Chapter 107: Reunion with Zhu Zhuqing
Tai Long was as arrogant as ever, pointing his right thumb toward himself. "I am Tai Long, young master of the Strength Clan!"
Zu Zong's mouth twitched, muttering inwardly, "As I thought, a damn gorilla."
Zu Zong said calmly, "So, young master gorilla, what do you want?"
Though Tai Long's martial soul was indeed the Vigorous Gorilla, that did not mean he liked being called one. Raising his massive fists, he thumped his chest like a zoo ape from Blue Star. "You're not allowed to call me a gorilla!"
He roared again, "You have three choices now. First, leave Shrek Academy. Second, I'll beat you up and throw you out. Third—"
Zu Zong waved his hand lazily. "Stop shouting. I choose the third."
Tai Long froze, confused. "But I haven't said the third one yet!"
Zu Zong didn't answer. He flipped backward, landing on an empty patch of ground dozens of meters away.
"The third is, I'll beat you down so no one disturbs me and my girlfriend." Zu Zong beckoned at him.
Embarrassed at being shown no respect, Tai Long's face twisted as he strode into the field.
With a low growl, his body transformed again.
His already burly frame swelled larger, muscles doubling on his arms, which now hung down past his knees. Black fur sprouted across his exposed skin.
"Tai Long, martial soul Vigorous Gorilla, rank thirty-seven assault-type Battle Soul Master. Please advise."
Zu Zong smirked. Truly a gorilla—once his martial soul possessed him, he looked even more like one.
"Come then, gorilla. I want to test my grappling techniques."
Tai Long snarled, "Pretty boy, aren't you going to release your martial soul?"
Zu Zong shook his head and crooked his finger, signaling him to attack first.
Surrounded by so many girls watching, Tai Long couldn't back down. His face twisted in rage. "You're courting death!"
His steps accelerated, body lunging forward as his fist swept out, wind howling around it.
Zu Zong didn't dodge. His left hand caught the incoming fist, his torso twisting half a turn to the left while his right shoulder slammed into Tai Long's chest, sending him flying.
In the same instant, Zu Zong used his instant-step technique, flashing behind Tai Long's falling form. Lifting his pointed shoe, he aimed exactly where Tai Long would land, silently waiting.
Tai Long's pupils shrank as he fell, realizing Zu Zong had vanished.
A sudden chill struck his rear, and dread crept in. From the corner of his eye he glimpsed Zu Zong already behind him—what was with that pointed shoe? Could it be—?
His instinct was right. The next instant, Zu Zong's toe jabbed into Tai Long's "weak spot."
Tai Long's face first turned pale, then oddly blissful, as if shocked by an indescribable sensation. But pain followed instantly, and he could not stifle his scream.
"Ah!"
With a wail, Zu Zong's toe had driven over an inch deep into his vulnerable point. Were it not for the Vigorous Gorilla's thick hide, his fate would have been worse than Dai Mubai's before him.
The Vigorous Gorilla—defeated.
Seeing Tai Long clutching his backside, every male instinctively tightened below the waist. Some covered themselves, while the girls blushed furiously.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing finally descended, accompanied by Ning Rongrong and the delicate female student who had guided Zu Zong earlier.
"Xiao Zong, is that you?" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were red, glistening with tears. Ever since she learned Zu Zong had been taken by Dugu Bo, she had been sleepless.
If not for her companions stopping her, and Ning Rongrong seeking the Sword Douluo's aid, she would have rushed alone into Sunset Forest to find him.
Hearing her voice, Zu Zong turned, his heart aching at the sight of her haggard face. He spread his arms wide, needing no words.
Before the shocked, jealous, and envious gazes of those around, Zhu Zhuqing cast aside her usual coldness and threw herself into his embrace.
Her voice trembled, tinged with sobs. "I thought I would never see you again."
Feeling the softness in his embrace, Zu Zong wrapped his arm around Zhu Zhuqing's slender waist, his heart filled with tenderness.
"Zhuqing, don't cry. I promise you there won't be a next time." Zu Zong gently caressed her back.
Standing nearby, Ning Rongrong looked at Zu Zong and Zhu Zhuqing with a complicated gaze, her expression tinged with faint loneliness.
Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat and said, "Ahem, Zhuqing, Zu Zong—you two might want to be mindful of the occasion. There are still a lot of people here!"
Zu Zong smiled lightly, unconcerned. But Zhu Zhuqing couldn't handle the stares; her face flushed red as she pulled Zu Zong's hand and ran off.
Ning Rongrong gave a bitter smile, shook her head, and followed after them.
Watching the three depart, the crowd remained silent for a long time.
That day, two people at Shrek Academy both suffered heartbreak—one man, one woman.
After about ten minutes, the three reached a fresh, quiet forest.
They found a public bench by the path and sat down—Zhu Zhuqing in the middle, with Zu Zong and Ning Rongrong on either side.
Along the way, Zu Zong recounted his experiences of the past two months, though he avoided certain details.
"Zu Zong, did you also meet my Sword Grandfather today?" Ning Rongrong looked toward him.
Zu Zong paused, then after a moment smiled. "You mean Senior Sword Douluo, right? I troubled him this time."
Ning Rongrong turned to Zhu Zhuqing with a sweet smile. "Zhuqing, see? I told you! As soon as my Sword Grandfather takes action, that old poison isn't worth worrying about."
For once, Zhu Zhuqing also smiled, softly saying, "Thank you, Rongrong."
As she spoke, she held Zu Zong's hand tighter.
Feeling the warmth of her hand, Zu Zong asked gently, "By the way, Zhuqing, do you have class tomorrow?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes, tomorrow and the day after. Why?"
Zu Zong's face showed a mysterious smile. "Then take leave. I have a gift for you. Oh, and also for Miss Ning."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "For me too? Tell me, tell me, what gift? But let me say this first—if it's a pistol like Zhuqing's, I already have one."
As she spoke, Ning Rongrong pulled out a shiny silver revolver from her soul tool storage.
Zu Zong was stunned. So Ning Fengzhi had indeed given her the revolver. But he said nothing more and replied, "Not a pistol. Something else."
Zhu Zhuqing, however, didn't care about the gift. For her, as long as Zu Zong was safe, that was all that mattered.
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