Thinking this, Tang Hao took one unsteady step after another toward Lin Ye, then dropped to his knees with a thump and knocked his head against the ground ten times, each bow perfectly proper.
The hatred hidden in Tang Hao's eyes was plain to see.
Seeing this put Lin Ye in a great mood. He loved watching people hate him but be powerless to do anything about it. Damn, it felt great.
"Enough. Get lost. Remember to mind your manners from now on. You can't afford to offend just anyone, and not everyone is as kind as I am." Lin Ye waved him away like he was shooing a fly.
The other man said nothing. He turned and silently flew off.
"You're just letting him go?" Xiao Wu still looked thoroughly displeased.
Lin Ye smiled faintly and said meaningfully, "Killing him just like that would be too easy on him. If you hate someone, bully them, torment them, and make their family fall apart.
"Later, we can let the Tang family clean house themselves."
There was one important point Lin Ye hadn't mentioned. The Parchment had revealed that Tang Hao's actions later on would actually lead Tang San down a dark path.
What did he mean—making family members turn against each other? Xiao Wu was taken aback. This human kid was ruthless!
Seeing her reaction, Lin Ye knew what she was thinking. "What, do you think I've gone too far?
"You should know that the third rule in the [Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record of the Tang Sect] says: Once you're certain your opponent is an enemy, and they've earned the Path of Seeking Death, don't show them mercy. Otherwise, you'll only invite trouble for yourself."
A few enormous question marks appeared over Xiao Wu's head.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm hungry. Go get me something to eat. And which room am I staying in?"
This time, it was Lin Ye's turn to be taken aback.
"Wait, have you got this backward? I'm the one who captured you, and now you're giving me orders?"
Xiao Wu snorted. "So what? If you don't want your reserve Soul Ring to starve to death, go find me something to eat."
Xiao Wu understood her situation very well. Lin Ye had his eye on her Soul Ring and Soul Bone. The only reason he wasn't touching her right now was that he was still far from being able to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.
That meant she'd be safe for quite some time.
But escaping was impossible, too.
Since she couldn't fight back, she might as well give up and take things as they came. She'd eat and drink as she pleased and wouldn't let herself suffer.
When it was time to eat, Xiao Wu certainly didn't hold back. She polished off three big bowls all by herself.
Notting Academy.
At mealtime, the members of Dorm Seven had agreed to treat Tang San to a meal and welcome their new leader.
But Wang Sheng had spoken ill of Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San couldn't stand hearing anyone criticize Yu Xiaogang. He'd flown into a rage and fallen out with them on the spot, so the promised meal never happened.
Tang San didn't have much money, so he had to make do with some dry rations from home, washing them down with plain water.
After filling his stomach, he returned to the cafeteria. He didn't go inside, but waited quietly at the entrance.
Earlier, Yu Xiaogang had told Tang San to wait outside the cafeteria after finishing his meal.
Nearly half an hour later, Yu Xiaogang finally emerged from the cafeteria at an unhurried pace.
"Come on, Xiao San."
Yu Xiaogang lived in a small room at the far end of the top floor of the dormitory building, only about thirty square meters. It was simply furnished, with books making up most of the contents.
Yu Xiaogang took a paper parcel from inside his clothes and handed it to Tang San. "Eat this. You're still growing, so you need proper nutrition."
Tang San took it without thinking. When he opened it, he found two chicken drumsticks and a steamed bun inside. They were still warm.
"Teacher..."
Tang San was touched, warmth spreading through his heart. His teacher had already arranged for someone to bring him bedding, and now he was making sure Tang San had enough to eat.
A teacher was a father for life. His teacher treated him so well—far better than his own father ever had.
Teacher is benevolent; my father can't compare.
"All right, hurry up and eat. I have something to tell you afterward," Yu Xiaogang said calmly.
He hadn't eaten enough earlier, so Tang San quickly devoured all the food Yu Xiaogang had brought him.
Yu Xiaogang poured him a glass of water, then sat down behind the desk without another word. The chair beneath him creaked in a way that set one's teeth on edge.
Such a considerate gesture moved Tang San, who had long been starved for affection, even more. He secretly wiped the moisture from the corner of his eye.
A kindness should be repaid with kindness. Tang San secretly vowed that he would treat his teacher like his own father and honor him for the rest of his life.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San and said, "Release your other Martial Soul. Let me see it."
Tang San nodded. Since his teacher already knew he had Twin Martial Souls, there was no need to hide it.
Tang San raised his left hand. Black light surged, and the hammer Martial Soul appeared again.
Yu Xiaogang shot to his feet and stared fixedly at the hammer, his eyes shining with excitement. He muttered to himself, "Tang San, Tang San... The surname Tang..."
It was a long time before Yu Xiaogang managed to calm down.
"All right, put your Martial Soul away. Remember, don't show it to anyone casually. And without my permission, don't give it a Soul Ring."
Tang San was surprised. "Father told me the same thing. What's wrong with this Martial Soul? Why can't I give it a Soul Ring?"
"It's not time to tell you yet. Just understand that your father and I both want what's best for you."
Tang San nodded firmly. "Teacher, I understand."
"By the way, what does your father do?" Yu Xiaogang asked again.
Tang San answered, "He's the village blacksmith."
"A blacksmith?" Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly. Clear Sky Crown, how did things come to this?
By then, he had already guessed the identity of Tang San's father. Tang San was so talented that his father was surely no ordinary person. And considering he was a member of the Clear Sky Sect living in hiding, there was only one possibility: Tang Hao.
Yu Xiaogang still remembered how he'd almost won the heart of Bibi Dong, the Saintess of Spirit Hall. But at the crucial moment, Qian Xunji had barged in and ruined everything.
Who was Qian Xunji? A Titled Douluo, the Pope of Spirit Hall, and one of the most powerful and influential people on the continent. Yu Xiaogang was just a measly Soul Grandmaster; he hadn't dared oppose him and could only slink away.
Yet this mighty man had been beaten to death by Tang Hao.
After that, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao had become Yu Xiaogang's idol.
After the Pope died, Spirit Hall had flown into a rage. His idol had been forced to hide, live under an assumed name, and even give up returning to the Clear Sky Sect.
Thinking of all this, Yu Xiaogang sympathized deeply with his idol and lamented his misfortune.
He plopped back into his seat. The chair creaked again, setting one's teeth on edge.
A moment later, there was a crack. The chair leg had finally given way under the strain.
Yu Xiaogang lost his balance and toppled backward, his arms instinctively reaching for the desk in front of him.
But the desk was a cheap, shoddily made thing with thin wood and a lightweight frame. It couldn't possibly support a pudgy old man like him.
And so the desk went down with him, crashing hard onto Yu Xiaogang.
"Teacher!" Tang San was horrified and hurried forward to help.
"Ah... Ow... Easy..." Yu Xiaogang lay on the floor, his face twisted in pain as he groaned.
The reason was that the broken chair leg had happened to jab Yu Xiaogang right in the butt.
Before you continue