Chapter 12: Unexpected Visitors and Hidden Intentions
Qin Chuan smiled helplessly. Only after seeing that Qian Renxue's emotions had calmed a bit did he shake his head and speak softly.
"Xue'er, you're overthinking it."
She frowned. "Overthinking?"
"The reason I want to kill Tang San has nothing to do with Bibi Dong."
"It has nothing to do with her?" Qian Renxue asked, her tone sharpening.
"Then why do you still want to kill him?"
She pressed on, confused and slightly indignant.
"The Shrek team he's part of was selected in the Empire's preliminaries. They're a dark horse with a real chance to win the championship."
"As long as he's alive, Shrek stands a chance of claiming the title. And if that happens…" Her voice lowered, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. "That woman will be pleased."
Qian Renxue's voice carried the weight of resentment. "As long as I can wipe the smile off her face, I'll do it—no matter the cost."
Qin Chuan remained calm, his tone flat.
"Because I crippled Yu Xiaogang."
"In Wuhun City, he offended me. I didn't kill him, though maybe I should have."
"So instead, I'll kill his student."
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned, unable to respond.
After a long silence, she looked away and muttered, a bit dispirited.
"Brother Qin Chuan… ever since the raid a few days ago, the team's been on high alert. Killing him won't be easy now."
"There'll always be a chance," Qin Chuan said with a faint smile.
Suddenly, his expression changed as he looked toward the curtain.
"Someone's coming."
A gentle yet clear voice sounded from outside the carriage.
"Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and his daughter Ning Rongrong have come to see His Highness the Crown Prince."
Qian Renxue was startled, glancing instinctively at Qin Chuan.
He frowned slightly, his thoughts racing.
Why is Ning Fengzhi here so suddenly?
After a brief pause, he gave her a subtle nod.
"Teacher, please invite them in."
Receiving his signal, Qian Renxue quickly composed herself. She lifted the curtain and called out to the visitors.
"Teacher, please come in."
Outside the royal carriage, Ning Fengzhi stood tall in a flowing white robe, radiating a refined and gentle aura.
Behind him stood an old man in matching attire—thin, quiet, and radiating immense pressure.
Sword Douluo, Chenxin.
And beside him, a restless young girl fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with her surroundings.
It was Ning Rongrong.
"Dad, do you think he'll agree?" she asked nervously.
Ning Fengzhi smiled calmly. "We must try regardless. Whether we succeed or not is up to fate. But if we don't try at all, we'll gain nothing."
"Wouldn't it be ideal if we could recruit him into our sect?" Sword Douluo Chenxin suddenly interjected.
"Oh? Uncle Jian?"
Ning Fengzhi raised an eyebrow, interest sparking in his eyes.
For Chenxin—who rarely praised anyone—to say such a thing meant a lot.
"You think that highly of him?"
Chenxin nodded slowly.
"He's very young. No more than thirty."
A Titled Douluo under thirty—such a genius was rare beyond comparison. Even if he never ascended to godhood, he could still protect a sect for a hundred years.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect might appear strong now, but Chenxin and Gu Rong were both approaching ninety. Once they were gone, the entire sect could crumble if no successors rose in time.
That was why they needed powerful new blood.
But in recent decades, the continent had become more peaceful. Although Titled Douluos still appeared from time to time, they all had powerful families or backgrounds—none could be poached.
Thus, the sect's only option was to foster the next generation.
Tang San and the other Shrek prodigies were part of that plan. If the sect couldn't recruit strong individuals, they would raise their own.
It was a necessary compromise for survival.
Ning Fengzhi naturally understood the stakes. Hearing Chenxin's words, he nodded gravely.
"Don't worry, Uncle Jian. I'll do my best."
Chenxin laughed heartily.
"No need for concern. Even if he refuses, it's fine. As long as this old man and Gu Rong still breathe, no one will dare target the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"We simply have to wait for the young monsters to grow."
"With our investment, even if we can't completely recruit them, they'll still become reliable allies."
At the mention of Shrek Academy's little monsters, Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly.
"Indeed. As long as they grow into their potential, our relationship with them will naturally bear fruit."
His gaze fell on his daughter, his tone softening.
"Rongrong, how are things between you and Tang San lately?"
Ning Rongrong's face stiffened.
"Dad…"
She pouted. "Didn't I tell you already? He likes someone else."
"Haha, that girl called Xiao Wu, right?"
"You know that, and you're still asking?" she protested, clearly annoyed.
Ning Fengzhi chuckled.
"I just think that our little princess has more than enough charm. That Xiao Wu can't compare to you."
"If you really tried…"
"It wouldn't be hard to take Tang San for yourself."
"Dad!"
Ning Rongrong stomped her foot, utterly exasperated.
Just then, Qian Renxue's calm voice came from inside the carriage.
"Teacher, please come in."
Ning Fengzhi immediately composed himself, his joking demeanor vanishing.
"Uncle Jian, would you mind waiting here with Rongrong?"
"Of course."
Chenxin gave a small nod, then blurred into motion—vanishing and reappearing in the saddle of a nearby knight's horse like a ghost.
Ning Fengzhi then led Ning Rongrong into the carriage.
"Teacher, please have a seat," Qian Renxue greeted him respectfully.
"Qinghe," Ning Fengzhi replied with a gentle smile, "How many times have I said not to be so formal?"
Though he said so, he clearly enjoyed the deference—after all, few were privileged enough to receive such courtesy from the empire's crown prince.
Qian Renxue simply smiled.
Some words are better left unchallenged.
"Rongrong, allow me to introduce His Highness, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe."
"Qinghe, this is my daughter, Ning Rongrong."
Ning Fengzhi smiled as he made the introductions.
"Greetings, Your Highness," Ning Rongrong said politely, her voice soft and obedient.
But her gaze kept straying toward another figure in the carriage—the young man sitting silently, eyes closed, exuding calm and mystery.
"Haha, since you're the teacher's daughter, Rongrong is like a sister to me. Just call me brother."
Qian Renxue smiled warmly.
"Brother Crown Prince," Ning Rongrong answered sweetly.
The three took their seats, chatting briefly. Once the small talk concluded, Qian Renxue finally asked the real question.
"Teacher, may I ask what brings you here so suddenly today?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled, though his eyes drifted once more toward the silent young man in the corner.
"Who might this be?"
———
Pump up the power stone