471. Separate Way

Spirit City.

After the Shrek team disbanded, Qian Renjue and the others had just finished dinner and were strolling leisurely halfway up the mountain, enjoying the night breeze.

On either side of Bibi Dong were Hu Liena and Qian Renxue. The two women held Bibi Dong’s arms affectionately, not saying much, but the atmosphere was exceptionally warm.

Qian Renjue, with Xiao Fei Die following behind, had a golden ring flickering in his left palm.

The little rabbit cheerfully informed Qian Renjue that she was going to the Star Dou Forest tomorrow to hunt for spirit rings.

Qian Renjue responded with a soft laugh, raising his eyes to the three women ahead, who looked like sisters, and said gently:
"Mom, I need to go out for a while."

"Hm? Where are you going this time?"

The three women—Bibi Dong, Hu Liena, and Qian Renxue—turned their heads almost simultaneously. Each exuded a unique beauty: graceful, divine, or alluring.

Walking forward with Xiao Fei Die, Qian Renjue smiled and said,
"To the Star Dou Forest, to check on the merchant guild and have a chat with some spirit beasts."

"Chat with spirit beasts?"

Hu Liena's eyes showed surprise. Spirit beasts capable of conversation were at least 100,000 years old.

"Alright, then I’ll wait for your good news," Bibi Dong replied. She was well aware of this fact but, after a moment’s thought, nodded her approval.

"I'll make the arrangements," Qian Renjue said confidently. He wasn’t lying—checking on Tang Hao and his son was merely incidental.

Qian Renxue’s gaze narrowed slightly as she said softly,
"I’ll go with you. I have nothing better to do, anyway."

"And… and I’ll go too, Senior Brother! Take me along to broaden my horizons," Hu Liena immediately volunteered, her eyes filled with pleading. However, as she met Qian Renxue's gaze, she instinctively shrank back.

"Haha."

Qian Renjue couldn’t help but laugh. Helplessly, he said,
"Nana, stay home for now. Once I meet them, I’ll come back to get you."

"That’s settled, then," Qian Renxue said with a smile, sealing the matter.

Hu Liena fell silent, satisfied just to have the opportunity to tag along. After all, her senior brother might have other matters to attend to.

"Leave early, return quickly," Bibi Dong advised softly.

"I will," Qian Renjue nodded and agreed with a smile.


---

Shrek Academy

Not long after Zhu Zhuqing and the others left, Dai Mubai chased after her.

In an open space not far from the girls’ dormitory, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing stood opposite each other, separated by several meters.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong sneakily poked their heads out from the dormitory window, observing the two.

"What do you want now?" Zhu Zhuqing asked calmly, her gaze devoid of any extra emotion.

Dai Mubai frowned, trying to soften his tone.
"Zhuqing, I…"

"I’ve told you, don’t call me that," Zhu Zhuqing interrupted coldly before he could finish. Her voice was stern.
"We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

"Nothing? Ha."

Dai Mubai raised his eyebrows, amused.
"Zhuqing, being stubborn won’t help. Our fate isn’t something we can decide ourselves."

"Admit it. You came here to find me, didn’t you?"

Dai Mubai’s presumptuous remark made Zhu Zhuqing’s brows furrow tightly. She clenched her delicate fists, unwilling to let him go on under such a delusion.

It seemed she hadn’t been clear enough last time. No matter—she would make it unmistakable now!

Expressionless, Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "Go on."

Hearing this, a faint look of triumph flashed in Dai Mubai’s eyes as he softened his voice further.
"Zhuqing, I know you’re still mad at me. But back then, I had no choice. I had to escape danger first to focus on cultivation!"

As he spoke, he reached out, intending to hold her shoulders.
"I promise, from now on, I’ll take responsibility and face the future with you—"

Shing!

The sound of claws extending froze Dai Mubai’s hand midair.

"How ridiculous!"

Zhu Zhuqing’s voice turned icy as she glared at him with mockery in her eyes.
"I tried to give you dignity. Why won’t you take it?"

Dai Mubai froze, lowering his hands as he faced the spirit-possessed girl in front of him. He frowned but showed no sign of caution.



