Lies!

"You. Bring Tang San out."

Tang Hao stared at Yu Xiaogang. His tone left no room for argument. "You're his teacher. Taking him out of the academy to seek treatment is perfectly reasonable. It won't arouse much suspicion."

"Even if Cao Kun suspects something, as long as you don't give yourself away, he probably won't stop a teacher from taking his student to a doctor."

Yu Xiaogang's heart tightened. Take Tang San away from Shrek?

That... was risky.

If Cao Kun discovered their real purpose...

"We can't put off treating Little San's eyes any longer."

Tang Hao's voice grew heavier. "With Cao Kun at Shrek, his eyes will never be healed!"

"Only by leaving can I take him to find a way to truly heal them!"

"Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the royal families of both empires, even those legendary forbidden lands... Somewhere, there must be a glimmer of hope!"

"Do you want to watch Little San spend the rest of his life blind?!"

That final question struck like a hammer, shattering Yu Xiaogang's last hesitation.

That's right!

I can't let Little San live in darkness for the rest of his life!

If he stays at Shrek with Cao Kun lurking nearby, his eyes won't heal—and he could come to harm again!

We have to leave!

"All right! I'll do it!"

Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, resolve flashing in his eyes. "I'll find a way to bring Little San out safely!"

Tang Hao nodded and took out a rough map of the area around Suotuo City, prepared in advance. He pointed out several secluded meeting places and times.

"Bring Little San to the first location before noon tomorrow. I'll wait for you there. Remember, tell no one—not even Flender. We can't take chances."

"I understand." Yu Xiaogang tucked the map away carefully. Tang San's safety and future were at stake; he had to be cautious.

The two discussed a few more details and backup plans in low voices.

Seeing the resolve grow in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, Tang Hao felt somewhat reassured.

Though this "Grandmaster" was weak, he was meticulous and genuinely cared for Tang San. He should be able to do it.

"Be careful. If it can't be done, keeping yourself and Little San alive comes first." With that final warning, Tang Hao melted back into the shadows and vanished.

Yu Xiaogang stood alone among the ruins, feeling the rough map in his hand and the hatred and resolve churning inside him. He took several deep breaths to steady himself, then hurried away from that dangerous place.

At noon that day, Yu Xiaogang returned to Shrek Academy. He carefully arranged his expression to look merely tired and worried.

He went straight to Flender.

"Flender, while I was in Suotuo City this morning, I used some old connections to find out something."

A glimmer of hope appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face. "The old physician at the Hall of Benevolent Medicine in the east of the city traveled widely in his younger years. When I described Little San's condition, he said he seemed to have encountered a similar case in the south. He might... have a lead."

"He knows an elderly Soul Master living in seclusion in a valley about a hundred li outside Suotuo City. Apparently, the man specializes in treating difficult ailments, especially eye conditions."

He had fabricated a story that was half true, half false.

The Hall of Benevolent Medicine was a well-known pharmacy in Suotuo City, and its elderly proprietor was indeed well traveled. The reclusive Soul Master, of course, did not exist.

"Really?!"

Flender's eyes lit up. "A lead is a start! Where is this old Soul Master? We'll go ask him right away!"

"He's eccentric and never makes house calls. Patients have to go to him." Yu Xiaogang looked troubled.

"His home is hidden, too. Only the old proprietor knows the route. He agreed to lead us there, but he'll only take Little San and me. He says the Soul Master doesn't like crowds disturbing him."

"Well..." Flender hesitated. "Just the two of you? Will that be safe? Should Zhao Wuji or I come along?"

"No."

Yu Xiaogang quickly shook his head.

"The old Soul Master supposedly has a strange temper. If he sees anyone unrelated to the patient, especially a Soul Master with high Soul Power, he might refuse treatment outright."

"The proprietor stressed that only I can take Little San. Besides, it isn't far, just outside Suotuo City. We'll be back soon, so there shouldn't be much danger. For Little San's eyes, it's worth a little risk."

His explanation sounded reasonable. With the old Soul Master's eccentricities and Tang San's welfare to consider, Flender found it hard to refuse.

Flender studied Yu Xiaogang's earnest expression, then thought of Tang San's bleak prospects. At last, he nodded. "All right. But be careful! If anything happens, send a signal immediately, or have the proprietor send someone back to tell us!"

"Don't worry. I will."

Yu Xiaogang felt a wave of relief, though his face grew even graver—and more hopeful.

"I'll make preparations now and take Little San this afternoon. We'll be back as soon as we can."

That afternoon, the sun slanted westward.

Yu Xiaogang changed into clothes suited for travel, slung a simple pack over his shoulder, and went to Tang San's room.

Xiao Wu was still at his bedside. When she saw Yu Xiaogang enter, she hurried to her feet. "Grandmaster."

"Xiao Wu, could you step outside for a moment? I need to speak with Little San," Yu Xiaogang said gently.

Xiao Wu looked puzzled, but she did as he asked and closed the door behind her.

"Teacher?" Tang San could not see, but Yu Xiaogang's footsteps and breathing sounded different from usual.

"Little San, I've found a possible way to treat your eyes."

Yu Xiaogang sat beside the bed and took Tang San's hand. He lowered his voice, speaking with an urgency and gravity Tang San had never heard before. "Don't ask anything right now. Trust me."

"We need to leave the academy immediately and go somewhere... to have a reclusive old Soul Master examine you!"

"Remember, whatever you hear or sense, don't make a sound. Just follow me."

Tang San's heart lurched.

Leave the academy?

Now?

Instinct told him something was wrong.

Beneath the urgency in his teacher's voice, he heard... resolve, and a barely concealed sense that time was running out.

That was no ordinary trip to seek medical treatment.

He opened his mouth to ask, but Yu Xiaogang gripped his hand so tightly it hurt. The pressure silenced him.

"Don't speak, Little San. Listen to me."

Yu Xiaogang lowered his voice further, almost to a whisper, yet his resolve was unmistakable.

"There's no time. I'll explain on the way."

"Now get up and come with me."

"..." Tang San fell silent for a moment.

Darkness had robbed him of sight, but it had sharpened his other senses, especially his awareness of someone he trusted.

He could hear the tremor in his teacher's voice. He could feel the cold sweat on his palm.

Nervous?

Afraid?

This was about far more than visiting a "reclusive old Soul Master."