Yu Xiaogang's Arrival

Su Xuan stood by the bed, waiting patiently.

Ning Rongrong was drenched in fragrant sweat, her cheeks flushed.

Su Xuan watched the girl before him with a focused expression.

The medicinal properties of the Nine-Leaf Glazed Grass were absolutely mild, but she was his girlfriend after all, so it was only right for him to be extra attentive.

"Mm... ah."

Ning Rongrong exhaled like an orchid and let out a long breath. She opened her bright eyes, looked at Su Xuan, and revealed a sweet smile.

"Hehe, Uncle, I succeeded."

Su Xuan smiled as well.

"Good. Summon your martial soul first and let me take a look, just in case anything went wrong."

"Hehe, Uncle, are you worried about me?"

Su Xuan sighed. "Do you know how expensive this grass is?"

Ning Rongrong shook her head.

"Your father practically sold off a tenth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect before he could send this grass to you."

"Oh." Ning Rongrong hid a smile at the corners of her lips, her brows and eyes brimming with cuteness. "Uncle, you're lying to me. Rongrong is angry now."

Su Xuan asked doubtfully, "Why do you say that?"

Ning Rongrong pounced on him and wrapped her arms around one of his, hanging from it like a lazy little cat. She smiled slyly.

"Hehe, I know Uncle dotes on me the most. This grass is good for me, so Uncle definitely wouldn't be willing to take Daddy's money. You must have given it to Rongrong as a gift."

Su Xuan fell silent for a moment, then flicked the girl's cute little nose.

"Sigh, I arranged for someone to return those properties in Heaven Dou to Uncle Ning yesterday. Is it still in time to call him back?"

Ning Rongrong giggled.

"Don't~ Uncle, how about Rongrong pays the price for this Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure?"

Su Xuan snorted disdainfully.

"What can you offer?"

Ning Rongrong stuck out her tongue mischievously, her face reddening slightly.

"Uncle, do you need a girl to warm your bed?"

Su Xuan staggered, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

What kind of outrageous nonsense was that?

Su Xuan rapped Ning Rongrong hard on the forehead.

"How old are you? Don't go thinking about such nonsense!"

Ning Rongrong covered her forehead in dissatisfaction. "Uncle! Lots of girls get married at my age!"

Su Xuan put on a stern expression. "No means no!"

Ning Rongrong felt wronged. It's not like I'm warming someone else's bed. I'd be warming yours, and you still refuse, you rotten Uncle!

Su Xuan sighed. He rubbed Ning Rongrong's little head and said nothing more.

Office.

Flender was savoring the premium tea Su Xuan had gifted him.

"Ahh~ Spirit Hall's tea really is extraordinary."

Flender looked intoxicated, his expression hazy. Ever since Su Xuan had criticized him last time, Su Xuan had begun feeding him motivational speeches, reasoning with him, and helping him establish proper values in life. After an under-the-table deal that no one knew about—

Flender, the academy's dean, had become the lackey of the young instructor Su Xuan.

It could only be said that Su Xuan's talent for fooling people was a tremendous loss to the pyramid scheme industry.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Flender set down his teacup, his expression complicated. Of course he knew who was knocking, but that was precisely why he felt so conflicted and troubled.

Flender recalled what Su Xuan had said.

The white-clad youth wore a serious expression. "Since Yu Xiaogang can't give Liu Erlong happiness, why is Dean unwilling to fight for her? I can help you with this. After all, I can be considered a master of romance myself."

It had to be said that Flender had truly been tempted. This was the only pain in the old Soul Sage's heart, the softest part of him. Moreover, he also despised Yu Xiaogang's cowardly behavior of running away. What kind of man abandoned the woman he loved? It was utterly contemptible. He had deceived himself in the past, but now that he looked again at this former brother of his, he felt entirely differently...

Yu Xiaogang had no idea of the turmoil within Flender's heart. A forced smile hung on his gaunt face as he greeted him.

"Flender, long time no see."

Flender slowly nodded.

"It has indeed been a long time, Xiaogang."

Yu Xiaogang did not notice anything unusual in Flender's expression. "Where is my disciple? You've met him already, haven't you?"

