Shrek's Resolve, Heads Rolling

The turmoil at Shrek Academy had only just subsided, yet the former Three Empires had already fallen into chaos.

It all began with the withdrawal of Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion.

Ever since Sea God Pavilion issued its order, the legion members stationed throughout the Three Empires had completed their handovers and withdrawals in an extremely short time.

They had come quietly, and they left quietly as well.

By the time the officials of the Three Empires realized what was happening,

the Shrek Inquisitorial Legion outposts that had once guarded borders, key routes, and major cities were already completely deserted.

At first, the Three Empires did not take the matter to heart.

Quite a few people even secretly breathed sighs of relief.

The existence of Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion had always inspired both respect and fear in the Three Empires.

They respected its overwhelming strength and feared that it meddled too deeply in their affairs.

Over the years, under the banner of "protecting continental peace," the legion had frequently entered and exited major military zones.

At times, even the royal Worship Halls had to show them some deference.

The courts of the Three Empires had long been filled with resentment over this.

So when the legion withdrew, many people's first reaction was not concern, but relief.

"They finally left."

"No matter how far Shrek's reach extends, it can't reach into our own pot."

"From now on, we decide our own affairs."

Such sentiments were not uncommon in the courts of the Three Empires.

But they had forgotten one thing.

The Evil Soul Masters were still out there.

The Evil Soul Masters had never vanished. Like rats in the gutter, they had merely hidden under the pressure of Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion.

In those years, the legion's forces had spread across the continent. The slightest movement from the Evil Soul Masters was met with a thunderous purge.

Over time, many people had even developed the illusion that the Evil Soul Masters were no longer a threat.

But the moment the legion withdrew, that false peace was immediately torn to shreds.

First, remote villages were attacked.

Then several small border cities were slaughtered overnight.

Later, traces of Evil Soul Masters even appeared in several inland towns.

They traveled in groups of three or five, their methods cruel and ruthless.

Some cultivated evil arts with living people; others targeted lone soul masters, seizing Soul Bones and taking soul rings. There was no evil they would not commit.

The courts of the Three Empires could finally no longer sit still.

They hurriedly mobilized soul master legions to suppress them.

But Evil Soul Masters were not ordinary bandits. They were slippery and never confronted organized armies head-on.

When troops pressed in, they scattered.

The moment the troops withdrew, they emerged again.

They came and went like the wind, like a swarm of bloodthirsty locusts.

The Three Empires were driven to distraction.

Their armies ran themselves ragged, while the people cried out in misery.

In just one month, the casualties had already surpassed the combined total of the previous several years.

Even the royal Worship Halls, which had always remained firmly in control, had no choice but to act.

Though the Worship Halls' powerhouses were formidable, they could only protect the capitals and several important cities.

They had no time to spare for the vast border regions.

Only then did a voice finally arise in the courts of the Three Empires.

"How about... we invite Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion back?"

The moment those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

They were the ones who had once claimed that Shrek was interfering in their military affairs and violating their sovereignty.

And now, unable to withstand the Evil Soul Masters, they were the ones who wanted to invite Shrek back.

Even these courtly bigwigs, thick-skinned as they were, found it difficult to ask.

But difficult or not, they had to ask.

Because they truly could not hold on any longer.

Thus, the envoys of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Douling Empire, and Star Luo Empire happened to meet outside Shrek City's gates.

The Heavenly Soul Empire's envoy arrived first.

His carriage stopped outside the gates. When he lifted the curtain, he happened to see the Douling Empire's carriage arriving from another official road.

The two exchanged glances, both somewhat embarrassed. Soon after, the Star Luo Empire's envoy arrived as well.

The three envoys stood outside the gates, looking from one to another.

The Douling envoy let out an awkward laugh. "I didn't expect you two to be here as well."

The Star Luo envoy shook his head with a bitter smile. "How could we not come? If we delay any longer, things back home will truly get out of hand."

The Heavenly Soul envoy sighed. "We once blamed Shrek for affecting our military authority.

Only now do we understand how important Shrek's Inquisitorial Legion truly is. I only hope Sea God Pavilion is willing to relent."

The three fell silent, then entered Shrek City together.

In the reception hall of Sea God Pavilion's Outer Court, Yan Shaozhe sat at the head of the room.

He was dressed more formally than usual today, wearing a perfectly measured, gentle smile.

But that smile only rested on the surface. There was not the slightest warmth in his eyes.

Cai Mei'er sat beside him, lowering her head to sip tea without speaking from beginning to end.

