Chapter 232: He Runs, He Chases, He Has Nowhere to Escape
"Go on, keep talking. Qin Ming indeed has no authority over this."
"But I'm here right now. I'll give you a chance to convince me. Tell me, how exactly is your disciple qualified to replace my nephew as the control type spirit master of the Emperor Team?"
Zhi Lin was well aware of Yu Xiaogang's identity, but so what? He was nothing more than a discarded outcast. More importantly, this was Zhi Lin's domain.
Yu Xiaogang's position as an assistant instructor had been granted by the three education committee members as a favor to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. But now, looking at the situation, that favor had been a mistake.
After Dugu Yan left the academy, Zhi Lin had ensured that his already graduated nephew rejoined Tian Dou Royal Academy to maintain the team's strength.
His nephew wasn't a prodigy, but due to his older age, his spirit power was already at Rank 42. He had spent a long time training with the team, preparing for the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament.
And now, this disgraceful piece of trash was trying to replace his nephew with a mere Spirit Elder barely above Rank 30? Zhi Lin would never allow that.
The most ridiculous part?
This widely acknowledged "waste of the spirit master world" actually had the audacity to mock someone with a Sky Blue Vine spirit while his own disciple only had Blue Silver Grass?
Even if there were secrets behind Tang San's strength, at first glance, he was still just a common plant type spirit master. Compared to others of his level, he wasn't even particularly outstanding.
So who exactly gave Yu Xiaogang the courage to slander the Sky Blue Vine spirit?
"Education Committee Member Zhi Lin, that's not what I meant…"
Yu Xiaogang's face turned beet red.
He had researched this thoroughly beforehand from what he gathered, the Emperor Team's control type spirit master came from a minor clan. No one ever mentioned he was Zhi Lin's nephew!
How could he have unintentionally walked straight into a disaster like this?!
"I don't care what you meant." Zhi Lin's voice was cold and dismissive. "I only need you to tell me in what way is your disciple superior to my nephew?"
"If I replace my nephew with him, can you and your disciple guarantee a better performance in the Spirit Master Tournament?"
Yu Xiaogang opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out.
Tang San's hidden weapons were his only unique trait but those weren't even allowed in the tournament.
All he had hoped for was that Tang San could achieve a decent result with the help of his teammates but as for the Emperor Team's overall performance, Yu Xiaogang didn't dare make any guarantees.
"Since you can't answer, then get the hell out."
"Also, you are officially dismissed from your position as an assistant instructor. The reason? You are unfit to be a teacher."
"I'm giving you three days to pack your things. After that, I don't want to see you anywhere near this academy."
Without hesitation, Zhi Lin made his decision stripping Yu Xiaogang of his position.
"And as for you two" Zhi Lin glanced at Qin Ming and Flender "since you've joined Tian Dou Royal Academy, do not disgrace this institution. This is your first warning. There will be no second one."
With that, Zhi Lin ignored the now stunned Yu Xiaogang, walked past him, and left the office.
Qin Ming and Flender exchanged glances but said nothing.
"That old bastard! He's pushing me too far!"
After a long silence, Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and growled, but no one responded.
"Qin Ming, I dragged you into this mess," Flender sighed, turning to his former student.
Startled, Qin Ming hurriedly stepped back and tried to help Flender up. "Dean, please, you don't have to say that! Besides, I didn't even manage to help. I never expected Education Committee Member Zhi Lin to be here, let alone to eavesdrop."
Flender looked at Qin Ming who still respected him deeply and smiled bitterly.
"Regardless, I still owe you thanks. Also, from now on, don't call me 'Dean' anymore. Here at the academy, we're colleagues now. In fact, you technically outrank me within the school hierarchy."
But Qin Ming was stubborn. He shook his head firmly, insisting that he would always see Flender as his mentor.
Watching them reminisce like master and disciple, Yu Xiaogang completely lost it.
With a furious scowl, he stormed toward them, grabbed them both by the arms, and ripped them apart.
"What the hell is the point of all this sentimental nonsense?! Tell me, right now how the hell is Tang San supposed to get into the Emperor Team?!"
Just as he glared at them, waiting for an answer, he suddenly realized
He was floating.
Yes, he was actually floating because Flender had grabbed him by the arm and effortlessly flung him across the room.
The next second, Yu Xiaogang crashed violently into a chair near the door.
A mouthful of blood rushed up his throat, but his mask caught all of it.
Qin Ming gasped in shock, instinctively moving forward to help but Flender stopped him with a raised hand.
"Qin Ming, leave him. Don't bother."
"And from now on, he is no longer my sworn brother. When you see him, pretend you don't know him. He has nothing to do with you. He has never been your teacher, not even for a single day."
Saying this, Flender walked up to the fallen Yu Xiaogang, looking down at him coldly.
"I did what I promised. The rest is your own damn problem. Stop dumping your failures on others. Qin Ming has nothing to do with this mess."
"You heard Education Committee Member Zhi Lin you're no longer an assistant instructor. Three days from now, stay the hell away from the training grounds."
