Chapter 45: A vicious scheme
Well, well. I'd worn out iron shoes searching in vain, only to find it here without effort.
A cold, sinister smile curled Tang San's lips like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, and his irritation instantly turned into vicious scheming.
Of all the things Xiong Shaoqing should never have done, he should never have taken in Dai Mubai's woman.
Since he liked stealing the limelight so much, Tang San could use someone else's blade to kill him.
He had originally intended to sign up for a Singles Match tonight to get some practice, but now he had completely lost interest.
Although Shrek Academy provided food and lodging, there would still be plenty of expenses ahead. Why fight to the death in the arena for a few hard-earned coins?
Dai Mubai was a prince of the Star Luo Empire. He had Gold Soul Coins to spare.
Merely telling him that Zhu Zhuqing was here, going everywhere as a pair with another man, would be tantamount to grinding his masculine dignity beneath a heel.
When the time came, Dai Mubai would risk his life to tear Xiong Shaoqing apart without needing much provocation.
With Dai Mubai sticking his neck out and taking the brunt of things, Tang San could secretly wait for an opportunity to administer poison with Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. Xiong Shaoqing would have no escape, even if he sprouted wings.
Tang San turned with a cold sneer and left the Great Soul Arena without a backward glance.
He arrived outside the brothel from earlier and leaned against a shadowy corner, quietly waiting for his two "good brothers" to finish venting their lust and come out.
Meanwhile, on a platform inside the Great Soul Arena.
Xiong Shaoqing had just finished his fight and was about to turn and leave the platform when a piercing system notification suddenly exploded inside his head!
[Ding! Detected that Tang San, the child of fortune, has witnessed the host's success, generating extreme jealousy, twisted killing intent, and vicious schemes. His fortune value has shifted!] [System Feedback Mechanism activated. A vast quantity of pure Soul Power is being forcibly infused!] [The host's Soul Power has broken through the Level 26 barrier!] [Current Soul Power: Level 26!]
Fuck, that bastard Tang San is nearby.
Xiong Shaoqing's heart tightened. This unexpected experience package made him realize what was happening immediately.
Unless Tang San had personally witnessed his performance in the arena, he could never have suddenly erupted with such intense emotions directed at him.
Fortunately, the match had just ended, and he had already swiftly withdrawn his Martial Soul and suppressed his Soul Power fluctuations.
Had he been any later and allowed that naturally suspicious viper Tang San to notice that he could instantly level up even after a fight ended, it would certainly have invited even more frenzied probing.
That viper really won't stop haunting me. He's probably secretly brewing up something nasty.
Xiong Shaoqing sneered inwardly, but as he felt the Level 26 Soul Power filling his body almost to overflowing, he forcibly suppressed the upward curve of his lips again.
Then again, this experience package is so fucking sweet.
Tang San didn't come to scout out his enemy. He clearly came to be my Human Power Bank.
After leaving the platform and collecting their generous prize money, the three walked out of the Great Soul Arena side by side.
Tonight had been fruitful, and with a free level of Soul Power from Tang San on top of that, Xiong Shaoqing was in an excellent mood.
He glanced at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing beside him, their foreheads still lightly beaded with sweat, and spoke in his usual cold, unruffled tone:
"You've been fighting all evening. You've used up quite a bit. There's a night market ahead. Let's get something to eat."
Xiao Wu swallowed and rubbed her flat stomach, frowning in indecision. "But, big brother... won't eating a late-night snack make us fat?"
Although Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, her steps also grew hesitant. For an agility-type Soul Master, maintaining a light, slender figure was instinctive.
Watching the two girls look so adorable as they desperately craved food yet restrained themselves for the sake of their figures, the lecherous soul deep inside Xiong Shaoqing had already melted into a puddle.
Tsk, tsk. These two silly girls. Your proportions are already so perfect they should be against the rules, okay?
I wouldn't mind if you put on a little weight. Besides, the cat and rabbit worked so hard clearing out those small fry in the arena. How could I let them go back hungry?
Though he was shouting wildly inside, Xiong Shaoqing maintained the lofty demeanor of an icy God King.
He stopped, turned his head slightly, and swept a cold glance over the two with his deep eyes. His voice was stiff, yet carried an unquestionable authority:
"One occasional meal won't kill you. If you can't even replenish this little expenditure, what are you cultivating your Martial Souls for? Stay hungry if you won't eat. I'm going."
With that, he slipped both hands into his cloak pockets and strode toward a wonton stall in the night market on his long legs.
