Chapter 145: The Scapegoat Yu Xiaogang
"Sweetheart?"
Qian Renxue looked slightly taken aback.
"You didn't know?"
Xiao Yu couldn't help but ask, seeing her reaction. He had thought that Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong's little affair was already widely known within the Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue looked as though she were recalling something. "I only heard that she once had a romantic entanglement with a man who wasn't part of the Spirit Hall. Apparently, she even considered defecting from the Spirit Hall for him, but that was before I was born. And once she became the Pope, certain matters naturally became taboo. I don't know much beyond that. Do you know who that man was?"
Xiao Yu nodded. "You've met him—he's the leader of the Shrek group, Tang San's teacher, Yu Xiaogang!"
"It's him!"
Qian Renxue seemed shocked, but then her expression turned gleeful, as though she'd discovered a new world. She chuckled, even slapping her thigh with a mocking laugh. "I can't believe her taste was so poor, falling for a failure who's forever stuck at level 29!"
In his mind, Xiao Yu silently remarked, "Your taste wasn't much better. If it weren't for me, the person you set your sights on would have destroyed your family's legacy in one move."
After a few minutes, once her laughter had subsided, Qian Renxue regained her composure and said, "Now that you mention Yu Xiaogang, I remember something. He was listed as one of the accompanying teachers for Shrek's team, yet he didn't leave with the group. Judging by your expression, I assume you know where he went."
Xiao Yu replied casually, "He went ahead to Spirit City."
Qian Renxue looked puzzled. "What's a level-29 failure like him doing in Spirit City, strutting around like some reclusive master instead of staying with the main group?"
"He's there to seek out Bibi Dong and inquire about the secrets of cultivating twin spirits. In the later stages of twin-spirit cultivation, conflicts arise between the spirits, often causing the soul master to explode when adding a ring to the second spirit. Bibi Dong, however, managed to overcome this hurdle."
Xiao Yu's lips curled in a mocking smile. "Tang San also has twin spirits. That old guy, Yu Xiaogang, is prepared to sell himself to help his disciple."
Qian Renxue immediately grasped Xiao Yu's intention. "You want me to intercept Yu Xiaogang before he reaches the Pope's Palace and teach him a lesson!"
"Exactly."
Xiao Yu nodded. "Don't tell me you've lost the authority to send a few people to guard a door in the Spirit Hall."
"Who do you think you're looking down on?"
Qian Renxue was slightly irritated, her tone carrying a hint of annoyance. "I'm the Holy Maiden of the Worship Hall. Finding a few people is as simple as giving an order. The key is finding a good reason to rough up Yu Xiaogang. Spirit City is filled not only with Spirit Hall's soul masters but also many outsiders. Attacking Yu Xiaogang without cause would damage our reputation."
"A reason? That's simple."
Xiao Yu said nonchalantly, "That old man has a Pope's Token that Tang Hao gave him. Tang Hao probably knew the guy was weak and wanted to use him as a cover to gain Spirit Hall's support for Tang San. The fact that a level-29 failure is carrying a Pope's Token is unusual in itself. After you apprehend him, just accuse him of forging the token—no one will suspect a thing!"
"Alright!"
A cruel smile flashed across Qian Renxue's face. "When that old man falls into my hands, I'll make sure he wishes for death but can't escape life. But are you sure this will make that old woman heartbroken?"
"Rest assured."
Xiao Yu gave a sly smile. "Yu Xiaogang was Bibi Dong's first love, her purest and most cherished 'white moonlight.' Seeing him half-dead will hurt her far more than suffering that fate herself. But act quickly—although his spirit power is weak, he's still a soul master, and he left several days ahead of us. If he meets Bibi Dong first, you'll lose your chance."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth. "I don't have anyone useful around. I'll borrow your men!"
"What?"
Xiao Yu's eyes widened. "Who just said that the noble Holy Maiden of the Worship Hall could summon people with a single word? Now you're telling me you don't even have someone to send back to deliver a message!"
Qian Renxue shot him a glance. "With Sword Douluo following us, do you think I'd dare let Spirit Hall people tag along? Those at my disposal are guards from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Sending them to Spirit Hall would be as good as giving myself away!"
"But my men aren't part of Spirit Hall, so how can they gain the trust of your Worship Hall without proof?"
Xiao Yu extended his hand, asking Qian Renxue, "Do you have any identification on you? Let me borrow it!"
"Take it!"
With a wave of her hand, Qian Renxue tossed a golden token engraved with a six-winged angel. "This is my Worship Hall token, which holds the same authority as the Pope's Token in Spirit City. Send your man with it to find Cardinals Jin Cang and Gu Changrong. Leave the rest to them!"
Xiao Yu caught the token. "Alright, I'll arrange for someone to set off immediately. I guarantee we'll get ahead of that old man Yu Xiaogang!"
"You said it."
Qian Renxue snorted coldly. "If that worthless Yu Xiaogang leaves Spirit City unscathed, you'll have me to answer to!"
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Yu Xiaogang, dressed in simple robes and hurrying along the road, suddenly stopped, sneezing twice in a row. He wiped his nose and muttered, "Strange, it's not even cold. Why am I sneezing so much? Could it be my age catching up with me?"
"Forget it, the mission is more important."
Yu Xiaogang slapped his cheeks to clear his mind and dispel his random thoughts, continuing on his way to Spirit City, unaware that he had become Xiao Yu and Qian Renxue's target for venting their frustrations.
After nearly twenty days of rough travel and makeshift meals, Yu Xiaogang finally arrived at Spirit City. He passed the guards' inspection with ease, as his spirit power level below thirty wouldn't attract any attention at all.
Walking through the streets of Spirit City, his gaze was drawn to the towering Angel Statue at the center of the city, and a flicker of resentment crossed his eyes.
He could never forget the humiliation he suffered here over twenty years ago. Driven out of Spirit City by Qian Xunji, he had been like a stray dog, trampled by anyone who pleased.
"Qian Xunji, watch closely from below. My beloved disciple Tang San will one day overturn the rule of this evil Spirit Hall!"
With that conviction burning in his heart, Yu Xiaogang continued toward the Pope's Palace.
(End of Chapter)
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