472. Hotel Encounter

Tang San and the group had just left.

Soon after, a carriage pulled up at the gates of Shrek Academy.

The curtain was lifted, and a one-eyed man, Yu Xiaogang, leaning on a cane, alighted from the carriage.

His face was pale and bloodless, and his remaining left eye carried a wistful expression.


---

The Star Dou Forest lies in the southeastern region of the Balak Kingdom, with a small portion bordering the kingdom.

Soto City is also situated in the southeastern part of the Balak Kingdom, approximately 500 kilometers from Star Dou Forest.

With Oscar's support, Dai Mubai and the others were doing fine, while Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu relied on pills to keep up.

Throughout the journey, the Shrek group barely took any breaks.

By nightfall, they were only about 100 kilometers from the forest's outskirts when a small town appeared before them.

“Let’s find a place to rest here tonight and set out again tomorrow morning!”

Zhao Wuji turned back and gave the order as he led the group forward.

Before they even got close, the sounds of lively trade reached their ears. Dai Mubai looked surprised.

“Teacher Zhao, this place seems a lot more bustling than before?”

“I think so too!”

Oscar nodded repeatedly and added, “Not just bustling, it looks much tidier and more appealing.”

“Well, of course!”

Leaning against Zhu Zhuqing, breathing heavily but with a proud look in her eyes, Ning Rongrong chimed in with a crisp voice:

“Most of the shops here are now part of the Star Dou Border Chamber of Commerce and are under unified management!”

“Star Dou Border Chamber of Commerce? What’s that?”

Ma Hongjun looked utterly confused.

Even Zhao Wuji seemed puzzled, as he hadn’t been to this area in a long time.

Ning Rongrong explained with a smile:
“The Star Dou Border Chamber of Commerce was established by the Spirit Hall to serve soul masters specifically.”

As she spoke, she pointed to the shop signs.

“Merchants who join have a cauldron emblem on their signs.”

“No wonder there are guards patrolling the streets.”

Hearing Tang San’s observation, Dai Mubai and the others finally noticed the soul masters stationed along the roads.

“This is all part of the plan orchestrated by the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall,” Ning Rongrong added with a playful laugh.

She had heard her father and others mention it often, or she wouldn’t have known herself.

“Hmm?”

While looking around, Xiao Wu suddenly let out a soft hum and murmured, “Miss Xue.”

“What did you say, Xiao Wu?”

Tang San turned to ask, but Xiao Wu immediately shook her head.

“It’s nothing, just mumbling.”

“Really?”

Tang San scratched his head in confusion and followed Xiao Wu’s earlier gaze, only to see the six-winged angel statue in the center of the town.

Zhu Zhuqing, however, had heard Xiao Wu clearly. She glanced at the statue and nodded slightly.

It did indeed resemble her teacher’s elder sister.

Amidst the town’s bustling crowd, a graceful figure in a black cloak blended in, gazing at the angel statue with eyes full of venom.

“Spirit Hall! Just you wait. Once Xiao San grows strong, your end will come!”

This figure was none other than Tang Hao.

After Tang San’s self-inflicted injuries, Tang Hao had grown increasingly concerned about his son’s safety.


---

When Zhu Zhuqing and the others entered the town, in a chamber of the local branch of the Chamber of Commerce, Qian Renjue sensed something.

Reviewing the account books, a smile appeared on his face.

“What’s so amusing, Jue? Did you catch someone falsifying accounts?”

Sitting on the table and eating cherries, Qian Renxue teased.

Ling Yuan, hiding in the shadows, sighed inwardly. If Miss Xue weren’t here, she would have much more room to maneuver.

“Not quite.”

Qian Renjue chuckled, stood up, and donned a bamboo hat. Taking Qian Renxue’s slender hand, he said, “Let’s go, Sister. It’s getting dark; let’s have dinner.”

“Mysterious as ever.”

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes and swapped their hats, placing hers on Qian Renjue’s head.

