"Xue Beng remained silent throughout, but his expression was nothing like his usual wastrel demeanor. He was remarkably composed," Porcupinefish Douluo replied.
Xue Qinghe tapped his pale, slender fingers lightly against the desk, producing crisp clicks. "Those Shrek good-for-nothings... have become a blade in their eyes? How laughable."
Shrek was nothing more than a handful of ants Lin Ye could crush at will.
Their academy had been destroyed twice, and they had fled in disgrace three times. They had long since lost every scrap of face in Heaven Dou.
"When do they intend to act?"
"They have secretly agreed to act ten days from now," Porcupinefish Douluo answered.
"Ten days..."
Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment, then a gleam flashed in his eyes as an amusing idea took shape.
"Excellent. Wouldn't this grand performance be terribly dull without an audience?"
He looked up at Porcupinefish Douluo. "Send word to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Tell them that I sincerely invite my dear younger brother Lin Ye to the imperial palace for a chat ten days from now. Say... I have discovered a curious marvel and wish to admire it with him."
Xue Qinghe deliberately emphasized "curious marvel," the curve of his lips deepening.
Porcupinefish Douluo understood at once. "As you command!"
After Pufferfish left, Xue Qinghe gazed at the towering palace walls outside the window, his smile turning playful.
"Lin Ye, oh, Lin Ye. You helped me see Xue Beng's true face, so I shall repay you with a fine performance... of Shrek's reckoning. That is what courtesy demands in return."
A week later, at the Mountain Gate of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
With Bi Ji accompanying him, Lin Ye stepped into the sect he had not visited in some time.
"Bi Ji, wait at the