"Pfft—!"
A laugh broke the silence, drawing the attention of both men.
But the space around them was empty.
Yi Hong: "…"
> 'Sorry, boss, Zhao Wuji's reaction was just too funny—I couldn't help it.'
[God of Speed: Haha, no worries. Just give that Tang Hao a good beating later.
He's not much better—became the master of the Douluo Star realm and never lifted a finger. Just drinks and slacks off all day.
Tang San bullied my descendant—I think beating up his dad is fair game, right?]
> 'Fair? That's totally fair!'
'Boss, just watch the show!'
As they chatted—
Tang Hao sensed something.
> "Stop hiding—come out!"
He summoned the Clear Sky Hammer, swinging it with a forceful gust straight toward Yi Hong.
Yi Hong canceled his stealth and stepped into view.
With a wave of his hand—
The Speed Divine Sense moved at his will, shattering the gust effortlessly.
Both Tang Hao and Zhao Wuji were shocked!
Sure, Yi Hong's talent was freakish, but he was still only a three-ring Soul Elder—how the hell did he hide from them so well?
> "If I said I was just passing by, would you believe me?" Yi Hong asked innocently.
> "Yi Hong, go back!" Zhao Wuji growled.
"This esteemed elder is here on important matters—don't meddle in things you shouldn't.
He seemed angry, but he was actually trying to protect him.
However—
Tang Hao narrowed his eyes.
This brat was the one who'd used his son like a lightning rod earlier.
Now that he was here, might as well teach him a lesson.
> "Kid," Tang Hao rasped, "let me teach you something today: curiosity kills the cat."
He stepped forward.
> "ROAR!"
But Zhao Wuji instantly activated his Martial Soul True Body, blocking Tang Hao's path.
> "Your Excellency!"
> "Yi Hong's just a kid—no need to go that far."
> "If you've got a problem, come at me instead!"
Tang Hao frowned and slammed his hammer into the ground.
> "You think you can stop me?"
> "I can't," Zhao Wuji admitted.
"But Yi Hong is my student. I won't stand down."
Tch.
Yi Hong felt a little touched.
[God of Speed: Teacher Zhao was just like this when we faced the Titan Giant Ape—always stood in front of us.]
[God of Speed: But don't go soft—hit that old bastard hard! Bleed him dry!]
Before Yi Hong could respond—
> "Screech—!"
A golden owl swooped down, landing beside Zhao Wuji—Flender.
He looked at Tang Hao cautiously, but without too much fear.
After all, Yu Xiaogang's letter had already revealed Tang San's identity.
So he understood why this Titled Douluo would show up for a kid.
But still…
> Picking a fight with a student? What a lack of dignity.
But hey—fists do the talking here.
> "Your Excellency," Flender said diplomatically,
"Let the kids handle their own business."
Tang Hao remained silent.
Zhao Wuji and Flender didn't dare press him.
The standoff dragged on—
> "Um…" Yi Hong spoke up,
"Teacher Zhao, Headmaster Flender. My surname is Di Yi, first name Hong. Not Yi Hong."
Zhao Wuji: "…"
Flender: "…"
Is now really the time for that?!
And yet—
The most jaw-dropping part was still coming.
Yi Hong drifted out from behind his protectors and tilted his head at Tang Hao.
> "An injured old Title Douluo still trying to show off?"
"Who do you think you're fooling?"
Zhao Wuji and Flender were frozen in shock.
> What?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!
Tang Hao was momentarily stunned, then let out a laugh.
> "Alright, kid."
> "Let me show you what it means to respect your elders!"
He reached out toward Yi Hong.
Zhao Wuji and Flender's expressions changed—they moved to intercept.
But Yi Hong was faster.
He raised his hand.
The Speed Divine Sense surged forth, forming an invisible green palm that wrapped around Tang Hao and grabbed him like a doll.
Zhao Wuji and Flender stood there, mouths agape.
> WHAT?!
