Compared to the surprise of the two, Grandmaster's face was much more distorted, as if all hope had been shattered.
After a long while, Grandmaster, as if grasping at a straw, pointed at Ma Hongjun with a look of surprise and asked,
"No, you're definitely framing Xiao San! You said everyone's body was infected with the plague, so why are you unharmed?"
"Yes, you must be framing Xiao San! You must have accepted benefits from the Spirit Hall, right?"
"Hongjun, didn't Flander teach you to be honest? We can understand you accepting benefits from the Spirit Hall, but you can't put everything on Xiao San's head. He's a good kid."
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun stared dumbfounded at the shameless paralyzed man in front of him, seemingly understanding where Tang San's hypocritical personality came from. Even Flander and Liu Erlong, who were standing to the side, turned to look at the seemingly crazed Grandmaster with unfamiliar expressions.
"Xiao Gang."
"Don't speak, let him speak. He's definitely framing Xiao San."
Previously, out of respect for his mentor and brotherly bond, Ma Hongjun had always treated the master with respect. Now, after being repeatedly smeared by the shameless master and disciple, he had completely lost his patience. His face darkened as he looked at Flander and said,
"Teacher, do you know what level my cultivation was before?"
"Hmm? Isn't your current level 71 your previous limit?"
Ma Hongjun nodded and recounted his experiences over the past few days.
"That's right. My cultivation level was 76 before. Fortunately, I was rescued by the seniors of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. They helped me expel all the toxins entangled in my meridians, which saved me from disaster. The price was that my cultivation level regressed by 5 levels. If it weren't for my soul ring, I even suspect that I would have fallen back to the Soul Emperor realm."
"Even so, Tang San didn't intend to let me go. A few days ago, he attacked me in the territory of the Principality of Salikel, trying to eliminate the threat forever. In the end, he was driven away by the powerful members of the Extinction Sect who arrived at the last minute."
"As for whether you believe me or not, that's not important. From now on, I will join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as Oscar's protector. But no matter what, you will always be my mentor, and that will never change."
From beginning to end, Ma Hongjun looked at Flander sincerely, without even glancing at Yu Xiaogang. He felt that spending any more time talking to this kind of person was a waste of time.
At the same time, he gradually began to understand Ning Rongrong's behavior back then. This guy kept saying that the other person had twin martial souls, which was why they could absorb soul rings beyond their age limit. Even after it was confirmed that Mingmou Xu had it, he still refused to admit his mistake. He was incredibly shameless.
"Hey, no need for that, Hongjun. Your teacher believes you. Tang San might have been a good kid before, but times have changed, and he's experienced a lot. He hasn't been with us for years, so his personality might have changed."
Hearing that Flander was willing to believe him, Ma Hongjun seemed very happy. His affectionate teacher-student relationship deeply stung Yu Xiaogang's eyes. He looked at Flander in disbelief, seemingly unable to believe that his old friend would say such things.
"Flander, do you even know what you're saying? Tang San, he..."
Before he could finish, Flander interrupted him for the first time, looking at Yu Xiaogang with a serious expression.
"I know exactly what I'm saying. It's understandable that you choose to believe your disciple, and I will also choose to believe my disciple."
"Moreover, the facts and a large amount of evidence are already laid bare before the entire continent. If you want to prove that Tang San didn't do that, you can also present the evidence to me. Then I will hold a banquet to personally apologize to you and your disciple."
After saying that, Flander pulled Ma Hongjun away, wanting to hear the whole story, leaving Grandmaster and Liu Erlong standing there looking at each other. In fact, Flander had something else he didn't say. Not only Tang San, but even Yu Xiaogang now felt very unfamiliar to him. Perhaps it was the family upheaval, or perhaps it was the long-term physical disability. He hadn't blamed the other party for that, but when it came to matters of principle, he still needed to stand on his disciple's side. He couldn't let his disciple's heart be chilled because of brotherly affection.
As the master and disciple left, the master's already not-so-straight back hunched even more, and he asked Liu Erlong beside him with a look of disappointment,
"You don't believe me either, do you?"
"No, I just don't believe that Tang San. After all, he hasn't been by your side to receive your guidance for many years. It's not surprising that he would go astray. After all, the deep-seated hatred will always weigh on his heart like a mountain."
Liu Erlong chose a way that Yu Xiaogang could accept to express her thoughts one by one. The irrefutable evidence was right in front of her; she couldn't deceive herself. After
a long silence, Yu Xiaogang sighed deeply and turned his wheelchair towards the house.
Meanwhile, Flander finally got the full details of Ma Hongjun's experiences over the past year, and the assassination attempt on Oscar was also explained in detail.
"Hmph, that bastard really has some ruthless methods. It seems that the City of Slaughter is not a place for good people."
"Who says otherwise? That bastard tried to occupy the moral high ground before killing me! That's the most disgusting thing."
The master and disciple shook their heads, and finally Flander asked first:
"Is the person who invited you to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School this time reliable? Don't throw you into the outer sect and leave you alone like before."
"Uh..."
Mentioning Ning Bei, Ma Hongjun seemed a little embarrassed. After all, there had been some unpleasantness between his teacher and the second young master, but it wasn't something he had to hide.
"This time it's reliable. Oscar is already receiving training within the sect, and the person who invited me to join holds a very important position within the sect."
"Oh? Is it Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo? If it's them, then your future is secure."
Upon hearing that the person who invited the fat man to join held a very high position within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Flander immediately thought of Sword and Bone, but quickly shook his head, dismissing his guess.
"Neither. It's that senior who froze you into an ice block during the Soul Master Competition."
"..."
Flander, who had just been happy for his disciple, immediately looked displeased. That Ning Bei hadn't just lectured him during the Soul Master Competition; he'd also given him a dressing down in Soto City. His disciple was definitely the type to bring up the most sensitive topics.
"Teacher, you're so magnanimous, you wouldn't hold such a grudge, would you?"
"Haha, of course not! I'm just genuinely happy for you."
Seeing his disciple's expression gradually relax and a knowing smile appear on his face, Flander began to feel conflicted. What good would it do to hold a grudge? Was he supposed to rush to Ningbei's side like a lamb to the slaughter? Even the Golden Trio tied together wouldn't be enough for someone to slap them to death. It was better to wear his magnanimity on his sleeve.
(End of Chapter)