Phoenix Gu Lowers Its Head · Dragon Language Moistens Heart's Scar

Leaving the bustling Inner Court canteen, the afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the tree-lined path leading to the Shrek Outer Court.

Ma Xiaotao pulled Long Jinyu along at a brisk pace, but as they walked, her steps slowed, and a look of... bewilderment and awkwardness appeared on her face.

"Um... kid."

She released Long Jinyu's wrist and scratched her head in irritation.

"I... I was overcome by the evil fire at the time, my eyes were red, how would I remember what those students looked like? The Outer Court is so big, how am I supposed to find them?"

Long Jinyu had expected this.

He stopped walking, looked at Ma Xiaotao, and said calmly, "I only remember their general features, too. It's hard to find people in such a vast crowd. However, there is someone who definitely knows."

"Who?"

"The Dean of Academic Affairs, Du Weilun."

Long Jinyu's tone was firm.

"Senior Sister, you must have... 'acted out' quite often in the academy, right? After every 'incident,' isn't it usually Director Du who is responsible for calming the students and handling the aftermath?"

He remembered that in the original story, Du Weilun had practically become Ma Xiaotao's "dedicated cleanup crew."

Ma Xiaotao's face flushed at his words, but she couldn't refute it, so she could only huff, "...It seems it is that old man Du."

"That settles it then." Long Jinyu nodded. "We'll go find him directly; he'll certainly know."

Academic Affairs Office.

Du Weilun, who was hunched over his desk writing, suddenly looked up. When he saw Ma Xiaotao at the door and the young man behind her, his glasses nearly slid off his face.

"It's you two?"

His gaze swept over that familiar yet unfamiliar figure and froze instantly!

It was him!

The "beautiful girl" who had appeared in the woods by Sea God Lake that morning, suppressing the out-of-control phoenix with stunning grace and saving three students...

No, no!

It was a beautiful boy!

Long Jinyu!

This face... tsk, truly a gift from the heavens. No wonder he had mistaken him for a girl!

"Greetings, Director Du." Long Jinyu spoke first, nodding slightly in greeting.

"Director Du." Ma Xiaotao followed suit, her voice muffled and a far cry from her usual flamboyant self.

Du Weilun finally snapped out of his daze and hurriedly stood up, a smile plastered on his face. "Student Long! Xiaotao! Please, come in! Is there something you need?"

Long Jinyu glanced at Ma Xiaotao, and seeing her pursed lips and silence, he took the initiative to explain their purpose:

"Director Du, we are here regarding the three students who were frightened this morning due to Senior Sister Xiaotao's martial soul... fluctuations."

"We would like to apologize to them in person, but we don't know who they are."

"Do you happen to know which three students they were, Director Du?"

Ma Xiaotao tried hard to make her voice sound less stiff. "Yes... that's right, it's just like that. Sorry for the trouble."

Du Weilun: "!!!"

He almost thought he was hallucinating!

The Flame Fiend Ma Xiaotao! Taking the initiative to apologize?!

And for one of her "routine accidents" involving the loss of control over her evil fire?

This was even rarer than the sun rising in the west!

He subconsciously looked at the calm-looking Long Jinyu beside her, and the truth dawned on him instantly—

It must be this little guy's doing!

Du Weilun's estimation of Long Jinyu rose by several levels in his heart!

Not only could he suppress the evil fire, but he could also make this unruly fire phoenix bow her head and admit her mistake?

What exactly is this boy's background?!

Where on earth did Mu En and Dean Yan dig up such a treasure?!

"Good! Good! Excellent!"

"It is a great virtue for Xiaotao to have such intentions!"

Du Weilun was so moved he nearly shed tears; he had developed a psychological trauma from handling Ma Xiaotao's "aftermath" work.

"I have already comforted those children and provided them with compensation."

"They happen to be in the lounge next door recovering from the shock. I'll take you there!"

He looked at Long Jinyu with eyes full of gratitude and admiration, even unable to resist patting Long Jinyu on the shoulder. "Student Long, you... have done well! Very well indeed!"

