The next morning, sunlight streamed through the medical room window onto Osler's sickbed. After a night of treatment and rest, his injuries had mostly healed, and the bruises on his face had faded significantly.
The medical room door opened quietly as Marco and Ye Lingling entered. Ye Lingling carried an exquisite food container containing specially prepared nutritious meals and medicinal cuisine for Osler.
"Osler, how are you feeling?" Marco asked with concern, walking over to check on his friend's condition.
Ye Lingling placed the food container on the bedside table and said softly, "I brought you some medicinal cuisine that will help with your recovery."
Osler grinned, though still in some pain, his spirits were good: "I'm fine now, thanks to Lingling's treatment and your Azure Flame, I'm much better." He tried moving his arm, "Just a bit sore still."
Marco carefully examined Osler's injuries and breathed a sigh of relief after confirming they were all superficial wounds: "After you recover, train with me. Your speed and agility are good, but you need improvement in defense and close-quarters combat."
Osler's eyes lit up as he said excitedly, "Really? Captain, you're going to personally train me?" He knew Marco's training was tough but highly effective, and receiving personal guidance from him was an opportunity many students dreamed of.
Marco nodded: "You got injured protecting Lingling. As captain, it's my responsibility to help you become stronger. And..." he paused, his tone serious, "the Royal Fight Team needs every member to become powerful."
Ye Lingling said quietly from the side: "Osler, thank you for protecting me yesterday." Her voice carried apology, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gotten injured..."
Osler quickly waved his hand: "Don't say that, Lingling. We're teammates, protecting each other is what we should do. Besides," he deliberately made an exaggerated expression, "getting thanked by a beauty makes these injuries worth it!"
Ye Lingling laughed at his words, the gloom on her face completely vanishing. Marco also laughed and patted Osler's shoulder: "Seems you're really fine if you still have the energy to joke."
The three chatted for a while in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Ye Lingling opened the food container and took out the still steaming medicinal cuisine: "Eat while it's hot. I specifically asked Uncle Yang Wudi to prepare this—it's very helpful for recovery."
Osler gratefully accepted the bowl: "Thank you, Lingling. Having a Healing-type Soul Master like you on our team is truly our blessing."
Ye Lingling blushed slightly and said softly: "Hurry and eat, it won't be as effective if it cools down."
Marco watched their harmonious interaction with satisfaction. After yesterday's incident, the team's cohesion had noticeably strengthened. He secretly resolved to protect every team member and make the Royal Fight Team truly powerful.
After spending over two hours in the medical room, Marco and Ye Lingling bid farewell to Osler and prepared to return to the training ground. Just as they stepped out of the medical room, they encountered Teacher Yan Ming rushing over.
"Marco, Ye Lingling, perfect timing." Teacher Yan Ming looked somewhat strange. "The Education Committee Chief wants to see you in the Dean's Office."
Marco and Ye Lingling exchanged a glance, both feeling puzzled. Could this be a follow-up to yesterday's incident?
Following Teacher Yan Ming to the Dean's Office, they pushed open the door and froze at the scene inside. The office was packed with people. The three chief education commissioners—Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin—sat in the main seats with stern expressions. Standing before them was a group of bruised and battered middle-aged men, all dressed in luxurious attire, clearly people of high status.
Marco thought to himself in surprise, "What's going on? Are they here to demand an explanation? But that doesn't seem right—why are they all bruised and battered?"
What shocked him even more was spotting Yufeng, Li An De'er, Weis, and Ka Er at the back of the crowd. Not only were they bruised and battered, but they also hung their heads, completely devoid of their usual arrogance.
Chief Meng Shenji, seeing Marco and Ye Lingling enter, spoke up, "Marco, Ye Lingling, you've arrived just in time. These are the parents of Yufeng and the others. They've come specifically to apologize."
Marco grew even more confused and glanced at the three chiefs, but they too looked perplexed, clearly baffled by the situation.
At that moment, a middle-aged man with the most severe bruises stepped forward from the crowd. He was Li An De'er's father, the Golden Lion Earl. He wore an ingratiating smile, though the swelling made it look rather comical: "Captain Marco, Miss Ye Lingling, I am Li An De'er's father. We've come today specifically to apologize and make amends for our unfilial son's behavior."
Another middle-aged man with a clear slap mark on his face also stepped forward. He was Weis's father, the Wind Fox Viscount: "We've also come to apologize. Weis's actions are our responsibility."
Yufeng's father stepped forward, his face full of remorse: "We are here to sincerely apologize. Yufeng's behavior has left us utterly ashamed."
Ka Er's father hastily chimed in: "Please accept our apologies. Ka Er's actions were truly excessive."
After the four noble parents finished their apologies, the Golden Lion Earl explained, "Captain Marco, here's what happened. Your father, Lord Li Zhaoyan, found out about yesterday's incident. Last night, he went directly to each of our homes and... uh... educated us." He touched his swollen cheek and let out a bitter laugh. "Lord Li said that if we didn't come here to sincerely apologize, he wouldn't stop at just beating us up."
The Wind Fox Viscount continued, his voice trembling: "Lord Li also said... if his son didn't agree to forgive us, he would have to go higher up... He said he'd make our fathers taste the same beating."
Yufeng's father sighed: "We deserve this beating—it's our own fault. But our fathers are all elderly. If they were to get beaten, it could cost them their lives."
