With Me Here, I'll Protect You

"You're worrying too much, Sect Master Ning. I'm merely a student at Shrek Academy, not someone from a distinguished family!"

Zhao Su addressed him outright as Sect Master Ning and even mentioned Shrek Academy by name.

Zhao Su knew that although Ning Rongrong had sneaked away, Ning Fengzhi had long since tracked her whereabouts. Naturally, he knew that the academy she attended was called Shrek.

"Shrek Academy?"

Just as Zhao Su expected, Ning Fengzhi showed no surprise when Zhao Su called him Sect Master Ning.

After all, his identity was no secret, and he often traveled outside the sect. There was nothing unusual about someone recognizing him.

But when he heard Zhao Su mention Shrek Academy, his eyes visibly flickered.

"That's right!"

"What is a student from Shrek Academy doing in Heaven Dou City?"

"You probably haven't heard yet, Sect Master Ning. Our Shrek Academy has moved to Heaven Dou City and merged with Blue Tyrant Academy. Blue Tyrant Academy has now been renamed Shrek Academy."

"So that's how it is." Ning Fengzhi paused briefly and glanced at Sword Douluo Chen Xin beside him. "Since you recognize me, young man, you must also know that I'm Rongrong's father?"

"Of course!"

Zhao Su did not deny it, simply nodding as he answered.

"Then Rongrong is in Heaven Dou City too?"

"If I'm not mistaken, she should have gone home early this morning!"

"Young man, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't far from here. Would you be willing to visit us?"

When Ning Fengzhi heard Zhao Su say that he did not come from any distinguished family, he had already begun considering how to recruit him into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Leaving aside the Super Titled Douluo accompanying Zhao Su, there was still Zhao Su himself.

Even Ning Fengzhi could not discern his soul power level. He had to be a rare talent.

In fact, in that brief moment, Ning Fengzhi had even entertained the idea of bringing Zhao Su into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as his son-in-law.

"I'll pass. Rongrong is going home today, and you two haven't seen each other in years. You must have plenty to talk about, so I won't interrupt your reunion!"

As Zhao Su spoke, he stood to leave. Then, remembering something, he added, "Oh, right. One of the upcoming auction items is mine. If you like it, you can bid on it and give it a try."

With that, he lingered no longer and strode away.

Zhang Ying immediately followed him.

"Master, this is such a good opportunity to get close to Gu Rong. Why aren't we going?"

"There's no rush. We need to keep our composure and not look too interested."

Zhao Su turned to look back into the auction house, a meaningful expression crossing his face. He continued to Zhang Ying, "Follow those two."

"Yes!"

Zhang Ying acknowledged his order, and her entire figure gradually grew indistinct until she vanished completely.

By then, Zhao Su was no longer in the mood to keep wandering around.

He returned to Shrek Academy.

When Zhao Su reached Shrek Academy's gates, he found a large crowd gathered there.

He approached for a look and saw that Tang San had gotten into a conflict with three generations of the Strength Clan.

It was the classic case of beating the son only for the father to show up, then beating the father only for the grandfather to arrive.

Under the tremendous pressure of the Strength Clan's Tai Tan's soul power, Tang San had been forced to reveal his Clear Sky Hammer martial soul.

The moment Tai Tan saw the Clear Sky Hammer, he knelt before Tang San.

Zhao Su shook his head at the sight. Finding it uninteresting, he turned and headed into the academy.

"Why did you come back alone? Where's that beautiful big sister of yours?"

Zhao Su had barely entered the academy when a cold voice sounded behind him.

"What beautiful big sister? We're just friends."

Seeing the aloof Zhu Zhuqing staring at him with an unfriendly gaze, Zhao Su forced a smile and took a little cat he had bought beforehand out of his Storage Jade Pendant.

He stepped forward and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing.

"I bought this for you," Zhao Su said, leaning close to Zhu Zhuqing's ear. "It's a pair with the other little cat. One for you, one for me."

"You're so annoying. All you know is sweet talk."

Zhu Zhuqing snatched the little cat from Zhao Su's hand, turned, and headed farther into the academy.

Zhao Su hurried after her and caught her hand. "Zhuqing, please don't ignore me, all right? Without you, I can't eat or sleep. Look, I've even lost weight these past few days!"

"Hmph! With a beautiful big sister keeping you company, you look like you're living quite comfortably to me."

"No matter how many beauties there are, none of them can compare to you."

By then, they had reached a secluded spot. Zhu Zhuqing stopped and looked at Zhao Su. Suddenly overwhelmed by her grievances, she threw herself into his arms and began to cry.

"There, don't cry. It was my fault..."

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing cry, Zhao Su's heart clenched, and he hurriedly comforted her in a gentle voice.

"It's not your fault. It's my own problem."

Zhu Zhuqing wiped away her tears and looked at Zhao Su as she continued, "Since you know who I am and who Dai Mubai is, you should also know about the special relationship between our Zhu Family and the Star Luo Imperial Family."

"I know, but what does that matter? I only want to ask you one thing. Do you like me, or do you like Dai Mubai?"

"What do you think?"

"I want to hear you say it!"

Zhao Su cupped Zhu Zhuqing's fair cheeks, making her look at him as he spoke with a hint of dominance.

"I like you, but I was born into the Zhu Family. This isn't something I can..."

"As long as you like me, leave everything else to me. The Zhu Family's elders, the Star Luo Imperial Family-you don't need to worry about any of them. I'll always protect you!"

Zhao Su interrupted Zhu Zhuqing, staring into her eyes as he spoke with utter seriousness.

Zhu Zhuqing gazed back at Zhao Su. As they looked into each other's eyes, the air between them grew increasingly intimate.

Then Zhao Su slowly leaned in and pressed his lips against Zhu Zhuqing's.

The instant their lips touched, a tingling sensation swept through his entire body, making Zhao Su increasingly unable to stop.

Gradually, Zhu Zhuqing felt it too and began to respond to him.

"Ahem!"

Just as the two were getting into the swing of things, a cough rang out. Zhu Zhuqing pushed Zhao Su away as though she had been shocked by electricity.

They looked toward the sound and saw Ma Hongjun standing a short distance away, watching them with a lecherous grin on his broad face.

Zhu Zhuqing's face instantly flushed red. She gave Zhao Su a coy swat, then turned and ran away.

"Come on, Boss Zhao. Even if you can't hold back, shouldn't you watch how it looks?"

Only after Zhu Zhuqing left did Ma Hongjun approach Zhao Su, who still wore an expression of pleasure as he savored the moment, and speak.

"Cut the nonsense. What are you doing here?"

Zhao Su took a deep breath, suppressed the restlessness in his heart, and looked at the fatty as he asked.

"Ning Rongrong is back, and her father, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, came with her. He said he wants to see you. He's waiting in the meeting room!"

"Ning Fengzhi? What does he want to see me for?"

"Who knows? Maybe he wants you to help him evolve his Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul."

The two talked as they walked toward the meeting room.

By then, Zhao Su had set aside his earlier excitement, and a serious expression settled over his face.