Who are you calling Dad, little third?

The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten.

Tang San hurriedly dressed and rushed straight toward Nuoding City.

He caught a ride on an ox cart along the way, arriving back in Nuoding City before noon, and then headed straight for Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.

Inside the room, Yu Xiaogang was pacing back and forth with his hands tucked into his sleeves.

Hearing a commotion outside the door, he whipped his head around, his gaze locked firmly on the entrance.

The door was pushed open.

For a moment, the two locked eyes.

Smiles bloomed simultaneously on the faces of Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.

He spread his arms wide, taking awkward, pigeon-toed steps as he prepared to give his beloved disciple a big hug.

Unexpectedly, Tang San knelt down directly, his eyes rimmed with red, and he shouted at Yu Xiaogang with great emotion: "Dad..."

The air went completely silent for a second.

Yu Xiaogang's outstretched arms froze in mid-air, several large question marks appearing over his head.

Who was Little San calling Dad?

Tang San wished he could slap himself, quickly correcting his words: "Teacher, I'm back."

Having experienced Tang Hao's sudden departure, he cherished Yu Xiaogang as his teacher more than ever now.

He had to keep his teacher; he absolutely could not let Yu Xiaogang run off too.

Yu Xiaogang didn't dwell on the absurd slip of the tongue; he bent down, brushed the dust off Tang San's knees with his hand, and spoke in a gentle tone.

"Little San, it's good that you're back."

The two had been separated for less than a full day.

If an uninformed passerby were to see this scene, they would truly think the two had been separated for decades and were staging a grand, tear-jerking reunion.

After the brief display of sentimentality, Yu Xiaogang's expression tightened, and he pulled Tang San toward the door.

"This place is not suitable for a long stay. Little San, let's go right now—to Soto City!"

Half an hour later, the two arrived at the Nuoding City carriage depot.

Soto City was too far from Nuoding City.

If they were to rely solely on walking, it would likely take over a month, or even two.

To escape as quickly as possible, Yu Xiaogang prepared to rent a carriage.

"Boss, what's the fare to Soto City?"

Inside the depot, the boss was picking his teeth, looking up and down at the man before him who was fidgeting and speaking like an old eunuch.

"It's a long way, takes over twenty days. Fifty gold soul coins, not a copper less!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's duck-like voice rose an octave: "Fifty? Why don't you just go rob someone! Twenty at most!"

The grating, effeminate tone made the boss shiver.

Finally, after a fierce round of bargaining, they settled on thirty gold soul coins.

"Fine, thirty it is."

The boss watched Yu Xiaogang's posture, which suggested that if he didn't agree, he would just go find someone else.

He had been asking for an exorbitant price from the start.

Earning a little was better than nothing.

After the price was agreed upon, the boss brought the carriage out.

"Get on, two guests."

Yu Xiaogang looked at the high carriage step and found himself in a bind.

In his current condition, stepping up that high would still cause pain in his lower regions.

Tang San understood immediately and crouched down: "Teacher, step on me to get up."

Yu Xiaogang's eyes grew warm.

What a good disciple! This was a truly respectful and devoted disciple!

He didn't stand on ceremony; carefully stepping on Tang San's back, he stuck his rear out and waddled into the carriage like a clumsy penguin.

Tang San jumped up immediately, brushed the dirt off his body, and followed him into the carriage.

Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao saw this scene and was so furious he crushed the wine flask in his hand to pieces!

That damned eunuch!

How dare he use the son of the dignified Clear Sky Douluo as a stepping stone!

He took a deep breath; if it weren't for the fact that this piece of trash still had some theoretical knowledge that could teach Little San, he would have swung his hammer at him right then and there.

The carriage pulled out of Nuoding City with the crack of a whip, kicking up a cloud of dust.

As for Su Chen, he hadn't even spared a glance for those two stray dogs.

He was currently busy gorging himself on food throughout the city with Xiao Wu.

Meanwhile, A Yin remained quiet inside the soul tool, having retreated into a deep state of self-imposed isolation.

Su Chen didn't rush her.

Some things had to be realized on one's own.

Once Tang Hao's true colors were exposed a bit more, A Yin would naturally understand who the true benefactor was that had saved her from a sea of misery.

The carriage jolted along the bumpy road.

The twenty-plus-day journey was nothing short of hellish torture for the master and his disciple.

Having lost his "parts" down below, Yu Xiaogang had to sit with his legs spread wide, a posture as ridiculous as it was comical.

Tang San sat opposite him, watching his teacher's awkward sitting position; he wanted to laugh but dared not, his face turning beet red from holding it in.

