After several hundred lashings, Tang San's body was covered in wounds, lying on the ground barely clinging to consciousness.
Yun Chuan could already sense that watchful gaze from the shadows growing restless, on the verge of springing out. He finally guided the armored giant to halt, slowly letting the long whip in its hand unravel and fade away.
He knew that if he kept this up any longer, Tang Hao — hidden in the distance — would definitely leap in to "teach him a lesson."
Truth was, despite Tang San's miserable appearance, Yun Chuan's blows hadn't been overly heavy — all surface injuries, no damage to muscles or bones. Exactly for that reason, Tang Hao had been able to hold back. If his son's life had truly been in danger, that drunken old man would've charged in long ago.
Still, while the wounds weren't serious, the pain was another matter. Being lashed several hundred times — anyone would feel agony in every joint and limb. At this point Tang San could only lie motionless on the ground, unable to utter a sound.
As for Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, who had watched the entire thing unfold… they were pale and silent, hardly daring to breathe. They stared at the giant warily, fearful that he might feel in the mood to give them a taste of the whip next.
Fortunately, Yun Chuan had clearly had enough.
The three-meter armored giant began to disassemble, the vines unweaving into countless strands of Blue Silver Grass before fading into pure energy. The white-robed, black-haired young man appeared once again before them, turning to ask, "Do you know why I whipped him?"
"Uh… because Tang San challenged you?" Dai Mubai guessed cautiously after a moment's thought.
"Partly… but not entirely."
Yun Chuan shook his head, then his face grew serious, his tone steady and righteous. "As a teacher, I'm not so petty. The reason I beat him like this was to teach him a simple truth — never provoke a stronger opponent at the wrong time!"
"Just now, Tang San saw a girl he cares about get hurt and insisted on fighting me. He knew he couldn't win, yet still pushed ahead. That isn't courage — it's stupidity! If it had been someone else, he'd already be dead." Turning toward the groaning figure on the ground, Yun Chuan added, "I had to ensure he remembers this lesson. This is my first class for all of you: strength rules above all. If your own power isn't enough, never challenge someone far stronger than you!"
Meanwhile, hidden in the dark, Tang Hao's rage was boiling. Watching his son get beaten until he rolled on the ground had already pushed him to the edge. Now hearing this speech, his eyes narrowed. Strength rules, huh? So being strong means you can do whatever you like? Fine. You dared put my son in this state — tonight, you'd better be ready.
Though the lashes had cracked the air with their force, Yun Chuan's control was precise — it was all skin wounds. Tang San couldn't get up simply because everything hurt too much to move.
Left alone, he'd recover in a bit over a month. But since he'd just enrolled, letting a new student be bedridden right after admission seemed… inappropriate. Besides, there'd be plenty of time to "discipline" him later.
A soft blue glow lit Yun Chuan's palm as a stalk of Blue Silver Grass appeared. With a casual flick, a small leaf detached, drifting down to land on Tang San's battered body.
Emerald light blossomed, and the fresh scent of nature filled the air. The others instinctively breathed deeply, lungs feeling cleansed, bodies lighter.
That single leaf contained the purest life force of plant essence. With enough of it, even mortal wounds could be healed; for lesser injuries, full recovery was assured.
Soon, all the bloody welts on Tang San's body vanished. His clothing, however, was another matter — still marked with slashes and stains, leaving him looking like a beggar.
Freed from pain, Tang San sprang to his feet. Although there was still fear in his gaze toward Yun Chuan, he had listened carefully to those earlier words… and felt some shame. He realized he had acted rashly.
"Teacher Tang… I'm sorry. I was too impulsive just now." His tone was earnest.
"Mm."
Yun Chuan gave a faint acknowledgment, adopting a dignified air. "Tang San, remember this lesson. Otherwise, one day your impulsiveness will cause an irreparable disaster. Others may not be as 'reasonable' as I am."
Without another word, Yun Chuan turned to leave. "You—Dai—see that these four new students get settled in. Classes start tomorrow. And Tang San — clean up all these weapons lying around. Someone could get hurt."
With that, he disappeared around the corner.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes followed his departing figure. The earlier fear from seeing him whip Tang San had completely faded; now they thought — this teacher was actually… a good person.
"Mm…"
At that moment, Xiao Wu, still in Ning Rongrong's arms, let out a groan and slowly opened her eyes.
"You're awake!" Tang San dropped to her side.
"Ge…? Why do you look like this?" She blinked in confusion at his tattered, blood-stained clothes. If not for his healthy complexion, she would've thought he was gravely injured.
"I…" Tang San hesitated, then gave a wry smile. "I rashly challenged Teacher Tang… and got taught a hard lesson."
"He dared do this to you?!" Xiao Wu's anger flared instantly.
Ning Rongrong set her down, and the rabbit girl stamped to her feet, fuming. "What kind of teacher beats a student half to death before enrollment? I'm going to find him and settle this!"
"Forget it, Xiao Wu. I brought this on myself." Tang San hurried to stop her. If he could have won, he would've fought back already — but at their current level, they were no match for a Soul Sage, and provoking him again might not end so mildly.
"Teacher Tang is a Soul Sage. We can't beat him."
"So we just let him beat you?!" Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, glaring. "You're my brother — how can I let you get hit for nothing?"
"Let it go." Tang San caught her arm. "When we're stronger, then we can take this back. Now's not the time."
After repeated persuasion, Xiao Wu reluctantly dropped the idea.
"I'll take you to the dorms," Dai Mubai offered.
"Wait a moment," Tang San said. "Let me gather up my weapons. I don't want anyone getting hurt by accident."
No one objected; they merely watched as he crouched where they had fought earlier, violet light flickering in his eyes as he retrieved every hidden weapon.
These weapons weren't easy to make — especially certain ones he had labored over for months.
With the sight of his Purple Demon Eye, and the fine control of his Mysterious Jade Hands, Tang San located and extracted each embedded weapon, returning it to its place.
The duel had been the first time, since coming to this world, that he had truly unleashed his Tang Sect hidden weapon skills.
As he worked, his mind replayed the battle. That armor's defense was terrifying. Thankfully it was slow, and Yun Chuan hadn't fought at full power. Against such a tank-like opponent… what was the solution?
If he met someone like this again, how should he win?
He knew his current hidden weapon skills weren't perfected. The top-tier tools of the Tang Sect required immense internal power. Against someone like Teacher Tang, there was only one answer — forge the deadliest mechanical hidden weapons.
For example, the Tang Sect's three most fearsome creations: Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles, and the Peacock Plume.
But those were nightmarishly difficult to build, each with impossibly exacting material requirements. With his current resources, such work was impossible.
Even though he'd crafted them before in his past life, doing so again would still consume at least a year — assuming he could even find the materials.
With a sigh, Tang San shook his head. For now, those dreams would remain out of reach. He could only train harder, hone his existing skills, and arm himself as best he could… perhaps start with more varied poisons. The Mandala Snake venom he had was too limited.
Not far away, Dai Mubai and the others exchanged confused glances. Watching him pick up weapons while shaking his head, they wondered if the one-sided fight had left him brooding over his defeat — and just how powerless they all were against true strength.
(End of Chapter)