Chapter 24: The Despicable Yu Xiaogang

"Xu Ran, you're quite scheming. Indeed, you're very scheming. Any ordinary person would probably be helpless against you. But there's something you may have never considered: I am not a native of the Douluo Continent. I am a traveler from another world, and my strength isn't simply determined by my cultivation level. Once I use my hidden weapon, you're doomed." Tang San clenched his fists and rose from the ground, a black hidden weapon case about a foot long in his hand.

If he were to use his hidden weapon, what chance would Xu Ran stand?

Moreover, in his earlier fit of anger, he hadn't even unleashed his martial soul. If he were to go all out, how could he not overpower Xu Ran? No matter how strong Xu Ran is, he couldn't be stronger than himself.

Tang San stood up, looked around, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Thankfully, this street was relatively quiet; nobody had witnessed his earlier humiliation. If this had happened on a bustling street, rumors of his embarrassment would probably have spread like wildfire throughout Nuoding City by now, making it impossible for him to show his face there again.

Being "cuckolded" is universally shameful for men, no matter where they are. Even if his strength was that of a Titled Douluo at the 99th level, he would be laughed at by everyone if he were to be cuckolded.

"Hmph, Xu Ran, once Xiao Wu's mind cools down, I'll come to find you. Then, you'll know what cruelty is. Some people are not to be trifled with." Tang San took a deep breath, reached up to remove the green hat from his head, intending to smash it into pieces.

However, no matter how hard Tang San tried, the green hat seemed glued to his head; he couldn't remove it.

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. Being cuckolded was one thing; if nobody saw it, he could accept it. But if he couldn't remove the hat, then he was truly screwed. Would he have to live the rest of his life wearing this "green hat"?

The thought made Tang San tremble all over, his face turning green. He couldn't believe that his life could turn out this way.

If he were to appear on the streets wearing the "green hat", he would attract countless stares. Everyone would know about his humiliation.

"No, this can't be. It's just a regular hat; how could it possibly be unremovable?" Tang San shivered intensely. He instinctively released his martial soul, employing every means he knew to remove the green hat.

Thick tendrils of Blue Silver Grass grew from his hands, reaching toward the green hat on his head and pulling at it forcefully.

However, as always, there was no reaction, just a deep sense of pain.

After a long struggle, Tang San felt as if the skin on his head was about to be torn off. Yet, the hat seemed permanently stuck to his head, impossible to remove unless he also tore off his scalp.

"Why can't I take it off? It's as if it's glued to my head."

"Xu Ran, what on earth have you done to me?"

"The humiliation I've suffered today will be repaid a hundredfold."

Tang San collapsed to the ground, his legs going weak, and let out a furious roar. His face wore a look of despair. He could already imagine how miserable his future days would be. In Tang San's eyes, there was a boundless desire to kill. Xu Ran not only wrecked his relationship with Xiao Wu, but also tried to steal his woman, and now he had given him a permanent green hat that couldn't be removed.

This was too much to bear.

"Yes, there's still Master. He should be able to help me," Tang San said, his voice trembling. At this point, the only person he could rely on was his Master. If even he couldn't help, Tang San didn't know what he would do.

He took off his shirt and wrapped it tightly around his head, making sure not a hint of the green was exposed.

Then he ran like mad in the direction of Yu Xiaogang's dormitory.

---

Yu Xiaogang's Dormitory

At this moment, Yu Xiaogang was holding a classic tome, reading it intently. On the pages were elegantly handwritten notes, annotations about the tome's contents. As he read, Yu Xiaogang's mind couldn't help but conjure the image of a woman of unparalleled beauty.

She had a face that could topple nations, dressed in an opulent robe of black with gold trim, her head adorned with a nine-curved purple-gold crown, and a scepter in her hand that was about two meters long, embedded with countless jewels. Her nearly perfect face and the noble, divine aura she inadvertently exuded made people want to worship her, compelling them to kneel before her long gown.

Recalling this figure, a look of infatuation appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face.

The woman's elegance is unparalleled, her figure as ripe as a juicy peach. Just looking at her makes him want to embrace her and shower her with affection. Moreover, she is the Pope, a status even more exalted than the emperors of the two great empires. Holding such a woman in his arms would certainly enhance his sense of accomplishment.

"Dong'er, don't accuse me of being heartless. Didn't I break up with Er Long as soon as I heard that that scoundrel Qian Xunji had died? I haven't seen her for years, all to make my feelings clear to you. When Qian Daoliu dies, I'll come to you," Yu Xiaogang muttered, a smile flickering across his face.

Back in the day, he thought he'd lost his chance with Bibi Dong. To vie for control of the Golden Iron Triangle, he had gotten involved with his cousin, Liu Erlong. But now that Qian Xunji had died unexpectedly, another opportunity had presented itself. Naturally, he wouldn't stay with Liu Erlong.

Erlong is also quite beautiful, her looks in no way inferior to Bibi Dong's. However, Bibi Dong is the Pope. Being the man by the side of the Pope would ensure that no one could call him worthless. At that point, all would respect him. The only hitch is that Qian Daoliu is still alive; approaching Bibi Dong now would be a suicidal move. He would at least have to wait for her to reach Level 99, ensuring his safety.

Images of Liu Erlong flashed through his mind. He hadn't seen her in years. Surely her already stunning figure would have matured even more by now. Unfortunately, her status falls short when compared to Bibi Dong's.

"But let's think about all this later. If Xiao San has exceptional talent and becomes the strongest on the continent, I, as his teacher, could finally shake off the label of being worthless. However, Tang San and Bibi Dong have a feud; she might end up dead. In that case, I'll be with Erlong and focus on grooming Tang San," Yu Xiaogang whispered, quite pleased with himself.

Tang San, with his twin martial spirits, has the potential to become the strongest. This is what he looks forward to the most. After all, nurturing a powerful individual would validate him as a leading theoretician. The only downside would be the potential loss of the beautiful Bibi Dong, should Tang San kill her. Losing her would indeed sadden him.

Bibi Dong also possesses twin martial spirits and is the Pope of the Spirit Hall. She is destined to confront Tang Hao and Tang San eventually.

But no matter who wins, he won't lose. After all, he hasn't yet made his intentions clear to either Bibi Dong or Liu Erlong. Whatever happens in the future, he will be the winner.

"Whether your future stepmother will be ErlLong or Bibi Dong depends on you, Xiao San," Yu Xiaogang murmured. He hoped Tang San would grow stronger. Otherwise, merely being the husband of the Pope might earn him disparaging labels. And that's not a reputation he wants.