Chapter 121: Tang San—"The Best for Me, the Worst for Others"

Nighttime.

The city of Heaven Dou was engulfed in darkness, its streets silent as households closed their doors and windows tightly.

Amidst the stillness, Dugu Bo clutched his chest, suppressing his unease. He took a deep breath as he leaned against the wall of a narrow alley.

"Truly, when misfortune strikes, even drinking water can get you choked."

He had planned to send Tang San back to Shrek Academy and return alone under the cover of darkness to his home in the Sunset Forest.

This was Dugu Bo's way—peculiar and solitary. He loathed crowds and avoided them at all costs.

Yet tonight, his plans took an unexpected turn.

This was the same night Qian Renxue hosted a banquet for Ye Hao. Being ever-cautious of Ye Hao's intelligence, Qian Renxue had arranged for two Titled Douluo, Snake Spear and Thorn Blood, to stand guard outside.

By sheer bad luck, Dugu Bo passed by the guarded area, and Snake Spear Douluo mistook him for someone with ill intentions. A skirmish ensued.

Dugu Bo was now left bewildered, worn down by the encounter.

"Ptui!" He spat on the ground, half leaning against the alley wall, and sighed deeply.

"The city of Heaven Dou truly hides dragons and crouching tigers. To think I'd bump into not one, but two Titled Douluo. And such strange ones at that—their skills seem to restrain mine perfectly. Could it be...?"

Before he could finish his thought, another figure emerged from the shadows.

Dugu Bo froze. His heart sank further when he saw a black-robed man step out.

At this point, Dugu Bo had lost the will to resist. "Heavens, is this the end for an old man like me?"

He sighed and glanced at the figure, who remained motionless before him.

"Fine. Do what you came to do. Kill me already."

The black-robed figure made no move, instead slowly removing his hood to reveal a man who looked far older than his years. His hair was unkempt, and his appearance was utterly disheveled.

"You... Who are you?" Dugu Bo frowned.

"I am Tang Hao, Tang San's father."

The name hit Dugu Bo like a lightning bolt. He instinctively stepped back.

Tang Hao. The madman. The very name spelled doom.

Memories of abducting Tang San surfaced. If not for a mysterious black-robed figure injuring Tang Hao six months ago, Dugu Bo might not even be standing here today.

It seemed... Tang Hao had come for revenge.

Dugu Bo, already battered from his earlier fight with the Titled Douluo, resigned himself to his fate.

"Let me be clear, old poisoner. I'm not here to kill you," Tang Hao said, dousing Dugu Bo's fears for the moment.

Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes. "You've been following me, haven't you? What do you want, then? Mock me?"

Tang Hao's voice was steady: "Six months ago, you abducted my son. By rights, I should kill you. But you've looked after him well, so I'll spare you—for now."

Hearing this, Dugu Bo secretly exhaled in relief.

"However," Tang Hao continued, "I have a condition."

"What condition?"

Tang Hao's gaze turned sharp. "The Shrek Academy team will participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. My son will be competing. My situation is… complicated, so I can't appear in the open. I need you to protect Tang San during the tournament. Until it's over, you're not to let him die. Agreed?"

Dugu Bo considered his options. Refusal likely meant death right here and now. Reluctantly, he nodded.

"Fine. I'll do it. But let me be clear—I will only step in if it's a matter of life and death."

"Fair enough," Tang Hao replied. "You can go now."

With that, Tang Hao stepped aside, and Dugu Bo left in a hurry, still reeling from the encounter.

Once alone, Tang Hao's face darkened, and he coughed up a mouthful of dark purple blood.

"Damn you, Ye Ritian. I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do!"

Six months ago, Ye Ritian had poisoned Tang Hao with Death Spider Emperor Venom. The venom wasn't immediately fatal but inflicted unbearable nightly torment. Over time, it had aged Tang Hao prematurely, leaving him frail and haggard.

Tang Hao wiped the blood away and vanished into the night. His target was clear: Ye Ritian.

Meanwhile, at Qian Renxue's residence, she and Ye Hao were strolling down a hallway.

"Brother," Qian Renxue began, "may I ask you something?"

"Of course, Sister," Ye Hao replied with a nod.

"Are you really Ye Ritian?"

Ye Hao froze for a moment before nodding.

"Yes, Sister. Ye Ritian and I are the same person. But Sister, I must say, it wasn't very kind of you to have me followed."

Qian Renxue chuckled. "It was for your safety. But be honest, aren't you afraid of Tang Hao coming after you for taking Tang San's external soul bone?"

"Afraid? Never." Ye Hao's gaze turned to the stars. "With my allies by my side, what is there to fear? And worst case, Sister, I have you, don't I?"

