I will have a little problem, so I will take a week off so instead I will release the chapter early, please enjoy
Neither Li Yu nor Qian Renxue intervened in Cai Xu's decision.
They both agreed with his choice.
At this point, making things difficult for Shrek wouldn't have much impact, especially with neither of them stepping forward. In fact, it could even be an opportunity for a more profitable outcome.
Of course, Flander and Zhao Wuji had attacked their people, so they wouldn't let it slide easily.
"Shall we head back?"
Qian Renxue suggested.
Once Cai Xu had given his approval, the situation had been settled. Deng Cong, leading the patrol soldiers, soon left.
There was no reason to stay any longer.
"Mm."
Li Yu nodded faintly. His pupils flashed silver for a moment, and the space around him began to fold again.
But just then...
"Wait!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke as she faced Shrek, who was preparing to leave in front of the Qianyu Academy gates.
Everyone turned to her in confusion.
The situation was resolved, so why was Zhu Zhuqing speaking now?
Even Li Yu, who had been ready to leave with Qian Renxue, paused. The folds in the space around him gradually returned to stillness.
"Mm?"
Liu Erlong turned back, looking at the girl she respected, confused by her sudden interruption.
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others also looked back at Zhu Zhuqing.
After Dai Mubai defeat, they understood that the situation was beyond repair.
Now, with Zhu Zhuqing speaking, they both hoped she wasn't about to escalate things further, though a sense of unease began to rise within them.
"Zhu Zhuqing, now that we've granted your wish, we don't expect any repayment for the time Shrek has spent nurturing you. What else do you want?"
Zhao Wuji, already in a foul mood, was provoked by the coldness in Zhu Zhuqing words. It pushed him to the brink of explosion.
"Nothing to worry about, Wuji!"
Liu Erlong stopped him, her gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing.
She was curious about what Zhu Zhuqing intended to do.
"Zhu Zhuqing, I've heard a lot about you from Old Flander. I admire your unwavering commitment to your heart!"
Liu Erlong spoke slowly, openly expressing her admiration for Zhu Zhuqing.
Even though Dai Mubai was awake and could hear her words, Liu Erlong didn't hold back.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were slightly taken aback. They hadn't expected Liu Erlong to feel admiration for Zhu Zhuqing, whom she had never met before.
Dai Mubai opened his mouth, but no words came out.
In fact, he didn't even have the courage to turn around and look at Zhu Zhuqing.
"As for your matters with Mubai, you've made your decision earlier, and we won't intervene anymore."
Liu Erlong continued, "But now, the situation is resolved. As Vice President Zhao Wuji said, Shrek has indeed nurtured you to some extent. So, what do you want now?"
Zhu Zhuqing lips pressed together, then she spoke with determination: "I will remember the favor Shrek showed me, and I will repay it. As for the matters between me and Dai Mubai, they don't concern anyone else. Besides, it's already over. He's the one who hasn't let go!"
"However..."
She paused, her gaze landing on Dai Mubai. "What we've settled is between us. But you've insulted my academy. That's not finished yet!"
"Now, apologize to my academy!"
Her words fell, and the entire scene went silent.
Zhu Zhuqing was speaking for this matter?
Even the seasoned members of Qianyu Academy, who had been there for years, weren't overly concerned about it. But Zhu Zhuqing clearly cared deeply.
It wasn't just the students of Qianyu Academy; even Cai Xu, Liu Erlong, and the others were taken aback.
None of them expected that Zhu Zhuqing words would be for this.
On the other hand, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar's expressions grew awkward.
What did this mean?
Was she really going to hold a grudge this long?
What about the earlier incident when the Qianyu Academy students referred to Shrek as "Shit comes to bow"? Was that not a big deal?
Cai Xu, on the other hand, was starting to put the pieces together.
He knew a bit about why Zhu Zhuqing came to Qianyu Academy.
So, he understood that Zhu Zhuqing didn't have a deep attachment to Qianyu Academy but instead cared about the people behind "Qianyu."
Did Zhu Zhuqing like Crown Prince Xue Qinghe?
Cai Xu's mind flashed with this thought before his brows furrowed.
But… Zhu Zhuqing was from the Star Luo Empire!
How could that work?
Li Yu and Qian Renxue, listening from the shadows, were slightly stunned upon hearing Zhu Zhuqing words.
It was normal for people to curse and argue, even they hadn't been too bothered. But Zhu Zhuqing cared so much?
"This Zhu Zhuqing really cares about you!"
Qian Renxue shot a side-eye at Li Yu, her gaze filled with jealousy.
From her perspective, Zhu Zhuqing must know the context. She might not understand the full meaning behind "Qianyu," but the "Yu" would definitely make her think of Li Yu "Yu."
So now, she was filled with jealousy.
"Ugh..."
Li Yu was somewhat confused, then said with irritation, "Shouldn't she care about you? After all, our Crown Prince is both influential and good-looking!"
"I wouldn't care about her, I'm…"
Qian Renxue face flushed slightly, and she instinctively wanted to say, "I'm a woman," but quickly realized something was off and stopped herself.
"Mm? What were you going to say?"
Li Yu smirked playfully.
Qian Renxue blushed even more, hastily changing the topic. "Let's just see what Shrek does first."
Li Yu chuckled lightly but didn't tease her further. He turned his gaze back to the scene below.
At this moment, Liu Erlong's brows furrowed as she looked at Dai Mubai and his group with slight displeasure.
She had arrived late and wasn't aware of what had been said by Dai Mubai and the others.
But the fact that Zhu Zhuqing, with her calm demeanor, specifically spoke up about this meant that what had been said wasn't something simple.
Ma Hongjun, feeling guilty, awkwardly muttered, "Didn't their people also insult us, Shrek…"
Before he could finish, Liu Erlong's gaze silenced him.
He immediately nudged Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai body stiffened.
To be scolded a few times and then have to apologize?
As the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire, how had he ever endured such humiliation?
His fists clenched, his knuckles turning white, his body trembling slightly.
But in the end, he turned around, bowed deeply to Zhu Zhuqing and, by extension, to Qianyu Academy.
"I'm sorry."
The three words were painfully forced from his throat.
He then straightened up and limped away, leading the others out.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were stunned. Dai Mubai had apologized so easily, and they were taken aback, not knowing how to react at first.
They exchanged glances, then followed suit, bowing to Zhu Zhuqing and Qianyu Academy.
"Sorry."
They hurried to catch up with Dai Mubai, supporting him as they went.
The three of them left, leaving behind a trail of defeat.
But no one felt sympathy—it was all self-inflicted.
Liu Erlong and the others had complex expressions but didn't linger and quickly departed.
"Hope you remain as proud during the Soul Master Competition!"
Zhao Wuji couldn't hold back and sneered at Zhu Zhuqing before leaving.
Zhu Zhuqing eyes flickered with mockery at his words:
"You... have no idea how strong she really is!"