"All right." Mu En's aged voice rang out again. "Now that you've all seen him, let this old man speak with him alone."
Though his tone sounded gentle and kindly, it carried an unquestionable authority that inspired trust.
All the Elders of the Sea God Pavilion rose to their feet and respectfully bowed to Mu En, who was reclining in the seat of honor.
"Go."
In the next instant, the Elders vanished without a trace. Liu Yuan had not even managed to see their movements clearly.
For a moment,
the Sea God Pavilion fell silent.
"Child, you don't seem surprised."
As he studied the still-calm Liu Yuan, a gentle smile appeared on Mu En's weathered face.
As he spoke, he beckoned Liu Yuan over.
"I am surprised, but not entirely."
He did not refuse and walked toward Mu En. Yet his tone was as matter-of-fact as if he were simply stating a fact.
"Because I'd only just guessed that an old man serving as a dorm supervisor at Shrek Academy couldn't possibly be ordinary. What I hadn't expected was that you were the Sea God Pavilion Master."
Actually...
I'm lying. I knew that long ago.
"Is that so?" Mu En smiled faintly. "It seems this old man's disguise wasn't much good after all."
Liu Yuan said, "Were you even disguising yourself?"
"Isn't this old man himself the best disguise?"
The old man and the young man exchanged smiles.
Then Mu En raised his skeletal hand, and Liu Yuan seemed to understand his intention at once.
Without waiting for him to speak, he stepped forward and supported him.
Mu En slowly rose to his feet. His movements were sluggish. He looked—or rather, truly was—an old man in his twilight years. His back remained hunched at nearly a ninety-degree angle, a heartbreaking