As soon as Lu Shiyuan finished speaking, before the Snake Granny could even reply, Zhao Wuji looked over nervously, appearing hesitant to speak.
He's a penniless wretch; where would he get the money to compensate Snake Granny?
"How do you intend to compensate me?" Snake Granny asked the question Zhao Wuji most wanted to ask, and her expression relaxed again.
This is the right attitude to solve problems. What good does it do to start by shouting for violence and bloodshed, other than making people think you're abusing your power?
Lu Shiyuan's smile remained unchanged as he continued, "Naturally, it's to find a suitable Soul Beast for Miss Meng as her Third Soul Ring. They say many hands make light work, Star Dou Forest is vast. Relying solely on you, Senior, it would likely take an unimaginable amount of time to find a suitable Soul Beast. If we all help in the search, the speed will naturally increase significantly."
Thanks to Lu Shiyuan's active communication, the Snake Granny's anger has been largely calmed down, and all she cares about now is her granddaughter's Third Soul Ring.
The fact that the other party offered to help her search was already a great concession.
Most importantly, this young man appeared neither arrogant nor humble, exuding an air of elegance in every gesture. He showed no fear even when faced with the names of the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny, clearly indicating either astonishing personal strength or a background that even the Meng Family could not afford to offend.
It is also possible that both are true.
The Snake Granny wanted to use this opportunity to back down.
only...
She glared angrily at Tang San, who was huddled in the crowd, still feeling somewhat resentful.
This kid can't just let it go like this, injuring his own granddaughter.
Lu Shiyuan saw through the Snake Granny's thoughts and continued, "Of course, this is just compensation for us mistakenly taking Miss Meng's Soul Ring. As for my classmate injuring the senior's granddaughter, we naturally have to apologize."
Tang San's expression changed. Had he made a mistake by standing up for his classmate?
But he also knew that since Lu Shiyuan had spoken, he had no choice but to apologize.
Unless he can defeat Lu Shiyuan, he's just a fish on a chopping board, someone else can do whatever they want with him.
He looked to Zhao Wuji for help, only to find that Zhao Wuji had already turned his head away, pretending not to see him.
Do you think Zhao Wuji wouldn't be angry? The other people were having a good talk, and you just started attacking them.
Who flips the table during negotiations? Don't you know the meaning of "mutual respect at the negotiating table"? You're practically driving someone to their doom!
Anyone with a brain knows that at the negotiating table, you can exchange pleasantries with smiles, shout loudly, even slam your fist on the table and throw cups, but you can't just flip the table over.
Besides, once you make a move, it's no big deal; you've put on a show for me, and in the end, I'm the one who has to apologize and put on a smiling face.
So you act like the boss, I act like the servant, and in the end I have to be grateful to you?
Don't even think about it!
The Snake Granny didn't notice the subtle movements here. She glanced at Su Nu, and after seeing Meng Yiran nod, she said to Lu Shiyuan, "We have no objection to your suggestion, young friend. As long as that boy is willing to apologize, then this matter can be put to rest."
Meng Yiran was sensible; she knew very well that the situation was very unfavorable for them without her grandfather present.
Lu Shiyuan's ability to propose the solution he just mentioned proves that the other party is very sincere.
Anyway, she's got her Third Soul Ring sorted out, and the dark-skinned kid who injured her will apologize. If she doesn't take the opportunity to back down now, she'll be ungrateful.
Seeing that the Snake Granny agreed, Lu Shiyuan said to Tang San, " Tang San, this matter ultimately arose because you acted without authorization, causing enmity between the two sides. Since it started with you, it should naturally end with you."
After saying that, he stepped aside, letting Snake Granny and Meng Yiran, and everyone waited quietly for Tang San to apologize.
Tang San's face turned bright red, but luckily his skin was dark enough that the change wasn't too noticeable.
He retorted sharply in his defense, "She was simply less skilled; why should I apologize!"
Lu Shiyuan's expression remained calm. "Breaking the rules of the martial world is one thing. Injuring someone in secret is another. Failing to correct your mistakes is the third. With all three added together, shouldn't you apologize?"
His words were calm yet reasonable and well-founded, leaving Tang San feeling both ashamed and indignant.
He wanted to say something, his mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't find the right words.
Lu Shiyuan felt a surge of secret satisfaction. Was this what it felt like to stand on the moral high ground?
No wonder Tang San always likes to stand on the moral high ground and point fingers at others; it really feels good.
The gazes of the crowd were like thousands of steel needles, piercing Tang San's heart and soul.
Everyone except him was waiting for him to apologize.
Even Dai Mubai and the others didn't offer any support, leaving Tang San isolated and helpless, with no choice but to apologize to quell the situation.
There was nothing that could be done about it. Dai Mubai had long been so discouraged that he had lost all his spirit, and Ma Hongjun didn't dare to say a word. He was still thinking about the beating he would get when he returned to the Shrek Academy.
Oscar remained silent because he was merely a Food-type Soul Master, and his voice carried little weight. He didn't believe that his words or silence would have any impact on the matter, a consequence of his long-term upbringing.
Tang San ultimately chose to apologize, but despite the apology, he harbored resentment towards everyone present.
The first to bear the brunt was Lu Shiyuan. If he hadn't suddenly appeared, Snake Granny and Meng Yiran have already succumbed to the pressure and left in disgrace.
Secondly, there's Zhao Wuji. As a teacher at the Shrek Academy, he didn't show any concern when his students faced embarrassment.
And then there's Oscar. Who was he standing up for? Wasn't it so that Oscar could successfully obtain his Third Soul Ring?
When disaster struck, Oscar surprisingly hid at the back of the line without uttering a sound, acting like a coward.
Finally, there's Dai Mubai and his group. They call each other "brother" all the time, but when their brother really needs help, they're nowhere to be found.
If Lu Shiyuan knew what Tang San was thinking, he'd probably laugh himself awake in the middle of the night.
His involvement in this matter was originally intended to cut off Tang San's contact with others, but now it seems he has far exceeded his goals.
Tang San practically shuffled over to Meng Yiran, took a deep breath, and then bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, offering his apology in a voice barely audible.
"Sorry!"
Meng Yiran didn't put on airs, nor did she say anything like her voice was too soft or she couldn't hear clearly. She simply nodded with a cold face, which was taken as acceptance of Tang San's apology.
The Snake Granny finally smiled faintly. Just as she was about to ask Lu Shiyuan how to find Soul Ring for her granddaughter, she heard a rustling sound coming from the bushes behind her, which were taller than a person.
A moment later, an old man, looking disheveled, darted out of the woods. His eyes lit up when he saw the Snake Granny, and he shouted, "Old woman, prepare the Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"