Oscar slung his arm around Ma Hongjun's shoulder and chuckled. "Fatty, if my Sausage City ever runs out of food, you'd better make sure that the Fiery Crystal Rice from your Blazing Flame City gets sent to your brother first!"
"No problem, no problem!" Ma Hongjun patted his chest confidently. "But Little Ao, your Sausage City… don't you think you should change the name? It sounds a bit… you know…"
"Get lost! That's called having character! Don't you get it?" Oscar cursed good-naturedly.
Ning Rongrong held Xiao Wu's hand. "Xiao Wu, your Spirit Rabbit City isn't far from my Liuli City, and Yin Ge's territory is right in between. We have to visit each other all the time! I'll take you to see the new headquarters of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!"
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, laughing. "That's right! Your fiefdom, mine, Zhuqing's, and Yin Ge's are all right next to each other. They connect to form one big area. When the time comes, we can just let Yin Ge manage everything for us. If I had to deal with all that, I'd be annoyed to death."
Ning Rongrong nodded in deep agreement. "That makes sense. We'll let Yin Ge handle all the boring stuff, and we'll just have fun." As they spoke, their laughter filled the air.
After a moment, Dai Mubai took a deep breath and was the first to speak seriously. He stood up, his golden eyes burning with determination. His gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing before finally landing on Ye Yin.
"Dean, Teacher, everyone," he began, his voice steady and strong. "Before I go to my Muyang City, I have to return to the Star Luo Empire first. The fiefdom isn't going anywhere. Running away won't solve the problem. Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun owe me a debt, and it's time for them to pay up."
A cold smile touched the corner of his mouth. "Besides, there are some old scores I need to settle with that 'good' sister-in-law of mine." He deliberately emphasized the words 'sister-in-law', his eyes filled with the thrill of revenge and a subtle desire for conquest.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately stood up as well. Her cool eyes looked at Ye Yin, filled with a mix of pleading and reliance. "I want to go back, too. There are family matters I can't avoid, and I need to make a clean break with them." She paused, her voice soft but exceptionally clear. "But Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun are powerful, and my family's influence is strong. I'm worried…" Her gaze met Ye Yin's gentle eyes. "Yin Ge, can you… come with me? I'm afraid my own strength won't be enough."
Everyone was a little surprised to hear this. The always independent and stubborn Zhu Zhuqing was actually asking for help.
Ye Yin's gentle smile remained unchanged. He stood up, walked over to Zhu Zhuqing, and gently ruffled her soft black hair. "Of course," he said, his voice carrying a reassuring strength. "Zhuqing's business is my business."
Zhu Zhuqing's body stiffened for a second, but she didn't pull away. A faint blush appeared on her cool cheeks, and she lowered her head.
Ning Rongrong immediately jumped to her feet, her large eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow! You're going to the Star Luo Empire? That sounds like so much fun! I want to go too!" She linked her arm through Ye Yin's and giggled. "Yin Ge, take me with you! I promise I won't cause any trouble! Just think of it as… scouting the Star Luo Empire's market for my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School!"
Xiao Wu immediately rushed to Ye Yin's other side and hugged his arm. "I'm going too! I'm going too! Wherever Yin Ge goes, I go! I've never been to the Star Luo Empire before!"
Ye Yin looked at the two girls hanging on him and smiled helplessly. "Alright, you can all come."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged glances. Ma Hongjun scratched his head and chuckled. "I think I'll sit this one out. I'll go check on my fiefdom first, then come back to the academy." He secretly glanced at Jiang Zhu, who was sitting quietly beside Flender. "I can help the Dean manage things, and while I'm at it, hehe, I can do some research on how to pursue a happy life." He gestured vaguely toward Jiang Zhu, his meaning obvious.
Jiang Zhu felt his gaze and her face flushed slightly as she turned her head away.
Oscar raised his hand. "I'll stay too! Fatty would be too lonely by himself. Besides, the academy needs people right now, so we'll stay and help the Dean out. And…" He stroked his chin with a hopeful look. "I need to find myself a beautiful girlfriend here at Shrek, don't I?"
Flender looked at the two rascals, feeling both relieved and helpless. "You two brats!" he cursed with a laugh. "You can stay, but don't cause me any trouble!"
Finally, everyone's gaze fell on Tang San. He was silent for a moment. His original plan was to either continue training with Grandmaster, search for his father, or go to his new fiefdom. But going to that barren land by himself now seemed pointless. Seeing Ye Yin, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others preparing to go to the Star Luo Empire together, he made a decision.
He looked up, his eyes firm. "Teacher, Dean, I also want to go with them to the Star Luo Empire. On one hand, I can gain more experience and broaden my horizons. On the other hand, Mubai and Zhuqing's journey will be dangerous. An extra person means extra strength."
Of course, he had another thought hidden deep inside: if he stayed with Ye Yin, maybe he could find a chance to make up for the loss of that Spirit Bone.
Yu Xiaogang saw the determination in his disciple's eyes and nodded. "That's good. Going out to explore will be beneficial for your growth. Just remember to put safety first."
And so, the plan was set. Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Yin, Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Tang San would travel to the Star Luo Empire together. But before that, they would first visit the new fiefdoms belonging to Ye Yin, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu in the southwest. Oscar and Ma Hongjun would visit their own territories and then return to Shrek Academy.
The bonfire illuminated the faces of the companions who were about to part ways. Flender took out his treasured wine, and for once, Grandmaster didn't stop him. Everyone raised their glasses, the aroma of ale mixing with the sadness of their farewell.
Dai Mubai clapped Oscar and Ma Hongjun hard on the shoulders. "Fatty, Little Ao, take good care of things here! Wait for us to come back!"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun's eyes were a little red. "Boss Dai, Yin Ge, take care of yourselves! Come back soon! Don't make me and Fatty miss you too much!"
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu pulled Jiang Zhu aside, whispering to her quietly. Zhu Zhuqing sat silently beside Ye Yin, the firelight dancing on her beautiful profile. A little further away, Tang San sat by himself, staring into the flickering flames, lost in thought.
Liu Erlong generously handed each person a heavy money pouch. "A poor family means a rich journey! Take it all! Don't you dare try to save it for me!"
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