Outside the vast Star Dou Forest, the group found a patch of flat grassland.
The air was fresh, wildflowers painted the meadow in colors, and butterflies fluttered lazily on the wind.
Yan and Tang San busied themselves with tents and iron racks, working together like old comrades sharing chores. Who could have guessed that, in the "original story," Yan would treat Tang San as a love rival and burn with sour vinegar every time Hu Liena looked at him? For now though, they looked almost like brothers. Life had a sense of irony.
Hu Liena hovered near Subei like a moon orbiting its sun. But when she was briefly distracted, Tang San took the chance to sidle up to Subei with soft words.
"Teacher," he whispered, "why didn't you bring Xiao Wu and her mother here? They'd love this place…"
"Shhh!" Subei pressed a finger to his lips, eyes darting.
"Little San, there's a truth you need to learn."
Tang San tilted his head innocently. "What truth?"
"One mountain cannot hold two tigers."
"Eh?" His face was blank. "But… is Xiao Wu a tiger?"
Smack! Subei smacked the back of his disciple's head. "Metaphor, stupid! Think! Do you not know the relationship between my godmother Liu Erlong and Pope Bibi Dong? If I brought them both together here, don't you think I'd already be dead? You want me dead, don't you?"
Tang San touched the spot on his head tenderly, but did not take it as a rebuke. Instead, his heart melted. The teacher… touched my head. This is a kind of concern, isn't it? Just like in the Tang Sect, if elders hit you lightly while scolding, it meant they cared.
He flushed, swallowing hard. "Teacher, how could I ever want you dead? It's too late for me to hope you live happily forever! I only want you to be the most joyous person in the whole world!"
His voice trembled with desperation. His affection was like fragile pearls shimmering in his eyes.
Subei stiffened, his face twitching. This… what the hell am I raising here? A disciple or a lovesick puppy?
"Er… 'die' doesn't mean that kind of death."
"A-ah…" Tang San's lips quivered, guilt spilling across his features. "Then… Teacher doesn't dislike me? Teacher still loves me as a disciple?"
"…" Subei wiped invisible sweat from his forehead. Great, his heart's already glass—thin, cracking. One glare and he shatters. Fine! Coax the puppy, don't step on him.
He straightened suddenly, letting his aura surge, deliberately wearing an imperial majesty. His posture straight, his gaze sharp—it was a façade of supreme domineering air.
Bibi Dong, watching from afar, froze.
Her eyes flickered complicatedly. He has… the bearing of a king? I knew Xiaobei was brilliant, but this aura—this imperial dignity—it's like the heavens themselves hinted something… Could it be… a sign? Should I stop obstructing Qian Renxue's future? Is Xiaobei destined to join her, to bring down the Heaven Dou Empire and sit the throne as Emperor?
Her mind spun with politics.
Meanwhile Subei's thinking was simple: My good disciple is acting too "delicate." I need to flex a little dominance, scare him straight, and toughen him up!
But Tang San, seeing his Teacher's rising aura, shook all over.
"Teacher… are you… angry with me?" His voice nearly cracked.
"Do you… dislike Xiao San?" His breath faltered.
"Teacher!" he said suddenly, bowing deeply, his voice cracking with sincerity. "Please don't abandon Xiao San. I will change—whatever you want me to change—I'll do it! I only want the Teacher's approval!"
His delicate peach-blossom eyes shimmered pitifully.
Subei: (Ծ‸Ծ) …It's over. My disciple is a steel-hearted man in the original story. Why is he acting like lovesick glass here? One glare and he's trembling like a concubine staring down an angry Emperor?!
Tang San's lips parted again, voice filled with guilty determination. "Teacher, please test me again! Release that aura! More fiercely! Break me, crush me—Ravage Xiao San severely! I won't yield this time!"
Subei blinked thrice. "…You… what?"
The boy's legs tensed, his posture straight, eyes blazing with resolve. He truly meant it. He wanted his teacher to overwhelm him, to prove his devotion by resisting the crushing pressure.
What kind of disciple ARE you? What unholy situation is developing here?!
Subei coughed hard, rubbing his temple. Aloud, he sighed. "Forget it. Compared to moments ago, your composure is already stronger. You no longer collapse instantly. That's enough—it shows progress. Your mind is steadier, firmer, more resistant."
Tang San was left blinking in confusion. He had braced for a storm—and instead got gentle words. Yet even those words wrapped him like warmth.
Teacher really was testing me after all… and I still failed too easily…
He clenched his fists fiercely. Then I'll keep training. Keep enduring. Until I can bear even the fiercest wrath of the Teacher without trembling.
But buried deep in his heart, another voice whispered:
Even if they call me shameless… even if I must bow pitifully. One day, when I rise… no one will dare steal Teacher away. Not Liu Erlong. Not Bibi Dong. Not even gods themselves.
Tang San bowed once more, determination burning behind his watery eyes.
"I understand now, Teacher. Next time, please pressure me harder. Xiao San will not fail you again!"
Subei could only gape. "…Mother of God. This disciple really is beyond saving."
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