The Clown Was Me!

The hall bustled with people coming and going.

Yu Xiaogang walked straight to the counter and took out a token engraved with six patterns from his embrace, slapping it heavily onto the table.

"Call Ma Xiunuo out."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of command.

The clerk behind the counter was a young woman, startled by the sudden noise.

She picked up the token to examine it, then looked at the shabby-looking man before her. A flicker of doubt crossed her eyes, but her professionalism prevented her from reacting.

"Please wait a moment."

A moment later.

An old man in a bishop's robe hurried down from the second floor.

It was the bishop of the Notting Branch Hall, Ma Xiunuo.

Seeing Ma Xiunuo's hurried steps, the corner of Yu Xiaogang's mouth curved slightly, and the hand behind his back unconsciously clenched.

See, Xiao San.

This is what status looks like.

"Bishop..."

Ma Xiunuo rushed closer, opened his mouth as if to say something, but swallowed the words back.

His expression was strange.

It wasn't the reverence of meeting an important figure, nor the joy of seeing an old friend.

It was more like the conflicted look of seeing something dirty, wanting to get rid of it but fearing to soil one's hands.

"Bishop Ma Xiunuo, I trust you are well."

Yu Xiaogang didn't notice anything amiss, maintaining his dignified demeanor as he said calmly:

"I've brought my disciple to register as a soul master, and I'll collect this month's allowance while I'm here."

Yes, collect his allowance.

As a Rank 29 Great Soul Master, Yu Xiaogang received a considerable sum of gold soul coins from Spirit Hall every month.

The official reason was: "Research Grant for Theoretical Studies."

This was the legendary act of eating soft rice with a hard attitude.

Tang San watched from the side with admiration.

Even collecting money can be done so elegantly and refreshingly. Truly worthy of being my teacher!

However.

The expected flattery did not materialize.

Bishop Ma Xiunuo sighed, looked at Yu Xiaogang as if he were an idiot, and then took out a golden parchment from his robe.

"Yu Xiaogang, you've come at the perfect time."

"I just received the Pope's Order, and I was wondering where to find you."

The Pope's Order?

Yu Xiaogang's heart leaped with joy.

Could it be that Dong'er knows I've been wronged and specifically issued an order to appease me?

He extended his hand with feigned modesty:

"Give it here."

"No need to give it, I'll read it to you."

Ma Xiunuo cleared his throat. His previously amiable face instantly turned stern, even carrying a hint of coldness:

"By order of His Holiness the Pope:"

"Yu Xiaogang, you have deceived the world with false fame, plagiarized Spirit Hall's texts, pieced together so-called 'Master Theories,' misled disciples, and engaged in fraudulent practices."

"Effective immediately, your status as an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall is revoked, and the Pope's Order is recalled."

"A continent-wide reprimand will be issued, and you will never be employed again!"

"As for the allowances issued previously..."

Ma Xiunuo paused, looking at Yu Xiaogang, who had turned to stone, and sneered:

"His Holiness said to consider it as feeding a dog."

BOOM!

It was as if a divine thunderbolt from the heavens had struck the crown of Yu Xiaogang's head.

He froze completely.

His head was buzzing.

Deceiving the world and stealing fame?

Swindling and bluffing?

Fed to the dogs?

Every single word was like a poisoned dagger, stabbing fiercely into his heart and shredding his pathetic sliver of self-esteem into pieces.

"No... impossible..."

Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled, his face as pale as paper, his body swaying unsteadily.

"Dong'er... the Pope would never treat me like this!"

"I am the person she loves most! I am the wisdom she alone recognizes!"

"There must be a mistake! Was it you? Did you forge the Pope's Order?!"

He lunged at Ma Xiunuo like a madman, trying to snatch the parchment away.

"Insolent!"

Ma Xiunuo let out a thunderous shout as three spirit rings lit up on his body. The aura of a Spirit Elder erupted, knocking Yu Xiaogang back several steps.

"The Pope's Order is here; who dares to act out of turn?"

"Yu Xiaogang, what do you think you are?"

"We respected you before only because Her Excellency gave you face. Now that Her Excellency has seen your true colors, you aren't even worth as much as a dog!"

"Guards! Throw him out!"

"And that token, take it back! Don't let him soil the sacred object of Spirit Hall!"

Two temple knights who had been waiting for a long time rushed forward, grabbing Yu Xiaogang by the arms and dragging him out like a dead dog.

"Let go of me! I am the Grandmaster! I have my theories!"

"Tang San! Save me!"

Yu Xiaogang struggled desperately, but in front of the strong knights, his strength was simply laughable.

Tang San stood to the side, completely stunned.

He watched his teacher, who had just been swearing that "this is what prestige looks like," being tossed out the door like trash.

The feeling of his faith collapsing was a hundred times worse than being humiliated by Su Yun.

"Teacher..."

Tang San clenched his fists, wanting to rush forward to help, but was forced back by Ma Xiunuo's icy gaze.

"Kid, you're his disciple?"

"Remember this: hanging out with a fraud like him has no future."

"Get lost!"

On the main street.

Yu Xiaogang lay on the ground, his hair disheveled and his body covered in dust.

The token that symbolized his final shred of dignity had already been confiscated.

Passersby pointed and whispered.

"Is this that Grandmaster?"

"I heard he's a fraud, kicked out by Spirit Hall."

"Tsk tsk, how shameful."

"How can his skin be so thick!?"

The passersby's remarks hit the nail on the head.

Social death.

A complete and utter social death.

Yu Xiaogang buried his head in his arms, feeling as if the entire world were mocking him.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a nearby teahouse.

Su Yun sat by the window, holding a cup of fragrant tea, quietly enjoying the scene.

"Tsk."

"Is this what you call 'dignity'?"

"Yu Xiaogang, oh Yu Xiaogang, look at you today."

He set down his teacup, feeling pleased as he pulled out his diary.

This was a legendary scene among legendary scenes; he had to give Dong'er a thumbs up for this.

[Year X, Month X, Day X. Awesome!]

[Just watched a great show outside the Spirit Hall branch.]

[Yu Xiaogang, that old fraud, finally got what he deserved.]

[Seeing him dragged out like a dead dog, I can only say: Well done!]

[Bibi Dong's move this time, I give it full marks.]

[It should have happened long ago. Taking Spirit Hall's money, supporting Spirit Hall's enemy (Tang San), and still pretending to be so noble. Nothing in this world comes for free.]

[However, that old geezer has a strong mental fortitude. I doubt he'll kill himself over this.]

[He'll definitely fill Tang San's head with hatred, spouting nonsense like "Spirit Hall suppresses talented people," and "We must get revenge."]

[Tang San, that hot-headed kid, already had a bad impression of Spirit Hall. Now, it's going to be a fight to the death.]

[But this suits me perfectly.]

[Without Spirit Hall's resources, without the so-called "Master's halo," I wonder what waves this master and disciple can stir up.]

[Oh, right. Dong'er.]

[Since you're so willing to listen to advice, I'll give you a little treat.]

[When you dream tonight, remember to dream of me.]

[I'll tell you about the revenge plan for the "secret chamber"...]

[Guaranteed to make you feel amazing.]

Pope Palace.

Bibi Dong looked at the diary. Her heart, which had felt a little empty after dealing with Yu Xiaogang, was suddenly filled by the last few sentences.

"Revenge plan?"

"Feel amazing?"

She bit her red lip, her eyes becoming a little hazy.

Although this kid's tone was still incredibly annoying, but...

"Hmph."

"This Seat wants to see what good ideas you have."

"Tonight, you are permitted to enter my dreams."