Chapter 31: "Headmaster, You Don't Want Liu Erlong To Be Deceived Again, Do You?"

Bang!

"Mubai, you know our academy is poor!"

Flender spoke after a long sigh, but Dai Mubai simply stared at him without a word.

Feeling a little awkward, Flender thought for a moment before continuing.

"Alright, from now on, I'll improve the academy's meals."

Saying those words felt like tearing out a piece of his own heart.

"You should've done that sooner, Headmaster! You know me—I, Dai Mubai, am not someone who forgets loyalty for profit!"

"Mubai, I'm glad you think that way."

Flender said this through gritted teeth, his face dark.

Hah, and now you act loyal? Isn't it a little too late for that?

"Come on, today a new teacher has arrived at the academy. I'll introduce you two."

Flender had originally come to find Dai Mubai for this very reason. Instead, the first thing he'd heard was Dai Mubai muttering about running away.

With such a rare and talented student under his care, how could Flender possibly let him leave?

"A new teacher?"

Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow, then immediately realized what was happening.

That flat-top Yu Xiaogang has already arrived?

It made sense. In the original story, Yu Xiaogang came to Shrek Academy just over half a month after it opened, coinciding with the students' return from the Star Dou Forest.

In this version, they hadn't even gone to the Star Dou Forest yet, but the timeline for Yu Xiaogang's arrival matched perfectly.

Flender gave Dai Mubai a sharp glance, noticing the subtle shift in his expression.

"Mubai, it seems like you know something?"

Flender stopped walking and looked at Dai Mubai with an expressionless face.

"Zhuqing, you go to the training grounds first. I need to talk to the Headmaster for a moment."

Dai Mubai patted Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder gently.

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, though she felt something was off.

Still, since Dai Mubai had asked, she decided to leave first. If something happened to him, she could always seek revenge later…

In a matter of seconds, Zhu Zhuqing disappeared into the distance.

"Headmaster, you've asked the right person this time."

Dai Mubai said with a confident grin.

"Don't interrupt me, just listen. I know more than you might imagine."

"Alright! I'll listen and won't interrupt."

Flender nodded, looking serious.

"The person who came is Yu Xiaogang, known as the Wisdom Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle."

"According to my Star Luo Empire's intelligence, Yu Xiaogang is the son of Yu Yuanzhen, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch."

"His martial soul: Luo San Pao. Innate half-level soul power. Unable to surpass Rank 29 in his lifetime."

"This man first pursued the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall—now the current Pope, Bibi Dong…"

"…"

"When their affair was discovered, Yu Xiaogang fled from Spirit City. Later, he met the other two members of the Golden Iron Triangle—you, Flender, and Liu Erlong."

"At that time, he already knew that Liu Erlong was his cousin."

"Wait—what did you just say?!"

Flender's body tensed, his voice trembling in disbelief.

"You're saying Yu Xiaogang knew Liu Erlong's identity from the beginning?"

"Exactly. Headmaster, do you really think he didn't know? Liu Erlong is the illegitimate daughter of Yu Luomian. How could she not carry anything that proves her identity?"

Hearing this, a flash of realization crossed Flender's eyes.

He recalled that Liu Erlong used to wear a dragon-shaped jade pendant on her waist. Yu Luomian had even confronted Yu Xiaogang about it later.

But at the time, Flender hadn't thought much of it…

"Sorry, Mubai. Continue."

Flender's head buzzed as he waved for Dai Mubai to continue.

He didn't think Dai Mubai was lying.

After all, Dai Mubai had no reason to deceive him. There was no enmity between Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang—what purpose would lying serve?

"For reasons unknown, Yu Xiaogang went ahead with his relationship with Liu Erlong despite knowing the truth. Then, just a few days before their wedding, he found out that Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong, had become the new Pope…"

"After that, he spread the news about his relationship with Liu Erlong to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."

"Yu Xiaogang! You bastard! You deserve to die!"

Flender's powerful soul force erupted as he roared with anger, his eyes glowing red.

If Yu Xiaogang hadn't interfered, Flender and Liu Erlong might have ended up together.

Flender had met Liu Erlong first!

He had accepted her choice to be with Yu Xiaogang, but now it turned out Yu Xiaogang's intentions had never been pure to begin with.

"Headmaster, if you keep interrupting me, I'm not going to continue."

Dai Mubai said with a look of disdain.

The situation was obviously infuriating, but Dai Mubai's deadpan interjection left Flender speechless.

The anger bubbling within him suddenly sputtered out.

Flender rubbed his temples, veins twitching at the corners of his forehead.

"Why are you telling me all this, Mubai?"

Flender asked suspiciously.

After all, this matter didn't have anything to do with Dai Mubai. In the world of soul masters, the rule of thumb was to mind your own business.

Most people wouldn't even bother to lend a hand, let alone share sensitive information like this.

"Headmaster, you don't want the Killing Horn, Liu Erlong, to be deceived again, do you?"

Dai Mubai smiled, his expression pure and innocent, like sunlight breaking through the clouds.

Flender: "…"

For some reason, he felt that Dai Mubai wasn't entirely well-intentioned, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Liu Erlong was his weak spot—his Achilles' heel.

"And besides, Headmaster, didn't you protect me for three years?"

Dai Mubai added lightly.

Even without Flender's protection, Dai Mubai wouldn't have been in any real danger.

But the fact that Flender had been willing to shelter him, knowing his background, was a favor Dai Mubai couldn't ignore.

Flender fell silent for a moment. He hadn't expected Dai Mubai to say something like that.

So the royal family truly isn't all heartless after all.

"Mubai, I owe you a favor."

Flender's voice was heavy with sincerity.

"In the future, if you need this favor—even if it means assassinating that man—I'll do it, no matter the cost."

Flender was no fool.

Between Yu Xiaogang's recent behavior and the revelations he had just learned, Flender was nearly certain of one thing:

His "good brother" Yu Xiaogang was not as righteous or simple as he had once appeared.

The promise Flender made to Dai Mubai was no small matter.

It was a commitment that could cost him his life.

(End of Chapter)