Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Heh, I thought you had forgotten about me, kid." Upon seeing the visitor, Flender withdrew his spirit power pressure, letting his energy settle peacefully within his body. The Four-Eyed Owl spirit behind him dissipated.

With his hands behind his back, Flender looked at Qin Ming and said, "You've been in Suotuo City for a while now, but you wouldn't have come to see me unless I threatened this kid a bit, would you?"

After saying this, Flender smiled at Cheng Xiao. Though he was protective of his own, he wasn't unreasonable. If Cheng Xiao had fought with his disciple without reason, he might have stepped in to teach a lesson.

But Flender knew his own disciple's temperament well—teasing a girl and getting beaten up for it wasn't that big of a deal. Even if he suffered some emotional wounds, it wasn't a problem. At least his life was spared, and it might even serve to restrain Ma Hongjun's behavior in the future. From what he had seen in the earlier match, Cheng Xiao had the ability to kill Ma Hongjun, so Ma was lucky to be alive.

Cheng Xiao remained silent, not responding.

Sensing the tension between the two, Qin Ming gave an awkward smile and said, "Dean, I was just trying to surprise you."

"Cheng Xiao, I've already arranged things at the restaurant. You and Lingling go ahead and eat. I have something to discuss with Dean Flender."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiao nodded slightly, then walked toward the restaurant alongside Ye Lingling.

"Aren't you angry?" Ye Lingling asked as they walked.

"I'm very angry," Cheng Xiao said calmly.

"But your face doesn't show any emotion."

"I just don't like showing my feelings on my face."

"Well… okay."

Watching the two enter the restaurant, Flender asked curiously, "Qin Ming, who is this kid? I thought the selection process at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was very strict?"

Hearing this, Qin Ming smiled bitterly and said, "Dean, you nearly scared me to death earlier. Cheng Xiao's background isn't simple—he's connected to the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince? Xue Qinghe?" Flender was momentarily stunned before exclaiming, "You mean this kid is with the Heaven Dou Empire's Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe?"

Qin Ming nodded and said, "That's right. When he first came to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it was on the recommendation of the Crown Prince himself. That's why I said his background is extraordinary. A student personally named by the Crown Prince is no ordinary person."

Upon hearing this, Flender felt like the sky was falling. In the Heaven Dou Empire, only a handful of people had connections to the royal family, and he had almost killed a young man with Xue Qinghe backing him?

"That's terrifying." Flender wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked, "Qin Ming, do you think the kid holds grudges?"

Qin Ming shook his head slightly and said in a deep voice, "He shouldn't. From what I know of Cheng Xiao, he's not the petty type. But Dean, what you did tonight was…"

Flender gave a bitter smile and said, "It's my fault. When I heard you were in Suotuo City, I got a bit carried away."

Qin Ming could only pat Flender's shoulder in response, trying to comfort him. "Don't worry too much, Dean. You didn't do anything to him. It should be fine."

"Oh, right, Qin Ming." Flender suddenly grabbed Qin Ming's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with a sly light. "What if we get Cheng Xiao to join Shrek Academy? I could apologize properly, and that should settle everything, right?"

As he spoke, Flender began his usual persuasive tactics, trying to convince Qin Ming of how great it would be if Cheng Xiao joined Shrek Academy.

But Qin Ming, being a graduate of Shrek Academy himself, knew all too well its current state. While the teaching methods were unique, it couldn't compare to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy in any other aspect. Even as these thoughts crossed his mind, Qin Ming didn't voice them. After all, the man in front of him was still his dean, and besides, he didn't have the authority to decide for Cheng Xiao. Moreover, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy would never allow one of its students to transfer to a lesser-known academy like Shrek.

A few black lines appeared on Qin Ming's forehead as he awkwardly said, "Dean, even if you're trying to recruit someone, you can't do it like this. Even the Spirit Hall doesn't poach people like this."

Hearing this, Flender realized his mistake and cleared his throat with a laugh. "Right, right. Qin Ming, come with me to get something to eat. It's been so long since we've had a good talk."

…

In the restaurant, it was packed with people.

Through the window, Cheng Xiao watched as Qin Ming and Flender left. He calmly turned to Ye Lingling, who was still waiting for Qin Ming and hadn't started eating. "Go ahead and eat. Teacher Qin and the Shrek Academy dean have gone."

"Mm." Ye Lingling nodded softly and began eating in small bites.

Seeing this, Cheng Xiao also started to eat, occasionally adding food to Ye Lingling's plate. She didn't refuse, but her face turned slightly red as she ate.

As the two enjoyed their meal, two figures emerged from a dark alley outside the restaurant—one fat and one thin, one tall and one stout.

"Thornblood, I'll report tonight's events to the Young Master as they are. You remain hidden by this boy's side, and don't expose yourself. I'll return immediately." Snake Spear Douluo Yu Long said in a low voice.

Porcupinefish Douluo nodded slightly in understanding.

In the next moment, space rippled around Snake Spear Douluo, and soon, only Porcupinefish Douluo was left in the alley. After Snake Lance Douluo's departure, Porcupinefish Douluo once again disappeared into the shadows.

…

Early morning, Shrek Academy.

In the boys' dormitory.

Tang San lay on his creaky wooden bed, his face as pale as paper, staring up at the old ceiling. Due to the damage to his Eight Spider Lances, his upper body was wrapped in bandages, making him look like a mummy.

Dai Mubai, who was lying on another bed, had already woken up due to his less severe injuries. He sat on his bed, hands resting on his legs, staring blankly into space, lost in thought.

Originally, Oscar and Tang San shared a room, but because both Tang San and Dai Mubai were injured, Oscar had moved to Dai Mubai's room to stay with Ma Hongjun.

In the room, aside from the creaking beds, neither Dai Mubai nor Tang San said a word until Ma Hongjun opened the door.

"Boss Dai, don't beat yourself up. It's just a loss in a spirit fight," Ma Hongjun said casually as he sat down next to Dai Mubai with a mischievous grin. "After eating Teacher Shao's recovery candy, I'm feeling much better. I'm not as strong as before, but I can still manage. It's a good thing we have the day off today—how about we go check out the brothels?"

"The brothels?" Hearing these words, Dai Mubai raised his head and asked instinctively, "Can you even manage in your current state?"

"Come on, Boss Dai, that's not fair," Ma Hongjun complained. "I may not be as good as before, but I can still do something. So, are you coming or not? If you're not, I'm going."

"What for? To let her hate me even more?" Dai Mubai muttered, thinking of Zhu Zhuqing's cold and distant face, a look of self-mockery crossing his face.

"Wow, Boss Dai, when did you turn into a hopeless romantic?" Ma Hongjun looked shocked. "Come on, let's go. I need to vent this evil fire, and you need to clear your mind. Staying down like this won't help."

After a long silence, Dai Mubai seemed to agree. He stood up, and his once-handsome face twisted into a fierce expression as he said, "Fatty, you're right. Since that woman looks down on me so much, there's no need for me to keep chasing after her. Let's go hit the brothels!"

"That's the spirit, Boss Dai!" Ma Hongjun grinned. Then, turning to Tang San, who was still lying on his bed, he asked, "Third Brother, do you want me to call in some service for you?"

Tang San, lying on his bed, froze for a moment and asked instinctively, "Fatty, what's 'call in service'?"

"Wow, you don't even know that?" Ma Hongjun scratched his head awkwardly. "Never mind, I'll explain it to you later. For now, Boss Dai and I are going. I'll make sure to give you a proper lesson when I get back."

With that, Ma Hongjun eagerly dragged Dai Mubai out of the room, leaving Tang San lying in bed, stunned and alone.