Long Jinyu: "???"

Ma Xiaotao: "..."

Lounge.

Du Weilun pushed open the door to the lounge, where three children sat, their nerves still frayed from the recent ordeal.

One was round and plump, shaped like a ball—it was Xie Huanyue.

The other two were twin sisters who looked nearly identical, dressed in blue skirts: Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu.

When they saw Du Weilun and Ma Xiaotao appear at the door, the three children sprang up from their chairs as if by reflex, their faces instantly filled with terror. Xie Huanyue, in particular, subconsciously shrank behind the twin sisters.

"The... the Flame Fiend is here!"

The voices of Lan Luoluo and Lan Susu trembled visibly.

But when their gazes shifted past Ma Xiaotao to the figure behind her—

"Ah—!!!"

"It's... it's the senior who saved us this morning!"

Lan Susu was the first to shriek in pleasant surprise, pointing at Long Jinyu, her little face flushed with excitement.

"It's true! It's that beautiful senior!"

Lan Luoluo recognized him too, her eyes instantly brightening with startling intensity.

Xie Huanyue's small eyes were filled with stars of adoration: "Senior! It's so good that you're alright! Thank you for saving our lives! You were so cool!"

The three of them instantly forgot their fear, swarming toward Long Jinyu and surrounding him completely.

"Senior! That move you used this morning was amazing! Swish and you froze the fireball!"

"Senior, Senior! What is your Martial Soul? Is it an Ice Phoenix? So cool!"

"Senior! You are the most powerful and beautiful senior we've ever seen! You're our idol!"

"Senior! Could... could we have your autograph?"

They chattered away, overflowing with enthusiasm, their eyes filled with pure gratitude and worship, as if Long Jinyu were their superhero.

As for Ma Xiaotao standing nearby?

Well... she was temporarily "overshadowed" by the radiance of their idol.

Long Jinyu looked at the three young, passionate faces before him, and a warm current surged through his heart.

He smiled gently, not minding the "senior" title they used at all: "No need to thank me, it was the right thing to do. I'm just glad you're all okay."

He took the notebook from Lan Susu and carefully signed his name—Long Jinyu.

"Long Jinyu... what a lovely name!" Lan Susu clutched the signed notebook as if it were a precious treasure.

"The handwriting is so beautiful too! Senior Long is so dashing!" Lan Luoluo chimed in.

"Senior Long! Will we be able to be as powerful as you one day?" Xie Huanyue asked, his eyes full of anticipation.

Long Jinyu's smile was warm and gentle as he patiently responded to the three chattering little ones, appearing as if he were bathed in a soft, glowing filter.

This scene formed a contrast so sharp and stinging to Ma Xiaotao, who stood to the side, "neglected," her expression complex and even tinged with a sense of helplessness.

Ma Xiaotao watched Long Jinyu, who was surrounded by the children and seemed to be glowing.

Then she looked at the lingering fear the children still held for her, and their current "disregard"...

If it weren't for him...

If he hadn't appeared in time this morning...

What would have happened to these three children? What would have happened to me?

Du Weilun's words, "They have already been comforted," echoed in her ears.

It seemed that all Shrek could ever do was "post-incident consolation."

Yet, the one who truly prevented the tragedy, brought salvation, and provided this warmth right now...

Was the very youth before her...

The one she had pushed down, The one she had shouted at, And now... the one who was still willing to accompany her to apologize.

A strong, bitter ache surged to the tip of her nose.

For the first time, she realized with such clarity that her loss of control over the evil fire brought not only her own suffering but also real, tangible harm and terror to others.

And Long Jinyu's existence...

It was like...

It was like...

Ma Xiaotao: "..."

Watching Long Jinyu gently pat the heads of Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo while softly answering Xie Huanyue's questions, Ma Xiaotao clenched her fists, as if having made a certain resolution, and took a step forward.

