Broken-Armed Father and Blind Son, A Disabled Family!!

"Where... are we going to see Father now?"

Tang San's voice lowered, carrying a hint of urgency.

"Right outside Suotuo City, in a safe place." Yu Xiaogang looked outside the carriage. The carriage had already entered Suotuo City, slowly making its way through the crowded streets.

"Remember, Little San, Cao Kun's strength is unfathomable, and his eyes and ears may be everywhere. We must be careful and not let him find out."

Tang San nodded and said nothing more. Only the hand resting on his knee involuntarily clenched tighter.

The carriage wound its way through Suotuo City before finally stopping at a secluded alley entrance.

Yu Xiaogang paid the carriage fare, helped Tang San out of the carriage, and after confirming once more that no one was following them, led Tang San in a brisk walk deep into the alley.

This was an area where slums and abandoned workshops intersected. The houses were low and dilapidated, the air filled with all kinds of strange odors. Pedestrians were scarce, and occasionally a few ragged individuals cast numb or wary glances.

Following the map Tang Hao gave him, Yu Xiaogang led Tang San through several sewage-strewn alleys, finally arriving behind a half-collapsed building with a sign that read "Abandoned Warehouse." This place was piled up with garbage and broken wooden boards, reeking of filth and even more remote.

"We're here," Yu Xiaogang said in a low voice, looking around vigilantly.

As soon as his voice fell, a tall yet distinctly frail figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind a pile of broken wooden boards.

It was none other than Tang Hao.

He was still wearing that tattered gray robe, his face pale, thick bandages wrapped around his chest, and his aura unstable. But that pair of eyes, upon seeing Tang San whose face was obscured by a bamboo hat, instantly burst with indescribable agitation, heartache, and... monstrous fury!

"Little San..."

Tang Hao's voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of a tremor.

Hearing this familiar yet unfamiliar voice, Tang San's body shook violently!

He abruptly raised his head, his face beneath the bamboo hat turning toward the source of the voice. His lips moved a few times, but he failed to make a sound.

Yu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, the person has been brought here. This place is not safe for long."

Tang Hao nodded, forcefully suppressing his churning emotions, and his gaze sharply swept the surroundings.

Only after confirming it was safe did he walk quickly up to Tang San, extending his rough, large hand as if wanting to stroke his son's head, but stopping halfway in the air before finally pressing gently onto Tang San's shoulder.

"Child... you've suffered." Tang Hao's voice was low, filled with repressed pain and self-reproach.

Feeling the warmth and slight tremor of that large hand on his shoulder, Tang San felt a sourness in his nose, almost shedding tears.

Six years!

A full six years!

He finally felt his father's presence again!

"Father... is it really you?" Tang San's voice choked.

"It's me, child, it's your useless dad..." Tang Hao's voice grew even hoarser.

Looking at his son's tightly closed eyes and pale face, the killing intent and hatred in his heart almost burst through his chest!

He himself was heavily injured and lost an arm!

His son Tang San, blinded.

All of this was thanks to Cao Kun!

Thinking of this, the killing intent on Tang Hao's body involuntarily released.

He gritted his teeth and looked in the direction of Shrek Academy, saying word by word, "Cao Kun, all of this is thanks to you! I will definitely pay you back!"

If Cao Kun were here again, he would probably only laugh: A disabled family, what a match!

"Your Excellency, time is pressing."

Yu Xiaogang reminded from the side, "We should leave this place first."

Tang Hao took a deep breath and nodded. He pulled a small, inconspicuous gray cloth bag from his bosom and handed it to Yu Xiaogang: "Inside are some Gold Soul Coins and the dry rations and medicine needed for the road."

"According to the plan, you will continue to stay in Suotuo City, pretending to look for the 'old Soul Master' to confuse any potential informants."

"Three days later, if there are no abnormalities, you will return to Shrek Academy and say... you didn't find anyone, or that the old Soul Master was also powerless, and Tang San, out of grief, was temporarily settled elsewhere by you to recuperate. Figure out the specifics yourself."

