What I Hate Most Is an Apology After the Fact!

Xu Tianming's words had indeed made Zhang Lexuan realize where her own problem lay.

However, in her view, since the matter had already happened and the outcome had turned out well, all she needed to do was sincerely apologize for her earlier rashness:

"I'm sorry. This was indeed my fault. If there's any compensation you want, you can name it. I'll do everything in my power to satisfy you."

At the same time, Ye Yulin, who was still observing from the shadows, narrowed his eyes upon hearing Zhang Lexuan's words.

To be honest, he was very satisfied with the tough attitude Xu Tianming had just displayed.

Although this girl from Shrek Academy was exceptionally pretty, the Fourth Prince had not been swayed by her beauty, nor had he let impulsiveness cloud his judgment. As a member of the royal family, this was exactly how he should be!

"This girl is clever. Knowing she's in the wrong, she immediately softens up and apologizes, even taking the initiative to offer compensation... Even most adults can't deal with this sort of tactic when a beauty shows weakness. I wonder whether the Fourth Prince can withstand it..."

At that moment, Ye Yulin had considered speaking up to remind him, but the words died in his throat.

After all, in his understanding, people the Fourth Prince's age were easily swayed by their emotions. Furthermore, from what he had heard over the years, once the Fourth Prince decided to do something, he would never give up easily.

What if the Fourth Prince had already decided to forgive this girl? If Ye Yulin jumped out at this moment, "insensibly" insisting that she could not be forgiven so easily, perhaps the Fourth Prince would take a dislike to him—or even hold a grudge against him. It simply was not worth the loss!

At the end of the day, he belonged to the Second Prince, Xu Tianran. His sole mission on this trip was to protect the Fourth Prince's safety. Anything unrelated to safety had nothing to do with him.

Yet just as he inwardly sighed in regret, Xu Tianming's next words made his eyes widen in shock:

"Apologize? Compensate me? Heh heh, what I hate most is an apology after the fact! If apologies were useful, why would soul masters cultivate soul power? Wouldn't a casual apology solve everything whenever something happened?"

Although Meng Hongchen had not said a word throughout, she had actually been worried that Xu Tianming would forgive Zhang Lexuan so easily.

But upon hearing that response, an unprecedented sense of exhilaration instantly filled her heart:

Tianming is so tough. I love it~

After recovering from his shock, Ye Yulin immediately straightened his attitude.

The character Xu Tianming was displaying now was practically a completely different person from the one Ye Yulin had known before!

To possess such temperament at this age was, in his eyes, even more outrageous than the Second Prince Xu Tianran!

"Looks like the Sun Moon Empire is about to produce a dragon. But... sigh, I just don't know whether the final outcome will be two dragons fighting each other, or brothers living in harmony..."

"Perhaps this will be the best era of the Sun Moon Empire—or perhaps the worst..."

Zhang Lexuan was already dumbfounded.

In her understanding, after she apologized, even if the two sides could not immediately become friends who trusted each other, this matter should at least have been quietly put behind them.

Yet this boy would not yield an inch. He even intended to hold her accountable!

It was simply unreasonable!

For a moment, Zhang Lexuan's favorable impression of this mysterious boy plummeted, and she even felt as though perhaps her temper was too good.

However, she quickly found a reason to successfully calm herself:

"Although this boy is rather strong, he is still only a child. Why should I bother arguing with a child? If this matter gets back to Shrek Academy, wouldn't people laugh themselves to death..."

With that thought, Zhang Lexuan immediately revealed what she believed was a fairly kind smile:

"Little brother, Sister understands how you feel. But Sister has important matters to return and handle. Since you can't forgive Sister for the time being, let's leave things at that for now. Sister will take her leave first. Once you've thought it through in the future, you can come find Sister at Shrek Academy. The promise Sister made you before will still stand then. I absolutely won't go back on my word!"

After saying this in the gentlest tone possible, Zhang Lexuan subconsciously extended her hand, intending to stroke Xu Tianming's forehead.

But to her surprise, Xu Tianming not only slapped her hand away, but also spoke in an even colder tone than before:

"Heh heh, you did something wrong, yet you want to leave without even giving me an explanation that satisfies me. Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?"

As soon as those words fell, Zhang Lexuan realized that the boy before her truly did not intend to let her leave. Her attitude accordingly turned serious:

"Little brother, it was only because you saved Sister's life that Sister yielded to you at every turn just now. Although you are indeed quite strong, thinking you can keep Sister here with that alone is far too wishful! I advise you not to do anything foolish in a moment of impulsiveness. Otherwise, every bit of goodwill Sister had developed toward you will be wiped clean!"

Unable to reason with him, she started acting shamelessly.

Such an overbearing style of conduct fit Xu Tianming's stereotypical impression of Shrek Academy perfectly.

Fortunately, he now also possessed a trump card that allowed him to be unreasonable:

"On my own, it would indeed be difficult to keep you here today... But when did I ever say I would rely on my own strength to keep you?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan froze again. By the time she realized something was wrong, Xu Tianming had already spoken once more:

"Elder Ye, I'll have to trouble you. This person intended to harm Hongchen and me. Today, she must be detained within the Sun Moon Empire's borders, so that Shrek Academy can properly give us an explanation!"

At the same moment his words fell, an utterly terrifying pressure of soul power descended upon Zhang Lexuan's body. Caught off guard, she was suppressed until she could barely move, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment:

A Titled Douluo!

There was actually a Titled Douluo hidden nearby, responsible for protecting this boy's safety! And one whose soul power rank was not low at that!

One had to know that the Sun Moon Empire specialized in soul tools, and there were very few Titled Douluo-level powerhouses. To have a Titled Douluo willingly serve as a guardian...

"You! You're from the royal family!"

Hearing Zhang Lexuan's guess, Xu Tianming revealed an innocent smile.

"Congratulations, you guessed right. There's a reward!"

As his words fell, Xu Tianming's hand touched Zhang Lexuan's body again, making her face flush red instantly. She desperately mobilized the soul power within her body, trying to struggle and resist.

But unfortunately, the remaining soul power in her body was not enough to break free from Ye Yulin's suppression. Worse still, after Xu Tianming's hand touched her again, she discovered in horror that her soul power was decreasing at an almost terrifying rate!

With Columbina's power and authority, Xu Tianming could grant Zhang Lexuan soul power. Naturally, he could also weaken her soul power through the same method!