Even though they'd never seen what Sword Wine looked like, the moment they laid eyes on the white-robed youth—
Flander, Yu Xiaogang, and Liu Erlong all had the same thought: this young man was Sword Wine
They had all run academies and seen countless gifted young Spirit Masters with every imaginable temperament.
And though they stood now as adversaries, they had no choice but to admit—
The bearing of this white-robed boy, his every movement light and unhurried like a breeze, exuded a refined grace that was truly rare in a lifetime.
By contrast, the Golden Iron Triangle, lugging a bloodstained bed down the street, was far too conspicuous—impossible to ignore.
"Idol, look over there…" Yu Feng whispered to Li Zhexian, his voice low.
"That stiff-faced short-haired one—he's one of the teachers of the Shrek Seven Monster. Last time in Suotuo City, the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team ran into him."
Dugu Yan's pupils narrowed like slits.
"What are they doing with that half-burnt feathered chicken?"
Xue Qinghe said calmly,
"Probably looking for medical help."
Dugu Yan snorted.
"They hurt Brother Zhexian and think they can still find help in Heaven Dou City?"
"My grandfather disdains bullying the weak—but dreaming of getting my Dugu Clan involved? Delusional."
Ye Lingling's voice was concise and cold:
"The Ye Clan feels the same."
Xue Qinghe turned to look at Li Zhexian.
"What do you say?"
"Shall we kick them while they're down?"
Li Zhexian smiled and shook his head.
"That would be too boring"
"The wind's lively tonight, and so are the people."
"With everyone gathered, why let unrelated folk ruin the mood?"
"Come on—let's stroll through the city."
He didn't even spare the Golden Iron Triangle a second glance.
Turning away, he walked unhurriedly into the glow of night on the other side of the street.
Xue Qinghe chuckled softly, flicking open his folding fan with a snap, and quickly followed.
This was the Li Zhexian she knew.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling exchanged glances. Though their beauty was of opposite styles, both faces carried a trace of a smile.
Being by his side—
Always felt so carefree, so easy.
"Geez, idol... What a great opportunity... why didn't you go taunt them a little... they wouldn't dare do anything, would they...
Yu Feng muttered under his breath.
Osler gave him a slap on the head.
"Do you think Sword Wine is like you? That's called a higher state of mind!"
The Shi brothers laughed along.
"Yeah, yeah—Sword Wine's got class."
"Alright, fine, I'm the only vulgar one here. Let's go—they've walked too far already!"
They watched as the group of youths faded into the night—
That white-robed youth, after a single casual glance, hadn't spared them even a fraction more.
In truth—
The Golden Iron Triangle had already braced themselves for ridicule, expecting scorn or derision.
But only now did they realize—
Complete indifference struck deeper than any cruel insult.
"…Forget the royal family," Liu Erlong said, weariness in her voice.
"That boy in goose-yellow robes—that's Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. We won't even make it past the palace gates."
Flender's back slumped in defeat. Turning to the bed, he saw Ma Hongjun's Spirit Power aura growing weaker and weaker. His voice rasped:
"Is there really… no other way?"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly said:
"Go to Sword Wine."
"If he's willing to speak up, the Imperial Family, the Dugu Clan, and the Ye Clan will all act."
Flender trembled.
"Today… even if I must throw away all dignity—so long as Ma Hongjun lives, it's worth it."
The river water outside the city walls shimmered with deep blue light.
Tourists leaned over, reaching for the moon's reflection, but their touch only scattered the gold-red ripples stirred by koi.
Li Zhexian and the others each carried newly bought silk lanterns, crossing the Golden Water Bridge at a leisurely pace.
The night breeze brought music from flutes and pipes, laced with the sweetness of unknown blossoms.
Someone cracked a joke—
And laughter rang out, even Ye Lingling, always cool and distant, allowed a faint smile to bloom at her lips.
But—
There are always unwanted interruptions.
Blocking the bridge ahead—
Was the Golden Iron Triangle, carrying their bloodstained bed.
Yu Feng and Osler's faces darkened. They stepped forward, brows furrowed, voices sharp:
"You should be grateful we're not causing trouble."
"What more do you want?"
There was not the slightest show of respect toward these so-called elders of the Spirit Master world.
After all, the group here included juniors from the Ye Clan, the Dugu Clan, and even the Royal Family.
If the Golden Iron Triangle dared lift a finger—
Shrek Academy would have no place left in Heaven Dou City.
But the three didn't respond to the rebuke.
Their gazes passed over the guards—
And fell on Li Zhexian.
"Sword Wine…"
Flender clenched his fists, voice hoarse:
"There was no deep hatred between you and Ma Hongjun."
"He may have said a few offensive words, but the punishment he's suffered is already far too severe."
"Qin Ming and Zhao Wuji were clearly in the wrong. But now they may be dead, while you…"
"You walk free and unharmed…"
"Oh?"
Li Zhexian couldn't help but laugh at that.
"So, by Dean Flender's logic…"
"I should've been burned alive by Ma Hongjun's evil fire—or killed by Zhao Wuji—for it to be 'fair'?"
What kind of twisted logic was this?
Did one have to suffer to qualify as a true victim?
No wonder Shrek Academy raised those twisted "monsters"—
Their roots were rotten from the start.
Xue Qinghe's warm smile faded. Her folding fan stilled in her hand.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling's gazes turned cold.
Yufeng and Oslo openly sneered:
"Heh, what a preposterous thing for an academy dean to say! Are all the students at Shrek Academy beasts like Ma Hongjun?"
As a Spirit Sage at Rank 78, Flender couldn't remember the last time he'd been humiliated like this—
Especially not by juniors.
He took a deep breath, forcing down his burning rage.
"I'm not here to argue right or wrong."
"Sword Wine, I'll ask you just one thing…"
"What must we do—so that the Ye Clan, Dugu Clan, or the Royal Family will step in to save my student's life?"
Hearing this—
Li Zhexian's brows lifted slightly.
"Am I really that influential?"
"Able to command three great powers at will?"
He looked to Xue Qinghe.
The Crown Prince twirled her fan with a smile.
Then to Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling—
The two beauties kept their lips curved, their smiles more radiant than the night flowers blooming by the river.
"Dean Flender, please leave."
Li Zhexian turned slowly, casting his gaze toward the shimmering water beneath the bridge.
In the distance, shadowed figures passed behind the windows of a pleasure boat, the hint of revelry glowing within.
"Ma Hongjun brought this upon himself."
"Let me be blunt: for filth like him, I'll cripple him every time I see him."
"And if you disturb my peace again…"
"I might just do as you say—'command three families'—and ask Poison Douluo to dispose of you."
"Do you believe me?"
Staring at Li Zhexian's retreating back—
Flender's knuckles turned white.
Liu Erlong pressed her lips together and sighed:
"Let's go."
But—
Yu Xiaogang took a step forward, eyes locked on Li Zhexian's silhouette…