I Still Like Your Unruly Demeanor

"You..." Su Mo weighed his words carefully, "You don't have to be like this."

"A disciple should naturally show filial piety once a master has taken them in," Tang San said as if it were only natural, "From now on, I shall attend to your daily needs, Master."

The corner of Su Mo's mouth twitched.

He recalled the sinister and cunning Tang San from the outline, the one who would constantly claim others "already had the path to death."

Then he looked at the Tang San before him, holding breakfast with an expression that screamed, "I want to be a good disciple."

The difference was a bit too large.

"Tang San," Su Mo took a deep breath, "I still prefer your original, unruly self. Could you go back to that?"

Tang San froze.

He thought about it seriously, then said with a solemn face, "Master, this disciple believes that respecting one's teacher and being unruly are not mutually exclusive. I can be unruly toward my enemies, but toward my master, I must be respectful."

Su Mo: "...Fine, whatever makes you happy."

He took the breakfast and turned to walk into the courtyard.

Tang San followed naturally.

After walking a few steps, Su Mo suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "Right, have you eaten?"

Tang San was stunned.

Su Mo looked at him.

Tang San's stomach gave a timely growl.

Su Mo sighed, shoved the lotus leaf parcel into his hands, and said, "Take it, let's eat together."

Tang San's eyes reddened with emotion: "Master..."

"Enough nonsense, come in."

In the courtyard, Su Mo brought out two low stools.

He sat on one, and Tang San sat on the other.

The Big Black Ox poked its head over from the side, curiously sizing up this new little shrimp.

Su Mo broke a steamed bun in half and gave a portion to Tang San.

The two ate their porridge with pickled vegetables in silence for a while.

Su Mo suddenly remembered something and asked casually, "By the way, Sanzi, have you told your father about your second martial soul?"

Tang San's movements paused.

He looked up, a flash of shock in his eyes.

How does Master know I have a second martial soul?!

Even his father didn't know about this!

Tang Hao only knew he had the Blue Silver Grass martial soul and innate full soul power; he had never discovered the Clear Sky Hammer within him.

He hadn't even told him yet.

But Master!

Master saw through it at a single glance!

"Replying to Master," Tang San took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady, "This disciple has already informed my father."

Su Mo nodded, thinking: As expected, Tang San told Tang Hao about his twin martial souls. In that case, Tang Hao should be teaching him the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique soon, right?

It was just a casual question.

However, he had no idea that Tang San's internal monologue at this moment was:

Master is truly amazing!

Father didn't even discover I had twin martial souls, yet Master saw it at a glance!

He's even more formidable than Father!

He is truly the expert capable of writing Battle Through the Heavens!

The way Tang San looked at Su Mo grew even more fervent.

Su Mo felt a bit creeped out by his gaze: "...Why are you looking at me?"

Tang San withdrew his gaze and lowered his head to drink his porridge: "It's nothing, Master."

Su Mo gave him a suspicious look and continued eating.

The Big Black Ox watched this scene silently from the side.

"Moo." (This kid's eyes are not right.)

Su Mo ignored it.

After breakfast, Su Mo packed up his book stall, preparing to head out.

Tang San rushed ahead, grabbing the sack used for carrying books; it was larger than he was.

Su Mo reached out to take it. "Let me."

"Master, there is no need for you to exert yourself," Tang San said, sidestepping him. "Your disciple can handle it."

Su Mo: "..."

Fine then.

Big Black Ox watched from the side, gloating, its tail swishing happily.

Su Mo glared at it. "What are you laughing at? Move, pull the cart."

Big Black Ox's expression collapsed instantly.

"Moo." (I am a six-hundred-year-old demon king!)

Su Mo: "And so?"

Big Black Ox silently walked to the cart frame and put on the harness.

"Moo." (I endure.)

In town.

Su Mo set up his book stall, and Tang San busied himself with everything.

Arranging books, setting up signs, greeting customers, collecting money, and giving change—he was more proficient at it than Su Mo himself.

Su Mo sat to the side, suddenly feeling as if he had hired child labor.

What's more, this child laborer brought his own food and didn't ask for wages.

He watched for a while, feeling a bit bored, and said casually, "Sanzi, go find a book to read yourself. Stop working."

Tang San's eyes lit up. "Are you sure?"

"Mm, read whatever you like."

Tang San immediately dropped his work and began carefully selecting a book from the stall.

After a moment, he picked up a copy of Journey to the West.

He flipped to the first page.

Then, as he read, his expression gradually became subtle.

Su Mo noticed the change and leaned over to take a look.

It happened to be the chapter where "Patriarch Bodhi knocks Sun Wukong on the head three times."

Tang San's eyes widened bit by bit.

He looked at the book, then at Su Mo.

He looked at the book, then back at Su Mo.

Then, the corners of his mouth slowly curled up, revealing a "just as I thought" smile.

Su Mo felt unnerved by his smile. "...What is it with you now?"

Tang San closed the book and gave Su Mo a deep look.

"Master, this disciple understands."

Su Mo: "...What do you understand?"

Tang San did not answer, merely lowering his head to continue reading, the smile on his face impossible to suppress.

Su Mo watched his back, suddenly struck by an ominous premonition.

This child—he isn't overthinking things again, is he?

Big Black Ox let out a leisurely "moo" from the side.

(Is he... alright?)

"You'll get used to it..."

Business at the book stall was good.

Tang San was engrossed in his reading, but whenever a customer arrived, he would immediately put the book down and stand up to greet them, as enthusiastic as if it were his own business.

Su Mo sat to the side, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.

This feeling...

Why does it feel like a landlord watching a farmhand work?

No, it's more like a young master watching a pageboy serve him.

Su Mo shook his head, casting the strange thought aside.

Forget it, he's happy to do it anyway.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from the direction of the village entrance.

A villager ran over, panting heavily, "Su Mo! Quick, hurry home! Something has happened to your mother!"

Su Mo sprang to his feet.

His heart skipped a beat.

Without a word, he took off running.

Behind him, Tang San immediately set down his book, shouldered his sack, and gave chase.

The Big Black Ox pulled the cart, its four legs moving at a lightning pace.

A crowd had gathered in the small courtyard of Su Mo's home.

Su Mo rushed inside to see his mother lying on the bed, her face deathly pale.

Doctor Li from the village was checking her pulse, his brows furrowed so tightly a fly could have been crushed between them.

"Doctor Li, how is my mother?" Su Mo asked urgently.

Doctor Li looked up at him, shook his head, and let out a sigh.

"This illness... this old man is powerless to help."

Su Mo's heart sank.

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the courtyard.

"Make way, make way! Everyone, move aside!"

The crowd automatically parted to create a path.

A figure strode in.

Su Yuntao.

He wore the official uniform of a Spirit Hall deacon, a long sword hanging at his waist, his presence imposing and heroic.

But it was not his status that shocked the onlookers.

It was the first thing he did upon entering—

He walked up to Su Mo, cupped his hands together, and bowed respectfully until his back was parallel to the ground.

"Student Su Yuntao pays his respects to Master Su Mo."

The courtyard fell into an instant, deathly silence.