Successfully Making Off with Someone

"Do you want to go back and say goodbye?" Tang Ling asked softly, tilting her head as she looked at the village drawing closer.

Tang San gazed into the distance. After a moment of silence, he nodded. "He should be asleep at this hour. If I go back now, he won't notice even if I leave."

"Alright, we'll go together." Seeing his little face drawn tight, Tang Ling assumed he was worried he would not be able to leave. She hurriedly patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Senior Sister said she'd take you away, and I definitely won't break my word. Don't worry."

"Of course I believe Senior Sister." Tang San looked at Tang Ling with complete trust, then frowned slightly. "But if I leave with you like this, will it bring you danger? After all, he has already absorbed a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Ring. His Soul Power level must be very high."

Tang Ling immediately understood what he was thinking. A mischievous impulse rose in her, and instead of continuing to reassure him, she laughed rather unkindly. "You don't need to worry about that. Senior Sister has a way!"

"What way?" Tang San looked up in delight, his face plainly begging to be told.

"You'll find out in a moment." Tang Ling chuckled, dodging the question. Then she winked playfully and strode ahead.

Tang San's heart was brimming with curiosity. Seeing this, he hurried after her to lead the way. The "home" he usually did not care for now held an incomparably powerful pull for him.

"Miss, you're back! The scenery on our back mountain is quite lovely, isn't it?" Having heard from the villagers that the noble young lady had gone up the mountain, Old Jack had waited anxiously at its foot, his face full of worry.

When he saw that everyone in the group was smiling, he finally relaxed and went forward with a beaming smile.

"Indeed!" Tang Ling nodded excitedly, then raised her chin haughtily. "I never expected the scenery in such a small place to suit my taste so well."

"As long as it suits your taste, as long as it suits your taste!" Old Jack's wrinkles spread with his smile.

Then, looking at the high-spirited noble young lady and Tang San beside her, he put on a fawning smile. "Did you bring this boy down? He didn't cause any trouble, did he?"

"No, Tang San is very polite. The old village chief taught him very well." Tang Ling smiled and denied it, then pursed her lips as she looked toward the wooden cottage in the distance.

As the sun set, smoke rose from every household in the village as they prepared dinner. Only that one cottage stood cold and deserted, without even a hint of light.

"My mother's surname was also Tang. I feel that Tang San and I are fated, so I want to take him away as my study companion. Old village chief, come with me to see Tang Blacksmith." Tang Ling withdrew her expression and looked at Old Jack with a smile.

Old Jack's face lit up with delight. He pulled Tang San over, excitedly stroked his hair, and then bowed to Tang Ling in thanks. "Miss, you are truly kind! Tang San has been sensible since he was little and is quick with his work. Since you like him, feel free to put him to good use."

Old Jack smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits. Tang Blacksmith was an ordinary man, so Tang San's martial spirit could not possibly be good. Rather than waste away in the village, it would be better for him to leave early. Besides, Tang Blacksmith did not treat the child well.

"Put him to work is not quite right. He isn't a servant I bought. He'll be coming with me to study; consider it an employment arrangement." Tang Ling waved her hand with a smile.

"Good, good, good! Thank you, Miss! Tang Hao must be drunk by now. I'll go wake him at once." Old Jack's smile grew even wider. He lowered his hands and hurried forward eagerly.

Tang Ling did not stop him, merely following the old man with a smile. Tang San looked at Old Jack's back, his eyes reddening. Then he jogged after him, supporting him as they headed toward the house.

"What are you calling me for?" Hearing the voices outside, Tang Hao lifted the door curtain groggily and stepped out.

Ignoring the smell of alcohol on him, Old Jack grabbed him. "Good news! A noble young lady has taken a liking to your Tang San and wants him as her study companion. Come with me and meet her."

Tang Hao shook his head, sobering up a little, then flung Old Jack's hand away. "What good news? My child will never be a servant!"

Old Jack staggered back two steps from the shove, steadying himself with Tang San's support as he hurriedly explained, "What servant? He'd be a study companion! What nonsense are you talking about? It's a good position. Would I harm Little San?"

Then he snapped furiously, "You gave birth to him but won't raise him. I have to find the child a way out!"

"How have I not raised him? What he wears and where he lives, which one wasn't provided by me?" Tang Hao glared at the cold-faced brat supporting Old Jack, cursing as he yanked him over.

Then he looked at the two people outside and shouted, "I, Tang Hao, do not sell children. Leave! Get out!"

"Who's buying children?!" Tang Ling's cheeks flushed with anger at his attitude. "What I want is a study companion, the kind who doesn't sign a contract of sale. How dare you insult me!"

"Miss, he's ignorant. Please don't be angry!" Old Jack's vision darkened at the sight before him. He glared at Tang Hao, then bowed with clasped hands and smiled as he tried to smooth things over.

Tang Ling snorted, then put on a smile. "I won't lower myself to his level. Explain it clearly to this barbarian. I'm hiring Tang San as a study companion. His son can study alongside me and receive a monthly wage. My family are wealthy merchants; feeding one more child is no burden at all!"

"Did you hear that? Hurry and apologize to the Miss!" Old Jack nodded with a smile, then pretended to be angry—though he truly was angry—as he gave Tang Hao a way out.

Even if he did not want Tang San to leave, he could not offend this noble young lady.

Tang Hao spat dismissively after hearing this. He eyed Tang Ling sideways and yelled shamelessly, "No matter what it is, my child isn't going with you! I still need him to cook for me! Why should I suffer while he goes off to enjoy himself?"

"You! You're impossible!" Tang Ling stamped her feet in fury, then looked at Old Jack with regret. "Since his father is unwilling, I cannot force him." With that, she turned and left.

Old Jack looked at Tang Ling and hurried after her. Yet after Tang Ling entered the house, he was stopped outside.

"Sir Guard, I'm truly sorry! This is Old Jack's failure. Please make sure the Miss doesn't get too angry!" Old Jack spoke in a fawning tone, bent at the waist with his hands clasped.

"My Miss never takes her anger out on others. Village chief, rest assured," Tang Ersui said blandly, soothing the old man who looked as though he was about to cry.

"Good, good!" Old Jack let out a sigh of relief and repeatedly bowed with clasped hands, smiling apologetically. Seeing that no one blamed him and no one answered, he trembled as he made his way back.

When Old Jack reached the blacksmith shop, he saw Tang San standing at the entrance with a numb expression. He bent down and embraced him. "Poor child, what a hard fate you have!"

Feeling that warmth, Tang San lay against his shoulder and silently wept. Already knowing the outcome, he was not crying for Tang Hao, but was instead moved by the old man's efforts.

Ever since Tang San had been born, this village chief had been a frequent visitor to their home. He had fed him as a child, taught and raised him as he grew older, and now, for the sake of his "future," humbled himself so deeply.

There were not many people who treated him well. This old man was one of them.

"I'll go ask the Miss again." After standing there for a while, Tang San spoke the line according to the plan. Old Jack immediately agreed, releasing him and urging him to go.

Tang San took two steps forward, then turned back and smiled at him. Under the old man's expectant gaze, he left resolutely.

During the blue hour after sunset, a carriage slowly left Holy Soul Village. Old Jack and "Tang San" stood at the village entrance, watching it depart.

Then, with a sigh, he took the child beside him by the hand and walked back into the village.