"Understood." Yu Xiaogang solemnly took the cloth bag.

"Little San, let's go." Tang Hao delayed no longer, took Tang San's hand, and turned to leave.

"Father, where are we going?" Tang San asked.

"First leave the perimeter of Suotuo City. Then... go to a safe place, and Dad will find a way to cure your eyes."

Tang Hao said no more. Supporting Tang San, the two quickly disappeared into another narrower alleyway leading out of the city, which was even more covert.

Yu Xiaogang stood in place, watching the direction where the father and son had disappeared, a myriad of emotions swirling in his heart.

There was the relief of completing the mission, the worry for Tang San's future, and even more, the bone-deep hatred for Cao Kun.

He clenched the cloth bag in his hand and secretly vowed: Cao Kun, just you wait! One day, I will make you pay the price!

He steadied his mind and quickly turned around, heading off in another direction to execute his "cover" mission.

Time quietly slipped away amidst calm and undercurrents.

Two days passed.

Inside Shrek Academy, everything seemed as usual.

Zhao Wuji consolidated his eighty-ninth-rank cultivation and occasionally guided Dai Mubai and the others in actual combat. He gave little thought to Yu Xiaogang taking Tang San "out to seek medical treatment," simply hoping for good news.

Flender handled academy chores, his heart troubled by Tang San's condition. Yet, thinking that Yu Xiaogang accompanied him and that they were near Suotuo City, nothing should have gone wrong.

Xiao Wu began to grow somewhat restless. Several times she wanted to find Flender to ask, only to be placated by Flender with the reason of "waiting patiently."

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun continued their respective training. Though they felt some sympathy for Tang San's departure, they had not known him long and lacked deep emotional attachment.

Ning Rongrong occasionally thought of that taciturn Tang San whose eyes had lost their focus, and she also thought of the unfathomable Cao Kun, her mind a tangle of thoughts.

Zhu Zhuqing was completely immersed in her cultivation at the Back Mountain cottage, knowing very little of the outside world. Even when she occasionally heard fragmentary news from Dugu Yan, she paid it no mind.

Cao Kun... he spent most of his time in the cottage, either sitting quietly in comprehension or guiding Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan in their training. Toward the outside world—especially the movements of Tang San and Yu Xiaogang—he seemed... entirely unconcerned.

Until the morning of the third day.

Xiao Wu finally could not hold back and rushed into Flender's office.

"Director! Grandmaster and Little San have been out for two days! There's not a single piece of news! Where on earth did they go? Can that so-called old Soul Master actually cure him? Did anyone get sent back to send word?" Xiao Wu's rapid-fire questions were filled with anxiety and unease.

By this time, Flender could not sit still either.

Logically speaking, no matter how far that old Soul Master's dwelling was, two days was more than enough for a round trip.

Even if they had not found him, or if the treatment required time, Yu Xiaogang should have sent someone back to pass along a message so everyone would not worry.

Yet up to now, there was absolute silence!

A sense of ominous foreboding welled up in his heart.

"Don't panic, Xiao Wu, I'll send someone to Jishi Hall right now to ask the old apothecary," Flender pacified her, immediately calling Ma Hongjun over and telling him to go to Jishi Hall in Suotuo City to inquire for news.

Ma Hongjun went for the better part of the day, running back out of breath close to evening.

"Director! It's bad!"

Panic marked Ma Hongjun's face. "I went and asked at Jishi Hall! That old apothecary said he hasn't been in contact with Grandmaster at all these past few days!"

"He doesn't know anything about a secluded old Soul Master who specializes in treating eye ailments either!"

"He did see Grandmaster a few days ago; Grandmaster went to ask about folk remedies for eye ailments, but the old apothecary just casually mentioned a few possible directions, and Grandmaster left right after asking. He never looked for him again after that!"

"So..."