Tang Hao Was a Bit of a Fool Too

By evening, a crowd had gathered around a fire: Shrek's teachers and students, along with Yang Xiu and his companions. Their Candlelight Party had begun, with plenty to eat, 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 pull between their Martial Souls told him who she was. Seeing her nestled against Yang Xiu, Dai Mubai knew Yang Xiu was no ordinary man. He clenched his fists several times but held back each time. He and Zhu Zhuqing had a verbal marriage agreement between the imperial family and the Zhu Family, but women weren't that important to him, and he had no wish to offend someone who clearly had powerful backing. Then one remark from Oscar set his anger ablaze.

"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."

Dai Mubai felt as though he'd been cuckolded. He had meant to swallow it and let the matter pass, but the more he thought about backing down, the angrier he became. He demanded furiously,

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

Dai Mubai was about to continue when Zhao Wuji appeared from nowhere and knocked him unconscious with one slap.

"I'll deal with this brat. Will that be all right with you?" He didn't call Yang Xiu Sect Master. There were too many people here. Even if others suspected their relationship, he couldn't say it outright. He then shot Hua Xiong a look.

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

"I'm not that petty. He's not even worth my attention."

Yang Xiu didn't spare Dai Mubai a glance. He was giving Hua Xiong and Zhao Wuji face. Dai Mubai was only a fly.

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

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

An Intimacy 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 took Dai Mubai away. He'd spent a year with Dai Mubai and thought the boy was decent. Besides, Dai Mubai hadn't yet said anything too outrageous. Otherwise, Zhao Wuji wouldn't have intervened.

Zhu Zhuqing felt wonderfully happy. Boldly, she 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 she'd thought of something, she stepped back to his side and stood there boldly, pretending nothing had happened. Her red cheeks gave her away. Yang Xiu watched her, thought for a moment, and said nothing. He simply took her hand and smiled. Though he hadn't spoken a word, the sudden sense of safety nearly brought her to tears. She smiled happily, her eyes red. After Dai Mubai's outburst, 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 did it because I thought the boy was decent, so I..."

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

Suddenly, Guan Sheng said, "Xiao San's father is here. Sect Master, what do you think?" Guan Sheng taught Tang San martial skills and had spoken with Tang Hao in private a few times. They got along fairly well.

"Call him out."

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

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

Before long, another person sat beside the fire: Tang Hao in his Beggar Outfit. Hua Xiong tossed him a jar of wine without asking who he was.

Hua Xiong had never met Tang Hao before.

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

"You've changed so much in such a short time. You're much stronger, too. Your Soul Power feels unfathomable. The Flame Emperor Sect holds so many secrets."

Tang Hao's Soul Power was only at level 95. If they truly fought, he could not beat Guan Sheng, not even with Ring Detonation.

Guan Sheng's level 97 Soul Power put him across two thresholds. Two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings and the Dragging-Blade Technique were no trifling things. "I came across a few opportunities, that's all. If you joined our Sect, you could become stronger too." Guan Sheng thought fairly well of Tang Hao, though he'd said it casually.

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

"Heh. Letting Xiao San follow you is as far as I can go."

"I believe joining you would make me stronger, but everyone walks a different road."

Tang San had joined the Flame Emperor Sect, so Tang Hao alone would have to repay his debt to the Clear Sky Sect. He had kept watch over the Clear Sky Sect these past few years and had even gotten in touch with his elder brother, but he had yet to return. He still had things to do, and more importantly, his pride would not let him go back. He had kept putting it off.

At that, Tang Hao turned to Yang Xiu.

"Sect Master Yang, what Xiao San has achieved now is beyond anything I could have imagined. Everyone connected to your Flame Emperor Sect has undergone a tremendous change. What your Sect can do to nurture people is truly astonishing. Thank you for everything you've done for Xiao San over the years. I'm glad he met you. I, Tang Hao, owe you for it."

Hearing this, Yang Xiu was almost suspicious. Had someone swapped Tang Tsundere out? This didn't sound like him.

"Enough praise. Xiao San belongs to the Flame Emperor Sect. Everything he's received is what he deserves."

Yang Xiu smiled teasingly. "Now tell me what brought you here today."

Tang Hao fell silent. At last, he spoke.

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

Yang Xiu understood. After a moment's thought, he asked, "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 do you have to trade?" Yang Xiu asked calmly.

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

Seeing Tang Hao fall silent, Yang Xiu said, "You could wait for Xiao San. Before long, an opportunity will come his way. You can ask him for what you need then."

"If that opportunity doesn't give him the right thing, wait until he reaches level 70. He can return to the Sect and obtain it himself. Whatever happens, it will be able to help Tang Yuehua." (Last time, Tang San had not obtained a Soul Ring in the Sect Secret Realm at level 30. That had been considered a bug and was fixed afterward, so subsequent Soul Rings had to be obtained there. The rabbit, of course, condensed her own.)

Tang Hao looked like a complete fool now. He kept finding Yang Xiu's words unbelievable, yet somehow believed them anyway. Half of what Yang Xiu said left him utterly baffled.

"Xiao San can really do that?"

"He can."

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

Tang San's chance to obtain Immortal Herbs was nearly here, and Yang Xiu had been waiting for it. Items in the System Shop were too expensive, especially Immortal Herbs. He could have seized them by force, even killed for them, but he hadn't. He still had his principles. Otherwise, he would have brought Tang San back to cultivate in the Sect long ago. Cultivation there was much faster than outside.

In the original story, however, Tang San had never produced an Immortal Herb that could save Tang Yuehua. Yang Xiu didn't know whether the herb saved by not giving it to Grandmaster this time would work. If it didn't, Tang San would have to reach level 70 and obtain an Attribute-less Immortal Herb from the Sect Secret Realm. That herb changed its effects to suit its user, so it would certainly work.

Tang Hao was silent for a while. Then, instead of speaking, he drank.

Yang Xiu said, "Xiao San's Soul Master Tournament is coming soon. Cultivate properly and stop wallowing. There's no hurdle you can't get past, and it's not as if all hope is lost. The living need your help 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. I can't compete with them. Proud as he was, he only said,

"I know." Yang Xiu's words were hardly pleasant to hear, but he was right. After that, they stopped discussing serious matters. Everyone ate and drank together. Tang Hao became a little drunk, but he still left alone in the middle of the night.

Eventually, the others went to rest, leaving only Yang Xiu and Zhu Zhuqing. Yang Xiu looked up at the sky, where stars filled the heavens. He wondered whether one of them belonged to Azure Planet, where his family was. He missed them. He missed home. More than four years had passed since he'd come here. He hadn't lived like a novel's protagonist, the center of every crowd, but he had weathered his share of storms. Now life was peaceful. He was no longer the ignorant boy he'd once been. He had someone he loved, and someone here to care for.

Yang Xiu glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood quietly beside him, and let his thoughts go. He took her hand, gently drew her into his arms, and kissed her forehead. A meteor streaked across the sky, and time seemed to freeze at that moment.