(Xuan Ni playing, tissues ready, begin immersive reading.)
That being said...
Yu Xiaogang had really been having a terrible time recently!
Late every night, he would always dream of Brother Jie's gentle, doting gaze, and heroic scenes of Brother Jie rescuing him from Spirit Hall back then.
Although Brother Scarface and Shorty would often make guest appearances as vile villains in Yu Xiaogang's dreams, Brother Jie would descend like a hero every time, rescuing him from the depths of misery.
Alas.
Awakening from the dream, the heart remained asleep; tears soaked the pillow, and deep feelings lingered, impossible to suppress!
Other than that...
Yu Xiaogang had returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan some time ago to ask his father, Yu Yuanzhen, for help in finding Tang Hao.
However, the news he received was hard to accept: Tang Hao hadn't simply vanished, but was being hunted by Spirit Hall and had fled to parts unknown. In any case, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would do their best to search for him.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Under the setting sun.
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back in the afterglow of the sunset, exuding a subtle aura of melancholy.
Tang San paused his Cultivation and looked at the back of his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, not far away, feeling an inexplicable sorrow welling up in his heart.
Just what had Teacher experienced over this past year?
Why could he sense such an overwhelming sorrow emanating from Teacher?
"Teacher."
Tang San called out.
Yu Xiaogang turned around from not far away and walked over, saying calmly, "Finished your Cultivation? Let's go grab dinner!"
"Okay."
Tang San replied softly and walked toward the academy cafeteria together with his teacher, Yu Xiaogang.
Shortly after.
A student spotted the two of them and called out to stop them, "Tang San, oh wait! Grandmaster, please hold on. Someone outside the academy is looking for you, saying they're an acquaintance of yours."
"Looking for me?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression tightened, turning rather complex.
Who would come looking for him?
Could there be news regarding Tang Hao, whom he had asked his father to search for?
"Xiao San, come, let's go take a look together."
Yu Xiaogang said, leading Tang San in swift strides toward the academy entrance.
Before long.
The South Gate of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
After exiting, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San looked around for the acquaintance.
"Xiaogang, it really is you!"
A voice suddenly reached Yu Xiaogang's ears, familiar yet striking him with inexplicable panic.
Tracing the sound, Yu Xiaogang saw a man step out from behind a tree, burly and with a scar across his face.
Thump!
Yu Xiaogang's heart shuddered violently, and his legs went so weak he almost collapsed onto the ground.
It was him!
It was him!
It was really him!
His nightmare—Brother Scarface.
Indeed.
That voice, that face—it was Brother Scarface, who frequently appeared in his dreams to torment him.
Tang San sensed something was amiss. His hand was already on his waist as he warily stared at Brother Scarface and asked:
"Who are you?"
With guilt in his eyes, Brother Scarface looked at Yu Xiaogang and said, "I am his friend, and also someone who has wronged him."
"Shut up!"
Yu Xiaogang's face suddenly darkened, clenching his teeth as veins bulged on his forehead. "I don't know you, nor am I your friend!"
Brother Scarface said with a face full of remorse:
"Xiaogang, I'm sorry. Everything before was my fault. I only caught sight of your back on the street a few days ago, so I made some inquiries."
"I didn't expect it to truly be you. I came here today to apologize to you. I am truly sorry!"
On the other side.
Su Yan and his group stood in a concealed corner, observing in secret.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile, and the others were filled with bewilderment.
"What kind of show is this?"
"Why can't we make heads or tails of this? Wasn't Scarface one of those who tortured Yu Xiaogang back then?"
"Scarface coming to apologize to Yu Xiaogang—what kind of play is this?"
They hadn't heard Chrysanthemum Douluo's explanation last time, so they were completely baffled by the scene before them.
Chrysanthemum Douluo calmly explained, "Last time, when we let Yu Xiaogang go, didn't I set up the scenario so that Brother Jie ran off with the money?"
"This time, I had Brother Scarface appear. The apology is merely an opening to start a conversation. The real purpose is to let Yu Xiaogang know that Brother Jie didn't betray him and run off with the money, but rather succumbed to severe injuries and died because he didn't want to burden him."
"All their past money was used to bribe the city guards. Brother Jie never betrayed him; he loved him deeply all along."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu, Golden Crocodile, and the others didn't quite grasp it at first, but upon thinking it through, their eyes widened all at once.
Holy crap!
If they remembered correctly, Brother Jie and Yu Xiaogang had later lived like a couple in Spirit City.
Letting Yu Xiaogang leave last time was specifically designed to make Yu Xiaogang believe he was betrayed by Brother Jie, so he must have been harboring hatred for Brother Jie in his heart all this time.
With this scheme of yours, won't Yu Xiaogang be consumed by unbearable guilt?
You absolute pervert!
Everyone in the Group Chat was also watching with relish right now.
[Ning Rongrong: It just has to be Chrysanthemum Douluo!]
[Zhu Zhuqing: Honestly, the climax of this script is the true masterstroke!]
[Liu Erlong: Tsk tsk tsk, just thinking about what Yu Xiaogang is about to go through brings joy to my heart!]
[Bibi Dong: Good, very good.]
[Group Member No. 9: I often feel out of place among you all because I'm not twisted enough.]
Meanwhile.
Yu Xiaogang said with a dark expression:
"Enough!"
