Chapter 56: Flying Rat, Slow Down!

Hearing Tang Hao's words, Yu Xiaogang immediately lowered his posture and offered his respect. After all, this was his idol—the man who dared to hammer the Pope to death. He respectfully said:

"Your Excellency, please speak. I, Yu Xiaogang, will tell you everything I know!"

Tang Hao nodded slightly. His murky eyes were like dead water—dim and lifeless—as he spoke slowly:

"Why has that brat Ye Qiu's cultivation suddenly improved so drastically?"

"..."

Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment but quickly reacted, revealing the entire story Ye Qiu had told them without reservation.

"Is that so?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Tang Hao's eyes. He turned slightly, looking down at Yu Xiaogang.

"As a master, what's your take on it?"

"Eighty to ninety percent of it is probably true," Yu Xiaogang answered honestly, not daring to delay, and shared both his and Tang San's conclusions.

Tang Hao frowned and nodded. When he spoke again, his tone had grown noticeably colder.

"Another question."

Yu Xiaogang's body trembled as he felt immense pressure. In his ears, Tang Hao's voice sounded like an interrogation.

"Under your guidance, how is it that Tang San's cultivation was overtaken so badly by that brat? Ye Qiu has already reached the Soul Elder level, but Tang San is still far behind."

Yu Xiaogang's expression grew flustered. He understood—Tang Hao was beginning to question his qualifications as a master. He hurriedly explained:

"Your Excellency, Tang San once explained that this was due to Ye Qiu's unique martial soul..."

"..."

—

A few days later.

Ye Qiu was quite satisfied with his recent life—teasing his little bunny every day, snuggling up with his beautiful wife at night, and using her as a living pillow.

He trained seriously each day, occasionally sparring with Tang San—or rather, it was more like bullying him. Given Ye Qiu's current combat strength, not even Tang San's Zhuge Crossbow could do anything to him. Ever since he learned that Tang San had feelings for Xiao Wu, Ye Qiu had made it a point to "accidentally" aim his attacks at Tang San's kidneys during every sparring match.

At Nuoding Academy, it was class time.

Yet Ye Qiu was out strolling alone in the academy gardens.

Being clung to by Xiao Wu 24/7 was exhausting, so Ye Qiu had to skip some boring theory classes just to take a breather. This time, it was because Xiao Wu was being handsy with him during class, and the single, probably menopausal teacher couldn't stand it—so Ye Qiu was kicked out.

"Yoo-hoo!"

Ye Qiu ran, jumped, and shouted, venting his frustrations, kicking a few stones along the path.

That single and grumpy old teacher was not to be trifled with!

Suddenly—

Ye Qiu's hair stood on end as a chill ran down his spine. He instantly became alert.

"Ye Qiu."

Out of nowhere, a hoarse voice rang in his ears, as if it had traveled across space to whisper directly to him. It was crystal clear.

"Who? Who dares to call me like that?! So ugly-sounding!"

Ye Qiu shook his head and looked around, but didn't see a single soul. Yet the surging soul power in the air told him everything—Tang Hao was here, and his presence was shockingly bright in Ye Qiu's perception.

"Ye Qiu."

The voice came again, this time carrying more authority.

"Hell no! Whoever you are, if you're human, stop acting like a dog! If you're a dog, at least bark twice!"

Ye Qiu stayed calm on the surface but cursed angrily, his lazy eyes hiding a faint spark of alertness.

The voice came again, now with a hint of impatience:

"I'm behind you!"

Behind?

Ye Qiu snapped his head back like he'd just realized something. Under the shade of the lush trees stood a figure that made his pupils contract sharply.

A black, tattered robe. Messy, unkempt hair and beard. Sunlight hit the man's face, revealing deep lines and dull eyes.

Who else could it be but Tang Hao?

"Uncle Hao?!"

Ye Qiu froze, his body going stiff, staring at Tang Hao with a strange expression. But he reacted quickly—his look of shock turned into curiosity as he jogged over to him. It was as if he only felt sure of the man's identity after getting close. His face lit up with excitement.

"Uncle Hao, it is you! Why are you here? Are you here to see Little San? He's missed you a lot since you left—he even took a godfather—wait, no, a teacher, to fill your place!"

Ye Qiu babbled excitedly as he approached, but the closer he got, the more uncomfortable he felt. He could barely breathe.

God, why does Hao smell so bad?! The stench of alcohol and sweat mixed into a nauseating cloud.

What a pungent, musty old man!

Ye Qiu's joyful expression became noticeably forced.

Tang Hao looked down at him with murky eyes, seemingly noticing the forced smile on Ye Qiu's face.

"Uncle Hao?" Ye Qiu tilted his head, looking up like a lamb awaiting execution, clearly confused.

Tang Hao nodded slightly, then shook his head.

He opened his mouth—his hoarse voice piercing Ye Qiu's eardrums.

"I did come to see him, but… not just yet."

"Huh? Why not?" Ye Qiu asked, confused. Then, looking anxious like a mediator, he added, "Uncle Hao, don't tell me you're mad because Little San got himself a new father—er, teacher? He really misses you, you know. Back in Village, he was all lonely and stuff… Good thing he had me."

"Yeah~ Good thing he had you…"

Tang Hao murmured, nodding, then suddenly grabbed the back of Ye Qiu's neck and lifted him off the ground.

"Ah?! Hey—wait, what are you doing, Uncle Hao?! Don't mess with me—I'm a respected Soul Master now! Watch it, or I'll—!"

Ye Qiu's feet left the ground as he kicked and flailed, but he didn't use any soul power, only yelling in frustration.

"Don't be fooled just 'cause you've got me dangling here—I'm just going easy on you!"

Seeing Ye Qiu's ridiculous flailing and clueless expression, Tang Hao's own tense face relaxed a little. He said with a trace of disdain:

"Nothing much. Just wanted to ask how Little San's been these past years."

Ye Qiu looked at him with deep grievance.

"Uncle Hao, even if that's all, couldn't we have just talked like normal people? Did you have to lift me up like this?"

"This place isn't convenient," Tang Hao chuckled. And just like that, he took off—carrying Ye Qiu and flying out of Nuoding Academy.

"Whoa! Uncle Hao, you can fly?!"

Ye Qiu looked down at the shrinking buildings below, his face filled with shock.

"You're a Soul Master too?!"

"Shut up."

Tang Hao growled.

With that, his speed suddenly increased, turning into a streak of light that streaked across Nuoding City's sky.

"Holy crap! Flying rat, slow down!!"

"It's too fast—my tiny body can't take this—I'm gonna break—ugh!"

Ye Qiu kept yelling while gulping mouthfuls of wind.

Even as he howled, he began to understand Tang Hao's real reason for showing up.

Claiming he just wants to know how Tang San's doing?

Yeah, right.

He was here for the immortal herbs, obviously.