't you curious, Zhao Wuji?"
"Girl, have you lost your mind?" Zhao Wuji's gaze became genuinely peculiar.
"Ahem, sorry. It's just been a long time since I've seen something so amusing," I collected myself, realizing I had said too much. But have I lost my mind? Honestly, from a modern person's perspective, I probably have. My training, the blatant self-torment for power, and, strangely enough, deriving some pleasure from it... yes, I suppose you couldn't call me normal.
"By the way, Teacher Zhao, I hope you won't tell the Dean about my words? After all, this is a rare chance for him to truly find happiness."
"I'll figure it out without you," the man grumbled irritably before leaving.
"Alrighty then, I think I'll go to bed," I yawned and stretched.
Meanwhile, in the boys' dormitory.
"Grandmaster, when did you arrive?" Tang San asked pleasantly surprised, seeing Yu Xiaogang appear at his doorstep.
"I told you I'd find you here. I arrived a week ago, but you had already left for the hunt then. But you really surprised me. Killing such an aged beast single-handedly..."
"Isn't that because you trained me well?" the boy decided to flatter his master.
"Is that so? So, I taught you to recklessly charge at ten-thousand-year beasts and absorb their rings without protection?" Yu Xiaogang frowned.
"...No."
"Little San, you know, you have an extraordinarily strong weakness. This flaw could put you in crisis in the future."
"What is it? Please tell me; I will definitely change," Tang San said hastily.
The Grandmaster shook his head, saying with a wry smile:
"Although it's a weakness, it's also a merit. You place too much importance on emotions. This time, if it weren't for Xiao Wu's kidnapping, you wouldn't have been so radical either."
"I..."
"No need to say anything; just remember what I told you."
"I will remember, Teacher."
"Excellent," Xiaogang nodded with a pleased face. Every time he saw the obedient face of this disciple, he felt truly good. "Now show me what you gained from this hunt."
"Okay."