บท 42: Chapter 42: Tang San’s True Nature

"Boss Dai, can't you talk to Zhuqing? It's just a glance; it's not like it's going to kill her. Why is she throwing a tantrum over something so small?"

Ma Hongjun grumbled after being publicly humiliated.

Dai Mubai's expression hardened as he glared at him. "Fatty, how many times do I have to tell you? Stop staring at her with those piggy eyes. If you dare to show that kind of look again, don't blame me for forgetting we're brothers."

Some lines cannot be crossed—especially when it involves a brother's partner.

Outside the room, Xiao Wu's tearful complaints to Tang San and Ma Hongjun's earlier remarks had been overheard by Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.

For reasons they couldn't explain, they began to find Ye Ri Tian's earlier words more credible. Tang San's attitude had given them pause, and his actions seemed to confirm their worst suspicions.

Before coming to Soto City, Zhu Zhuqing had experienced unsettling incidents. She recalled the flicker of killing intent in Tang San's eyes—a moment she had caught but chosen to ignore.

But now, she felt the need to reassess her understanding of this "Third Brother."

Ning Rongrong furrowed her brows. Taking Zhu Zhuqing's hand, the two girls returned to the rest area. The moment they opened the door, all eyes turned to them.

Their entrance was met with everyone's gaze, especially Ma Hongjun's. Though he tried to suppress his lustful tendencies after Dai Mubai's warning, his displeasure at being denied still lingered.

Who cares? he thought bitterly. But Zhuqing's body really is... something else. Ma Hongjun stole a quick glance before turning away in frustration.

"Rongrong, Zhuqing, you're finally back!"

Xiao Wu rushed over, enveloping them in a warm embrace.

Ning Rongrong smiled awkwardly, replying half-heartedly. Internally, she wrestled with doubt. Should she test Ye Ri Tian's words? Should she ask her Sword Grandpa or Bone Grandpa to take a closer look at Xiao Wu?

Zhu Zhuqing scanned the room. As she expected, the expressions on everyone's faces were entirely different from what she and Ning Rongrong had witnessed while eavesdropping.

This discrepancy added another layer of doubt.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the night's final match: The Crazy Battle Team vs. The Emperor Team.

The Crazy Battle Team was one of the most formidable and popular groups in the Soto Spirit Arena, second only to the Shrek Seven Devils. As newcomers, the Emperor Team faced significant skepticism, and most of the crowd favored their opponents.

"Are you heading back to the inn? Is something wrong?"

Qin Ming was surprised when Ye Hao expressed his intention to leave before the team battle.

Ye Hao scratched his head sheepishly. "Teacher Qin, I am the ace of the Emperor Team. Naturally, the ace should save their appearance for the final act. Don't worry; when it's my turn, I'll be there. The Crazy Battle Team might have an average soul power of thirty-five, but their soul ring configurations are far inferior to ours. I trust that Sister Yan and Tianheng can handle them. I'll go back to the inn and prepare some delicious food for everyone to celebrate our victory."

After a moment's thought, Qin Ming nodded and agreed.

The battle was about to begin, but Ye Hao left confidently, trusting his teammates to secure victory.

Dressed in a black cloak and completely covered, Ye Hao stepped out of the arena. Finding a discreet spot, he spotted the Shrek Seven Devils emerging after removing their disguises.

While the others walked off together, Tang San lingered behind, whispering something to Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu blushed before hugging Tang San and joining the group.

From the shadows, Ye Hao observed with interest. He suspected Tang San's movements were unusual and decided to follow him.

To his surprise, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong also seemed to have noticed something. The two girls subtly separated from the group and headed in Tang San's direction.

This isn't good.

Dressed in black, Ye Hao blended seamlessly into the darkness and followed.

The sky drizzled lightly, the air heavy with mist. Following Tang San into a secluded alley, Ye Hao was greeted by a chilling sight: bodies scattered across the ground.

Checking their conditions, he breathed a sigh of relief. They were only unconscious, their pulses still steady. But their uniforms...

Wait, aren't they the team that just fought the Shrek Seven Devils in the arena?

"Tang San, you two-faced hypocrite," Ye Hao muttered under his breath before continuing. His instincts told him something worse was about to happen.

At the alley's end, Tang San stood under the rain, his disguise removed, a silver dagger glinting in his hand. Raindrops struck the blade and split apart.

Before him knelt a man clutching his bloodied chest—the same spirit master who had mocked Xiao Wu earlier.

"You shouldn't have hurt Xiao Wu," Tang San said coldly, his voice brimming with murderous intent. "Anyone who harms her deserves to die."

The man gasped, his face pale. "Xiao Wu? Who's Xiao Wu?"

Suddenly, recognition dawned in the man's eyes as he stared at Tang San. "You... You're from the Shrek Seven Devils!"

Tang San's expression darkened, and his grip on the dagger tightened.

No one can know.

If word of this incident spread, it would be the end of both Shrek Academy's reputation and his own. He had no choice—this man had to die.

Tang San hurled his dagger with deadly precision, but just as it was about to strike, a shadowy figure appeared and caught it mid-air. With a simple squeeze, the blade shattered into fragments.

"You two-faced hypocrite," the shadowy figure growled, his voice hoarse. "Tang San, this is the real you."

Tang San's eyes narrowed. "Who are you? Why call me two-faced?"

Ignoring him, the cloaked figure turned to the injured man. "Run. Leave this place immediately."

Rage bubbled within Tang San. He wouldn't allow anyone to foil his plans. "None of you will leave here alive!"

With a roar, Tang San activated his first soul ring.

"Blue Silver Grass, Bind!"

Vines erupted from the ground, covering the alley in a dense, writhing web. Tang San clearly intended to finish them all.

Ye Hao scoffed. He knew Tang San's tactics too well. Blue Silver Grass? Easily dealt with.

Swiftly dodging the vines, Ye Hao's right hand glowed with a black light. Every vine that approached him was sliced apart and fell to the ground.

"Tang San," Ye Hao said coldly, "all this because someone made a rude gesture at Xiao Wu? You'd take someone's life over that? What kind of logic is that?"

Ye Hao's disgust for Tang San had reached its peak.

Tang San's voice dripped with fury. "You have your rules, and I have mine. None of you are leaving alive!"

He roared, activating Blue Silver Grass once more...