Talking Xiao Wu into It

In a corner on the top floor of the dormitory building.

The room was not large, only around thirty square meters. Its furnishings were simple, with the most noticeable feature being the books that filled two walls.

By the windowsill, Yu Xiaogang was writing and sketching on paper. He was clearly researching what Soul Ring to hunt for Tang San, completely absorbed in his work, and he did not even hear someone calling for him outside at first.

Especially when he heard someone mentioning a son. Where would Yu Xiaogang get a son? It was not until the messenger began pounding hard on his door.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Who is it? Come in!"

Even knowing that someone was looking for him, and urgently at that, he still had to maintain the bearing of a master!

Even if a mountain collapsed before him, his expression would not change. That was his code of conduct.

"Master, this is bad, really bad! Your son has been taken away! They want you to pay to ransom him!"

"Hurry to the Detention Center beside the City Lord's Mansion, and remember to bring enough Gold Soul Coins."

The messenger was a young man. Though he had rushed over in a hurry, there was no concern on his face. He even looked somewhat amused.

Yu Xiaogang thought, This man probably isn't trying to swindle me. After all, he didn't ask me for money directly.

Judging by the lack of concern on his face, Xiao San should not be in any real danger.

Only then did Yu Xiaogang remember that he had just taken in a new son.

Before this son could show him any filial devotion, Yu Xiaogang already had to clean up after him. Thus, he was in no hurry, leisurely packing his things before heading out.

Since Xiao San isn't in danger anyway, taking my time will let him suffer a little and teach him a lesson.

After Li Chen and Xiao Wu finished eating, Li Chen said to Xiao Wu,

"I'm going into town for a walk. Are you coming with me?"

Xiao Wu had just finished two bowls of noodles. She wiped food scraps from the corner of her mouth while chewing her final mouthful.

"Yes, of course!"

Li Chen actually wanted to see where Tang San had been taken and what amusing things would happen when Yu Xiaogang came to ransom him.

The other reason was that Li Chen wanted to see whether there were any shops here. He still remembered the system's ultimate mission!

He had decided to open his first shop in Nuoding City. It would be a small step for him, but a giant step toward modernization for Douluo Continent!

Not far from the City Lord's Mansion was a temporary Detention Center, specifically meant to deal with troublesome little thugs. Tang San was being held there.

Calling it detention was not entirely accurate. It was simply a pavilion built on a busy street, where troublemakers were tied to pillars.

On one hand, it saved costs. On the other, being tied up in public was incredibly humiliating. Most people only needed to be punished once before there was no second offense.

Of course, some people might think the punishment for causing trouble was too light and dare to do it again. But the second time would not be so simple. Not only would they be tied up there for several days, they would also have to pay enormous compensation!

For a little thug like Tang San, causing trouble like this would cost at least ten Gold Soul Coins to settle.

If no one came to ransom him, he would be sent to the Mine to dig ore, or made to wash dishes at a restaurant, scrub toilets, and do all sorts of dirty, exhausting work until he paid off the money.

"Kid, why hasn't your family come to ransom you yet? If they don't come soon, we'll be getting off work. You'll have to go hungry this afternoon, so don't expect us to bring you food."

"You look decently dressed. How could you even steal a set of bedding?"

"His brain must be messed up. If he's got no brains, makes trouble here, and steals a set of bedding, did he really think he could get away?"

Several men sat in the pavilion enjoying the shade, chatting as they teased Tang San.

Tang San had already been tied to a pillar facing outward, and passersby kept pointing at him.

"Whose child is this? His parents must be cursed with terrible luck. Without several dozen Gold Soul Coins, he's not getting out."

"If it were me, I'd abandon this stupid brat. There's something wrong with his head."

"Brother Wang, why do you say that?"

"I forgot you can't read. It says there that this kid stole someone's bedding in the market district and didn't even run away before getting caught."

Tang San's face was flushed crimson with rage!

Li Chen brought Xiao Wu over, and from a distance, Xiao Wu asked,

"Li Chen, let's go take a look. It seems pretty fun over there. Everyone's watching that idiot!"

Li Chen thought that he definitely wanted to watch this spectacle, but he could not go over now. If he did, Tang San would see him. What if Tang San asked him to pay for his ransom?

That was not even the most important part. Tang San knew he had no money anyway. The real issue was that if Tang San found out Li Chen had watched him make a fool of himself, would that not put Li Chen on the road to death?

How else would he trick Tang San in secret later on?

"Xiao Wu, that little boy in blue is the boy I sent to buy bedding for you. Who knew his character was so poor?"

"I gave him money. On one hand, he didn't dare refuse to buy it for me. On the other, he got greedy when he saw the money. He probably figured that if he stole a set himself, he could save my money."

The moment Xiao Wu heard that, her little face reddened with anger. "That guy is too shameless! Li Chen, let's go teach him a lesson!"

Xiao Wu took a long stride and was about to run over. Li Chen hurriedly grabbed her arm hard, but Xiao Wu lost her balance and was pulled straight into his arms.

Looking at Xiao Wu in his arms, Li Chen's face reddened. He silently cried out in alarm, his Dao heart nearly shattered.

Xiao Wu's face was already as red as an apple. She said coyly, "Li Chen, what are you doing?!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. I saw you running off too quickly and was afraid that if I was even a little slower, you'd already be over there, so I pulled hard."

"Why won't you let me go over?"

"Think about it. He was doing something for me, after all. If I go over now, wouldn't I have to spend money to get him released? Otherwise, wouldn't that make me disloyal?"

"He can be heartless, but I cannot be unjust. Letting him suffer a little is for his own good. If he suffers a small loss now, he won't suffer a major loss later."

Li Chen spoke righteously, then added,

"Most importantly, if I ransom him, I feel like it would be a waste of money. I'd rather use it to buy delicious food and fun things for adorable Xiao Wu."

"Hmph, you sure know how to talk. We'll just watch from here."

Xiao Wu said stubbornly, though she was already delighted inside.

Just then, the master arrived!

From afar, several guards spotted a middle-aged man with a Crew Cut, clutching his clothes as he hurried toward them in a panic.

If the man had not run so slowly, they might have thought he was coming to break someone out of jail.

Heavens have mercy, I never thought my son Xiao San would be tied up in the street. Damn it, if I weren't afraid of you embarrassing this master, and if I didn't still need you to level up, I wouldn't give a damn about you!