Tang San's fierce determination was something anyone would admire.
Zhuge Lan couldn't help but be impressed.
Shameless, unprincipled, a hypocrite—even able to harm himself for his ideals.
He masqueraded as a righteous man while committing villainous deeds.
No wonder Spirit Hall was utterly defeated.
If Qian Renxue had even a tenth of Tang San's shamelessness, she would've ambushed him and killed him while he absorbed the soul rings of the three ants.
People who know no shame truly are invincible!
Yu Xiaogang, the "decent man," despite doing things secretly, still couldn't let go of appearances. Seeing what Tang San did, he could only helplessly give up on taking him away.
Now that Tang San was crippled, he was useless. How could he carry on Yu Xiaogang's theories?
In essence, Yu Xiaogang and Tang San were the same kind of person.
But even so—he couldn't let him have the last word!
"Since our master-student bond is broken, return the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges to me."
Tang San's face was pale as he unfastened his belt and tossed it.
Ting-a-ling!
A pile of "scrap metal" clattered to the ground, sparkling in strange, multicolored hues.
Is it poisoned?
The Shrek team eyed Tang San differently.
Without Tang San's highlight moment of using hidden weapons to beat Zhao Wuji, they couldn't understand why a spirit master would carry around such junk.
"Here!" Tang San threw the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges to Yu Xiaogang.
"From now on, we are done!"
"But I, Tang San, am not an ungrateful man. I can still do one thing for you in the future, provided it doesn't violate my principles."
Yu Xiaogang clutched the belt, glancing deeply at Tang San before throwing a venomous look at Zhuge Lan.
After giving him one last, forlorn look, he turned and walked away, disappearing from view.
The moment his figure vanished, Tang San staggered, almost collapsing to the ground. Xiao Wu caught him just in time.
"Zhuge!" Xiao Wu shouted, "Hurry and heal him! He's lost too much blood!"
Zhuge Lan pretended not to hear, ignoring her plea.
"Zhuge!" Xiao Wu grew anxious. "Wasn't this your idea? Why are you going back on it now?"
Tang San thought the same, so he waited for Zhuge Lan's response.
Unexpectedly, Zhuge Lan didn't even glance at them, turning and leaving.
Gone?!
Tang San's anger revived him in shock!
How could he leave now?
What about me?!
Nearby, Zhao Wuji watched, then dryly reminded them: "Zhuge helped you out of goodwill. Instead of thanking him, you're ordering him around?"
His words were a wake-up call.
Begging someone without a humble attitude—wasn't it natural to be ignored?
A remorseful Xiao Wu lowered her head, realizing her mistake had hurt Tang San.
However, she didn't notice the bitterness in Tang San's eyes.
He held back his inner fury and managed a look of regret.
"I was just... upset about my teacher's situation."
"No problem. Once Lan is no longer angry, I'll reconnect my hand."
Oscar, the food spirit master, suggested a small sausage for temporary recovery, though in his heart he was unwilling to get involved in Zhuge's matters.
But Zhuge Lan had secretly followed Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang's emotions had yielded over three million emotional points, and Zhuge wasn't ready to let him go.
He contemplated a plan to keep him around longer, pondering a "judgment day" for Yu Xiaogang.
Then, using his mental realm, he transformed his appearance to resemble a bearded middle-aged man, intercepting Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang was startled, immediately defensive.
"Your son did it himself!" he argued desperately. "I only tried to take him away, but that brat provoked him, and I, a mere spirit master, couldn't stop it!"
Zhuge Lan's face held a mocking smile. "Where's your pride now? You look like a dog."
Yu Xiaogang dared not argue back, remembering he had no one to protect him here.
"What is it you want?" he asked, voice trembling.
With a grin, Zhuge Lan revealed his Clear Sky Hammer with nine spirit rings, radiating Haotian Douluo's power, sending Yu Xiaogang to his knees in fear.
Yu Xiaogang stammered, "My father is the Thunder Douluo, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's chief! You kill me, and it's war!"
Zhuge chuckled.
The famous "my dad is so-and-so" routine?
"Your father would still protect you? Even if your talent was half a level? Even after you betrayed your clan?"
Yu Xiaogang was speechless.
"Besides," Zhuge Lan continued coldly, "no one else is here. I could bury you right here. Who'd know?"
Yu Xiaogang froze. Was he to die here, so helpless?
"Tang Hao!" he cried out, throwing all pride aside. "Can I at least write some farewell letters?"
[Emotion Points +199999]
Yu Xiaogang never expected this.
Was he really going to die so helplessly?
But…
Even with all his regrets, what could he do?
He wasn't Zhuge Lan; he didn't have any cards to play against a Title Douluo.
His shoulders slumped, and he closed his eyes, memories flashing before him.
The one who appeared most often in his mind was Bibi Dong!
First loves are the hardest to forget.
"If Dong'er knew I had died, she'd probably shed a tear for me, right?"
Then, Liu Erlong appeared.
But...
The taboo love made him quickly cast her image aside.
—Even thinking about it felt morally wrong to him!
The third face was an unexpected one—an evil-looking young man: Zhuge Lan!
Yes!
It was all him!
If it weren't for this little brat disrupting his plans…
Would he have had such a big conflict with his beloved disciple?
Would he have left Shrek all alone?
All of it was because of him!
He deserves to die!!!
[Emotion Points +200001]
[Emotion Points +211111]
[Emotion Points +299999]
Fueled by resentment, Yu Xiaogang's emotion points hit a new high.
