The secret of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?
Flender's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly concluded that Ning Rongrong was just putting on airs. Instead, he grew excited, feeling he had caught her in a lie.
Flender spoke indifferently, "If you truly have a legitimate reason, I, Flender, am not unreasonable. I can apologize to you."
Ning Rongrong nodded, glancing around at everyone, "I hope everyone will keep what I'm about to say confidential. Here's the thing: you've all probably heard of the Beast Soul Commerce, right? Actually… our Seven Treasure Commerce has been in ongoing discussions with the Beast Soul Commerce for further collaboration. And I am the intermediary coordinating this matter."
At the mention of the Beast Soul Commerce, everyone's expressions turned to surprise.
In the past year or two, even the most uninformed couldn't have missed hearing about the Beast Soul Commerce.
Flender raised an eyebrow, completely unconvinced, "And what does this have to do with you skipping training and wandering around?"
Ning Rongrong shamelessly lied, "It may look like I'm just wandering, but in reality, I'm in communication with the high-ranking figure from the Beast Soul Commerce who's handling this matter. We're using spiritual power to communicate. He suddenly contacted me, and to avoid drawing attention, I had to act like I was just out for leisure."
Ning Rongrong wore an innocent and aggrieved expression.
Inwardly, she felt smug, 'With the Beast Soul elder's generosity and his views on Shrek Academy, he probably won't mind me using his name as a cover.'
Flender frowned.
Ning Fengzhi had not mentioned anything about Ning Rongrong having such a responsibility in his letter, so Flender was certain she was lying.
Flender snorted, "I've been observing you all day, but I haven't seen any high-ranking figure in hiding, Ning Rongrong!"
Flender's aura surged, his powerful pressure making Ning Rongrong feel a bit fearful, but she still steeled herself and responded, "Dean Flender, I can't disclose that person's identity, but I must tell you, if he doesn't want to be found, even a Soul Douluo wouldn't be able to detect his presence!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled, as if flames were burning within them.
At this moment, she was convinced that Flender had likely been briefed by her father in advance, deliberately sent to discipline her.
Her father was always strict, but he had never resorted to such measures. Normally, it would have been difficult for her to uncover this truth, and she could hardly imagine Ning Fengzhi would use outsiders to deal with her for the sake of her education.
But Flender had too many flaws.
She had already pushed him to his limits, and if he truly wanted to expel her, he could have just thrown her out of the academy. There was no need for all this back-and-forth.
She had deliberately left a small opening, and he had immediately seized it, which was very suspicious.
Of course, there was a slim possibility that Flender was just a zealous teacher who, from his perspective, believed Ning Rongrong had gone astray and needed extra effort to correct her.
But when faced with her claim of "executing a secret mission" involving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Flender had not even bothered to verify it, immediately countering her.
'Doesn't he have any sense of boundaries? Isn't he afraid the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would come knocking for answers?'
Flender showed no fear, appearing righteous and unwavering.
Thus, the answer was crystal clear.
After confirming this truth, Ning Rongrong was naturally furious.
She felt betrayed.
She had come to this dump of a place to study, following her father's will, only to find out it was all a setup from the start!?
Seeing Flender's disdainful expression, convinced she was lying and completely distrustful, Ning Rongrong was filled with the urge to hit someone.
But soon, her eyes sparkled, and a playful smile curved her lips.
'If I'm not mistaken, this old man was sent here by my father on a mission, so he wouldn't really let me leave just like that. Why bother trying to save face? If I just leave, that's probably the last thing he wants to see,' Ning Rongrong thought darkly.
Flender shook his head, "You're saying a Soul Saint or even a Soul Douluo was specially sent to coordinate with you? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would never entrust such a task to a young girl like you! Ning Rongrong, lying is one thing, but refusing to admit it is an even greater fault!"
With his preconceived notions, Flender was only considering the possibility that Ning Rongrong was lying.
Ning Rongrong had already given up on arguing with Flender and shook her head, "I've said all I can say. Since you don't believe me, what else can I do?"
