"Grandpa, over here."
Old Jack pushed open the courtyard gate and walked in, grumbling, "You little rascal, why'd you come here? I even went all the way to your house looking for you."
As soon as he got close, his nose twitched a few times. He caught the enticing aroma of the food at once, and his old eyes lit up. He shoved Jiang Chen aside at the entrance and strode inside.
"Heh-heh, I've been busy all morning, so I'm just in time for a meal." Old Jack had a hide like a rhinoceros. Before the host had even invited him, he'd already grabbed a bowl, dished himself up some rice, and sat down at the table.
Jiang Chen sat down too.
Old Jack stuffed a big piece of meat into his mouth and praised the food repeatedly. Then he suddenly noticed Tang San and his father staring at him in surprise.
"This fish is great. Go on, eat. Don't be shy." Old Jack didn't feel embarrassed in the slightest.
"Grandpa, I made it," Jiang Chen said.
Old Jack's eyes lit up, but soon dimmed again. He sighed. "Too bad about your illness."
"Grandpa, the harm I caused everyone before was because of the Martial Soul inside me. Now that my Martial Soul has awakened, I can control it freely. So you don't have to worry anymore."
Old Jack immediately burst out laughing. "Why didn't you say so sooner, you little rascal? Move back tomorrow—no, move back tonight. You can be in charge of the cooking from now on."
Seeing Tang Hao's envious gaze from the side, Old Jack glared at him. "Xiao Chen is mine. Don't get any funny ideas."
Tang Hao looked a little awkward.
Old Jack went on, "Tang Hao, you're a sly one, aren't you? The moment you saw Xiao Chen awaken a powerful Martial Soul, you brought him straight to your house. Are you trying to cozy up to a future Titled Douluo?"
Jiang Chen broke out in a cold sweat and silently prayed for Old Jack. Tang Hao really was a Titled Douluo. Was Old Jack tired of living, making fun of him like that?
But Tang Hao seemed to have been hit on a sore spot. He was too embarrassed to say anything.
Jiang Chen quickly smoothed things over. "Grandpa, I wanted to come over and play at Tang San's house."
Old Jack paused, then nodded. "You and Xiao San are both the future hope of our village. You should spend some time together."
"But Xiao Chen, you could consider joining Spirit Hall. You should know, Spirit Hall is—"
"Uncle Tang, Grandpa, Xiao San, I'm full. Take your time eating." Jiang Chen stood up and dashed out.
"Grandpa, I'll head home and pack my things first. I'll move back in with you tonight..." Jiang Chen's voice drifted in from far away, leaving everyone inside the house at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
How could Jiang Chen not run? He knew Old Jack's talkative nature all too well. Once the old man got started, he could go on forever. Jiang Chen knew for sure that Su Yuntao had asked Old Jack to put in a good word for Spirit Hall.
Inside, Old Jack wolfed down his food as he turned to Tang Hao. "Tang Hao, I'm planning to send Xiao San to study at Notting City Junior Spirit Master Academy."
At that, Tang San's eyes lit up, and he perked up his ears.
"No!" Tang Hao's answer was firm.
Old Jack was furious. "Do you know what becoming a Soul Master would mean for Xiao San?..."
A quarrel broke out in Tang San's house. In the end, Old Jack left in a huff. Tang San felt dejected and couldn't understand his father's decision, but he could only accept it in silence. He didn't want to make his father sad.
After Old Jack left, Tang Hao's anger faded, and his expression gradually softened. "Xiao San, let me see your Martial Soul..."
Before you continue