Light Dragon's Redemption, Night Trembles!

The night was as black as ink. In the small courtyard of Eastsea Academy's Teacher Dormitory Area, the air seemed to still retain the hollow sensation left behind by that earth-shattering spear strike.

The bluestone paving had been ground into powder, exposing the overturned earth beneath.

Tang Wulin carefully supported Tang Linyuan.

Although that strike had not drained his life force, the instantaneous depletion of his essence, energy, and spirit had left Tang Linyuan's face pale as paper.

Most of his weight rested on his younger brother. His breathing was slightly hurried, yet those ink-dark eyes still shone with a chilling brilliance, without the slightest sign of a weak man's dejection.

Across from him, Guang Biao was still sitting on the ground.

As captain of the Eastsea City Mecha Brigade, he was normally a man who lived on the edge of a blade and had seen his share of storms.

But now, his uniform was soaked through with cold sweat, clinging tightly to his back. When the wind blew, the chill seemed to pierce straight into his bones.

He unconsciously touched his chest. It was completely unharmed, without even a scratch on his skin, yet the terrifying illusion of his heart about to be swallowed by a Black Hole and his entire body about to vanish into nothingness had been branded into the depths of his soul.

If he hadn't stopped...

If he hadn't stopped, he would already be dead.

"Captain Guang Biao."

Tang Linyuan's voice broke the silence. He straightened slightly with Wulin's support and looked down at Guang Biao, the corner of his mouth lifting into a tired yet composed smile.

"That was a fairly satisfying fight."

Guang Biao shuddered and hurriedly scrambled to his feet.

His legs were weak, making his movements awkward. He staggered before managing to stand steady.

"Young Master Linyuan... as long as you were satisfied."

Guang Biao's voice trembled. His fleshy face was filled with the relief of surviving a disaster and eager flattery.

"I failed to recognize greatness when I saw it. Thank you for showing mercy."

He knew very well that if that spear strike had truly landed, even the hide of his Iron Armor Dragon would not have saved him. Even his Mecha's shield might not have been able to withstand it.

"I'll take the money."

Tang Linyuan gestured to Tang Wulin.

Tang Wulin immediately understood. Though he did not quite understand the twists and turns between adults, he knew that listening to his brother could not be wrong. He stepped forward and accepted the thin bank card from Guang Biao.

Ten million Federation Credits.

For an ordinary family, that was an astronomical sum.

But in Guang Biao's hands at this moment, it was merely a few sheets of paper offered as an apology.

When Tang Linyuan accepted the money, half of the weight on Guang Biao's heart finally lifted.

If he was willing to take the money, it meant the matter was over.

"However, I have one more request."

Tang Linyuan's change in tone instantly sent Guang Biao's newly settled heart leaping back into his throat.

"Please speak! Just give the order!" Guang Biao bent at the waist until he was at a right angle. "As long as I, Guang Biao, can do it, I'll climb mountains of blades and cross seas of fire without even frowning!"

"It's not that serious."

Tang Linyuan waved a hand. His gaze passed over Guang Biao and landed on the silent figure lying on the stretcher behind him.

"Doesn't your younger brother, Light Dragon, enjoy collecting protection money? The neighborhood residents around there have probably suffered quite a bit because of him."

Guang Biao's face went pale. Just as he was about to plead for his brother, Tang Linyuan continued.

"Since he likes managing that street so much, let him keep managing it."

"But the rules need to change."

Tang Linyuan's voice was calm, but it carried an unquestionable will.

"From today onward, I don't want to see a single punk harassing the shop owners on the snack street where Li's Braised Beef Pot is located, or anywhere in the surrounding old district. Whoever dares cause trouble, whoever dares collect money, let your brother deal with them."

"I want him to serve as that street's free security guard."

"Do you understand?"

Guang Biao froze.

He had thought Tang Linyuan would demand some harsh condition, such as crippling Light Dragon's Soul Power or driving him out of Eastsea City.

He had never expected it to be merely... maintaining public order?

"This..." Guang Biao could hardly believe it.

"What? You can't do it?" Tang Linyuan raised an eyebrow.

"I'm no saint either. I just happen to enjoy eating there too. I don't want to have to personally clean up trash when I go there in the future. It ruins my appetite."

"We can do it! We can do it!"

Guang Biao came to his senses and nodded furiously. His eyes even reddened from emotion.

"Young Master Linyuan, you are truly magnanimous! You're giving him a chance to redeem himself! I thank you on behalf of that worthless fool!"

This was giving them a way out, and an enormous favor at that.

Not only had he not pursued them to the bitter end, but to some extent, if Light Dragon followed these rules, he would be connected to Tang Linyuan.

"Light Dragon! What are you still playing dead for? Didn't you hear Young Master Tang's words?!"

Guang Biao abruptly turned around and roared at his brother on the stretcher. "Get the hell up and thank him already!"

On the stretcher, Light Dragon moved with difficulty.

Ever since entering this courtyard, he had not dared make a sound.

Even when he had been nailed to the wall by the Tyrant Profound Divine Spear, he had not been this frightened.

Because he had watched with his own eyes as his elder brother, who could practically run rampant through Eastsea City, was beaten so badly by a nine-year-old child that he could not fight back at all and had nearly lost his life.

Only in that instant did he truly understand what kind of existence he had provoked.

Guilt, regret, and fear gnawed at his heart like venomous snakes.

If something had truly happened to his brother because of him, he would never be able to forgive himself for the rest of his life.

"Y-Young Master Linyuan..."

