Chapter 80: Iron Wall City in the Night
"How about this? Didn't you say I should just tell you if I had any orders? Come stroll through Iron Wall City with me tonight, what do you say?"
Seeing that Tang Shan was no longer constrained, Xue Qinghe's heart stirred, and he spoke up with a suggestion.
Good relationships are nurtured slowly. For such an outstanding Genius, Xue Qinghe naturally wanted to keep him firmly in his grasp; it was worth spending extra effort for this.
"No problem."
Tang Shan didn't think much of it and agreed readily.
Not long after returning to the hall, Su Yuntao, who had fallen into a special state, finally woke up slowly. He looked around blankly at his surroundings, feeling they were somewhat familiar, but his head was still groggy, and he didn't immediately realize where he was.
"Big Brother, you're awake? How are you feeling?"
Tang Shan's concerned voice rang in his ears, and Su Yuntao finally gradually recovered from his daze.
"Shan Zi, why are you here? Where am I?"
Su Yuntao stood up, subconsciously moved his limbs, looked up at the concerned Tang Shan, and asked.
Although he had already learned from Chen Zhan that Su Yuntao would be fine, Tang Shan only truly breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Su Yuntao wake up with his own eyes. Following his question, he explained the whole sequence of events in detail.
"I didn't expect that person to have such a special relationship with Sword Douluo."
After hearing the cause and effect, Su Yuntao couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Big Brother, what do you think?"
Tang Shan looked at Su Yuntao, whose temperament had already undergone some changes, and couldn't help but ask.
"Shan Zi, do you have any suggestions? I can't make up my mind on this by myself."
Su Yuntao turned to ask Tang Shan for his opinion instead.
"You don't need to worry about Master's side. The key is to see if that cultivation method is compatible with you. Anyway, according to that person's description, it looks quite good." Tang Shan's meaning was clear: Su Yuntao becoming Chen Zhan's disciple would not affect his own identity as the Disciple of the Great Master.
"Then I'll chat with him more over the next few days and probe into his background."
After saying that, Su Yuntao turned to look at Xue Qinghe, his face full of gratitude: "Your Highness, thank you for having that Senior step in to help just now. If not for Senior's help, I'm afraid I would have been forced to become his disciple."
Su Yuntao already knew about Chen Zhan coming to the door to force him to become a disciple, and he was naturally full of gratitude toward Xue Qinghe, who could stop the other party.
"It's nothing. You are a Spirit Master under my command after all; how could I let others manipulate you as they please?"
Xue Qinghe didn't take this small matter to heart. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Su Yuntao, his gaze fell on Tang Shan.
"I'm a bit curious about that method of yours for cultivating the Physical Body. I wonder if I could ask you for some guidance?"
"Physical Body cultivation method?" Tang Shan was stunned for a moment, but soon realized that the other party was clearly talking about his set of cultivation methods similar to National Martial Arts.
"Of course, but practicing this method is especially bitter. You must persist long-term to see results."
Tang Shan agreed, while also giving a warning in advance.
He relied on the assistance of his First Soul Skill to progress so quickly in Physical Body cultivation. If it were any other Spirit Master, no matter how high their talent or how strong their blood and Qi, even if they didn't have to train in the depths of winter and the height of summer, constant perseverance would definitely be indispensable.
"It's fine, I don't expect to achieve great results either. As long as it can strengthen my body and keep me healthy, it's enough. After all, my talent for cultivating spirit power is really average. I might as well find a set of body-strengthening Cultivation Techniques to make my body more vital——"
Hearing Xue Qinghe say his spirit power talent was poor, Tang Shan thought sarcastically in his heart: I believe you one hundred percent; you definitely don't have an Angel Martial Soul and Innate Rank 20 full spirit power.
"In other words, it's possible Yuntao will take someone as his master? And that person is also the martial nephew of Sword Douluo Chen Xin?"
In the inn, Su Haichao looked at the two boys before him, only feeling that it was a bit surreal.
Since arriving at Iron Wall City, the surprises had never stopped. First, Tang Shan and Su Yuntao joined the First Prince of Heaven Dou's faction, and now he heard that Su Yuntao might be taking a master. It was really one good thing after another.
"Shan Zi, what do you think of this?" Su Haichao, having barely calmed his mind, asked Tang Shan for his opinion just like Su Yuntao had.
Tang Shan's answer was the same as before, letting Su Yuntao make his own decision. He didn't object; if the cultivation method was truly suitable, there was nothing wrong with taking a master.
"In that case, Yuntao, you should handle it yourself."
Hearing his father's instruction, Su Yuntao patted his chest: "Don't worry, even if I really have to take him as my master, I'll have to get a lot of benefits out of him."
If Chen Zhan knew Su Yuntao's thoughts, he would probably regret it. This wasn't taking a disciple; it was clearly inviting an ancestor back.
"Did His Highness say when we are setting off?"
After the trivial matters were discussed, Su Haichao's expression became more solemn as he looked at the two.
"He didn't say a specific time, but it'll probably be in the next two days."
Tang Shan rubbed his chin and looked at Su Haichao: "Dad, do you want to come with us when the time comes?"
Su Haichao shook his head without hesitation: "He is the First Prince of Heaven Dou after all. I am just an ordinary Spirit Master of Spirit Hall; it's not good to get too close to him. Besides, I still have some business in Iron Wall City. I've run into a few friends I knew when I was young. When the time comes, you two just follow the First Prince's convoy."
