Chapter 234: Tang Hao's Late Arrival Once Again
Before Flender spoke, Tang San had been full of doubts. But now, he understood why Yu Xiaogang had left the academy it was because he had been expelled.
Yet, why hadn't his teacher told him about it?
And why was he buying food? That part was understandable. But why was he inquiring about healing Spirit Masters making house calls? And specifically about bone setting?
Wait… Bone setting?
Tang San's pupils dilated slightly.
Suddenly, it clicked.
Setting aside today's events, he was certain that Yu Xiaogang's changes had only occurred after yesterday's treatment.
Could it be? Did his breakthrough have something to do with bone setting?
Tang San vividly remembered that he himself had ground Yu Xiaogang's shattered tibia into dust. But when he examined him that morning, his left leg's bones were completely intact.
At the time, Yu Xiaogang had distracted him by talking about getting him into the first team. But now that he thought about it, this was incredible.
The healer was that same Gou Master who had treated Dai Mubai. But during Dai Mubai's treatment, he hadn't shown any ability this powerful.
Even if he were capable, could he really regrow half a finger's length of bone overnight?
Even the legendary Nine Heart Begonia, which was said to "bring back the dead and regrow flesh," required at least a Spirit Sage level healer for such feats.
And if Tang San recalled correctly, that Gou Master was only at the Spirit King level.
Tang San's eyes gleamed with excitement.
The key had to be here.
Yu Xiaogang's final words before leaving, the undisguised pride he had shown that morning they were genuine.
Perhaps, he had truly discovered something incredible something as groundbreaking as The Ten Core Theories of Martial Souls but this time, a method to achieve rapid breakthroughs.
Tang San's heart pounded violently.
This was exactly what he needed most.
He needed to grow stronger, fast.
He needed to dominate the Spirit Master Tournament.
He needed to meet his father.
Ever since their defeat against the Emperor Team in Soto City, he had realized a massive problem a critical flaw.
Even with Yu Xiaogang's guidance, and despite the significant improvements to his Blue Silver Grass, when facing equally talented opponents, his Martial Soul was still at a disadvantage.
If he relied solely on his Blue Silver Grass, without any external means, he couldn't even defeat Ma Hongjun, the weakest member of their group especially when attribute suppression was involved.
Without his hidden weapons, even with his Tang Sect techniques, the best he could achieve was a mutual defeat as evidenced in his clash with Zhu Zhuqing.
And yet… Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul wasn't even top tier among her peers.
This situation was hard for him to accept.
Yes, he enjoyed seeing opponents stunned when they heard his Martial Soul was just Blue Silver Grass.
But let's be honest being able to shock people was one thing.
Being easily crushed in combat was another.
Only he knew the bitterness of having his Soul Skills easily shattered in battle.
He had another Martial Soul a terrifyingly strong one but he couldn't use it.
This made him frustrated beyond words.
And now, a method for rapid breakthroughs was right in front of him.
How could he possibly hold back?
Teacher… Teacher…
If you discovered something so amazing…
If you yourself successfully broke through…
Why didn't you tell me?
Don't you know how much I need this?
Or…
Was Zhu Zhuqing right?
Do you really see me as nothing more than a tool?
Countless thoughts flashed through Tang San's mind, his breath becoming erratic.
"Brother, I know you're sad about the Grandmaster leaving… but don't forget, you still have me."
A soft, delicate figure pressed gently against his back.
At the same time, Xiao Wu's voice reached his ears, soothing his turbulent emotions.
Tang San's breathing steadied.
"Thank you, Xiao Wu. Don't worry, I'm fine."
With Xiao Wu's comfort, his reason returned.
Yu Xiaogang hadn't seemed like he was lying when he left.
He had even specifically told him to "always believe in him."
Maybe… the theory and method weren't perfected yet.
Maybe his borrowing money and questioning healers were part of an experiment a way to refine the method further.
…But.
That was two hundred gold coins.
Half of all the money he had.
He couldn't just let his teacher waste it.
Now that he knew his teacher's whereabouts, he had to help refine the technique together.
No more importantly…
Yu Xiaogang had been injured.
And whoever injured him might come after him again.
Now that Yu Xiaogang was no longer in the academy, what if that person tracked him down?
Yes, that was it!
He had to protect his teacher.
He was doing this for his teacher's safety.
Yes, that was definitely the reason.
Tang San found a perfect excuse for himself and suddenly felt much better.
Even life itself seemed more hopeful.
"Alright, let's go have lunch first," he said, taking Xiao Wu's hand with a gentle smile.
"Teacher's departure will only make me stronger."
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu blushed slightly as she walked beside him.
Just now, she had hugged him so intimately in front of everyone.
She still wasn't used to such public displays of affection.
She didn't know when it started, but she had become more and more like a real human.
After lunch, Tang San walked Xiao Wu back to her dormitory before preparing to visit Gou Master. He had already stepped out of the villa, but after thinking for a moment, he turned back, grabbed a fruit basket from the table, and then set off again.
Half an hour later, Tang San exited Gou Master's room with a slight smile on his face.