"Zhuqing, what do you mean by this?"

"Exactly what I just showed you!"

Zhu Zhuqing sneered coldly. Her delicate figure spun sharply as she raised her right leg, generating a fierce gust of wind.

She swung it in a wide arc, aiming her right foot directly at Dai Mubai's head.

"Get lost!" she shouted.

"Zhu Zhuqing, you—!"

Caught completely off guard, Dai Mubai was struck squarely in the face by the sole of her shoe and sent flying.

Bang!

He hit the ground hard, rolling over twice before stopping. His face was swollen, and blood trickled from his nose.

His head buzzed, and for a moment, he couldn't get back on his feet. His words came out stammered:
"Z-Zhu… Zhuqing!"

Dai Mubai's vision swam with overlapping images as he roared in anger, his eyes filled with dizziness.

Zhu Zhuqing stood nearby, unshaken, her expression icy.

With a powerful swing, she raised her leg again for another strike.
"And what makes you think you deserve to face the future with me?"

"Aaagh!"

Dai Mubai let out a pained cry as he was sent flying again.

Amid the chaos, he thought he faintly heard Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong cheering.

Bang!

Dai Mubai tried to stand up but staggered and fell again.

"Isn’t it easier to understand when I speak to you like this?" Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, looking down at him from above, her voice calm and unwavering.

"For the last time, let me emphasize this—I meant every word I said before."

"Stop saying things that disgust me."

"'Facing the future together'? You? What gives you the right? Without you, I can live even better!"

"You—!"

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, glaring at Zhu Zhuqing with hatred.

"Don’t look at me like that. You refused to take the hint while standing, so I helped you understand while you were on the ground."

Zhu Zhuqing calmly retracted her martial spirit, glanced down, and dropped a bottle of ointment at his side.

"Go live the life you want from now on. Let’s just go our separate ways. Don’t force me to slap you again."

With those words, Zhu Zhuqing turned and left.

She didn’t bear much malice toward Dai Mubai; she had only wanted to make things clear. But his arrogance and self-delusion had pushed her to act. So, she obliged.

"Damn it! Damn it! Ow!"

Dai Mubai pounded the ground, cursing through clenched teeth as his split lip made his face twitch. He glared at Zhu Zhuqing’s retreating figure, his eyes flickering with hatred.

"Ha! You’ll regret this someday. You’ll come begging to me!"

"The royal heir dispute isn’t something you can just walk away from!"

He struggled to his feet, throwing the ointment aside, and staggered off, clutching his bruised face. He needed to heal quickly—he couldn’t afford to lose face.


---

The Next Morning

After breakfast, the Shrek group gathered on the training grounds.

Dai Mubai's face showed no visible injuries, but the resentment in his eyes burned bright. Zhu Zhuqing’s and the other girls’ disdain for him only fueled his anger.

When the group learned they would be heading to the Star Dou Forest, Ma Hongjun immediately wailed.

"No way, Teacher Zhao! Are you serious?!"

"But I haven’t even had enough to eat!" he complained, despairing at the thought of running with his hefty frame.

"Haha, don’t worry, Fatty. I’ve got your back!" Oscar said, producing a sausage and patting Ma Hongjun smugly with it.

"Hey, Oscar, if you slap my face with that dirty thing of yours again, I swear I’ll roast it!" Ma Hongjun retorted, pushing Oscar away and glaring at him threateningly.

"Heh, Fatty, you’ll beg for my help one day," Oscar said, smirking as he jogged after Zhao Wuji.

"Stop whining, Fatty! Get moving!" Dai Mubai snapped, smacking the back of Ma Hongjun’s head before striding forward.

"Xiao Wu, let’s hurry and catch up," Tang San said, resigned but thankful he was leaner.

"What? We’re running there?!" Ning Rongrong groaned, her face full of reluctance. She could manage, but the thought of unnecessary hardship didn’t appeal to her.

Zhu Zhuqing took Ning Rongrong’s hand gently and reassured her:
"Don’t worry, Rongrong. If you can’t keep up, I’ll help you."