Chapter 35: Take off your clothes and lie down.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Break Clan maintain a cooperative relationship. Both sides interact through genuine commercial exchanges; they are not in a master-and-servant arrangement. Even if the Break Clan were to help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School against an enemy, it would merely be a matter of protecting their own assets, and no one could fault them for that.

In just a moment, Ning Fengzhi had mapped out the nature of their relationship. He then turned his gaze toward Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhuqing, you are welcome to choose either the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School or the academy. Neither of these places is within the reach of the Star Luo Empire's royal family." Ning Fengzhi looked at her with a gentle smile. "But the final decision is yours. Even if you choose not to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I will still provide you with some support."

Zhu Zhuqing's status was delicate, and even Ning Fengzhi had to proceed with caution. Allowing her to choose for herself was a way of leaving room for both parties. Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively turned to look at Li Xun, catching his eyes. She quickly looked away. "Senior Ning, would my joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School cause trouble for you?"

"Zhuqing, if you were a prince of Star Luo, I could never allow you to join the school. This is not to belittle you, but because it involves the two great empires. However, as a daughter of the Zhu family, the impact is much smaller, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School can bear it." Ning Fengzhi nodded. That the young girl would ask such a question showed she wasn't just here to avoid disaster, but truly wished to sever the shackles binding her.

Zhu Zhuqing thought of her eldest sister, then of Dai Mubai, and finally of her experiences over the past two years. "Senior Ning, I choose to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."

"Excellent! Zhuqing, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School will always be your home." Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily. "Xiao Xun, take Zhuqing to choose her quarters."

"Yes, Teacher." Li Xun nodded with a smile and looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

The Shrek Seven Devils had now become the Shrek Five. Ever since Tang San had pointed his hidden weapon at him, the relationship between them had fundamentally changed. Li Xun suspected that Tang San had already marked him as someone who deserved to die. Li Xun did not want to be reactive; weakening Tang San’s strength was the best choice for him now. After all, mercy and innocence were luxuries only the strong could afford. He had no intention of being labeled evil one day and forced to beg for mercy.

As Li Xun led Zhu Zhuqing out of the main hall, Ning Fengzhi smiled at Sword Douluo. "Uncle Jian, I must trouble you with a trip tomorrow."

"No bother, it will be a nice chance to take in the scenery." Sword Douluo smiled, sipping his tea. "However, the journey will take quite some time. Will it delay the matter of Dugu Bo joining the sect?"

"Dugu Bo? Joining the sect? Uncle Jian, what do you mean?" Ning Fengzhi asked, puzzled.

"Didn't Xiao Xun say Dugu Bo was discussing becoming a sect consultant with you?" Sword Douluo paused, setting his teacup down. With his cultivation, his memory was exceptional. He had heard the conversation between Li Xun and Yang Wudi clearly; why did it seem like Ning Fengzhi was less informed than he was? "Could it be that Xiao Xun lied to Yang Wudi?"

Sword Douluo frowned. While Yang Wudi was not a Titled Douluo, his strength was formidable. Dealing with such an expert required sincerity, not deception. If Yang Wudi felt deceived, it could turn a positive situation into a disaster and potentially lead to resentment against Li Xun.

Ning Fengzhi fell into thought. "Uncle Jian, knowing Xiao Xun's character, he would not act without reason. It is likely he is in private contact with Dugu Bo, and there has probably been progress." Over the years, Li Xun had never faltered. Out of trust, Ning Fengzhi's first thought was to wonder how far the matter had progressed.

"Haha, my concern got the better of me." Sword Douluo picked up his cup again. "Still, this little rascal is quite the deceiver. He dared to use it to coax Yang Wudi before it was even finalized—he almost fooled me, too."

"Uncle Jian, who said I was lying to Yang Wudi? I am indeed discussing this with Dugu Bo; I have simply kept it confidential."

Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo exchanged looks and burst into laughter.

...

Li Xun led Zhu Zhuqing to the area near his residence. He lived in the most central part of the sect, a place where few were qualified to stay, leaving many rooms vacant. Zhu Zhuqing eventually chose a small building adjacent to Li Xun's as her home within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Their residences were separated only by a small path, directly across from the quarters of Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.

"Zhuqing, this is Aunt Xue. You can go to her if you need anything," Li Xun introduced. Aunt Xue had been sent by his teacher to care for him when he first arrived at the sect. She was warm, gentle, and very capable. If not for the limited space in the academy dormitory, he would have brought her along.

"Hello, Aunt Xue," Zhu Zhuqing greeted politely.

"Miss Zhuqing, don't be so formal. I'll go tidy up your room; please make do in the young master's place for now." Seeing how polite she was, Aunt Xue smiled and turned to leave.

"How is your injury?" Li Xun asked as Aunt Xue walked away.

"It's much better..." A blush appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks as she recalled what had happened on the flying sword.

Li Xun raised an eyebrow. "Don't try to be tough; it won't be good if it leaves a scar." Whether it was her difficult upbringing or something else, Zhu Zhuqing was naturally taciturn. Communicating with someone like her required keeping the conversation focused on practical matters.

Hearing that it might leave a scar, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. "It still hurts a little." On the flying sword, Li Xun had only performed a simple treatment before stopping; perhaps using such an ability was a great drain on him. Even though her wound was still uncomfortable, she had been too shy to speak up.

"I knew you were pushing yourself. Come on, go pick a room." Li Xun walked inside. Zhu Zhuqing hesitated for a moment, then took small steps to follow him in.

Once inside, Li Xun closed the door and looked at Zhu Zhuqing, gesturing toward the large bed. "Take off your clothes and lie down."

"Ah?" Zhu Zhuqing's lips parted slightly. She looked at Li Xun in disbelief, one hand instinctively clutching the collar of her shirt. Her heart began to race, and she cast nervous glances at the closed door behind Li Xun. *I might have been tricked!* The thought flashed through her mind. She felt like a lamb that had wandered into a wolf's den, likely to be devoured bit by bit.

"Passing power through clothing is inefficient. I have to expend triple the energy to achieve the same healing effect." Li Xun looked at her blankly, then realized what she was thinking and frowned. *What does this girl think I am?* He might not be a saint, but he had his standards.

"Ah! ... Oh..." Zhu Zhuqing blinked, her face flushing bright red. She lowered her head and gave a soft, quiet response.