"Make-up test or a sponsor, Tang San—you choose."
Teacher Zhao tucked the paperwork back into his arms, looking much more relaxed.
At last, he'd passed this hot potato back.
Tang San stood where he was, his sleeves hanging down. The short arrow that had just pierced the sandbag was still stuck in it.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward first.
"Teacher Zhao, Tang San's situation is special. He was simply subjected to extra interference."
Ning Rongrong folded her arms, the Seven Treasures Token at her waist swaying twice.
"There won't be anyone clearing the field for you outside Shrek. If someone uses Soul Power, will your disciple apply for another test?"
Xiao Wu immediately chimed in.
"Then why go to Shrek at all? You might as well open a private testing ground in Nuoding."
Xiao Chenyu raised a hand by the wooden railing.
"I can sell tickets. Tang San's make-up test special, with half-price compensation for the sandbags."
Wang Sheng tugged him back.
"Stay out of it. We haven't even decided who's paying for the sandbags."
Tang San pulled the short arrow out of the sandbag. Sand was still trickling out.
"I'll take the make-up test."
As soon as he said that, the students around the field burst into chatter again.
"You're really taking it?"
"You could've done that from the start. Why insist on proving yourself in the same test?"
"Well, he proved the sandbags were pretty sturdy."
Teacher Zhao hurriedly picked up his pen.
"Then I'll register you first. We'll set the make-up test date later."
Su Hang put away the Recommendation Pass and turned to leave the Training Ground.
Xiao Wu immediately followed, her steps light.
"Brother Su Hang, are we getting ready to leave now?"
Ning Rongrong followed too, patting her little bag.
"I'm going to Shrek as well."
Xiao Wu stopped in her tracks.
"You really are going?"
Ning Rongrong raised her chin.
"Your young miss came to Nuoding to verify the diary. Shrek even called me out by name. Why wouldn't I go?"
Xiao Wu edged half a step closer to Su Hang.
"You can go, but you can't sit beside Brother Su Hang."
Ning Rongrong laughed outright.
"The carriage hasn't even arrived, and you've already assigned the seats?"
Xiao Wu replied without hesitation.
"They're assigned. I'll sit beside Brother Su Hang, and I'll still be beside him."
Xiao Chenyu couldn't help laughing.
"Sister Xiao Wu's seating chart is a little domineering."
Wang Sheng added,
"It's all about all-around defense."
Ning Rongrong was just about to retort when Ning Chuan hurried over from the academy gate.
He was holding a sealed letter and a map wrapped in oiled paper.
"Miss, the sect master's reply has arrived."
Ning Rongrong took it, opened it, and skimmed through. Then she held the letter out to Ning Chuan.
"Read it carefully. Father allows me to stay for now, with a covert escort keeping watch from afar. No one is to force me to return."
After reading it, Ning Chuan's shoulders slumped a little.
"The sect master also said you mustn't act recklessly, Miss."
Ning Rongrong put the letter away in her little bag.
"I'm perfectly sensible right now."
Xiao Wu immediately called her out.
"Last night, you said you were going to take the bed apart."
Ning Rongrong turned and shot back,
"That was a reasonable threat."
Su Hang stopped at the courtyard gate and glanced back.
"Ning Chuan, did the Seven Treasures prepare a carriage?"
Ning Chuan handed Su Hang the oil-paper map, then took out a Travel Permit.
"A Travel Permit for Suotuo City, and an old map of the area around Shrek. They'll come in handy on the road."
Ning Rongrong promptly lifted her chin.
"And there's a carriage too. It's from the Seven Treasures, much more comfortable than that rickety academy wagon."
Xiao Wu immediately grew wary.
"What are you getting at?"
Ning Rongrong tapped the Seven Treasures Token against her waist.
"Whoever provides the carriage gets priority seating."
Xiao Wu immediately objected.
"I live in the same courtyard as Brother Su Hang. I have first dibs."
Ning Rongrong replied even faster.
"I'm providing the carriage. I can still get a seat even if I came later."
Xiao Wu raised a hand and pointed at the courtyard.
"You're only staying in the side room."
Ning Rongrong wouldn't give an inch.
"The side room is still a room, and the carriage is still mine."
Beside them, Xiao Chenyu clutched his stomach.
"Wang Sheng, this is even more entertaining than the make-up test."
Wang Sheng nodded.
"This is Shrek's first trial: fighting for seats."
Su Hang tucked the map into his arms and tapped the tabletop.
