At the door, Elder Feng paused. An important question had suddenly occurred to him.
Shrek students had always been bold.
But this was different. They were going to study at another academy, and if they made fools of themselves, it was Shrek's reputation that would suffer.
"Lin'er, are any of these children especially rowdy?"
Xian Lin'er answered without a moment's thought.
"Of course. Shrek recruits little monsters. How could they be well-behaved?
Two of the students going this time are like monkeys.
They're always stirring things up at the academy. They're young and hot-blooded, and they don't take kindly to being managed."
Then she changed tack, speaking steadily as she stood up for her students.
"But don't worry. They only dare misbehave at the academy.
When the academy's reputation is at stake, they'll rise to the occasion."
Elder Feng nodded slightly, but his expression remained stern.
"I understand young people having a temper, but we're going to another academy to learn. We can't leave the slightest thing to chance."
His voice turned grave.
"I need to speak to them myself and lay down some rules.
Lin'er, pass the word along.
Have everyone gather in front of the teaching building at four this afternoon. I'll say a few words to them.
Otherwise, they might go there without knowing the rules and disgrace Shrek."
"All right," Xian Lin'er said.
Elder Feng said nothing more and turned to leave.
Once he was out of earshot, Xian Lin'er rubbed her throbbing temples and muttered,
"Damn Yan Shaozhe. Of all people, he had to invite this formidable old man back."
Qian Duoduo gave a wry smile. "Stop complaining.
You and Yan Shaozhe were so unruly back then. Without Elder Feng, you two would have flown right up to the heavens.
Let's hope those brats behave.