Bringing Xiao Wu Back to the Village

The next morning, the other students in the dormitory had all left. Only Tang San and Xiao Wu remained in Dorm Seven.

Tang San packed his things and tidied his bed, preparing to return to Holy Soul Village.

Beside him, Xiao Wu lowered her head and spoke softly. "Third Brother... can I go back with you? I... I don't have anywhere to go. It's too boring being alone at the academy."

As Xiao Wu spoke, her gaze darted away, and she didn't dare look at Tang San. She couldn't hide the apprehension and anticipation in her eyes.

Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu and didn't hesitate for long. "Sure, let's go."

"Third Brother, you're the best!" Xiao Wu looked up and hurriedly gathered her luggage.

Over the past year, Xiao Wu had grown increasingly fond of sticking close to Tang San.

Tang San hadn't deliberately kept his distance, but he hadn't been overly affectionate either. If she wanted to follow him, he would let her.

The two of them often cultivated together.

Having a cute rabbit by his side did bring a little different sort of fun to the tedium of cultivation.

Cultivation was lonely. Day after day of meditation, swinging a hammer, and controlling Blue Silver Grass could sometimes become so dull that it made him want to give up.

And Xiao Wu really was pretty. Tang San had to admit that.

A year had passed, and Xiao Wu had grown a little taller than when she first arrived. The parts that were supposed to grow had developed a little too. With her rosy little face, big, limpid eyes, two fluffy rabbit ears, and lively, spirited manner, she definitely had the makings of a peerless beauty.

Tang San considered himself far too susceptible to good looks. Who could truly remain indifferent to a pretty, adorable girl who was always coming over to be near him?

Tang San was no saint. He hadn't been one in his previous life, and he wasn't one in this life either.

Now that he'd been reborn, why would he still be a lovestruck fool?

But all things considered, the two of them were only seven now. He would take his time raising her, only teasing her now and then.

On the way, Tang San bought some gifts for Old Jack, as well as two jars of fine wine for Tang Hao.

Though Tang San felt little affection for that father of his, he had promised to come back and visit once a year. He couldn't very well come empty-handed.

The two left Nuoding City through its south gate and headed toward Holy Soul Village.

The walk from Nuoding City to Holy Soul Village took about four hours.

Less than an hour into the walk, Xiao Wu began complaining that she was tired.

"Third Brother, how much farther?" Xiao Wu followed behind Tang San, her steps noticeably slowing.

"More than half the way."

"How much is that?"

"Three hours."

Xiao Wu's face fell, and her rabbit ears drooped.

Tang San glanced at her and sighed helplessly. He stopped, turned around, and crouched down. "Get on."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, looking at Tang San's broad back. The tips of her ears turned slightly red.

"N-no need..."

"Hurry up." Tang San's voice brooked no refusal. "At your pace, we won't get there by dark."

Xiao Wu bit her lip and finally climbed onto his back, wrapping both arms around his neck.

Tang San stood up. Xiao Wu was much lighter than he had expected; he could barely feel her weight.

"Third Brother."

"Hmm?"

"You're so good to me."

"I never should've agreed to bring you."

The two walked and chatted and laughed along the way. Before they knew it, they had reached Holy Soul Village.

When they came to Old Jack's house, Tang San saw Old Jack from a distance. Just as before, he was sitting on the doorstep, dozing with his head lowered.

The old man had aged a little more over the past year. The wrinkles on his face had deepened, and his hair had grown much whiter, but he still seemed in good spirits.

"Grandpa Jack!" Tang San called out.

Old Jack looked up and froze for a moment when he saw Tang San. Then a broad smile blossomed across his face.

"Xiao San, you're back! Come in, come in!" Old Jack took Tang San's hand and looked him up and down for a good while, murmuring, "You've grown taller and sturdier."

Tang San offered him the gifts. Old Jack made a few attempts to refuse, but finally accepted them.

Xiao Wu followed behind Tang San and greeted him obediently. "Hello, Grandpa Jack."