Ning Rongrong's gaze shifted to her loyal follower, Oscar, and she asked pitifully, "Oscar, do you think I'm lying?"
Oscar couldn't help but straighten his back.
Ning Rongrong hadn't dropped her disguise, and to be honest, Oscar felt Flender's argument made more sense, but seeing Ning Rongrong's pitiful expression, he thought she might not be lying.
He turned to Flender, scratching his head awkwardly, "Dean, maybe Ning Rongrong really isn't lying?"
Before Flender could respond, Ning Rongrong shook her head, "Forget it. I'll just leave. I don't even want the tuition back."
With that, she headed straight for the dormitory, appearing as if she was going to pack her belongings.
Flender's eyebrow twitched. Seeing Ning Rongrong's sudden despondency, as if she had been deeply wronged, he felt incredibly irritated.
Oscar, looking at the silent Flender, asked, "Dean, are you just going to let her leave like this?"
Flender suppressed his irritation and sighed, "Fine, Oscar, let's give her a chance. Time will tell the truth, and perhaps I was too hasty. I did speak too harshly. Oscar, your punishment is waived. Make sure to comfort Ning Rongrong. Xiao Wu, you go too. You're a girl, your words might carry more weight."
Seeing Flender's willingness to admit fault, Oscar's eyes lit up, and he hurried after Ning Rongrong.
Tang San and Ma Hongjun, seeing Flender's demeanor, also brightened, inwardly praising his strictness tempered with leniency.
Xiao Wu showed no expression, simply nodding before heading to the girls' dormitory.
She had already planned to leave soon, so she wouldn't invest any emotions in Ning Rongrong and would try not to go against Flender's requests.
As for Dai Mubai, he had been absent-minded the entire time. Seeing most people had dispersed, he asked Flender weakly, "Dean, today's training is over, can I leave now?"
Flender looked at the listless Dai Mubai, his expression complex, and nodded, "Yes, Mubai, you… get some rest."
He naturally felt guilty toward Dai Mubai, but he had already made his choice.
At that moment, Flender frowned and looked into the distance, sensing a powerful aura entering the academy.
'An enemy?'
As he wondered, the figure had already arrived at the training ground.
Flender immediately lost interest in Ning Rongrong.
…
Flender thought he had given Ning Rongrong an out, but naturally, things didn't go as he wished.
Despite Oscar's attempts to persuade her and Xiao Wu's coaxing, Ning Rongrong simply smiled and continued packing.
Just then, a loud noise erupted from the training ground, accompanied by a powerful aura.
"What's going on?"
Ning Rongrong and the others looked up in surprise.
Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and with a slight smile, she pushed her suitcase and headed over to see what was happening.
However, by the time the three arrived, the fight was mostly over.
A middle-aged nobleman with golden hair stood facing Flender, who was shielding the students like a mother hen. The nobleman smiled apologetically, "My friend, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean to intrude. It's just that your front gate had no guards, and after waiting for a long time without seeing anyone, I decided to enter directly. I released my aura not as a provocation, but to show I'm not here to hide."
Hearing the explanation, Flender's expression softened slightly, "Who are you, and what brings you here?"
The golden-haired nobleman's gaze subtly swept over Dai Mubai as he smiled, "My name is Etoile Deba, from the Star Luo Empire. By lineage, I'm Dai Mubai's granduncle."
Dai Mubai's granduncle!?
Everyone was shocked, and upon closer inspection, Etoile's features did bear some resemblance to Dai Mubai's.
Flender's pupils contracted slightly.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai, who had been gradually recognizing Etoile's identity during the conversation, couldn't hide the fear on his face and the trembling in his body.
Flender quickly caught on.
The man before him, possessing the strength of a Soul Saint, was clearly a representative of the Star Luo royal family!
Flender's eyes flickered, and seeing Dai Mubai's terrified expression, he sighed softly before speaking firmly to Etoile, "I won't let you take Mubai away!"
"Dean…"
Seeing Flender's stance, Dai Mubai's eyes widened in surprise.
