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Tianhun Empire.
Xuanming City.
Xuanming City was the headquarters of the Xuanming Sect. All of the sect's foundations and heritage were stored within it. After the split between the Tianhun Empire and the Douling Empire, since Xuanming City was located within Tianhun territory, the then-sect master of the Xuanming Sect rejected the Douling King's tempting offer and chose to align with the Tianhun Empire.
In the city, no one paid attention to the two figures—one tall, one short—walking through the streets, glancing around as if searching for something.
Su Wen frowned.
Although it was broad daylight, lanterns were strung along both sides of the street, festively decorated as though a celebration was underway.
Without a doubt, if he wasn't mistaken, it must be in preparation for Xu Sanshi's spirit awakening. For this most talented young prodigy in the Xuanming Sect, the sect master had indeed gone all out…
Su Wen tugged on a passing vendor's sleeve to ask what was going on.
Sure enough, it was just as he had suspected.
Yan Shaozhe's face had completely darkened, but he was deeply frustrated. After all, regardless of whether Jiang Nannan had been manipulated by the Xuanming Sect, Shrek Academy hadn't handled things well either. When the Xuanming Sect's sect master brought this up—saying that if Shrek had extended even the slightest help, Jiang Nannan wouldn't have been "forced" into this situation—Yan, the head of the Spirit Department, would have nowhere to hide his face.
Su Wen remained silent.
He could already guess that once they returned to the academy, that guy named Yang He wouldn't have an easy time.
Not that it concerned him.
"Let's go, Dean. Let's check on Jiang Nannan's home first. If possible, we'll try to get her out without resorting to violence," Su Wen said, shaking his head.
But in truth, violence wouldn't be necessary.
With Yan Shaozhe personally present, the Xuanming Sect would have no choice but to swallow their pride and hand Jiang Nannan over themselves. There might be a few words of resentment or a short debate, but an actual fight was out of the question.
"Why not? I want to see Xu Jiangliu personally! How dare he plot against a student from Shrek Academy! I'd like to ask where he got such audacity!" Yan Shaozhe said angrily.
As the head of Shrek's Spirit Department, he had disciples across the land and carried considerable prestige within the field.
"Oh, please. You just want the whole world to know that Shrek forced a poor girl into serving nobles just to get medicine for her mother, right?" Su Wen rolled his eyes.
"I've never seen someone slap their own face like this."
"Hmph… And it's not like the Xuanming Sect is any better. They claim all these women 'volunteered' to serve, and afterward they'll even marry them as concubines or wives?" Yan Shaozhe muttered through clenched teeth.
"'Volunteered'—sure, no problem there," Su Wen shrugged casually.
Yan Shaozhe: "…"
The Xuanming Sect had clearly done their research. Jiang Nannan was deeply attached to her mother and highly filial. They had perfectly exploited human nature.
In truth, aside from the rare few with unwavering morals like that Immortal Lord of Great Love, most people could be manipulated by such despicable means…
The two asked around along the way.
Eventually, they arrived at a rundown tile-roofed house.
When they knocked, a pale yet graceful woman opened the door and looked at them blankly. Cautiously, she asked, "And you are…?"
"I'm Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Spirit Department at Shrek Academy. This is… a friend of Nannan. Are you her mother by any chance?" Yan Shaozhe said with a warm smile.
"Oh, Dean Yan—please, come in! The house is a bit messy, I hope you won't mind," Jiang's mother said nervously. Faced with such a prestigious figure from Shrek, her humble background made her feel a bit intimidated. She hurried to tidy up the room.
Perhaps she was also afraid of embarrassing her daughter…
Yan Shaozhe quickly stopped her, personally helping her to sit on the bed.
Watching this, Su Wen couldn't help but click his tongue. Though Dean Yan could be stingy at times, in situations like this, he was extremely professional—without the slightest trace of arrogance or impatience.
Su Wen glanced around.
The room was filled with the smell of medicine. A bowl of thick, dark soup and some loose herbs sat on the table.
Although clearly impoverished, the house was clean and orderly, with a faint fragrance of gardenia and herbs.
"Please don't be nervous. We're here on behalf of Shrek Academy. Previously, Nannan applied to the academy for financial assistance, but her teacher withheld the letter and never reported it. As a result, the academy never received the request. Fortunately, this child, Su Wen, brought the matter to my attention, so—"
Yan Shaozhe adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, his expression solemn.
"The academy guarantees that such a situation will never happen again. Her teacher, Yang He, will also face severe punishment. We will not tolerate this!"
"Thank you, thank you so much…"
Upon hearing the truth,
Jiang's mother burst into tears, repeatedly thanking them—especially Su Wen, whom she tearfully thanked as her daughter's "good friend."
"By the way, do you know where Nannan is right now?"
Su Wen waited for a while, but saw no sign of her.
"She went out to buy groceries. Normally, she should be back by now…" Jiang's mother replied, a bit uncertain.
"…"
Su Wen and Yan Shaozhe exchanged glances.
Their eyes narrowed.
They made an excuse to leave.
Su Wen looked at Yan Shaozhe, silently asking with his eyes.
The latter nodded faintly, his expression turning cold. "It's true…"
"Can she be saved?" Su Wen asked cautiously, just to be sure.
"She's just an ordinary person. Even a healing-type Spirit Master in their teens could treat her. The illness isn't that serious—it just got worse because it was left untreated. What do you think?" Yan Shaozhe raised an eyebrow.
"Then let's go. Any later and the rice will have already been cooked," Su Wen muttered, holding his head.
…
"This is the place."
Yan Shaozhe pointed to a side room ahead, letting out a subtle sigh of relief. They hadn't arrived too late—otherwise, he might've regretted it for life.
Such a promising student—one Shrek would fully support—if she were ruined by the Xu family, he might just drag Xu Jiangliu out and beat him on the spot.
"You go get her."
Su Wen pushed open the wooden door.
The room was dimly lit.
Jiang Nannan was sitting at the far end. When she heard the door creak, her fair hands clenched tightly. Biting her lip, her beautiful face flashed with fear, and she instinctively shrank back.
"Nannan-jie?"
Su Wen spoke softly.
Jiang Nannan, seated on the bed, froze for a moment. Even in the dim light, she could see it was Su Wen—a boy around eleven or twelve. But hadn't that Chen Wen said their young master was Xu Sanshi? She'd recognize Xu Sanshi anywhere…
"Dean Yan is just outside."
Su Wen didn't waste words. With one sentence, he calmed Jiang Nannan's mind.
"Yang He abused his power. Because you didn't pay him gold soul coins, he withheld your letter requesting help. The academy had no idea."
"Ah…"
Jiang Nannan's body went limp. Covering her mouth, she began to sob softly.
From hell to heaven—this must be what that felt like.
"Let's go, Nannan-jie. The dean is waiting. He'll bring you and your mother back to the academy," Su Wen said gently.
"Mm."
Jiang Nannan sniffled, wiped her tears, and followed Su Wen outside.
"You two go back. I'm going to settle the score with Xu Jiangliu!"
Seeing that Jiang Nannan was unharmed, Yan Shaozhe finally relaxed. With a face full of rage, he turned and stormed off.
"…"
(End of Chapter)