Chapter 57: Everything Starts to Make Sense

In a small forest several kilometers east of Notting City—

Ye Qiu had already been thrown to the ground by Tang Hao. He was bent over, gasping for breath with his mouth wide open. The cold wind rushed into his lungs, making him feel like even his heart had frozen. Thankfully, his body was strong and fit, so it wasn't too bad… though he did a good job of pretending it was.

"Kid, did you train as a Soul Elder for nothing?" Tang Hao sat cross-legged on the grass, mocking Ye Qiu.

"You were just too fast, Uncle Hao…" Ye Qiu coughed and cleared his dry throat before plopping down onto the ground. After resting for a while, he opened his bright black eyes, staring at Tang Hao with a look of confusion and shock.

Tang Hao pulled out a wine gourd and took a huge swig.

Alcohol didn't just drown his sorrows—it also helped numb the pain in his body. Ever since that battle, he had been running on fumes. The internal injuries he suffered were far worse than they appeared on the surface.

Noticing Ye Qiu's gaze, Tang Hao raised an eyebrow.

"What are you staring at? Spit it out if you've got something to say."

Ye Qiu swallowed hard, moistened his throat, and tentatively asked, "Uncle Hao, are you a Title Douluo?"

"Hm?"

Tang Hao glanced at him calmly and replied, "So what if I am? So what if I'm not? Do I owe you an explanation?"

"Uh…" Ye Qiu scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled. "I was just curious. If you're such a powerful soul master, why'd you let Little San live such a tough life?"

"Tough life?" Tang Hao's eyes widened as he snapped, "How is it tough? Hasn't he lived just fine all these years?!"

But a trace of guilt and hatred flashed through Tang Hao's eyes. He knew better than anyone—he was the one who had truly suffered the most all these years.

"..."

Ye Qiu stared at Tang Hao blankly, as if stunned by his roar. He didn't move a muscle.

After a long silence, once Tang Hao calmed down, Ye Qiu finally asked, "Uncle Hao… sounds like there's a story behind that?"

"Hmph! Enough! I didn't drag you out here to get questioned!" Tang Hao snorted and stopped talking. He downed the rest of the wine in his gourd in one go, casually tossed it aside, then lay down on the grass. He covered his eyes with his arm and spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Tell me… how have you and Little San been doing all these years?"

Ye Qiu pouted.

This guy really was dramatic. If he wanted some celestial herbs, why not just say so? Why the roundabout way?

Ye Qiu didn't say much, but he made a mental note:

Today you played these mind games with me. One day, I'll make A-Yin talk in circles too. See how she likes it.

"Ahem."

Ye Qiu cleared his throat and started talking.

He skimmed over school life, describing it only in broad strokes. After all, anyone who's been to school or worked knows the routine: wake up, go to class, see the same people, follow the same schedule. Nothing exciting.

Instead, Ye Qiu focused on Tang San's longing for his father. He emphasized the deep bond between him and Tang San—how they often "sparred" together (though Ye Qiu nearly said "used him as a whetstone" first).

In Ye Qiu's version, he was the understanding older brother, the confidant Tang San leaned on in his father's absence.

"Whew—"

After finishing, Ye Qiu let out a long breath and took a few sips from his water bottle. "Uncle Hao, that's everything. Want a drink?"

He offered his water bottle.

Tang Hao peeked over, then looked disinterested. He pulled out another flask of liquor from who-knows-where, sat up, and scoffed, "A man drinks wine, not water!"

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes. What, drink a little horse piss and suddenly you're a 'real man'? Meanwhile, he's the one hiding in the shadows, barely clinging to life.

Fine, if you don't want it, don't take it!

One day I'll make you drink horse piss and call it a vintage.

Ye Qiu smiled sheepishly and agreed, "You're right, Uncle Hao! When I get back, I'll help Little San build his alcohol tolerance. Gotta teach him how to be a real man!"

"Pffft—cough cough!"

Tang Hao nearly choked to death mid-swig. The alcohol tugged at his internal injuries, making his face twist in pain. He had to use his powerful soul force to suppress the surge of blood in his chest.

"You brats are still young. Barely grown a few hairs, and you think you're men already?!" he barked.

Ye Qiu was taken aback, clearly displeased. "Uncle Hao, that's not fair! I already have a girlfr—"

"Enough! I don't want to hear it. Alcohol just causes trouble." Tang Hao cut him off, but the faint smile on his face betrayed a bit of amusement. "Still, I've got to admit—you're doing well for yourself. Already settled the matter of marriage, huh?"

"Hehe… Of course." Ye Qiu grinned proudly. "I'm not like your Little San—so uptight, acting all pure and aloof. Spends all day with that single middle-aged guy Yu Xiaogang, hands always under the covers… who knows what they're up to."

Tang Hao's expression darkened.

"Hmph! Don't know how two boys raised together could turn out so differently. Even your cultivation levels are miles apart!"

When cultivation was brought up, Ye Qiu cursed inwardly.

Ha! So this whole song and dance was just a setup to ask about the celestial herbs, huh? Could've saved us both the trouble.

Tang Hao finished talking and looked at Ye Qiu with keen interest, waiting for an explanation.

"Hehe…"

To Tang Hao's surprise, Ye Qiu just laughed outright, unable to hide his smug expression. "Uncle Hao, that's because you don't know the full story."

"Oh? So you weren't done talking earlier?" Tang Hao asked with curiosity.

"Exactly! The new semester just started, so I didn't get to it yet." Ye Qiu said cheerfully, pulling out a bunch of fragrant green fruit from his soul guide. He offered them to Tang Hao. "Here, Uncle Hao—have one. Think of it as a celebration."

"Celebration?" Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. Could the brat actually be telling the truth?

"Yup! A celebration. I got engaged last month!" Ye Qiu beamed as he handed over the fruit.

"Haha! You rascal, looks like you really did outshine Little San. Congratulations!" Tang Hao laughed as he accepted the fruit and took a bite.

"Thanks." Ye Qiu nodded politely.

"But… what does getting engaged have to do with your cultivation level surpassing Tang San's?" Tang Hao asked while chewing, clearly intrigued.

"Oh, it's all connected! Uncle Hao, listen closely—I'll explain it all."

Ye Qiu slapped his thigh and stood up excitedly. He launched into a lively retelling of his adventure: being chased, discovering herbs, meeting an old man, and getting a fiancée. His story was vivid and dramatic.

After finishing, he wiped the imaginary sweat off his forehead and sat back down.

"That's the whole story. I only leveled up recently."

"Didn't expect your first trip out to be such an eventful one." Tang Hao chuckled, nodding in approval. "Wonder which poor girl ended up getting swindled by you."

"What swindled?! We signed an official engagement agreement!" Ye Qiu's expression darkened, clearly upset. He pulled out a large marriage contract from his soul guide and waved it right in front of Tang Hao's face.

When Tang Hao saw the name engraved on the contract, his eyes suddenly lit up with a sharp gleam.

The Dugu Clan's old poison freak?!

At that moment, Tang Hao finally believed Ye Qiu's story.

If it was Dugu Bo, then yeah—he'd definitely kidnap someone for refining medicine. And turning his medicine catalyst into a grandson-in-law? Totally something he would do.