"Oh, big brother, wait for us! Fine, we'll eat. We'll just run a few extra laps tomorrow." Xiao Wu broke into a smile through her tears and pulled Zhu Zhuqing after him.
Sitting before the steaming wonton stall, watching the two girls take small sips of the delicious hot broth, Xiong Shaoqing discreetly summoned the Destiny Diary and began his daily performance:
[The clamor of the Great Soul Arena was exhausting, but fortunately, tonight's winning streak went reasonably smoothly.]
[However, when I stepped off the platform, I keenly detected a nauseating, sinister killing intent. It was Tang San. That viper really was lurking in the shadows.]
[Leaving that prancing clown's schemes aside, I truly cannot understand how the minds of these two girls beside me work.]
[They fight for their lives in the arena without so much as furrowing their brows, yet once they leave it, even with their stomachs growling in hunger, they actually agonize over whether to have a bowl of late-night food for fear of getting fat?]
[Even in my previous life in the Divine Realm, I could never understand this obsession women have. Now that I'm cultivating anew in this life, I still don't understand it. Helpless, I could only keep playing the villain, putting on a stiff, unpleasant face and forcibly bringing them to this wonton stall.]
[Right now, they're probably secretly cursing me for being insensitive, domineering, and dictatorial.]
[Let them curse. I can't change this temper of mine anyway. As long as I can watch them comfortably finish their hot broth in this cold wind and replenish what they used up in the arena, I'll accept it even if they see me as an unreasonable, cold-blooded bastard.]
Once the words were written, Xiong Shaoqing swiftly severed the connection.
These inner thoughts have a little blunt male grumbling, complaints about how hard women are to understand, and finally the helpless acceptance of taking the blame. With this fatherly maneuver, there's no way I can't win over this cat and rabbit.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, sitting opposite him, were holding warm porcelain bowls in their fair, tender hands.
As the contents of the Diary appeared in their minds, both girls froze, then nearly failed to hold back their laughter.
So this is how big brother grumbles about us inside. He even thought we'd secretly call him a cold-blooded bastard.
A sweet smile curved Xiao Wu's lips, and through the curling steam, she stole a glance at the man sitting perfectly upright, eating his wontons with an expressionless face.
An even softer, watery sheen appeared in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
This man was clearly thinking of our health, yet he insisted on pretending to be a fierce, unreasonable tyrant.
Even in his absolutely private diary, he was prepared for us to misunderstand and resent him.
Silly man. How could we ever call you domineering and dictatorial?
Zhu Zhuqing murmured softly in her heart.
Looking at his cold, stern face, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly felt that this ordinary bowl of roadside wontons was more delicious than all the rare delicacies she had ever eaten with the Star Luo Imperial Family.
Chapter 46: The self-sacrifice ruse
On the surface, Xiong Shaoqing focused intently on the wontons in his bowl, but from the corners of his eyes, he keenly caught the tender, water-soft gazes of the two girls.
Got them, got them. Those lingering gazes! This performance of treating both equally was a complete victory.
Xiong Shaoqing blossomed with delight inside, but his face remained as unmoving as a mountain. He merely drank his hot broth mouthful after mouthful, seemingly oblivious to the pink bubbles around him.
The night wind was bitterly cold. Tang San waited a full two hours before he saw Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun emerge from the brothel, their steps unsteady and their bodies reeking of rouge and powder.
"Let's head back. It's getting late." Suppressing his disgust, Tang San calmly walked ahead to lead the way.
The three soon sneaked back to Shrek Academy and clambered over its rear wall with practiced ease. They had only just landed and had not even had time to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Where did you go instead of sleeping in the middle of the night?"
A voice like muffled thunder exploded across the open ground.
Torches instantly lit up all around them. In the middle of the training field, Vice Dean Zhao Wuji held a long, thick leather disciplinary whip hanging from his hand, glaring at them furiously.
Beside him, Dean Flender wore a dark expression, while Yu Xiaogang stood to one side with his hands behind his back and his brows tightly knitted.
It's over. We've been caught.
Ma Hongjun was so frightened that all the fat on his body quivered violently, and his legs went weak.
Dai Mubai also turned deathly pale, much of his drunkenness instantly vanishing. Shrek Academy had strict rules, and the consequences of leaving without permission were unthinkable.
Just as cold sweat streamed down Dai Mubai's and Ma Hongjun's foreheads and they struggled to think of an excuse, a shrewd, calculating glint flashed through Tang San's eyes.
I was just worrying about finding a chance to win these two idiots over. This self-sacrifice ruse has come at exactly the right moment.