He had thought that given Flender's recent choice between him and Tang San, the dean would surely abandon him now.
But instead, he felt deeply moved.
At this moment, Flender was indeed standing up to protect his student.
As the headmaster of Shrek Academy, Flender had many flaws, and even his teaching methods and standards were questionable. The academy's later rise was largely due to the emergence of the Shrek Seven Devils.
But one thing was undeniable: he genuinely cared for his students, even to the point of being overly protective.
The reason he hadn't stood up for Dai Mubai before was simply because he had chosen Tang San over him.
Seeing Flender's demeanor, Etoile couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, my friend, you've misunderstood again."
Etoile, observing Flender's protective stance, knew the dean was aware of the Star Luo royal family's and Dai Mubai's situation. Yet, Flender still stood up for his student, which Etoile admired, showing respect for Flender's courage and integrity.
He said, "Times have changed. I'm here to take Dai Mubai back to Star Luo to become the crown prince!"
"What!?" Flender was stunned.
"What!?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Dai Mubai's previously dull eyes.
The other students, hearing this for the first time, looked at Dai Mubai with expressions of shock and awe.
Etoile glanced at the surrounding children and nodded, "Well, this matter won't stay hidden for long, so I'll just say it. Dai Mubai's older brother, Dai Weisi, has… been assassinated. Now, the Star Luo Empire has reopened the selection for the crown prince, and if Dai Mubai returns now, there's a high chance he'll directly become the new crown prince!"
His eyes gleamed as he looked at Dai Mubai, "Of course, during this period of uncertainty, many opportunists have emerged in Star Luo, vying for the throne. The chances aren't 100%, and there might even be some danger. Mubai, I'll be blunt: are you willing to return?"
It was as if a pie had fallen from the sky, and Dai Mubai momentarily forgot about his impotence. The spark of hope that had been extinguished in his eyes reignited with fervor.
"I'm willing!"
Facing the opportunity he had longed for countless times but could never reach, Dai Mubai responded without hesitation.
Etoile smiled approvingly, "Good. Things are urgent, so to prevent any mishaps, I'll take you back directly!"
"Wait!" Flender suddenly spoke up.
Etoile looked puzzled, "What is it, Headmaster?"
Flender paused before speaking seriously, "Do you have any proof of your identity? You just mentioned there might be danger, so how do we know you're not here to eliminate Mubai?"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's excitement cooled. He looked at Flender, once again feeling the dean's reliability.
Little did he know, Flender's first thought wasn't about safety but Dai Mubai's impotence! If he couldn't perform, how could he produce heirs and become the crown prince?
Moreover, if this matter got out, would the Star Luo Empire, feeling humiliated, vent their anger on Shrek Academy?
Flender was sweating.
Etoile also sensed Flender's reliability and smiled at Dai Mubai, "Mubai, it seems you've found a good teacher."
Dai Mubai nodded, "Yes."
Then, Etoile produced a badge.
Dai Mubai examined it and quickly said, "This is my father's personal emblem. This… granduncle's identity is unquestionable!"
"Um, Mubai…"
Flender looked at Dai Mubai, who was still lost in the fantasy of becoming emperor, and spoke gravely, "I hope you've thought this through carefully. Being an emperor isn't easy! Think it over thoroughly. Perhaps staying here would be better for you."
Dai Mubai's smile froze as if he'd been doused with cold water.
Just a minute ago, he had been moved by Flender's actions, but now the dean was expressing such an attitude? What was going on!?
Anger surged in Dai Mubai's heart.
Etoile's expression also darkened, "Headmaster, I understand your concern, but… compared to what Mubai stands to gain, the risks he faces are minimal!"
Flender remained silent, just staring intently at Dai Mubai.
Under Flender's piercing gaze, Dai Mubai felt a chill but gradually calmed down.
And as he calmed down, he suddenly sensed something deeper in Flender's look.
In an instant, Dai Mubai's face turned pale.
He had realized the hidden meaning in Flender's words. (End of Chapter