Tarble's Plan

As soon as He Yi's voice fell, Son Goku flashed right in front of him.

Without a hint of ceremony, he snatched the small silver box and began to examine it intently.

However, he could not discern anything special about the box at all.

"Hey, old man, it wouldn't matter if I accidentally broke this box, would it?"

Hearing this, He Yi's face lit up with anticipation as he said, "It doesn't matter at all! If the box breaks, that would just mean the hero Tapion has been rescued!

I would be too busy thanking you to ever blame you for that."

Upon hearing this, Son Goku felt instantly relieved.

"That's good then."

"If I broke it and had to pay for it, I'd never be able to find another box this nice to give back to you."

"Hehe, then I'll see if I can pry it open!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he prepared to force the lid of the silver box open.

He was very curious to see if the hero Tapion was truly sealed inside.

Since he could be called a hero, his strength must be quite formidable, right?

Just then, Tarble called out, "Wait a second, Goku."

By now, he was one hundred percent certain that the old man before them was the sorcerer from the Phantom Demon saga.

He couldn't quite recall the sorcerer's name, but when the words "hero" and "Tapion" were put together, it sparked a memory.

This was the man who gave Trunks his sword, and the very same tough guy who had sealed half of the Phantom Demon Xilgard's body; naturally, he had some impression of him.

Since he had confirmed the other party's identity, he certainly couldn't let Son Goku and the others reveal their strength so early.

Hearing the call, Son Goku stopped his movements and asked in confusion, "Is there another problem, Tarble?"

Tarble pointed to the silver box in his hand. "Let me see the box first."

"Tarble, let me try it first, okay?" Son Goku still wanted to give it a go. "If I can't open it, I'll give it to you, alright?"

Hearing this, Tarble shook his head, his tone brooking no argument as he repeated, "I said, let me see it first."

It was the first time Son Goku had seen such an expression and tone from Tarble; though reluctant, he still tossed the box over.

Vegeta, standing to the side, felt a surge of satisfaction watching Son Goku obediently hand over the box.

After taking the box, Tarble made no move to open it, instead looking toward Bulma while rubbing his stomach with his other hand.

"Sister-in-law, we are starving. Could you have someone prepare some food quickly?"

"Even if there's some earth-shattering matter at hand, it'll have to wait until we've eaten!"

As soon as these words were out, they immediately won Son Goku's approval.

"Ah!"

"If Tarble hadn't mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten."

With a startled cry, he began rubbing his own stomach, looking at Bulma with a pitiful expression.

"Bulma, is there any food left?"

"I'm about to starve to death."

His casual demeanor made it seem as if he were in his own home.

Seeing that the two weren't joking, Bulma couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "What?"

"It's almost two in the afternoon, and you two haven't eaten yet?"

"My goodness, do you Saiyans just forget everything once you start training?"

By the end, Bulma was speechless and somewhat exasperated.

"Fine, I'll have someone prepare food for you right away. Honestly..."

"Sigh, I don't even know what to say to you two anymore!"

Before leaving, she didn't forget to comfort He Yi. "Old man, once they've finished eating and have some energy, they'll try to help you open that box and rescue the hero Tapion."

Hearing this, He Yi looked grateful. "Thank you, beautiful and kind Ms. Bulma."

His pink face trembled with excitement several times over.

Bulma beamed at the compliment. "Old man, just sit here for a moment. I'm going to go help my husband and the others get some food."

"Hey, Vegeta, you help me host the old man for a bit."

With that, she walked away in high spirits.

The moment Bulma left, He Yi cast a subtle glance at the silver box in Tarble's hand, though he did not speak up to ask for it back.

Instead, he sighed with a look of sorrow and sat back down.

Seeing this, Tarble sneered inwardly:

Hmph!

This old thing, he's putting on quite the act!

He cast a casual glance before withdrawing his gaze, then signaled to Vegeta and the other two, saying, "We just finished training and are covered in sweat."

"Everyone go take a shower. By the time we're done, it should be about time to eat."

Rix and Vegeta both caught that subtle look, a flash of confusion crossing their eyes, but neither spoke up.

The simple-minded Son Goku couldn't read into any signals, his eyes fixed firmly on the box in Tarble's hands.

"Hey, Tarble, if you guys are going to shower, can you let me try to open the box first?"

You idiot!

Seeing that he couldn't take a hint, Tarble couldn't help but curse silently.

Just as he was about to speak, Vegeta cut him off with a sharp rebuke: "Kakarot, if you don't shower, you can get lost and go eat at your own house!"

"Hmph!"

"You reek, you're ruining my appetite!"

With that, he turned away with a dark expression and headed toward the house first.

Bulma's house was massive, with bathrooms on every floor, and more than one at that.

Once Son Goku heard he wouldn't be allowed to eat if he didn't shower, that simply wouldn't do!

He let out a strange yelp and immediately followed, "Hey! Vegeta, wait for me!"

Vegeta really has a way with things!

Watching their retreating backs, Tarble couldn't help but sigh to himself.

He then turned his head toward the wizard He Yi, who was sitting on the sofa putting on a show, and wore a smile that would put a top-tier actor to shame.

"Old sir, please excuse us for a moment."

"Oh, right, let me return this box to you first."

As he spoke, he didn't wait for a reply, tossing the box casually so that it landed steadily right in front of the man.

Seeing this, the wizard He Yi felt a jolt of alarm, but he didn't let it show on his face, responding politely, "Mr. Tarble, go ahead and attend to your business. This old man will just sit here and enjoy some tea."

Heh!

This old geezer is quite the actor!

Tarble felt a surge of silent contempt, then instructed the servants to "take good care of him" before heading off with Rix.

Watching Tarble's back, the wizard He Yi frowned involuntarily, his eyes surging with murderous intent.

Once I successfully rescue my great treasure, that will be the day you all die!

I'll let you live a little longer for now!

On the other side.

After following Vegeta through several twists and turns, Son Goku finally stepped into a room.

"Huh?"

"Vegeta, aren't we supposed to be taking a shower?"

As soon as Son Goku stepped through the door and saw the room was completely empty, he asked in confusion.

Hearing this, Vegeta felt a strong urge to punch him.

He had never seen someone so dense!

Yet, this same blockhead was an absolute genius at cultivation!

At this moment, he couldn't help but suspect that his genius-level talent for training must have been traded for his brain.

"Hmph!"

"If you want to know why, you can ask Tarble in a bit."

In truth, he was just as curious to know what Tarble had discovered that required such secrecy.