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Zhongli and Paimon left the small village quietly, continuing their journey back to Heaven Dou City.
As for the boy named Wang Chen—the gears of fate had begun to turn...
Heaven Dou City, Blue Tyrant Academy (Formerly Shrek Academy) - Boys' Dormitory
Tang San sat by the window, staring outside, lost in thought.
After a long silence, he finally murmured, "Could it be... him?"
The only person he could think of who would be addressed as "Lord" by Dugu Bo was the man they had encountered at the city gates.
"If it really is him... then how did he cure Dugu Bo?"
Saving someone in Dugu Bo's condition was practically snatching a soul from the jaws of death!
Unless one possessed legendary immortal herbs, the chances of success were slim at best.
This was what puzzled Tang San.
Immortal herbs?
Don't be ridiculous—how could such divine treasures exist in this world?
And even if they did, using them to save someone else?
What a waste!
Dugu Bo hadn't pressed Tang San further. After a brief silence, he had left without another word.
Since then, Tang San hadn't cultivated. Instead, he sat by the window, plunged into contemplation.
For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of loss, as though he had missed something crucial—yet he couldn't pinpoint what.
Dugu Bo's cured poison only deepened his confusion.
How could there exist someone in this world capable of detoxifying Dugu Bo?
If even Dugu Bo's venom could be neutralized, then Dugu Yan's condition would be child's play in comparison.
"Little San, what's going on with you?"
A voice snapped Tang San out of his thoughts.
He turned to see Dai Mubai leaning against the windowsill.
"I'm fine, Big Brother Dai. Just thinking about some things."
The address wasn't unusual.
After all, it was "Big Brother Dai" in the early stages, "Mubai" in the mid-game, and "Dai Mubai" by the end...
"Didn't expect you to have worries too."
Dai Mubai sighed before vaulting effortlessly into the room—a trivial feat for a Soul Elder.
Tang San smiled wryly.
No matter how much of a genius he was, troubles were inevitable.
"Big Brother Dai, why the long face? Weren't you and Fatty supposed to be at the Spirit Arena for a match?"
"Sigh..."
Dai Mubai slumped into a chair. "Little San, you wouldn't understand my suffering."
"You have Xiao Wu, who's wholly devoted to you..."
"Big Brother Dai, Xiao Wu is just my little sister."
Tang San's rebuttal lacked conviction.
"Yeah, yeah... sister. Sure."
"Just call her your sweetheart already! What's there to hide as a man?"
"This..."
Seeing Tang San's conflicted expression, Dai Mubai pressed on.
"Fine, let's say Xiao Wu is just your sister. Then one day, she'll marry someone else, right?"
"Imagine her in another man's arms—"
"I'LL KILL HIM!"
Tang San slammed the table and shot to his feet, his murderous aura flaring uncontrollably.
Dai Mubai nearly jumped out of his skin.
Then, after a beat, he smirked. Silently.
Tang San froze.
Had he just confessed without realizing it?
After a long pause, Tang San coughed awkwardly.
"...Big Brother Dai, let's talk about your problems instead."
In that moment, Tang San finally understood his own feelings.
What he felt for Xiao Wu had long surpassed sibling affection.
The question was—did Xiao Wu still see him as just a brother?
Dai Mubai's grin vanished instantly.
The more he had laughed earlier, the deeper his sorrow now.
"Little San, you know about my... situation with Zhuqing, right?"
"Yeah."
After so long, it'd be strange if he didn't know.
Back in Suotuo City, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had once argued fiercely over it—with Ning Rongrong even stepping in to defend her.
Though it had happened long ago, Tang San still remembered.
Later, Dai Mubai's heroic sacrifice in the Star Dou Great Forest had softened Ning Rongrong's stance, mending their fractured relationship somewhat.
"Your big brother is suffering here!"
"She's my fiancée, yet she treats me like air!"
"In theory, we should be able to perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill—but that requires hearts in sync!"
"She neither understands nor accepts me! Her heart is locked tight—that's why we've never succeeded!"
Tang San blinked.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"
Well, damn. There was such a thing?
Suddenly, a realization struck him.
"No wonder Teacher kept giving you and Zhu Zhuqing those looks."
With Yu Xiaogang's knowledge, how could he not know about Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's background?
The Netherworld White Tiger was renowned across the continent!
Dai Mubai's eye twitched.
"Little San, are you missing the point?! I'm talking about Zhuqing ignoring me!"
Tang San: "..."
"Fine, I was a scoundrel before. But I've changed! The moment she arrived, I cut ties with all those women!"
"Even after all that, she won't look at me!"
"After what I did in the Star Dou Great Forest, even a rock would've been moved!"
Here, Tang San nodded subconsciously.
Dai Mubai might have been a philanderer, but when it came to loyalty in battle, he was second to none.
That was why, despite offending two Title Douluo upon arriving in Heaven Dou City, no one had thrown him to the wolves.
As a friend, as a brother—Dai Mubai was solid.
But Tang San, a former assassin in his past life, had only just figured out his own feelings.
How could he possibly comprehend a woman's pain?
Since he approved of Dai Mubai, his perspective was naturally skewed in his favor.
"Even rocks have hearts, but Zhu Zhuqing doesn't!"
Dai Mubai groaned in frustration.
"Big Brother Dai, if Zhu Zhuqing doesn't like you, why cling to this one tree?"
"Can you really force love?"
"You think I want to? That ice-cold face of hers kills any interest I might have."
"???"
"There are... reasons I have to be with her."
"Besides, this is an arranged marriage—neither of us can refuse."
"She might resist now, but she'll come around eventually."
"Then why are you so upset?"
"Time isn't on our side..."
"For some reason, I feel like her only reason for seeking me out is... to die together."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 80 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.