"What? What is it? Hurry up and tell me!" Xiao Wu's rabbit ears perked up as she leaned in to listen.
"Hey, so you were just bluffing me." Ma Hongjun chuckled, took a deep breath, and said meaningfully, "Some things are better left unasked, Sister Xiao Wu."
If he told Xiao Wu about their trip to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, he and Oscar would truly experience social death.
So, it had to remain a secret.
"Fine."
Xiao Wu's rabbit ears drooped, and she suddenly felt bored.
"Where's Rongrong?" Dai Mubai stepped forward, his gaze fixed on her.
"She... seems to be sharing teaching duties with Zhu Zhuqing."
Xiao Wu raised her head, thinking for a moment.
"Dean Flender assigned them a task—something about heading to the Sunset Forest for some devilish training."
Devilish training was an old tradition at Shrek Academy.
Students who underwent it always saw significant improvements.
"Oh no." Oscar's heart sank, and he quickly raised his eyes. "When did this happen?"
"This morning?" Xiao Wu hesitated.
Originally, she would have joined them.
But Rongrong and Zhuqing had refused, saying she wasn't in the right mood.
They told her to take these days to relax.
Then, Xiao Wu looked into the distance, where Flender and Zhao Wuji were chatting, and asked curiously, "Wasn't this a plan Dean Flender had prepared long ago?"
"Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong are both very strong. Could they really be in any danger?"
"There might be evil soul masters in the Sunset Forest!" Ma Hongjun said urgently.
"Evil soul masters?!" Xiao Wu's expression hardened. "Where did you get that information?"
"Before returning to Shrek Academy, Oscar and I infiltrated... a hideout of evil soul masters!" Ma Hongjun said with a straight face.
"Right," Oscar chimed in. "We overheard them saying they'd gather in the Sunset Forest, apparently for the inheritance of the God of Slaughter's divine seat!"
"Dean Flender!" Dai Mubai immediately shouted, waving at Flender in the distance.
Flender, who had been chatting, looked surprised.
He walked over with a smile. "What's wrong? Have you already planned to treat me to a meal?"
Behind him, the muscular Zhao Wuji also laughed.
"This meal has to be on you. It's only right for us teachers to freeload."
"Something's happened!" Dai Mubai said grimly. "Dean, did you forget that you sent Rongrong and Zhuqing to the Sunset Forest to train students?"
When Dai Mubai finished speaking, Flender's bright smile froze.
After a pause, he suddenly realized.
"Oh no."
"The Sunset Forest is far more dangerous than usual right now."
"We need to send someone to bring them back immediately!"
"It's too late. They left with the team this morning."
Xiao Wu's face paled.
Devilish training didn't have a fixed location. The Sunset Forest was vast, and even if Shrek Academy mobilized everyone, they wouldn't be able to search it thoroughly.
Worse, the evil soul masters would pose a threat to the search party.
This was practically an unsolvable problem.
Dai Mubai's expression darkened. "And Sect Leader Ning just happened to be in seclusion at this time."
"Otherwise, we could've borrowed some forces from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Everyone fell silent.
Indeed, Ning Fengzhi's seclusion couldn't have come at a worse time.
"What's going on?"
Liu Erlong, who had been teaching a class, happened to pass by.
Seeing everyone's gloomy expressions, she couldn't help but ask.
Flender looked up with a bitter smile and explained the situation.
"Evil soul masters appearing at this time..." Liu Erlong's expression instantly turned grave.
"No matter what, we have to save them!"
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his resolve firm.
"After finally reuniting six of the Shrek Seven Devils, we can't afford to separate again."
"And we definitely can't lose anyone!"
"Big Brother Dai is right! The Shrek Seven Devils have always stuck together through thick and thin. This time is no exception!" Ma Hongjun raised his fist and placed it on Dai Mubai's hand.
Oscar glanced at them and did the same.
Xiao Wu was the last to join.
Hesitantly, she said, "But the Sunset Forest is huge, and with evil soul masters there, how are we supposed to find them?"
"Aren't you on good terms with Ye Tian?" Dai Mubai looked at her with hopeful eyes. "He's now the Imperial Preceptor of the Heaven Dou Empire, with immense authority. Mobilizing tens of thousands of troops would be effortless for him."