Although the fruit wasn't particularly valuable, his polite demeanor, combined with the fact that Gou Master knew he was Yu Xiaogang's disciple, led the man to share some details about what had happened yesterday.
And thanks to Gou Master's candidness, Tang San finally completed the last piece of the puzzle.
No wonder Yu Xiaogang's left leg had healed so quickly it turned out Gou Master had a special skill.
Manually reassembling shattered bones and using spirit beast bones as replacement materials Tang San had to admit, this was impressive. No wonder Gou Master had such a solid foothold at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Tang San sighed in admiration. Even now, various marvelous martial souls and their unique applications continued to challenge his understanding. This was something he never would have considered after all, he had originally intended for his teacher to remain crippled.
So, Yu Xiaogang's breakthrough must have been a result of this. And now, he was looking for bone setting specialists and healing type Spirit Masters perhaps he suspected the connection himself?
Could replacing one's bones with those of spirit beasts really be this effective?
Or…
Could this be considered a low tier substitute for spirit bones?
Tang San's thoughts ran wild. But now that he had this knowledge, he felt far less eager than before.
He actually found the idea unsettling.
In his subconscious, he held the belief that one's body was a gift from their parents how could he so easily replace his own bones?
But…
Forget it.
Given Yu Xiaogang's personality, if he still hadn't announced this discovery or shared it with him, it must mean it wasn't perfected yet.
Tang San forcibly reeled in his thoughts.
Whether or not this method worked, his dear teacher was already testing it for him.
At worst, he'd just have to guard him for a while ensuring his safety while also monitoring the results.
As for Flender, that part was easy. He'd just use his teacher's departure as an excuse to take temporary leave.
But Xiao Wu…
Tang San frowned slightly.
He didn't want to lie to her, but this was something too sensitive to share until he had solid proof.
After pondering for a while, he decided to use hidden weapon research as an excuse claiming he needed to go to Heaven Dou City for trials.
Ten days should be enough.
Any longer, and people might start getting suspicious.
With this in mind, Tang San rushed back toward the villa area. There was no time to lose.
As for whether Yu Xiaogang would muster the courage to attempt the procedure within these ten days?
That… wasn't his concern.
If his teacher hesitated, then he would simply create an "accident" to help him decide.
A combat inept Spirit Master suffering an unexpected right leg injury that would be quite reasonable, wouldn't it?
After finding Xiao Wu and Flender, Tang San successfully obtained permission for leave.
Originally, Xiao Wu had planned to accompany him, but as soon as Tang San mentioned Tai Long, she obediently stayed behind at the academy.
Upon entering Heaven Dou City, Tang San discreetly rented a private room in a blacksmith shop both to maintain his cover and to throw off anyone tracking him.
And indeed, his caution paid off.
He had noticed Flender tailing him from afar.
It wasn't until Tang San entered the rented building that Flender, after observing for a while longer, finally left.
For the next ten days, this place would be his base of operations.
What Tang San didn't know was that just as he was settling in, Tang Hao had once again arrived at Flender's doorstep.
Even now, Tang Hao still drank excessively.
Even now, at the tavern, he still ordered the cheapest alcohol earning mockery from the other patrons.
But Tang Hao didn't care.
He was in a good mood too good to be bothered with them.
Today was the day Tang San was supposed to join the Emperor Team.
So he came.
And then…
He found nothing.
After searching around, he discovered that Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were both gone.
"Flender, where are Yu Xiaogang and Tang San?"
Flender had just finished the afternoon training session and returned to his office.
But the moment he opened the door, he was met with a deep, resonant voice.
What the hell?
Why do you always show up after everything's already happened?
Do you really care about your son?
Good thing I was prepared for this.
Flender caught the overwhelming stench of alcohol coming from Tang Hao and couldn't help but curse inwardly.
But on the surface, he remained respectful.
He quickly shut the door, bowed slightly, and spoke.
"Your Excellency Clear Sky, Tang San's entry into the first team is unlikely now. And from what I can gather, Yu Xiaogang afraid of your punishment has run away."
Despite enduring Tang Hao's oppressive aura, Flender secretly cursed Yu Xiaogang while quickly summarizing the situation.
He focused on key points:
Yu Xiaogang failed to do a background check beforehand.
Yu Xiaogang got expelled from the academy.
And, most importantly, he scammed Tang San out of two hundred gold spirit coins before fleeing.
Of course, Flender also made sure to mention:
Where he had already searched.
Tang San's current location.
Staring at Flender, who didn't even dare lift his head, Tang Hao's expression darkened.
Yet deep inside, a strange sense of helplessness rose within him.
Who was he supposed to vent his anger on now?
And more than anything…
Tang San… why do you trust that useless teacher so much?
Damn you, Yu Xiaogang!
Meanwhile, across Heaven Dou City, Tang San who had just snuck into Yu Xiaogang's residence and was digging a hole in the wall for surveillance suddenly felt a tickle in his nose.
He hurriedly clamped a hand over his mouth and stifled a sneeze.
Then, in the dim glow of candlelight, he saw Yu Xiaogang staring ecstatically at the green tinged bones of the Vegetable Dog specimen before sneezing three times in a row.
(End of Chapter)
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