Long Jinyu had just finished checking the three little ones with his Ultimate Life energy when he looked up and met Ma Xiaotao's phoenix eyes, which were brimming with complex emotions.

She looked at him, her voice carrying a hint of fragility:

"Long Jinyu..."

"Thank you."

"And... I'm sorry."

"If... if not for you, what would I have done?"

This whisper fell as lightly as a feather, yet it struck Long Jinyu's heart with heavy force.

Sensing the weight and vulnerability almost overflowing from Ma Xiaotao's eyes, his heart softened.

He gently patted the shoulders of the three little ones gathered around him, signaling them to stay calm, before turning to Ma Xiaotao:

"Senior, you are being too formal."

"Helping a fellow student is simply my duty."

He then bent down, leveling his gaze with Lan Luoluo, Lan Susu, and Xie Huanyue, his expression earnest and sincere, showing no trace of the attitude one might take toward children:

"Luoluo, Susu, Huanyue."

He called their names accurately.

"I know that what happened this morning must have terrified you. That kind of fear is very real, and no apology or compensation can erase it immediately."

The three children couldn't help but nod, feeling that this "beautiful senior" truly understood them.

"But in truth..."

"Senior Xiaotao..."

Long Jinyu stepped aside, bringing Ma Xiaotao into the children's line of sight.

"...did not intend to hurt you."

"Her Martial Soul... was born with an uncontrollable flaw, much like someone born with a very painful illness."

"When that power spirals out of control, she herself suffers greatly and even loses consciousness."

Hearing this, Ma Xiaotao lowered her head, not daring to meet the children's eyes.

"I know this is by no means a justification for her hurting you."

Long Jinyu shifted his tone.

"A wrong is a wrong, which is why she insisted on coming to apologize to you in person today and taking responsibility for this."

He skillfully attributed the initiative of the "apology" to Ma Xiaotao, preserving her fragile self-esteem in this moment.

"I am not asking you to forgive her."

Long Jinyu's gaze swept across the three youthful faces, filled with respect.

"Whether or not to forgive is your right and your freedom."

"I only hope... you can see that she had no malicious intent and that she is willing to take responsibility for her actions."

"If you are willing to give her, and yourselves, a chance to let go of that fear, I would be very happy for her."

"If you cannot do so yet, I completely understand; it takes time."

He placed the choice entirely in the children's hands. This sincerity and respect caused the three children, and even Du Weilun standing nearby, to nod to themselves.

Lan Luoluo, Lan Susu, and Xie Huanyue exchanged glances and huddled together to whisper for a moment.

Finally, the more sensible Lan Luoluo looked up at the two of them and spoke softly:

"S-so that's how it is."

"We understand, Senior Ma... you didn't mean to... we... we forgive you."

Xie Huanyue nodded quickly: "Yeah, yeah! Since Senior Long said so! And Senior Ma, you came to apologize yourself... it's okay now!"

Lan Susu added: "Senior Ma, you must take care of your health and not get 'sick' again."

The children's innocent forgiveness was like a spring breeze, instantly shattering the thick ice and bitterness in Ma Xiaotao's heart.

She lifted her head abruptly, her eyes uncontrollably turning red, and with a choked voice, she bowed to the three children with the utmost solemnity:

"Thank you... thank you all."

"I am truly... sorry."

"I will... work hard to control it."

Seeing the atmosphere soften, Long Jinyu smiled and asked the three little ones: "By the way, what compensation did the academy give you? Is it enough to make you happy?"

At the mention of this, the three children's eyes immediately lit up.

Xie Huanyue blurted out: "It's the Soul Ascension Pill! Director Du gave us each a Soul Ascension Pill!"

"A Soul Ascension Pill! They're very rare!" Lan Susu nodded vigorously, equally excited, clearly very satisfied with the compensation.

Standing to the side, Du Weilun stroked his beard, a smile on his face that suggested the academy was indeed quite generous.

"Tsk..."

The gentle smile on Long Jinyu's face faded slightly.

