MTLNOVEL Chapter 21: Chapter 21: Shrek Academy
Gu Yuena gently sniffed the flowers. There shouldn't have been any fragrance, yet she still said, "They smell so nice. Husband, what made you think of giving me flowers?"
"…" Dan Heng tilted his head slightly. As he walked into the house, he recalled what the librarian had said.
When a couple gets married, they're supposed to have a honeymoon, right?
But their marriage was fake—did they still need one?
Although Dan Heng liked a peaceful life, he had wandered many places before. If it was just about taking Gu Yuena on a honeymoon without revealing his peculiarities, it didn't seem too difficult to accept.
Gu Yuena caught up with him and sighed. "Husband, just what are you thinking about?"
"Oh, by the way, there's a guest at home. They said they're looking for you."
As Gu Yuena spoke, Dan Heng had just entered the main hall.
Inside the room, the Zhu Prince—whom he had met once before—was sitting properly.
Unlike last time, he wasn't drinking from Dan Heng's cup or wiping his chair until it gleamed. Instead, when he saw Dan Heng enter, he immediately stood up, his face filled with a warm smile.
"Dan Heng, sir, I've finally waited for you to return…"
The Zhu Prince enthusiastically stepped forward, intending to shake Dan Heng's hand.
Dan Heng, however, did not respond. His hands were still holding the books he had just purchased.
Turning away, he placed the books aside, skillfully avoiding the Zhu Prince's handshake.
The Zhu Prince awkwardly rubbed his hands together, though his face showed no displeasure.
The contrast from his previous visit was stark.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and picked up Dan Heng's books. "Teacher, I… I'll put these on the bookshelf for you?"
As she spoke, her eyes flickered with worry as she glanced at Dan Heng.
She was genuinely afraid that Dan Heng would expel her from his tutelage because of the Zhu Prince's words.
Dan Heng hummed in acknowledgment. He certainly wouldn't hold anything against Zhu Zhuqing.
As Dan Feng's reincarnation after undergoing the "Molting Punishment," Dan Heng had dealt with many troublesome situations due to his predecessor's identity. He had always avoided unnecessary retaliation.
He had suffered enough in his past life; there was no need to make others go through the same hardships.
Seeing this, the Zhu Prince sighed in relief. Since Dan Heng wasn't outright furious, there was still room for discussion!
"Dan Heng, sir, did you receive my apology gift?" The Zhu Prince asked with a smile.
Dan Heng nodded, then shook his head. "They came looking for me, but I don't like that kind of display. I don't want my peaceful life disrupted. Besides, I never blamed you."
"You wanted to take Zhu Zhuqing away. If she's willing to go with you, I won't stop her."
Dan Heng spoke directly, sitting down across from the Zhu Prince.
Gu Yuena sat beside him, smiling slightly. She didn't express any opinions, merely observing Dan Heng and the Zhu Prince with her intelligent eyes.
The Zhu Prince sighed, his face showing a trace of awkwardness. He quickly waved his hands and said,
"Sir Dan Heng, please don't bring that up again. I acted without understanding the situation and rudely barged in. That was my mistake, and I sincerely apologize. Only after seeing Zhu Zhuqing did I realize your teaching abilities."
"Even a Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall might not match your level of instruction."
"I deeply regret my past rudeness."
As he spoke, the Zhu Prince bent deeply at the waist, bowing in apology.
Dan Heng's guidance had allowed Zhu Zhuqing to advance three levels without any negative effects. The Zhu Prince was truly grateful to him.
For the sake of his daughter's education, he didn't mind losing face.
It was better than being resented by his daughter!
More importantly, when he had tried to climb over the city wall last time, he had been mercilessly beaten.
If he had offended anyone recently, it was likely Dan Heng.
Although he had no solid proof, he couldn't help but feel a certain wariness toward Dan Heng.
"Hmm…" Dan Heng gave a perfunctory response.
"I respect Zhu Zhuqing's wishes. We agreed that once she reaches the Soul Emperor level, she will graduate from my tutelage."
Dan Heng stated.
"Soul Emperor…? This…" The Zhu Prince was stunned.
He wanted to say that if Zhu Zhuqing were to reach the Soul Emperor level, at least ten years would have passed.
By then, she and Dai Mubai would have already competed in the royal succession battle.
If nothing unexpected happened, Zhu Zhuqing would have her cultivation crippled.
So, forget about reaching the Soul Emperor stage—she'd be lucky to study under Dan Heng for five years!
The Zhu Prince sighed and looked at the table. After a few seconds, his eyes suddenly brightened as he glanced around.
"Sir Dan Heng, have you always lived here?"
"Yes."
The Zhu Prince continued, "Sir Dan Heng, I see that this place is rather simple and doesn't suit your status. Why not come with me to the Star Luo Empire and become an esteemed guest of the Zhu family?"
"With your skills, you could easily obtain a noble title in Star Luo."
"Wouldn't that life be much better than your current one?"
The Zhu Prince tried to persuade Dan Heng to go with him to the Star Luo Empire.
That would be the best outcome. With Dan Heng's abilities as a teacher, he would receive far more resources in the Star Luo Empire, allowing Zhu Zhuqing to advance even faster.
"No, I like my current life." Dan Heng shook his head.
The Zhu Prince, however, did not give up. His enthusiasm only grew stronger, and he continued,
"Sir Dan Heng, just look at your current living conditions. They're hardly worthy of someone of your status…"
"This small town is close to the Star Dou Forest, with soul masters frequently passing through. It's not truly peaceful."
"But the Star Luo Empire is different. A talent like you—"
The Zhu Prince kept talking endlessly. Although he respected Dan Heng, when describing the local environment, his noble pride unconsciously surfaced. He clearly looked down on the surroundings.
Dan Heng took a sip of tea, estimated the time, then stood up and said, "I need to cook. Sir Zhu, make yourself at home."
Still caught up in his speech, the Zhu Prince continued,
"Look, you even have to cook for yourself. If you came to the Star Luo Empire, you'd have top chefs cooking for you, beautiful women attending to you—"
Before he could finish, a sudden shiver ran down his spine, a cold chill creeping up from his feet.
The pain from his previous beating on the city wall resurfaced.
Zhu Zhuqing emerged from her bedroom, her eyes red as she pushed the Zhu Prince. "Father, please go back. Stop interfering in my life…!"
Gu Yuena narrowed her eyes as she watched the Zhu Prince's retreating figure.
…
The Zhu Prince was pushed out of the small courtyard. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's reddened eyes, his enthusiasm faded.
"Zhuqing…"
"Father, just let me stay here and study under my teacher. Please, I'm begging you!" Zhu Zhuqing's tears flowed freely.
This was her only chance to defy fate.
The Zhu Prince finally calmed down, sighed, and nodded. "I understand…"
"Zhuqing, don't worry. I will support you, and no one will disturb you here again."
With a bitter smile, the Zhu Prince turned to leave.
For some reason, he suddenly sneezed. "Could I be catching a cold?"
He recalled that when he was mysteriously beaten atop the city wall, he had felt a similar sensation.
Thinking of this, he quickened his pace to leave the small town.
(End of Chapter)