Chapter 72: Tang San Calls Dong'er "Sister" in Front of Hu Liena. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong Are Curious About Who Dong'er Is
Under Tang San's Divine Eye, every word of Hu Liena's conversation with Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong reached him. Watching Hu Liena's delicate, fair face from his cornerQ, Tang San smiled. "She calls herself Little Fox… Perfect. She's hiding her Spirit Hall identity."
This was ideal for Tang San. As long as Hu Liena kept her origins secret, he could let her stay at Shrek Academy to aid his plans. Then, he could summon Bibi Dong.
Hu Liena's swift defeat of Ma Hongjun, leaving him trembling in an illusion, impressed Tang San. "A mind-control skill that traps people in hallucinations… This could humiliate Yu Xiaogang and Niu Dagang in front of Bibi Dong," he thought. By exposing Yu Xiaogang's filthy, unwashed state and sleazy behavior, Tang San believed even Bibi Dong's lingering affection would turn to disgust. Paired with Niu Dagang's repulsiveness, the master-disciple duo would be ruined.
Tang San used his Shadow Steps to return to his shabby hut before Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Hu Liena arrived, lying down to feign rest. He couldn't let Dai Mubai know about his midnight date with Zhu Zhuqing, nor could Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong find out, lest the three girls' rivalry erupt.
As Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong led Hu Liena into Shrek Academy, Hu Liena surveyed the dilapidated buildings, muttering, "This is a Spirit Master Academy? Why would Tang San enroll here?"
Sensing her confusion, Xiao Wu patted her shoulder, smiling. "Little Fox Sister, you've noticed? Shrek's poor due to funding issues, but the teachers are strong—a Soul Emperor enrolled us, and a Soul Sage tested us yesterday. With Third Brother's help, we passed."
Hu Liena, slightly annoyed by Xiao Wu's boldness, nodded and stepped aside. "Soul Emperors and Sages in such a rundown place? Shrek's not simple. I must hide my Spirit Hall identity until I understand its secrets," she thought.
Xiao Wu leaned closer, asking, "Little Fox Sister, Third Brother said he doesn't know his teacher's name. You know, right?"
Hu Liena's fox ears twitched. "Tang San doesn't know his teacher's identity? No wonder he's here." She shook her head, feigning embarrassment. "The teacher said I can't reveal her identity to anyone but Tang San."
"Ah…" Xiao Wu pouted, disappointed. Spotting Tang San's hut, she pointed. "Third Brother's there. Let's go!"
Hu Liena blinked at the half-ruined roof. "How can anyone live here? This Tang San must be something."
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai, strolling to recover his elixir, spotted Ma Hongjun babbling on the ground, Cuihua crying over him. "Hongjun, don't be like this! I'm not breaking up! Please wake up!"
"What's going on?" Dai Mubai hurried over, patting Ma Hongjun's cheek. "Fatty, wake up!"
"Mom, it's so dark… hit me…" Ma Hongjun mumbled, clinging to Dai Mubai.
"Who's your mom? It's daylight!" Dai Mubai freed himself, sensing something wrong. Lifting Ma Hongjun, he rushed to the dean's office.
In his office, Flender brooded over Tang San's mysterious power. Dai Mubai burst in, shouting, "Dean, something's wrong! Ma Hongjun's like this and won't wake up, babbling about darkness and his mom!"
Flender, seeing his disciple's state, recognized a spiritual attack. "It's a spiritual skill." He slapped Ma Hongjun's forehead with soul power, snapping him out of it.
"Teacher… what happened? Where's that rabbit? I wasn't done fighting…" Ma Hongjun mumbled, confused.
"You mean Xiao Wu? She did this?" Flender asked, incredulous.
"Xiao Wu… was I dreaming?" Ma Hongjun scratched his head, recalling a short-haired beauty before everything spun.
