Chapter 48: Taking Blame
While Wu Lan was trying hard to suppress his laughter, Yu Xiaogang continued digging his own grave.
Xiao Wu and Zhuqing looked at Yu Xiaogang like he had gone mad.
Flander's eyes lit up after hearing Yu Xiaogang's claim that his theory could evolve martial spirits. He turned to look at his disciple, who had a defective martial spirit.
"Xiaogang, can your theory solve problems with martial spirits?"
Hearing Flander's voice, Yu Xiaogang snapped out of his daze, turned to face him, and began pretending with arrogant flair.
"Are you insulting my theory? My theory can even evolve martial spirits. It will bring martial spirits to new heights. How could it not solve small problems?"
Flander felt joy at the thought that his disciple might finally have a solution for his troubles.
"Xiaogang, can you give me face and solve Ma Hongjun's martial spirit problem?"
Yu Xiaogang started calculating in his mind. I've already tested my theory on Tang San and his martial spirit evolved. So I know the combination for Blue Silver Grass, but for other martial spirits, I still need to experiment. Anyway, I need someone to test my theory on. Since Flander is asking, I'll give him face and accept Ma Hongjun as a test subject. And I can also ask for more resources for Tang San.
"Since you're asking, I'll give you face and solve his problem. But I'll need more money for student development."
Flander was happy when he heard the first sentence, but the second sentence broke his heart.
On one side was his money. On the other side was his disciple.
He gritted his teeth and agreed.
Yu Xiaogang was very pleased, thinking he'd secured resources and a free test subject without giving up anything.
Wu Lan, upon hearing this, looked at Fatty with pity.
His Phoenix Essence was already stolen by me, and now he's going to be the guinea pig for Yu Xiaogang's theory.
Tang San survived Yu Xiaogang's crazy theory only because of the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline and the soul ring gifted by the Blue Silver King during the activation of his bloodline.
But Ma Hongjun doesn't have any protection. His fate is doomed.
Yu Xiaogang is not just digging his own grave, he's also digging holes for others to accompany him.
Wait...
Now that I think about it, due to the missing Phoenix Essence, Ma Hongjun's martial spirit will continue to degrade. His firepower will slowly decrease. Eventually, they'll notice the problem. Dai Mubai's martial spirit will also degrade over time. Then they'll become suspicious. Oh, there's also Tang San, who always follows Mubai and Fatty.
Three people out of eight students developing issues?
If there's no clear reason, no one will believe it's a coincidence.
But now... someone has volunteered to carry the blame.
No matter what problems arise in the future, all of it can be blamed on Yu Xiaogang, the creator of the world's greatest theory.
Yu Xiaogang, thank you for taking the blame instead of me.
Though you are a shameless scumbag, for carrying this burden, I'll send you another guinea pig soon to experiment on. Consider it a gift to accompany you in your grave.
Yu Xiaogang, no need to thank me for the present.
Dai Mubai, I hope you're ready for what's about to come.
If Yu Xiaogang heard Wu Lan's thoughts, he would have died from sheer rage.
Meanwhile, completely oblivious to Wu Lan's scheming,
Yu Xiaogang was still blabbering about his greatness and how he was sharing the most revolutionary theory in the world just because Flander asked him nicely.
Flander listened, nodding with patience and gratitude.
As Yu Xiaogang's rambling continued, Wu Lan's ears began to hurt. Without a word, he quietly left with Xiao Wu and Zhuqing.
While walking, Xiao Wu curiously asked, "Brother, is that trash's theory actually true?"
Zhuqing also leaned in, clearly interested.
"It's not true. As for the reason... I'll tell you later when the time comes," Wu Lan said in a mysterious tone.
"Brother, you always say 'I'll tell you later,'" Xiao Wu pouted. But knowing Wu Lan wouldn't give a straight answer right now, she stopped insisting and dragged him toward Soto City to play.
After spending a few hours playing in Soto City, they returned to the academy and went their separate ways.
Xiao Wu had already bought new beds for Bi Ji and Zi Ji so they could sleep in her dormitory.
Yesterday, Bi Ji and Xiao Wu had argued for a long time over who should get to sleep in Wu Lan's room.
Seeing that the argument might never end, Wu Lan suggested buying new beds and letting Bi Ji and Zi Ji stay in Xiao Wu's dormitory instead.
Seeing an empty bed in Wu Lan's room, Xiao Wu wanted to stay. But under Orchid's teasing and with Bi Ji's insistence, she was dragged back to the dormitory.
Before going to sleep, Wu Lan didn't forget about collecting his debt.
He activated Tang San's mark and sent traces of vitality to him.
However, he didn't receive any payment today.
Just as the disappointed Wu Lan was about to sleep, he sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching the academy.
Tang Hao.
He immediately activated Blue Silver Sense to observe.
Tang Hao arrived near Tang San's room and began silently observing him.
Sensing this, Wu Lan suppressed his presence and quietly walked toward Tang San's room.
After arriving near the room, Wu Lan slowly expanded his domain to cover Tang Hao.
Tang Hao, still immersed in his past while looking at his son, didn't notice anything unusual.
When the domain fully covered him, Wu Lan instantly removed the mark from Tang San and placed it onto Tang Hao.
Tang Hao suddenly felt a chill run through his body.
Snapping out of his daze, he looked around Tang San's room alertly.
Wu Lan, after completing his task, ran back toward his dormitory, barely suppressing the urge to shout,
My treasure trove is back.
Since Tang Hao is here, Tang San can quietly accumulate his strength until I'm done squeezing everything out of Tang Hao.
Tang San, I'll let you shine in the limelight for a while.
No need to thank me.
[Author's Note:
A heartfelt thank you to the following amazing supporters who joined me on Patreon and helped keep this story alive:
Andrew Falvo, Gezerus, Jack M, your support truly means the world to me.
Thanks to all of you, I'm motivated to keep going and bring this story to life one chapter at a time.
From now on, I'll be releasing 5 chapters every week for this fanfic!
]