"I..."
Ma Hongjun raised his hand.
A cluster of purplish-red flames rose from his palm.
The scorching side effect was gone.
Only a pure sense of power remained.
"My Evil Fire... is gone?"
"My Soul Power... has been purified?"
"And..."
He touched his stomach.
He was still fat, but the bloated softness was gone, replaced by the firmness of muscle.
A complete rebirth!
"From now on."
Bai Tang San's voice rang out at just the right moment.
"Don't embarrass yourself in those filthy places."
"Since you've joined my team."
"And joined the Tang Sect Merchant Association."
"You need to carry yourselves like the strong."
"Your Phoenix Fire is meant to burn your enemies."
"Not your own crotch."
Ma Hongjun shuddered all over.
He looked at Bai Tang San.
The youth standing beneath the moonlight, looking down at him like a god.
There was no mockery.
No charity.
Only the domineering air of I'm forging you into someone worthy.
Thud!
Without any hesitation.
Ma Hongjun dropped to both knees.
Then he slammed his forehead heavily against the ground.
"Third Brother!"
That cry came from the depths of his heart, raw and utterly sincere.
"From now on."
"You're my real older brother!"
"If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west!"
"Whoever you tell me to burn, I'll burn!"
It wasn't because of money.
Nor was it because of fear.
It was because...
Redemption.
Bai Tang San had given him a second life.
He had given him the dignity to be an upright Soul Master.
"Get up."
Bai Tang San turned around with the faintest curl at the corner of his lips.
"Go take a bath."
"Tomorrow, there's something more important to do."
"The acquisition of the academy is complete."
"The personnel have been cleaned out."
"It's time..."
"To replace