Four-Eyed Cat Owl

"Do you know where Shrek Academy is?"

At the first hint of dawn, Feng Xinglie and Zhu Zhuqing made it safely into Suotuo City. Now that they were out of danger, Zhu Zhuqing had visibly relaxed. As they walked down the street, she chatted with Feng Xinglie on and off. She had a good impression of the young man before her, who was clearly powerful yet modest and courteous in conversation. Especially since he had not pressed her for an explanation, despite saving her life.

"I only know roughly where it is. I've never been there, after all. No need to hurry—we still have some time before enrollment opens. Let's find somewhere to rest first, then I'll help you deal with your injuries. We don't want them to interfere with your entrance exam... Look, there's an inn over there."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up. A pink building stood before them: the famous Rose Hotel. Having grown up in Star Luo Imperial City, Zhu Zhuqing could tell at a glance that this hotel was a little disreputable. But she had barely begun to frown when she saw Feng Xinglie already stepping into the lobby. After a moment's hesitation, she followed him in.

"Here you are?"

As soon as Zhu Zhuqing entered, a key with a room number attached flew toward her.

"I've already booked your room. I'm next door, so if anything comes up, feel free to come find me."

At least they weren't sharing a room...

Zhu Zhuqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time, a small flicker of discontent stirred within her. A beautiful girl like me is standing right in front of you, and you don't have the slightest interest?

"Thank you."

Suppressing her tangled little thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing turned and headed upstairs. Once the two of them had disappeared from sight, the hotel receptionist took out the Gold Soul Coin Feng Xinglie had used to pay. Pinning it down, he rubbed it hard and split the coin in two, then quickly read the message hidden inside. Using the same method, he concealed it in a Copper Soul Coin. Before long, a guest came to check out. The receptionist handed over the Copper Soul Coin with the change, while subtly brushing the third knuckle of his index finger. The signal meant:

"Hand it to the patrol. Watch the timing."

The guest took the Copper Soul Coin and gave an almost imperceptible nod, then strode out.

Perhaps because she had spent so long living under the threat of pursuit, Zhu Zhuqing slept until the afternoon. She had barely left her room when she "happened" to run into Feng Xinglie. After they ate something together, Feng Xinglie suggested they buy bedding and other school supplies. Somehow, as they wandered around, they ended up in front of a rather peculiar-looking little shop.

"Miss Zhu Zhuqing, take a look. This crystal looks pretty good."

Feng Xinglie wandered into the shop and surveyed its wares, his gaze settling on a crystal full of impurities.

"Forget it. The quality's no good."

As the Second Young Lady of the Zhu Family, Zhu Zhuqing had seen plenty. With her standards, she naturally wouldn't think much of this piece of junk. But how could she know that it was actually Hair Crystal, with the Dragon Whisker Needles hidden inside—the hidden weapon that would one day rank eighth among Tang San's weapons?

"It's fine. If the quality's poor, it must be cheap. Boss, how much is this?"

Picking up the Hair Crystal, he waved it at Flender, who was pretending to doze behind the counter. Flender replied in a flat, indifferent voice:

"Ten Gold Soul Coins."

"What? That's highway robbery!"

Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help speaking up when she heard the price. Feng Xinglie ignored her, took out a small cloth pouch, set it on the counter, and turned to leave.

"Hold it! You haven't paid yet. Where do you think you're going with my merchandise?"

"What are you talking about? Didn't I just give you ten Gold Soul Coins?"

Zhu Zhuqing asked indignantly, only to be met by Flender's sly grin.

"Heh heh, who said it was ten Gold Soul Coins? This crystal is clearly marked at one hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

Feng Xinglie smiled at that and, before Zhu Zhuqing could stop him, tossed over another pouch. Flender caught it. Ever the miser, he only had to bounce it in his hand to confirm the number of Gold Soul Coins inside, and his smile grew even brighter.

"Ha ha! My mistake, young friend. Actually, I'm selling this crystal for one thousand Gold Soul Coins."

"Don't push it!"

No matter how cool-tempered Zhu Zhuqing was, she couldn't help getting angry at such a shameless swindler. Feng Xinglie spread his hands helplessly and asked:

"Boss, why does your price keep changing? Are you even serious?"

"Of course I am! Ask around if you don't believe me. I, Flender, am famous for being fair to customers young and old!"

Yeah, right...

Feng Xinglie cursed inwardly. Then, to everyone's surprise, he really did take a large bag of Gold Soul Coins from his Storage Soul Tool and set it on the counter. Flender was so overjoyed he could have kissed it.

"Wait!"

Seeing Feng Xinglie and Zhu Zhuqing about to leave, Flender called after them again.

"You heard me wrong just now. What I actually said was... ten thousand Gold Soul Coins!"

"You old fraud!"

Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed with anger. Seeing Feng Xinglie actually turn back, she hurriedly grabbed him.

"What are you doing? Are you really going to give that old fraud more money?"

Feng Xinglie only shook his head. Under Zhu Zhuqing's furious, bewildered gaze and Flender's eager, greedy stare, he returned to the counter and... put the large bag of Gold Soul Coins back into his Storage Soul Tool.

"What!? You little brat, what are you doing!?"

Watching the duck slip away just as it was about to reach his mouth, Flender nearly jumped out of his skin with rage and shouted abuse.

But...

Feng Xinglie said nothing. He just kept taking his money back.

"Kid, we can still negotiate the price. Just put your hand down!"

The hundred Gold Soul Coins on the counter were taken back too. Watching the money disappear into Feng Xinglie's bag hurt Flender worse than being killed. When Feng Xinglie reached for the last pouch, Flender was quick as lightning and snatched it away.

"Fine, fine! I'll take the loss. You can have the crystal!"

Hearing Flender say that, Feng Xinglie shrugged and led Zhu Zhuqing outside.

"What's wrong? Still upset?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still looking furious, Feng Xinglie asked with a smile.

"That swindler was infuriating. You really did give him ten Gold Soul Coins for that worthless rock."

"Heh, don't worry. I set a trap for him too. He'll come looking for us in a moment."

"Huh?"

As Zhu Zhuqing was wondering what he meant, a furious roar suddenly came from behind them:

"You little brat, how dare you trick me!"

She looked back to see Flender flying toward them, his Cat Owl Martial Soul possessed.

"Kid, how is this ten Gold Soul Coins? These are clearly ten Copper Soul Coins! Hand over all your Gold Soul Coins today, or I won't let you off!"

After snatching the pouch, Flender had felt that something was off about its weight. He opened it and realized he had been tricked. He had spent his whole life catching geese, only to have one peck out his eye. Furious, he had chased after them—and the moment he caught up, the patrol arrested him.