Their own student had just manhandled a Titled Douluo!
> "HOW DARE YOU!!"
Tang Hao roared, his soul power surging as all nine soul rings flared.
He struggled hard—
But nothing happened.
Now he was stunned.
> What the hell?!
> "Are you done?" Yi Hong raised an eyebrow.
"Then it's my turn."
He flicked his hand, tossing Tang Hao into the sky.
The Speed Divine Sense detached and transformed into a shimmering, curvy phantom.
One became a hundred.
A hundred became a thousand.
They filled the sky.
Each shadow that passed by Tang Hao left a fresh wound on his body.
"Slash—"
"Slash—"
"Slash—"
Thousands of cuts, all in a flash.
The phantoms converged into one, glancing coldly at Tang Hao.
"Szzzz—"
Blood gushed from Tang Hao's entire body, momentarily suspending him in a crimson sphere midair.
> "Heh."
With a phantom laugh, the illusion vanished.
"BOOM!"
Tang Hao crashed into the ground, unmoving.
"Gulp—"
"Gulp—"
Zhao Wuji and Flender swallowed hard, staring at Yi Hong like they'd seen a ghost.
Especially Zhao Wuji—his legs felt like jelly.
> No way…
> This kid could've done THAT?!
> If I'd picked a fight earlier today, I'd be the one unconscious on the ground right now…
> "Crap!" Flender gasped, rushing over to Tang Hao.
A quick check—
> "Phew."
Just surface injuries.
He was still alive—and even conscious—just too embarrassed to get up.
Flender didn't call him out.
He coughed and turned to Yi Hong.
> "Ahem. Di Yi, right?"
> "This man is actually Tang San's father—Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo. Heard of him?"
> "He didn't come here to hurt anyone—probably just wanted to tell us something."
> "So, maybe we can just… let this go?"
> "Huh? A misunderstanding?" Yi Hong scratched his head.
"But didn't he say he was going to teach me a lesson?"
> "Err…"
> "And he struck first, too, didn't he?"
> "Uh…"
> "If you don't have the power, why act all high and mighty?"
"Getting smacked down is just natural."
> "Cough cough cough!"
Flender was speechless.
Tang Hao couldn't keep up the act anymore either.
He sat up and locked eyes with Yi Hong.
> "This time… I admit defeat. Do what you want."
> "But tell me—how did you do all that just now?"
Flender and Zhao Wuji leaned in too—extremely curious.
A Soul Elder casually tossing around a Titled Douluo?
What kind of trick was that?!
> "Why should I tell you?" Yi Hong pouted.
"Since you're Tang San's dad, I'll let you off the hook…"
Tang Hao subtly breathed a sigh of relief.
> Still just a kid—soft-hearted after all…
> "…But you'll have to buy your life back."
Tang Hao: "…"
Flender and Zhao Wuji: ↓
(▄︻▄)_●)
> That pause was DEFINITELY on purpose.
A four-ring Soul Elder telling a Titled Douluo to pay for his life.
If this weren't real, it'd be hilarious.
But here it was.
> "I don't have money," Tang Hao said stiffly.
"After Ah Yin died, I drowned myself in booze. I've got no savings."
> "Trying to weasel out?" Yi Hong raised an eyebrow.
"If you're my enemy, I'll make sure there's nothing left—don't want future headaches."
Root and stem—clean cut.
That meant Tang San was on the chopping block too!
Tang Hao's expression shifted.
> Didn't expect a kid to be so ruthless…
He glanced at Flender and Zhao Wuji.
But they were both looking away, pretending to admire the scenery.
Are you kidding?
On one side—a kid who can solo a Titled Douluo.
On the other—a Titled Douluo who just got soloed.
Whose side do you think they're on?
Tang Hao sighed and gave in.
> "The only valuable thing on me is soul bones. All four limbs—each over 50,000 years old."
> "Pick one."
That was offering to carve one out right now.
Ruthless.
Too bad—
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