You Actually Dare to Threaten Me?

Sunday turned and left after saying his piece. There was nothing more to say to someone like her.

Zhu Zhuqing watched Sunday recede into the distance, recalling what he had just said.

"Live... for myself?"

Zhu Zhuqing stood there for a long time before heading toward Shrek Academy.

She remained dazed throughout the walk. If everything Sunday had said was true, then how laughable all her persistence had been.

When she reached Shrek Academy's entrance, she saw Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun heading out with their arms around each other's shoulders.

It would be no exaggeration to say that sparrows could nest at Shrek's gates now. After the incident involving Qin Ming, a large number of students had withdrawn, leaving fewer than a third of them at the academy.

With only a scattering of people at the entrance, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun stood out unmistakably.

"Boss Dai, did you mean what you said?"

Ma Hongjun looked at Dai Mubai, his eyes brimming with excitement.

Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing nearby and thumped his chest grandly.

"Of course! When has your Boss Dai ever gone back on his word? You pick the place today, and I'll pay."

He was furious. He had never imagined that Zhu Zhuqing would go behind his back to hook up with Sunday.

If Tai Long had not seen it the last time he went home to mourn his family, Dai Mubai might never have found out.

That bitch. She acts so pure and lofty, but behind everyone's backs, she's no different from me.

Dai Mubai was angry, but there was nothing he could do. Sunday was simply not someone he could afford to offend.

Brooding, he had taken a shortcut back to the academy and run into Ma Hongjun on his way out. His wounded pride, coupled with what he had just seen, sent anger rushing to his head.

Without considering the consequences, he grabbed Ma Hongjun and announced that they were going out to splurge.

Ma Hongjun did not care about any of that. All he knew was that he would get to enjoy himself today. As for anything else, with lust flooding his brain, he had no room to think about it.

And so the two headed out together, running into Zhu Zhuqing, who had arrived a step behind Dai Mubai.

Seeing Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun with their arms slung around each other, much of the improved impression she had formed from his recent restraint evaporated once more.

"Dai Mubai, what are you up to now?"

Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing's icy expression, pulled his lips into a roguish grin, and said casually:

"What am I doing? Going out to have some fun, of course. What else?"

Ma Hongjun keenly sensed the smell of gunpowder between them and quietly edged behind Dai Mubai.

Zhu Zhuqing's brow tightened at Dai Mubai's words. Sunday's remarks had already driven a wedge between her and Dai Mubai.

Now, hearing him speak like this, any fondness she had for him plunged straight into the negatives, even lower than when they had first met.

Back then, he had changed slowly and had plenty of faults, but at least he had been changing.

He had never been this blatant.

"Heh. Truly a nest of snakes and rats. If you spent this time cultivating, how could your progress still be so slow?

"How would your brother have driven you all the way here? You have no ambition to improve."

At Zhu Zhuqing's words, the smile fell from Dai Mubai's face, and fury seemed to blaze in his eyes.

"You **, what right do you have to criticize me? What, you're allowed to sneak off and cheat*, but I'm not allowed to have some fun?"

Hearing Dai Mubai speak like that, Zhu Zhuqing and the others at the academy entrance froze.

Seeing that things were going badly, Ma Hongjun hurried into the academy to find Dean Flender.

Zhu Zhuqing reeled for a moment, then staggered two steps back, her face pale.

"What did you say? What gives you the right to say that about me?"

Zhu Zhuqing practically shouted the words, her eyes red and tears clinging to their corners.

She had never imagined this would happen. She had spent these past few days unable to sleep at night, all so she could obtain the Potion from Sunday.

It had all been to improve both their strength and give them a better chance against Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun.

Yet this was how Dai Mubai saw her, how he spoke of her.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing cry, Dai Mubai realized he had gone too far. But when he thought of her and Sunday together, the anger he had just suppressed surged back up.

"Isn't it true? You think I don't know? You met him last time, and now you've met him again.

"What, you're allowed to do it, but I'm not allowed to say it? You pair of * adulterers*."

The more Dai Mubai spoke, the more worked up he became. His eyes turned bloodshot, he panted like an ox, and veins bulged on his neck.

"You actually followed me?"

Zhu Zhuqing could not believe that Dai Mubai had actually followed her.

After the hurt came boundless despair. Dai Weisi and the others were right. She and Dai Mubai could never win.

Sunday was right too. The Dai Family had bound her all along. She was not changing her fate at all; she was merely enslaving herself.

"Dai Mubai!"

Zhu Zhuqing stared at Dai Mubai through gritted teeth, the last shred of hope in her heart vanishing. The Hell Spirit Cat possessed her body, and Soul Rings rose beneath her feet.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing actually release her martial soul, Dai Mubai feared she was serious and hurriedly released his White Tiger Martial Soul as well.

"Stop! What are you doing?"

Just as their swords were drawn and bows bent, a furious shout rang out. Flender descended from the sky and separated them.

"Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, what are you doing?!"

Only after hearing Flender's words did the two calm down from their fury. They glanced at the crowd watching from the entrance and both dismissed their martial souls.

Seeing Flender, Dai Mubai immediately recounted Zhu Zhuqing's secret meetings with Sunday, adding oil and vinegar to the tale.

Shrek Academy already had a grudge against Sunday. Qin Ming was still serving hard labor in the Northern Province.

Thus, hearing this, Flender frowned as well.

But he was an old hand and knew he could not take one side's account as the truth. He turned to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing had intended to explain, but the words stopped at her lips.

The Potion was Sunday's secret. Only three people knew about it. If it leaked, she might never obtain it for the rest of her life.

When Zhu Zhuqing offered no explanation, Flender began to waver as well. Could it really be true?

"Zhu Zhuqing..."

"Stop, Dean Flender. That isn't what happened, but as for an explanation, I'm afraid I cannot give you one.

"Since you've chosen to believe Dai Mubai, Dean Flender, I have nothing more to say. Those who follow different paths cannot make plans together. Farewell."

With that, Zhu Zhuqing turned to leave. She did not want to stay in this place a moment longer.

"Stop!"

Just as Zhu Zhuqing turned to leave, three voices rang out behind her.

Dai Mubai, Flender, and the newly arrived Yu Xiaogang had all spoken to stop her.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned at the three, impatience creeping into her voice.

"Dean Flender, Teacher Yu, what do you want?"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing actually ignore him, Dai Mubai nearly lost control again, but Flender stopped him.

Flender looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

"That isn't what I meant. We can talk this over properly."

Shrek Academy only had a few promising seedlings left now. They could not afford to lose another.

Yu Xiaogang was nowhere near as polite. He walked up to Zhu Zhuqing with a cold expression, his hands clasped behind his back, and said arrogantly:

"You need to see the bigger picture. Before the tournament, we cannot let the entire academy suffer because of you alone. Don't be so selfish."

At those words, Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her eyes, a cold gleam flashing through her dark pupils.

"You actually dare to threaten me?"