Chapter 145: Yu Xiaogang Takes the Fall

“My precious treasure?”

Qian Renxue paused slightly.

“You didn’t know?” Xiao Yu asked, surprised. He had assumed that the scandal between Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong was already common knowledge within the Martial Soul Hall.

Qian Renxue pondered for a moment. “I only heard that when she was young, she had a relationship with a man who wasn’t part of the Martial Soul Hall. Back then, she almost defected from the Hall for him. But that was before I was born, and since she became the Pope, some things have naturally become taboo. I don’t know much beyond that. Do you know who that man was?”

Xiao Yu nodded. “You’ve met him too. He’s the leader of Shrek Academy, Tang San’s teacher—Yu Xiaogang!”

“Yu Xiaogang!” Qian Renxue exclaimed in surprise. Then, a trace of schadenfreude crept into her expression, as if she had discovered a new world. She chuckled and slapped her thigh mockingly. “I never expected her to have such poor taste, falling for a useless man who’s been stuck at level twenty-nine his whole life!”

Actually, your taste isn’t much better, Xiao Yu thought silently. If it weren’t for me, the man you fancy would have destroyed your entire Qian family legacy generations ago.

A few minutes later, after her laughter subsided, Qian Renxue’s expression turned serious. “Now that you mention Yu Xiaogang, I do remember something. He was supposed to be listed as an accompanying teacher when Shrek Academy departed, but he disappeared by the time they set off. Judging by your demeanor, you must know where he went.”

Xiao Yu replied calmly, “He went ahead to Martial Soul City.”

Qian Renxue frowned in confusion. “Why would he go early? What’s a level twenty-nine useless soul master doing pretending to be some reclusive sage instead of traveling with the main force?”

“He went to ask Bibi Dong about the secret of cultivating twin martial souls,” Xiao Yu explained. “In the late stages of twin martial soul cultivation, conflicts between the two martial souls can occur. The first twin martial soul died after adding a spirit ring to his second soul. But Bibi Dong overcame this difficulty.”

A mocking smile tugged at Xiao Yu’s lips. “Tang San also has twin martial souls. That old guy Yu Xiaogang is going to sell out his looks for his disciple.”

Qian Renxue immediately grasped Xiao Yu’s intention. “You want me to send people to intercept Yu Xiaogang before he enters the Pope’s Palace and rough him up!”

“Exactly,” Xiao Yu nodded. “Don’t tell me you’ve become so powerless in the Martial Soul Hall that you can’t spare a few people to guard the gates.”

“Who do you think you’re insulting?” Qian Renxue snapped, anger creeping into her voice. “I am the revered Sacred Maiden of the Offering Hall. Sending a few men is a trivial matter. The real question is: what reason would I have to attack Yu Xiaogang? Besides the soul masters directly under our Martial Soul Hall, Martial Soul City hosts many outsiders. Taking action against Yu Xiaogang without evidence would only ruin our own reputation.”

“Reason? That’s easy!” Xiao Yu said nonchalantly. “The old man has a Pope’s Order in his hand, given by Tang Hao. I guess Tang Hao also knows this guy isn’t strong, so he’s using him as a front to get free help from your Martial Soul Hall for Tang San. It’s already strange for a level twenty-nine nobody to hold a Pope’s Order. Once your men seize him, claim that he forged the order. No one will doubt it!”

“Alright,” Qian Renxue’s face twisted into a cruel smile. “If that old man falls into my hands, I’ll make sure he wishes for death but can’t have it. But are you sure this will hurt that old woman’s heart?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Xiao Yu sneered. “That old man was Bibi Dong’s first love when her feelings first blossomed—the purest and most unblemished white moonlight in her heart. If you leave him half-dead, it will hurt her more than hurting herself half to death. But you have to act fast. Though that old man’s soul power isn’t impressive, he is still a soul master and left earlier than us by a few days. If he meets Bibi Dong first, you won’t get another chance.”

Qian Renxue hesitated, then gritted her teeth. “I have no one available. I’ll borrow your men.”

“What?” Xiao Yu’s eyes widened. “Who just said that as the Sacred Maiden of the Offering Hall, it’s a simple matter to find a few people? How come now you don’t even have someone to send a message?”

Qian Renxue glanced at him. “I have Sword Douluo accompanying me. Do you think I’d let Martial Soul Hall people follow? The ones at my disposal are all guards from the Heavenly斗 Royal Family. If I let them deliver a message to the Martial Soul Hall, it’s like exposing myself.”

“But my men aren’t affiliated with the Martial Soul Hall. Without proof, how can your Offering Hall people in Martial Soul City trust them?” Xiao Yu asked, holding out his hand.

“Here.” Qian Renxue flicked a golden token engraved with a six-winged angel, sending it flying into his palm. “This is the token of my Offering Hall. It’s equivalent to a Pope’s Order within Martial Soul City. Have your men present it to the two red-robed cardinals, Jin Cang and Shenggu Changrong. Leave the rest to them.”

Xiao Yu took the token. “Alright, I’ll arrange it immediately…”