Qian Renxue pursed her lips and smiled faintly, playfully tapping Ye Hao on the head.

"Such a smooth talker. Tang Hao's strength is no joke. My status makes it difficult for me to act rashly. Even Snake Spear and Thorn Blood, the two elders, are no match for him. If you truly find yourself with no way out, you can go directly to the Spirit Hall and seek out my grandfather. He will protect you."

"And as for your martial souls... I might not need to say anything. Perhaps she will personally come to find you."

"Let's not overthink it." Qian Renxue smiled slightly. "This time, the grand finals of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament will be held in the Spirit Hall, and I'll personally lead the Heaven Dou City teams. Your Emperor Team has already secured a spot. When the time comes, I'll take you to see my grandfather. I'm sure you, my little brother, will leave quite an impression on him."

"Grandfather?" Ye Hao's eyes lit up. "Are we meeting the family already? Isn't this a bit too soon?"

"Too soon? I think it's just right," Qian Renxue mused, carefully pondering his words.

Ye Hao continued, "Sister, you might not know this, but half a year ago in the Sunset Forest, I disguised myself as Ye Ritian and had a fierce battle with Tang Hao."

"What?" Qian Renxue asked anxiously, her expression tightening. "You fought Tang Hao? Were you hurt? Did anything happen to your body?"

Seeing her concern, Ye Hao felt a wave of warmth in his heart.

"At that time, I used the Death God's Heart skill, Death's Gaze. Even a Titled Douluo like Tang Hao would freeze for three seconds under its effect. During that moment, I let Spidey stab Tang Hao and injected the Death Spider Emperor venom into him. While the poison wasn't fatal, it ensures that every night he wishes he were dead. That's far worse than simply killing him."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue sighed regretfully. Why hadn't Ye Hao just killed Tang Hao outright? That way, she could have avenged her father.

However, on second thought, for Ye Hao to inflict such a devastating blow on Tang Hao despite his current strength was already a major accomplishment.

"It's getting late, Sister. I should head back now," Ye Hao said as he looked at the sky.

"No need," Qian Renxue replied. "I already sent someone to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy to inform Meng Shenji. I've arranged a room for you here tonight."

Ye Hao smiled. "If that's the case, I'll gladly accept your hospitality. It's late, Sister; you should rest early too."

With that, Ye Hao left.

Qian Renxue watched him go before turning her gaze to the starry sky above.

Once, she had spent her best years alone in the imperial palace, wasting them away in solitude.

But now, she had Ye Hao, a brother who had given her the Blue Silver Emperor and the Yearning Heartbroken Red. For the first time, she felt warmth and companionship.

Having someone by her side... it was truly wonderful.

"Wait..."

Qian Renxue frowned slightly. "That brat… taking advantage of me like this!"

The following morning, in a small wooden house behind Shrek Academy, Tang San gathered everyone together.

"Tang San, we're all here now."

"What's the occasion?"

Tang San's purpose was simple: distributing immortal herbs.

The day before, Tang San had returned to Shrek Academy safely, escorted by Dugu Bo. The first thing he did upon arriving was reunite with Xiao Wu in a heartwarming moment.

Since Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had left Shrek Academy to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, the Shrek Seven Devils had been reduced to five members. To prepare for the upcoming tournament, Flender had begun recruiting new members to restore the Shrek Seven Devils lineup—a critical move to protect the academy's reputation.

Inside the wooden house, Tang San stood before Dai Mubai, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu. From his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges, he pulled out a black and green bag—the Wishful Hundred Treasures Pouch he had obtained from Dugu Bo.

Since the spirit tool given by the Grandmaster couldn't store living things, Tang San had traded two Mother and Son Tracking Soul Chasing Spheres to get the pouch from Dugu Bo. Honestly, Dugu Bo had gotten the short end of the deal.

"I've brought gifts for everyone, which is why I've gathered you here," Tang San said as he opened the pouch.

Hearing the word "gifts," Dai Mubai and the others perked up, their anticipation palpable.

The last time Tang San had given out gifts was at Shrek Academy in Soto City, when he had handed out hidden weapons. What could it be this time? More hidden weapons?

Tang San played coy, deliberately keeping them in suspense.

"Boss Dai, do you remember the herbs Ye Hao gave to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy six months ago?"

Hearing this, Dai Mubai scowled. "Don't bring up those traitors! Instead of being ashamed when the academy was humiliated, they went off and joined Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. They're a disgrace to Shrek Academy."

"Exactly!" Ma Hongjun chimed in. "I heard the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy will also compete in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Tournament. If I run into them, I'll personally teach those two traitors a lesson!"