Ka Er's father added: "This is entirely our failure in discipline, our fault as fathers. But it really has nothing to do with our elderly fathers. They're all advanced in years, so we beg you to be merciful."
Hearing this, Marco finally understood what was going on and thought to himself, "Dad is so cool!" He hadn't expected his father to stand up for him in this way—both satisfying and cathartic.
The three chief deans also had a sudden realization. Meng Shenji couldn't help but cough to conceal his laughter: "So that's how it is. Li Zhaoyan is still so... uh... direct."
The Golden Lion Earl took out an exquisite money pouch from his robe and respectfully handed it to Marco: "Captain Marco, this is a small compensation. Please accept it as an expression of our apology."
The others also took out their prepared compensation money, sincerely urging Marco to accept it.
Looking at these nobles with bruised and swollen faces, Marco felt both satisfied and amused. After a moment's contemplation, he said: "The academy has already dealt with this matter, and I won't pursue it further. You may return. I consider your apologies accepted. As for the compensation money, I won't take it."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. The Golden Lion Earl anxiously said: "Captain Marco, you must accept it! Otherwise... otherwise we won't be able to explain this to Lord Li!"
The Wind Fox Viscount quickly added: "Indeed, if you don't accept it, Lord Li might come looking for us again..."
Seeing their terrified expressions, Marco understood that his father must have put tremendous pressure on them. He sighed: "In that case, I'll accept it. However, I won't use this money for myself - it will serve as activity funds for our team."
Only then did the nobles relax, repeatedly expressing their gratitude. Yufeng and others also stepped forward, bowing their heads to sincerely apologize to Marco and Ye Lingling: "We're sorry, we were wrong. We'll never dare to do this again."
Marco looked at them seriously: "I hope you truly understand your mistakes. Soul Master cultivation isn't just about becoming powerful - it's about protecting those who need protection. Bullying the weak is the most despicable behavior."
Yufeng and the others hung their heads in shame, not daring to meet Marco's eyes.
After the matter was resolved, the nobles left with endless thanks. Only the three chief deans, Teacher Yan Ming, Marco, and Ye Lingling remained in the disciplinary office.
Chief Meng Shenji couldn't help laughing: "Zhaoyan is still the same, always so direct in his methods." He turned to Marco, "But this is good - it completely resolves any future troubles."
Chief Bai Baoshan nodded: "These noble youths have been spoiled for too long. They definitely needed such a lesson."
Chief Zhi Lin asked Marco with concern: "How is Osler's injury?"
Marco replied: "Much better now, thank you for your concern, Chief. With Lingling's treatment and my Azure Flame assistance, his recovery has been very rapid."
Ye Lingling softly added: "He should fully recover after one more day of rest."
Chief Meng Shenji nodded with satisfaction: "Excellent. After this incident, I believe the team's cohesion will become stronger." He paused and said seriously: "The Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament is only one year away. You must intensify your training."
Marco saluted solemnly: "Please rest assured, Chief. We will train hard and bring honor to our academy!"
After leaving the disciplinary office, Marco and Ye Lingling walked side by side along the academy path. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows while a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers.
"Your father is truly remarkable," Ye Lingling said softly, admiration shining in her eyes.
Marco smiled slightly, "Yes, he always solves problems in the most direct way." He turned to Ye Lingling, "But more importantly, he taught me that protecting important people is a matter of course."
Ye Lingling's face flushed faintly as she lowered her head, "Thank you, brother. And thank Osler too."
"You're my sister, protecting you is only natural," Marco said firmly. "From now on, I won't let anyone bully you anymore."
The two arrived at the training ground where the other team members had gradually gathered. Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the Shi Family Brothers all inquired with concern about Osler's condition. When Marco recounted the incident about the parents' apology, everyone couldn't help but laugh.
"Uncle Li is really awesome!" Dugu Yan exclaimed with a laugh. "That's exactly how those arrogant guys should be taught a lesson!"
Yu Tianheng nodded in agreement, "It's truly satisfying. Let's see who would dare act so recklessly in the academy from now on."
The Shi Family Brothers didn't speak, simply standing there with honest, hearty laughter.
Looking at the united team members, Marco felt full of confidence. He took out the compensation money given by the nobles—a total of fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins—and handed it to Teacher Yan Ming, saying, "Teacher, please use this as the team's activity fund. It can be used to purchase training equipment and medicines."
Teacher Yan Ming accepted it with gratification, "Good, I'll make proper use of it."
During the following training session, all team members trained with exceptional seriousness. Marco personally guided everyone in coordination drills, especially devising tactics tailored to the characteristics of different Martial Souls. Under Marco's command, Ye Lingling's healing support, Yu Tianheng's strong attacks, Dugu Yan's control, Osler's agile assaults, and the Shi Family Brothers' defense gradually formed an organic whole.
After training concluded, Marco and Ye Lingling once again went to the infirmary to visit Osler. When Osler heard about the parents' apology, he laughed uproariously, "That's so satisfying! Uncle Li is truly amazing!"
Marco said with a smile, "Once you've recovered, we'll start special training. I want to maximize your speed advantage while strengthening your close-combat abilities."
Osler nodded excitedly, "Don't worry, Captain. I'll definitely train hard!"
As the sun set in the west, Marco stood on the training ground, watching his teammates depart, his heart filled with anticipation.