Yu Xiaogang's profound devotion!!

"So, they must have disappeared!"

"What?!"

After hearing Ma Hongjun's account, Flender sprang to his feet, his expression changing drastically!

Xiao Wu's face instantly turned deathly pale!

"This is bad!" With his wealth of experience, Flender immediately realized how serious the situation was!

Yu Xiaogang had lied!

He had not taken Tang San to seek medical treatment at all!

Then where had he taken Tang San?

Why had he lied to leave?

Thinking of Yu Xiaogang's recent, uncharacteristic haggardness and resolve, Tang San's strange injuries, and Cao Kun's unfathomable background... Flender was overwhelmed by conflicting emotions!

"Notify Teacher Zhao immediately! Search Tang San's and Yu Xiaogang's rooms thoroughly! See if they left any clues!"

Flender made a swift decision and issued his orders sharply.

Zhao Wuji soon arrived after receiving the news, his face turning livid when he heard what had happened. Everyone immediately got to work.

The results of the search made everyone's hearts sink.

Tang San's and Yu Xiaogang's rooms had both been left very "clean." Apart from a few missing changes of clothes, there were no useful clues.

No letters, no maps, nothing that could indicate where they had gone.

It was as though they had vanished into thin air.

"The Grandmaster... took Tang San... and disappeared?" Dai Mubai murmured in disbelief.

"Why did this happen? Why did the Grandmaster take San away? Where did they go?" Xiao Wu was already drowning in tears.

Ning Rongrong also knitted her brows, feeling that things were growing increasingly strange.

Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged looks, each seeing gravity and a trace of... dread in the other's eyes.

There was nothing simple about Yu Xiaogang's and Tang San's sudden disappearance!

An enormous secret had to lie behind it!

And all of this seemed inextricably linked to one person.

Cao Kun, who remained at the retreat on the Back Mountain, seemingly indifferent to everything.

Could he... really have forced Tang San and Yu Xiaogang to leave?

Flender dared not pursue the thought. Drawing a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. "This is no time to panic. Send people out immediately. Starting from Shrek Academy, discreetly investigate Suotuo City and the surrounding towns and villages for traces of Yu Xiaogang and Tang San!"

He glanced toward the Back Mountain, his gaze complicated.

Zhao Wuji nodded and immediately left to arrange the manpower.

With the sudden disappearance of the Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang, and Tang San, a thick shadow had once again fallen over Shrek Academy.

Meanwhile, outside Suotuo City...

Tang Hao and his son were already far away.

Yu Xiaogang, who had originally intended to remain in the city to throw people off the trail, had also severed all contact with Shrek Academy and vanished into the sea of people.

Indeed, after Tang Hao and his son left, he too had departed from Suotuo City.

His destination was unknown.

That afternoon, at Buzhou Retreat on Shrek Academy's Back Mountain.

The warm afternoon sunlight spilled lazily across the courtyard, warming the bluestone paving. The fresh scent of vegetation and earth drifted through the air.

Cao Kun reclined on a rosewood lounge chair, his eyes half closed and his demeanor leisurely, as though the turmoil outside had nothing to do with him.

His robes were whiter than snow, untouched by a speck of dust. Only his fingertips occasionally tapped against the armrest, producing soft, steady knocks, as though he were calculating something.

Dugu Yan, dressed in pale green, appeared silently outside the pavilion. Her green eyes held their usual respect as she reported quietly, "Young master, word has come from the academy. Yu Xiaogang and Tang San... have indeed disappeared."

"Dean Flender sent people to investigate, but they found no clues. It was as though the two had vanished into thin air."

"Everyone at the academy is uneasy, especially the girl named Xiao Wu. She's very distraught."

Cao Kun's lashes stirred, and he slowly opened his eyes. The light of the sky and drifting clouds reflected in his deep, untroubled gaze.

"Disappeared?"

The corners of his lips rose into an amused smile. "Decisive of them. It seems Tang Hao made his move."

"Tang Hao?"

Dugu Yan froze briefly. "Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao? His injuries haven't healed, yet he dared to act right under your nose..."

"Even a cornered dog will bite, let alone a fierce tiger protecting its cub."

Cao Kun sat upright and picked up the jade pot kept warm on the low table beside him, pouring himself a fragrant cup of Spirit Tea.

"He didn't dare come directly to the academy. He could only use Yu Xiaogang as his 'inside man' to take Tang San away."

"Yu Xiaogang certainly has 'profound devotion' to Tang San. He was willing to take risks and even deceive Flender."

He sipped his tea and continued, "Given Tang Hao's temperament, he'll never let this go after suffering such a great loss and having his son blinded."

"He took Tang San away partly to treat his eyes, and probably also to build up his strength and plot his revenge."

"Yu Xiaogang... was probably displeased with my guidance of Tang San, so he cooperated."

A flicker of understanding crossed Dugu Yan's eyes before she asked, "Young master, should we continue looking into their whereabouts?"

Cao Kun set down his teacup and lightly stroked its rim. After a moment's consideration, he said, "There's no need to make a spectacle of it."

"Tang Hao is a Titled Douluo, after all. Even severely injured, his strength and methods aren't to be underestimated."

"Yu Xiaogang is meticulous... and no easy opponent either. Deliberately tracking them could alert them instead."

His tone shifted, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. "Still, have our people keep an eye out for unusual energy fluctuations, or sightings of someone who appears to be a high-ranking Soul Master traveling with a blind boy. That will do."

"Don't force it. Let things take their course."

"They'll leave traces eventually."

"Yes, I understand."

Dugu Yan replied, "I'll make the arrangements right away."

She turned to leave.

"Wait." Cao Kun stopped her.

Dugu Yan halted, turned back, and lowered her head. "Do you have any other instructions, young master?"

Cao Kun looked toward the academy dormitories, that meaningful smile returning to his lips. "Yan'er, go to the academy and bring that girl named Xiao Wu here."

"Xiao Wu?"

Surprise flickered in Dugu Yan's eyes before she said, "Young master, do you intend to..."

"Tang San has gone and left this little rabbit all alone. Rather pitiful."

Cao Kun spoke lightly, as though discussing something utterly insignificant.

"Doesn't she want to know where Tang San is?"

"Perhaps I can give her a few 'clues.'"

Dugu Yan immediately understood Cao Kun's intention. He meant to "recruit" Xiao Wu into his ranks as well.

She bore no ill will toward that lively, sweet girl who seemed particularly close to Tang San. She even felt some sympathy for her plight.

But she would carry out her young master's decisions without question.

"Young master, if she refuses to come..." Dugu Yan asked for instructions.

"Refuses to come?"

Cao Kun chuckled. "Then quietly tell her this: ask whether she wants to know where Tang San has gone."

He paused, then added, "Remember, don't frighten her. It wouldn't do to... scare this little rabbit!"