"And from now on, the Second Team will not permit you to visit."
"Now, please, get out of my sight before I feel like throwing up."
Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage, his lips turning purple from anger, but in the end, he swallowed his pride and said nothing.
Flender had physically attacked him even if he were furious beyond words, he wasn't foolish enough to argue further right now.
Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself off the floor, glared at both of them with venomous hatred, then turned and stormed out of the office.
Deep inside, he added yet another grudge to his growing list of enemies.
When Tang Hao returns, Yu Xiaogang will make sure to tell him exactly what happened "word for word."
You just wait, Flender. You're doomed!
After walking for a while, Yu Xiaogang suddenly halted in confusion.
Now that he was expelled, where was he supposed to go?
And as his initial anger faded, he realized a far more terrifying issue.
If Flender would suffer Tang Hao's wrath, what about him the main conspirator behind this whole plan?
He had even guaranteed its success!
What punishment would he face?
At this thought, a shiver ran down his spine, and his left leg seemed to ache again.
No. He had to run. Run as fast as possible. He didn't want to die.
Paranoid, he darted his eyes around, feeling as though Tang Hao was lurking everywhere.
No there was still hope!
If his bone replacement experiment truly succeeded, Tang San would also benefit from it.
But right now, he had to escape Tang Hao's immediate fury.
And to prove his research, he needed money.
Money, money…
A certain figure flashed through Yu Xiaogang's mind Liu Erlong.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
With Flender around, Tang Hao's first stop would be Liu Erlong. That place was out of the question.
Right Tang San!
Tang San had been saving some money, and after joining the academy, he even received a financial reward.
He definitely still had funds left!
After all, once his research succeeded, Tang San would also benefit from it.
It was only fair to consider this an advance payment.
He had to reach Tang San before Flender did!
This thought consumed Yu Xiaogang as he rushed toward the training ground.
In the training ground, Tang San had just entered his training rhythm when Yu Xiaogang's voice called out again.
"Tang San, Tang San! Come here for a moment."
Tang San took a deep breath, exchanged glances with his teammates, and walked outside.
Yu Xiaogang had adjusted his clothing and replaced his mask at first glance, he looked the same as when he left.
But Tang San was not easily deceived.
The moment he approached, his nose twitched slightly, detecting a faint scent of blood from Yu Xiaogang's body.
Though subtle, it was enough to make him wary.
Wasn't he supposed to meet Senior Qin Ming?
Why did he smell like blood?
Moreover, Yu Xiaogang seemed agitated, constantly glancing back at the road behind him.
What exactly had happened?
"Teacher, what's wrong? Did things not go well?"
Despite his heightened vigilance, Tang San's expression remained respectful, his tone filled with genuine concern.
Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened slightly, but he quickly composed himself.
"There was indeed… a complication," he said hesitantly. "You know how the nobles and spirit masters in Tian Dou can be they're all too pragmatic. So, I need some… funding to smooth things over. Yesterday, I also…"
His voice trailed off, as if ashamed to ask his student for money.
Tang San, however, was watching him closely.
After a moment of thought, he reached into his storage, pulled out a pouch of coins, and handed it over.
"Teacher, you've already done so much for me. How could I let you spend your own money? Here, I have two hundred gold spirit coins please use them first."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up as he swiftly took the pouch and put it away.
"This is enough! More than enough!"
"Alright, Tang San, focus on your training. I'll be off now."
He turned hurriedly to leave, but after taking a single step, he paused, turned back, and locked eyes with Tang San.
"Tang San, do you trust me?"
Tang San was briefly stunned before replying without hesitation:
"Of course. You are my teacher."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes reddened, and his voice choked slightly:
"Good. Tang San, remember what you said today. No matter what rumors you hear about me in the future, you must believe in me."
"The next time we meet, I promise I'll have a great surprise for you."
Before Tang San could respond, Yu Xiaogang turned and sped away.
As Yu Xiaogang disappeared from view, Tang San's heart sank.
Something was definitely wrong.
What did he mean by "next time we meet"?
However, his money was not so easily taken.
Those two hundred gold spirit coins had been painstakingly saved for buying metals to forge hidden weapons.
Tang San had deliberately handed them over, already expecting something suspicious.
Now, it was time to confirm his suspicions.
Without hesitation, he hurried back to the training ground, whispered a few words to Xiao Wu, and then chased after Yu Xiaogang.
Returning to the previous spot, Tang San inhaled deeply, catching a distinct scent.
His pursuit had begun.
The pouch he had given Yu Xiaogang was coated with a special tracking powder.
Once it made skin contact, it would release a unique fragrance that lingered for at least an hour.
Now, Tang San was following that scent.
Ten minutes later, he watched from a distance as Yu Xiaogang left Tian Dou Royal Academy and hailed a carriage.
Without hesitation, Tang San hid himself briefly, then hailed a separate carriage and followed.
His eyes gleamed coldly.
Teacher, let's see where exactly you're running off to.
(End of Chapter)
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