After a brief hesitation, Yan Shaozhe, unaware of the deeper implications, smiled bitterly and admitted, "Teacher, I don't quite understand."
Mu En did not show any irritation; instead, he calmly asked, "You're familiar with evil soul masters, correct?"
Seeing Yan Shaozhe nod, Mu En continued.
"Whether it's for treasure or revenge, normal people, even crazed evil soul masters, weigh the consequences before killing. If the cost of killing outweighs the benefit, they won't do it."
Yan Shaozhe nodded again, showing agreement.
But then, Mu En's next words brought an unsettling chill that spread through Yan's entire body.
"But he would."
Those three simple words struck everyone like a heavy hammer, causing a shudder to ripple through them.
Mu En spoke softly, "In that boy's eyes, I saw an obsession beyond imagination. Outwardly, he seems compliant and kind to everyone, yet the emotions hidden in his gaze tell a different story."
"If someone doesn't regard death as significant, if killing is like cutting grass—light as a feather—then they kill without a second thought."
"But when someone who understands the weight of death and the value of life picks up the blade, the matter that compels him to kill has likely surpassed his principles and nature."
"Even if he hears the cries and pleas of millions, even if he knows he may regret it later, he won't lay down his blade. He knows exactly what he wants, and he'll go forward without hesitation."
"He wouldn't raise his sword for profit. This means that if he ever does pick up his weapon because someone crossed his line, he won't stop over simple gains or losses. Once he's set his mind, he would slaughter millions if that's what it took."
Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.
After a long pause, he cautiously asked, "Teacher, shouldn't we…"
"Continue as usual."
"...Huh?"
Yan Shaozhe looked up, incredulous.
Did he just say there's a future dark lord in our academy and then decide to ignore it?
Isn't Shrek Academy supposed to root out evil, defend justice, and be the champion against wrongdoing?
Mu En noticed Yan's stunned expression and laughed.
"What's wrong?"
"Are you suggesting that just because this boy might one day bring destruction to the world, we should kill a twelve-year-old child? And who's to say if the chaos he might bring would be good or bad?"
Mu En's once-cloudy gaze sharpened, and he asked with emphasis, "Shaozhe, when did you become like this? And since when did Shrek become like this?"
Hearing Mu En's questions, Yan Shaozhe finally recognized the sickness in his thinking and broke into a cold sweat.
"Shrek is just a school, a place to train soul masters. In the past ten thousand years, the so-called honor of being the 'top academy on the continent' has filled us all, myself included, with an arrogance that's frightening."
"Do you think Shrek assisted the Three Douluo Nations against the Sun Moon Empire thousands of years ago for the sake of justice? To prevent war?"
"It wasn't."
"It wasn't for righteousness or to resist invasion—it was because the status quo, with divided powers on the continent, suited Shrek's independence, just as it once suited Spirit Hall."
Centuries ago, when the Star Luo Empire held military dominance over the Heaven Dou Empire, they refrained from war precisely because Spirit Hall kept them in check. If the Star Luo Empire unified the continent, Spirit Hall would have lost its footing.
Now, Shrek Academy isn't much smaller than Spirit Hall was, facing a situation nearly identical. It's not just the Sun Moon Empire; even the Three Douluo Nations view Shrek with suspicion. If the continent were united, who's to say Shrek wouldn't be the next target?
"Claiming to be the continent's guardians, stopping wars, judging the wicked…"
Mu En paused, his voice calm yet complex.
"But in the end, we're just humans."
"We have never truly done what is right—just acted out of self-interest, clinging to a hollow glory."
He looked over the group, sighing softly as he continued.
"I'm an old man with only a few years left, but you and Xuanzi both have fatal flaws in your characters that make it hard for either of you to bear such responsibility."
"Originally, I worried for the academy, but now I realize that even what I care about is just an illusion, blinded by this hollow pride. If things continue, Shrek will eventually meet its end from this arrogance built over nearly ten thousand years."
"I'd rather see the academy abandon this empty glory than see it crumble under its weight."
Yan Shaozhe and Xuanzi lowered their heads, remaining silent. After a lengthy pause, Yan Shaozhe asked hesitantly, "Teacher, what should we do moving forward?"
"What should you do?"
Mu En raised an eyebrow. "Don't support or oppose, just do your duty, train talents, and stay low-profile."
"The students come to learn, and we teach them to cultivate—that's enough."
"From now on, tell the Inner Court and all teachers to put away their arrogance. For the upcoming Soul Master Tournament, tell the Inner Court students to show their strength but not to bully others under Shrek's name."
Mu En turned to Xuanzi, who winced despite having remained silent the whole time, and nodded reluctantly.
"Yes, Elder Mu."
Mu En then shifted his gaze back to Yan Shaozhe. "As for the competition between you and Xuanzi over the three prodigies, I won't interfere. As Lin'er said, each of you will compete on your own merits. It will also give me a chance to observe you two further."
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Yan Shaozhe nodded. "Understood, Teacher."
"Good. If there's nothing else, you may go. Lexuan, stay."
"Yes, Teacher."
After the others left, the room fell silent once again. Zhang Lexuan, already guessing what Moon had summoned her for, looked up and asked softly.
"Elder Mu, is there something else?"
"Nothing serious, just a matter concerning Huo Yuhao."
Mu En smiled. "Since he's your personal recruit, I wanted to hear your thoughts on him."
"...I'm not sure."
Zhang Lexuan fell silent, recalling her two encounters with Huo Yuhao and everything that happened after his arrival at Shrek. Her mind froze on the moment when Huo Yuhao shared his thoughts in class.
She couldn't quite describe how she felt about Huo Yuhao.
"I just find him very… unique."
"...Indeed."
Mu En nodded, thoughtful. "He is quite unique. That was my impression the moment I first saw him."
Mu En chuckled, a faint hint of amusement in his tone.
"Since your mission in Heaven Dou City, you seem to be in better spirits. I suspect it's thanks to that boy?"
Zhang Lexuan hesitated, but Mu En raised his hand, cutting her off with a gentle smile.
"I'm not implying anything. I'm just happy to see you in better spirits."
"...Understood."
"You've given over a decade of dedicated service to Shrek, Lexuan. Your contributions far exceed anything I once did for you."
Mu En looked at the quiet young woman before him, recalling the empty-eyed girl she once was, and couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia.
Time had flown, and that once hollow-eyed girl had grown up.
"You're a good and intelligent person. But intelligent people often have a habit of overthinking and becoming too fixated. I know you've kept our old promise close to your heart, but that was just a spur-of-the-moment vow from an old man like me."
"When you focus only on the destination, you miss too much along the way. You're still young. You shouldn't sacrifice your own life just for the academy."
Mu En's voice grew solemn as he spoke.
"So from now on, you're free from that promise."
Zhang Lexuan looked up, her voice trembling.
"Elder Mu…"
"I hope the academy never feels like a cage to you."
Mu En laughed, his face wrinkling with age as he grinned.
"If you ever crave that monotonous, repetitive life, save it for when you're two or three hundred years old, like me."
Zhang Lexuan stayed silent.
Only with Mu En's words did she finally realize that perhaps her devotion wasn't merely out of gratitude to Huo Yuhao for saving her life.
As memories of her interactions with him came flooding back, her cheeks flushed slightly.
Could she really have feelings for someone so much younger?
That'd be... strange, wouldn't it?
(End of Chapter)