Chapter 42: What a Pity, Just a Scholar

"I see that this little girl seems to be a Soul Master?"

 Meng Shu curiously looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

He could tell that the girl, who appeared to be even younger than his granddaughter, actually had soul power surpassing her.

His granddaughter had just reached the Soul Elder level, but could this young girl already be a Soul Elder?

Zhu Zhuqing continued rotating the meat skewer in her hands, completely ignoring Meng Shu's question, pretending not to hear him.

In her eyes, apart from her master and his family, everyone else could be ignored.

Meng Shu's expression became slightly awkward—this was the second time he had been snubbed.

Zi Ji let out a chuckle, finding it amusing. Both master and disciple were silent types—look at how frustrated they were making the old man!

Dan Heng gave a slight nod. "She is."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but think that he should find a way to conceal Zhu Zhuqing's soul power in the future. Otherwise, having people constantly noticing her level would only bring unnecessary trouble.

"What rank is she? Above Soul Elder, I presume?"

Meng Shu didn't mind being ignored by the two.

He felt a strong sense of affinity with Dan Heng and was willing to overlook some rudeness.

As for Zhu Zhuqing, she was a young prodigy. If he could bring her into the Meng family, he wouldn't mind tolerating her lack of courtesy.

Dan Heng thought about it. Since the other party had already determined that Zhu Zhuqing had broken through to Soul Elder, he simply answered, "Level 31."

"My, my… With such talent, she's truly a peerless genius! Judging by her appearance, she should be only thirteen or fourteen, right?"

Meng Shu found it difficult to tell—Zhu Zhuqing's physique was too deceptive.

Unless he examined her bone age, it was impossible to determine her exact age.

"Fourteen." Zhu Zhuqing casually added two years to her age.

She knew her teacher disliked trouble, so she would try to keep her light hidden as much as possible.

Meng Shu gently nodded. A fourteen-year-old Soul Elder was undoubtedly a genius, with great potential to reach the Soul Douluo level in the future!

If he could recruit her into the Meng family, wouldn't that be a huge gain?

With that thought, his enthusiasm shifted from Dan Heng to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Little girl, have you ever heard of the Peerless Dragon and Snake?"

Meng Shu smiled slightly. He and his wife were quite famous—there was no reason she wouldn't know them.

"No," Zhu Zhuqing responded coolly, her eyes focused solely on the roasted meat. She showed no courtesy at all.

Meng Shu's expression stiffened. "Ahem, it seems I have overestimated my reputation. I am the head of the Dragon Snake Meng family… Little girl, would you be interested in joining the Meng family?"

"In the Meng family, you will receive full support and training—not inferior to any other power."

"At the same time, we will grant you complete freedom, without any restrictions…"

Meng Shu eagerly started listing the benefits.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned and glanced at him. "I have a teacher. I will not join any faction!"

Her voice carried a hint of irritation. Recruiting her in front of her teacher?

What if her teacher misunderstood or went along with it? Where would she go to cry then?

This old man was truly detestable!

Subconsciously, Zhu Zhuqing moved a little closer to Dan Heng.

Seeing this, Meng Shu was slightly surprised. "Dan Heng, my young friend, you don't seem to be a Soul Master. How did you become this little girl's teacher?"

Dan Heng replied, "I know a bit of theory."

Seeing that the meat in his hands was sizzling with oil, he handed it to Zi Ji, who was resting her face in her hands and practically drooling.

"You go—"

"I won't go!" Zi Ji instinctively refused, but then suddenly remembered the Floodwater Azure Dragon. She immediately calmed down, stuffing her mouth with roasted meat as she asked dryly, "Where am I going?"

"…," Dan Heng was speechless.

"I meant, take the roasted meat to your sister."

Dan Heng pointed at the carriage and sighed.

"!!!" Zi Ji suddenly found the roasted meat in her mouth tasteless.

Her mouth seemed to forget how to chew as she stared blankly at Dan Heng.

In her heart, she thought, This old lecher… He's too cunning! He used my greed for food to trap me into betrayal! Lord Master will surely punish me!

The next second, the flames in the fire pit flickered slightly, and the fire weakened.

Zi Ji's lips twitched. Great, this meant the Lord was angry.

She was doomed!

"B-brother-in-law, hurry up and roast another one…" Zi Ji pleaded pitifully.

Dan Heng silently continued roasting another skewer.

Zhu Zhuqing, having finished roasting hers, handed it to Zi Ji so she could deliver it to Gu Yuena.

"Zhuqing, you're the best!" Zi Ji happily accepted the skewer and went off to the carriage.

"Thud, thud, thud…"

The carriage swayed slightly.

Only Dan Heng noticed this subtle movement.

"Little girl, it's quite boring at night. Why don't we have a sparring session? I still have some insight, and I can give you a few pointers…"

Meng Shu hadn't given up on Zhu Zhuqing yet.

He wanted to use this opportunity to demonstrate his skills.

However, Zhu Zhuqing didn't even acknowledge him and shook her head in refusal.

"…," Meng Shu took a deep breath. He had been snubbed by this master and disciple pair far too many times today.

If it were any other occasion, he would have lost his temper already.

And now, he was reaching his limit…

"What's with your arrogance? My grandfather is speaking to you, and you can't even put on a smile? All you do is focus on your roasted meat—I'd like to see you keep roasting it now!"

A sharp voice suddenly rang out as Meng Yiran leaped toward Zhu Zhuqing like a wild cat.

Zhu Zhuqing shifted her stance slightly and effortlessly dodged Meng Yiran's attack.

Unwilling to accept this, Meng Yiran unleashed her soul power and lunged at Zhu Zhuqing again.

With nimble footwork, Zhu Zhuqing's body swayed slightly, evading every strike with ease. Her skewer barely wobbled and remained over the fire.

"You…!" Meng Yiran grew anxious and continued to pursue.

Zhu Zhuqing remained calm, effortlessly countering.

Meng Shu had been watching closely, hoping to spot a flaw in Zhu Zhuqing's technique so he could offer guidance.

Then, she might recognize his teaching abilities and be swayed.

However, watching his granddaughter fail repeatedly, his brows furrowed—he found no flaws.

Too perfect. Even he wouldn't have handled it better.

To be able to teach such a disciple… yet he was just a mere scholar?

Meng Shu was baffled and said, "Enough! Yiran, don't be rude!"

Meng Yiran stopped, glaring at Zhu Zhuqing angrily.

She was older than Zhu Zhuqing but had been completely overpowered—that was a frustrating reality.

With a cold snort, Meng Yiran stormed off into the darkness.

"Yiran, where are you going?"

Meng Shu asked.

"To relieve myself!" Meng Yiran disappeared into the shadows.

Meng Shu shook his head and turned to Dan Heng. "Dan Heng, my young friend, don't hold it against my granddaughter. She's just a little impatient, but she has no ill intent."

Dan Heng gave a small nod and was about to respond—

"Ahhh!!!"

A sudden scream erupted from the darkness.

Meng Shu immediately stood up. "Dan Heng, stay here and don't move. I'll go take a look!"

Before his words had fully landed, he had already dashed into the shadows.