"Tang San? He truly is quite outstanding."

Yu Xiaogang smiled proudly, brimming with incomparable confidence. "Of course. I believe that my exceptionally talented disciple will definitely realize my theories and ultimately prove that I was right."

A bitter smile touched Flender's lips as he recalled Su Xuan's words.

The white-clad youth wore a mocking smile.

"Yu Xiaogang has gone mad. He has a trash martial soul, yet he was born into such a powerful sect. That gave him an enormous sense of disparity, and coupled with some other matters, he has completely lost his mind. All he thinks about is proving his own theories. Dean, if you and Tang San were put before him, he would definitely choose Tang San. Even if it were Liu Erlong and Tang San, he would still firmly choose Tang San."

The youth's expression was indifferent, yet his tone left no room for doubt.

Is that really true? Erlong and I have shared more than twenty years of friendship. Could we really mean less than a disciple? Flender did not want to believe it.

"Xiaogang..."

"Flender, take me to see my precious disciple."

Disappointment filled Flender's eyes. "Xiaogang, we old friends have only just met again, yet you insist on seeing that disciple of yours?"

Yu Xiaogang was somewhat embarrassed, as though he realized that he seemed overly utilitarian and cold-hearted.

"Fine, Flender. It has been a long time since we last had tea together. Let me see whether your tea-making skills have improved."

Flender revealed a satisfied smile. They had been partners and friends for more than twenty years. How could the bond of the Golden Iron Triangle be broken by a few words from an outsider?

Flender brewed the tea himself and brought out tea leaves he had treasured for many years.

Yu Xiaogang smiled as well. "After all these years, you're actually willing to bring out the good stuff to entertain me?"

Flender gave a soft snort. "I've never been stingy."

Yu Xiaogang merely smiled without speaking. Who did not know of Four-Eyed Cat Eagle Flender's reputation for being greedy and miserly?

"Xiaogang, how have you been these past few years?"

"Not bad. I've been researching and refining my theories, but my greatest gain has been taking in a good disciple."

Whenever Yu Xiaogang mentioned that disciple, his eyes could not hide his satisfaction and joy.

Flender's eyes flickered with hesitation, but he finally steeled himself. He could not delay any longer. How many decades did Erlong have left?

"Xiaogang..."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Flender, who was utterly different from the crafty man he used to be, and felt a bad premonition. He frowned.

"What is it, Flender?"

"Do you still remember Erlong?"

Flender asked the question with unwavering eyes. If Xiaogang was truly this cowardly, then he did not deserve Erlong. In that case, Flender would listen to His Highness. A woman's youth could only endure so many decades.

Yu Xiaogang's expression turned complicated. He slowly lowered his head, hiding his eyes from Flender.

"I'm tired. I'll head back first."

Flender was utterly disappointed—and utterly enraged.

"Yu Xiaogang, answer me! Erlong has waited for you for ten years! How many decades can a woman have?"

Flender grabbed Yu Xiaogang by the collar and roared furiously.

Yu Xiaogang only shook his head and said painfully, "You don't understand, Flender. You don't understand. Society's judgment... she and I are siblings."

Disappointed, Flender threw Yu Xiaogang down and stared coldly at the dejected middle-aged man.

His beard had not been properly groomed and looked messy and unkempt. His clothes had been washed until they had begun to fade. In short, he looked utterly downcast.

Flender turned away. "Xiaogang, you keep talking about society, but Erlong has continued facing it alone. She stayed in Heaven Dou, facing the gossip and slander by herself, waiting bitterly for you to return. And what about you? You hid away in some remote corner of the continent, studying your damn theories."

Flender turned back to Yu Xiaogang once more. "If you're a real man, then come with me to find her."

Flender was ultimately someone who valued old bonds. Even now, he was still willing to give Yu Xiaogang a chance. As long as Yu Xiaogang was willing to take his hand, he would be willing to pretend none of this had ever happened. Yu Xiaogang would still be the best brother of Four-Eyed Cat Eagle Flender.

Unfortunately, Yu Xiaogang turned his head aside, refusing to look at Flender. He only muttered, "My theories aren't complete yet. I can't go back."