Light Dragon struggled to sit up. The movement pulled at the wound in his chest, making him bare his teeth in pain, but he stubbornly kept himself from groaning and forced his upper body upright.

The bully who normally terrorized others no longer had the slightest trace of ferocity on his face. All that remained was deathly pallor and reverence.

"I... I heard you."

Light Dragon's voice was hoarse, as if his throat were full of sand.

"I, Light Dragon, wasn't human before. I did a lot of shameful things. You didn't cripple me, and you even left me a way to survive. I... my life belongs to you from now on."

He took a rough breath, and unprecedented determination appeared in his eyes.

"Don't worry. From now on, the street where Li's Braised Beef Pot is located will be my forbidden ground and my territory. As long as I, Light Dragon, still have one breath left, if anyone dares lay a finger on Uncle Li or cause trouble on that street, I'll skin them alive!"

"I'll have all the dirty money I collected before returned as soon as I get back. From now on, I'll be that street's watchdog, for free!"

Tang Linyuan looked at him and could see the sincerity in his words.

It took evil men to deal with evil men. Sometimes, having a local tyrant like this maintain order was even more effective than a regular force.

"Remember what you said."

Tang Linyuan nodded faintly.

"I don't listen to promises. I only look at performance. If you can't do it, or if I hear any bad rumors..."

He did not continue. He merely flicked his fingers lightly.

Buzz.

The air trembled faintly.

Light Dragon and Guang Biao shuddered at the same time, as though that Black Hole capable of devouring everything had appeared before their eyes once more.

"We wouldn't dare! Absolutely wouldn't dare!" the two brothers promised in unison.

"Enough."

Tang Linyuan waved a hand, and the oppressive feeling instantly vanished. He became that somewhat tired-looking youth again.

"We need to rest. Do as you please."

With that, supported by Tang Wulin, he turned and headed toward the room.

"Wulin, I want some water."

"Got it, Brother. I'll pour you some warm water."

The two brothers disappeared behind the door. With a click, it locked.

Only the sound of the night wind remained in the courtyard.

Wu Zhangkong, who had stood silently in the shadows the entire time, gave the tightly shut door a deep look.

He did not question Guang Biao further, nor did he put on that unapproachable manner again.

Because he knew that he was not tonight's protagonist, nor was he the one who had solved the problem.

That nine-year-old child had handled this crisis perfectly in a manner more seasoned than an adult's and more domineering than a powerhouse's.

He had established his authority, gained benefits, and even arranged a follow-up measure in passing.

Such temperament, such methods...

Is this... a monster?

Wu Zhangkong asked himself inwardly.

He had no answer. He merely felt that his role as a "teacher" seemed to be growing less and less significant.

He withdrew his gaze. His white robes flashed, and without even greeting Xing Tie, he returned to his room like a gust of wind.

As the two doors shut tight, only the original "intruders" remained in the courtyard.

Guang Biao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. He looked as though he had just been pulled from the water, completely drained.

"Brother Xing..."

He looked at Xing Tie, who had remained silent at the side, and gave a bitter smile.

"This time, I have you to thank. If you hadn't stopped me, if I had really brought my Mecha here... I'm afraid I'd already be dead."

Xing Tie crossed his arms and looked toward Tang Linyuan's room with a complicated expression.

He had originally thought Mu Chen had sent him here to back up the two children and intimidate Guang Biao.

But what had happened instead?

Back them up? They were their own support, harder than Thousand Refinement metal.

Intimidate Guang Biao? Guang Biao had nearly been frightened out of his wits.

This Soul Saint had been like a spectator watching a show from beginning to end. His only use might have been bringing the men here and pulling out a spear along the way.

"Guang Biao, you really should count yourself lucky."

Xing Tie turned and looked at the Mecha captain, who was normally considered quite a figure, his voice grave.

"What you should be thankful for isn't that you didn't bring your Mecha. It's that Young Master Linyuan didn't want to kill you. Otherwise, even if you hid inside a Mecha, you might not have survived that... that move."

Thinking back to that bizarre collapse of space and annihilation of energy, Xing Tie's scalp still tingled.

That had touched upon a deeper level of power.

"Get out of here. Keep your eyes open in the future."

Xing Tie waved a hand and said no more.

Guang Biao nodded repeatedly, called for his men to lift Light Dragon, and led them away from the Teacher Dormitory Area in disgrace. Their movements were as quiet as thieves, afraid they might make the slightest sound and disturb the lord inside.

Watching their retreating figures, Xing Tie stood alone at the courtyard entrance without hurrying to leave.

He looked up at the moon in the sky, then turned back to glance at the quiet little building.

"Nine years old... Soul Elder... nearly killed a Soul Emperor... seemingly capable of controlling space..."

Xing Tie muttered to himself, feeling as though his worldview were collapsing and rebuilding.

"President Zhen Hua... where did you dig up this freak? This isn't taking in a disciple. This is clearly finding our Blacksmith Association a future guardian deity."

He shook his head, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

It seemed tonight was destined to be sleepless.

"I need to get back quickly. This matter is too big to explain over the phone. I have to report it to the president in person."

Xing Tie pushed off with the tip of his foot, and his entire body soared into the air.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black, black.

Seven Soul Rings flashed through the night sky as Soul Saint-level Soul Power erupted at full force.

Boom!

He transformed into a black streak of light and raced through the cover of darkness toward the Blacksmith Association building in Eastsea City.

The wind howled past his ears, but Xing Tie's heart was even more urgent than the wind.

He could not wait to tell Mu Chen:

President, your junior nephew is probably a hundred times more terrifying than you imagined.