Yu Xiaogang was walking toward the academy gate when he saw the gatekeeper let Tang San in, and a sense of foreboding immediately rose in his heart. But when he suddenly saw Lu Yu walking toward him, his unease was instantly replaced by delight.
Half a month ago, when Yu Xiaogang had gone to the Spirit Hall Branch to collect that month's Soul Master allowance, he had met Lu Yu there briefly. At the time, he had noticed Great Sage on Lu Yu's shoulder.
Yu Xiaogang had felt a strong intuition then: this child was just like him.
After making inquiries, Yu Xiaogang learned everything about Lu Yu's Martial Soul and even looked into Lu Fei's information.
Yu Xiaogang had been extremely excited, because Lu Yu had an External Beast Martial Soul just like him, along with level-one Innate Soul Power. When Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul had awakened, his Innate Soul Power had only been half a level.
This gave Yu Xiaogang hope-hope of breaking through level 30. As long as he took Lu Yu as his disciple and slowly studied his Martial Soul, Yu Xiaogang firmly believed he would find a way to break through level 30 in Lu Yu.
After that, Yu Xiaogang had watched Lu Yu in secret, but after staking out the Spirit Hall for several days in a row, he had only seen Lu Yu two or three times. In the end, he asked around and learned that Lu Yu lived at the home of Su Yuntao, a Spirit Hall deacon.
With that discovery, Yu Xiaogang was in no hurry. In his view, Lu Yu was so close to Su Yuntao of the Spirit Hall, yet he had not joined the Spirit Hall. That meant he would certainly come to study at Nuoding Academy when the term began.
And now, after waiting as eagerly as a man longing for the stars and moon, Yu Xiaogang's way to break through level 30 was walking right toward him.
Yu Xiaogang even cast what had just happened at the academy gate to the back of his mind. Staring eagerly at Lu Yu, he hurried over.
Lu Yu also noticed the look in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, which seemed ready to burst forth, and a sense of foreboding immediately rose in his heart.
Why is Gangzi looking at me so strangely?
Lu Yu did not want to get too entangled with Yu Xiaogang just yet. Holding Lu Fei's hand, he tried to go around Yu Xiaogang and leave.
He had barely taken a step when Yu Xiaogang hurried up and stretched out a hand to block his path. Lu Yu immediately frowned and looked up at Yu Xiaogang's stubbled face, his own face full of displeasure.
Seeing that Lu Yu was displeased, Yu Xiaogang's heart sank. He also realized how rude his actions had been, but thanks to the state of mind he had cultivated through years of being ridiculed by others, he quickly calmed himself.
Yu Xiaogang put his left hand behind his back, held his right fist in front of his lower abdomen, and tilted his head up at a forty-five-degree angle to gaze at the sky.
Watching Yu Xiaogang come over and block his way without saying a word, only to strike this thunderous pose, Lu Yu cursed under his breath.
"Fucking idiot!"
Then he took Lu Yu's hand and continued walking forward.
Seeing that Lu Yu was leaving, Yu Xiaogang grew anxious. He hurriedly reached out to stop him and called, "Wait, let me see your Martial Soul Awakening certificate."
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, those enrolling had Martial Soul Awakening certificates. As long as he got his hands on Lu Yu's certificate, it would be like tying a rope around Lu Yu.
After that, all he needed to do was hoodwink him-cough, cough! No, conquer Lu Yu with Yu Xiaogang's earth-shattering knowledge of Martial Soul Theory, then have Lu Yu worship him and become his disciple.
Lu Yu turned impatiently to look at Yu Xiaogang, mentally greeting every member of his family. What's wrong with this fucking idiot today? Why has he set his sights on me? Your good disciple is still waiting for you at the gate.
Thinking this, Lu Yu tilted his head to look behind Yu Xiaogang and saw that Tang San had followed them over. His eyes shifted, and he snorted coldly inwardly.