The two ranted angrily, feeling that Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's departure was a stain on Shrek Academy.

Only Oscar hesitated, swallowing his words before they could escape.

Placing a hand on their shoulders, Oscar said, "Enough. Let it go. They made their choice. What's the point of us dwelling on it?"

Hearing this, Xiao Wu frowned and turned to Oscar, her tone sharp. "Oscar, are you even a Shrek Academy student anymore? Why are you siding with them?"

Oscar retorted, "I've always been a Shrek student, even before you and Tang San joined. That hasn't changed."

Before the argument could escalate, Tang San stepped in, stopping Xiao Wu.

"Brother San, I didn't mean—"

Before Oscar could explain, Dai Mubai stepped in to mediate.

"Xiao Wu is a girl. Why are you even arguing with her? Besides, it hasn't been easy for Tang San to return, and he's even brought gifts for us. Just let it go, alright?"

Oscar clenched his teeth but ultimately decided to back down.

With Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing gone, Shrek Academy had only just stabilized, and Oscar didn't want minor disputes to cause further division.

Tang San gave Oscar a deep look, a plan forming in his mind. When distributing the herbs later, Oscar would undoubtedly receive the least desirable one—an appropriate lesson.

If it had been anyone else, Tang San would have already disciplined them outright.

Returning to the topic, Tang San continued, "At Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Ye Hao gave Ning Rongrong a herb called Beautiful Silk Tulip and Zhu Zhuqing another called Daffodil Jade Flesh Bone. Both are of immortal grade. These herbs can not only enhance soul power but may even cause martial soul evolution.

"From what I've heard from the old poisoner, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda has evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Zhu Zhuqing's soul power, too, has reached nearly level forty. By the time the tournament begins, it's likely they will have broken through to level forty or higher."

Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others were filled with indignation. Why did those two "traitors" get all the benefits?

Xiao Wu, in particular, was visibly upset. Her bunny ears perked up in frustration. Why them? Why not us?

Tang San then retrieved a herb from the pouch. It was a simple green plant, pristine and shaped like a hook. He handed it to Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai inspected the herb. It was ragged, with parts that seemed to have been bitten by some unknown creature. A faint, unpleasant smell lingered in the air.

"Xiao San, what is this thing? Why does it stink so much?" Dai Mubai asked, pinching his nose in disgust.

(Death Spider Emperor: You seriously don't mind eating what I left behind?)

Tang San frowned slightly, looking a bit awkward. "This herb is called Emerald Hook Grass. Though it isn't of immortal grade, it has strong restorative properties, helps stabilize the foundation, and can enhance soul power. While it isn't as good as Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, it's still among the best of its kind. The smell is just part of its nature."

In truth, Tang San had found this herb in some neglected corner, half-eaten by some unknown creature. It had lost most of its potency, but it might still help Dai Mubai break through his bottleneck at level thirty-nine.

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?" Dai Mubai was confused. "If that's so rare, why didn't you give me that instead of this?"

Tang San's expression darkened as he gritted his teeth. "To be honest, all these herbs were taken from Dugu Bo's territory. I had originally prepared a selection of more potent immortal herbs for you. But when I arrived, I found that all the top-tier ones had already been taken by Ye Hao. What's left are... what he didn't want."

The room fell silent as the group finally understood what had happened.

Xiao Wu, however, was livid. Her bunny teeth clenched in anger. Ye Hao! Always getting in our way!

"That damned Ye Hao!" Xiao Wu shouted. "He always seems to be at odds with my brother!"

Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Xiao San, this Ye Hao is too much. I wish I could punch him right now!"

At this point, Oscar spoke up, his tone calm but sharp.

"Alright, Fatty, don't get too worked up. Getting angry isn't good for your health. Honestly, Ye Hao didn't do anything wrong. If it were you, wouldn't you also take the best for yourself and leave the rest for others? That's just the way things work—the best goes to those who come first, and the worst is left for others."

Oscar's words were like a dagger to Tang San's heart.

Tang San's gaze darkened as he fell silent. Is he saying this about me too?

Struggling to suppress his anger, Tang San turned to Dai Mubai with a serious expression.

"Boss Dai, if you still consider me a brother, then eat this herb. I promise you, it will help you break through to level forty."

Faced with Tang San's sincerity, Dai Mubai had no choice but to comply. Pinching his nose, he swallowed the herb in one gulp. Soon, he felt a fiery heat coursing through his body. Overjoyed, he quickly found a place to sit and focus on absorbing the herb's effects.

Tang San then handed a similarly damaged herb to Ma Hongjun.