The three envoys were led into the hall and seated according to rank.

After a few pleasantries, the Heavenly Soul envoy spoke first.

"Dean Yan, let us speak plainly.

Evil Soul Masters are currently causing havoc along the borders, and the people are suffering beyond measure.

We have come on behalf of the Three Empires to earnestly request that Shrek's Sea God Pavilion restore the Inquisitorial Legion's patrols."

The Douling envoy added,

"Yes, Dean Yan.

Evil Soul Master activity is rampant within all three nations, and local garrisons are struggling to respond.

If the Inquisitorial Legion resumes its patrols, it will surely deter those petty villains."

The Star Luo envoy added, "We hope Sea God Pavilion will consider our many years of friendship and lend us a hand."

After hearing them out, Yan Shaozhe slowly set down his teacup.

"Gentlemen." His voice was unhurried, yet it carried an indescribable chill. "I cannot grant this request."

The three envoys' expressions changed slightly.

"Dean Yan, why is that?"

The Heavenly Soul envoy asked anxiously.

"The Inquisitorial Legion was established by Shrek Academy to preserve the continent's stability.

Now that Evil Soul Masters are rising everywhere, this is precisely when the legion is needed!"

Yan Shaozhe smiled.

"When it is needed, it is preserving continental stability."

He raised his eyes to look at the three of them. "And when it is not needed?

What did you call our Shrek Inquisitorial Legion when it was stationed within your three nations?

'Interfering in military affairs,' 'violating sovereignty,' 'harboring ulterior motives'—I remember every one of those remarks."

The Heavenly Soul envoy's face immediately flushed bright red.

The Douling envoy opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, while the Star Luo envoy lowered his head even further.

Yan Shaozhe continued, "When you return, why not ask your colleagues who was the one constantly telling Shrek to mind its own business?

Now that you have run into trouble, you remember us. How could there be such a cheap bargain in this world?"

"Dean Yan, we were wrong before."

The Heavenly Soul envoy gritted his teeth. "But now the people are suffering. Surely we cannot..."

"If the people are suffering, then naturally your three nations' Worship Halls and armies should deal with it."

Yan Shaozhe said indifferently, "Shrek is merely an academy, not the Three Empires' guard dog, much less a dog you can summon and dismiss at will."

He rose to his feet, and his tone turned completely cold.

"This was Elder Xuan's personal order.

For two years, the Inquisitorial Legion will not undertake external assignments.

I, Yan Shaozhe, am only the dean of the Martial Soul Department. I do not have enough standing to alter Sea God Pavilion's rules.

If you wish to ask the legion to return, fine. Wait until Elder Xuan returns, then go beg him yourselves."

The three envoys' faces shifted between green and white. Just as they wanted to say more, Yan Shaozhe had already lifted his teacup.

"Mei'er, see our guests out."

Cai Mei'er rose and said blandly, "Gentlemen, this way."

The three envoys were utterly humiliated, but they did not dare cause a scene within Shrek City. They could only leave in a dejected state.

After leaving Sea God Pavilion, the Heavenly Soul envoy looked back at the towering pavilion, his tone complicated. "We were truly blind back then."

The Douling envoy gave a bitter smile. "Who could deny it? Had we known this would happen, we would never have dared push Shrek away."

The Star Luo envoy shook his head. "It is too late to say any of that now. We can only hope Elder Xuan returns soon."

In the reception hall, Cai Mei'er refilled Yan Shaozhe's tea.

"Those words of yours just now trampled the Three Empires' dignity into the ground."

"Do they still have any dignity?" Yan Shaozhe sneered.

"When they need help, they humble themselves. When they do not, they turn their backs without hesitation.

Those bastards will never understand Shrek's weight unless they are taught a lesson."

Cai Mei'er said softly, "Even so, Shrek cannot truly stand by and watch the Three Empires descend into chaos.

Elder Xuan will relent eventually."

"Then we will discuss it once Elder Xuan returns." Yan Shaozhe took a sip of tea.

"Doesn't the old man love wandering around? Let him wander until he has had enough, then come back and clean up this mess."

Cai Mei'er fell silent.

As she looked out at the sparkling Sea God Lake, she suddenly found herself missing that unreliable old man.

"I wonder where Elder Xuan is enjoying himself right now," she murmured.

Yan Shaozhe snorted. "Him? He is probably somewhere in some little town, pretending to be pitiful so he can scam people for food and drink."

The two exchanged looks, and neither could hold back their laughter.