Chapter 59: Zhu Zhuqing's Relief
Ye Cheng led Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing into the small town, finding it livelier than expected. It was much larger than an ordinary village almost like a small city, just without walls. Shops lined the streets, selling all sorts of goods.
Most of the stores catered to soul masters: weapon shops, armor shops, antidotes and healing potions, and even clothing stores that specialized in outfits with multiple pockets, perfect for soul master adventures.
The saying "Live off the mountain if you live near it, live off the sea if you live by it" held true. This town clearly thrived because of its proximity to Star Dou Forest, and it was likely one of many such towns surrounding the area.
After walking for a while, Ye Cheng spotted a modest looking inn and said, "We'll stay here for the night. Tomorrow, we'll buy some supplies for surviving in the wilderness. Once we're fully prepared, we'll enter Star Dou Forest."
"Yes," Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing obediently responded.
Being in a wilderness town, the inn was nothing luxurious, but the girls weren't picky. Compared to sleeping outdoors, having a bed was already a luxury.
The inn was a two story building with a dining hall on the first floor and rooms on the second floor. Ye Cheng booked a single room for himself, while Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing shared a double room so they could look after each other.
Once the rooms were secured, Ye Cheng brought the two girls downstairs to eat. They picked a quiet corner and browsed the menu before placing their order.
While they waited for their food, a noisy commotion suddenly erupted.
Looking over, they saw some familiar faces.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar the only four remaining students of Shrek Academy entered the inn, laughing and chatting. Leading them was Zhao Wuji, making a total of five people.
Both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing instinctively frowned at the sight of them. It was clear they held no fondness for Shrek Academy. After all, that so called school felt more like a training ground for thugs and ruffians rather than a respectable institution. The academy's rules and values were downright bizarre.
Since the three of them were seated in a secluded corner, partially obscured by other diners, the Shrek group didn't notice Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
After booking their rooms, the Shrek students also sat down at a table and loudly ordered food, their boisterous conversation disturbing the atmosphere.
"You know those guys?" Ye Cheng asked, pretending not to know.
"Brother, let me tell you…" Ning Rongrong immediately started exaggerating how terrible Shrek Academy was, passionately describing the injustice she had suffered there.
As she ranted, Zhu Zhuqing listened, her eyebrows twitching. She was beginning to see a different side of Ning Rongrong.
Sure, Shrek Academy was far from great, but was it really as bad as Ning Rongrong was making it out to be?
However, before she could finish that thought, an incident occurred that completely changed her perspective.
The inn's entrance opened again, and another group of people walked in.
Leading them was a middle aged man in his forties, well groomed with slicked back hair, wearing an elegant moon white soul master robe embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered as he moved.
Behind him were seven young soul masters six men and one woman, all appearing to be in their early twenties. They wore matching moon white robes, with two embroidered characters: Cang Hui.
Their coordinated attire and polished demeanor made it obvious that they belonged to a soul master academy. Compared to them, the Shrek group looked plain and unremarkable, dressed no differently from commoners.
As soon as the Cang Hui group entered, the innkeeper hurried over to greet them with extreme respect.
Since this town survived off soul masters, the innkeeper naturally didn't dare treat them lightly. After all, soul masters were both prestigious and wealthy it was smart business to cater to them.
"That girl isn't bad, huh? Hey, Boss Dai, these guys should be from Cang Hui Academy, right?"
Fatty Ma Hongjun's tiny eyes locked onto the only female in the group, his lecherous expression making it painfully obvious what was on his mind. He was practically drooling.
Dai Mubai sneered. "It's just Cang Hui Academy. What's so impressive?"
Neither Ma Hongjun nor Dai Mubai bothered lowering their voices, and since soul masters had keen hearing, the Cang Hui group immediately noticed them.
The middle aged leader frowned, his face darkening. However, upon realizing that the insolent remarks had come from a table full of kids, his expression only soured further.
Oscar, seated beside Tang San, grinned. "This is going to be interesting."
Tang San gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
Oscar whispered, "This is part of our training, remember? Didn't Dean Flender say that 'a soul master who doesn't cause trouble isn't a good soul master'? 'If you don't cause trouble, you're just mediocre.' And the safest people to mess with are other academy students. Worst case? Just a fight."
Tang San chuckled. "At this rate, our dean's teachings could be compiled into a Monster Handbook. Judging by their age, Cang Hui must be an advanced soul master academy, right?"
The Cang Hui group took their seats two tables away from the Shrek students.
Tang San subtly watched as the middle aged instructor whispered something to one of his students. The young man nodded and then stood up, making his way toward Dai Mubai's seat.
Dai Mubai's eyes gleamed with contempt. He had already noticed the movement but didn't even bother acknowledging it.
At that moment, the waiter brought out the first dish for Shrek's table.
Just then, the Cang Hui student suddenly sped up, "accidentally" bumping into the waiter.
The plate of food tilted dangerously, about to spill directly onto Dai Mubai's head.
"Don't waste food."
Reacting instantly, Tang San shot out his left hand, steadying the waiter, while his right hand caught the dish in midair. Using his Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon technique, he kept the food perfectly intact before lightly placing the plate back on the table.
The Cang Hui student hesitated, his face showing brief surprise he hadn't clearly seen how Tang San had moved. However, he quickly recovered, putting on a sly smirk.
"My apologies," he said insincerely, continuing to walk forward as if passing by. But as he reached Dai Mubai, his foot subtly lashed out, aiming to break one of the legs of Dai Mubai's chair.
His move was well hidden his upper body remained perfectly still, making it difficult to detect unless one was specifically watching.
However, the moment his kick connected
BAM!
Instead of breaking the chair, it felt like kicking solid steel. A numbing shock ran through his entire leg.
Before he could react, Dai Mubai's palm shot forward.
The Cang Hui student tried to block, but Dai Mubai's spirit powered strike blasted straight through his guard, slamming into his chest and sending him flying.
CRASH!
The young man smashed through two tables before hurtling toward his own instructor.
The middle aged leader hurriedly caught him, but the student was ashen faced, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
Dai Mubai casually stretched, smirking. "Oops, slipped." His arrogant and disdainful attitude was so excessive that even Tang San felt he was asking for a beating.
Meanwhile, in the corner, Zhu Zhuqing, having witnessed everything, shook her head.
She felt immensely relieved that she had left Shrek Academy early.
Had she stayed, she might have ended up just like Dai Mubai another arrogant fool who thought picking fights made him strong.
(End of chapter)
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