Shrek City, Shrek Academy, Outer Court First-Year Dormitory
"What did you say?"
Mu En, lying on the rattan chair, slowly opened his eyes. A rare, sharp glint flashed through his cloudy, aged eyes.
"Shao Zhe... got into a fight with the other party?"
"And... he was taken down?"
Standing below him, Bei Bei and Tang Ya kept their heads low, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Yes, Progenitor Xuan..."
Bei Bei braced himself and spoke cautiously.
"Dean Yan... he didn't follow your instructions to communicate properly with them."
"Instead, a conflict broke out as soon as they met, and then... then he started fighting with that Senior Zhuo Shi."
"In the end... not only Dean Yan, but I heard Elder Xuan... was also detained by the other party."
Bang!
Mu En's withered palm slammed onto the armrest of the rattan chair with a crisp crack. Fortunately, he didn't use too much strength; otherwise, the chair would have shattered.
"Nonsense!"
Mu En's voice was low and filled with fury, his chest heaving violently.
"I clearly gave him repeated instructions before he left!"
"I told him he must maintain a humble attitude!"
"And look at him! Did he treat my words as wind passing his ears?!"
Mu En was so angry that his gray beard was trembling.
"Shao Zhe, that child, usually seems steady. How could he be so muddled at such a critical moment!"
"I think it's because he's been too close to Xuan Zi! He's learned that violent and impulsive temper ten out of ten!"
"Now look! All the face of our Shrek Academy has been completely thrown away!"
Hearing such harsh scolding from Mu En, Bei Bei felt a wave of helplessness in his heart.
He recalled the scene at the site where Yan Shaozhe was being ground into the dirt by Zhuo Shi. It was simply... unbearable to watch.
"Progenitor Xuan, please... please don't be too angry."
Bei Bei cautiously tried to comfort him.
"Dean Yan... after all, he was trying to uphold the face of our academy."
Of course, there was another half-sentence Bei Bei didn't dare say out loud.
Although Dean Yan's starting point was good, the result...
Not only did he fail to uphold their face, but he was also beaten up in front of so many people. This loss of face was even greater!
One could even say that Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year reputation was shattered into pieces in that single battle!
Mu En took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and turned to look directly at Bei Bei.
"Bei Bei, tell me honestly."
"Did the people present... all feel that our Shrek Academy... is inferior to that new Shrek Academy that popped up?"
"Uh..."
An awkward yet polite smile appeared on Bei Bei's face, his eyes shifting slightly.
"Well..."
"There was... indeed a bit of a tendency toward that."
In fact, it was more than just a bit of a tendency!
The eyes of those onlookers were wide with shock!
Many even said outright that their original Shrek Academy was the 'pirated version' and the new one was the true 'genuine' one!
If Mu En heard those words, the old man would probably faint from anger on the spot.
So Bei Bei wisely chose to keep his mouth shut, not daring to speak those heart-piercing words.
"Sigh..."
Mu En let out a long sigh, and his whole person seemed to age several years in an instant.
"Truly... a misfortune for the family."
"To think my Shrek Academy has stood tall on the continent for ten thousand years without falling, only to encounter such a great humiliation today."
"Progenitor Xuan..."
Seeing Mu En's dejected state, Bei Bei also felt uneasy and quickly changed the subject.
"Then... what should we do next?"
Just then.
"What's going on here?"
A deep, powerful voice came from outside the door.
Following that, a burly middle-aged man with a ruddy face strode in.
It was none other than the Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department of Shrek Academy, Qian Duoduo.
He had been tinkering with new gadgets over at the Soul Tool Department and happened to be passing by.
"Oh, Bei Bei and Tang Ya are here too?"
Qian Duoduo greeted them cheerfully, but when his gaze landed on Mu En, he was immediately startled.
"Elder Mu, what's wrong? Why is your expression so bad?"
"Did that fellow Shao Zhe make you angry again?"
Mu En lifted his eyelids to glance at him but didn't speak.
Bei Bei had no choice but to explain the sequence of events with a bitter smile.
"What?!"
After hearing Bei Bei's narration, Qian Duoduo's eyes nearly bulged out.
"Shao Zhe and Elder Xuan... were detained by someone?!"
"And they were detained after being defeated?!"
"Good heavens... just what is the background of this other party? To be so fierce?"
Although Qian Duoduo usually didn't get along with Yan Shaozhe and they often undermined each other, on such a major matter of principle, he could still distinguish what was important.
This was no longer just about Yan Shaozhe's personal honor or disgrace; it concerned the survival and face of the entire Shrek Academy!
"Elder Mu!"
Qian Duoduo put away his playful grin, his expression becoming serious.
"This matter cannot just be left like this!"
"We must go and get them back!"
"Otherwise, if word gets out, how will our Shrek Academy continue to hold its head up on the continent?"
Mu En looked at Qian Duoduo, a thoughtful light flashing in his eyes.
Yan Shaozhe's personality was too impulsive, and he had already messed things up.
The current priority was to find someone more steady and flexible to clean up the mess.
Although Qian Duoduo usually seemed carefree, as the head of the Soul Tool Department, his mind was actually finer than anyone's. Moreover, he was thick-skinned and knew how to assess the situation.
Perhaps... he was a suitable candidate.
"Duoduo."
Mu En spoke slowly, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness.
"I want you to go to that Shrek Academy for me."
"Huh? Me?"
Qian Duoduo pointed at his own nose, somewhat surprised.
"That's right." Mu En nodded."Shao Zhe has already narrowed the path; the current situation is at a deadlock."
"You need to go and ease the relationship."
Saying this, Mu En's cloudy eyes stared intently at Qian Duoduo.
"You are one of the more sensible people in our academy."
"You should know... what should be done and what shouldn't, right?"
"On this trip, remember not to act impulsively like Shao Zhe did!"
"You must prioritize harmony. Get the people back first!"
Hearing Mu En trust him so much, Qian Duoduo suddenly felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier.
But he still straightened his back and patted his chest hard.
"Elder Mu, rest assured!"
"When I handle things, are you still worried?"
"I'm definitely better than that hothead Shao Zhe!"
"I'm not going there to fight; I'm going to reason with them! If that doesn't work, I'll apologize and offer compensation!"
"In short, I guarantee I'll bring Elder Xuan and Shao Zhe back to you safe and sound!"
"Even if I have to empty my pockets to ransom them, I won't hesitate!"
Seeing Qian Duoduo's vowed-and-promised look, Mu En felt slightly more at ease.
"Fine."
"Then pack your things and head out again with Bei Bei and Tang Ya."
"They know the way."
"Alright!"
Qian Duoduo agreed and turned to wave at Bei Bei and Tang Ya.
"Let's go!"
...
Watching the backs of the three as they left, Mu En leaned back against the rattan chair, his gaze deep.
"I hope this time..."
"No more trouble is stirred up..."
"This old body of mine... can't take this much tossing around anymore."
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A/N: Poor Mu En, LOL. Who thinks Qian Duoduo is gonna get in trouble too?
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
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