Tang Hao Was a Bit of a Blockhead Too

At dusk, a crowd gathered around a fire: Shrek's teachers and students, along with Yang Xiu and his companions. Their Candlelight Party had begun, and everyone was eating, though the students were given no alcohol. This was the first time Dai Mubai had seen Zhu Zhuqing since leaving the Star Luo Empire. He hadn't recognized her at first; only the resonance between their Martial Souls had told him who she was. Watching Zhu Zhuqing lean against Yang Xiu, Dai Mubai knew the man was no ordinary person. He clenched his fists several times but held back. He and Zhu Zhuqing had a verbal marriage agreement between the imperial family and the Zhu Family, but a woman wasn't that important to him—certainly not worth offending someone who plainly had powerful backing. Then one remark from Oscar lit the fuse of his anger.

"Stop staring. One look tells you that man's no ordinary person. She's someone else's woman, and no matter how long you look, she'll still be someone else's."

Hearing that made Dai Mubai feel as if he'd been cheated on. He'd meant to swallow his anger and let it go, but the more he thought about backing down, the angrier he became. He demanded,

"Zhu Zhuqing, don't you know we're engaged? And you're lying in another man's arms like that? You..."

Before Dai Mubai could go on, Zhao Wuji appeared out of nowhere and knocked him unconscious with a slap.

"I'll deal with this brat. Would that be all right with you?" He didn't call Yang Xiu "Sect Master." There were too many people here. Others might guess at their relationship, but he couldn't state it openly. Then he shot Hua Xiong a look.

Helpless, Hua Xiong stepped forward. "How about you..."

"I'm not that petty. He isn't worth my attention."

Yang Xiu didn't even glance at Dai Mubai. He was giving Hua Xiong and Zhao Wuji face. The man was nothing but a fly.

Zhu Zhuqing said anxiously, "There's nothing between me and him..."

Yang Xiu pressed a finger to her lips. "I know everything about you. You don't need to explain."

A bond level of 95 was no joke.

"Wuji, take him away. I don't want this happening again."

"Understood." Sweat soaked Zhao Wuji's back as he carried Dai Mubai away. He'd spent nearly a year with the boy and thought he was decent enough. Besides, he had intervened before Dai Mubai said anything too outrageous. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered.

Zhu Zhuqing felt so happy that she boldly kissed Yang Xiu. He froze, then smiled. Noticing the strange looks from everyone around them, she blushed and hid behind him. A moment later, as if something had occurred to her, she boldly stepped back beside him and acted as though nothing had happened—though her red face gave it all away. Yang Xiu watched her, thought for a moment, and said nothing. He simply took her hand and smiled. Though he hadn't spoken, the sudden sense of safety nearly brought Zhu Zhuqing to tears. She smiled happily, her eyes red. After the incident with Dai Mubai, the gathering gradually broke up. Before long, only Yang Xiu, Zhu Zhuqing, Guan Sheng, and Bai Kai remained. A little later, Zhao Wuji returned.

"Sect Master, I overstepped just now. I only thought the boy was decent, so I..."

Yang Xiu waved a hand, stopping him. "Enough. It's over. Sit down and have a drink."

Suddenly, Guan Sheng said, "Little San's father is here. Sect Master, what do you think?" Guan Sheng taught Tang San martial techniques and had spoken privately with Tang Hao before. They got along fairly well.

"Ask him to come out."

At Yang Xiu's words, Guan Sheng sent his voice behind them with Soul Power.

"Since you're here, come have a drink."

Soon, another person sat by the fire: Tang Hao, dressed like a beggar. Hua Xiong tossed him a jar of wine without asking who he was.

This was the first time Hua Xiong had met Tang Hao.

Tang Hao took a long swig and sat on the ground. He studied Guan Sheng in surprise before speaking in his distinctive voice.

"You've changed so much in such a short time, and grown so much stronger. I can't even gauge the depth of your Soul Power. The Flame Emperor Sect certainly has plenty of secrets."

At the time, Tang Hao's Soul Power was only at level 95. In a real fight, he couldn't beat Guan Sheng, even with Ring Detonation.

Level 97 put Guan Sheng across two major thresholds. His two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings and Dragging-Blade Technique were no joke. "I had a few fortunate encounters, that's all. If you joined our sect, you could grow stronger too." Guan Sheng was somewhat fond of Tang Hao, though he'd made the offer casually.

After a moment of silence, Tang Hao's hoarse voice sounded again.

"Heh. Letting Little San go with you is as far as I can go."

