Chapter 68: Zhao Wuji Requests to Fight
Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together, trying her hardest not to laugh. If she didn't already know that Su Yan understood the whole continent's plot, she might have actually believed his act.
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu also wore strange expressions— why was he acting so offended and angry with such sincerity?
Tang San felt both frustrated and helpless, staring at Su Yan with the most pitifully resentful expression.
With Tang San's resentful gaze following behind them, Dai Mubai led the group straight toward the fourth test, chatting along the way about Shrek Academy's history.
As they listened to Dai Mubai talk about Shrek's past, Xiao Wu and the others kept looking toward Su Yan to confirm the truth.
Su Yan didn't bother correcting anything.
After all, without the protagonist team, Shrek Academy would never survive.
And aside from Flender's personal issues, the greatest reason was that Shrek simply had no backing.
The Balak Kingdom wanted to sponsor Shrek, but their condition was that all graduates must swear loyalty to the royal family. Flender refused.
And he was right.
If he accepted royal sponsorship, Shrek would no longer be his academy. Not only would the students be forced to work for the royal family, but Flender and the teachers would end up as servants too.
No backing from any sect or noble house—
and unwilling to bow to the powerful—
Such an academy was destined to collapse.
This wasn't unique to Shrek. It was an unspoken rule found everywhere, in every era.
If you don't work for them, they not only refuse to help you— they'll suppress you—and eventually destroy you.
Among nobles, this was called aristocratic oppression. In ancient times, it was the monopoly of great clans. In modern times, people call it capital.
Even worse—
Those who climb ashore are the first to pick up stones and kill everyone still in the water.
Anyone who sticks their head up gets crushed instantly.
Even capitalists would cry.
So then— how do you deal with this?
Huang Chao already wrote the answer:
When autumn comes on the eighth day of the ninth month, after my flower blooms, all others shall die. Its fragrance pierces the heavens above Chang'an, and golden armor fills the city.
[Spring Wind Revives Again: Su Yan, I have a friend who wants to know—does Tang San still count as Tang Hao's son or not?]
[Yan Zi is Not Swallow: We discussed this ages ago. Why are you still hung up on it?]
[Hu Liena: Look, she also has "a friend." What a coincidence!]
[Seven Treasures Little Princess: Whether Tang San is the transmigrator Tang San or Tang Hao's biological son Tang San—
Is that really such an important question?]
[I Am an Orphan: For her to care that much about Tang San's identity, her relationship with Tang San must be close. This isn't about Tang Hao.]
[Group Member No. 9: This is pretty easy to guess. Who would care about Tang San's identity even more than Tang Yuehua?]
[Yan Zi is Not Swallow: Tang San's mom!]
[Everyone: ???]
Ah Yin jolted like she had been electrocuted!
Heavens— Her identity was exposed THIS quickly?
[Group Member No. 9: Yan Zi, calm down. Tang San's mom died ages ago. She's not coming back from the dead.]
[Liu Erlong: Aside from shouting "his mom, his mom," do you know how to guess anything else?!]
[Yan Zi is Not Swallow: His grandma? His maternal grandma?]
[Group Member No. 9: Good thing Tang Yuehua is already in the group, or you'd probably add "his aunt" to the list.]
[Tang Yuehua: Spring Wind Revives Again, the more you talk, the more mistakes you'll make. Just stop.]
Seed Space
Ah Yin knelt on the ground, her face full of despair.
She also knew "the more you talk, the more mistakes you make."
But how could she endure not asking?
Other people could ignore Tang San's identity— but how could she?
Because Ah Yin was actually his mother!!!
Ah Yin's heart, meanwhile, carried a faint shred of hope— hope that her son might still be alive, even though the answer was already painfully obvious.
[Su Yan: This question doesn't really matter. If you believe he's him, then he is.
If you think he's a cuckoo in another bird's nest, then he also is.]
[Bibi Dong: Stop explaining to her. If Ah Yin hadn't died from sacrifice, even I would've suspected she was Tang San's mother.]
[Bibi Dong: How long until the next upgrade? I want information on Tang Hao or Tang San. Spring Wind Revives Again's identity will probably be exposed too.]
[Liu Erlong: Old hag, shouldn't you be more curious why your precious disciple ended up like you— a love-brained ingrate?]
[Yan Zi is Not Swallow: Makes sense!]
[Hu Liena: ???]
[Hu Liena: Liu Erlong, enough from you.
Go find Tang Yuehua and study your spiritual romance!]
[Tang Yuehua: Do you even have manners?]
[Su Yan: About three days. Before the next upgrade, you can all discuss what you want to hear.]
Shrek Academy
Following Dai Mubai, Su Yan and the others finally encountered the early-stage must-fight boss of Douluo Continent—
The Immovable King, Zhao Wuji.
As for Dai Mubai— he was, at best, a small mob.
Zhao Wuji sat there half-asleep, and when he saw Dai Mubai bringing five people over, he blinked in surprise.
"Hm? Someone actually made it to the fourth test this year? And there are five of them?"
Dai Mubai explained:
"They not only reached the fourth test, but all five were exempted from the second and third tests."
Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up. He jumped out of his chair, instantly energized.
"So all of you are above level twenty-five, huh? Not bad! Seems we've got a lot of little monsters this year."
"This is the fourth test. If you pass my trial, you'll officially become members of Shrek."
Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged curious looks, wondering what exactly this trial entailed.
Zhao Wuji continued:
"My test isn't simple. It evaluates your real combat experience."
"Since all of you were qualified enough to skip the second and third exams, I'll personally play with you."
"I'll give you one stick of incense to discuss among yourselves. After that, as long as you endure one stick of incense under my attacks, you pass."
Su Yan felt powerless to voice his thoughts.
Zhao Wuji was just that annoying; he wouldn't behave until he got a good beating from the rat (Tang Hao).
"Impossible."
Before Su Yan and the others could respond, Dai Mubai spoke up first, rejecting the proposal outright.
"Hm?"
Zhao Wuji glared at him.
"What's impossible? The dean's not here. I'm the highest authority right now. I say yes, and it's yes."
Dai Mubai stepped forward and whispered into Zhao Wuji's ear:
"Teacher Zhao, have you looked at my current state?"
Zhao Wuji clicked his tongue.
"Shameless. As a Shrek student, how could you let someone beat you into that?"
Dai Mubai felt nothing but bitter grievance as he muttered:
"I was beaten by that guy among the five—the one named Su Yan. If you suddenly change the fourth test rules now, they'll think I'm meddling behind the scenes to get revenge."
Zhao Wuji looked at Su Yan in surprise, then back at Dai Mubai with disbelief.
"You sure?"
"That kid looks younger than you.
You couldn't beat him?"
Dai Mubai nodded heavily.
Zhao Wuji patted Dai Mubai's shoulder.
"Perfect then. I'll test them and help you vent a little."
Dai Mubai just felt exhausted.
"Teacher Zhao…"
"They're going to join Shrek. I can't beat Su Yan myself. If you help me vent today, how am I supposed to live in peace afterward?"
—
End of Chapter