Tang San Was Moved

Yu Xiaogang set the clay pot on the small coal stove, then spread out the herbs Tang Hao had sent on a bamboo tray and began sorting through them.

"You've got a little eye for this, at least." Yu Xiaogang snorted. His tone was dismissive, but his hands never stopped as he carefully picked out the impurities.

Following the prescription on the back of the note, he first soaked the codonopsis and astragalus in warm water. Once the herbs had absorbed their fill, he poured them into the clay pot along with the soaking water.

The coal stove's flames were small, licking at the bottom of the pot with a soft crackle.

Yu Xiaogang pulled over a little stool and sat beside the stove, watching as tiny fish-eye bubbles slowly surfaced in the pot. The bitter smell of the herbs mingled with the scent of charcoal and spread through the room.

After a while, the medicinal liquid had thickened and turned amber.

Yu Xiaogang put out the fire and strained the liquid into a rough porcelain bowl.

Just then, Tang San arrived at Yu Xiaogang's residence.

Looking at the medicine on the table, Tang San asked Yu Xiaogang in confusion, "Teacher, are you sick?"

Yu Xiaogang was wiping the medicinal stains from the edge of the clay pot with a cloth. At the question, he didn't even look up. "It's not for me. I brewed it for you."

He pushed the strained medicine toward Tang San. The amber liquid in the rough porcelain bowl was still steaming, and beneath its bitterness lay a faint, herbal fragrance.

"This is a medicine I prepared for you. It'll help build up your strength."

Tang San froze for a moment as he looked at the steaming bowl. The rich medicinal aroma filled his nose, and warmth welled up inside him.

"Wait." Yu Xiaogang rummaged through a cabinet and took out a small paper packet. He opened it, revealing some sparkling bits of rock sugar. "Add two spoonfuls, so it won't be too bitter."

Tang San watched his teacher clumsily sprinkle rock sugar into the bowl, and the corners of his mouth lifted despite himself.

He picked up the bowl and gently stirred the medicine with a spoon. Tiny grains of sugar swirled through the amber liquid, adding a hint of sweetness to its bitterness.

Tang San thought to himself, Yu Xiaogang really is good to me. I have to defeat Xu Yuan and repay him for his kindness.

He sipped the medicine. The warm liquid slid down his throat, and warmth spread from his stomach to his limbs.

Tang San could feel the meridians that had grown tense from days of hard training slowly relaxing, as if they had been soaked in warm water.

He set down the rough porcelain bowl. A little medicine remained at the bottom.

Tang San looked at Yu Xiaogang, his gaze more resolute than ever. His voice carried an unwavering solemnity. "Teacher, don't worry. I'll drink this medicine properly, and I won't slack off in my training. The next time I spar with Xu Yuan, I'll definitely win. Not just to prove that your theory is right, but also because I don't want to let down all the care you've shown me."

Yu Xiaogang paused in the middle of wiping the clay pot and looked up at Tang San.

The boy's face still held a trace of childishness, but his eyes shone brilliantly. They held determination, gratitude, and an unyielding tenacity.

Warmth filled Yu Xiaogang's heart, and much of the gloom Xu Yuan had caused him dissipated.

"It's good that you have that kind of determination." Yu Xiaogang set the clay pot aside, his tone softening. "But remember, winning isn't the goal. It's meant to help you see your own path clearly. Once you truly master both control and poison, you'll understand that the path I chose for you is the one that suits you best."

"Yes, Teacher." Tang San nodded vigorously, a surge of warmth welling up in his chest.

Watching Tang San finish the medicine, Yu Xiaogang reached out and patted his shoulder. "Go on. Double today's Soul Skill training. I'll be waiting for you on the training field."

He secretly thought, I really am clever, telling him the medicine was for me.

That way, Tang San will listen to me even more and won't question what I say.

Two and a half years passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Xu Yuan's level had risen to 20.

Over those two and a half years, Xu Yuan had also made considerable progress in the Tang Sect Secret Arts, and he would occasionally spar with Xiao Wu.

He gave Xiao Wu pointers, helping her develop her Soft Technique considerably.

During those two and a half years, Tang San had sought Xu Yuan out for a spar every few days, but Xu Yuan had beaten him every time.

Xiao Wu looked at Xu Yuan and asked curiously, "Brother Yuan, where are you going now?"

Xu Yuan leaned close to Xiao Wu's ear and whispered, "Xiao Wu, I've reached level 20. I'm heading out to hunt a Soul Beast and get my Second Soul Ring."

In truth, he had reached level 20 long ago. Without a Second Soul Ring, his level had been stuck there.

Learning that Xu Yuan had reached level 20, Xiao Wu covered her mouth in surprise and stared at him.

Eight years old and level 20?

He really was a genius among geniuses.

Over the past two and a half years, she had read plenty of books, but she had never come across anyone who was level 20 at eight years old.

Xiao Wu's eyes went round. It took her a good while to find her voice. "Brother Yuan, you... you're not kidding, are you? Level 20 at eight? You're even more incredible than Tang San!"

Over the past two and a half years, Tang San's Soul Power had also risen quickly. He was now level 18, a one-of-a-kind genius throughout Notting Academy.

But Xu Yuan had reached level 20 without anyone noticing. It completely upended her understanding of how fast a Soul Master could cultivate.

Xu Yuan smiled and flicked her on the nose. "What would I gain by lying to you?"

Only then did Xiao Wu recover. She hurriedly grabbed Xu Yuan's arm, her eyes full of worry. "Are you going alone? Hunting Soul Beasts is dangerous!"

Xu Yuan said with a chuckle, "It's fine. I've saved some money, so I can hire someone to help me hunt a Soul Beast."

Xiao Wu relaxed a little, but she still furrowed her brows. "You still have to find a reliable Soul Hunter! I've heard some hunters are real crooks. They'll jack up the price on the spot!"

Xu Yuan ruffled Xiao Wu's hair, his tone relaxed. "Don't worry. Master Zhao knows an old Soul Hunter in town. He once helped Master Zhao escort some ore, and he's trustworthy. I've already asked Master Zhao to speak with him. I'm meeting him in a little while."

Xiao Wu was still worried. She counted on her fingers as she reminded him, "Then make sure you stay close to the Soul Hunter. Don't go wandering off on your own! If you run into a Soul Beast you can't beat, run right away. Don't try to tough it out! And you should find somewhere safe to rest every night. Don't camp out in the forest..."

Her endless stream of advice was full of concern. Xu Yuan listened patiently, nodding and answering from time to time.

Sunlight fell across Xiao Wu's earnest face, gilding even the down on her skin, making her look like a little beast guarding her young.

"Got it, you little worrywart." Xu Yuan smiled and pinched her cheek. "When I get back, I'll bring you some of that shop's special carrots. Didn't you say you wanted to try them?"

Xiao Wu blushed at his words and slapped his hand away. "Who's a worrywart? I'm just... just afraid you'll be clumsy and let a Soul Beast bully you!"

She put on a brave front, but she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.

Xu Yuan looked at Xiao Wu. "Mm-hmm. Then I'm off."

Before leaving, Xu Yuan kissed Xiao Wu on the cheek, then turned and ran.

The sudden touch left Xiao Wu frozen in place, her cheeks turning as red as ripe apples.

By the time she came to her senses, Xu Yuan had already run far away.