Chapter 66 – He's Just a Pathetic Old Fool, He Doesn't Even Understand Tactics
At this moment, the White Tiger Duchess must be very happy.
Both of her sons were participating in the Continental Soul Master Tournament. Everything seemed so perfect, so beautiful.
Huo Yuhao was happy as well—but for a different reason. He wanted to use this very situation to eliminate her other son.
He wondered how seriously Dai Yueheng was injured, and whether the news had already been sent back to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion.
From bliss to despair—whatever Huo Yuhao had suffered back then, Huo Yuhao wanted the White Tiger Duchess to experience it all, one step at a time.
"Yuhao, if Shrek ends up facing us in the tournament, I'll help you," Meng Hongchen said. She knew of his hatred and felt that all she could do now was stand behind him, giving him her unwavering support.
"And me as well." Xiao Hongchen clenched his fist. "I told you before, Yuhao. Anyone who hurts you will pay the price."
Huo Yuhao smiled faintly and stretched out his hand, tightly clasping theirs.
"Good. But when the time comes, I hope you'll leave the final strike to me. I want to end the past with my own hands."
As for the White Tiger Duchess—she had no reason to keep living. When the tournament was over, Huo Yuhao planned to follow his teacher to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion and completely settle all of his past grievances.
Along the way, he would also check whether Huo Yun'er's soul still remained. If it did, he would ask Elder Yi to 'purify' it, making sure it never fell into God King Tang's hands. Only then could he face Huo Yuhao with peace of mind.
And Dai Hao? Huo Yuhao couldn't help but wonder—when his true identity was revealed, when a so-called illegitimate son personally killed Dai Hao's legitimate heir, would the proud duke finally collapse?
A final act before death—it would be quite the spectacle.
"Huo Yuhao?"
"Hm?"
Hearing a voice from behind, the three of them turned their heads.
"Wang Yan?"
Seeing the newcomer, all three were shocked. Why was Shrek's accompanying instructor here?
But he looked very different from earlier that day. His expression was weary, his eyes lifeless, as though he had suffered a heavy blow.
"What, has Shrek's great instructor sunk so low that he's resorted to stalking us?" Xiao Hongchen sneered. He had no goodwill toward Shrek, but before he could continue, Huo Yuhao's gaze stopped him.
"As you can see, I'm no longer a teacher of Shrek Academy."
Wang Yan had originally gone out to drink away his sorrows, lost and unsure of his future. Never had he expected to encounter Huo Yuhao and the others here.
The battle from earlier was still vivid in his memory. Toward Huo Yuhao, he felt more curiosity than anything else.
"So, Shrek had some problems, and they threw you out as the scapegoat, right?"
Wang Yan paused in surprise. "So… you really do know everything."
How laughable. Xuan Zi still fantasized about winning the championship with such a team. Tomorrow's group battle alone would already be difficult to handle, let alone facing the Sun Moon Empire or the Star Luo Empire.
'Glory?' Wang Yan sneered inwardly. 'I don't believe such a word can change a battle. And as for Xuan Zi's so-called wisdom—he's just a pathetic old fool. He doesn't even understand tactics.'
Wang Yan knew he would never return to Shrek. Even if he did, he would only face punishment under the suppression of Xuan Zi and Ma Xiaotao.
But despite everything, he still had a stomach full of doubts—doubts all centered on Huo Yuhao.
"Huo Yuhao, you're a Body Martial Soul Soul Master, aren't you? And not just any, but the highest-grade spiritual type Body Martial Soul. If I'm not mistaken, judging by your performance today, your martial soul should be either your eyes or your brain."
"And your soul ring configuration—I don't believe those soul ring years are real. But on the battlefield, that kind of aura can't be faked. I beg you, could you answer my questions?"
Meng Hongchen immediately stepped in front of Huo Yuhao. "Hey! Don't forget, you're still a Shrek teacher—even if you aren't anymore, why would we tell you anything?"
"That's right," Xiao Hongchen added. "Who knows if this is just some act to get information out of us?"
Wang Yan's expression dimmed. He realized he had spoken too rashly.
Yes, he had once belonged to Shrek. How could they possibly reveal their secrets to him?
But Huo Yuhao understood. Wang Yan was one of the rare few at Shrek who only cared about theoretical research into martial souls, someone whose ultimate goal was academic advancement.
"Wang Yan, now that you've been cast out by Shrek, if you're willing to join the Sun Moon Empire, I can give you the answers you seek."
As he spoke, Huo Yuhao took a step forward, beginning his persuasion.
"Shrek calls itself the cradle of soul masters across the continent. But you, of all people, should know the reality better than anyone else."
"Now they've abandoned you without hesitation. But the Sun Moon Empire can offer you a new opportunity."
"Everything you once had at Shrek—we can give you double, even triple."
"Not only that, while the Sun Moon Empire reigns supreme in soul guidance devices, we are weak in martial soul theory. This is your chance. I can see it—you are someone who relentlessly seeks knowledge. At Shrek, surrounded by those muscle-brained fools, your talent could never truly shine."
"I promise you, here you will have the stage to prove your worth, to pass down your research, and to turn theory into practice. So… what do you say?"
Wang Yan froze, his face shifting between hesitation and sorrow, until finally he let out a bitter laugh.
What a joke. Shrek, the academy he devoted his life to, had thrown him away like trash. And now the Sun Moon Empire, their supposed rival, was offering him the chance to prove himself.
And the one extending the invitation… was this very boy, the one who most intrigued him.
"I won't go to the Sun Moon Empire. As you said yourself, it's not a place where theoretical research can thrive."
In truth, he was struggling. He didn't want to believe what he had just experienced. Subconsciously, he wanted to escape.
Most of all, he didn't believe this youth. He didn't believe Huo Yuhao had the power to fulfill such lofty promises.
But Huo Yuhao wasn't discouraged. If Wang Yan had agreed too quickly, he would've found it suspicious instead.
"I understand. You don't believe me. You don't think I can keep my word. But that's fine. My teacher will prove it to you."
As his words fell, a figure appeared before them.
"Brat, is this guy really so important that your teacher has to show up in person?"
Huo Yuhao shrugged. "As you can see, Teacher—he is."
Wang Yan was one of the rare few in Shrek with true intelligence, a man whose contributions to martial soul theory could rival even that of a Titled Douluo.
Although Kong Deming didn't know where his disciple's confidence came from, he didn't need to. He only needed to trust.
"So you're Wang Yan? I am Kong Deming, Level Ten Soul Engineer of the Sun Moon Empire, Hall Master of the Worship Hall, and Huo Yuhao's teacher. I can guarantee that everything Yuhao just promised—will be fulfilled."
Since he had personally appeared for Wang Yan, there was now only one outcome if he refused: death. No second choice existed.
At that instant, Wang Yan sobered completely. Had he heard correctly? Kong Deming—the man whose status was equal to that of Shrek's Sea God Pavilion Master—was Huo Yuhao's teacher?
Huo Yuhao hadn't lied. He truly had the ability to deliver on every word.
And he held such an astonishing background. No wonder his strength was so great, his actions so mysterious.
All Wang Yan could feel now was bitter irony. Shrek had discarded him like garbage. Yet the Sun Moon Empire welcomed him like a treasure, offering a stage beyond imagination.
In the end, all his resentment condensed into a single word.
"F*ck…"
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(End of Chapter)