"Yuhao."
The White Tiger Duke's voice sounded beside Huo Yuhao. "We finally have some time alone."
He badly wanted to say "as father and son," but Huo Yuhao had never acknowledged that relationship.
"What is it?" Huo Yuhao asked flatly.
The White Tiger Duke said, "This was our failure. That Evil Soul Master bandit group should have been dealt with by my White Tiger Guard, yet Shrek Academy ended up suffering such a devastating blow."
A trace of self-reproach crossed his face.
For once, Huo Yuhao did not needle him with sarcasm. Instead, he said calmly, "There's no need to apologize. If the White Tiger Guard had gone, the outcome would only have been worse."
Even he, who was always meticulous in his observations, had failed to anticipate it. No one else could possibly have guarded against that sudden Corpse Explosion.
Sending more people would only have added to the casualties.
The White Tiger Duke and Huo Yuhao both fell silent for a while.
The White Tiger Duke spoke again. "I'm very glad you can represent Shrek Academy in the Soul Fighting Tournament. It's an unparalleled honor. You've made tremendous progress. I'll be going to Star Luo City as well, to watch your matches in person."
"Dai Hao."
Huo Yuhao suddenly addressed the White Tiger Duke by name, his expression serious.
"Can you overstep your authority and execute a civil official directly? Execute first and report afterward?"
At that question, the White Tiger Duke's expression immediately grew grave. "Yuhao, why are you asking this?" he asked in a low voice.
"Although I'm a marshal, if I want to deal with a civil official, I still have to report it to His Majesty the Emperor and leave the decision to him."
Huo Yuhao said evenly, "That bandit group had the Sun