"If Ye Tian helps us, not only can we find Zhuqing and the others, but we can also wipe out the evil soul masters and seize the divine seat inheritance!"
"But... I've already cut ties with Ye Tian. We're like strangers now."
Xiao Wu's eyes filled with sorrow, her voice barely audible.
She had mustered great courage to sever ties with Ye Tian.
Now, asking her to go to him—whether he'd help or not—she couldn't bring herself to swallow her pride.
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's face twisted in frustration.
Come to think of it, he, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing had once attempted to assassinate Ye Tian.
So the chances of Ye Tian helping were slim.
After much deliberation, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth. "We can make a deal with Ye Tian—trade him the information about the God of Slaughter!"
"No one can resist the allure of a divine seat, let alone the immortality that comes with it!"
"How can you give such crucial information to our enemy?"
Ma Hongjun stepped forward, questioning him.
"What if Ye Tian actually obtains the divine seat? Wouldn't that spell trouble for us?"
"Don't worry about that," Dai Mubai said solemnly, staring at Ma Hongjun. "Do you think the God of Slaughter would just randomly choose a successor?"
"To be chosen, one must at least be a once-in-a-millennium genius."
"And Ye Tian isn't even a soul master."
"There's no way he'd be chosen."
"So, we're using this explosive information to shock Ye Tian, to make him lose his composure."
Dai Mubai analyzed calmly.
"That makes sense," Flender nodded in agreement. "In the entire Heaven Dou City area, no one has more talent than you all."
"If the God of Slaughter were to choose a successor, it would most likely be one of you—not Ye Tian."
"The question is, who will go to Ye Tian and deliver this message?" Liu Erlong interjected coldly.
The moment she said this, everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Wu.
As someone who had once been inseparable from Ye Tian, she was clearly the best candidate.
But under their collective gaze, Xiao Wu didn't step forward to take on the task.
She simply couldn't bring herself to face Ye Tian.
She had been the one to propose cutting ties.
Going to him now would be like slapping her own face.
"Find someone else. I really can't face Ye Tian," Xiao Wu said, covering her face.
Dai Mubai pondered. "The person who goes to Ye Tian can't have any grudges with him. Otherwise, they might not even get to see him."
"And they have to know him personally, so he'll believe the message."
"The only one among us who fits is you, Xiao Wu."
"Right, Xiao Wu. You wouldn't just stand by and watch Rongrong and the others fall into danger, would you?" Oscar added.
"So I have to go, is that it?" Xiao Wu stared at them, her expression unreadable.
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't be angry. Dai Mubai and Oscar are just too anxious," Ma Hongjun quickly stepped in to mediate, noticing Xiao Wu's discomfort.
Then, he glanced at the others. "Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing are among the smartest of the Shrek Seven Devils. Let's not assume the worst."
"Maybe they'll notice the danger and come back on their own?"
Hearing Ma Hongjun's words, Dai Mubai realized he'd overstepped earlier.
He apologized to Xiao Wu. "I'm sorry. Zhuqing is my fiancée, and I'm just too worried. I didn't consider your feelings."
Xiao Wu felt a pang of bitterness but forced a smile. "It's fine."
Some time ago, if it hadn't been for Dai Mubai and the others gossiping, she wouldn't have cut ties with Ye Tian so quickly.
Indeed, as everyone grew older, they began prioritizing their own interests.
Others' feelings were pushed aside.
Liu Erlong placed a hand on Xiao Wu's shoulder. "Xiao Wu, I know this is hard for you."
"But you don't want to see Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing get hurt, do you?"
Xiao Wu nodded slightly.
Though it sounded like emotional blackmail, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were still her close friends.
And if not for their insistence, she might have been in the Sunset Forest herself.
Putting herself in their shoes—would Dai Mubai and the others abandon the rescue?
Even if his primary motive was saving Zhu Zhuqing, he'd still act!
With that thought, Xiao Wu took a deep breath.
"Teacher Erlong, I understand. I'll go find Ye Tian."
"I'll go with you," Liu Erlong patted her head gently.
