There Were Five People, Three Had to Pay the Price (Gangzi Arc)

As they passed through the crowd of beautiful women, it felt as though they had experienced a fragrant and alluring dream.

At that moment, Jack paused and slowly spoke to the two children, his voice carrying a trace of reluctance and hope.

"Blade, Xiao San, once Grandpa gets you to the academy, I'll be heading back." Deep concern showed in Jack's eyes as his gaze lingered on the two children, as though he wanted to etch their appearances into his heart.

"You two must listen to your teachers at the academy and study hard. When the term ends, Grandpa will come pick you both up!" Jack's words carried a hint of sternness, but even more so, his earnest expectations for the children.

Hearing this, Tang San snapped out of his daze over the beauties, a trace of regret flashing through his eyes. He lowered his head slightly and said reluctantly, "Ah, Grandpa Jack, you're leaving so soon?"

Tang San's tone revealed a child's dependence on an elder. Flecks of light shimmered in his eyes, as if pleading for time to slow down.

Hearing that, Jack smiled gently. His face was marked by the years, yet his eyes remained bright. He replied, "Haha, inns aren't places us poor folk can afford to stay. You two have to make something of yourselves. The next time Grandpa sees you, I hope you'll have become outstanding soul masters."

Jack's words were full of longing for the future. His hand unconsciously stroked Tang San's head, his eyes filled with affection.

Then Jack patted Tang San's head again. His gaze turned distant, as if envisioning the children's bright future, and he said expectantly, "If that happens, all of Holy Spirit Village will be proud of you! You'll be our pride!"

Jack's voice brimmed with pride, as though he had already seen the children standing at the pinnacle of glory.

Tang San curled his lips and nodded as though it were only natural. His eyes were resolute, and his voice was filled with confidence and determination. "I definitely will, Grandpa Jack! Don't worry!"

Tang San's words carried the vigor unique to a Little Scoundrel, while his eyes glimmered with longing for the future.

Jack was greatly comforted by this. He smiled in satisfaction, then, after asking a passerby for directions to Nuoding Academy, continued leading the two children toward the academy.

Their shadows stretched long beneath the sunlight. Ahead lay the gates of knowledge, and the road to their future.

Before long, the three passed through the bustling streets and arrived outside the imposing gates of Nuoding Academy.

Though this academy was not among the very finest institutions, its sheer scale was enough to leave anyone stunned.

The overall architecture carried Western romance and solemn grandeur. Tall walls surrounded the grounds like those of a medieval castle, while within them, spires rose in orderly clusters, as though displaying its history and heritage to the world.

Not long after, the three arrived at the gates. The massive doors, made of sturdy wood and iron studs, gave off a heavy, steadfast impression.

Just then, the system's mechanical, icy voice suddenly rang out in Blade's mind, shattering its quiet.

Ding! Side Mission triggered: "There Were Five People, Three Had to Pay the Price" (Yu Xiaogang Arc)! Humiliate Yu Xiaogang! Reward: a large amount of Portrayal Progress!

Ding! Temporary Timed Mission triggered: Yu Xiaogang's first appearance—beat Yu Xiaogang up first! Reward: Portrayal Progress: 1%! (Countdown: 2.5 System Hours!)

As the system notification ended, Blade's lips curled slightly into a greedy smile. He murmured inwardly, Heh heh, so it's Grandmaster Gangzi. Excitement flashed through Blade's eyes. He was thoroughly pleased with this sudden mission.

Such an interesting mission had been triggered the moment he arrived. That was undoubtedly good news for him. After all, as a former Stellaron Hunter and now a Tang San Hunter, he was already well versed in completing missions like this.

He was Blade, who had followed Elio's script and yearned to reach the end. Following system missions and completing them was fundamentally much the same.

Blade then put away Shizun's Sword and flexed his fists, his joints letting out faint cracks. Naturally, he was full of anticipation for the mission of beating Yu Xiaogang up.

The feeling of every punch landing solidly on flesh was an ultimate pleasure to him. He had put away Shizun's Sword because Yu Xiaogang was also one of his key sources of Portrayal Progress. Accidentally killing him would be an enormous loss. Madness glinted in Blade's eyes. He was already prepared to meet the coming challenge.

Before long, the three arrived before the solemn gates of Nuoding City Academy. Just as Jack was about to lead the two children into the institution, a uniformed gatekeeper suddenly blocked their path, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain.

"What do you want?" The gatekeeper's voice was like a cold stone crashing down onto Jack and the two children.

"Is this a place country bumpkins like you can come to?!" His words were full of provocation as he looked the three of them up and down, his gaze seeming to inspect every pore on their bodies.

A trace of awkwardness crossed Jack's face, but he maintained his politeness and did his best to keep his voice calm. "Young man, we're from Holy Spirit Village. These two children are this year's Work-Study Students from our village. Could you tell us what procedures we need to go through?"

The guard immediately doubled over with laughter, as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He snickered mockingly, "Can a grass nest produce a golden phoenix? A tiny village~" He deliberately drew out the last words, making no effort to hide his disdain.

"People from there have soul power too? The academy hasn't had Work-Study Students for years. You aren't fakes, are you?"

Hearing such mocking ridicule, anger rose in Jack's heart. But he knew this was not the place to lose his temper, so he could only force it down.

He pointed at the guard, his lips trembling as he hesitated to speak. To avoid causing trouble, he hurriedly took out the certificate issued by Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall and handed it over. "This is the certificate issued by Su Yuntao of Spirit Hall. Take a look."

The guard took the certificate and merely glanced at it before laughing again. "One martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, and the other is a Broken Sword. And both have Innate Full Soul Power?" His laughter was full of mockery.

"What a joke, absolutely ridiculous! I've worked as a gatekeeper at this academy for four years, and I've never heard of a student with Innate Full Soul Power. I'd say this Spirit Hall certificate was forged by you!"

Before he had even finished speaking, the gatekeeper threw the certificate onto the ground with extreme rudeness.

That action seemed to ignite the fury in Jack's heart. His face turned livid as he said indignantly, "You're deliberately making things difficult." Though his voice was not loud, the determination and anger within it were unmistakable.