Curse

Old Jack felt deeply aggrieved, but he still swallowed his anger and took out the relevant certificate the Spirit Hall had issued for Tang San.

After looking it over, the gatekeeper immediately laughed. "A Blue Silver Grass Trash Martial Soul with Innate Full Soul Power?

"Hahaha! What good does it do me to laugh at you?

"What a ridiculous joke. I've worked at this academy for years, and I've never heard of anyone with Innate Full Soul Power, let alone someone with a Trash Martial Soul like Blue Silver Grass.

"I'd say this certificate is probably forged."

"You... You're clearly making things difficult for us country folk.

"Y-you just wait! I'll go get the Deacon Lord from the Spirit Hall." Old Jack had always been mild-tempered, but now he was so angry that he could barely hold back.

The gatekeeper knew perfectly well that no one would dare forge a Spirit Hall certificate. It was just that most people bringing new students in would offer him a little something.

It was just like the saying: the king of hell was easy to deal with, but his underlings were hard to handle.

As far as he was concerned, Old Jack clearly didn't know how the world worked!

Seeing the old man and the boy really were going to the Spirit Hall, the gatekeeper felt a little uneasy. But then he thought that the Spirit Hall wouldn't make a big fuss over two country bumpkins.

Feeling irritated, he casually muttered, "Holy Soul Village? I'd say you might as well call it Beggar Village."

"What did you say?"

Old Jack spun around and glared furiously at the gatekeeper. The legend of Holy Soul Village was his greatest source of pride, and he couldn't bear to hear the gatekeeper insult it.

The gatekeeper was startled by this sudden show of force and instinctively took a step back. But he quickly recovered, cursing inwardly. He's just an old man. What's there to be afraid of?

"What? You don't like it? Did I say anything wrong?

"Just look at yourself, then look at this little pauper. His clothes are covered in patches. What is he if not a beggar? We don't take beggars here. Get lost, get lost!"

As he spoke, the gatekeeper reached out to push Old Jack, intending to drive them both away.

Tang San couldn't take it any longer. Quick as a flash, he grabbed the gatekeeper's hand and pulled it to the left, cleverly redirecting his strength. At the same time, he swiftly stepped forward with his right foot, planting it behind the gatekeeper's left foot. Then he shoved both hands into the gatekeeper's stomach.

Tang San was quite strong. The gatekeeper instinctively stumbled backward, but Tang San had hooked one foot behind his heel. The gatekeeper immediately lost his balance and fell backward, landing on the ground with a thud.

"You little brat, you're asking for death!"

How humiliating to be shoved down by a little beggar! Furious, the gatekeeper scrambled to his feet and charged at the little beggar.

A cold gleam flashed in Tang San's eyes. His arm twitched slightly, and his Sleeve Sword was ready to strike.

[The third rule of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: Once you've determined that your opponent is an enemy, and that they have a Path of Seeking Death, show no mercy. Otherwise, you'll only bring trouble upon yourself.]

In Tang San's eyes, the gatekeeper had already earned a Path of Seeking Death by raising a hand against an old man like Old Jack, not to mention his spiteful nature.

Tang San raised his arm, intending to end the foul-mouthed gatekeeper's life right then and there.

"Enough. Stop."

Just then, a slightly hoarse voice rang out, stopping the gatekeeper and indirectly saving his life.

The gatekeeper froze for a moment. Then the man who had been so arrogant just moments ago suddenly changed his tune completely. He bowed and scraped before the newcomer, fawning as he said, "Master, you're back."

Not far away, Lin Ye's spirits lifted. Here he comes, here he comes—Yu Xiaogang, coming out with his hands behind his back to show off.

The newcomer was a man in his forties or fifties. He had a crew cut, an ordinary face, and a scruffy beard. With his hands clasped behind his back, he somehow gave off the air of a great expert.

But his lazy, despondent manner spoiled that impression. It made him seem completely incongruous, neither one thing nor the other.

In the end, the old man was simply putting on airs. He came across as pretentious—extremely pretentious.

So this is Yu Xiaogang? He looks so ordinary. What do those two women see in him?

Lin Ye studied Yu Xiaogang, utterly baffled.

But he didn't dwell on it. Instead, he said to Lin Qiu'er, "Can't you inflict Misfortune on people? See that kid and that greasy old man? Hurry up and cast your spell. Make them suffer some bad luck."

Lin Qiu'er glanced at him. "What, do you have a grudge against them?"

"Don't ask so many questions. Just do what I say. I'll buy you something delicious later," Lin Ye urged.

"You said it!" Lin Qiu'er's big, round eyes lit up at the thought of delicious food.

Worried he might go back on his promise, Lin Qiu'er hurriedly used her ability on Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. From then on, misfortune would follow the two of them wherever they went.

Just like what had happened to Lin Ye a few days earlier.

The difference was that Lin Ye had figured out the cause of his bad luck and taken steps to counter it.

Ever since Lin Qiu'er had been shaved, she hadn't dared to act up again.

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang were different, though. It would be strange if they ever figured out the cause.

The old-and-young pair, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, had no idea they'd been cursed.

After Yu Xiaogang examined Tang San's certificate, his eyes immediately lit up as he sized the boy up, his mind already racing with schemes.

"This is a Spirit Hall certificate. It can't be wrong. Old sir, on behalf of the academy, I apologize for what just happened. Leave the boy to me."

From the gatekeeper's attitude, Old Jack could tell Yu Xiaogang was someone important. Since he had apologized, Old Jack gladly let him save face. "No, no, there's no need to apologize. We weren't right either.

"Master, I'll leave the boy in your hands, then. Xiao San, go in with the Master. Remember to be obedient, understand?"

Tang San nodded repeatedly, showing that he would behave.

Seeing this, Old Jack smiled with relief. What a good boy!

He could never have known that the good boy in his eyes had just been thinking about murder and arson.

Old Jack gave Tang San a few more instructions before finally walking away at an unhurried pace.

Just then, Yu Xiaogang's gaze shifted to the group across from him—Lin Ye and the others.

When he saw Snow Empress, Yu Xiaogang's eyes went wide. He swore he'd never seen a woman so beautiful or so elegant in his entire life.

Her icy aloofness, which kept everyone at a distance, made people want to conquer her. Yet she also seemed so unattainable that they couldn't help feeling inferior.

Seeing the Master standing there in a daze, Tang San was puzzled. He followed Yu Xiaogang's gaze, and the self-proclaimed paragon of purity and virtue wore the same lecherous expression as Yu Xiaogang.

Snow Empress had keen senses. When she noticed two humans staring at her with such revolting looks, her expression immediately turned cold.

"Brr!"

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang shivered. They felt as if they were standing in a frozen wasteland, or as though someone had dumped a basin of cold water over their heads.

This woman is terrifying! Tang San hurriedly looked away, fixing his eyes on the tip of his nose and quieting his mind, like a startled quail.