Xiao Wu's eyes reddened as she nodded firmly.
---
**Imperial Palace.**
**Royal Study.**
After finishing administrative duties with Qian Renxue, Ye Tian stretched lazily.
"Ever since coming to the palace, I haven't had a single day of rest."
Ye Tian sighed exhaustedly.
"Haha, I really owe you one," Qian Renxue sneaked up behind him and began massaging his shoulders.
"Since you arrived, the piles of paperwork that used to take until midnight are now done by noon."
"That means we have the entire afternoon free!"
Then, her expression turned melancholic as she gazed into the distance.
"Now that I've reached the same position as my sister, I finally understand how hard her life has been."
"It's not something just anyone can handle."
"With great power comes great responsibility. There are pros and cons," Ye Tian said nonchalantly.
"Your Majesty." A voice came from outside the study—Eunuch Yu.
Qian Renxue slowly withdrew her hands from Ye Tian's shoulders and returned to her seat at the desk.
"Speak from outside," she said authoritatively.
"Vice Dean Liu Erlong of Shrek Academy and a soul master named Xiao Wu have arrived at the palace gates. They claim to be friends of the Imperial Preceptor."
"Xiao Wu?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ye Tian. "She actually dares to come looking for you at the palace?"
Qian Renxue knew Xiao Wu had been involved in the last assassination attempt on Ye Tian.
If she had stayed at Shrek Academy, they couldn't have easily sent troops to arrest her due to her reputation.
But now that she was delivering herself to their doorstep...
Qian Renxue's voice turned icy.
"Let them in. Have the guards ambush them at the palace gates. Kill them the moment they enter!"
"No need for such brutality," Ye Tian quickly stopped her.
"You're the emperor now. Random killings aren't a good look."
"But I'm killing those who harmed you," Qian Renxue lifted her chin. "They all deserve to die."
"Xiao Wu wasn't part of the assassination attempt," Ye Tian shook his head. "Besides, she once saved me. She must have something important to come here now. Let them in."
"Hmph, what could be so important?" Qian Renxue frowned deeply. "According to my spies, Xiao Wu cut ties with you that day."
"Now she's crawling back shamelessly. Clearly, she's no good person."
"You seem to have a lot of hostility toward Xiao Wu?" Ye Tian gave her a strange look.
Every time Xiao Wu was mentioned, Qian Renxue acted like she'd been provoked.
That wasn't the demeanor of an emperor.
"Do I?" Qian Renxue touched her face, feigning ignorance.
Internally, she grumbled.
*It's all because of you!*
Sometimes, Qian Renxue wondered if Ye Tian had honey smeared on him, attracting all sorts of butterflies—each more stunning than the last.
Being secretly in love with someone like him was stressful.
The competition was fierce.
---
Ye Tian arrived at the imperial guard post near the palace walls, where he planned to meet Xiao Wu.
"Imperial Preceptor, I'll accompany you, just in case they try something underhanded."
A golden-haired girl in a stunning dress followed closely behind.
Ye Tian glanced at her.
Then he stared at the gorgeously dressed beauty—Qian Renxue.
"Aren't you afraid of being recognized?"
"Not at all!" Qian Renxue lifted her pristine, gauzy skirt, revealing her delicate shoulders and tilting her head like a proud swan.
Her outfit had one simple goal: to make Xiao Wu back off in shame.
Ye Tian stood frozen, utterly speechless.
This was ridiculous!
"I'm already here. You can't possibly send me back now, can you?" Qian Renxue arched an eyebrow.
"Your palace is closer to here," Ye Tian pointed out bluntly.
"Nonsense," Qian Renxue didn't blush at all, glaring. "My palace is miles away from here."
"Besides, with a figure like mine by your side, it's not like I'm embarrassing you, am I?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Ye Tian finally understood—Qian Renxue was dead set on tagging along.
With no other choice, he shrugged.
"Fine. But don't tell me you've hidden a hundred armed guards where I'm meeting Xiao Wu, ready to strike at your signal..."
"Would I do something like that without your permission?"
Qian Renxue pouted, displeased that Ye Tian thought so little of her.
(End of Chapter)