Extorting Gangzi

After bidding farewell to Ye Miaoyun and her daughter, Lin Mu took Tang San by carriage back to Nuoding City.

[Main Quest: Take Tang San as a disciple and reshape his worldview. The greater the contrast, the richer the reward. Completion: 9.5%.]

This trip to obtain a Soul Ring for Tang San had not been in vain.

As a Tang Sect disciple, Tang San's beliefs were already deeply ingrained. Changing his worldview could only be done through subtle influence, coupled with some deliberate guidance.

After returning to the city, Lin Mu took Tang San to Nuoding Academy, where they unexpectedly ran into Yu Xiaogang.

Compared to a few days ago, Yu Xiaogang was visibly far more dejected now. He was unkempt and slovenly, looking like an utterly miserable beggar.

After having his disciple snatched away, Yu Xiaogang had once fallen into self-doubt.

However, after enduring countless contemptuous looks, his heart had long since become unbreakable. Even though Tang San had already taken a master, he still had no intention of giving up.

The moment he saw the two of them, Yu Xiaogang perked up. He hurried over and stared at Tang San with burning eyes.

Faced with Yu Xiaogang, who looked like a lecher seeing a beauty, Tang San's eyes were filled with disgust.

That rotten old man was bad news.

If he had not met his master, he might really have been deceived by that old bastard. At the thought of it, he wanted nothing more than to use his Sleeve Arrow to kill him.

"Gangzi, I admit that what I said to you before was indeed a little cruel, but it was the truth. There was nothing I could do about it. Still, I really never expected it to hit you this hard."

Lin Mu said with a feigned sigh.

If Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong saw Yu Xiaogang like this, who knew what they would think.

It was rather laughable. He truly did not know what charm Yu Xiaogang had that made two women think so much of him. Which one of you handsome gentlemen here wasn't leagues above him?

Hearing Lin Mu's mockery, Yu Xiaogang nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Wasn't he practically calling him trash to his face?

And this guy actually called him Gangzi. Damn it!

With the previous incident as a lesson, Yu Xiaogang had clearly restrained himself considerably. He was no longer as arrogantly self-important as before, at least not daring to act high and mighty in front of Lin Mu.

"Tang San hasn't been at the academy these past few days. Did you go hunt for a Soul Ring?"

As a theoretical master who had studied countless Martial Souls, Yu Xiaogang believed that no one understood the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul better than he did.

As long as Lin Mu gave Tang San the wrong Soul Ring and resulted in a worthless Soul Skill, Tang San would naturally realize who the true master was.

"That's right. We went to the Star Dou Great Forest."

At those words, a strange glint flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes. This guy had actually dared to take Tang San to the Star Dou Great Forest.

A Soul Ancestor might be powerful, but in a dangerous place like the Star Dou Great Forest, even protecting himself would be difficult, let alone guarding Tang San, who did not even have a Soul Ring.

This guy's Martial Soul was nothing more than a chunk of metal. Aside from using it to smash people, Yu Xiaogang could not think of any other way it could attack.

He probably could not even handle a Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

"What Soul Ring did you add to Tang San?"

Seemingly afraid of provoking Lin Mu's hostility, Yu Xiaogang added, "Don't misunderstand. This is simply the first time I've encountered a Blue Silver Grass Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power, so I want to study him."

"Gangzi, you can't hide that little scheme of yours from me."

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's timid appearance, Lin Mu curled his lips and exposed him outright.

Yu Xiaogang's heart skipped a beat at those words, and he hurriedly explained, "I truly don't have any other intentions."

"Gangzi, why are you so nervous? Even if you do have some ulterior motives, it's not like I can stop you, right?"

Lin Mu completely changed his previous attitude and instead became understanding and considerate.

Yu Xiaogang was utterly bewildered. Why did this guy suddenly seem like a different person? He was actually considering things from his perspective. Could he be dreaming?

Could it be that he felt guilty?

"Master."

Tang San truly could not understand it. For an old bastard who cheated and swindled people like this, even if they did not kill him, they should at least teach him a harsh lesson.

Seeing how dull Tang San was, Lin Mu felt somewhat helpless. No wonder Yu Xiaogang had managed to fool him so thoroughly.

"Gangzi, how about we make a bet? We'll bet on Xiao San's first Soul Skill."

"How would we bet?"

Yu Xiaogang vaguely guessed that this might be a trap set by the other party, but a drowning man would never let go of any straw that might save him. Even knowing it was a trap, he had to give it a try.

In any case, he had nothing left to lose. He only had this worthless life, so he might as well go for it.

Lin Mu's eyes flickered. Since the prey had taken the bait, it was time to reel in the line. He continued:

"It's very simple. If you can break free from Xiao San's first Soul Skill, I'll grant you one request. Otherwise, you'll grant me one request."

Yu Xiaogang was instantly tempted. As a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster, he did not believe he could not withstand a Soul Master's first Soul Skill. Besides, with a weak Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass, Tang San could at most gain an Entangling Soul Skill.

It was absolutely impossible for Blue Silver Grass to restrain a Soul Grandmaster with its strength.

"How do I know you won't go back on your word?"

Yu Xiaogang still retained some rationality. The gap in strength between them was too great. If Lin Mu refused to honor the bet after losing, there was nothing he could do.

"Other than trusting me, do you have any other choice?" Lin Mu asked in return.

Yu Xiaogang was immediately left speechless. Though it was somewhat unreasonable, he truly lacked the strength to resist.

On this continent, strength had always been supreme. Even if Lin Mu went back on his word afterward, Yu Xiaogang would have nowhere to seek justice.

"If I win, you must sever the master-disciple relationship between yourself and Tang San."

After considering it, Yu Xiaogang made this demand. After living for decades, he had only one obsession left: proving his Martial Soul Theory.

And Tang San was his finest test subject.

At this demand, Tang San immediately frowned. After spending the past few days together, he had already accepted Lin Mu as his master.

After all, not even his father had treated him as well as his master did. Lin Mu had not only helped him hunt for a Soul Ring, but had even roasted rabbit for him to eat.

"Gangzi, he's my best disciple."

After pausing for a moment, Lin Mu stepped forward. Looking directly at the clearly unconfident Yu Xiaogang, he slowly said, "You'll have to offer something that satisfies me."

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang instead breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Lin Mu wanted something, it would be fine.

After some thought, Yu Xiaogang took out a very beautiful belt. This Soul Tool was already the most valuable thing he possessed. Other than this, he could not think of anything that would satisfy Lin Mu.

Could he give away his Martial Soul Theory?

Forget it. With this guy's limited vision, he definitely would not recognize its greatness.

Seeing his master treat him like merchandise, Tang San immediately felt dissatisfied, but because Lin Mu was his master, he could only keep it buried in his heart.

"This is a Storage Soul Tool. Every piece of jade can provide one cubic meter of storage space, for a total of twenty-four cubic meters. Its value is immeasurable."

After Yu Xiaogang's introduction, Tang San's eyes immediately lit up. If he had this Soul Tool, he would have somewhere to store his Hidden Weapons in the future.