Zhuge Lan quietly withdrew his hand, watching the emotion points rise with a smirk.
Half a minute later…
Yu Xiaogang, who had now reminisced about his miserable life, opened his eyes, seemingly at peace.
With a trembling voice, he said—
"In light of the careful guidance I provided Xiao San, could I write a few farewell letters before I die?"
"Rest assured, I won't reveal your identity!"
"I owe my father an apology, and I want to make amends with him."
[Emotion Points +5555]
"As for Erlong, Flander was right; I should sever her hopes."
[Emotion Points +11111]
"I also want to die knowing things are clear with Bibi Dong!"
[Emotion Points +99999]
"And Ye En… I promised her I'd come back, but it's been 20 years."
[Emotion Points +47]
"I also wronged Zuo Ling; I shouldn't have stayed overnight at her place."
[Emotion Points +6]
Zhuge Lan was astounded.
This was the "world of intellectuals"?
Even a king of the sea would need a godly name change in his presence!
As a man, Zhuge Lan was impressed.
But as a hater…
Just die already!
—But before that, he'd let Yu Xiaogang convict himself.
Zhuge Lan said coldly, "You have ten minutes."
[Emotion Points +11111]
"Thank you!"
Yu Xiaogang took out a sheet of paper and quickly scribbled down his letters.
Zhuge Lan came closer, watching openly.
Yu Xiaogang only thought he was there to supervise, to make sure he didn't "spill any secrets."
So he ignored him.
He handled all the other women in a minute each.
The letter for Liu Erlong took three minutes to bid farewell.
As for Bibi Dong, she took a full five minutes!
Zhuge Lan felt nauseated by the flowery love words and held back his disgust.
He took the letters and stored them in his belt.
Scandal material +N!
At the very least, he'd collect a good amount of emotion points from Liu Erlong's reaction.
Hmm…
A well-preserved, original mature woman—should he consider her?
With Liu Erlong's fiery personality and figure, she would surely be a perpetual motion machine for emotion points.
It could be fun!
Age wasn't an issue.
A single Rejuvenation Pill could turn her into an 18-year-old girl.
Once he ascended to godhood…
Would there be much difference between ten thousand years old and ten thousand and a few decades?
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
Zhuge Lan couldn't help but smirk, making Yu Xiaogang shiver.
"Your Excellency Haotian, if you're going to kill me, could you get it over with?"
"You're making me feel eerie just standing there smiling!"
Zhuge Lan snapped back, casting a cold glance at Yu Xiaogang.
"Who said I'm going to kill you?"
[Emotion Points +200001]
Not kill?
Yu Xiaogang's hope for survival reignited!
But Zhuge Lan's next words crushed him again.
"Death is too easy, but punishment is inevitable."
"You made my precious son cut off his arm."
"So you should also cut off a few pieces of your own flesh. That's fair, right?"
[Emotion Points +155555]
Does he have to cut off his own arm?
This…
Compared to death, Yu Xiaogang could accept it.
But!
Was he supposed to slice it off bit by bit, like Tang San?
He knew he couldn't withstand such a brutal punishment as lingchi.
Let alone performing it himself.
As he hesitated…
Zhuge Lan pulled out a familiar butcher knife and tossed it at Yu Xiaogang's feet.
"Being sliced apart, you definitely wouldn't survive that."
"How about another punishment instead?"
"How about a single cut, eunuch-style?"
[Emotion Points +120120]
[Emotion Points +155555]
[Emotion Points +199999]
"No way!"
Yu Xiaogang refused outright!
"As a man, I won't emasculate myself!"
"Your Excellency Haotian, this is degrading!"
"Just kill me!"
He stiffened his neck, putting on a brave face as he closed his eyes and waited for death.
Acting like a "real man."
[Emotion Points +99595]
[Emotion Points +99595]
[Emotion Points +99595]
Zhuge Lan crossed his arms, quietly enjoying the show.
It wasn't three seconds before…
Yu Xiaogang couldn't hold out, cautiously opening one eye.
Seeing Zhuge Lan's amused gaze, his heart skipped a beat!
[Emotion Points +111111]
Damn it!
Was he seen through?
They say Haotian Douluo is a sentimental person, pounding the Spirit Hall's pope for his wife and son.
Why couldn't he have some sympathy for a "fellow man"?
Fake!
All of it fake!
Cursing in his mind, Yu Xiaogang didn't dare look at "Tang Hao" any longer, lowering his gaze.
A few pieces of flesh…
Maybe?
Besides, he rarely had the chance to use it; he just maintained it occasionally himself.
As the Spirit Hall's pope, Bibi Dong surely had a way to restore lost limbs, right?
Definitely!
Even for her own happiness, Bibi Dong would mobilize the entire Spirit Hall to restore him, no matter the cost!
Having made up his mind…
Under the threat of death, Yu Xiaogang slowly crouched down.
[Emotion Points +99999]
[Emotion Points +99999]
[Emotion Points +99999]
The moment his fingers touched the butcher's knife…
[Emotion Points +120120]
He hesitated again.
After all, that was a man's pride. How could he just cut it off?
Try it with Tang San, and see if he would be so decisive.
Zhuge Lan didn't urge him.
As long as the emotion points kept coming, he could stand here all day.
Several minutes of inner conflict passed.
Yu Xiaogang finally stood up with a determined look.
Just then, he heard—
---
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