After hearing this, the stone in Huo Yuhao's heart finally settled. His talent had successfully covered up the illogical gaps in his story before the other man's eyes.
Even if it was only on the surface, managing to achieve the first step of his goal was already a stroke of luck.
Huo Yuhao nodded, then said:
"I... I want Mom to live a good life. She used to say that as long as I could become a Soul Master, we'd be able to live well." Huo Yuhao looked at Tang You, his eyes filled with determined longing.
"Director, if I join the Crafting Bureau... can that help Mom live a good life?"
For the first time since their conversation began, Huo Yuhao lifted his head and looked Tang You straight in the eyes.
Tang You narrowed his eyes slightly. The child's thoughts really were simple. He hadn't yet learned to think about himself; he only wanted his loved ones to live well.
That was the kind of logic unique to children of his age.
Everything Tang You had told him was true. How Huo Yuhao had learned those three secret techniques no longer mattered. The talent he had displayed was enough for Tang You to overlook the other inconsistencies and extend an olive branch.
"On my word as Director of the Crafting Bureau, I can promise that you and your mother will live better lives." As he spoke, Tang You snapped his fingers. In an instant, he was beside Huo Yuhao, sitting down next to him.
"I can make you this promise, as long as you agree to join the Crafting Bureau."
He patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder. Without Huo Yuhao noticing, a tiny Soul Guidance Sensor was installed there.
Huo Yuhao noticed the sensor, but he wasn't supposed to have discovered it yet, so he kept quiet.
"Still, despite your extraordinary talent, a child your age should spend a few years at an academy learning the basics first. Since you applied for Spirit Hall's financial aid, I assume you've already completed the enrollment procedures?"
Huo Yuhao nodded and took out his student ID.
"Mm... good. Looks like you met a good person who took care of the most troublesome parts for you."
"Work-study students... I had quite a few work-study friends when I was young, though I hardly keep in touch with any of them now."
"Heh, I've wandered off topic. Though it's not official yet, little Huo Yuhao, you can already consider yourself one of us at the Crafting Bureau." Tang You spoke slowly, watching Huo Yuhao as if considering something.
After taking back his student ID, Huo Yuhao looked up at Tang You and said:
"Um... Director."
"Mm?"
"Since I'm already with the Crafting Bureau... could you help me hunt a Soul Beast? Mom said that having Soul Power alone isn't enough to become a Soul Master. I also need to hunt a Soul Beast and obtain a Soul Ring to break through the level barrier."
"Exactly right. That's an essential step to becoming a Soul Master. But you've got some nerve, asking me for something when I've only just taken an interest in you."
Tang You laughed heartily. Huo Yuhao knew that since the man hadn't refused him right away, he was already halfway to succeeding.
After all, in his previous life, he had had nothing, which was why he could risk his life alone in the Star Dou Forest.
But in this life, both he and Huo Yun'er had started over. There was no need to gamble with their lives. Better to be a little bold and see if he could get something out of the Director of the Crafting Bureau.
With his past-life experience in the Soul Master World, he believed his talent was a valuable enough bargaining chip.
"Heh, as it happens, a big shot from Spirit Hall's main hall needs to hunt a Soul Beast soon. My daughter wanted to go along, but some loose-tongued people keep making snide remarks..."
"I can introduce you. A six-year-old genius with Innate Full Soul Power who needs his First Soul Ring—there's no way the main hall would turn down a reason like that."
Tang You patted his shoulder again, then continued:
"This is an opportunity, child."
"If you can get your foot in the door, getting a Soul Ring at the limit of its age range won't be a problem. Make sure you seize the chance."
"All right, it's getting late. I'll have someone take you home. When it's time to leave in a couple of days, someone will come to pick you up."
In the blink of an eye, Tang You was back in the seat by the window. Outside, night had fallen completely, and pale moonlight now shone across his face.
"Then... Huo Yuhao will take his leave." Huo Yuhao stood and bowed deeply. He knew that from this moment on, Director Tang You would be the greatest benefactor of his life.
"Mm."
A man dressed much like Tang Shan opened the door and led Huo Yuhao away.
Only Tang You remained in the room. A while later, Tang Shan opened the door and came in.
"Director, Huo Yuhao's information has been sent over. We should have an answer by tomorrow morning."
"They won't refuse. A Body Martial Soul with Innate Full Soul Power—where else could you find such a treasure besides the Body Sect?" Tang You rubbed his knee as he spoke.
"Such a treasure... even enough to make me set aside my old grudge. Even if Zhang Peng investigates and finds no connection between them, how could I truly put my mind at ease?"
"Then, Director, are you no longer planning to investigate the Crafting Bureau's secret techniques on Huo Yuhao?" Tang Shan usually spent his time doing research in the lab or helping Tang Ya get up to mischief, so he didn't understand all these twists and turns very well.
"There'll be plenty of time to investigate how he learned those techniques. The real priority is to get this treasure firmly in our hands as soon as possible."
"Becoming the benefactor of a future Titled Douluo with a single introduction—that's a deal with nothing to lose and everything to gain."
Tang You explained at an unhurried pace. As long as Spirit Hall could bring in a new genius, what did one old grudge from long ago matter?
By the time Huo Yuhao got home, it was already late at night, but the house was still brightly lit.
The moment he stepped inside, he caught the aroma of meat soup.
"Yuhao, you're back! Come, come, the soup's still hot. Mom saved some for you." Huo Yun'er beckoned him over, looking him up and down. Once she was sure nothing had happened to him, she nodded.
"Don't worry, Mom already ate. That Lord Li Ye is an honest man. He knew we'd just arrived, so he went out of his way to bring us food from the cafeteria."
Huo Yun'er pushed the bowl of soup in front of Huo Yuhao. Hearing what his mother said, he didn't add anything and began eating in big mouthfuls. It was only plain meat soup, but the seasoning was exquisite.
He remembered this flavor... In his previous life, it came from an extremely rare spice, but now Spirit Hall was using it in the cafeteria's meals for ordinary people.
Rather than believe Spirit Hall was simply so wealthy, he preferred to think that it had successfully begun cultivating the spice on a large scale.
As he ate, Huo Yun'er told him that after he had left that afternoon, several people who claimed to be from the Martial Soul Academy Admissions Office had come by to ask about him. She had thought very highly of them too.
Only then did Huo Yuhao remember that Li Ye had mentioned something like that.
Fortunately, Huo Yun'er had still been home. Otherwise, those people would have come all that way for nothing.
Huo Yuhao then told Huo Yun'er that he had joined the Crafting Bureau and would be going with people from Spirit Hall to hunt a Soul Beast in a few days.
"Hehe, that's good news, Yuhao." Huo Yun'er gently stroked his head.
"Spirit Hall is a mountain—a mountain countless times taller than the White Tiger Duke Mansion. Mom doesn't have much to offer, and I couldn't give you a good life at the White Tiger Duke Mansion. But my Yuhao has made something of himself. You're a genius, one in ten thousand."
"You'll surely walk a path brighter than anyone's. Mom is so proud of you." As she spoke, Huo Yun'er hugged Huo Yuhao, tears glimmering in her eyes, though none fell.
Huo Yuhao's spoon paused. He placed his other hand over Huo Yun'er's.
Two days later, someone knocked on their door again.
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