The sky gradually darkened.
Having finished their Soul Fighting, the Shrek Seven Devils finally dragged their exhausted bodies back to the academy. They chatted and laughed along the way, but the atmosphere remained somewhat strange. Tang San stood beside Shangguan Hong, fussing over his well-being. He seemed not to notice his own teacher's ugly expression at all, focusing all his attention on the companion beside him.
Though Yu Xiaogang was displeased, this was not the time to erupt. Swallowing his anger, he told everyone to go back and rest, then took the money from the match and a bellyful of resentment to Flender to vent.
"Xiaogang, you're back! Sit, sit! How was it? Did today's Soul Fighting go smoothly?"
Flender took out the tea dust he had treasured for so long, which cost three Copper Soul Coins for a large handful, and generously poured Yu Xiaogang a large cup. Yu Xiaogang obliged him by taking a sip, then tossed the Gold Soul Coins earned from the Soul Fighting in front of Flender. Beaming, Flender opened the bag. Those glittering coins piled together were, to him, the most beautiful sight in the world.
"Good, good, good! I knew I hadn't misjudged those children! They really do us proud!"
Now that he had the money, Flender did not stint on his praise. Yet that praise sent the anger in Yu Xiaogang's heart surging up!
"Flender, that's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you! That boy named Shangguan Hong is far too arrogant! He clearly possesses a powerful Soul Skill, yet he refused to tell me about it before the match, causing an unexpected situation during the fight. Do you realize we nearly lost this Soul Fighting match?"
Yu Xiaogang kept jabbing a finger against the table, spittle flying. Flender froze. He had not expected his friend to react like this.
"Surely not? Shangguan Hong is humble and courteous. I think he's a good kid! Old Zhao praises him highly too, and he gets along well with the other little monsters at the academy. There shouldn't be any problem, should there?"
Flender had absolutely no hidden meaning, but everything Yu Xiaogang heard rubbed him the wrong way! What do you mean, you and Zhao Wuji think Shangguan Hong is good, and the other students approve of him too? So, according to you, I'm the one with the problem?
Yu Xiaogang could not tolerate it. He panted, his eyes wide.
"Hmph! Don't be fooled by that boy's act. For all we know, he's a born actor! Just wait. Tomorrow, I'll give him a proper dressing-down, and then you'll see that boy's true colors!"
Had Shangguan Hong been there, his killing intent would certainly have flared! Because Yu Xiaogang had guessed correctly: the way he acted now really was all a performance. And never in his dreams would Flender have imagined that, by dismissing this rare correct judgment from his friend, he would pay an exceedingly painful price in the future!
Shangguan Hong did not know how Yu Xiaogang and Flender's conversation went, nor did he care. In his pitch-black room, he sat cross-legged on his bed. He was not cultivating, but considering how to claim as many of the immortal herbs within the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well as possible for himself! It was quite a difficult undertaking, but he would never give up!
And so the system responded!
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on triggering the quest: treasures belong to the virtuous!] [As a treasure basin of immortal herbs rarely seen in this world, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well contains tremendous opportunities! It rightfully belongs to someone of noble character! Host, please seize as many immortal herbs as possible. Rewards will be determined by your final haul!] [Item obtained: Elm Wood Clone!]
In the dim room, Shangguan Hong looked at the pale blue electronic screen before him, the corners of his mouth rising uncontrollably.
The night passed without incident.
Early the following morning, the Shrek Seven Devils gathered in the square. As usual, Shangguan Hong arrived at the meeting place right on time. Just as he was sleepily greeting the others, Yu Xiaogang approached from the distance, his face stern.
"What's wrong with Grandmaster? With that expression, you'd think someone owed him tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins..."
Oscar had a good relationship with Shangguan Hong, in large part because Shangguan Hong was his most loyal customer. Standing beside Shangguan Hong, he muttered in a voice only the two of them could hear.
The corners of Shangguan Hong's mouth lifted slightly.
Even the compliant Oscar had begun to take issue with Yu Xiaogang. It was easy to imagine what the others thought of this so-called Grandmaster.
As Yu Xiaogang came to a stop before them, the laughter among the group gradually died down. They looked at this Grandmaster in some confusion. Though yesterday's performance had had its flaws, the final result had been good! They had just won a match. Even if he wanted to correct their shortcomings, surely there was no need to wear such a deathly face?
Tang San was also somewhat puzzled. In his memory, although Yu Xiaogang was usually rigid and stern, he had never been in such an extreme state.
Yes, extreme!
Though Tang San had not developed any grievances against Yu Xiaogang and still regarded his teacher like his own father, he had already begun to feel that Yu Xiaogang's state was somewhat strange. That image of a wise man seemed to have developed a crack.
"Feeling very pleased with yourselves?"
Yu Xiaogang spoke coldly, his expression utterly stern. Without waiting for anyone to respond, he raised his hand and pointed toward the academy entrance, barking an order that brooked no argument.
"Go to the academy entrance, put on the carrying baskets I prepared for you, and run around the village. One hundred laps each!"
Corporal punishment!
Blatant corporal punishment!
Shangguan Hong was speechless. Yu Xiaogang was not even pretending anymore. Whether it was training or punishment, was running with rocks on their backs his only option? What was the point of this sort of thing?
Displeasure also appeared on the faces of Dai Mubai and the others, but under the weight of Yu Xiaogang's tyranny, they could only swallow their resentment, shoulder the rocks as they had during the Devil's Road, and begin jogging slowly around the village.
Yu Xiaogang stood in the square with his eyes shut, waiting for everyone to return. In his plan, the Shrek Seven Devils would resent his corporal punishment, but as they ran, they would definitely discuss what they had done to anger him, their Grandmaster! Once they figured out the key issue, they would surely feel guilty, and their resentment over the corporal punishment would disappear. Most likely, they would apologize to him, their Grandmaster, after the punishment ended.
And indeed, after only a dozen or so laps, Dai Mubai was the first to lose patience.
"What do you think is wrong with Grandmaster? He gathered us in the square first thing in the morning, then made us carry rocks and run around the village?"
"Our fighting yesterday probably disappointed Teacher!"
Tang San sighed. Thinking it over carefully, their fighting yesterday really had been poor. But just as he was about to continue along that line of thought, Shangguan Hong spoke.
"Eh, I don't think that's it! I'm afraid things reaching this point might have something to do with what Rongrong said yesterday..."