"Fatty, this is for you. Though Ye Hao took the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, this herb is still an excellent alternative. It will help you shed your impurities and grow stronger. I believe you'll be able to settle the score with Ye Hao when the time comes."

Hearing Tang San's encouragement, Ma Hongjun felt a warm surge of gratitude.

"Xiao San, don't worry. Once the tournament starts, I'll give Ye Hao a taste of his own medicine!"

After Ma Hongjun consumed the herb, he too sat down to absorb its effects.

Oscar, waiting eagerly, finally asked, "Xiao San, what about me? Do I get one too?"

Tang San smiled faintly, retrieving the most pitiful-looking herb from his pouch.

"Of course, Oscar. You're my best brother. How could I forget you?"

Seeing the state of the herb, Oscar's face twitched, but he said nothing.

As he spoke, Tang San reached into the Wishful Hundred Treasures Pouch under Oscar's expectant gaze and pulled out a herb that looked even worse than the previous ones—it was barely intact, with only the stem remaining.

Oscar's face twitched as he accepted the so-called herb from Tang San's hands.

He examined it closely, but no matter how he looked at it, he couldn't convince himself that this was truly a herb.

In his hands was nothing but a bare stem. The leafy parts had long been gnawed away by some unknown creature.

"Xiao San, are you kidding me? This... this is a herb?" Oscar asked skeptically.

Tang San smiled faintly, exuding confidence.

"Of course it's a herb. If you don't want it, you can give it back to me."

"Wait, no!" Oscar quickly took a step back, clutching the herb tightly. "This was a gift from you. Once it's given, there's no taking it back."

With that, the distribution of herbs among the three was complete.

Suddenly, the door of the wooden house creaked open.

The Grandmaster entered, hands clasped behind his back and a radiant expression on his face. Today, he was in exceptionally high spirits because he was finally about to break through the bottleneck at level twenty-nine.

Just yesterday, Tang San had returned safely, and not only that, his soul power had significantly improved. This brought immense pride to the Grandmaster as Tang San's teacher.

Tang San had even told him that he had a solution to help him break through—a piece of news so exciting that the Grandmaster had barely slept the entire night.

Early in the morning, after taking care of some matters, he rushed to the wooden house.

When he stepped inside, he saw Dai Mubai and the others sitting cross-legged, diligently absorbing the herbs' effects.

Seeing this, the Grandmaster turned to Tang San, his gaze filled with deep satisfaction. He felt that accepting Tang San as his disciple was the greatest decision he had ever made in his life.

He silently resolved to pass on everything he had learned to this one, extraordinary student.

"Xiao San, are you sure this isn't some kind of trick?" the Grandmaster asked hesitantly. This issue had plagued him for decades, leaving him in a fog of despair for so many years.

Tang San smiled reassuringly. "Teacher, trust me this time."

With that, Tang San reached into the pouch and produced yet another herb that was similarly gnawed to shreds. It was tattered and unrecognizable.

Seeing the pitiful state of the herb, the Grandmaster's hopeful expression fell.

"What... is this?"

Tang San coughed awkwardly and explained, "Teacher, you know the saying: don't judge a book by its cover. Don't underestimate this herb. I chose it specifically for you. As for why it looks like this..."

Tang San's expression darkened as he gritted his teeth.

"This is all that damned Ye Hao's doing!" His eyes gleamed with barely contained rage.

The Grandmaster blinked in surprise. "Ye Hao? What does he have to do with this?"

"..."

"Ah, I see."

After Tang San explained the full story, the Grandmaster resolutely swallowed the herb. Slowly chewing it, he began to feel its effects take hold. Following Dai Mubai and the others, he too sat cross-legged and closed his eyes, focusing entirely on absorbing the medicinal power.

Shortly afterward, Tang San gently pulled Xiao Wu outside. The two of them wandered into a secluded forest.

Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed, and she asked shyly, "Brother, what are you doing?"

Tang San smiled softly and took out two flawless, untouched immortal herbs. Placing one in Xiao Wu's hand, he patted her head affectionately.

"Xiao Wu, I prepared this one just for you. Go ahead and absorb it."

Xiao Wu stared at the pristine herb in her hand, stunned. Tears welled up in her eyes.

For a moment, the two lingered together, basking in each other's presence. Then, they both consumed their herbs and found a quiet place to sit down, joyfully beginning the absorption process.

Little did they know, the immortal herbs they were so carefully absorbing had all been tampered with by the Death Spider Emperor.

It took me two weeks to translate this wall of texts, 3532 words. Let me know any errors.

Just kidding! My Laptop was broken so I couldn't translate. This shit is already 10 years old.