On the way back from the forest, Tang San simply would not stop.
"Teacher," he asked for the hundredth time, following right at Subei's heels, "what exactly did you mean by the 'big baby' you promised to give me?"
His eyes were burning with childlike curiosity.
Subei sighed, half-smiling. "Baby means baby. It could be a weapon. Could be a medicinal herb. Could even be… a surprise."
Tang San blinked twice. That didn't help his confusion at all. To him it just sounded like the way little kids in kindergartens talked about candy or toys. A big baby that could save his life? The words carried mystical weight in his ears.
But Subei only gave him a look of mild disdain and clicked his tongue. "Xiao San, don't tell me absorbing that Ghost Vine scrambled your brain. Are you stupid now?"
"Alas…" Tang San wilted at the blow, shoulders slumping.
He quickly caught himself and straightened again, eyes shining. "Hehe! But Teacher—are you actually concerned about me?"
Subei rolled his eyes but answered flatly, "Since I took you on as a disciple, naturally I'll take care of you. That's my duty."
The boy's face lit up, bright as dawn. He clutched his Blue Silver Grass in his palms, activating it with renewed determination. In that moment, all the hardship and blood felt worth it because of those calm, simple words.
…
Meanwhile, back near camp, Ghost Douluo had elected to "help" by butchering the soul beast corpses.
"Splurt!"
Blood sprayed as his blade slashed yet another carcass, tossing chunks to the side. Curved, smoky hands cut with mechanical rhythm. To Tang San's observing disciples eyes later, it seemed oddly dignified.
Ghost wiped off his blade, pretending nonchalance.
"Not bad," Subei praised in passing. "Your knife work is simple but powerful. Elder Ghost, you act the housewife very well."
Ghost froze for half a second. Internally, cold sweat poured. Mad… I wasn't actually cooking! I was just hacking randomly and praying the Pope didn't mock my messy cuts…
But with everyone watching, he could only cough and play dignified. "Ahem. Just… experience. Gaga~."
Hu Liena, watching blood splash across the grass, squealed softly and covered her eyes with her slender fingers. She wasn't afraid of violence—she had slain soul beasts before—but Ghost's casual dissection, combined with his creepy quacking laugh, was too much. She peeked through her fingers, horrified and curious at once, then shook her head quickly. Poor beasts… they look wretched even in death!
And then, a miracle swept away her discomfort completely.
From a distance, she spotted them—Subei returning at last, walking alongside the Pope herself, with Tang San trailing.
"BEI!!!"
Like lightning loosed into the sky, Hu Liena vaulted from her knees. Never in her life had she moved so fast.
She sprinted toward him, golden hair flying, her chest heaving as relief and happiness painted her whole face. Anyone watching would have thought she'd just sighted her savior rather than her junior martial brother.
Even Bibi Dong blinked in surprise at the girl's speed and intensity.
Yet what cooled the mighty Pope's mood was that Hu Liena's shouting eyes fell completely not on her—but on Subei. Straight, unashamed, worshiping gaze locked only on the boy beside her.
Her lips pressed tight. Teacherly dignity… defeated again. By my own disciple's obsession with this youth.
Then, with a sigh, she let it go. What could she do? Xiaobei's brilliance bent all gazes. Even hers.
"Humph," Bibi Dong said faintly. "Na'er, remember this well. Tang San's ring—five hundred and forty years. Surpasses you by nearly a century. His combat sense is already remarkable. As Saintess, you should step up your efforts, don't be complacent."
The words poured like cold water, crisp and merciless. An incentive, but also an edge of warning.
Hu Liena's blooming smile wavered, instantly shrinking under the Pope's pressure. "…Yes, I understand, Teacher," she murmured, lips trembling.
She knew her talent was strong, but still ordinary compared to the miracles of Qian Renxue—or now Tang San, who seemed destined for greatness. Even if she tried her hardest, some gaps could never be bridged. The reminder stung.
But her sorrow lifted when Subei's hand reached out gently to steal hers.
Warm.
He glanced at her sidelong, expression gentle, and his fingers squeezed lightly. An unspoken message: Don't be discouraged. You're still mine to care about.
Hu Liena's lungs filled, her face heating. Secretly, she poked his side with one finger like a spoiled girl, then smiled again faintly. He understood her. That was enough.
Watching, Subei reflected with some amusement. Bibi Dong's disciples are well-chosen indeed. Qian Renxue, the golden empress—bold to the point of challenging heaven. Hu Liena—delicate as a bird, needing a perch. Taming one requires patience, the other cunning. How interesting.
But when they approached the camp fully, he stopped short, blinking at the disaster before him.
Blood-covered cutting boards, hacked corpses stacked like firewood, Hu Liena's earlier half-scream still hanging in the air, and Ghost Douluo of all people standing straight with a knife dripping gore like a butcher in a village market.
In the middle, Yan stood back awkwardly with scorch marks on his hands from trying to burn meat that wasn't even prepared.
"…What," Subei said plainly, "in all the hells, are you doing?"
At that, the formidable Ghost dropped instantly to his knees as though struck by tragedy. For all his murderous aura in battle, his composure cracked comically.
"Your Holiness! Your Highness Subei! You've finally come back!" Ghost wailed, his raspy voice wobbly. Tears practically steamed off his pitch-black mask. "P—please, help us! We—we can kill armies, but we can't cook!! Woohoo!"
His "villainous" face crumpled, shoulders shaking like a bullied child.
Subei pinched the bridge of his nose. Truly… this is Spirit Hall? Limit Douluo who can't dice vegetables, Shadow-elites who can't roast a steak? Lord above, why do I feel like the only competent adult… while being seven years old?
Bibi Dong sighed gracefully, covering her mouth with her hand. Hidden behind the jade of her fingers, her eyes glimmered with laughter.
Meanwhile, Hu Liena hung off Subei's arm, grinning with pride. "See, Teacher? The camp really does need him. Without Bei, even Ghost Elder cries like a child!"
Yan groaned in embarrassment. Tang San gave a tiny smile, hiding behind his Teacher's shadow.
Subei exhaled heavily, raising his hands like a long-suffering parent. "Alright, alright. Sit back, all of you. The Teacher will cook."