The news of Tang San's injuries spread like wildfire. Back at the Shrek Academy's temporary lodging, nearly all members of the Shrek Seven Devils—save for Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing—gathered in his room. Tang San lay unconscious on the bed, pale as a sheet, his breathing faint.
The room was filled with confusion and concern.
"What's his condition?"
Grandmaster furrowed his brows, his face etched with worry. He had personally promised Tang Hao to protect Tang San. Now, with Tang San in such a state, how could he ever face his idol again?
Flender let out a long sigh. "The bleeding has stopped, but Tang San has lost too much blood. He'll need days of quiet rest to recover. In the meantime, everyone will need to take turns looking after him."
As Flender's gaze shifted to Xiao Wu, whose red, swollen eyes brimmed with tears, he knelt down before her.
"Xiao Wu," he asked gently, "Can you tell us what happened? Someone who could injure Tang San this badly must be much stronger than him. If we can find the culprit, perhaps we can resolve this peacefully."
In the back of his mind, Flender dreaded a darker possibility. If that madman—Tang Hao—found out about Tang San's condition, his wrath would raze the entire academy.
Xiao Wu, sobbing uncontrollably, looked at Tang San's pale face and choked out, "Dean Flender, I… I don't know. When I woke up, I was in an alley, and then I saw my brother like this."
Grandmaster pressed further, "Xiao Wu, think carefully. Did Tang San have any recent conflicts with others? Or any encounters that could've turned sour?"
Xiao Wu wiped her tears and shook her head. "No, my brother always acts with integrity. He wouldn't provoke anyone or do anything cruel."
Outside the room, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged knowing glances, their silence speaking volumes.
Inside, Grandmaster rubbed his temples, his expression somber.
Flender, seated across from him, leaned forward. "What now, Xiaogang? If Tang Hao learns of this, we're in deep trouble."
The weight of Flender's words hung in the air.
Grandmaster sighed deeply. He had promised Tang Hao years ago, during their time at the Nuoding Academy, that he would look after Tang San. Over the years, Tang Hao had remained elusive, but now...
"There are no secrets that don't come to light," Grandmaster muttered. "For now, our only hope is that Tang San wakes up soon, so we can get to the bottom of this."
Grandmaster finally broke the silence. "Flender, tomorrow we'll take Tang San back to Shrek Academy. It's no longer safe for him here in Soto City."
Flender frowned. "You think the culprit is still in the city?"
Grandmaster nodded gravely. "It's just a guess. But more importantly..."
His face darkened, and his voice trembled. "Tang San's external soul bone is missing."
Flender's eyes widened in shock. "What? His external soul bone is gone?"
As he pieced together the implications, he recalled Tang San's back injuries from earlier. It now made sense: the assailant had specifically targeted the Eight Spider Lances.
"Xiaogang, didn't you once say that soul bones, once fused, cannot be removed unless the soul master dies? What does this mean?"
Grandmaster sighed heavily. "That's true under normal circumstances. A soul master would rather destroy their own soul bone than let it fall into someone else's hands. But Tang San's case is different."
Flender leaned in. "How so?"
Grandmaster took a sip of tea, his hands trembling slightly. "Tang San's soul bone is one of the rarest types—an external soul bone. I suspect the culprit specifically sought the Eight Spider Lances and used Xiao Wu as bait to lure Tang San out."
Flender nodded slowly. The picture was becoming clearer. The culprit had a clear objective. Now, they just needed to identify who it was.
Grandmaster stood, pacing by the window. He peered into the tranquil night outside before pulling the curtains closed.
"Tang San's Eight Spider Lances came from a thousand-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider. But during this time, I've noticed that Tang San hasn't fully mastered it yet. The Lances aren't entirely integrated into his body."
Flender furrowed his brow. "What does that mean?"
Grandmaster explained, "Tang San's current state is incomplete. The Eight Spider Lances require a breakthrough—a critical moment of pressure for complete integration. Only through intense adversity can he achieve harmony with the soul bone."
He clenched his fists, his voice thick with emotion. "But for the Lances to be forcibly removed... the pain is unimaginable. It's as if his very bones were being torn from his body. He's just a twelve-year-old child. How could he endure such torment?"
Tears welled in Grandmaster's eyes. Tang San wasn't just a student to him; he was like a son. The boy's words when he had first knelt to become his disciple echoed in his mind:
"A teacher for a day, a father for life."
Meanwhile, at the Emperor Team's inn, the night was calm, with stars twinkling in the sky.
After detoxifying Shi Mo and Shi Mo, Ye Hao returned to his room alone. Ensuring no one was around, he cautiously retrieved the blood-stained Eight Spider Lances from his soul guide ring.
Holding the severed soul bone in his hands, Ye Hao carefully wiped away Tang San's blood, revealing its gleaming surface.
The Eight Spider Lances shone with an otherworldly luster. Just holding it, Ye Hao could feel its unparalleled value.
"External soul bone, huh?" he muttered, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
For Tang San, the Eight Spider Lances had been a source of pride. For Ye Hao, they were a trophy—and a reminder of the pain he had inflicted on his enemy.