Aside from Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar, everyone else was just watching the spectacle.
They didn't understand what Dai Mubai was up to, but since he was the "senior" big brother, he must have his reasons.
Bullying someone? Well, that was at least somewhat entertaining.
"Zhuqing, if you don't dare to stir up trouble, you're just mediocre!" Ma Hongjun said with a grin.
"Yeah, that's what the dean taught us. Look, even the dean and the teachers are watching!" Oscar pointed at Flender and the others, laughing.
Zhongli was just an ordinary person—what did it matter if they bullied him?
With a martial soul like that but no spirit power? He deserved it!
"We—we're not ordinary people!"
"Zhongli is—"
Paimon suddenly paused, as if remembering something, then continued, "We're guests of the Crown Prince's estate!"
"Even His Highness, Prince Xue Qinghe, treats us with respect!"
Having said that, Paimon seemed to gain confidence. She crossed her arms and flew out from behind Zhongli, looking smug.
"…?"
Everyone was stunned. Zhongli was a guest of the Crown Prince's estate?
A man with no spirit power, yet the Crown Prince treated him with courtesy?
This…
Wasn't this little thing just making things up?
"What kind of guest is that?!"
"I'm the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, for heaven's sake!"
Dai Mubai sneered internally.
If erosion hadn't worn away so much of Zhongli's temper, none of them would still be standing.
Just how arrogant was Morax during the Archon War?
Even when facing the Heavenly Principles, he was the one sitting—and with his legs crossed, no less!
The other Archons became the Seven Sovereigns by appointment of the Heavenly Principles.
Morax was different—he had signed a contract with them.
Without a Gnosis, some gods would lose their source of power. But Zhongli? Even without a Gnosis, he was still Morax!
The impact on his combat power? Less than 0.1%...
If faced with Morax at his peak, could the Geo Archon even defeat him?
"I know all his strength, all his weaknesses… but back then, he was at the height of his vigor. He shouldn't have lost."
Put simply, Morax at that time couldn't lose—and wasn't allowed to.
Knock him down once, and he'd rise again for the sake of those behind him.
After hearing Paimon's words, the group hesitated. Should they stop Dai Mubai?
They had just arrived in Heaven Dou City and had already offended the fourth prince, even beating him up.
Now they were going to provoke the Crown Prince too?
If that happened, their stay in Heaven Dou City would become extremely difficult.
"Young lady, do we know each other?"
Zhongli didn't even glance at Dai Mubai. Instead, he looked at Zhu Zhuqing with slight confusion.
In her eyes, he saw a flicker of familiarity—the kind one would only have when recognizing someone.
"Tch—"
Everyone sucked in a cold breath. This Zhongli was bold!
Dai Mubai was picking a fight, and he ignored him.
Instead, he struck up a conversation with Dai Mubai's fiancée!
"Do we know each other?"
What a lame pickup line!
Even an inexperienced young girl wouldn't fall for that, right?
"N-no, we don't."
Hearing a voice so similar to the Emperor's, feeling the same sense of security, Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed red as she lowered her gaze to her feet.
Wait, why the hell are you blushing?!
Dai Mubai felt like his hair was turning green!
The Shrek group was equally stunned—they had never seen Zhu Zhuqing like this before.
She had always been cold and expressionless, never smiling no matter who she faced. Because of that, everyone assumed it was just her personality.
Yet now, upon meeting this man with no spirit power, she was blushing?!
That shy expression, that demeanor—it looked exactly like a maiden in love!
"Tch—"
"Has Boss Dai been cuckolded?!"
Ma Hongjun gasped, unable to stop himself from blurting it out.
He felt his scalp go numb. It had always been Dai Mubai cuckolding others—now, someone was doing it to him!
Truly, what goes around comes around!
Wait, if that was the case… his own future might not be much better!
Ma Hongjun hadn't lowered his voice, so everyone heard him.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, spirit power surging around him as if he were about to explode at any moment.
He glanced at Zhongli's indifferent face, then at Zhu Zhuqing's still-flushed cheeks. In an instant, rage consumed his reason.
He had always been hot-tempered, quick to bully the weak—how could he hold back now?
"If we don't know each other, then that makes sense. It should be that way."
Zhongli nodded calmly. He had only been in this world for a little over half a month, and this was his first time meeting Zhu Zhuqing. It was only natural they weren't acquainted.
Still, something about her response felt off.
What was the reason?
Ah, right—there was also that girl, Qian Renxue. The first time she saw him, the flash of fear in her eyes hadn't been fake.
But… why?
Just as Dai Mubai was about to strike, a voice interrupted.
"Esteemed guest, I nearly forgot something!"
A refined and elegant figure appeared before the crowd.
He wore an apologetic expression, as if genuinely remorseful.
This person was none other than "Xue Qinghe," who had just left and now returned.
"Your Highness! Hurry, this guy wants to beat up Zhongli and Paimon!"
Seeing "Xue Qinghe," Paimon immediately flew to his side, tattling like a child.
"What?!"
"Xue Qinghe's" expression darkened. In broad daylight, under the heavens, these people dared to lay hands on Mr. Zhongli?!
"That big… big sister over there! Yes, only that big sister stood up for us!"
Paimon glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, describing her based on her most noticeable feature.
"Xue Qinghe" froze for a moment before subtly averting his gaze.
Good heavens, this girl looked so young, yet her… assets were so exaggerated?!
"Huh? It really is the Crown Prince!"
Ning Rongrong murmured in surprise.
She had met "Xue Qinghe" before—in fact, he was her senior brother.
Her father, Ning Fengzhi, was "Xue Qinghe's" teacher.
The two had met on several occasions.
"Junior Sister Rongrong?"
"Xue Qinghe" scanned the Shrek group before settling on Ning Rongrong.
She never expected Ning Fengzhi to let his daughter study under such a bunch of ruffians.
How strange.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
Now that she had been recognized, Ning Rongrong stepped forward without hesitation.
The Shrek team was dumbfounded. So Zhongli really was a guest of the Crown Prince's estate?
Just what did the Crown Prince see in him?
A guest with no spirit power?!
As if remembering something, "Xue Qinghe's" expression suddenly changed.
"You all…"