Hearing the Grandmaster's first sentence, Tang San was overjoyed. Finally, he was going to get his first Spirit Ring. His strength would increase dramatically, and he hoped it would break the bottleneck he had reached in his Xuantian Technique.
But when Yu Xiaogang mentioned that Huo Feng would be coming with them, Tang San froze. Huo Feng refused to become his disciple, so why is the teacher still taking him along? If someone who refused the offer still got the same treatment as someone who accepted, then what was the point of him kowtowing three times?
Though he was filled with questions, he knew better than to ask. He simply nodded in agreement. "I understand, Teacher."
As if sensing the subtle shift in Tang San's mood, Yu Xiaogang gently patted his shoulder. "Come to my dormitory alone this afternoon. I have something I need to discuss with you."
Tang San's spirits lifted instantly. See? This is the benefit of becoming a disciple. The teacher is surely going to share some of his profound knowledge with me.
"Okay, Teacher!" he said, bowing slightly before heading back to the dormitory.
Opening the package of food his teacher had brought, Tang San's eyes lit up. There were a few fluffy white buns and a whole chicken leg. For him, this was a feast. He felt a wave of relief that he hadn't gone to the cafeteria with the others. He wouldn't have to owe anyone a favor, and the food they got was probably not as good as this anyway. After a long morning of travel and feeling weak, he was actually starving. He devoured the chicken leg in a few bites and was just starting on a bun when a loud, bustling noise came from outside.
"I haven't eaten that well in so long!" "Tell me about it! The boss is the best!" "Did you see the look on those seniors' faces? They were practically green! Let's see them act so arrogant now." "Yeah, where'd all their big talk go? Hahahaha!"
Bang!
The dormitory door was thrown open, and more than a dozen boys spilled inside, laughing and shouting. Wang Sheng was at the front. He immediately spotted Tang San sitting in the corner, chewing on his bun. Their eyes met, and the air turned a little awkward.
"Where's the stuff?" Wang Sheng shouted, turning to the boy behind him.
"Right here, Boss, I..."
Smack!
Wang Sheng slapped the boy playfully on the back of the head. "What did I tell you? Brother Feng is our boss!" He then snatched the large, oil-paper-wrapped package from the boy's hands.
"Right, right, my mistake!" the student said, quickly correcting himself. "Brother Sheng, I get it. Brother Feng is the boss."
Brother Feng? The title was for Huo Feng, of course. He might be young, but he was incredibly strong. Calling him "Brother Feng" felt right.
This brief exchange left Tang San stunned. Has Huo Feng's influence grown that strong already? The most surprising part was that Huo Feng himself wasn't even with them. Neither was that girl, Xiao Wu.
At that moment, Wang Sheng walked over to Tang San, his face full of pride. He held out the large package. "The boss treated us all to dinner tonight. He knew you didn't eat, so he told us to bring some back for you."
Tang San took the heavy package and unwrapped it. He stared, completely speechless. Inside was half a roast chicken, a large piece of steamed fish, and a whole braised pork elbow. These were the leftovers that the group couldn't finish. Just as they were about to leave, Huo Feng had thought of Tang San. Might as well help him recover, he had figured. Maybe it will shorten the sacrifice cooldown time.
Tang San's mind reeled. The last time he had seen a spread like this was back in his previous life, at the Tang Sect. Since coming to the Douluo Continent, even plain porridge was a luxury, let alone meat.
But... this... Wang Sheng said their boss had treated them. That meant Huo Feng had paid. But how could Huo Feng possibly have that kind of money? As someone from the same village, Tang San knew his family situation was dire. If it wasn't for Old Jack's help, he might have starved.
Tang San picked up the pork elbow and took a hesitant bite. It was soft, fragrant, and melted in his mouth.
It's real. I'm not dreaming.
This is delicious!
His pride, his confusion, all of it vanished in an instant, replaced by overwhelming hunger. Forget it. I'll eat first and think later.
He tore into the food like a starving wolf. The chicken, the fish, the pork—it all disappeared at a whirlwind speed. The entire process took less than five minutes.
When Wang Sheng came back from washing his face, he was dumbfounded. Tang San had not only finished everything but had already cleaned up and thrown away the paper wrapping. Didn't he say he wasn't hungry?
Only after his stomach was full did Tang San remember what the Grandmaster had told him. After eating such a meal, he felt a surge of gratitude. Maybe there's a good reason the teacher wants Huo Feng and me to go together, he thought, his opinion shifting once again.
"Didn't Huo Feng come back with you?" Tang San asked Wang Sheng.
"You mean the boss?" Wang Sheng's expression softened with respect. "He and Sister Xiao Wu went for a walk. Said they wanted to get to know the academy better." He now respectfully called Xiao Wu "Sister Xiao Wu," impressed by her fighting skill. "He should be back soon."
"Okay, I understand. Thank you," Tang San replied politely. If Huo Feng didn't come back soon, he would have to go see the Grandmaster first.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Huo Feng and Xiao Wu returned, chatting and laughing as they walked through the door. The moment they entered, the entire dorm fell silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing to greet their new boss. Huo Feng smiled and waved back, surprised at how effective one good meal had been at winning their loyalty.
Only Tang San stood apart from the crowd. He walked calmly toward Huo Feng, a polite smile on his face. "Huo Feng, thank you for bringing me food."
Huo Feng just shook his head. "Don't mention it. We're classmates, and we're from the same village. It's nothing." Besides, if they hadn't brought the leftovers back, the cafeteria staff would have just thrown them away.
Unaware of Huo Feng's pragmatic thoughts, Tang San said a few more polite words before gesturing for him to come outside into the corridor. The other boys watched curiously. What could be so secret? But they knew not to pry into their boss's affairs.
"If you have something to say, just say it here," Huo Feng said. "What's worth all the secrecy?" Is he going to offer to crack a walnut for me with his Clear Sky Hammer as thanks?
Tang San glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then lowered his voice. "The teacher is taking me to hunt a spirit beast tomorrow to get my first Spirit Ring." He paused, then added, "He said that both of us should go together."
???
Huo Feng frowned slightly as he processed the information. He finally understood. Tang San had only said Yu Xiaogang was taking him to hunt a spirit beast. He never said the Grandmaster was going to help Huo Feng get a Spirit Ring. So he just wants me to tag along? What is that old fox planning?
Then, a thought struck him like lightning. His hidden mission! The mission to sacrifice Yu Xiaogang! A trip into the wilderness, away from the academy, was the perfect opportunity to get close to him.
A wide, genuine smile spread across Huo Feng's face. "Alright!" he replied cheerfully. "Since the Grandmaster said so, let's go together."