The Reason They Had No Choice

Staring at the letter wrapped in yellow parchment before him, Ning Hao's smile never wavered.

His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression inscrutable.

"Since this letter comes from Senior Yan, I, Ning, will certainly give it a careful read."

As he spoke, he leaned forward and took the letter from Zhang Lexuan's hand of his own accord.

At the same time, he watched her from the corner of his eye, intending to use this opportunity to confirm his suspicions.

Sure enough, the instant the envelope left her hand, Ning Hao clearly sensed a subtle change in the woman before him.

Her smile was no longer stiff and forced.

Her tense shoulders suddenly dropped a little.

The brows she had unconsciously knitted with worry began to relax.

From her manner, it seemed that as long as she could put the letter into his hands, her task was complete, and she could finally relax.

So Shrek isn't united after all...

Hmph. Some people are kind by nature. How could they be so easily manipulated?

Having received the answer he expected, Ning Hao withdrew his gaze and unconsciously rubbed the yellow paper envelope between his fingers.

Since that's the case, Xiao Huan's earlier idea might actually be worth putting into practice.

Even if we get nothing out of it in the end, it'd still be nice to make Shrek squirm.

In an instant, a thousand thoughts raced through his mind.

A plan that would slowly boil the frog began to take shape.

And to keep Zhang Lexuan from noticing anything unusual, he opened the envelope without the slightest pause.

Then, dividing his attention, he unfolded the letter and began reading it in front of everyone.

Yet with just one glance, Ning Hao couldn't help laughing aloud.

"Heh..."

"As expected of Dean Yan. Here, Uncle Sword, take a look too."

Sword Douluo was immediately curious.

He took the letter between two fingers and skimmed it rapidly.

Sure enough, its contents differed little from what he had expected.

Most of it was empty pleasantries that weren't meant to be taken seriously.

The rest was full of veiled allusions and questioning, every word steeped in hypocritical talk about drawing their relationship closer.

After reading most of it, Sword Douluo suddenly felt puzzled.

Could the letter have made the Sect Master laugh out of anger?

However, when he saw the words "united by the same breath," his confusion was finally resolved.

"Sect Master, that's an interesting choice of words..."

"Mm... very good."

"Hahaha, doesn't it feel like a dream from a thousand years ago?"

Watching Ning Hao laugh heartily, though there wasn't the slightest hint of amusement in his eyes, Sword Douluo couldn't help shivering.

If he remembered correctly, every time the former laughed this happily, someone was about to have a very bad day.

Shrek, oh Shrek. Do you really have to make everyone resent you?

Oh, their school motto is probably "Those who don't dare cause trouble are good-for-nothings"...

You could say they practice what they preach.

After a few thoughts like that, Sword Douluo glanced at Zhang Lexuan and the other girl, who were sitting restlessly, and sighed.

Such good kids. How had they ended up in Shrek's hands?

On the other side, the sudden shift in atmosphere had also left Zhang Lexuan tense, her hands clasped tightly.

In truth, she had no idea what the letter said.

She couldn't figure out why Ning Hao had suddenly burst into laughter, either.

But one thing was perfectly clear to her now.

That letter definitely contained words the man before her didn't want to see—words that might even affect the friendly relationship between their sides.

So she knew she had to act quickly!

Unfortunately...

She never got the chance.

"Ning..."

"It's getting late. I'd ask the two of you to spend the night at Nine Treasures Academy."

As he spoke, Ning Hao wore an expression that brooked no refusal and casually pressed the button on the table.

The next moment, four pretty maids filed in and took up positions on either side of Zhang Lexuan and her companion.

"Besides, the two of you should at least give me some time to draft a reply, shouldn't you?"

At those words, Zhang Lexuan had no room left to object.

And they really were tired. Staying here to rest was certainly much safer than being outside.

"In that case, we apologize for imposing on you."

"Mm. Get some good rest. I, Ning, will personally see you off tomorrow."

With that, Zhang Lexuan took a long look at Ning Hao, whose smile remained unchanged.

Then she took the bewildered Han Ruoruo by the hand and quickly left the reception hall, guided by the maids.

Before long, when not a sound could be heard anywhere in the building, Sword Douluo finally stepped forward and asked in a low voice:

"Sect Master, will Shrek's move affect our plans going forward?"

Ning Hao pondered for a moment, then calmly shook his head.

"Not for at least four years."

"Four years? Why... You mean the next Soul Fighting Tournament?"

"Mm. It's a hurdle we can't avoid."

Looking out the window at the sun sinking toward the horizon, his tone turned much more helpless.

"Even if Nine Treasures Glazed Academy has no intention of competing with anyone, Shrek will use every means at its disposal to force us to participate."

"After all, in Shrek's eyes, that stage belongs to them alone."

"Using the Soul Fighting Tournament's results to suppress a newly risen academy would be just the thing."

Sword Douluo's expression darkened.

He'd wanted to suggest that they conceal their strength and show weakness.

But then he remembered the talented junior in their sect who was anything but easy to deal with.

With Ning Huan's stubborn, bend-but-don't-break temperament, it would be a miracle if he could put up with Shrek!

"Isn't there any other way to put it off for a few more years?"

"Of course..."

"Ah, I knew it..."

"There is!"

"I... Eh? There is?!"

Seeing the astonishment on Sword Douluo's old face, Ning Hao's lips curled up, and a hint of anticipation appeared in his expression.

"Just wait. Xiao Huan won't let us down."

"Some things are better left for the younger generation to resolve themselves."

After that, he silently added to himself:

Perhaps we'll know the answer very soon...

It was deep into the night, with a bright moon and sparse stars.

Leaning against the headboard, Zhang Lexuan kept recalling everything she had seen and heard that afternoon. She couldn't sleep at all.

The night outside grew hazier, and the confusion she had forcibly driven away began to quietly envelop her once more.

"Would things have gone better if the dean and the others had come today?"

"Ah, what are the elders thinking?"

"Why can't I ever understand..."

Frustrated, she suddenly felt an urge to wander around.

After all, Ning Hao had given his permission.

And so Zhang Lexuan got dressed again.

Then she quietly slipped out of the lavishly decorated guest building.

"Nighttime and peace are still what suit me best."

Moonlight spilled down like clear water, washing away the girl's troubled thoughts in an instant.

As she walked along the quiet path strewn with starlight, her footsteps and murmurs drifted softly through the night.

Suddenly, a brightly lit five-story building in the distance caught her attention.

"Hmm? Is that... the library?"

"The academy's closed. Who would be in there?"

Driven by curiosity, Zhang Lexuan made her way toward it as if in a trance.

By the time she came to her senses, she had already entered the first-floor hall, surrounded by its soft light.

Tap, tap, tap...

"Who's there!"