After learning of Chen Yuan's formidable strength, Qin Ming halted all plans and led the Imperial Dou Team, along with Chen Yuan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, back to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
During the journey, perhaps because Chen Yuan had defeated Yu Tianheng, the other members of the Imperial Dou Team treated him with a mix of awe and distance. They dared not offend him but also did not seek closeness. After all, they were comrades who had fought together, so it was natural for them to feel somewhat alienated from Chen Yuan. However, Chen Yuan didn't need their closeness or affection and was completely unbothered by it.
A day later, they arrived at a new town. Qin Ming arranged dinner and accommodations. Although he was a graduate of Shrek Academy, he now worked for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Since all expenses for food, lodging, and travel were reimbursed by the academy, he didn't hold back.
After dinner, just as everyone was about to disperse, Dugu Yan left her teammates and approached Chen Yuan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. With a gentle smile, she said, "Junior brothers and sisters, how about I take you out for a stroll? Also, all expenses today will be on me. Consider it a small token of compensation."
Chen Yuan glanced at Yu Tianheng, whose face was stiff, exuding an aura of hostility. His expression was particularly unpleasant at the moment.
Chen Yuan didn't care about this situation. He wasn't about to give up the opportunity to get closer to Dugu Yan just because of Yu Tianheng. He replied calmly, "We appreciate the gesture, but compensation isn't necessary. As for the stroll, Rongrong, Zhuqing, let's accompany our senior sister. The atmosphere in the private room has been rather stifling because of us."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who had initially shown no interest, immediately nodded. After all, compared to Dugu Yan, who had taken the initiative to be friendly, the other members of the Imperial Dou Team were far less welcoming.
Soon, Chen Yuan, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dugu Yan left the private room together.
After they left, Yu Tianheng gritted his teeth, snapping the chopsticks in his hand. He didn't want things to turn out this way, making him seem like a sore loser. However, he couldn't help himself. The bitterness and resentment in his heart made it difficult for him to swallow his pride and apologize.
Perhaps because they came from the same family, Yu Tianheng shared some of Yu Xiaogang's flaws. He avoided confronting problems head-on, always choosing to escape instead. Losing the fight was one thing, but his silence only deepened his bitterness and resentment, making his defeat even more complete.
Qin Ming shook his head helplessly. The Imperial Dou Team was his creation, but he only taught them cultivation and combat. He never interfered in the emotional dynamics between the members. In this situation, even he was powerless. He could only hope that this wouldn't affect the relationships and teamwork within the team.
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On the other side, after leaving the private room, Dugu Yan observed Chen Yuan's expression but couldn't discern anything from his calm demeanor. Finally, she softly apologized to the three of them, "I'm really sorry. Yu Tianheng was the one who challenged you, and after losing, he didn't say a word. It seems like he holds a grudge against you, and the other team members are also hesitant to approach you."
Hearing this, Chen Yuan thought for a moment and then smiled wryly, saying to Dugu Yan, "It's fine. Even though he was the one who challenged me, I was the one who severely injured him. It's normal for him to feel resentful."
"On the other hand, you're walking with us. If Yu Tianheng misunderstands this and it affects your relationship with him, or even your relationship with the other team members, it could cause trouble for you."
Even though he had been wronged, Chen Yuan was still considering her feelings. Dugu Yan's gaze softened as she looked at him, and she couldn't help but feel annoyed with Yu Tianheng. Why couldn't he learn from Chen Yuan?
Dugu Yan then said confidently, "Don't worry. Yu Tianheng wouldn't dare to give me the cold shoulder. If I give him a smile, he'd be over the moon. As for the other team members, I'm the vice-captain of the team. My authority within the team is no less than Yu Tianheng's. No one would dare to have an issue with me."
Chen Yuan lowered his eyes and said, "I see. That's good to hear."
Seeing Chen Yuan endure the slight, Ning Rongrong was the one who reacted the most strongly. She pursed her lips and said, "I don't know who Yu Tianheng learned from, always wearing a sour face as if everyone owes him something. I didn't want to go home immediately, but it's not like I'm desperate to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. If he has a problem with us, he should've said it earlier. What's with this attitude now? Who's he trying to annoy?"
Chen Yuan smiled and looked at her, saying, "Rongrong, don't be angry. It's not worth getting upset over outsiders. Look around—this town is quite lively. Take Zhuqing and go explore. Look at whatever you want, buy whatever you like. Keeping a good mood is what's most important."
Ning Rongrong nodded with a smile. As she looked at the dazzling array of shops around her, her mood indeed improved. Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, which was gem-based, gave her exceptional appraisal abilities and an irresistible attraction to all things shiny, like gems and crystals.
At this moment, she didn't seem to notice that Chen Yuan had intentionally sent her and Zhu Zhuqing away. Ning Rongrong happily took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and left.
After the two girls left, Chen Yuan turned back and saw Dugu Yan looking at him with a teasing smile. She crossed her arms, leaning slightly forward, her eyes alluring and captivating. As she approached Chen Yuan, she whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Junior brother Chen Yuan, you deliberately sent those two beauties away. Do you want some other form of compensation? I've already agreed—as long as it's within reason, I won't refuse."
Chen Yuan looked at this enchantress, suppressing the restlessness in his heart. He met her gaze directly and said as calmly as possible, "That's not it. I just wanted to ask—how much is the poison in your body affecting you now?"
Silence. A long silence.
After a moment, Dugu Yan's expression turned cold. She looked at Chen Yuan and asked almost accusingly, "Junior brother Chen Yuan, how do you know about this?"
Chen Yuan looked up at the sky for a while before saying, "Three years ago, when I saw Dugu Bo and noticed your appearance, I found it strange. Your hair and eye color weren't normal—they seemed more like the effects of poisoning. After all, my background has given me some knowledge about these things."
"This was just my speculation. I didn't tell anyone. If you hadn't approached me today, I probably wouldn't have brought it up."
After he finished speaking, Dugu Yan forced a smile. Her once alluring face was now filled with loneliness and desolation. Her voice devoid of emotion, she said, "Junior brother Chen Yuan, your guess is quite accurate…"
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,241
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