Wuji's Theory: Someone You Really Can't Afford to Offend

"Can't afford to offend her?"

Dai Mubai was somewhat annoyed. "I'm a prince of the Star Luo Imperial Family, at least. Teacher Zhao, in your eyes, am I worth less than a sect master's daughter?"

What an enormous joke.

Dai Mubai's face flushed red with anger, as if he had just heard an insult.

But Zhao Wuji sneered. "Do you think there's any comparison between the two of you?"

"Ning Rongrong is the biological daughter of Ning Fengzhi, master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects on the Douluo Continent, and she's his only daughter. She's been the apple of Ning Fengzhi's eye since she was little, and she's doted on by two Titled Douluo, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. She truly grew up enjoying every advantage. If they learn what Ning Rongrong has gone through at Shrek Academy, never mind that you've already been taught a lesson, they might even come and kill you."

"And what about you, Mubai? I know you're a prince of the Star Luo Empire, but search your heart. After something like this, even if the Star Luo Empire learned of it, would they be willing to marshal the strength of the entire nation to avenge you? Even when they would be facing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the finest Support System sect on the Douluo Continent, and Ning Fengzhi is also the crown prince's grand preceptor in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Dai Mubai's expression was grave.

"Alas, you're still too young." Zhao Wuji sighed and continued, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't just powerful in its own right; it also has the Heaven Dou Empire backing it. And to keep the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Heaven Dou Empire certainly wouldn't let the matter rest. Even if the Star Luo Empire really were willing to act for you, by then it would no longer be a grudge between you and Ning Rongrong, but one between two empires."

"Given the Star Luo Empire's current strength, what odds would it have against the Heaven Dou Empire? Forty to sixty? I'm afraid it wouldn't even be thirty to seventy."

"Besides, don't forget one important thing. Apart from the two great empires, there's also Spirit Hall, poised on the border and eyeing them like a tiger watching its prey. If the two empires went to war, Spirit Hall would benefit the most. The two empires certainly wouldn't want that to happen."

Hearing this, Dai Mu couldn't help speaking in a somewhat trembling voice. "Then am I just supposed to suffer this humiliation for no reason? Do... do you know... Teacher Zhao, I can't muster the slightest interest when I see women now."

"..." Zhao Wuji nodded. He certainly didn't know that kind of pain, but he still had to comfort the suffering youth, because the Star Luo Empire was also beyond his means to offend. "Actually, the best solution would have been for you to really kill Ning Rongrong that night, then flee back to the Star Luo Empire and beg the empire for protection. Or you could prove with your own strength that you're more outstanding than Ning Rongrong. Only then would more people look after you."

"But you lost that night, and you were utterly defeated. Who can you count on now?"

Zhao Wuji had spoken at length with earnest concern, but the implication was that Shrek Academy could help him, provided he showed his value.

But in reality, Ning Rongrong had demonstrated her value to the fullest, while Dai Mubai had become someone Shrek Academy could discard.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his heart sinking to the bottom of a valley. How could he not know what this old fox was thinking? But there was nothing he could do.

Indeed, in terms of status, an empire's prince ranked far above a sect master's daughter.

But behind the two of them stood more than just an empire and a sect.

If it really came to blows, it would probably be difficult to bring matters to a close, and he might even drag more people down with him.

In that case, he would have been better off swallowing his anger that night and letting Ning Rongrong mock him.

Alas.

It was all because he had been too hot-tempered, always relying on his Soul Power Level and status to indulge in wine and women. Now retribution had come, yet he couldn't strike back.

What a painful thing that was.

With Ning Rongrong's Third Soul Skill and Second Soul Skill alternately boosting them, after a day on the road,

the group arrived at a small town and decided to rest there for the time being.

And because of Shrek Academy's rules, it wouldn't use the students' money to rent rooms, nor would it give the students money to rent rooms.

(How awfully nice of them.)

Zhao Wuji could only find an ordinary hotel and rent a room for himself, then head upstairs, leaving the students at a loss.

As Ning Rongrong put it, this was a classic case of pretending to be above such things, then suffering for the sake of saving face.

So what if they had no money? It wasn't anything to be ashamed of. As long as Zhao Wuji was willing, she could pay for everyone present.

She certainly wasn't short of money.

Of course, that excluded Dai Mubai.

Even if Dai Mubai knocked his head on the ground a hundred times, she wouldn't pay a single Copper Soul Coin for him.

Though Dai Mubai wasn't short of money either.

After all, some of them could receive a subsidy from Spirit Hall. As long as they didn't spend extravagantly, they would certainly have enough Gold Soul Coins.

As for renting rooms, that was ridiculously simple.

They discussed it briefly.

The ordinary hotel had a limited number of luxury suites, with only one left. Ning Rongrong insisted on renting it, so they let her have it.

And she would naturally bring Zhu Zhuqing in with her.

As for Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong thought it over and included her too.

That meant the three girls would share one luxury suite.

Then there were the boys.

Tang San and Oscar would share a room, while Dai Mubai would have one to himself.

Mm!

Dai Mubai had money!

"Are we eating now?" Tang San asked everyone after they had rented their rooms.

"Let's take a bath before we eat. We've been on the road all day, and I feel like I'm about to stink to death." Xiao Wu had voiced the thoughts of several of the girls; even Zhu Zhuqing nodded in tacit agreement.

There was no helping it, so they could only leave Xiao Wu with Ning Rongrong for now.

Tang San glanced at Ning Rongrong, wanting to cry but having no tears. He was truly afraid that one day Xiao Wu would run off with Ning Rongrong too.

After all, Xiao Wu had ignored him the whole way there, chatting with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong instead.

"Okay, bath time, bath time~" Once Tang San agreed, Xiao Wu looked delighted. She took Zhu Zhuqing's hand in her left and Ning Rongrong's in her right and started to run toward the bathroom.

That really left Ning Rongrong at a loss.

"Wouldn't that be awkward? How about you two bathe first?"

Ning Rongrong suddenly grew bashful.

But she couldn't resist the two girls' enthusiasm and was forcibly carried away.

Only the three boys were left standing where they were.

"Tang San, Boss Dai, shall we go bathe too?" Seeing that Dai Mubai's expression was rather gloomy, Oscar couldn't help asking curiously, "Boss Dai, what's wrong?"

"..."

At the question, Dai Mubai's expression grew even gloomier.

Tang San was quick to react. He grabbed Oscar and pulled him toward the men's bathhouse. "Xiao Ao, don't ask. Mubai must have something to do. Let's go first, let's go first."

The instant the two disappeared, Dai Mubai brought his palm down on the table in front of him, smashing it to pieces with a bang. He stared resentfully in the direction the others had gone.