Chapter 102: Standing Up for a Brother
"And who do you think you are? A worthless fool who hasn't even reached level 30! Who gave you the courage to shout so loudly here?"
A chilling voice echoed, and the disciples of the Nine Stars Palace stepped aside, clearing a path. Dugu Bo walked forward, his piercing green eyes fixed on Yu Xiaogang. The pressure he exuded was so overwhelming that the very air seemed to solidify. Yu Xiaogang stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
Seeing this, Flender and Liu Erlong rushed forward, releasing their soul power to envelop both Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu in a protective barrier. Without this, a mere Grandmaster and a Soul Elder would have been torn to shreds under the Titled Douluo's immense pressure.
With the protection of the two Soul Sages, Yu Xiaogang managed to catch his breath, glaring at Dugu Bo with venomous hatred. He was about to speak when Flender stopped him.
Among those present, Flender was the only one who still had a bit of rationality left. He bowed slightly and greeted Dugu Bo, for although he was prideful, Titled Douluos held the most esteemed status in the soul master world. Showing them respect was nothing to be ashamed of.
After bowing, Flender finally spoke, "Your Eminence Dugu Bo, I am Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy. This young man, Tang San, is a student at our academy. I'm not sure how he offended you, but I implore you to spare him, considering his youth and inexperience. As a Titled Douluo, dealing with a mere child could harm your esteemed reputation."
"Are you implying that I'm bullying the weak?"
Dugu Bo snorted coldly. "This student of yours snuck into the Nine Stars Palace in the dead of night and was caught red-handed. Do you know the nature of such an act? Even if I were to execute him on the spot, everyone would say he deserved it!"
Flender's face changed. His first reaction was disbelief—how could Tang San, a normally obedient child, commit such an act?
But would Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo, specifically go out of his way to trouble a Soul Elder, who in his eyes was nothing more than an ant?
Flender's brows furrowed as he recalled how Tang San often analyzed poisons and herbs with expertise. A suspicion crossed his mind: could Tang San have been eyeing the Nine Stars Palace's medicines?
Xiao San, what were you thinking?
Flender silently cursed. The image of a sensible Tang San that he had in his mind began to shatter. But he couldn't just abandon Tang San now, not only because he was Yu Xiaogang's disciple, but more importantly, because of Tang San's father.
When Shrek Academy was still in the suburbs of Soto City, Yu Xiaogang had secretly confided Tang San's background to Flender.
Haotian Douluo!
A man who feared neither heaven nor earth. If something happened to his son under Flender's watch, Flender could already feel the cold sweat running down his back just thinking about it.
He could accept his own demise, but in this situation, his beloved Liu Erlong might not escape Tang Hao's wrath either. How could the iron-blooded warrior Flender accept that?
The problem was that standing before him now was also a genuine Titled Douluo. Although his strength might not match Tang Hao's, he was still far beyond what a mere Soul Sage like Flender could contend with.
Left with no choice, Flender forced a smile and said, "Your Eminence Dugu Bo, this must be a misunderstanding! Xiao San is still a child. He must have wandered in by mistake. Please, for the sake of his elders, show mercy and spare him!"
"For the sake of his elders?"
Dugu Bo looked at the unconscious Tang San with interest. Flender was clearly not some foolish braggart; he wouldn't make such empty threats. This implied that the little thief who sneaked into the Nine Stars Palace had a powerful background. "I'm rather curious. Who are his elders that are worth my mercy?"
Flender swallowed hard, cautiously surveying his surroundings before using his soul power to transmit a message, "Titled Douluo, Haotian!"
Given his status, Flender was unaware of the grudge between Tang Hao and the Spirit Hall. But he wasn't foolish; why else would a Titled Douluo disappear for over a decade if not for some hidden reason? Thus, he dared not openly reveal Tang San's identity in front of everyone.
"Hahaha!"
Dugu Bo's laughter boomed.
Contrary to what Flender had expected, after invoking Tang Hao's name, Dugu Bo did not show any fear. Instead, he burst into laughter.
After a while, Dugu Bo finally stopped laughing and said, "I was wondering who it was. Turns out, it's the one who lost to our Nine Stars Palace! If you had mentioned any other Titled Douluo, I might have let this kid go. But you brought up that coward? His 'face'? I won't give him that!"
Dugu Bo had no personal grudge against Tang Hao, but Yang Wudi certainly did.
Over the years, Dugu Bo and Yang Wudi had partnered to guard the Tiandou City branch, sharing many common interests in medicine and poison research.
Moreover, Dugu Bo's body had been ravaged by poison for many years. Although the poison no longer surged and backfired, his bodily functions had already suffered severe damage. If not for his deep soul power foundation, he would have passed away long ago.
As a result, Yang Wudi often helped Dugu Bo concoct medicinal remedies to improve his health. In return, Dugu Bo would provide Yang Wudi with rare poisonous substances or even his own venom for research.
Through these exchanges, the two had developed a deep friendship over the years.
During their casual conversations, Dugu Bo had learned the details of what had happened back then. He held contempt for Tang Hao's actions in hammering the Pope to death and then disappearing, as well as for the Clear Sky Clan's decision to abandon its four subsidiary clans.
Now, Dugu Bo wanted to stand up for his good brother.
"Dugu Bo, how dare you disrespect that great man!"
Given Yu Xiaogang's level of soul power, he could not hear the soul power transmission Flender had used to speak with Dugu Bo. However, given the current situation, anyone with an IQ over 20 could guess what Flender had likely said.
Yu Xiaogang was a fervent admirer of Tang Hao. Seeing his idol insulted, along with his beloved disciple beaten black and blue, the string in Yu Xiaogang's mind finally snapped.
Blood rushed to his head, and the level-29 Master Yu Xiaogang strode forward, summoning his Luo San Pao, who appeared out of thin air, baring its teeth at the rank-90-plus Dugu Bo.
"Erlong, Flender, assist me!"
When it came to Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong's intelligence clearly dropped to the negatives. Without a word, she took her position at his side.
Flender could only sigh in resignation. If he had a choice, he certainly wouldn't want to confront a Titled Douluo head-on. But with his close brother and goddess already stepping up, he had no choice but to follow suit!
(End of this chapter)
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