Chapter 42: Who Said Only I Am Getting Beaten

Chapter 42: Who Says I'm the Only One Getting Beaten?

“This is Shrek? Its reputation is well-deserved.”

This was a small village, with roughly a hundred households, even smaller than Saint Soul Village. Surrounding the village was a wooden fence, seemingly built to keep wild beasts at bay.

At the village entrance stood an archway made of wood, from which hung a slightly worn signboard. Carved upon it were five simple characters: Shrek Academy.

In front of these five characters was a green emblem depicting what looked like a humanoid monster’s head. Green and somewhat cute, it resembled a chibi version of the Hulk—this was the emblem of Shrek Academy.

Polite Hulk: Have the copyright fees been paid? Transfer the money.

………An awkward transition line………

“One gold soul coin, two gold soul coins…”

Inside the office, Flandre lay back in his chair, humming an unknown tune while carrying out his daily routine: counting money.

He reclined with his feet resting on the desk, his chair creaking rhythmically to the beat of his hum.

“Bang bang bang…”

“Ouch!” Flandre was startled by the sudden knock on the door. His chair flipped beneath him, and he tumbled to the floor. Even so, with lightning speed, he managed to gather the gold soul coins in his hands before hitting the ground.

Such speed was worthy of his status as a Soul Saint with high agility. Had he not taken the time to collect the coins, he might have avoided falling. But when it comes to money, if it’s not secured immediately, that wouldn’t be Flandre.

[Zhao Wuji took the students out for soul battles, and the other teachers went with Teacher Shao Xin to buy groceries. Who would be looking for me now?]

“Who is it?” Flandre rolled over and stood up quickly, tidying himself before saying, “Please come in.”

“Hehehe.” As the door opened, a tinkling laughter filled the room. “Teacher, have you missed me?”

Zhong Yan rolled his eyes at Xiao Wu’s behavior. Ever since leaving the Martial Soul Hall, the rabbit had been grinning foolishly nonstop.

“Xiao… Xiao Wu!” Flandre’s eyes widened. “You’re back?” He quickly stood and pushed aside his chair to approach her. “Is it really you? Didn’t Xiao San say you wouldn’t come back?”

“Hmph? The Martial Soul Hall thinks they can keep me?” Xiao Wu wore a smug expression. Anyone who had narrowly escaped death would look just like this.

“Eh? And who is this?” Flandre, an older man who had seen many ups and downs, was happy to see Xiao Wu return but quickly composed himself and noticed Zhong Yan still standing at the door.

“This is a friend of Xiao San and me, now the Holy Son of the Martial Soul Hall.”

[Holy Son?]

A gleam flashed in Flandre’s eyes. Quickly donning a broad smile, he said in a flattering tone, “So it is His Highness the Holy Son’s esteemed arrival. I apologize for my lack of preparation. The school is humble; please, have a seat.”

He moved his own chair over and poured a cup of plain water for Zhong Yan.

“Ah, Your Highness’s visit deserves at least a cup of tea, but our school is so poor we can’t even afford tea leaves.”

Seeing Flandre’s almost artistic change of expression, Zhong Yan thought, [Whoa, he’s treating me like an easy mark, trying to fleece me? Well, good—I've been looking for an excuse to rough up those two brats.]

Round two begins!

“Ahem, I know you, Four-Eyed Cat Eagle Flandre. You were quite renowned in the soul master world back in the day.”

“Oh, not at all. That’s all thanks to others flattering me. I’m really nothing special.”

“Hey, don’t say that! Back then, everyone who saw the Golden Iron Triangle would offer them tea. You played a crucial role in their success.”

“Ah, I’m unworthy of such praise from His Highness. Those are all things of the past.”

[Why is this guy flattering me like this? Has he guessed what I want to do?]

“Well then, putting that aside, you’ve now opened a soul master academy and taken in a few students. Life seems pretty good.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have brought that up. Now that you mention it, it really hits home.” Flandre immediately put on an expression of sorrow mixed with helplessness and a touch of grievance.

[Wow, that change of expression—how can anyone not be confused?]

“I started this academy years ago with some like-minded friends, full of ambition. But after all these years, we’ve only managed to train a handful of students.”

“That shouldn’t be the case, right?” Zhong Yan asked in surprise. “You, Four-Eyed Cat Eagle Flandre, have undeniable strength. How did it come to this?”

“Sigh, it’s hard to explain. Look, I can’t even afford a proper cup of tea to welcome guests. My students can barely eat well in the cafeteria, let alone have good cultivation resources. It all boils down to one word: poverty. I want to buy resources for the students; I want them to eat meat every day—boo hoo hoo.”

Flandre covered his face and started sobbing. With that look, who wouldn’t be confused?

Zhong Yan put on a look of heartfelt sympathy. “Even a soul master like you would suffer because of money… sigh.”

Feigning thoughtfulness, Zhong Yan said, “Fine, I will personally sponsor Director Flandre with twenty thousand gold soul coins.”

“How… how much? Twenty… twenty thousand!” Flandre went from sobbing to eyes shining brightly, grabbing Zhong Yan’s hand as if afraid he’d change his mind. “Wonderful! On behalf of the entire Shrek Academy, I thank His Highness the Holy Son.”

“Hey, don’t be so quick. I have conditions.”

Flandre immediately became alert. “What conditions? If you want my students to serve the Martial Soul Hall after graduation, forget it. Where my students go after graduation is their own choice. I cannot decide that.”

Flandre and his brothers had gathered precisely because they refused to serve others. No matter what, they would never let their students agree to such terms.

Zhong Yan hurriedly waved his hand. “I said it’s a personal donation. Don’t worry, I only have one small request.”

Now the moment of truth had arrived.

“I heard your students have won every battle in the soul arena. I’m feeling a bit itchy and want to fight them myself.”

Flandre visibly relaxed at this.

Zhong Yan continued, “But I have only high-power soul skills. Don’t worry, I won’t go too hard. I’ll add another ten thousand for medical expenses.”

“Alright!” Flandre agreed immediately upon hearing the extra ten thousand.

[High power? Judging by you, you’re at most a Soul Sect, how powerful can you be?]

A sinister smile appeared on both their faces.

“Hehehe,” their laughter echoed continuously in the room.

Watching the whole scene unfold, Xiao Wu got goosebumps and thought to herself,

I don’t understand any of this, but I’m deeply shocked!

P.S.: Emperor’s Retirement Plan, Penguin Group 819334075

That’s all for today; I still have two papers to write.

Also, the group is up and running. In recent days, recommendations, bookmarks, and comments have dwindled. I feel like I’m just coding a single-player game.

If you want to show off your card pulls or artifacts, come join.

Emperor’s Retirement Plan

819334075

Thanks again to Little Zhu Yong, Goodnight Mutual, World Says Xin Talk, Autumn Mountain Old Driver, Yi Chengge, and the brothers for their ongoing support.

(End of chapter)