After receiving a double eye-roll from him, she burst into laughter.

“Haha. Let’s go, dear brother.”

Qian Renxue linked arms with Qian Renjue as they headed outside.

Just as they stepped out of the pavilion, Zhao Wuji and his group stopped in front of a modestly styled hotel.


A two-story building: the first floor served as the dining area, and the second floor offered accommodations.

Zhao Wuji pointed at the hotel and instructed:
“This will do. Cover your own food and lodging expenses, and don’t bother me unless it’s urgent.”

With that, Zhao Wuji walked in first, booked a single room, and disappeared into the hallway on the second floor.

The group exchanged glances and tacitly decided to enjoy a hot meal first.

The waiter seated Tang San and the others at the same table. As soon as they sat down, Ma Hongjun slumped over the table and couldn’t help but groan.

“Ah! Finally, a proper meal!”

“After eating Oscar’s sausages all day, I feel like I’m going to have morning sickness!”

“Fatty, if you’re so bold, don’t eat them next time.”

Oscar smirked, unbothered by the jab, clearly confident.

Tang San shook his head helplessly and turned to Dai Mubai.
“Boss Dai, should we invite Teacher Zhao to join us?”

“No need. It’s academy policy: outside the academy, teachers and students cover their own expenses.”

Dai Mubai waved it off and immediately tossed the menu in front of Ma Hongjun.
“Hurry up and order. You’re the one who eats the most!”

“Heh, does that mean you’re treating us today? You’re the rich guy here!”

Ma Hongjun chuckled mischievously.

Dai Mubai shrugged with a carefree smile.
“No problem. Consider this meal a welcome for Tang San and the others.”

“Haha!”

Ma Hongjun burst into laughter, his chubby face jiggling with delight.
“Great, that’s perfect! Don’t worry, Boss Dai, I won’t hold back.”

Soon enough, Fatty called over the waiter and quickly ordered over a dozen dishes, grinning from ear to ear.

The seven of them sat around the table, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere. Zhu Zhuqing, though quiet, was pulled into a conversation by Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu. However, her gaze often wandered toward the door, wondering when their teacher might arrive.

Suddenly, a group of eight soul masters entered the small restaurant.

They wore matching light blue robes with the words “Blue Sunshine” embroidered on them.

Compared to the mixed and casual attire of Dai Mubai’s group, the newcomers appeared more polished and drew the attention of the diners as soon as they stepped inside.

The restaurant owner quickly approached to greet them enthusiastically.

Ma Hongjun glanced over, his lascivious nature taking over. His beady eyes scanned the female soul master in the group, and he nudged Dai Mubai excitedly.
“Boss Dai, look at that waist, those legs… What a perfect frame!”

His vulgar remarks earned him a glare from the female soul master of the Blue Sunshine team and even drew frowns from Xiao Wu and the others.

Dai Mubai, already irritated by yesterday’s events, saw this as an opportunity to vent his frustration. He gave a fleeting glance at the “perfect frame” Fatty admired and sneered.
“Humph, nothing special. Once you’ve had enough, it’s all the same. Fatty, your taste needs improving.”

Neither Ma Hongjun nor Dai Mubai bothered to lower their voices, and with soul masters’ heightened hearing, their words naturally reached the Blue Sunshine team.

One of the younger men from the Blue Sunshine group shouted angrily:
“Hey, kid! Watch your mouth, or you’ll get yourself in trouble!”

“Heh.”

Dai Mubai laughed coldly, even more provocative.
“Just a bunch of nobodies from Blue Sunshine Academy. What’s there to brag about?”

Despite the noisy atmosphere in the restaurant, Dai Mubai’s taunting voice carried far.

The middle-aged leader of the Blue Sunshine team frowned as he turned toward the source of the commotion. His expression soured when he realized the offenders were merely kids.

At that moment, a pair of figures—a man and a woman wearing bamboo hats—walked hand-in-hand past the two groups and sat down at a nearby table.