"If you keep arguing, Tang San can sit in the middle."
The courtyard gate fell silent at once.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong turned toward the Training Ground almost simultaneously.
Tang San was still standing beside the wooden post, speaking quietly with Yu Xiaogang.
Xiao Wu immediately took back what she'd said.
"Then I'll stop arguing."
Ning Rongrong slung her little bag over her shoulder.
"Your young miss can't be bothered to argue either."
Xiao Chenyu burst out laughing.
"Boss Su's move was ruthless. Tang San hasn't even gotten in the carriage, and he's already keeping everyone in line."
Wang Sheng nodded solemnly.
"I recommend settling every argument by putting Tang San in the middle."
Su Hang looked at the two of them.
"You two stay here and watch the courtyard."
Xiao Chenyu's face immediately fell.
"Boss Su, I want to go see the world at Shrek too."
Wang Sheng also edged closer.
"I can carry the luggage and be part of the cheering squad."
Su Hang placed the Recommendation Pass on the stone table.
"Shrek's entrance exam has four trials. Your Soul Power and levels are far too low. Even if you went, you wouldn't get in."
Xiao Chenyu looked down at himself.
"So all I can do is watch the courtyard?"
Xiao Wu patted him on the shoulder.
"White Wolf, guarding the house is important too."
Ning Rongrong twisted the knife.
"And make sure the sandbags don't get punctured again."
Wang Sheng scratched his head.
"Can we go later?"
Su Hang looked at them, his voice steady.
"When you meet the requirements, I'll come get you myself."
Xiao Chenyu straightened up at once.
"Really?"
Su Hang nodded.
"Train your Soul Power and combat skills. Don't spend all day crouched behind the wooden railing, chewing on flatbread."
Wang Sheng hid his breakfast bag behind his back.
"I'll start working hard right away. I'll just finish the flatbread first—I can't let it go to waste."
Xiao Chenyu grew more serious.
"Don't worry, Boss Su. I'll train the White Wolf."
Su Hang pushed open the courtyard gate.
"I'm leaving the courtyard in your hands. Don't break the bed."
Xiao Chenyu waved his hands at once.
"If the little princess doesn't take it apart, I definitely won't touch it."
Ning Rongrong gave a snort.
"We'll see how you behave."
Outside, the Seven Treasures carriage was already waiting.
The carriage was spacious, its curtains thick, and the Seven Treasures Pattern was carved into the carriage pole.
Xiao Wu hugged her little bundle and hurriedly stuffed it into the very back of the carriage.
"This is my spot."
Ning Rongrong put her bag inside too.
"What a coincidence. I had my eye on this side too."
Xiao Wu immediately blocked her.
"Go across."
Ning Rongrong pushed her bag farther in.
"Why should I?"
Xiao Wu answered with utter seriousness.
"Because Brother Su Hang is sitting here."
Ning Rongrong hung the Seven Treasures Token back at her waist.
"Then I have even more reason to sit here. I need to ask about Shrek and Zhu Zhuqing."
Xiao Wu paused.
"You can ask, but don't get too close."
Ning Rongrong smiled and sat on the carriage's edge.
"You're so controlling."
Su Hang stood outside the carriage, looking at how the two bundles had already taken up half the carriage.
"If you keep fighting over seats, I'll have Ning Chuan arrange two carriages."
Xiao Wu immediately pulled her bundle into her arms.
"No need. I can squeeze in."
Ning Rongrong settled into her seat too.
"Your young miss will grudgingly accept that."
Far away, by the Training Ground, Tang San looked at the Seven Treasures carriage, then at the old map in Su Hang's hand.
That Travel Permit, that map, that carriage—all of it was a collection of resources.
Yu Xiaogang stepped beside him and lowered his voice.
"Don't worry. I'll find you a sponsor."
Tang San put the short arrow back into the Registration Bag.
"Does Shrek have a teacher who can guarantee it?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Flender owes me a favor. As long as you pass the makeup exam, you still have a chance."
Tang San watched the carriage leave the academy, his voice low.
"Then I'll go see Teacher Zhao tonight."
Night fell, and Notting Academy grew much quieter.
A lamp still glowed in Teacher Zhao's room. Evaluation forms and registration books were piled on his desk.
Knock, knock.
Someone rapped on the door.
Teacher Zhao looked up.
"Who is it?"
Outside, Tang San stood ramrod straight.
"Teacher Zhao, I want to trade the makeup exam for permission to leave the academy."
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