"Xiao San, what are you laughing at?" Yu Xiaogang glared, his right hand subconsciously curling into an orchid finger.

It had to be said, his mannerisms were becoming increasingly reminiscent of a palace eunuch.

"N-nothing," Tang San quickly lowered his head. "I just remembered something happy."

"What happy thing?"

"I'm about to go to a new academy."

Yu Xiaogang snorted, rubbed his inner thighs, and began painting a grand picture. "Xiao San, Shrek Academy is no ordinary place. It was founded by my brother Flender; it only accepts monsters, never ordinary people. Once you grow stronger, we'll settle our old and new scores together!"

A flicker of malice flashed in Tang San's eyes as he nodded heavily.

"Rest assured, Teacher. I will never forget the humiliation Su Chen brought upon us."

"I will grind his bones to dust!"

Throughout the journey, Yu Xiaogang didn't even dare to drink much water.

Every time he needed to relieve himself, he had to find a secluded bush to squat in.

Once, Tang San accidentally caught a glimpse, and seeing his teacher in that standard "granny-style squat," he was left in a state of utter bewilderment for a long time.

Twenty-plus days later, outside Soto City.

Flender, having received the letter long ago and knowing Yu Xiaogang was coming, was so excited he had abandoned his dilapidated junk shop.

He spent every day lurking at the gates of Soto City, waiting for Yu Xiaogang's arrival.

The carriage stopped, and Tang San hopped down first before turning to help Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang took pigeon-toed steps, carefully shuffling off the carriage.

Flender rushed forward, arms wide open, ready for a warm embrace, but he slammed on the emergency brakes.

He noticed Yu Xiaogang walking with a mincing, dainty gait, just like a young maiden.

"Xiaogang, what's wrong with your legs? Do you have hemorrhoids?" Flender asked, looking puzzled.

Yu Xiaogang's old face flushed red. He coughed twice, and a duck-like voice emerged: "Flender, long time no see."

Flender was startled, stepped back twice, and dug at his ear. "Xiaogang, was your throat kicked by a donkey? You sound like a eunuch fresh out of the palace."

Yu Xiaogang's face turned leaden, his teeth gritting. "It's a long story. Let's get back to your academy first!"

Watching Yu Xiaogang's awkward gait, Flender stroked his chin, lost in thought.

How had so many years passed, and yet this old brother of his had developed an air of "maternal grace"?

"Flender, fly us back. My legs can't handle a long walk."

Flender nodded, summoned his martial soul, and grabbed one in each hand, flapping his wings toward Shrek Academy.

A moment later, the three landed.

Tang San looked at the scene before him and was completely dumbfounded.

This was a high-level academy? This was clearly a dilapidated village!

The gate didn't even have a decent plaque; a few crooked characters hung on a wooden frame, creaking whenever the wind blew.

Tang San turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, his eyes full of question marks. "Teacher, is this the high-level academy you mentioned that only accepts monsters?"

This wasn't even as good as the outhouse at Notting Academy!

"Xiao San, the quality of an academy lies not in its environment, but in those who teach. A mountain need not be high; if there is an immortal, it will be famous."

Yu Xiaogang's face couldn't hold up, so he had to force an explanation.

Tang San thought about it and realized he was right; his teacher's invincible theories were the most precious thing of all.

He immediately lowered his head respectfully. "Teacher, I have been taught."

Seeing this, Flender couldn't help but praise, "Xiaogang, you've taken in a good disciple."

Yu Xiaogang lifted his chin slightly, his right hand subconsciously forming an orchid gesture as he hummed in a shrill, pinched voice, "That goes without saying."

The sight of that effeminate, haughty demeanor made the corners of Flender's mouth twitch violently.

The three of them walked side by side into the dilapidated village.

Tang Hao, who had been escorting them from the shadows the entire time, let out a long, weary sigh.

Throughout the journey, watching his son endure hardship and seeing Yu Xiaogang's crippled body, his heart had been a complex mix of emotions.

Perhaps he was reminded that he himself was not much better off.

Seeing his son settled, Tang Hao turned around, his gaze fixed on the distant direction of Holy Soul Village.

A rare touch of tenderness softened his travel-worn face.

"It's been years since I last visited you."

"A Yin, you must have grown taller by now, haven't you?"

"Wait for me; I'm coming back to see you right now."

Tang Hao tugged at his tattered cloak, the image of A Yin's gentle, smiling face surfacing in his mind.

In this cold, harsh world, only that cave and that single blade of grass could bring him a shred of solace.

With a sudden flicker, he transformed into a black shadow and sped off toward Holy Soul Village.