Chapter 192: Persuasion The Unfolding Shadow Curtain
If Tang San was acting out of selfishness, Han Li could still understand it. But Yu Xiaogang? Han Li could only describe him as vicious.
He had always known that people had different values, so he never expected everyone to conform to his own standards.
He didn't like Tang San, but if he were in Tang San's position, he might have done even worse things. (Speaking only in the context of Douluo Dalu 1).
But Yu Xiaogang… this guy… for the first time, Han Li felt a genuine urge to kill someone.
He wasn't just a bad person he knew he was bad and still pretended to be righteous.
Sure, every man for himself, or heaven and earth will destroy you, but he was a teacher. He was even an assistant dean. And yet, throughout all of this, Tang San was nothing more than a tool to him.
Han Li even suspected that if it weren't for Tang San's strong background and exceptional talent, Yu Xiaogang would have discarded him just as he had done with the Shrek Academy students once they lost their usefulness.
To be honest, for Tang San's age group, the next Continental Soul Master Tournament should have been their true stage.
The tournament in six months? Whether it was the academy's three education committee members or Qian Renxue, they saw it as a participation opportunity for them, more focused on their future potential. Otherwise, they wouldn't still be assigned to the second team.
This wasn't the original story after Xiao Wu was "captured" by the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San hadn't encountered the Man Faced Demon Spider. Instead, he stumbled upon a regular spider soul beast that had been stunned unconscious. Of course, that meant he had never acquired the Eight Spider Lances.
On top of that, thanks to Han Li's interference, their "Nether White Tiger" had never appeared.
Meanwhile, with Heaven Dou's first team recruiting a legitimate control type soul master, the Shrek Seven Devils had lost their battle in the Great Spirit Arena.
Yes, Tang San had displayed his skill in the end and managed to eliminate a few opponents through sheer effort, but the Heaven Dou First Team still had three members standing when the fight ended.
It was only because of that match where they showcased decent potential that Qin Ming had extended them an invitation, just like in the original story.
But now?
Yu Xiaogang had failed to convince his students, so instead, he was manipulating his own disciple into using external pressure to force a teammate one who had explicitly refused to comply with the Martial Soul Fusion Technique.
That was disgustingly underhanded.
Of course, Han Li admitted that his strong feelings about this were also because he had a personal fondness for Zhu Zhuqing.
Maybe I'm overthinking. Worst case, I'll just take the cat and leave.
Let's see what they do next. That will determine how I treat them in the future.
Han Li shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside.
He had come here specifically to observe them to refine his future plans. Treating this as a field study wasn't a bad idea.
One thing was certain: Yu Xiaogang had officially taken the top spot on his personal blacklist, even above Tang San.
Meanwhile, in the training grounds, Tang San first approached Dai Mubai.
"Boss Dai."
He greeted him with a smile, which improved Dai Mubai's mood slightly.
Since arriving at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tang San's attitude toward him had changed the least still the same as when they first met.
"Tang San, what's up?"
Dai Mubai had noticed the exchange between Yu Xiaogang and Tang San earlier, so he was curious about why Tang San had come to him now.
Hearing his question, Tang San instinctively glanced toward Zhu Zhuqing. Seeing that she was still meditating, he leaned closer to Dai Mubai and lowered his voice.
"Boss Dai, are you still angry about her?"
No explanation was needed Dai Mubai knew that the her Tang San was referring to was Zhu Zhuqing. His expression immediately darkened.
"Tang San, what? Are you here to mock me too?"
His voice carried a trace of irritation and accusation.
Tang San quickly waved his hand. "Boss Dai, don't misunderstand me. That's not my intention. It's just that… our team is falling apart. We've lost our cohesion. I want to find a way to fix that."
"You know me I want to perform well in the Soul Master Tournament and restore my teacher's reputation. But if things continue like this, we're in trouble."
Dai Mubai's expression softened slightly. Having spent so much time together, he knew how much Tang San respected Yu Xiaogang.
Even though he didn't understand why Tang San, who seemed so intelligent, was so devoted to Yu Xiaogang the man who was widely regarded as a joke in the soul master world he acknowledged Tang San's strength. So, he chose to go along with him.
"Tang San, since you put it that way, I won't hide it from you."
"You know me. You've seen how much I've changed. I've completely abandoned my old ways. I don't even go out for… socializing anymore. I've even had to hide my identity, walking on eggshells around her."
"And what did I get in return? Even colder treatment."
"I am the prince of the Star Luo Empire! Since when have I ever been humiliated like this?"
Dai Mubai's anger grew as he spoke, his clenched fist audibly cracking under pressure.
"But the worst part is Ning Rongrong! She actually chose to support her and oppose me at every turn. If it weren't for "
He paused, taking a deep breath. "Forget it. It's frustrating."
After taking a slap from Sword Douluo, Dai Mubai had no choice but to endure. Otherwise, if he ended up dead, he would have only made things easier for Davis. He knew his father well the Star Luo Empire would never risk going to war with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over him.
