Chapter 256: Tang San: No! It Can't Be! That Woman Was Xiao Wu!
Su Ming was starting to grow impatient with Tang San's relentless pestering of Xiao Wu. Since Tang San was so insistent on knowing the truth, Su Ming decided to reveal it—but warned him not to regret it later.
Stepping forward, Su Ming cast a soundproof barrier between them, his lips curving into a slight smile. "Tang San, since you're so desperate to know why Xiao Wu hasn't left me, I'll tell you the truth. But you better be ready for it. And once this barrier comes down, I suggest you keep your mouth shut, or else..."
Tang San couldn't shake the uneasy feeling creeping over him. Why the need for a soundproof barrier? Why did Su Ming warn him not to speak? Could it be that the woman in Su Ming's room that night was... No! It couldn't be what he was thinking! He refused to believe it.
Su Ming's next words hit Tang San like a hammer to the chest: "The woman in my room that night was Xiao Wu. Satisfied now?"
It felt like Tang San had been struck by lightning. His mind reeled, the realization sinking in—Su Ming and Xiao Wu had already done that! How could Su Ming do such a thing? Didn't he feel guilty?
Tang San was still stuck in his mindset from his past life, where such things would only happen at a much older age. But he'd forgotten that in this world, with the existence of spirit rings, every time a spirit master absorbed a new ring, their body would mature faster. So the age at which people started engaging in such relationships was naturally earlier here.
Su Ming had simply adapted to the customs of this world. He wasn't about to stubbornly wait until Xiao Wu was twenty-eight to act on their feelings. Su Ming didn't consider himself a saint; if Xiao Wu was willing, what was the point of holding back?
Tang San, still in disbelief, stammered, "N-no, it's impossible! You and Xiao Wu are too young to—"
Su Ming looked at Tang San with an amused expression. "What's so strange about it? Do you think Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun hadn't done the same thing at my age? And don't forget what Oscar said—his father had him when he was only fourteen. So really, this is perfectly normal."
Then Su Ming changed his tone. "Oh, I get it now. It's not that you can't accept it happening at our age—you're just upset that the girl was Xiao Wu."
"Well, I've told you everything now, so give up. I'm taking down the barrier, and if you try to say anything stupid... well, you know what'll happen."
Everyone else was watching closely, curious about what Su Ming had told Tang San. Although they couldn't hear the conversation, they could see the change in Tang San's demeanor—he looked utterly devastated.
Xiao Wu saw the look on Tang San's face and immediately understood that the conversation must have involved her. It was for the best. If Tang San kept pestering her after this, she wouldn't hold back anymore. Now that everything was out in the open, there was no need to keep pretending.
If not for Su Ming, Xiao Wu would never have put up with Tang San's behavior for this long. Now, she didn't have to hold back anymore!
Her heart warmed at the thought—Su Ming truly cared about her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to the trouble of using a soundproof barrier to talk to Tang San privately.
Returning to Xiao Wu's side, Su Ming gently patted her bunny ears. "Alright, Xiao Wu, it's time to leave Shrek Academy. You don't have to hold back for my sake anymore."
Su Ming knew Xiao Wu's straightforward nature. If not for him, she would never have restrained herself in her fights with Tang San or the others. She had only done so to avoid causing trouble for him.
At this moment, Ning Rongrong stood up as well. "Since both of you are leaving, I'll be going with you."
She turned to Flender and politely said, "This will be the last time I address you as 'Headmaster.' With Su Ming and Xiao Wu leaving, there's no point in me staying. As for your academy, it's just... basic. All you do to train students is make them run laps. If that's all it takes, I could've stayed at my sect and run on my own. And when it comes to hunting spirit beasts, I have my two grandfathers to help me. Frankly, Shrek Academy hasn't been of much help to me."
"The only reason I stayed this long was because of Su Ming, Xiao Wu, and Zhuqing. This journey wasn't entirely fruitless, though—I did make a few good friends."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward as well, coldly declaring, "I'm leaving Shrek Academy, just like them."
She spoke in such an indifferent tone that it seemed like the matter didn't concern her at all.
Flender felt like the sky was falling. This was exactly what he had feared when he tried to convince Su Ming to stay. He knew that if Su Ming left, Xiao Wu would follow, and Ning Rongrong, who had a close relationship with Su Ming, would leave too. Zhu Zhuqing would likely follow them.
His martial spirit was the owl, after all—he was observant enough to notice the dynamics at play.
How had things come to this? Everything had been fine after the fight at the arena. This was supposed to be a celebration, so how had it turned into this?
Flender forced a pained smile. "Su Ming, Xiao Wu, Rongrong, Zhuqing, please reconsider. We're about to join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, where we'll have all the resources you need!"
But Ning Rongrong replied, "Don't worry about that, Headmaster. I'll have my father and grandfathers handle our enrollment at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. We won't be joining you. As for why, Su Ming already explained it quite clearly."
Dai Mubai angrily shouted at Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhu Zhuqing! Just try leaving Shrek! Don't forget—you're my fiancée. Your identity is tied to the Zhu family of the Star Luo Empire. As long as you have that identity, you'll never escape me!"
Zhu Zhuqing regarded Dai Mubai like he was nothing more than a pathetic, raging housecat. "Pathetic! Do you even have the guts to return to the Star Luo Empire? You've been on the run for three years, disgraced prince."
Driven to a breaking point, Dai Mubai snapped, "You're forcing my hand! I've been too nice to you. Looks like I'll need to discipline you to teach you a lesson!"