The hall was bustling with people coming and going.
Yu Xiaogang strode straight to the counter, pulled a token engraved with six patterns from his robes, and slammed it down on the table.
"Call Ma Xiunuo out."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of imperious authority.
The clerk behind the counter was a young woman. The sudden bang made her jump.
She picked up the token and examined it, then looked at the shabby-looking middle-aged man before her. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes, but her professionalism kept her from saying anything.
"Please wait a moment."
A short while later.
An old man in a bishop's robe hurried down from the second floor.
He was Ma Xiunuo, the bishop of Notting Branch Hall.
Seeing Ma Xiunuo's hurried steps, Yu Xiaogang's lips curled upward slightly, and the hand clasped behind his back tightened unconsciously.
See, San.
Now that's prestige.
"Mas..."
Ma Xiunuo hurried over and opened his mouth, as if he wanted to call out to him, but swallowed the words before they could leave his lips.
His expression was strange.
It wasn't the reverence one showed upon seeing a big shot, nor the delight one felt upon meeting an old friend.
It was more like he'd spotted something filthy and wanted to chase it away, but was afraid of getting his hands dirty.
"Bishop Ma Xiunuo, I trust you've been well."
Yu Xiaogang hadn't noticed anything amiss. He maintained his air of superiority and said calmly:
"I've brought my disciple to register as a Soul Master. I'll collect this month's allowance while I'm here."
Yes, collect his allowance.
As a twenty-ninth-level Soul Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang could leech a handsome sum of Gold Soul Coins from Spirit Hall every month.
They called it "funding for theoretical research."
That was what they called enjoying a free ride while acting high and mighty.
Tang San watched him with admiration.
Even collecting money, his teacher made it look so refined. Just as expected of him!
And yet.
The flattery he'd expected never came.
Bishop Ma Xiunuo sighed, looked at Yu Xiaogang as though he were an idiot, then pulled a gleaming golden sheet of parchment from his robes.
"Yu Xiaogang, you've come at just the right time."
"A Pope's Order was just delivered. I was wondering where to find you."
The Pope's Order?
Yu Xiaogang's heart leaped.
Could Dong'er have heard that I was being treated unfairly and issued an order to comfort me?
He extended his hand with deliberate poise.
"Hand it over."
"There's no need. I'll read it to you."
Ma Xiunuo cleared his throat. His kindly expression turned stern in an instant, with even a trace of icy contempt.
"By order of His Holiness the Pope:"
"Yu Xiaogang, a fraud who trades on a false reputation, plagiarizes Spirit Hall's texts, cobbles together his so-called 'Grandmaster theories,' misleads disciples, and swindles people."
"Effective immediately, he is stripped of his title as 'Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall,' and his Pope's Order is revoked."
"His crimes are to be announced across the continent. He is never to be employed again!"
"As for the allowances he received before..."
Ma Xiunuo paused and looked at Yu Xiaogang, who had gone rigid as stone, then sneered:
"Her Holiness said to consider them dog food."
Boom!
It was as if a bolt of heavenly thunder had struck Yu Xiaogang right on the crown of his head.
His whole body froze.
His mind rang.
Fraud?
Swindler?
Dog food?
Every word was like a poisoned dagger, plunging into his heart and shredding the pitiful scraps of self-respect he had left.
"N-no... impossible..."
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled. His face was as white as paper, and he swayed unsteadily.
"Dong'er... the Pope wouldn't treat me like this!"
"I'm the person she loves most! I'm the only one whose wisdom she recognizes!"
"This has to be a mistake! Was it you? Did you forge the imperial decree?!"
Like a madman, he lunged at Ma Xiunuo, trying to snatch the parchment.
"Impudent!"
Ma Xiunuo shouted. Three Soul Rings lit up around him as the pressure of a Soul Elder erupted, blasting Yu Xiaogang several steps backward.
"The Pope's Order is here. Who dares defy it?"
"Yu Xiaogang, what do you think you are?"
"We respected you before because Her Holiness gave you face. Now that Her Holiness has seen through you, you're worth less than a dog!"
"Guards! Throw him out!"
"And take that token back! Don't let him sully Spirit Hall's sacred relic!"
Two Spirit Hall knights who had been waiting nearby rushed forward. They seized Yu Xiaogang, one on each side, and dragged him out like a dead dog.
"Let go of me! I'm the Grandmaster! I have theories!"
"Xiao San! Save me!"
Yu Xiaogang struggled with all his might, but against the burly knights, his strength was laughable.
Tang San stood off to one side, completely dumbfounded.
He watched the teacher who had just confidently declared, "Now that's prestige," get thrown out the door like a piece of trash.
The feeling of his faith crumbling was a hundred times worse than being humiliated by Su Yun.
"Teacher..."
Tang San clenched his fists and wanted to rush in to help, but Ma Xiunuo's icy gaze drove him back.
"Kid, are you his disciple?"
"Remember, there's no future in following a swindler like him."
"Get lost!"
Out on the street.
Yu Xiaogang lay sprawled on the ground, his hair disheveled and his clothes covered in dust.
The token that had symbolized the last of his dignity had been taken away.
The passersby pointed and whispered.
"So that's the Grandmaster?"
"I heard he's a fraud. Spirit Hall kicked him out."
"Tsk, what a disgrace."
"How could someone be so shameless?!"
The passersby's comments cut straight to the bone.
Public humiliation.
Utter, total humiliation.
Yu Xiaogang buried his head in his arms, feeling as if the whole world were laughing at him.
On the second floor of a teahouse not far away.
Su Yun sat by the window with a cup of fragrant tea in hand, quietly enjoying the scene.
"Tsk."
"So this is the so-called 'dignity'?"
"Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang. Your turn finally came."
He set down his teacup, pleased with himself, and took out his diary.
This was a truly classic scene. He had to give Dong'er a thumbs-up for it.
[X year X month X day. Awesome!]
[I just watched a great show outside Spirit Hall Branch Hall.]
[That old swindler, Yu Xiaogang, finally got what was coming to him.]
[Watching him get dragged out like a dead dog, all I can say is: well done!]
[I give Bibi Dong's move a perfect score.]
[It should've happened ages ago. He takes Spirit Hall's money, raises Spirit Hall's enemy (Tang San), and still puts on airs like he's above it all. Where else can you find a deal that cheap?]
[Still, the old fool's got a thick skin. I doubt he'll just go and kill himself.]
[He'll definitely fill Tang San's head with hatred, saying things like "Spirit Hall suppresses talented people" and "We have to get revenge."]
[Tang San's already a hotheaded fool who dislikes Spirit Hall. Now he'll be even more determined to fight them to the death.]
[But that's exactly what I want.]
[Without Spirit Hall's resources and without the so-called "Grandmaster halo," let's see what kind of waves this master-and-disciple pair can make.]
[Oh, right, Dong'er.]
[Since you're so willing to take my advice, here's a little treat for you.]
[When you dream tonight, remember to dream of me.]
[I'll tell you about that revenge plan involving the "Secret Chamber"...]
[I guarantee it'll make you feel like you're flying.]
Pope Palace.
As Bibi Dong read the diary, the emptiness in her heart after dealing with Yu Xiaogang was suddenly filled by those last few lines.
"A revenge plan?"
"Make me feel like I'm flying?"
She bit her lip, her eyes growing hazy.
Though this kid's tone was still as irritating as ever, still...
"Hmph."
"I'd like to see what good ideas you can come up with."
"Very well. I'll allow you into my dreams tonight."
Before you continue