Chapter 63: The Scheming Guang Ling and the Unlucky Tang San

Chapter 63: The Scheming Guang Ling and the Unlucky Tang San

Han Li skillfully prepared the medicinal concoction, double checking everything to ensure there were no mistakes before handing it over to Guang Ling. He then took out a notebook and carefully wrote down the instructions for consumption, precautions, and other details providing an impeccable level of service.

Guang Ling, feeling somewhat dazed, accepted everything without much thought. He waited for his disciple to ask questions, but when that moment never came, he tried to explain himself. However, each time, Han Li deliberately interrupted him, steering the conversation toward other topics.

And so, while the master and disciple continued this silent tug of war, Dugu Bo returned from his errand of gathering vegetables and fruit. Guang Ling gave up trying to explain he would deal with it later.

The three casually boiled some greens, paired them with their rations, and ate fresh fruit for breakfast. Afterward, the two Titled Douluo took another round around the area to confirm there were no potential threats to Han Li. Satisfied, they then set off for Heaven Dou City.

Guang Ling watched Han Li waving them off in the distance, but he couldn't shake his confusion. Strange… why isn't he asking anything?

Walking alongside him, Dugu Bo glanced at Guang Ling and asked curiously, "What's wrong? Missing your disciple already? It's just one day surely it's not that serious?"

Guang Ling looked at the old man beside him who was physically younger yet somehow looked far older and spoke in a chilling tone, "If you can't say anything useful, maybe you shouldn't say anything at all. You know, if I kill you on the way and tell Han Li you tried to escape, do you think he'd even care?"

"You…"

Dugu Bo shot him an exasperated glare but ultimately ignored Guang Ling's ever changing expressions, continuing toward Heaven Dou City in silence.

"Tch."

Watching the little old man walk ahead, Guang Ling suddenly froze. A thought struck him out of nowhere.

Wait a minute… Dugu Bo's granddaughter is only two years older than Han Li, and he dares to scheme like this? Then why can't I?

Qian Renxue is only nine years older than my disciple. Once she becomes a Titled Douluo, that age difference is practically nothing.

Besides, in the world of soul masters especially high ranking ones large age gaps in relationships are common. And Qian Renxue is the only direct heir of the Qian family's bloodline. She needs to continue the lineage, right?

If that's the case, why not let it be with my disciple instead of some outsider?

And let's be honest Han Li is in no way inferior to Qian Renxue. If his martial soul truly evolves into a god level one as he predicts, then this would be a perfect match absolutely equal in status.

Once this thought took root, Guang Ling couldn't shake it. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.

By the time Dugu Bo's voice called out from ahead, snapping him out of his thoughts, Guang Ling had already convinced himself. He quickly caught up, now fully determined.

As he walked, his hand drifted to his storage belt. I should say this was a gift from Han Li…

Yes, that's it. But I can't be too obvious about it. Han Li doesn't even know Qian Renxue exists, so I'll just say he asked me to pass it to a friend's younger relative. That should earn me some favor points.

Meanwhile, in the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well

Unaware that his master's mind had taken a sharp detour, Han Li remained focused on purging the hidden dangers from his body.

At the same time, thousands of miles away, in Nuoding Academy, Tang San was starting his morning.

After completing his Purple Demon Eye training, he felt an inexplicable sense of misfortune hanging over him.

And rightly so.

Who could have predicted that, at the crucial moment of absorbing the morning's purple energy, a flock of birds would fly overhead ones that had yet to relieve themselves?

A string of unfortunate "blessings" rained down, forcing him to wash up and change his clothes first thing in the morning.

Shaking off his bad feeling, he remembered he had an urgent order to fulfill at the blacksmith shop. Pushing his concerns aside, he quickly left the academy and headed for the forge.

As he walked, Tang San couldn't help but grumble inwardly about his teacher and Spirit Hall.

Damn it… it's been over a year, and Spirit Hall really cut off our stipends.

Even after the people who had clashed with Grandmaster were transferred, their allowance was never reinstated.

Now, he had to rely on the forge to sustain both himself and his teacher. Even when Xiao Wu needed money, he couldn't always help. It was humiliating.

Grandmaster had even gone to argue with Spirit Hall, but in the end, nothing changed. The verdict was clear: their names had been blacklisted.

Seeing the blacksmith shop ahead, Tang San took a deep breath and pushed aside his frustration. I'm such a disgrace.

A teacher for a day is a father for life. How could I even think of complaining about Grandmaster? This is all Spirit Hall's fault. They failed to recognize his brilliance and let a genius like him go unappreciated.

I have to work harder. I must bring glory to my teacher's name. And I need to reflect on my thoughts just now. I'll make up for it I'll forge an extra tool this morning and buy him a chicken leg for lunch as an apology.

With renewed determination, Tang San stepped into the blacksmith shop, greeted his colleagues, and made his way to his workstation.

Don't worry, Teacher. I'll make sure to get you a proper meal at noon.

With that thought, he felt a surge of motivation. Gripping his hammer tightly, he swung it down with extra force.

CRACK.

His entire workstation collapsed.

A red hot iron chunk, struck with full force, rebounded at high speed flying straight into his left foot.

"ARGHHH!"

A sharp cry of pain filled the shop. The blacksmiths rushed over, only to find Tang San clutching his left foot. His shoe had been burned through at the tip, and his swollen big toe bore a clear burn mark.

One of the blacksmiths quickly checked his injury. "Whew, not too bad just a minor burn and a bruised toe. We'll patch you up in no time."

"Yeah, Tang San, you're a soul master, so you'll heal faster than the rest of us. You should head back and rest."

The shop owner, after a moment's hesitation, added, "By the way, you know this batch of orders needs to be done within three days, right? Given your condition, you won't be able to make the deadline. So, the payment we discussed… I'll have to split it among the others. You good with that?"

Tang San, still wincing from the pain, tried to stand and insist that he could work. But the moment he put weight on his injured foot, he gasped in pain.

"…Alright, Boss. I'll head back and return once I've healed."

"Haha, don't worry. Heal up first. A soul master like you isn't going to lose his job over this."

The blacksmith patted him on the shoulder and turned to the rest of the shop. "Alright, someone escort Tang San back to the academy. The rest of you get back to work. Little Wang, clean up the mess. Everyone, let's pick up the pace! Drinks are on me once we finish this order!"

"Yes, Boss!"

One of the apprentices stepped forward to help Tang San outside.

Tang San didn't refuse. As they walked out, he could still hear the rhythmic clanging of hammers behind him faster and more intense than before.

Clearly, the promise of free drinks had motivated them.

Sigh.

Well, that's that. This quick paycheck is out of the question now. I should just go back and recover.

At least I can take this time to study under Teacher. I'll treat this as a break.

If I had known I'd get 'blessed' by birds this morning, I would've just skipped my Purple Demon Eye training and stayed in bed.

And I definitely wouldn't have come to the forge today. What a terrible day…

(End of Chapter)

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