Chapter 41: with translation of chapter title

As soon as those words were spoken, Yu Xiaogang's face also changed slightly; he realized that his question just now had been too rash.

But in order to maintain the dignity and pride of a teacher, he did not want to casually apologize to a child.

Tang San's expression changed and he flashed to stand before Ning Rongrong, his face sinking slightly as he said: 'Ning Rongrong, if you continue to be this disrespectful toward the teacher, then there's no need to mention the transaction between your family and mine any further.'

Ning Rongrong crossed her arms and let out a cold snort, dissatisfiedly saying: 'Of course, in the world of soul masters, information concerning martial soul secrets, secret techniques, and secret arts is absolutely confidential for soul masters; anyone casually probing it can be seen as provoking the other party and their forces.'

'What's more, if the party being questioned believes you covet their family's secret arts, they will pursue you relentlessly until death.'

'Tang San, we were classmates; if you casually use the family transaction to threaten me, that is utterly lacking in sincerity, I, Ning Rongrong, can on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect abandon the transaction; it's not impossible.'

How would Tang San, a mere country bumpkin, know the rules of the soul master world?

Being called 'you' by Ning Rongrong like that, he instantly flew into a rage, yet couldn't find any words to retort.

'Teacher, what do you think? I, Tang San, may be short of money, but I will absolutely not allow others to disrespect you for the sake of wealth.'

Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned green then purple; isn't it obvious that it's the teacher's fault? And you just kick the ball back to me so innocently?

'So you're pure and immaculate, everything is for my sake; you want me to go do this embarrassing, self‑esteem‑hurting act of admitting fault?'

"Cough cough."

Flander coughed once to smooth things over, laughing as he said: 'Ah, we're all members of Shrek Academy; Xiao Gang is just eager to study, so he spoke without thinking.'

'Ning Rongrong, you don't have to blow things out of proportion; the rules aren't broken yet; if Zhu Zhuqing finds it inconvenient to speak, she can just refuse.'

As expected of the old fox Flander, with just a few words he kicked the ball over to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing just watched coldly from the sidelines; only when Flander kicked the ball over did she speak coldly: 'Cannot be copied, personal exception; I have nothing to say.'

'Didn't I already tell Tang San that the master's theory doesn't apply to every soul master? Some just don't believe it, but I myself am an exception who absorbed a third soul ring over two thousand years old.'

'Compared to my exception, Master, you'd do better to communicate and study more with your disciples; see what factor allows one to surpass levels and absorb a third soul ring over two thousand years old from a Human‑Faced Demon Spider.'

'Moreover, Tang San's hidden weapon technique is unparalleled in the world; would he be willing to teach so we can all learn and improve? If he were willing to teach the skill that turns hands into jade, I'm sure Dai Mubai and I would benefit greatly.'

Tang San's face instantly darkened to the extreme.

Zhu Zhuqing saw and let out a scornful laugh, saying: 'Look, the master's disciple looks terrifying when mentioning sharing secret arts; why are you always lenient with yourself but strict with others?'

Only then did everyone notice that Tang San's expression was full of killing intent; it was terrifying, as if he might strike and kill Zhu Zhuqing at any moment.

'Third brother, what's wrong with you? Zhu Zhuqing is just giving an example, not really asking for your secret art; don't take it seriously.'

Xiao Wu, at the side, somewhat frightened, grabbed Tang San's arm.

This pulled Tang San, who was immersed in killing intent, back to his senses; however, he still looked at Zhu Zhuqing with an unfriendly expression.

'Enough! Tang San, don't look at me with that disgusting expression; it's just repaying someone with their own methods.'

Zhu Zhuqing looked toward Yu Xiaogang and said: 'If the master can get Tang San to share his secret art, I, Zhu Zhuqing, will certainly speak freely and share my secrets with everyone.'

'If not, I hope you won't bring it up again; wouldn't that hurt feelings?'

Having said that, Zhu Zhuqing turned and left.

Ning Rongrong looked at Yu Xiaogang's extremely unsightly face and secretly felt pleased; speech is an art.

Just now, that so‑called master even tried to use the temptation of Shrek Academy's few individuals possessing a ten‑thousand‑year fourth ring to morally coerce Zhu Zhuqing.

Having been exposed by himself, that Flander still wasn't resigned and continued to try to coerce.

Fortunately, Zhu Zhuqing is very tough and her rebuttal was sharp and effective, straight to the point; that Tang San usually acts as arrogant as 2,580,000. Today he watched helplessly as his own teacher morally coerced others.

When it benefits him he says nothing, staying silent; but when it comes to making him share his secret art, his face is as foul as a latrine.

Really, double standards.

With both arms around Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong's gaze unconsciously shifted slightly; yet she kept a laughing expression as she walked out the door.

Tang San's hand was held down by Xiao Wu and couldn't be lifted.

'Third brother, Zhu Zhuqing has her back turned.'

Tang San gave a slight smile, raised his arm inward, and said: 'I just want to disassemble the sleeve arrow to separate it, so later I can reference it to make parts; what are you thinking about?'

'The order from the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect is not small; I'll be busy from now on.'

Xiao Wu then let out a breath and smiled: 'Nothing, nothing; let's go out together later to buy materials; it's been a while since we've gone out for a stroll.'

Dai Mubai stared fixedly at Zhu Zhuqing's back, fists clenched; he always felt that looking at Zhu Zhuqing's back...

There was a sense of powerlessness like when he once looked at Davis's back, plus a deep feeling of being abandoned, like a thorn in the back.

Oscar, hidden behind Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, had eyes beneath his hat that shone brightly.

The onlooker sees clearly.

Oscar saw clearly that Tang San had just intended to use the sleeve arrow from behind to sneak attack Zhu Zhuqing; however, Xiao Wu stopped him.

It is evident that the secret art is more important to Tang San than his life.

Faced with a master who likewise coveted Zhu Zhuqing's secret art, Tang San's approach was completely different; this person's label of double standards had already been hammered into Oscar's heart.

It is hard to shake.

At this moment, Oscar's gaze turned to Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, and a bitter feeling spread in his heart.

Lingering in pleasure quarters, indulging in lust—Oscar previously thought it was nothing; what man isn't flirtatious?

But under the influence of Zhu Zhuqing and others with normal worldviews, and only recently when he habitually viewed things from a third‑person perspective did he realize.

He seemed to have sunk deep into a mire, unable to extricate himself.

His worldview is constantly being reshaped day by day, matter by matter; he fears that one day he will truly feel unable to get along with his longtime brothers.

He fears making changes, for that would make him feel out of place; yet his inner longing for a correct worldview drives him to change every day.

This feeling is extremely suffocating.

All these changes make him feel a sense of guilt like betrayal.

'Just train hard; thinking about all that else is useless.' Oscar lowered his hat brim, briefly said to go back and train, then left.

Little did he know.

This scene was fully witnessed by Tang Hao, who had rushed to Shrek Academy.

Xiao San, has your martial soul already begun to produce a disparity of emotions? Moreover, that girl's soul ring is indeed strange; it seems the matter of bringing Xiao San to awaken the Blue Silver Emperor needs to be moved up.

In such turbulent times, the wind and rain are about to come; only greater strength can protect oneself.

(End of Chapter)