Yue Zhengyu and Yuanen Yehui didn't recognize the Heaven-Propping Spear in Yun Ze's hand. They were simply horrified by how he had pinned them to the ground with a mere lift of his hand, leaving them unable to move.
Yue Zhengyu was still struggling and twisting, trying to break free of the Air Prohibition's suppression.
Yuanen Yehui, however, had reacted quickly. Yue Zhengyu came from a powerful family, while she had spent years out and about because of her Martial Soul.
Her reactions were far quicker than those of a spoiled young master like Yue Zhengyu. She put away her Martial Soul, lowered her gaze slightly, and looked toward Yun Ze's lips as she said,
"I've only just arrived, and someone forced me into this. In my ignorance, I broke the rules of Shrek City. I hope you'll forgive me."
Yun Ze looked at them, then flicked the Heaven-Propping Spear. The Air Prohibition vanished. Yue Zhengyu, who had been straining with all his might, shuddered, then collapsed to his knees, completely exhausted.
Ignoring Yue Zhengyu, who was panting like an ox, Yun Ze turned his gaze to Yuanen Yehui.
Yuanen Yehui watched him. She had already dropped her fighting stance, and she smoothed her hair as she waited for Yun Ze to pass judgment.
The two of them had also noticed the Enforcement Team watching from a short distance away. Though they didn't recognize Yun Ze, they could guess who he was.
He definitely had powerful connections in Shrek City.
Even a fool could see that much, and Yue Zhengyu no longer dared to make a move.
Yun Ze looked at the two of them, then spoke to Yue Zhengyu.
"I heard some of what you said just now. Do you think anyone with a Fallen Angel is an Evil Soul Master?"
Yue Zhengyu realized Yun Ze was addressing him. He swallowed, then replied,
"Yes. Before now, every Fallen Angel Martial Soul eventually turned its bearer into an Evil Soul Master!"
Yun Ze nodded and gave Yue Zhengyu an amused look.
"No wonder you're from the Angel Family. You seem to know a lot about Evil Martial Souls. Then tell me: what makes someone an Evil Soul Master?"
Yue Zhengyu looked at Yun Ze and answered clearly,
"Isn't it obvious? They're Soul Masters who do bad things or cultivate using evil methods!"
Yun Ze nodded, then pointed the tip of the Heaven-Propping Spear at Yuanen Yehui.
"Has she done anything bad? Killed anyone or set anything on fire?"
Yue Zhengyu shook his head. Yun Ze continued,
"Then have you seen her cultivate by any evil means? Or have you ever seen any of the Fallen Angels before her cultivate by evil means?"
Yue Zhengyu fell silent. Yun Ze lightly tapped his shoulder with the butt of the spear.
"Then she's no Evil Soul Master at all."
"Ow!"
The blow from the spear shaft hurt, and Yue Zhengyu clutched his shoulder with a yelp.
Yun Ze nodded and put away the Heaven-Propping Spear.
"Good. It should hurt. You need to feel it to understand that your rash judgment could cost someone their life."
Yue Zhengyu was about to say something, but Yun Ze cut in.
"Shrek Academy's entrance examination includes a test related to this. You and her can take it in the same examination room. Once you see for yourself, I believe you'll be able to judge whether she's truly good or evil."
After Yun Ze finished speaking, Yue Zhengyu looked at Yuanen Yehui, then shifted his gaze up to the Shrek City Defense Army.
"I'll keep watching you until you show your true colors as an Evil Soul Master!"
After delivering his melodramatic declaration, Yue Zhengyu cupped his hands toward Yun Ze and turned to leave.
Yun Ze sighed. Just then, Yuanen Yehui bowed to him and clasped her hands in thanks.
"Thank you."
Yun Ze smiled faintly and waved her thanks away.
"You don't have to thank me. Remember, don't ever take the path of evil. If you do, I won't protect you either."
Yuanen Yehui nodded and answered earnestly,
"I won't let your trust in me go to waste."
With that, she left as well, walking in the opposite direction from Yue Zhengyu.
By the time Yun Ze had wandered around Shrek City and returned to the Inner Court, the lights in Yun Ming's room were still on.
Yun Ze tried to tiptoe past Yun Ming's room. Just as he reached the door, a calm voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Yun Ze stopped, opened the door, and put on a smile.
"Father, you're still awake?"
Yun Ze greeted Yun Ming as if nothing were amiss. Yun Ming pointed to the sofa in front of him, signaling for Yun Ze to sit.
Once Yun Ze had sat down, Yun Ming took a sip of tea.
"You handled yourself well. You showed a bit of what it takes to lead Shrek."
Yun Ze smiled, then let his gaze wander.
"So someone came and reported on me."
Yun Ming smiled.
"That's not tattling. That's reporting for work. A second Heaven-Propping Spear has appeared in Shrek City. Of course I had to hear about it."
Yun Ze cursed inwardly, thinking, What nonsense. If every little thing had to be reported to you, Sea God Pavilion Master, you'd be busy around the clock.
He kept the thought to himself and showed no change in expression. After considering his words, he said,
"I just happened to run into them when I went out to stretch my legs."
Yun Ming laughed heartily and patted Yun Ze on the shoulder.
"I heard all about what happened today. You did well, especially because you didn't solve everything with force. Your views on Evil Soul Masters are more insightful than most people's, too."
Yun Ze scratched his cheek.
"I just thought that since someone's life was at stake, we should be cautious. Not every Martial Soul with an evil attribute belongs to a bad person. Bone Douluo Gu Rong, from two thousand years ago, is the best example, isn't he?"
"Two thousand years ago, Bone Dragon was a powerful, normal Martial Soul. During the dark years a thousand years ago, its bearer was forced to become an Evil Soul Master."
"Thinking about it carefully, it's both ridiculous and tragic. We're all people with great power in our hands. A single word from us could destroy a family that was once as happy and whole as ours."
Yun Ming said,
"But if you're too softhearted and let someone with an evil Martial Soul go, you might let an Evil Soul Master escape and leave even more families to suffer."
Yun Ze nodded, then leaned back against the sofa.
"That's why I didn't outright reject Yue Zhengyu's idea of continuing to watch Yuanen Yehui. Some things can only be understood through experience."
"I have more faith in people's convictions than in the influence of their Martial Soul attributes. Martial Soul attributes can indeed affect some people's thinking, but they're certainly not the main source of a person's ideas. Those come from their environment and education."
Then Yun Ze said to Yun Ming,
"Actually, I've been wondering whether we should use the Academy's resources to establish a branch dedicated to moral education. Like the Spirit Pagoda, we could spread some of what the Academy teaches, letting it take root and flourish across the Douluo Continent."
Yun Ming looked at Yun Ze, admiration in his eyes. Then he reached out and patted his head...
Before you continue