Han Feng's proactive apology left the Master very satisfied, though he didn't show it on the surface.
The Master gave a cold snort."Hmph! This is what you call Shrek Academy? This is what you call monsters? You've truly disappointed me! For your performance today—you will be punished!"
Dai Mubai and the others lowered their heads in shame. Han Feng also reflected on his own mindset, so naturally no one argued with the Master.
"Everyone, gather at the village entrance!" the Master barked before turning away.
The team exchanged glances. Ma Hongjun whispered to Oscar, "Why do I feel like… the Master is terrifying? I thought he was just a great cook!"
Oscar didn't bother correcting him on the "cook" part. He just glanced at Tang San, then Han Feng, and whispered back, "You don't get it. Strict teachers produce strong students. Third Brother wouldn't be this strong without the Master's guidance. And if the Master can talk Han Feng into submission in just a few words, you'd better just do as you're told."
Ma Hongjun shrank his neck. "Then… we'd better hurry to the village entrance before we're late."
"Yeah, let's go."
Even Oscar was a bit afraid, and they quickly headed over.
Dai Mubai patted Han Feng on the shoulder. "You alright?"
"Mm…" Han Feng frowned and shook his head.
Tang San stepped up awkwardly. "Han Feng, I'm sorry. I didn't know Teacher would speak so harshly."
After learning yesterday about the rarity of external spirit bones, Tang San had already felt indebted to Han Feng. Now, seeing his teacher scold Han Feng, he felt even more conflicted.
"It's my fault," Han Feng replied. "The Master was right. My mindset has been off."
Tang San smiled in relief. With his two lifetimes of experience, he had already noticed Han Feng's seemingly friendly but actually aloof personality. Since Han Feng was now aware of it himself, that was the best outcome.
Han Feng didn't explain further. They had misunderstood—he wasn't reflecting because of the Master's words, but because he realized his own thinking had been too one-sided. The Master's lecture had just happened to hit the mark. After all, there's no way the Master could guess that Han Feng had read the original story before.
At the village gate, Oscar and Ma Hongjun were already there, standing behind the Master with exaggeratedly flattering expressions.
The three girls looked at them with open disdain, but the two ignored it, thinking, "Not afraid of authority, huh? Let's see you cry later when the punishment starts."
They'd already noticed the eight large baskets at the gate, each with a heavy stone inside—easily 20 kilograms. No wonder they wanted to stay on the Master's good side.
Han Feng and his group arrived last. The Master didn't get angry, just pointed at the baskets. "Each person takes one. No spirit power. From here to Soto City and back. If even one person fails to return, no one eats."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun's eyes went wide. Soto City was far—over an hour's trip even with spirit power. Without it, and carrying weight? That would take at least five or six hours—meaning no dinner. For Ma Hongjun, that was worse than death.
"Go!" the Master ordered, ignoring their protests.
One by one, everyone picked up a basket. Han Feng instantly felt the extra weight—it was even heavier than in the original story. He smirked darkly. "Guess the extra forty kilos are just for me, huh, Master?" Still, he ran without hesitation.
A Master's guidance might be harsh, but for a "backgroundless" transmigrator, it was still valuable training.
After the students left, Flender appeared beside the Master. "Isn't this a bit too harsh?"
"They're monsters—they need to be trained like monsters. I've calculated everything," the Master replied.
"You plan too precisely—that's what worries me," Flender sighed. "Not everyone wants to push themselves to their absolute limits."
The Master paused for a moment before saying, "If they can't endure this, then they don't deserve the title of monster."
Flender could only sigh again. "Fine, do what you want. But I'll remind you—we're short on funds. Without proper nutrition, this kind of training will break their bodies sooner or later."
"I'll take care of it," the Master said. "Go prepare the medicinal bath. And find three village girls while you're at it."
Flender gave him a long look. "Little Gang… once you manage a household yourself, you'll understand how expensive food and firewood are." Still grumbling, he left to follow orders.