Neuvillette stepped forward, placing a hand on Dai Yueheng's shoulder.
"If it weren't for you, he would already be dead."
"For the past ten years, I entrusted you with certain matters. You carried them out faithfully, so I won't drag the Duke's Mansion into this."
His voice cooled.
"But…"
He turned his gaze. Dai Yueheng stiffened, nervous under the weight of that calm, imperious look.
"Aunt Huo should be brought to the Academy. Otherwise, I cannot rest easy."
Neuvillette walked away.
The crowd instantly parted, staring in awe.
Dai Huabin lay on the ground, limbs twisted in pain. His mouth was clamped shut, refusing to release even a single scream. Envy flickered in some of their eyes.
Having a good elder brother truly was a blessing. Without one, Dai Huabin would already be in a grave.
"Senior Neuvillette just let him go? I've rarely seen him angry. He's always cheerful, treats us juniors kindly—and outside the Academy, he's especially protective."
"Could it be… that he was afraid?"
A new inner-court student asked timidly.
He didn't get to finish. A group of veteran seniors turned on him with looks that could kill.
"Watch your tongue, boy. Some things can't be said carelessly."
"Afraid? Don't make me laugh. I served with Senior Neuvillette in the Enforcer Squad. He was the captain. Back then, he'd just broken through to Soul Emperor, yet he dared to hammer a Title Douluo-level Evil Soul Master into the dirt. Senior Dai Yueheng is strong, sure, but compared to Senior Neuvillette…"
"There's no comparison. Not even close."
"And you're telling me he was afraid? Ridiculous. Senior Neuvillette is the only one in the Inner Court with 'justice' carved into his very bones. If he has reason, he would even stand against the Sea God Pavilion Elders head-on."
"After he advanced to Soul Sage, he challenged a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Do you know what that means? A hundred thousand years! I can barely fight a ten-thousand-year beast…"
"R-right"
The new student's eyes widened as he looked at Neuvillette's departing figure, filled with awe.
"Then… that boy is lucky."
"Senior Neuvillette and Senior Dai Yueheng are close. They've known each other for more than a decade. That's probably why he…"
Dai Yueheng ignored the chatter.
His expression was complicated, though beneath it lay a trace of relief.
Thanks to his long friendship with Neuvillette, Dai Huabin—and the entire White Tiger Duke's Mansion—had been spared.
Otherwise…
"Useless brat!"
He cast a furious glare at Dai Huabin, who twitched weakly on the ground, disappointment heavy in his eyes.
The White Tiger Duke's family had always been poor at raising sons. Their father spent most of his life stationed at the border, rarely home. The duchess ruled the mansion, and her indulgence had ruined Huabin.
A spoiled son, through and through.
Fortunately, when Yueheng was born, his father was still present and paid attention to his upbringing. That was why the two brothers turned out so different.
Even so, Yueheng could only sigh.
With a wave of his hand, two attendants carefully lifted Dai Huabin onto a stretcher and carried him toward Shrek Academy.
As an elder brother, he couldn't just abandon him to permanent injury. He had already arranged for inner-court healers to treat him.
As for Neuvillette's warning about bringing Aunt Huo to the Academy, Yueheng felt relieved.
After all, his mother had never treated Huo Yun'er kindly. If something happened…
He didn't doubt for a second that Neuvillette would storm into the Duke's Mansion, drag his father back from the front lines by the throat, and perhaps even strike his mother down.
"Sigh."
Dai Yueheng let out a long breath. It was time to write a letter to his father.
On the way back—
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao parted ways early.
Huo Yun'er, however, walked silently behind Neuvillette, head lowered, like a timid little maid.
"You're not going back to the Academy?"
Neuvillette stopped, curious.
The girl, lost in thought, didn't notice and bumped straight into him.
A faint fragrance reached his nose. She quickly looked up, startled, finding herself facing his tall, broad back clad in deep blue.
"Senior Neuvillette… may I ask… why are you so kind to me?"
Her eyes were red, her voice trembling, fragile.
"I'm just useless… I can't help you at all… and yet, again and again, I trouble you…"
Neuvillette arched a brow, tapping his staff lightly as he studied the trembling girl.
Huo Yun'er had endured years of oppression at the hands of the duchess. Though her circumstances were far better than in the original timeline, at her core she was still much like a small-town girl entering the big city—full of insecurity.
Her inferiority complex was ingrained.
Neuvillette thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Everyone has strengths. Yours is in the Soul Tool Department—and it's not a small talent. If you let your current hardships make you say such weak words… then my help would be wasted."
"As for why I treat you well…"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"You're overthinking it. I treat everyone well."
"Now, wipe your tears. Don't let people think I was the one who made you cry."
He handed her a handkerchief and walked away without looking back.
"Mm..."
She bit her lip, sniffled once, and then—slowly—smiled.
She wiped her tears, gaze fixed on Neuvillette's retreating figure.
From within her robes, she drew out a light-blue crystal pendant. Her pale hands cradled it carefully, fingers tightening around it, hope shining in her eyes.
"Senior Neuvillette… I will."