Tang San: Teacher is truly benevolent, even more so than my father.

Thinking this, Tang Hao stepped forward until he stood before Lin Ye, then dropped to his knees with a thud. He kowtowed ten times, each one precise and proper.

The hatred hidden in Tang Hao's eyes was clearly visible.

Seeing this, Lin Ye's mood soared. He loved it when people hated him yet couldn't do a thing about it—it was fucking satisfying.

"Alright, get lost. From now on, remember to have some manners. Not everyone you can afford to provoke, and not everyone is as kind as I am." Lin Ye waved his hand as if shooing away a fly, dismissing Tang Hao.

The latter said nothing, turned around, and silently flew away.

"You're just letting him go like that?" Xiao Wu was still visibly displeased.

Lin Ye smiled faintly, his tone meaningful. "Killing him outright like that would be too easy. If you hate someone, you bully them, torment them, ruin their family.

Later, we can let the Tang family clean house themselves."

In truth, Lin Ye didn't mention the most important point: the parchment had revealed that Tang Hao's later actions would actually cause Tang San to fall into darkness.

What did that mean? Making brothers turn on each other? Xiao Wu was stunned—this human kid was ruthless!

Seeing her reaction, Lin Ye knew what she was thinking. "What, you think I went too far?

Remember, 'The third rule of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: once you've confirmed an enemy, if they have a path of seeking death, show no mercy, or you'll only bring trouble upon yourself.'"

Xiao Wu's forehead sprouted several large question marks.

"I don't understand what you're saying. 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 stunned.

"Wait, are you serious? I'm the one who captured you, and you're ordering me around?"

Xiao Wu snorted coldly. "So what? If you don't want your backup soul ring to starve to death, go find me food."

Xiao Wu understood her situation well. Lin Ye had his eyes on her soul ring and soul bone. The only reason he hadn't touched her yet was that he was far from being able to absorb a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring.

So, for a long time to come, she was still safe.

But escaping was also impossible.

Since she couldn't resist, she might as well embrace decay—eat and drink as she pleased, and not wrong herself.

When it came to mealtime, Xiao Wu certainly didn't hold back. She downed three big bowls all by herself.

Notting Academy.

At mealtime, the members of the Seventh Dorm had originally promised to treat Tang San to a meal, a welcome feast for their new boss.

But because Wang Sheng had badmouthed Yu Xiaogang midway, Tang San couldn't stand hearing anyone speak ill of Yu Xiaogang. In a fit of rage, he turned on them on the spot, and the promised meal fell through.

Tang San didn't have much money, so he could only make do with some dry rations he'd brought from home, washed down with plain water.

After filling his stomach, he returned to the cafeteria but didn't go inside. He just waited quietly at the entrance.

Earlier, Yu Xiaogang had told Tang San to wait for him outside the cafeteria after eating.

About half an hour later, Yu Xiaogang finally strolled out of the cafeteria.

"Let's go, Xiao San."

Yu Xiaogang's residence was a small room in a corner at the top floor of the dormitory building, only about thirty square meters. The furnishings were simple, with books being the most abundant item.

Yu Xiaogang took a paper packet from his bosom and handed it to Tang San. "Eat this. You're at an age where you need to grow—you can't afford to lack nutrition."

Tang San took it instinctively and opened it. Inside the packet were two chicken legs and a steamed bun, still warm.

"Teacher..."

Tang San was moved, a warmth spreading through his heart. Earlier, the teacher had sent someone to deliver bedding, and now he was worried about him not having enough to eat.

A teacher for a day is a father for life. His teacher was too good to him—far better than his own biological father.

Teacher was great; his father was not.

"Alright, eat up quickly. I have something to say to you after you finish." Yu Xiaogang said calmly.

Having not eaten enough earlier, Tang San quickly devoured all the food Yu Xiaogang had brought him.

Yu Xiaogang poured him a glass of water, then sat himself down behind the desk. The chair under him creaked and groaned in a teeth-grinding way.

Such considerate gestures made the affection-starved Tang San even more moved. He secretly wiped the corners of his moist eyes.

Return kindness for kindness. Tang San silently vowed that from now on, he would treat his teacher like his own father.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San and spoke. "Release your other martial soul. Let me see it."

Tang San nodded. Since the teacher already knew he had Twin Martial Souls, there was no need to hide it.

Then Tang San raised his left hand. As black light surged, the hammer martial soul reappeared.

Yu Xiaogang shot to his feet, staring fixedly at the hammer. His eyes blazed with light, and he was visibly agitated, muttering to himself, "Tang San, Tang San, surname Tang..."

It was a long while before Yu Xiaogang's emotions settled.

"Alright, put your martial soul away. Remember, don't reveal this martial soul lightly in front of others, and without my permission, don't attach any soul rings to it."

Tang San was surprised. "That's what Dad said too. What's wrong with this martial soul? Why can't I attach soul rings to it?"

"Now is not the time to tell you. You just need to understand that your father and I both have your best interests at heart."

Tang San nodded firmly. "Teacher, I understand."

"By the way, what does your father do?" Yu Xiaogang asked again.

Tang San said, "He's the village blacksmith."

"Blacksmith?" Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly. Clear Sky Crown, how could it come to this?

By now he had already guessed Tang San's father's identity. After all, for Tang San to possess such extraordinary talent, his father could hardly be an ordinary man. Coupled with the status of a Clear Sky Sect member living in exile, it could only be Tang Hao.

Yu Xiaogang still remembered how, back in the day, he was on the verge of winning over Bibi Dong, the Saintess of Martial Soul Hall, when at the critical moment, Qian Xunji jumped in and ruined his good fortune.

Who was Qian Xunji? A Titled Douluo, the Pope of Martial Soul Hall—one of the most powerful and influential figures on the continent. A mere Soul Grand Master like him naturally dared not resist and could only slink away in disgrace.

Yet that same formidable figure was beaten to death by Tang Hao.

From then on, Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao became his idol.

After the Pope's death, Martial Soul Hall flew into a rage, and his idol could only hide and flee, changing his name and concealing his identity, unable even to return to the Clear Sky Sect.

Thinking of all this, Yu Xiaogang felt a deep empathy and sighed with regret for his idol.

He plopped back down into his seat, and the chair once again let out a grating, teeth-grinding creak.

The next moment, with a crack, the overburdened chair leg snapped.

Yu Xiaogang suddenly lost his balance, his body tilting backward and sprawling as he fell. Both hands instinctively reached for the table in front of him.

But this table was a cheap, shoddy piece of work to begin with—thin wood, light construction—how could it possibly support an aging, overweight man like him?

So the table toppled as well, crashing heavily onto Yu Xiaogang.

"Teacher!" Tang San was greatly alarmed and quickly rushed over to help.

"Ah... ow... easy..." Yu Xiaogang lay on the ground, his face twisted in pain, groaning miserably.

The reason for this was that the broken chair leg had happened to stab right into Yu Xiaogang's backside.