Chapter 41: The Guardian of Righteousness

The next day, early morning.

Rose Hotel, top floor, the noble suite.

Inside the bedroom.

Sunlight squeezed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow on the bed.

Suddenly, Zhou Chen, who had been sleeping, moved slightly and opened his eyes, which sparkled like stars, as if they contained the entire universe.

His keen senses had already detected an additional presence in the suite's living room. Fortunately, it was one of his own people.

Gently lifting the covers, Zhou Chen got up from the bed, careful not to make a noise that might disturb Zhu Zhuqing, who was still peacefully sleeping in the adjacent bedroom. After all, Zhu Zhuqing had the Ghostly Spirit Cat martial soul, granting her hearing far beyond that of ordinary people.

In fact, Zhu Zhuqing, in the next room, seemed to have sensed the movement. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she slept, and her long eyelashes fluttered as if she were about to wake up. Thankfully, she turned over and drifted back into sleep. It wasn't that she wasn't vigilant; she simply believed that as long as Brother Zhou Chen was around, no one could harm her.

Although Zhou Chen and Zhu Zhuqing had shared a room last night, nothing inappropriate happened between them. It wasn't that their relationship wasn't deep enough; rather, Zhou Chen had his principles. Despite the feudal customs of this ancient world where marriages happened young, Zhou Chen couldn't accept such outdated traditions.

As someone who had received a master's level education on Earth, Zhou Chen believed it was best to wait until Zhu Zhuqing reached adulthood, at twenty years old, before they officially married and spent their lives together.

After getting out of bed, Zhou Chen did not rush to meet the person waiting in the living room. Instead, he took his time washing up in the suite's bathroom, dressing properly, and tidying up his appearance before finally opening the bedroom door and stepping out.

Holding a high position required maintaining an air of dignity, and one's attire and appearance were a reflection of that dignity and etiquette. Hence, it was better to be neatly dressed when meeting subordinates.

"Master."

As soon as Zhou Chen appeared, Xiao Chenyu, who had been waiting in the living room for a long time, immediately knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "I apologize for coming uninvited, please punish me."

"No need."

Zhou Chen waved his hand and walked to the balcony of the living room, opening the window to let the refreshing morning air flow into the room.

With his back to Xiao Chenyu, Zhou Chen faced the sunlight and asked casually, "How did things go yesterday?"

"Dai Mubai has been dealt with," Xiao Chenyu whispered, moving closer to Zhou Chen's ear.

"Good."

Zhou Chen nodded, then turned to look at the pale, mysterious Xiao Chenyu, raising an eyebrow, "Your strength seems to have grown again since yesterday, reaching around level 53... Did you drink human blood?"

"I deserve death!"

Upon hearing Zhou Chen's question, Xiao Chenyu broke into a cold sweat and knelt again, "After practicing the Blood Fiend Art, I mostly consume deer, cow, and duck blood. Only after defeating enemies of the Purple Star Palace do I make use of their blood. I swear I do not harm innocents."

"It seems you've put Dai Mubai's Evil-Eyed White Tiger bloodline to good use," Zhou Chen said with a slight smile. "I'm not a rigid person. Drinking the blood of enemies is fine, but remember not to harm the innocent. Do you recall the tenet of our Purple Star Palace?"

"I remember."

Xiao Chenyu's expression became solemn, his voice tinged with fervor: "Our Purple Star Palace aims to follow the celestial order, acting with righteousness to bring prosperity to the world."

"Indeed."

Zhou Chen nodded slowly, "We are the guardians of righteousness and executors of the heavenly way. Do not lose your way because of this practice; remain true to yourself."

"You may go now. It will be arduous for you to accompany me during this period."

With a wave of his hand, Zhou Chen dismissed Xiao Chenyu, who immediately rose and silently left through the window.

"Dai Mubai is dead..."

Zhou Chen sighed. He wasn't keen on killing, but some people seemed intent on seeking their own demise. If the Xingluo royal family hadn't repeatedly tried to assassinate him, and if Dai Mubai hadn't been so domineering and cold-blooded, attacking him on sight, Zhou Chen might not have acted so swiftly.

After all, Zhou Chen considered himself a kind and lovable person.

"Knock, knock!"

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, followed by Tang San's voice from outside, "Brother Chen, Xiao Wu and I are going to register at Shrek Academy. Would you like to join us?"

"Let's go!"

The door to the adjacent bedroom swung open immediately, and Ning Rongrong's cheerful figure appeared. Who knew when this little girl had woken up? Zhou Chen hoped she hadn't overheard his conversation with Xiao Chenyu earlier.

The door to Zhu Zhuqing's adjacent bedroom also opened slowly, as she rubbed her eyes and emerged sleepily.

"Let's get ready to go," Zhou Chen said gently.

"Alright."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

Soon, the five of them descended the stairs and boarded the luxurious carriage provided by the hotel for its esteemed guests, heading towards Shrek Academy.

The carriage exited Soto City through the southern gate, heading southward through vast farmlands, befitting the city's reputation as the granary capital.

"Why are we going outside the city? Is Shrek Academy located outside?"

Xiao Wu asked, puzzled. Typically, prestigious institutions like soul master academies were situated in bustling city centers, like the Nuoding Elementary Soul Master Academy.

"Miss, Shrek Academy is in the village just ahead, no mistake."

The coachman, a local, responded from outside. He knew the ins and outs of Soto City and its surroundings like the back of his hand.

He was puzzled why such a wealthy group of children would choose to attend Shrek Academy, a remote and rundown place that locals avoided. Perhaps it was an outsider's choice.

After about half an hour, just as everyone inside the carriage was about to doze off, the vehicle came to a sudden halt, and the coachman's voice called out again, "We've arrived, young masters and mistresses."

"We're here, we're here!"

"Let's get off!"

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, ever the cheerful pair, tumbled out of the carriage with excitement, only to be left stunned.

In the distance lay a small village crowded with people. The buildings appeared quite dilapidated, and at the village entrance, a wooden archway bore a shabby plaque. On the left side, there was a drawing of a green humanoid monster, and the middle was inscribed with five crooked characters:

Shrek Academy.

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