Gangzi, you came looking for me of your own accord. I had no intention of getting entangled with you, but you had to go courting death.
"Mister, who are you? You tell me to give you my Martial Soul Awakening certificate, and I'm just supposed to hand it over? Why should I?"
Lu Yu picked at his ear and spoke with his head cocked. His voice was loud, clearly meant for Tang San, who was behind Yu Xiaogang, to hear as well.
Lu Yu's attitude made fury burn in Yu Xiaogang's heart, but his face remained calm as still water.
"Sorry! Let me introduce myself first. I'm a teacher at the academy. Could you let me see your Martial Soul Awakening certificate?"
Seeing that Tang San had come close and was standing just two steps behind Yu Xiaogang, Lu Yu looked Yu Xiaogang up and down, feigning suspicion.
"You? Just because you say you're a teacher, I'm supposed to believe you? How do I know you're not lying to me?"
Yu Xiaogang clenched the hand behind his back into a tight fist and asked through gritted teeth, "Then how can I prove that I'm a teacher at the academy?"
The corner of Lu Yu's mouth curled up. Those were exactly the words he had been waiting for. "Since you say you're a teacher at the academy, tell me which class you teach, what subject you teach, and how many students are in your class!"
Lu Yu stared straight into Yu Xiaogang's eyes, but watched Tang San out of the corner of his eye. When he saw Tang San nod slightly, he understood that Tang San agreed with his questions too. For an academy teacher, there was nothing wrong with naming the class and subject he taught.
But when those questions were put to Yu Xiaogang, there was a big problem. To put it nicely, Yu Xiaogang was a teacher at Nuoding Academy; to put it bluntly, he was a good-for-nothing freeloader. How could he possibly answer Lu Yu's questions?
Seeing that Yu Xiaogang still had not answered, Tang San narrowed his eyes and looked him up and down from behind. He stepped back instinctively, having already labeled Yu Xiaogang a "human trafficker" in his mind.
There's something wrong with this man...
Seeing Tang San's reaction, Lu Yu's heart blossomed with laughter. He forced back a smile and continued pressing Yu Xiaogang.
"Mister, you say you're a teacher at the academy. Don't tell me you don't even know which class you teach!"
Lu Yu paused, then raised his voice several notches and spoke sharply. "Tell me, who are you really? What are you doing at the academy? And why do you want my Martial Soul Awakening certificate?"
Hearing that the "human trafficker" in front of him wanted that child's Martial Soul Awakening certificate, Tang San became even more wary. As he understood it, a Martial Soul Awakening certificate was a Soul Master's proof of identity.
A stranger had come up and immediately asked to see someone's proof of identity, and he had lied about who he was. On top of that, Tang San had already labeled Yu Xiaogang a "human trafficker."
Tang San took another cautious step back and clutched the Martial Soul Awakening certificate inside his clothes more tightly. His right hand, which had been at his side, also slipped quietly behind his back.
Catching this out of the corner of his eye, Lu Yu cried out inwardly, Well, damn, he's about to use his Sleeve Arrow! He saw Yu Xiaogang standing there in a daze.
His face was full of Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing? Lu Yu immediately lost interest. Ignoring Yu Xiaogang, he took Lu Fei and left.
Only when he saw Lu Yu leaving did Yu Xiaogang come back to his senses. He hurriedly reached out, trying to grab Lu Yu by the back. "Wait, I really am a teacher at the academy! Listen to me!"
Glancing back and seeing that Yu Xiaogang was still trying to grab him, Lu Yu pushed off with his legs and ran, pulling Lu Fei along. He also shouted a warning:
"If you keep chasing me, I'll call for help!"
What sort of person was Yu Xiaogang? He valued face more than his own life. Hearing Lu Yu's words, he stopped at once, his outstretched arm falling limply to his side.
His eyes fixed unwillingly on Lu Yu's retreating figure and Great Sage on Lu Yu's shoulder.