Old Jack's eyes lit up when he saw Xiao Wu. He asked with a cheerful smile, "Is this your classmate? What a pretty little girl!"

Xiao Wu's face turned red again.

Tang San sat with Old Jack for a while, chatting with him about the academy. Old Jack listened attentively, his face full of satisfaction.

After leaving Old Jack's house, Tang San took Xiao Wu to the Blacksmith's Shop.

When they arrived at the Blacksmith's Shop, they heard the clang of forging coming from inside.

Tang San froze. As he remembered it, shouldn't Tang Hao have left a letter and disappeared by now? Why was there still someone in the house? Could it be that Tang Hao hadn't left?

This came as a bit of a surprise to Tang San.

He pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in. Tang Hao looked just as he always had, with disheveled hair, a dirty face, and dense stubble.

"Dad." Tang San suppressed the questions in his heart and greeted him in a calm voice. Then he took out the two jars of wine and placed them on the table. "I brought you some wine."

Tang Hao stopped forging and fixed his gaze on the two jars for a few seconds. His expression didn't change; he merely grunted in acknowledgment.

Xiao Wu stood in the doorway, curiously looking around the Blacksmith's Shop. When her gaze fell on Tang Hao, a barely perceptible wariness flashed in her eyes.

Tang San noticed the change in Xiao Wu's expression, but didn't point it out.

Although a Titled Douluo's presence had been restrained and concealed, Xiao Wu, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form, couldn't hide that instinctive unease.

Tang San offered no explanation. He simply stepped aside to let Xiao Wu in, then introduced her to Tang Hao. "This is my classmate, Xiao Wu."

Xiao Wu suppressed her unease. "Hello, uncle!"

Tang Hao nodded, then walked into the inner room without another word.

"Don't mind him." Tang San waved a hand, then went to the stove and started a fire to cook.

Tang San made a few simple dishes, but this time he didn't cook rabbit.

After all, a real rabbit was sitting right beside him. If he served a plate of braised rabbit and Xiao Wu said, "Bunnies are so cute! How could you eat bunnies?" Tang San really wouldn't know how to answer.

As the saying went, humans had human words, and beasts had beast speech. Tang San had no desire to invite trouble.

Tang San moved quickly and skillfully, chopping the vegetables with precision and adding them to the pan at just the right moment. Before long, the long-absent aroma of cooking filled the Blacksmith's Shop.

Xiao Wu sat on the doorstep, swinging her legs as she watched Tang San's back while he worked at the stove. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly. She sniffed the aroma of the food in the air, and her rabbit ears twitched gently.

The food was brought to the table, and the three sat down around the wooden table. The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Tang San didn't speak, and neither did Tang Hao. Only Xiao Wu occasionally exclaimed, "Delicious!"

Night fell.

Xiao Wu went to sleep in Tang San's old room. It had to be said that Xiao Wu really was carefree, able to fall asleep so quickly even in an unfamiliar place like this.

Tang San stayed awake, sitting on the Blacksmith's Shop's doorstep and gazing up at the starry sky, lost in thought.

"Xiao San."

Tang Hao's voice came from behind him.

"Come with me."

Tang Hao headed toward the mountain behind the village.

Tang San hesitated for a second, then stood up and followed.

When they reached the mountain, Tang Hao sat down on a large rock.

Tang San stood before him and waited quietly.

At last, Tang Hao took something from inside his clothes and handed it to Tang San.

It was a ring made of black metal, set with a dark green gem.

"This belonged to your mother." Tang Hao's voice was low. "There are some things inside that you can use. Don't ask why, and don't ask where they came from. I'm giving it to you now. How you use it is up to you."

"All right. Since it belonged to Mom, I'll take it." Tang San nodded and accepted the ring, but he didn't rush to inspect its contents.

Tang Hao fell silent for a moment, then continued, "I'll be leaving here tomorrow."

"Where are you going?" Tang San looked up at Tang Hao.