Chapter 174: 192. Six Years
In Notting City Soul Master Academy, our Tang San had already been trained by Xiao Wu into an obedient lapdog.
Although there wasn't much profit to squeeze out of Tang San, every time Xiao Wu went out to flirt with men and swindle them for money, once those people or their families came to the academy to make trouble, all she had to do was shed a few tears in front of Ah San gege — and our loyal dog, Tang San, would immediately jump out to take the blame and handle the mess for her.
For example, take this scene—
"You damned rabbit, daring enough to seduce my son but not to show your face? Get out here right now and return my son's money!" an enraged woman stormed into the academy, looking for Xiao Wu.
When Xiao Wu saw the woman, she instantly remembered the young fool she'd scammed down to his underwear just a few days ago — now the boy's mother had come looking for her.
With the woman charging at her, Xiao Wu took off running. The two chased each other until Xiao Wu spotted Tang San approaching. Her eyes lit up. She bounced toward him, ducked behind his body like a child seeking protection, and said sweetly, "Ah San gege, save me!"
Tang San immediately stepped in front of her protectively.
The woman caught up and shouted at Tang San, "Move aside! Hand over that wretched rabbit!"
"This lady, I think there must be a misunderstanding," Tang San said, forcing down the anger burning inside him.
"What misunderstanding? That vixen seduced my son and cheated him out of his money. I'm here to make her pay!" the woman snapped.
"Xiao Wu isn't that kind of person!" Tang San said, his eyes reddening and his breath growing heavy.
"Boy, you seem close with that rabbit. Let me give you some advice—hand her over, and stay away from that slut, or she'll scam you sooner or later." the woman said coldly.
A glint of killing intent flickered in Tang San's eyes. This woman had insulted Xiao Wu again and again — he could no longer endure it. Since she was an enemy, she had sealed her fate. Tang San's wrist twitched as he loaded his hidden sleeve arrow, ready to take his first life.
At that moment, from within the crowd, Yu Xiaogang decided this was his cue. With hands clasped behind his back, he calmly walked forward, and as he did, two faint soul rings rose around him.
"This lady, please don't harass my student," he said. "I'm Tang San's teacher. If there's a problem, speak to me."
Standing from his usual "objective and fair" position, Yu Xiaogang resolved the confrontation and managed to earn Tang San's "gratitude," sparing Tang San yet another hidden arrow.
As for Yu Xiaogang's supposed "kindness," Tang San only put on a façade of filial respect in front of outsiders — inside, he found it utterly distasteful. Once Yu Xiaogang had settled the matter, Tang San immediately left the scene with Xiao Wu.
"Xiao Wu, tell me, what on earth happened? Why is another woman coming after you?" Even with all his trust, the repeating incidents left Tang San uneasy.
Upon hearing his question, Xiao Wu's eyes immediately reddened, and tears like pearls began to fall as she sobbed, "Ah San gege, why are you asking like that? Do you… doubt me too?"
Tang San's resistance toward Xiao Wu's tears was almost nonexistent. The moment she cried, he panicked. "No—no, I didn't mean that, Xiao Wu meimei, I'm sorry!"
"It's alright, Ah San gege," Xiao Wu said, pouting as she wiped her tears. "Xiao Wu understands. I'm used to being misunderstood. Sooner or later, even you were bound to doubt me."
"No, Xiao Wu, you have to believe me," Tang San said earnestly. "Even if everyone else in this world doubts you, even if everyone abandons you, I, Tang San, will still believe in you!"
"Ah San gege, you're so good to Xiao Wu." she said softly.
After Tang San left, Xiao Wu's expression turned cold. "It seems my level still isn't high enough," she thought darkly. "Even the puppy is starting to disobey."
Over the six years that passed, Tang San was glued to Xiao Wu's side. When Xiao Wu pointed east, he wouldn't dare go west. The key was that Ah San gege enjoyed it — in his eyes, accompanying Xiao Wu shopping, cleaning for her, running errands to buy carrots, purchasing luxury bags and jewelry, and chasing away troublemakers all meant their relationship was becoming closer (especially since Xiao Wu would occasionally reward him with a little sweetness).
Spending so much time on Xiao Wu, Tang San had increasingly little time for anything else.
Still, the faint rationality left in Tang San's mind reminded him that before heading to Shrek Academy, he had to reach level 29, for this was the key to an important opportunity—the Eight Spider Spear.
Yu Xiaogang had long noticed Tang San's obsession with Xiao Wu harming his cultivation, but he didn't dare interfere. He knew all too well how highly Tang San valued Xiao Wu. Interfering too much would only lead to resentment — in this, Tang San had him perfectly cornered.
To outsiders, Tang San might look like the obedient disciple, but in private, this defiant brat even dared to call him "Gang Zi!"
Yet now, Yu Xiaogang adopted a roundabout strategy. He started bribing Xiao Wu, making her his mouthpiece to morally pressure Tang San into accepting the soul rings he chose.
He ensured that everyone Tang San met would know he was Yu Xiaogang's beloved disciple. By leaving constant marks of "mentorship" on him, Yu Xiaogang deeply anchored his role as master — so this disciple could never escape the palm of his hand.
Indeed, after experiencing the benefits of cooperating with Xiao Wu during Tang San's first soul ring hunt, Yu Xiaogang again worked with her for the second hunt, forcing Tang San to absorb a Ghost Vine soul beast that he originally didn't want for his second soul skill.
By Yu Xiaogang's calculations, it was time for Tang San to move on to an advanced soul master academy. With his talent, if he went elsewhere, Yu Xiaogang worried he might be taken by another faction. He needed a safe academy, one where he could still exert control.
Where? The flat-headed man's mind flashed with inspiration—of course!
Through past correspondence, Yu Xiaogang knew that Flender was running a so-called "monster academy." He had even heard that Flender recruited three promising "monster" students. Perfect. He would send Tang San to Shrek Academy.
Even if the martial soul fusion technique no longer existed, the psychological superiority Yu Xiaogang had long held over Flender remained. Sending his precious disciple there, he had no worries — Flender wouldn't dare harbor treacherous thoughts toward Tang San.
With Tang San and Xiao Wu added in, Shrek already had five gifted students. Just two more and they'd have a full competition team! If they could shine in the Soul Master Tournament, that would be the moment Yu Xiaogang, the Great Master, finally attained fame and glory.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang immediately wrote a letter to Flender and sent it off.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/LightKira10