The More He Explained, the Worse It Got

The fat man was clearly someone of high status. Under his impatient urging, the academy head actually stopped his speech. He glanced back at Yu Xiaogang, who sat behind him with his head lowered and his face ashen, then at the fat man, who was sweating profusely as he urged him to get to the point. His lips moved twice before he finally let out a sigh.

"I'm sure everyone knows why this assembly of all our teachers and students was called."

With that, the academy head took a sip of water and glanced awkwardly at Yu Xiaogang behind him once more before continuing.

"Many of you have heard a certain rumor these past few days, and some students have even brought those filthy books into the academy. I'll spare you some dignity this time, but if it happens again, I'll reprimand you before the whole school."

Some students in the crowd whispered among themselves. They still had copies of those classic anthologies in their desks and paid no heed to the academy head's words. The books sold at a high price in Nuoding City, and most of those who could afford them came from wealthy or influential families.

Some teachers lowered their heads and snickered, exchanging quiet remarks with their companions.

If they couldn't bring the books to the academy, they could simply read them at home. As far as they were concerned, there was no need to offend the academy head.

"Also, regarding the rumors circulating in the academy lately, I can tell everyone with confidence that they're all false. You've been spreading stories that couldn't be further from the truth, and it has already caused harm to the academy. I won't drag the specific culprits out here on the spot. I'll leave you some dignity."

The academy head wore a stern expression as his sharp gaze fixed on several students, and even some teachers.

Those students and teachers had been among the first to see Yu Xiaogang back then. Now that the academy head had singled them out, they all lowered their heads, too afraid to meet his eyes.

"If you spent that time cultivating, every one of you would have become a Titled Douluo long ago."

The academy head's cutting words struck every student's heart. Some of those who had made up stories felt their faces burn with shame. Standing in the crowd, they seemed to feel everyone's eyes on them and could hardly stand still.

You little brats, did you think I couldn't deal with you?

The academy head, standing on the stage, took in most of their reactions and nodded inwardly, quite pleased with his speech.

But the fat man was clearly tired of waiting. He stood up, snatched the microphone from the academy head's hand, and began to speak.

"We don't discriminate against this sort of thing, but we don't recommend it either. Besides, according to some information we uncovered, this sort of person generally comes from the Star Luo Empire. We don't have people like that in the Heaven Dou Empire, so there's no need to panic or be afraid, and certainly don't think of joining them."

He rattled on from the stage while the academy head stood beside him with a bitter smile, helpless to do anything. This man had ties to the royal family and was merely passing through Nuoding City. With what he had done, everything the academy head had said before had been in vain. He had even nailed down the claim that Yu Xiaogang had done such a thing. Besides, although he had spoken of "this sort of person," who in Nuoding Academy didn't know he meant Yu Xiaogang? Even if he hadn't named Yu Xiaogang as someone from the Star Luo Empire, who could say what version the story would become as it passed from mouth to mouth?

From now on, wherever Yu Xiaogang went, people would remember this incident. Even Tang San had been dragged down with him. The students around Tang San were now looking at him with wariness and suspicion.

They suspected that Tang San was also a Star Luo Empire mole, sent specifically to bend little boys like them, so the Heaven Dou Empire would collapse without a fight.

Damn it, damn it! You already have a way to die! A way to die!

Standing in the crowd, Tang San had nodded inwardly as he listened to the academy head. In his view, with the academy head personally clearing things up, the matter was as good as over.

But the moment the fat man of exalted status opened his mouth, Tang San had a bad feeling. Sure enough, the fat man's words had all but confirmed the matter for both master and disciple. But how could Tang San dare go onstage and confront him now? He could only clench his fists and glare viciously at the fat man from below.

Yu Xiaogang sat on the stage, closest to the microphone. His tightly clenched fists had long since begun to bleed, but in a situation like this, how could he feel the pain? All he wanted now was to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Fool! What a fool!

The academy head tried several times to take back the microphone, but he was stopped every time. He was so frantic he wanted to use Martial Soul Possession right then and there and slap the babbling fat man to death. The man might be enjoying himself now, but from now on, anyone who came to Nuoding City and Nuoding Academy would bring up this matter. Nuoding Academy might even be affected by it, and it could well become an academy that Soul Masters avoided like the plague.

"All right, that's all."

The crowd had already begun to discuss it, the voices of teachers and students rising and falling across the field. The fat man was very pleased with his speech. The flesh on his face bunched together so tightly that even his little eyes disappeared.

"Just now, uh... let's dismiss the assembly first."

The microphone returned to the academy head's hands. His head was aching now, and, at a loss, he could only dismiss everyone for the time being.

"I never thought Grandmaster was like that. Han Yu, aren't you worried about Tang San?"

Xiao Wu had been one of the people spreading the rumor in the first place. Now that it had been confirmed, she was overjoyed, but then she remembered Tang San's relationship with Han Yu and asked with a worried look.

"Hm? It's fine. Little San can like whatever he likes. With you and me here, why worry about my family line dying out?"

Han Yu was stunned for a moment. Then he stroked Xiao Wu's soft black hair and slowly leaned close to her earlobe, his face full of tenderness as he spoke.

"Y-you, what are you saying? What do you mean, you and me, and your family line dying out?"

In an instant, a rosy blush spread across Xiao Wu's delicate face. The next second, she looked like a ripe red apple. Blushing shyly, she raised a little fist to hit Han Yu, then worried that others might hear their conversation and drew in her neck as she glanced around. The people nearby were all quietly discussing what had just happened, and no one was paying the two of them any attention. Only then did Xiao Wu breathe a sigh of relief. Her little face crimson, she shot Han Yu a fierce glare, snorted, and strode ahead of him. Then she stopped, turned around, and held out her hand, speaking in a commanding tone.

"Hold my hand!"

I've spoiled you.

Han Yu rolled his eyes at her and had no intention of paying her any heed, but Xiao Wu grabbed his hand. He looked up to see her bending forward slightly, holding his hand in both of hers. She smiled and said to him,

"I forgive you."

Idiot.

Her behavior nearly made Han Yu laugh out loud. Xiao Wu really did have a knack for directing and acting in her own little play.

Walking behind Xiao Wu, Han Yu watched her skip along while holding his hand. A trace of ruthlessness flashed deep in his eyes.

"If you really like me, don't make things difficult for me at the crucial moment."

Sky Azure Bull Python, Titan Giant Ape.

In this book, Bi Ji and the Demon Empress have no relationship with Di Tian.