Flender decided to question him alone, waving Dai Mubai off. "Mubai, ring the assembly bell. All students, new and old, gather on the playground. If anyone's missing, fetch them. Especially Tang San—he must attend, though he's not enrolled. And be careful with Niu Dagang, my old friend's disciple."
"Niu Dagang? That stinking, farting guy?" Dai Mubai's face soured, but he left to comply.
…
Tang San, lying in his hut, heard footsteps and Xiao Wu's voice. "Third Brother, you there? Rongrong and I brought Little Fox Sister!"
He opened the door, feigning surprise. "Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, this is…"
His eyes met Hu Liena's, who studied him. "This is Tang San? Young, unremarkable. What's his talent?" she thought.
Xiao Wu introduced, "Third Brother, this is Little Fox Sister, your senior sister. Your teacher sent her."
"Senior sister? My teacher… could it be Sister Dong'er from five years ago?" Tang San mused aloud, dropping Bibi Dong's nickname to test reactions.
Hu Liena froze, then frowned. "Sister Dong'er… the Pope?" She was stunned that Tang San called Bibi Dong so casually, anger flaring. Bibi Dong was her idol. Grabbing his wrist, she snapped, "Junior Brother Tang San, we need to talk alone."
She pulled him behind the hut, away from Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong.
"Hey, Third Brother!" Xiao Wu started forward, but Ning Rongrong stopped her. "Let them talk. She's probably delivering a message from his teacher."
Xiao Wu relented, glaring at Hu Liena. Tang San, feeling her tight grip, teased, "Little Fox, be gentler! You're pinching me!"
Hu Liena glared. "Do you know who the teacher is?"
"I only know she's Sister Dong'er, and she told me to call her that," Tang San said calmly.
"How could she…" Hu Liena stopped, wary of disrespecting Bibi Dong. Changing topics, she asked, "What's your Spirit Power level? Your Martial Spirit?"
"Didn't she tell you?" Tang San feigned confusion, then extended his hand, revealing Blue Silver Grass. "Level 26, Blue Silver Grass."
"Blue Silver Grass? Impossible…" Hu Liena's eyes widened. "Level 26, and that spirit? Why would she choose you?"
"Because I'm a support-type spirit master," Tang San said confidently. "Sister Dong'er said I should support her daughter. Maybe she'll marry her to me."
"What? A support-type?" Hu Liena was floored, questioning her mission. A Blue Silver Grass support spirit master?
Seeing her scowl, Tang San smirked inwardly. "She's disappointed now, but wait till we're closer."
The academy bell rang, signaling assembly. Xiao Wu called, "Brother San, it's time to gather!"
Tang San spotted Zhu Zhuqing, in her black leather jacket, rushing to the playground, looking listless from their midnight date. He patted Hu Liena, smiling. "Little Fox Senior Sister, let's go see Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and the others' first class."
Since Hu Liena's identity was hidden, bringing her to Flender posed no issue.
…
As they headed to the playground, Xiao Wu whispered to Ning Rongrong, "Who's this Dong'er? Third Brother's teacher?"
Ning Rongrong frowned. "No idea, but he sounded so casual. She must be important. And why's Little Fox so mad about it?"
Zhu Zhuqing, joining the group, overheard. Her eyes narrowed. "Dong'er… another woman close to Tang San?" Her heart twinged, recalling their kiss.
Hu Liena, walking beside Tang San, seethed quietly. "Calling the Pope 'Sister Dong'er'? I'll find out what's between them."
From the shadows, Tang Hao watched, hammer ready. "Xiao San's playing with fire—Spirit Hall, these girls, and now this 'Dong'er'… I need answers."
Tang San's plan to lure Bibi Dong with Yu Xiaogang was progressing, but Hu Liena's reaction, Zhu Zhuqing's lingering affection, and Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's curiosity about "Dong'er" intensified the Shura Field. With the assembly looming, Tang San prepared to orchestrate chaos, setting the stage for Yu Xiaogang's downfall.
...Read 25+ Advanced Chapters At PA Treon.
patreon.com/FictionsTL
(End of this chapter)