"I believe joining you would make me stronger too, but everyone has their own path."

Tang San had joined the Flame Emperor Sect, which meant Tang Hao alone had to repay what he owed the Clear Sky Sect. He'd been keeping an eye on the sect these past few years and had even reestablished contact with his older brother, but he still hadn't gone back. He had other things to do. More importantly, he couldn't bring himself to face them, so he kept putting it off.

At that, Tang Hao turned to Yang Xiu.

"Sect Master Yang, Little San's achievements now are beyond anything I could have imagined. Everyone connected to your Flame Emperor Sect has changed enormously. Your sect's ability to nurture people is truly astonishing. Thank you for everything you've done for Little San over the years. I'm glad he met you. I, Tang Hao, owe you a favor."

Yang Xiu could hardly believe his ears. Had someone replaced that proud Tang Hao? This didn't sound like him at all.

"Enough praise. Little San is one of the Flame Emperor Sect's own. He deserves everything he's received."

Yang Xiu smiled knowingly. "Now tell me. What brought you here today?"

Tang Hao fell silent, but finally spoke.

"A couple of years ago, after Little San returned to the Flame Emperor Sect, the ages of his Soul Rings changed. He also used a Spirit Medicine to alter the condition of Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul, allowing him to continue cultivating. I wanted to ask if you have any more of it. I can offer something in exchange."

Now Yang Xiu understood. He pondered for a moment. "You came for Tang Yuehua? I can get something that would help her. What can you offer us?"

"You really have it?" Tang Hao grew excited. He hadn't held out much hope.

"What can you trade for it?" Yang Xiu asked calmly.

"Well..." Tang Hao didn't have much, and what he did have might not interest them.

Seeing Tang Hao fall silent, Yang Xiu said, "Actually, you can wait for Little San. Before long, a fortunate opportunity will come his way. Ask him for what you need then."

"If that opportunity doesn't provide it, wait until he reaches level 70. He can return to the sect and obtain it himself. What he gets then will definitely help Tang Yuehua."

Tang Hao looked like a complete blockhead. Everything Yang Xiu said struck him as unbelievable, yet he found himself believing it anyway. The whole thing left his head spinning.

"Little San really can do that?"

"He can."

Yang Xiu believed that both the Innate Soul Power Pill and the Soul Power Pill could change Tang Yuehua's condition. He had no reason to help everyone, though. He'd told Tang Hao this much for Tang San's sake.

Tang San's opportunity to acquire Immortal Herbs was close at hand. Yang Xiu had been waiting for it all along. The goods in the system shop were too expensive, especially the Immortal Herbs. He could have taken them by force—even killed and robbed someone for them—but he hadn't. He still had his limits. Otherwise, he would have sent Tang San back to cultivate in the sect long ago. Cultivation there was much faster than outside.

In the original story, though, Tang San hadn't produced an Immortal Herb that could save Tang Yuehua. Yang Xiu didn't know whether the one saved by not using it on Grandmaster this time would work. If it didn't, Tang San would have to reach level 70 and obtain an attribute-free Immortal Herb in the Sect Secret Realm. That herb changed its effects according to its user, so it would definitely work.

Tang Hao sat silently for a while. In the end, he said nothing more and drank his wine.

Yang Xiu said, "Little San and the others will be entering the Soul Master Tournament soon. Focus on your cultivation. Stop wallowing. There's no hurdle you can't get over, and it's not as though there's no hope, is it? The living need your help even more. Don't let us down when a fight comes."

Tang Hao was speechless. Was my cultivation slow? Don't compare me with the people in your sect. There's no competing with them. In the end, his pride allowed him only to say,

"I know." Yang Xiu's words weren't pleasant, but he was right. After that, they stopped talking business and simply ate and drank together. Tang Hao got a little drunk, but he still left alone in the middle of the night.

Eventually, everyone else went to rest, leaving only Yang Xiu and Zhu Zhuqing. Yang Xiu looked up at the star-filled sky and wondered whether one of those stars belonged to the Azure Planet. His family was there, along with everything he missed. He was homesick. More than four years had passed since he'd come here. He hadn't lived like a novel's hero, the center of attention wherever he went, but he had weathered his share of storms. Now life was peaceful. He was no longer a naive boy. He had someone he loved, someone he cared for just as deeply.

Yang Xiu glanced at Zhu Zhuqing standing quietly beside him and let his thoughts go. He took her hand, gently drew her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. A shooting star crossed the sky, and time seemed to stand still in that moment.