The turn of events came too fast—too suddenly!
Flender and the others were completely dumbfounded.
Flender had weathered his share of storms. Forcing down his shock and anger, he stepped forward and cupped his hands.
"Sir! Please wait! What is the meaning of this? We were invited by the three education board members to come to the Royal Academy as teachers and students, to exchange knowledge and teach!"
"Is there some misunderstanding?!"
"Misunderstanding?" The leading officer sneered. "Let me ask you: earlier today, outside the academy, were you the ones who beat and injured His Highness, the Fourth Prince, Xue Beng?!"
Flender's heart sank. He knew trouble had arrived, but still forced himself to calmly explain.
"Sir, please hear us out! We did exchange some harsh words and blows with His Highness the Fourth Prince, but only because his men provoked us first. We were forced to defend ourselves, and we held back. We never dealt him a serious blow!"
"Why would such a minor matter require a whole army, with weapons drawn against us?"
"Does the Heaven Dou Empire have no laws?!"
"So you admit it—you were the ones who beat and injured the Fourth Prince! As for holding back, heh..."
The officer's gaze turned even colder. He barked, "I'll tell you the truth! After Prince Xue Beng left, his injuries took a turn for the worse, and a few hours ago... he died suddenly!"
"The imperial physicians and coroner have confirmed that the fatal cause was the serious injuries you inflicted on him earlier! How dare you still deny it?!"
"What?! Xue Beng is dead?!"
"He died suddenly?!"
The words struck like a bolt from the blue, exploding in the hearts of everyone from Shrek!
Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were especially stunned, their minds