Without the slightest hesitation, Tang San suddenly stepped forward. Before anyone could speak, he dropped straight to his knees before Zhao Wuji and Flender with a thud.
He raised his head, his eyes slightly red, his face filled with the resolve of someone determined to answer for his own actions-the very image of a pristine white lotus rising unstained from the mud.
"Dean Flender, Teacher Zhao. Every bit of this is my fault alone. It has nothing to do with Mubai or Fatty."
His voice trembling, Tang San began his performance in tears. "Two days ago, I asked the dean for leave to go to Suotuo City, but he refused."
"I felt terribly stifled, so tonight I worked up the nerve to sneak out over the wall. But just as I climbed onto it, Mubai and Fatty happened to see me."
"They wanted to shout for help and stop me from making a mistake, but I was afraid of being exposed. Relying on the advantage of my hidden weapons, I threatened them and forcibly dragged them down from the wall."
"I forced them to come to Suotuo City with me to keep them quiet. They were unwilling from beginning to end. I forced them."
Tang San straightened his chest, looking utterly righteous. "I was the mastermind, and I'm willing to bear every punishment. Whatever beating or punishment there is, direct it at me alone."
At these words, dead silence fell.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun whipped their heads around and stared fixedly at Tang San kneeling on the ground as though he were a monster, their eyes nearly popping out.
The two of them had gone whoring to vent their urges. Tang San had not even entered the door and had waited outside for them in the cold wind the entire time.
Now that the truth had come to light, Tang San was actually taking sole responsibility for an offense serious enough to get him expelled, even going so far as to fabricate a lie about "threats and inducements" to clear their names.
"Third Brother... you..." Ma Hongjun was so moved that tears welled in his eyes.
Dai Mubai clenched both fists and bit down hard on his lip.
He had always thought Tang San was a wooden block who knew nothing but cultivation. He had never imagined that, at a critical moment, this brother would shoulder the blame and weather the storm for them. This debt of gratitude weighed as heavily as Mount Tai.
Both men's throats tightened. In the end, they chose to tacitly accept his account, lowering their heads without a word.
Watching their tearful gratitude, a flash of smug satisfaction crossed Tang San's lowered eyes.
Done. After today's performance, these two will be the most loyal dogs under my command.
Dai Mubai has plenty of money and connections. He'll be the handiest blade for dealing with Xiong Shaoqing later.
"You little bastard! You dare threaten your classmates at this academy?" Zhao Wuji blazed with fury. He swung the whip in his hand, producing a piercing sonic crack. "I'll skin you alive today!"
"Teacher Zhao, hold your hand."
Just as Zhao Wuji was about to lash down, Yu Xiaogang walked out with his hands behind his back and stood in front of Tang San.
He looked at Tang San, sighed, and turned to Flender. "Little San broke the academy's rules and even threatened his classmates. The nature of his offense is indeed serious."
"But he has now voluntarily stepped forward to take full responsibility, without shirking or evading it. Such honesty in admitting his mistake is truly rare. I believe he should receive a lighter punishment."
Flender pushed up the crystal glasses on his nose. His shrewd gaze swept over the three before he finally nodded.
"Under academy rules, leaving without permission earns fifty lashes for a first offense. Not only did you sneak out, you also threatened and dragged your classmates along. That aggravates your offense, and your punishment should be doubled to one hundred lashes," Flender said gravely. "However, considering your sincere admission of wrongdoing and willingness to take responsibility..."
"Twenty lashes will be remitted at our discretion. Your final punishment is eighty lashes. Zhao Wuji, administer it."
"Hmph."
Zhao Wuji gave a heavy snort. He had long disliked Yu Xiaogang, this Grandmaster who did nothing but flap his lips all day. He was a dignified Soul Saint disciplining a student, yet this man had still managed to get the upper hand by pleading for leniency.
Zhao Wuji laid all the blame for this pent-up, frustrated anger on Tang San.
After all, Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's prized disciple.
He did not hold back in the slightest. With a flick of his wrist, the leather whip sliced through the air and struck Tang San viciously across the back like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.
Crack!
The crisp lash rang through the night sky. Tang San's blue cloth shirt split open instantly, and a crimson welt immediately swelled up, blood seeping straight through his clothes.
"Hiss!"
Tang San sucked in a sharp breath of pain, his entire body shuddering violently, but he gritted his teeth and did not make a sound.
Crack, crack, crack!
Zhao Wuji's whip fell again and again, each stroke heavy and powerful, without the slightest mercy.
Before long, Tang San's back was a mass of split flesh and streaming blood, his whole body convulsing uncontrollably from the agony.
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