He looked at Du Weilun, his tone remaining calm, even polite, but the words he spoke caused the smile on Du Weilun's face to freeze instantly:

"Director Du, the Soul Ascension Pill is indeed a fine item. It can increase soul power and is very precious to any soul master."

"However, no matter how good a pill is, one must be alive to take it and have the opportunity to digest it for it to truly transform into strength, isn't that right?"

Du Weilun's heart skipped a beat.

Long Jinyu continued, his voice not loud, yet every word was clear:

"If not for sheer luck today, those three would have likely perished in a sea of fire."

"At that point, no amount of Soul Ascension Pills would be anything more than dust to be buried with them."

"Knowing that Senior Ma Xiaotao's martial soul carries the risk of instability, has the academy implemented adequate preventive measures for potential accidents? Is the emergency response mechanism efficient when incidents occur?"

"As for the compensation afterward, aside from using precious pills to demonstrate 'importance' and 'appeasement,' has there been any genuine reflection on systemic loopholes to prevent similar events from happening again?"

He did not speak with harsh words or a stern face, but every question struck at the core.

"Using resources to compensate for administrative negligence might temporarily quell the situation, but if the root causes aren't addressed by strengthening safeguards and perfecting contingency plans, today it is a Soul Ascension Pill—what will you use tomorrow to compensate for a loss that is irreversible?"

"This is an act of irresponsibility toward the students' safety, and it is also an overdraft of Shrek's reputation as the 'Number One Academy'."

Du Weilun felt beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Had these words come from any other student or even a teacher, he could have immediately refuted them to uphold the academy's authority.

But the one speaking was Long Jinyu—

The closed-door disciple of Mu En!

A youth who had just displayed astonishing strength and noble character, and his words... every single one was reasonable; they were simply impossible to refute!

He could only force a smile and nod repeatedly: "Student Long is right... absolutely right! It is the academy's oversight. We will certainly... certainly strengthen management and perfect our contingency plans..."

Seeing that his goal was achieved, Long Jinyu stopped being aggressive:

"As long as Director Du understands."

"I will naturally find an opportunity to communicate further with Dean Yan and the other elders regarding this matter."

"The academy... really should reflect on itself."

Du Weilun: "..."

How could he dare to utter a single word of protest? This young master was a heavyweight who could go straight to the Sea God Pavilion!

Leaving the lounge.

Before the three little ones were led away by Du Weilun himself, they kept looking back, waving goodbye to their "Senior Sister Long" with great reluctance.

Long Jinyu waved back with a smile until their figures disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Only then did he gently nudge Ma Xiaotao, who was still standing there in a daze.

"Senior Sister, let's head back too. You need to rest after all this trouble."

Ma Xiaotao regained her senses, cast a complex look at Long Jinyu, gave a low "Mn," and followed silently by his side.

This silly girl, she treats Shrek as her home and is willing to risk her life for it... but does this 'home' really protect her as one of their own?

Or do they just see her as a useful blade that might hurt them at any moment?

A cold sigh rippled through the depths of Long Jinyu's heart.

Shrek, oh Shrek, what you owe her is far more than just a flimsy apology.

Post-incident appeasement... is ultimately the script you are most skilled at performing.

He recalled the original story in silence, a trace of mockery curling the corners of his lips.

If apologies were useful, why would compensation be needed? If the care were genuine, why would you have let her fall into the hands of enemies without sending aid?

Only after Huo Yuhao snatched her back from the abyss did you remember to gift her soul bones and offer her comfort—

But can the years etched by evil fire and the pain of losing control be offset by a few soul bones?

Late concern can never erase the scars of the past. Compensation after the fact can never truly make up for the absence when the crisis struck.

Because of your negligence and incompetence, she was almost completely destroyed—not just her martial soul and future, but that once proud and fiery soul.

And you, you only learn to say 'sorry' after she is covered in wounds.

There is nothing more helpless in this world than seeing a brilliant youth squandered and a bright moon obscured by dust.

She... was never meant to be like this.