After saying that, he pulled a token from his robe and handed it to Su Yuntao: "Once you reach Heaven Dou City, go to Spirit Hall and give this token to the staff there. It would be even better if you could see Bishop Salas, to see if he can give you more help for your travels across the continent."
Even if he's unwilling to help because you joined the Heaven Dou Empire, the First Prince surely has his own ways."
"Okay, Father." Su Yuntao took the token, while Tang Shan stood aside without speaking.
He didn't plan to voice his guess that Su Yuntao joining Xue Qinghe's faction wouldn't be affected by Spirit Hall. Ultimately, this involved Xue Qinghe's true identity. Su Yuntao just needed to peacefully enjoy the convenience of both sides; as for maintaining the relationship with Xue Qinghe, he could leave that to himself.
The sky gradually darkened, and a sky full of stars dotted the pitch-black canopy. Moonlight spilled down, adding a touch of tranquility and mystery to the entire city.
Although night had fallen, Iron Wall City was not quiet at all; instead, it became more and more lively. Both sides of the streets were filled with various stalls, some selling legitimate goods and others selling novel trinkets. Lamps lit up one by one, their warm yellow light illuminating the streets. The sounds of shouting, hawking, and the chatter and laughter of pedestrians mixed together, full of the atmosphere of life.
Snake Lance Douluo drove a simple carriage, slowly winding through the streets of Iron Wall City. Xue Qinghe wasn't wearing his prince-exclusive Python Robe; he had changed into a simple and sharp set of martial attire. He sat by the door on one side of the carriage, his legs dangling and swinging. The noble air about him had quietly dissipated, replaced by a rare sense of ease.
Tang Shan sat by the door on the other side, his legs also hanging outside the carriage. The slightly cool night wind blew against him, carrying the scent of the street life, blowing away the fatigue from days of hard Cultivation and allowing his constantly tense spirit to completely relax.
Neither of them spoke, quietly feeling the liveliness of Iron Wall City, immersed in this atmosphere. Their thoughts were rarely in sync: It would be nice if things could stay this stable forever; I really wish time could stop at this moment.
A rich aroma drifted into his nose, pulling Tang Shan's wandering thoughts back. He subconsciously yawned, and as the night wind blew, his mind became increasingly clear and calm.
Not far away, an old man slowly pushed a food cart forward. A huge iron plate was mounted on the cart, and meat pancakes on it were being roasted over flames, glowing with a golden and enticing luster. The grease sizzled, and a rich meaty fragrance spread out from the cart as the center. Many passersby gathered around, vying to buy this golden and crispy delicacy.
"Stop for a moment!"
Xue Qinghe called out. Snake Lance Douluo flicked his whip lightly, and with a crisp sound, the tall horse slowly came to a halt under his skillful control.
"Old man, give me three meat pancakes."
Xue Qinghe jumped off the carriage, walked to the food cart, and spoke with a gentle smile.
"Coming right up, young man. That'll be fifteen bronze coins in total."
The old man responded as his hands didn't stop, quickly packing three steaming, oily meat pancakes and handing them over.
Xue Qinghe frowned and reached into his robe for money, but after searching for a long time, all he pulled out were gold coins; he didn't even have a single bronze coin.
"Old man, no need for change."
Tang Shan noticed Xue Qinghe's predicament, quickly jumped off the carriage, and took a silver coin from his pocket to place on the old man's stall.
"Thank you, young men!"
The old man happily accepted the coin. Xue Qinghe coughed twice and looked at Tang Shan: "Tang Shan, you are quite attentive."
"6"
Saying that, she stuffed a scalding meat pancake into Tang Shan's hand, turned around, and quickly ran back to the carriage.
Tang Shan looked at Xue Qinghe's back and saw her give a meat pancake to Snake Lance Douluo as well. A smile couldn't help but curl at the corners of his mouth as he walked leisurely toward the carriage.
Sitting back on the carriage, Tang Shan looked at Xue Qinghe playfully: "Your Highness, you should still prepare some bronze coins and silver coins when you go out in the future, right?"
Xue Qinghe had regained his composure by now and retorted decisively: "I see you didn't take out any bronze coins just now either, did you?"
The playfulness on Tang Shan's face faltered for a moment, and he quickly pretended not to hear, turning his head to look out of the carriage as if something novel outside had captured his full attention.
Snake Lance Douluo drove the carriage, his smile impossible to hide. Taking a bite of the fragrant meat pancake, his heart was full of emotion: Since the Young Lord met Tang Shan, the whole person has become much more lively, no longer that cold appearance usually used as a disguise.
One should know that although the usual Xue Qinghe always wore a smile, no one knew better than he and Porcupinefish Douluo how cold Xue Qinghe was when no outsiders were around. He spent all day either studying government affairs or immersing himself in Cultivation. Let alone coming out to wander the city at night, when in Heaven Dou City, he almost never left the First Prince's Mansion except for necessary social interactions to maintain his persona.
The two Titled Douluo were Xue Qinghe's subordinates in name, but in reality, they were more like elders. Having watched her grow up from a little sprout, they really couldn't bear to see her keep her heart closed off.
Tang Shan's appearance seemed to have broken that barrier. In Xue Qinghe's consistently gentle smile, there was finally a few more traces of warmth from the heart——
The lights of Iron Wall City flickered as the carriage moved further away. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, the three figures slowly merged into the bustling crowd, completely dissolving into the night and the life of this city.
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