"Your Eminence, please take these two children to rest first. The school term is starting soon. During this time, I will have Huo Wu and Wushuang familiarize them with the campus. Once Bing'er returns, I will notify you." Huo Ran spoke respectfully to Yu Lin.
"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you with this. Hongjun is my most cherished nephew—he is more important than anything else. Please take special care of him." Yu Lin deliberately emphasized this, making it clear how much he valued Ma Hongjun. He even addressed Huo Ran with the honorific '您'—a level of respect typically reserved for those of higher status.
"Oh, no need to be so formal! Your Eminence is deeply affectionate and righteous, caring so much for your nephew—I truly admire that," Huo Ran replied immediately.
Hearing Yu Lin's words, Ma Hongjun was deeply moved, completely unaware that he was being subtly manipulated by Yu Lin.
Beixuan observed Yu Lin's words and actions with a thoughtful expression. Having previously heard Yu Lin explain how he had found him, Beixuan could easily guess the true motive behind his actions when piecing everything together.
"Oh, right, Headmaster," Yu Lin suddenly turned to Huo Ran with an earnest look. "About the tuition fees for my two nephews—I will pay them on time. Also, I'll be staying at the academy for a while. Do you think you could give me a discount on the rent?"
For a moment, everyone was stunned.
A dignified Titled Douluo… this poor? He even haggled over rent?
"Haha, Your Eminence, you must be joking." Huo Ran laughed heartily. "Having you reside in our academy is an honor for us. I will charge you the lowest possible rent."
"Great! Many thanks!"
Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang were equally dumbfounded.
Since when did their grandfather become so stingy? And why was he seriously negotiating rent with a Titled Douluo? If the rent was already at the lowest rate, why not just make it free and earn the goodwill of a Titled Douluo?
This was where the inexperience of the younger generation showed.
Huo Ran, on the other hand, was well aware of Yu Lin's history and personality.
Yu Lin had never joined any faction, nor did he hold a job. Despite his immense strength, he had no income.
Whenever he eradicated an evil organization or a bandit group, he would distribute their wealth to the victims, leaving little for himself.
Moreover, he was extremely proud and adhered to the principle of "no merit, no reward." The most he would do was freeload some drinks at a friend's place, but he never accepted money or gifts.
He had a famous saying: "Nothing in this world is more expensive than something given for free."
This was how Yu Lin earned the title of the poorest Titled Douluo in history.
Because of this, Huo Ran set the rent at the lowest possible price—he knew that Yu Lin despised accepting charity.
Even Beixuan, who had heard of Yu Lin's deeds, secretly sighed.
No wonder Yu Lin was his father's most trusted subordinate—he had perfectly inherited his father, Bei Luo's, title as the poorest Exorcist King in history.
Back in the day, when his father first brought his mother to the human world, they were so poor they couldn't even afford a single flower. They had to work to earn money. At this point, poverty seemed to have become a family tradition for the Exorcist Clan.
After leaving the headmaster's office, Beixuan and the others, led by Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang, arrived at the student dormitories. Many rooms were vacant, as Blaze Academy had a strict selection process for its intermediate division.
Higher-tier academies prioritized elite education and upheld the principle of "quality over quantity."
Shrek Academy took this concept to the extreme, though Beixuan felt that since Shrek lacked the resources to support their students, they had no right to be so demanding.
"Junior Beixuan, Junior Hongjun, this will be your room from now on," Huo Wushuang said, leading them into a double dormitory.
Beixuan nodded. The environment was decent—he had no complaints.
Moreover, Yu Lin's room was right next door, making it convenient for him to look after them.
"Alright, juniors, get some rest today. Huo Wu and I will show you around the campus tomorrow. Your Eminence, I take my leave," Huo Wushuang said before exiting the dormitory.
Ma Hongjun, having never stayed in such a nice room before, excitedly jumped onto the bed, bouncing up and down.
"Brother Xuan, look! The bed is so big and soft! And the quilt is so thick and cozy!"
"Heh, well, enjoy it while you can. I'm going to help Uncle Yu Lin with his luggage," Beixuan chuckled before stepping out.
Entering Yu Lin's room, he found the man sitting at a desk, writing something.
"Yu Lin, is it really okay for you to use Hongjun like this?" Beixuan leaned against the wall and asked.
"There's nothing wrong with it. He won't be in any danger," Yu Lin replied casually.
"When I found you through your story, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was also present. Given Ning Fengzhi's intelligence, he probably suspects that someone was deliberately searching for me. As one of the few independent Titled Douluos, my whereabouts have always been closely monitored by various intelligence networks.
"As a result, anyone associated with me will also be watched. I used to be alone, so I didn't care. But things are different now.
"If the Spirit Hall, the Seven Great Sects, or the two empires find out I have a nephew, they will definitely try to use him to control me. That would interfere with your training.
"So, I need to create distance. In public, I'll act more affectionate toward Hongjun while being indifferent to you. This will mislead people into thinking he's my true focus, diverting their attention away from you."
Beixuan nodded. Yu Lin's reasoning was sound.
After all, Beixuan had twin martial souls. Even if he wasn't adding spirit rings to his Exorcist King Martial Soul just yet, he still needed to cultivate it.
It was just like Tang San—although he didn't actively use the Clear Sky Hammer, he never neglected practicing the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique.
The Exorcist Clan had many top-tier martial techniques, and Yu Lin planned to teach them to Beixuan gradually. If Beixuan were under constant scrutiny, it would be difficult to train his Exorcist abilities in secret.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was different.
With his Supreme Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, he was naturally destined to attract attention. It made perfect sense for a Titled Douluo to have such a talented nephew.
Furthermore, no matter how much interest other factions took in him, it wouldn't affect him negatively. He had nothing to hide—he could train as usual.
In the short term, he wouldn't be in any real danger.
The continent was currently at peace, and Yu Lin maintained good relations with all major factions. While they might want to recruit him, they wouldn't resort to force, as doing so could turn an ally into an enemy.
"What are you writing?" Beixuan stepped forward, glancing at the blank sheet of paper in Yu Lin's hands.
"A prescription," Yu Lin replied. "Cultivating the Sun and Moon Golden Body is most effective when paired with herbal baths.
"Before that Shui Bing'er girl returns, I'll go earn some money and gather the necessary medicinal ingredients. This will help improve your physical condition."