Eskimo Brothers: Xue Beng and Ma Hongjun

Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy.

It had been over a month since they arrived in Heaven Dou City. Ma Hongjun had successfully broken through Rank 30 and obtained his third spirit ring, yet he was not particularly happy. There was no other reason—his evil fire had flared up again.

After suffering that painful lesson last time, Ma Hongjun had verbally agreed to his teacher Flender's demand that he give up pursuing Xue Ke, but he had not entirely given up in his heart. Whenever he woke from dreams at midnight, Xue Ke's delicate, pretty figure would involuntarily surface in his mind and linger there for a long time.

After Blue Tyrant Academy had successfully become Shrek Academy, everyone from Shrek finally had a place to study and live in Heaven Dou City. Ma Hongjun's thoughts began stirring again. He had secretly slipped into Heaven Dou Royal Academy several times and asked people to find out where Xue Ke was, but every attempt had ended fruitlessly.

Today, Ma Hongjun could no longer hold himself back. If he did not find somewhere to vent his evil fire, he feared he would burn to death from desire.

"Boss Dai, lend me another ten Gold Soul Coins, will you? Everything in Heaven Dou City is ridiculously expensive. My money is nowhere near enough." Ma Hongjun looked pitifully at Dai Mubai.

"Fatty, has your evil fire flared up again? Fine, I'll lend you some more. Pay me back whenever you have the money." Dai Mubai patted his chest and generously handed Ma Hongjun ten Gold Soul Coins.

"Thanks, Boss! I knew you were my best brother!" Ma Hongjun made as if to give Dai Mubai a bear hug.

"Get lost. Go find somewhere cool to stay and quit bothering me." Dai Mubai laughed as he cursed, dodging Ma Hongjun's bear hug with a flash.

Heaven Dou City, Drunk Flower House on West Street.

"Flower Lady, I brought enough money this time. Hurry up and find this young master a few pretty girls!" Ma Hongjun swaggered into Drunk Flower House and shouted.

"Coming, coming! Oh my, it's Young Master Ma. This way, please!"

The madam, Flower Lady, led Ma Hongjun to a mid-grade guest room. Ma Hongjun slowly sat down, pulled out all ten Gold Soul Coins at once, and handed them to Flower Lady. She smiled knowingly, instructed the girls to enter one after another, and had wine and dishes laid out.

Half an hour later.

"Flower Lady, get your ass over here right now, this prince commands you!" Xue Beng led a group of lackeys as he shouted noisily in the main hall.

"Oh my, isn't it Your Highness? Please wait a moment, Your Highness. The girls will be here shortly."

Flower Lady was thoroughly practiced at her work and quickly settled Xue Beng into a superior room.

Ma Hongjun walked out of the room, completely satisfied. Two fairly attractive young women followed behind him, one named Xiao Jin and the other Xiao Xi.

Xiao Jin smiled sweetly behind him. "Young Master Ma, do come again next time. You must support the business of us sisters more!"

"Definitely next time!" Ma Hongjun tossed out the words without looking back and left.

"Xiao Jin, Xiao Xi, what are you two standing around for? Young Master Xue Beng in the next room is asking for you! Hurry over there!" Flower Lady's anxious voice rang out.

Another half hour later.

Xue Beng likewise emerged from his room fully satisfied. He even tipped Xiao Jin and Xiao Xi five Gold Soul Coins each, making the sisters so happy they nearly fainted.

Xue Beng brought his lackeys to a nearby restaurant, intending to have a good feast and replenish his strength. To his surprise, he happened to run into Ma Hongjun, who was stuffing himself nearby.

"Isn't that the fatty from that bunch of country bumpkins who wanted to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy that day? Fancy running into him here."

At that moment, a fairly powerful guard beside Xue Beng stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, this fatty is quite strong. Judging from the fluctuations of his Soul Power, he should be a Soul Elder."

Oh? This fatty's talent is indeed not bad. He looks no more than thirteen or so. He's someone worth winning over, Xue Beng thought.

According to recent intelligence, this fatty named Ma Hongjun once pursued Xue Ke in Suotuo City. But for some reason, he was beaten up for no apparent reason and gave up afterward. Xue Qinghe probably sent someone to do it.

If I tell him about this, he will surely bear a grudge against Xue Qinghe. I can also use him to get acquainted with the Golden Iron Triangle and win over a group of talented people. It would kill several birds with one stone.

Having lived beneath Xue Qinghe's shadow for so many years, Xue Beng was not someone who merely waited for death. While disguising himself as a spoiled wastrel, he had also been secretly cultivating his own power with Prince Xue Xing's help, waiting for the day he could turn defeat into victory.

After the Heaven Dou Royal Academy incident, Xue Beng had gradually uncovered the backgrounds of everyone from Shrek Academy and begun to regret his actions. Now that he had an opportunity to repair their relationship, he naturally intended to seize it.

"Fatty, do you remember me?" Xue Beng slowly walked up to Ma Hongjun.

"Isn't this Prince Xue Beng?" Ma Hongjun looked up at him.

Xue Beng revealed what he believed was a very friendly smile. "Meeting is fate. Brothers can be found everywhere under heaven. This prince finds you quite agreeable, so I'm treating you to this meal. Eat as much as you want."

"Thanks!" Ma Hongjun could not understand why the arrogant, debauched Prince Xue Beng was suddenly trying to befriend him, but there was no reason not to take advantage of a free meal. Naturally, he did not refuse.

Xue Beng sat down beside him and ordered a few side dishes. Then he suddenly noticed that Ma Hongjun seemed to be wearing a distinctive Red Knot Rope on his hand.

Isn't that the Red Knot Rope Xiao Xi often gives customers as a keepsake? I never expected that Ma Hongjun and I would truly be so fated. Even our tastes are the same.

Seeing that Ma Hongjun had finished eating, Xue Beng grinned and walked to his table. He extended a hand and said, "Brother, let's find somewhere to catch up another time."

Ma Hongjun immediately spotted the identical Red Knot Rope on Xue Beng's hand and was slightly startled inside. But one did not slap a smiling face, so Ma Hongjun helplessly shook Xue Beng's hand.

Xue Beng took out a bag of Gold Soul Coins and handed it to Ma Hongjun. Patting him on the shoulder, he said, "This is a gift from this prince for our first meeting. Starting today, you and I are brothers. I hope you will let bygones be bygones."

Ma Hongjun accepted the bag and weighed it in his hand. Little stars lit up in his eyes. He then put the bag away, patted Xue Beng on the shoulder as well, and said, "Brothers for life. I, Ma Hongjun, am not the petty sort. This kindness from Big Brother will not be forgotten."

"Hahaha! Hongjun, don't worry. Follow this prince from now on, and I guarantee you'll eat well and drink well!"

After returning to the academy, Ma Hongjun ran into Dai Mubai again.

"Oh, Fatty. You look positively radiant. Did something good happen?"

Ma Hongjun took out the bag of Gold Soul Coins Xue Beng had given him and briefly recounted what had happened that day. When he got to Drunk Flower House, Ma Hongjun lavishly praised how excellent the people there were at their work, leaving Dai Mubai somewhat tempted as well.

That woman Zhu Zhuqing always ignores me anyway. There's no need for this young master to hang himself from her tree alone.

From then on, Ma Hongjun, who had latched onto Xue Beng, along with his good brother Dai Mubai, began living a period of debauched indulgence with the three of them.