"I don't need your apology, nor have I ever known you. Leave right this instant, and never let me see you again!"
Tang San had a strange look in his eyes, guessing in his heart that Teacher definitely knew this Scarface.
Brother Scarface let out a heavy sigh and said, "I know you definitely won't forgive me, but I still must solemnly apologize to you."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm also grateful that when Brother Jie rescued you back then, we had the chance to escape from the dungeon. It's just a pity that such a good man like A-Jie still ended up dead in the end."
"Wait!"
Yu Xiaogang's heart suddenly trembled, his expression instantly twisting hideously as he asked, "What... what did you just say? You said he... he died?"
Yu Xiaogang could no longer control himself; he lunged forward and grabbed Scarface by the collar.
Brother Scarface hurriedly said:
"Xiaogang, calm down first. I know A-Jie's death is hard on you, but this isn't your fault. A-Jie's spirit in heaven wouldn't want to see you like this either..."
"No!"
Yu Xiaogang said somewhat frantically, "Speak clearly! Tell me clearly right now! You said he died—when did he die?"
"How did he die?"
"Huh?"
Brother Scarface feigned a puzzled look and said, "Xiaogang, what's wrong with you?"
"Don't you know? A-Jie died! It was because he was heavily injured when rescuing you back then, and his wounds were simply untreatable."
"I went to make inquiries later, and they said A-Jie used all his money to bribe the city guards of Spirit City, which gave you the chance to escape. Didn't you know about this?"
Hearing Brother Scarface's words, Yu Xiaogang looked as if his soul had been sucked out. He stumbled back two steps, nearly falling to the ground.
"Brother Jie died?"
"He... he used all his money to help me bribe the city guards so I could escape Spirit City? He didn't run away with the money?"
Brother Scarface asked with a face full of confusion, "Xiaogang, what are you talking about?"
"How could A-Jie run off with the money? In order to save you, he brought out his entire Life savings to hire experts. He emptied all his possessions for your sake!"
"I... I think I understand. A-Jie must have known his wounds were completely incurable, and he didn't want to burden you, so he fabricated a lie about running away to deceive you..."
Crack!
Rumble!
Observing from the shadows, the sneaky Su Yan waved his hand and altered the weather. The sky gathered with dense dark clouds, thunder rumbling and lightning flashing.
Whoosh—crash!!
A torrential downpour instantly began to fall.
Xuan Ni began to play:
If it can't be stopped, let it go free~
This struggle between desire and despair~
The lingering warmth loves passing through the door~
And before leaving~
She turned off the light along the way~
So funny~
Yaiyaiyaiyaiyaiyaiya~
Yu Xiaogang stood listless and desolate in the rain, muttering under his breath:
"Brother Jie... Brother Jie didn't leave me behind alone. He died... His wounds were too severe. I was so foolish... I was really so foolish..."
"Brother Jie used to say his injuries had already healed, and he wouldn't let me squander money by hiring Healing Spirit Masters. It was all so we could save enough money sooner to let me leave Spirit City."
"In order not to burden me, in order to let me leave in peace, he lied to me... He lied to me..."
Brother Scarface hurried forward to support Yu Xiaogang, consoling him, "Xiaogang, don't be like this. I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry. I had no idea you didn't know about these things."
"I... I seem to have ruined A-Jie's arrangements. Xiaogang, A-Jie's spirit in heaven wouldn't want you to be like this. He definitely wants you to live well."
Yu Xiaogang shoved Brother Scarface away and ran frantically toward the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, memories of the past flooding into his mind.
"My name is Xiong Jie. You can call me A-Jie or Brother Jie."
"What's your name?"
"Ah... Brother Jie, my name is Yu Xiaogang."
"Yu Xiaogang? Brother, you actually share the same name as an idol I deeply admire!"
"If any of you dare touch Xiaogang, I'll fight you to the death!"
"Don't worry, Xiaogang. Anyone who wants to harm you will have to step over my dead body first."
If it can't be restrained, let it go free~
Suspending the innocence that should be there~
Ups and downs lie in joy, anger, sorrow, and delight~
Loosening the rope~
At worst, no one will care~
Yaiyaiyaiyaiyaiyaiya
Yaiyaiyaiyai
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's memories flashed back to the scene where Brother Jie rescued him from Spirit Hall.
"Xiaogang, I told you, anyone who wants to harm you will have to step over my dead body first."
"Besides, if you don't leave, how can I leave?"
"Quickly, go!"
"Life... Sacrifice!"
"Brother Jie, you were so foolish, so foolish... Now that you're dead, could I possibly live on alone?"
Yu Xiaogang ran through the heavy rain on the streets, his mind filled with every single moment he had shared with Brother Jie.
"Xiaogang, it's really been hard on you this past year."
"Once we save enough money and leave this damned place of Spirit City, I'll find a small village where no one knows us, buy a house and a few acres of land, and build a home that belongs solely to the two of us."
"Xiaogang, I know you're a capable man, and I know you still have things left unfinished."
"It doesn't matter. I will wait for you. I will wait for you in our home until you finish your business and return. For the rest of our lives, we'll live in simple peace with plain meals, happily spending our days together."
So funny~
Yaiyaiyaiyaiyaiyaiya~
Yaiyaiyaiyai~
(End of Chapter)
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