Although the blacksmith shop owner hadn't understood the entire conversation, he had picked up on the important parts. It seemed Tang San had no real connection to that impressive group of young Spirit Masters. They were acquaintances, perhaps, but their relationship was far from friendly. If that was the case, then he had nothing to worry about.
The spark of hope that had ignited in Tang San was extinguished just as quickly. The owner's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over his head.
"You..." Tang San gritted his teeth, his fists clenched at his sides. Spirit power began to surge around him as he struggled to suppress the rage boiling in his heart. With his strength, dealing with a low-level Spirit Master like the shop owner would be no problem at all. But as he thought about it, he realized the man was right. He did owe him money.
Forcing his anger back down, he chose not to act. He turned, walked back to the forge, and picked up his hammer, resuming his work with renewed vigor.
I won't say another word until Teacher comes to find me! he resolved internally.
His heart was now pounding with excitement. The people with Huo Feng were clearly students from Shrek Academy. Now that they had found him, they would surely tell his teacher where he was. And then, his teacher would definitely come to get him in person. Thinking of this, Tang San couldn't help but let a small smile grace his lips as he hammered the hot iron.
Before they had parted ways in Notting City, Yu Xiaogang had told him about his relationship with Shrek Academy. Now, it seemed everything his teacher had said was true. Based on his own guesses, Tang San figured the dean of Shrek Academy must have a good relationship with his teacher, just like the dean at Notting Academy did. Besides, his teacher had even given him a letter to deliver to the dean after he enrolled.
Remembering how Dai Mubai had called Yu Xiaogang "Master," a hint of pride swelled in Tang San's chest. So what if your spirit power is higher than mine? The master you show so much respect for is my teacher! he thought triumphantly. You ignored me before, but soon, you won't even be qualified to speak to me!
If Dai Mubai knew what Tang San was thinking at that moment, he would have probably died from laughter. Not qualified? Is he serious? And his teacher, the one who makes people laugh out loud? The two of them together aren't enough for me to take seriously.
But Tang San, lost in his own world, continued his wild fantasies. The force of his hammer strikes even increased unconsciously as he pictured his glorious future.
Meanwhile, Huo Feng and the others returned directly to Shrek Academy. The idea of telling Yu Xiaogang what had happened to Tang San never even crossed his mind. He simply wasn't interested. Knowing Yu Xiaogang's personality, there was a ninety-nine percent chance that after finding Tang San, he would bring him straight to Shrek Academy to "personally guide his disciple." Huo Feng wanted nothing to do with that. Of course, that was just his opinion; he didn't know or care what the others thought.
As for Dai Mubai, he had no intention of getting involved either. His impression of Tang San wasn't just bad; it was terrible. From their first meeting at the Rose Hotel to Tang San's embarrassing attempt to get his registration fee refunded at the academy's entrance, every interaction had reinforced the same image. Tang San was incompetent and pretentious. It would be one thing if he had the skill to back it up, but his strength was lacking, and his spirit was the useless Blue Silver Grass. Yet he still acted like he was some kind of hidden master. It was one thing to be weak, but it was another thing entirely to be weak and not even realize it.
And Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang? Dai Mubai thought he was a special kind of joke. He had every reason to believe that the disciple's arrogant personality was a direct result of his "master's" unique teaching methods. The master and disciple weren't just similar; they were practically carbon copies of each other. He wanted no part in their drama.
However, not everyone thought the same way. Among the seven Shrek students, one person had a different idea: Ma Hongjun.
After they returned to the academy, it was already late. Everyone else went back to their dormitories to rest, but Ma Hongjun slipped away. He didn't go anywhere else; he rushed straight to Flanders' room. As Flanders' personal disciple, his relationship with the dean was different from the others'. He was also well aware of the unusual friendship between his teacher and the "Grandmaster." Since Yu Xiaogang wasn't at the academy, Flanders was the only person he could go to.
Knock, knock, knock.
A light was still on inside the room. Ma Hongjun knocked gently on the door. "Teacher, it's me," he called out.
"Come in," Flanders' voice replied from inside. He had sensed his disciple approaching and was curious what could be so important at this late hour.
Ma Hongjun pushed the door open, stepped inside, and gently closed it behind him. After a few polite greetings, he got straight to the point. "Teacher, we saw the Grandmaster's disciple, Tang San, in Soto City today."
"Hmm?" Hearing this, Flanders looked up from his desk, his brow furrowed. "Are you certain?"
"Of course. I wouldn't lie to you, Teacher." Seeing that he had Flanders' interest, Ma Hongjun quickly recounted the entire story of how they had found Tang San in the blacksmith shop after dinner.
When he finished, Flanders simply nodded. "Alright, I understand." His tone was very calm, showing no surprise at all. His brows, however, remained tightly knit, as if the news had brought him a sense of melancholy rather than relief.
Ma Hongjun immediately felt that he had misjudged the situation. This isn't good, he thought. But the news was out, and it was too late to take it back. Seeing that it was late, he decided it was best to leave. "It's getting late, Teacher. You should get some rest. I'll be going now."
Forcing a smile, Ma Hongjun backed toward the door, opened it, and hurried out, trotting straight back to his dormitory. He shared a room with Dai Mubai, and if he stayed out too long, he'd have to answer questions. He wouldn't be able to hide the fact that he had snitched. He had seen clearly in the shop that Dai Mubai and Tang San were not on good terms.
When he returned, he found Dai Mubai was already fast asleep. He let out a secret sigh of relief.
In an apartment near the Soto Soul Fighting Arena, Yu Xiaogang lay on a hard bed, unable to sleep. In order to be at the arena entrance on time every night, he had rented a small room nearby. But another day had passed with no sign of Tang San. His mood was foul.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a sharp sound of tearing wind came from outside the window. A streak of light flashed in the darkness.
BANG!
The next moment, the window was blasted open by a gust of wind. Before Yu Xiaogang could even react, a familiar figure was already standing beside his bed.
It was Flanders.
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