Boss Flander, I'm Sorry, You're a Good Man

Thinking carefully, in the book Douluo Continent, whenever a villain got entangled with the protagonist, it always ended with them losing both career and love while the protagonist won on both fronts.

Take Old Qian, for example. Was Qian Daoliu really that much worse than Tang Chen? Perhaps his talent fell short of Tang Hao's, but compared to Tang Chen, who had directly cast aside his sect to pursue love and seek divine traces, plunging the Clear Sky Sect into crisis, Qian Daoliu was immeasurably better. If Qian Daoliu had not insisted on honoring that Gentleman's Pact, the Clear Sky Sect would have been wiped from the map long ago.

Yet in the eyes of Bo Saixi, the woman pursued by Tang Chen and Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall became synonymous with hypocrisy.

In terms of career, the Tang Family produced geniuses generation after generation, each one smashing Popes and angels alike. Qian Daoliu spent his entire life and gave up his own in exchange for Qian Renxue's ascension to godhood, only for her divine position to be shattered by Tang Chen's grandson in the end, leaving her unable to ever become a Titled Douluo.

Qian Daoliu was like this, and so were Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, Hu Liena—what villain among them was not?

Yet because of love, because they kept their promises, because of this reason or that, those villains spared the protagonist time and again, leading to Spirit Hall's eventual downfall. But in the end, they gained nothing.

Qian Xunji, however, was an exception among the villains of this novel.

He had no particular fondness for the protagonist, nor did he act like some pathetic simp. Qian Xunji did whatever it took. To keep Bibi Dong, he forcibly broke up the lovers and violated Bibi Dong in the Secret Chamber. To obtain Ah Yin, this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, he forced her to sacrifice herself for Tang Hao.

Though Qian Xunji ultimately died at Bibi Dong's hands, compared to the other villains, at least Qian Xunji got to eat meat, didn't he?

Qian Xunji was the kind of villain this novel needed. Why talk about love with the protagonist? Wouldn't it be better to make those disgusting protagonists suffer bitter cold or scorching heat all year round, howling amid despair and struggle?

In short, Qian Xunji, I will inherit your will. Since villains in this world do not deserve love, then I'll become a cuckolder.

At the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest

Liu Erlong had reached the final stage of absorbing the Soul Ring. Her fifth Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring attached itself to her body.

"I've finished absorbing it. Xiao Gang, you were right. This Soul Ring really suits my Martial Soul," Liu Erlong said with a sigh.

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back and nodded, putting on the airs of an expert without saying a word.

Flender said, "All right, Erlong. Since you've absorbed it, we should leave as well."

The three left the Star Dou Great Forest, while Qian Xunji, Salas, and the others followed the trio like shadows for several days.

Salas found it increasingly strange. Why did the relationship between these three look more and more like a love triangle? You love me, I love him—Mixue Ice City, sweet and sweet.

Finally, one day—

Flender privately called Liu Erlong over.

"Boss Flander, why did you ask me to come?"

Flender's face was filled with tenderness. Summoning his courage, he said, "Erlong, after all this time, you should know how I feel about you."

"Erlong, I like you. Do I... still have a chance?"

A trace of conflict appeared on Liu Erlong's face. She knew Boss Flander was interested in her, but compared to him, she preferred that learned, handsome, and dashing Yu Xiaogang.

Liu Erlong did not answer Flender directly. Instead, she found an opportunity to invite both Flender and Yu Xiaogang out, then said apologetically to Flender:

"Boss Flander, I know you like me. I've always thought of you as my brother. You're a good man, but..."

Liu Erlong took the hand of the upright Yu Xiaogang and rested her head against his shoulder. "But the one I like is Yu Xiaogang."

Stab, stab, stab—

Liu Erlong's words were like arrows piercing Flender's heart one after another. A bitter smile appeared on his face.

Yu Xiaogang held Liu Erlong and said apologetically, "Flender, I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. Feelings can't be forced. Since I like Erlong, how could I force her?" Flender said with a bitter smile. "Besides, compared to a crude man like me, it's only natural that Erlong would prefer someone as intelligent and wise as you."

After saying that, a relieved smile appeared on Flender's face. "Since Erlong likes you, Xiao Gang, why not choose an auspicious day and get married?"

Liu Erlong said excitedly, "Boss Flander, thank you."

"No need to thank me. I'm only thinking of your happiness, little sister Erlong." Flender turned around and quietly wiped away a single dog's tear.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Liu Erlong, whose head rested against his shoulder, his stiff face curling slightly at the corners of his mouth. Of course, he knew why Erlong liked him and why Flender was willing to fulfill their relationship.

As long as their Martial Soul Fusion Skill existed, even if Yu Xiaogang did nothing and Flender put in however much effort, it would all be meaningless. In the end, Liu Erlong would only fall for him, while Flender could never betray him. He would only help him and Liu Erlong get together.

Everything developed exactly as Yu Xiaogang had imagined.

Flender is destined to live under the shadow of me, Xiao Gang, for the rest of his life. Even if you cultivate to become a Titled Douluo, you will still have to follow my lead.

The feeling of controlling the fates of the other two like one in a superior position intoxicated Yu Xiaogang. Once upon a time, he too had been a humble weakling, lowering his eyes and bowing to those Titled Douluo and high-ranking figures. He relished this feeling.

Though Luo Sanpao had held him back, leaving him stuck at level twenty-nine for life, he, Xiao Gang, was still blessed in love. He had won the wholehearted devotion of two beautiful women, Liu Erlong and Bibi Dong. His life could be considered half fulfilled.

At the mention of Bibi Dong, a sinister expression surfaced on Yu Xiaogang's face. Eight years ago, he had met Spirit Hall's Saintess, Bibi Dong, at Spirit Hall. That innocent, romantic, beautiful, and enchanting Bibi Dong... He had originally intended to use Saintess Bibi Dong to learn some secrets from Spirit Hall and see whether he could find a way to resolve his Martial Soul problem. Who would have thought—

Although he had not found that solution, Spirit Hall's Saintess Bibi Dong had actually submitted to the wisdom and charm of him, Yu Xiaogang. With Bibi Dong's help, Yu Xiaogang learned many unknown secrets of Spirit Hall, as well as certain confidential matters within it. He then used them to perfect his grand masterpiece, The Ten Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls, becoming the Number One Theory Master of the Soul Master World.

Seeing how deeply the Saintess admired him and how obedient she was to his every word, Yu Xiaogang began to entertain other thoughts.

The two neighbors next door have both tested positive, and I'm getting a little nervous. COVID will come knocking sooner or later. Although I really want to maintain three updates a day, please allow me to stockpile some chapters beforehand in case of emergencies.