Discussion

After discussing it for half the day, they still reached no definite conclusion. In the end, she chose to refuse and did not accept.

Jiang Mu smiled and did not force the issue.

"Sorry."

"Hehe, what is there to apologize for?"

Just as the two were about to continue chatting about something else—

"Mm~"

Jiang Nannan slowly sat up from the bed.

The movement made them both turn to look at her. Jiang Nannan also turned her head and saw Tang Ya sitting by the bed and Jiang Mu on the sofa.

The two were extremely close, close enough to clearly hear each other's breathing. Jiang Nannan did not understand why they were sitting so near each other.

"Little Mu, Little Ya, you're both up so early?"

Seeing Jiang Nannan awake, Jiang Mu greeted her as well.

"Morning, Nannan. I was discussing something with Little Ya."

Jiang Nannan yawned and asked curiously, "Hah~ Discussing what?"

"Well, isn't Little Mu planning to build a faction? I was adding to the list of things needed to establish one."

Tang Ya answered naturally.

"Alright then. So what did you come up with? What do we need, and how much will it cost?"

Jiang Nannan continued yawning. She was still very sensitive about money, so she asked with curiosity.

"We haven't gotten that far yet. But if we're talking about money, we'll definitely need startup funds, teaching resources, land, and renovations. All of that costs money."

Although Tang Ya had been driven out, she had done plenty of research in order to restore the Tang Sect.

She had been making hidden weapons and selling them for money. Aside from what she needed for daily living, she saved everything she earned, hoping that one day she could drive every member of the Iron Blood Sect out of the home they had taken from her family and renovate it anew.

However, things had not gone as she hoped. Her talent was limited, and she could not make high-grade hidden weapons.

The fact that she was still alive was already a blessing.

"This..."

Jiang Nannan's expression stiffened slightly when she heard that. It would cost so much money.

It felt like they could not afford it.

The money for the land alone would be enough to support them for half their lives, not to mention the decorations.

Jiang Mu spoke to reassure her.

"It's fine. We can take it one step at a time."

"Next, we're planning to go take a look at Shrek Academy."

Of course, Jiang Mu did not dare say directly that he had ulterior motives for going to Shrek Academy. Otherwise, Jiang Nannan would definitely not allow it.

"Alright. Whatever you do, I'll support you."

Jiang Nannan stretched, twisted her waist, and began getting dressed.

Only when she did not press him further did Jiang Mu let out a sigh of relief.

Was he really just saying it casually? Of course not. He truly wanted to build a faction that belonged solely to them.

Besides, even if they joined another faction, they would still have to start from scratch. They might even be threatened and treated differently.

Since they would be starting from scratch either way, why not simply establish one of their own?

Once he had had enough fun, he could just ascend and hand the sect over to someone else to manage.

But he had not yet figured out how to build this faction.

So when he said, "Take it one step at a time," he was not just saying it for Jiang Nannan's sake. He was saying it to himself as well.

In any case, there was no rush. The original plot had not even begun yet. And with the butterfly effect, who knew what things would turn into later? He would definitely have to make decisions as things came up; it was impossible to plan everything out now.

"Let's go. I'll take you to have a look at Shrek Academy."

Tang Ya sprang to her feet and made the suggestion.

Jiang Mu did not mind. He nodded and went outside.

Why did he go outside?

To avoid suspicion.

Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya quickly changed clothes.

Jiang Mu simply stood outside the door, leaning against the wall as he waited.

Click.

The door opened, and two lovely figures peeked out. Both were youthful girls. Tang Ya was livelier, while Jiang Nannan was steadier—like a younger sister and an older sister.

Both girls wore smiles. Seeing Jiang Mu still waiting, they smiled and waved at him.

"Let's go."

"Mm."

And so, Jiang Mu followed the two girls outside. The streets remained lively, with breakfast stalls and all sorts of other vendors everywhere.

Tang Ya walked ahead with her hands behind her back, bouncing along as she went. She embodied the liveliness of a youthful girl to the fullest.

Looking at her like this, no one would have imagined that she carried such deep-seated hatred behind her.

Jiang Nannan was not skipping along, but she stayed close beside Jiang Mu as she thought things over.

Then she suddenly remembered—would they need to buy some things for enrollment? From what Tang Ya had said, most students probably lived on campus now.

They had brought nothing with them. Moving straight into the dorms like that seemed somewhat inappropriate.

Tang Ya beside them had clearly realized the same thing. She withdrew her gaze from the stalls, then turned to look at Jiang Mu and Jiang Nannan.

"Is there anything you need to buy? After all, you'll be living on campus for quite a while."

"Can we live off campus?"

Jiang Mu pursed his lips. Since he wanted to win over Tang Ya, naturally it would be better to stay closer to her. He thought that if he did not have to live on campus, it would be suitable to stay with Tang Ya all the time.

Living under the same roof made sparks flying much more likely.

Naturally, Tang Ya had no idea that he had already set his sights on her. And even if she did know, she would still agree.

Tang Ya placed one hand before her and touched her lips, revealing a thoughtful expression.

"Living off campus is certainly possible, but I wouldn't recommend it during the freshman period."

"Some teachers are quite strict. They're extremely rigid about time. Staying at an inn outside would lengthen the commute, and you might not rest as well."

Hearing that the teachers were so strict about time, an old woman suddenly flashed through Jiang Mu's mind.

Zhou Yi!

Within her tiny sphere of authority, she would make things as difficult as possible for the students.

Mm, she really was quite perverse.

Tang Ya was most likely talking about her.

"So if you truly want to live off campus, I suggest waiting until you officially become students of Shrek Academy."

Tang Ya spread her hands. Her suggestion was very reasonable.

"And there's no need to rush to rent a place. There are a lot of people now, so prices are at their highest. They'll come down later. Even if they don't, it's fine—you can live with me."

"The room can fit everyone. We'd just need to add a small movable bed."

Tang Ya had thought things through quite carefully.

"Alright, then let's do that. We should still buy a set of bedding first. We can use it now and move later. That'll save money too."

Jiang Nannan accepted the suggestion.

"Alright, then let's find a shop and buy it. We still have a full day today, so as long as we don't go in the afternoon, it should be fine."

Tang Ya took the initiative to link arms with Jiang Nannan and headed toward the furniture shops.

"The prices over here are more reasonable."

"Hey."

Seeing this, Jiang Mu let out a helpless sigh and hurried after them.

For now, he would just follow them. It was no big deal. He should focus on winning over these two first.

"Little Mu, hurry up."

Two sweet voices rang out.

"Coming, coming."

With that, he quickened his pace.