Tarble's Plan

As soon as He Yi finished speaking, Son Goku appeared in front of him.

Without a hint of courtesy, he took the little Silver Box and carefully inspected it.

But he couldn't see anything special about it.

"Hey, old man, it won't matter if I break this box, right?"

He Yi looked expectant. "It won't matter. If the box breaks, then Hero Tapion will be freed!

"I'll be so grateful to you, old-timer. How could I possibly blame you?"

Hearing this, Son Goku immediately relaxed.

"That's good."

"If I had to pay for a replacement, I wouldn't be able to find a box this pretty to give back to you."

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

As he spoke, he prepared to force the Silver Box open.

He wanted to know if Hero Tapion really was sealed inside.

If he was known as a hero, he must be pretty strong, right?

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

By now, he was completely certain that the old man in front of them was the Demon Cultivator from the Phantom Demon arc.

He couldn't remember the Demon Cultivator's name, but the two names "Hero" and "Tapion" rang a bell when put together.

This was the man who gave Trunks his sword and, what was more, the ruthless one who sealed away half of the Phantom Demon Xilgard's body. Naturally, Tarble remembered him.

Now that he'd figured out who the other man was, he couldn't let Son Goku and the others reveal their strength so soon.

At the sound of his voice, Son Goku stopped and asked in confusion, "What's the problem, Tarble?"

Tarble pointed at the Silver Box in his hands. "Let me have a look at it first."

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

Tarble shook his head and repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I said, let me have a look first."

It was the first time Son Goku had seen Tarble act and speak this way. Though reluctant, he still tossed the box over to him.

Meanwhile, Vegeta couldn't help feeling pleased when he saw Son Goku obediently hand over the box.

After catching it, Tarble showed no intention of opening it. Instead, he looked at Bulma and rubbed his stomach with his free hand.

"Big Sis, we're starving. Could you have someone hurry up and prepare some food?"

"Whatever huge matter this is, it can wait until after we've eaten!"

Son Goku immediately agreed.

"Ah!"

"If Tarble hadn't said that, I would've forgotten."

He cried out, rubbed his stomach, and looked pitifully at Bulma.

"Bulma, is there anything to eat?"

"I'm starving to death."

He acted so casually, as if he were right at home.

Seeing that the two of them didn't seem to be joking, Bulma was surprised. "What?"

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

"My goodness, do you Saiyans forget everything else as soon as you start training?"

By the end, Bulma sounded exasperated and helpless.

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

"Ugh, I give up on you two!"

Before leaving, she remembered to reassure He Yi. "Old man, once they've eaten and have their strength back, they can try opening the box and freeing Hero Tapion."

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

His pink face quivered several times with excitement.

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

"Hey, Vegeta, keep the old man company for me."

With that, she left in high spirits.

The moment Bulma was gone, He Yi glanced discreetly at the Silver Box in Tarble's hands, but didn't ask for it back.

Instead, he sighed with a troubled expression and sat down again.

Seeing this, Tarble sneered inwardly:

Hah!

That old bastard sure knows how to put on an act!

He glanced around casually, then turned to Vegeta and the others and said, "We've just finished training, and we're all covered in sweat."

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

Rix and Vegeta both caught the subtle look in his eyes. A hint of confusion flashed across their faces, but neither said anything.

The simple-minded Son Goku didn't understand subtle looks. His eyes were fixed on the box in Tarble's hands.

"Hey, Tarble, if you're going to take a shower, can I try opening the box first?"

You idiot!

Seeing that he hadn't taken the hint, Tarble cursed inwardly.

He was about to speak when Vegeta cut in and scolded him. "Kakarot, if you're not going to take a shower, then get lost and go home to eat!"

"Hmph!"

"You reek. You're ruining my appetite!"

After saying that, he turned away with a dark expression and headed into the house first.

The house Bulma lived in was enormous. Every floor had a bathroom, and there was more than one.

When Son Goku heard that he wouldn't be allowed to eat unless he showered, he couldn't accept that!

He let out a strange cry and hurried after Vegeta. "Hey! Vegeta, wait for me!"

Vegeta really knew how to handle him!

Watching the two of them walk away, Tarble couldn't help admiring him inwardly.

Then he turned to the Demon Cultivator He Yi, who was sitting on the sofa and pretending to be at ease, and put on the smile of a top-notch actor.

"Sir, we'll leave you alone for a while."

"Oh, and here, you can have the box back."

As he spoke, he tossed the box over without waiting for a reply. It landed squarely in front of He Yi.

The Demon Cultivator He Yi was startled by this move, but kept his composure and replied politely, "Mr. Tarble, go ahead and take care of your business. This old man will just sit here and have some tea."

Heh!

That old bastard's quite the actor!

Tarble sneered inwardly. After telling a nearby servant to "take good care of him," he left with Rix.

Watching Tarble's back, the Demon Cultivator He Yi furrowed his brow unconsciously, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

Once you've successfully rescued my precious darling, it'll be the end of you all!

I'll let you live a little longer!

Meanwhile.

After following Vegeta through several winding corridors, Son Goku finally entered a room.

"Huh?"

"Vegeta, weren't we going to take a shower?"

Son Goku stepped into the room, saw that it was empty, and asked in confusion.

Hearing that, Vegeta felt like punching him.

He'd never met anyone so dull!

And yet this idiot was an undeniable training genius!

At that moment, he couldn't help suspecting that his peerless talent for training had come at the cost of his brain.

"Hmph!"

"If you want to know why, ask Tarble later."

Actually, he also wanted to know what Tarble had discovered, and why he'd been so secretive about it.