Chapter 195: 214. My Student, I'll Seek Justice for You
Tang San had no idea that Xiao Wu's true reason for leaving the forest and entering human society was revenge. In Xiao Wu's mind, every man she met carried some utility—some were tools, others mere stepping stones.
The only reason she had been patient with Tang San was that he was a rare innate full-spirit-power prodigy. To tame such a genius into a loyal hound would be an invaluable weapon on her eventual path of vengeance.
But now, Tang San had lost more than just an external spirit bone. That bone had been ripped straight out of his flesh, severely wounding both his body and his potential.
His Blue Silver Grass spirit was already weak, and now, with his foundation torn apart, his future prospects were crippled.
In Xiao Wu's eyes, Tang San's value had fallen even lower.
A few days later, Tang San had recovered just enough to stand. With their injuries tended, the group began the journey back to Shrek Academy.
When they arrived, someone was already waiting—a square-faced man with cropped hair, hands clasped behind his back.
The moment Yu Xiaogang saw Tang San's bandaged torso and pale, strained face, his own expression froze white.
"My dear disciple, what happened to you?" he asked.
(Recently, Yu Xiaogang had stopped calling Tang San "Xiao San." To assert his dominance, he had begun addressing him as "dear disciple," making sure everyone recognized Tang San as his student.)
Tang San said nothing. Zhao Wuji stepped forward and explained in full what had taken place.
When Yu Xiaogang heard that Tang San had chosen the Man-Faced Demon Spider rather than another plant-based beast, pride swelled in his chest. Good. He dares to break convention—worthy of my teaching.
Then Zhao Wuji mentioned that Tang San had produced an external spirit bone—a near-mythic occurrence. Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened in shock. An external spirit bone…! That drop rate's practically nonexistent! My student possesses immeasurable destiny. Just imagine—the world will remember his master, Yu Xiaogang, as the one who trained him!
But his joy shattered when Zhao Wuji revealed the next part—that Bibi Dong herself had appeared, witnessed the event, and taken the soul bone without hesitation.
Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage. Bibi Dong, you venomous woman. Do you not realize? By destroying Xiao San's future, you've destroyed mine as well!
Flender crossed his arms, sighing. "Zhao Wuji, what's going on with you? Every time you take them out, something happens."
Zhao Wuji protested defensively, "Dean, the last few times I admit I was careless, perhaps drinking too much, but this time I was completely sober! Who could have predicted the Pope herself would appear right at that moment? That's beyond my control!"
Flender sighed again. "Then it can't be helped. Seems fate just isn't on Tang San's side. That soul bone—"
"No!" Yu Xiaogang roared. "That malicious woman—she doesn't know this boy is my disciple! No, I'll go to Spirit Hall myself and make her return the bone!"
Saying this, Yu Xiaogang turned as if to storm out immediately.
Flender quickly grabbed his arm. "Xiaogang, don't be rash! She's the Pope of Spirit Hall! Think for a moment!"
Inside, Yu Xiaogang nearly chuckled. In truth, he had no intention of confronting Bibi Dong. He hadn't spoken to her in decades, and he wasn't even sure if she'd still remember him fondly—or if she wanted to kill him. His outburst was pure theater meant to impress Tang San, to show his "power" and make his student feel indebted to him.
(See, that woman? The Pope of Spirit Hall? I know her personally.)
The more Flender tried to stop him, the more Yu Xiaogang played it up. "And what if she's the Pope? I am a Spirit Hall elder! She's taken what belongs to my disciple—she owes me an explanation!" He shot a sidelong glance at Tang San for effect.
Tang San saw right through the act and sneered inwardly, but decided to play along. "Teacher," he said gently, "do you… know the Pope personally?"
Yu Xiaogang placed his hands behind his back, feigning loftiness. "Bibi Dong and I… share an old connection."
"Then you must have been close?" Tang San prodded.
Yu Xiaogang nodded faintly. "Close enough."
"Then if you were to go in person," Tang San continued, "you could certainly convince her to return my spirit bone, right?"
Yu Xiaogang hesitated. "In theory… perhaps."
"Teacher—" Tang San suddenly knelt before him. "I beg you. Please go to Spirit Hall and ask her to return what's mine. The Eight Spider Spears are vital to me. If you can retrieve them, I will regard you not only as my teacher—but as my father. One day a teacher, a father for life!"
That line struck Yu Xiaogang like lightning.
Up to this point, all his posturing had been for show. He'd assumed Tang San saw through it, just as he'd always done. The boy had never truly respected him—refusing even to call him "Teacher" in private, referring to him mockingly as "Xiao Gang."
Yu Xiaogang had always feared that Tang San would one day cast him aside entirely. That was why he constantly asserted their bond before others—declaring their master-disciple relationship in public, so that when Tang San rose to greatness, moral pressure would keep him tethered.
But now—now the words he'd longed to hear had been spoken. One day a teacher, a father for life.
If Tang San truly meant them, Yu Xiaogang would never again fear abandonment. In the future, when others spoke of the legendary Tang San, they would also speak of his teacher, Yu Xiaogang!
Overcome by emotion, Yu Xiaogang straightened his back. "Xiao San, wait for me. Your teacher will go to Spirit Hall and demand justice on your behalf!"
"Hold on," Flender said quickly. "You aren't seriously planning to face the Pope over a soul bone, are you? Do you even have the clearance to meet her now?"
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly, pulling something from his sleeve—a golden token etched with ornate patterns. "Have you forgotten my identity?" he said proudly. "This is the Papal Token. Whoever holds it, stands as Spirit Hall's elder. When I present this, it will be as if the Pope herself were present."
(END CHAPTER)
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