In the shadows, Han Li's gaze flickered as he watched.
Heh… So this is what's going on.
Dai Mubai had been trying to play the long game with Zhu Zhuqing, but she had completely cut him off. Ning Rongrong had chosen to side with her, making his situation even worse.
No wonder he was so furious.
Still, Han Li wasn't moved.
Dai Mubai, are you really angry about Zhu Zhuqing? Or are you just mad that someone especially a woman dared to defy your expectations?
Regardless, Han Li wasn't interested in what came next.
His plan remained the same. If necessary, he'd take the cat and leave.
For now, he would just continue watching.
Even now, the only reason Dai Mubai remained here aside from hoping Zhu Zhuqing would change her mind and the slim chance of victory was likely the promise from the Heaven Dou Empire's crown prince. It was a safety net in case of failure, a way to survive even if he lost.
"What if I had a solution?"
Tang San smiled, looking eerily similar to Yu Xiaogang's confident demeanor.
"What solution?"
Dai Mubai's spirits lifted. He knew Tang San wouldn't speak without reason.
"Of course, it's…"
Tang San leaned in and whispered the plan to him how Yu Xiaogang guaranteed that Ning Rongrong wouldn't interfere, how they could unite the others to pressure Zhu Zhuqing.
At the end, he added, "Boss Dai, you'll need to lower yourself a bit when talking to Fatty and Xiao Ao. Times have changed."
"You know they don't actually reject you. We're all brothers, and there's no real conflict. But they suddenly gained wealth and status, so it's natural for their attitudes to shift a little. This matter benefits everyone, and they know what's important. They'll stand with you, don't you think?"
Dai Mubai pondered for a moment. Tang San's words made sense. Fatty and Oscar weren't against him they just didn't flatter him like before. On the other hand, he had been overly sensitive due to his unstable emotions.
"Alright, I understand. Thanks, Tang San. I'll be mindful of that."
Dai Mubai was sincerely grateful to Tang San. No matter what, if this plan solved the issue with Zhu Zhuqing, he would be the biggest winner.
As for how it affected Zhu Zhuqing? That never even crossed his mind.
To him, women were resources a belief instilled in him since childhood. The Zhu family, in particular, had always followed this principle. If not for their circumstances, why would Zhu Zhuqing deserve his respect? Since when did he, a prince of Star Luo, have to consider her feelings?
"As long as you understand. Then how about now? Let's go talk to Fatty and Xiao Ao?"
Seeing Dai Mubai's positive reaction, Tang San seized the opportunity to push forward.
"Alright."
Dai Mubai took a deep breath and patted Tang San's shoulder. With such a good brother, how could they fail?
The two exchanged a knowing smile and headed toward Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who were sitting nearby chatting.
Their actions didn't escape Ning Rongrong's notice. She nudged Xiao Wu curiously.
"Xiao Wu, do you know what Tang San and the others are up to? They keep looking over here it's kind of weird."
"I don't know. Probably something about training, or maybe the teacher told my brother to talk to them."
Xiao Wu glanced at the four who were now huddled together and responded casually. Then, she glanced at Ning Rongrong enviously.
"You're so lucky, Rongrong. Even if you don't finish training, the teacher doesn't say anything. But I'm miserable he watches me like a hawk, and my brother has to keep me in check. I can't even slack off!"
Xiao Wu, naturally playful, was quite annoyed with Yu Xiaogang. If he weren't her brother's teacher and if her brother didn't respect him she would've put him in his place already.
Hmph. She scrunched her nose in frustration, venting her irritation.
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong blinked and smiled sweetly but didn't respond.
After she had taken Tang San's hidden weapons back home, her father had initially been eager to work with Tang San, even planning further collaboration.
But after Sword Douluo paid them a visit, Ning Fengzhi never mentioned the matter again.
In fact, he had specifically warned her to maintain a good relationship with Tang San but not too close and not too distant.
And if anything related to Tang San arose, as long as it didn't concern the sect's interests, she should stay out of it.
Although Ning Rongrong had a mischievous personality, she was smart enough to understand what that meant.
Tang San definitely had some kind of background.
Since her father's warning was so serious, she had restrained herself somewhat. Of course, that didn't mean she would let herself be mistreated.
On the other side of the training ground, Tang San and Dai Mubai had reached Ma Hongjun and Oscar.
Tang San gave Dai Mubai a look, and Dai Mubai immediately stepped forward.
"Fatty, Xiao Ao, I was in the wrong before. I'm here to apologize to you both."
A giant question mark might as well have floated above Ma Hongjun and Oscar's heads.
Looking at Dai Mubai's apologetic face, they were completely baffled.
What the hell is going on?
Why is Dai Mubai apologizing?
"Fatty, Xiao Ao, here's the situation…"
Seeing that Dai Mubai had taken the first step, Tang San wasted no time and immediately began his explanation.
(End of Chapter)
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