Tang San: Protagonists Must Use Swords!

Tang San was clearing the bowls and chopsticks, his movements practiced, like a professional waiter.

Big Black Ox was already asleep, emitting a faint snoring sound.

Su Mo leaned against the tree trunk, looking up at the starry sky above.

The night sky of the Star Dou Forest was exceptionally clear.

The stars were dense and numerous, like crushed diamonds scattered across velvet.

Occasionally, a few beast roars drifted from the depths, distant and mysterious.

But nothing could disturb their tranquility.

With Xiao Wu here, and with those two "relatives" around, this forest was the safest place of all.

Su Mo withdrew his gaze and glanced at Xiao Wu beside him.

She was already asleep, a smile still lingering on her lips; he wondered what sweet dream she was having.

Su Mo smiled, took off his coat, and draped it over her.

Tang San finished cleaning up, sat back down by the campfire, and asked in a low voice, "Master, are we really going deeper tomorrow?"

Su Mo nodded. "Yes."

Tang San thought for a moment and didn't ask again.

If Master said they were going, then they were going.

Regardless, as long as he followed Master, he would go anywhere.

The campfire crackled, sparks flying toward the night sky.

The night deepened, and all was silent.

This corner of the Star Dou Forest was warm and peaceful.

What few people knew was this.

Under the same night sky.

One was in a cave, freezing like a dog.

One was by a campfire, feeling warm and cozy.

One was chewing on grass roots.

One was eating hot pot.

One was shivering in fear.

One was fast asleep.

One was hatefully fantasizing, "Once I reach the God Realm..."

One was muttering in their sleep, "Master... what are we eating tomorrow..."

The moon hung quietly in the sky, casting its moonlight upon the earth.

It shone upon the Star Dou Forest, shone upon the Royal Hunting Park, and shone upon these two vastly different nights.

Tomorrow, the sun would rise as usual.

It was just that some people might not live to see it.

Like Yu Xiaogang, huddled in his cave, unable to sleep any longer.

He was cold, hungry, afraid, and full of hatred.

But he persisted.

He firmly believed that tomorrow would surely be better.

He firmly believed that Tang San would definitely return to his side.

He firmly believed that Su Mo would definitely die in this forest.

He firmly believed—

"Ah—choo!!!"

Another massive sneeze.

Yu Xiaogang rubbed his nose and curled back into a ball.

At the cave entrance, the moonlight slanted in, illuminating his face.

His eyes shone with a faint, eerie light in the darkness.

Within that light, there was hatred, resentment, and unwillingness to accept defeat.

And a trace of—

Tragic heroism.

The third day.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy, filling the Star Dou Forest with vibrant life.

Su Mo and his group continued their trek deeper into the forest.

Calling it a "trek" was a stretch; it felt more like a casual outing.

Xiao Wu skipped along at the very front, occasionally plucking a wild fruit or chasing a butterfly far into the distance.

Tang San followed behind her, scanning his surroundings with vigilance, his Blue Silver Grass clutched in his hand. After two days of effort, he had finally managed to make it slightly firmer. Though it still resembled an overcooked noodle, it could at least stand upright for three seconds.

He was finally no longer a useless husband, though the difference seemed negligible.

The Big Black Ox ambled slowly in the middle, its tail flicking leisurely. The wound from the rabbit's bite yesterday had already scabbed over, and it no longer limped as it walked.

Su Mo brought up the rear, holding a tree branch and occasionally pushing aside the tall grass in his path.

"Master," Tang San suddenly turned back, "what kind of Soul Beast are we looking for?"

Su Mo thought for a moment. "One that suits you."

Tang San's eyes lit up. "Could it be a sword?"

Su Mo glanced at him. "You want a sword that badly?"

Tang San nodded vigorously. "Protagonists all use swords!"

Su Mo fell silent.

This child was far too deep into his delusions.

However, he didn't discourage him, merely nodding. "It depends on luck."

Tang San continued forward, filled with anticipation.

Just as they were speaking, a loud crash erupted from ahead.

"BOOM!"

This was immediately followed by a pillar of fire and a shrill scream.

"Ahhhhh! Help me!"

Su Mo frowned and quickened his pace.

Breaking through a patch of woods, the scene before them left everyone stunned.

In a clearing stood a massive bamboo plant, standing tall and proud.

The bamboo was over ten meters high, its entire body a vibrant emerald green with distinct nodes. Every leaf was as sharp as a blade, glinting with a cold light. A faint sword intent swirled around the stalk; just standing there, it exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.

The Sword Bamboo King.

It appeared to have seven hundred and forty-six years of cultivation.

At its feet, a chubby little boy was rolling on the ground.

The boy was about six or seven years old, round and plump, with half his hair singed off, his clothes full of holes, and smoke rising from his backside. He rolled around, spitting fire as he tried to drive the Sword Bamboo King back.

Unfortunately, his meager flames were no more than a tickle to a seven-hundred-year-old Sword Bamboo.

The Sword Bamboo King couldn't even be bothered to look at him properly, occasionally flicking a leaf down beside him, scaring the boy into wailing at the top of his lungs.

Dozens of smaller Sword Bamboos surrounded the area, clearly marking this place as their territory.

Trapped in the center, the chubby boy had no way to escape.

Tang San's eyes lit up.

Not at the chubby boy.

But at the Sword Bamboo.

The straight stalk.

The sharp leaves.

The swirling sword intent.

So cool!

He wanted it so badly!

His mind was already conjuring fantasies of the skill he would gain from the Sword Bamboo King's soul ring—a single slash that sent sword energy surging, cutting through the ages...

"Cool!" Tang San blurted out.

Su Mo glanced at him but said nothing.

When the chubby boy saw them, his eyes brightened instantly, and he shrieked at the top of his lungs:

"Help! Help me! I'm Ma Hongjun! My teacher is a Soul Saint! I'll reward you handsomely if you save me!"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow.

Ma Hongjun?

The Evil Fire Phoenix from the original work?

He looked toward the chubby little boy, examining him closely.

A round, roly-poly figure, singed hair, and a smoking backside...

The image certainly matched.

He just wasn't sure if it was the Evil Fire from the original novel or the one from the comic...

Su Mo then looked at that stalk of Sword Bamboo.

Seven hundred and forty-six years old, life attribute, innate sword intent, leaves like blades, and biologically speaking, bamboo and grass were actually close relatives...

He looked at Tang San again.

Tang San was staring at the Sword Bamboo, his eyes gleaming, saliva practically dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Su Mo sighed.

Fine.

"Get to work," he said.

The order was given.

Big Black Ox was the first to charge out.

"Moo--!"

Its four hooves kicked up dirt as it barreled forward like a heavy tank, crashing directly into the Sword Bamboo King's perimeter.

The smaller Sword Bamboos fired their leaves one after another, whistling through the air like sharp blades.

Big Black Ox didn't dodge or weave; it lowered its head and charged straight through.

"Clang, clang, clang, clang--!"

Those leaves struck its body, producing the sound of metal clashing before bouncing off.

Big Black Ox's hide was absurdly thick.

But it had a weakness.

Its backside.

The spot bitten by the rabbit yesterday was a fresh wound, making it the area with the lowest defense.

A single leaf flew over with precision, piercing into that wound with a soft thwip.

"MOO--!!!"

A miserable wail echoed through the forest, startling countless birds into flight.

It was a sound that would break the hearts of those who heard it and bring tears to the eyes of those who witnessed it.