Chapter 22: The Joy of Mother and Son

Outside the small two-story villa, hidden among the trees by the roadside, Tang San's eyes flashed with a faint purple light. He focused his Purple Demon Eyes, trying to clearly see the woman on the balcony and the man holding her from behind. However, as soon as he saw a green light envelop both figures, no matter how hard he concentrated, he could no longer discern their features.

"Hmm!"

"So goood!"

"You're too fast, too fast!"

Just as Tang San was about to use his soul power to further investigate the situation, he suddenly heard the woman on the balcony making strange noises.

The distance made the sound faint and a little unclear, so he couldn't fully grasp what was happening. Then, a rhythmic sound, like a collision, echoed from the balcony.

Tang San was puzzled by the noise—it sounded oddly similar to the clang of metal striking metal, a sound familiar from his blacksmithing work.

Meanwhile, on the balcony, Tang Yin had grown very intimate with Ah Yin, assisting his step-father, Tang Hao, in ensuring Ah Yin's happiness and well-being. The rhythmic, hammer-like sounds reverberated through the night sky.

Up in the tree, Tang San, unaware of the true situation, chose to leave to avoid alerting anyone. He had no idea that at that very moment, his mother Ah Yin was being taken care of by his elder brother, who was bringing her to the brink of blissful release.

After leaving, Tang San quickly returned to the dormitory.

Instead of resting, he continued his cultivation. However, his mind was distracted, images of his father and elder brother Tang Yin flashing through his thoughts.

"Where could Dad and Brother be? It's been over six years without any news from them."

Tang San recalled how, over six years ago, his father had left a note, saying that he was taking his brother on an important mission and would return soon if successful. But now, six years had passed, and there was still no word. Tang San had already broken through to level 33, but he hadn't received any updates from them.

"Sigh, never mind. Better to focus on cultivation. I have class tomorrow."

Putting those thoughts aside, Tang San continued with his training.

—

At the Dugu family residence, Dugu Yan stormed in angrily, having left Heaven Dou Royal Academy in a huff. She confronted her grandfather, Dugu Bo, with her hands on her hips, furious:

"Grandpa, what's the deal with Tang Yin? You know I already like someone else, so why are you trying to pair me with another man?"

Dugu Bo had been in the middle of researching a highly toxic substance but was dragged out by his granddaughter. Seeing her angry face, Dugu Bo sighed, knowing she wouldn't let him go without an explanation.

He confessed:

"The reason I want to match you with Tang Yin is because he's the most talented person I've ever met. More importantly, he cured my poison."

"Cured your poison?" Dugu Yan looked at her grandfather in confusion. He was known as the Poison Douluo—how could he have been poisoned?

Seeing her puzzled look, Dugu Bo sighed again and explained:

"Yan Yan, as your strength grows, you must have already felt the effects of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison. While it's powerful, its toxicity grows with you, and eventually, the poison starts to consume you. The backlash from the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor's venom has been affecting me for a long time…"

He explained the whole situation regarding the venom's backlash. Dugu Yan, who had been unaware, suddenly understood.

No wonder she had felt pain during cold weather, and no wonder her body's poison repelled others—it all made sense now.

"Tang Yin knows the cure, and after learning from him, I not only cured myself, but I also broke through to level 92. So now you understand why I'm so eager to match you with him?"

Dugu Bo's words echoed in Dugu Yan's mind. She was both happy and shocked. Happy that her grandfather had been cured and had broken through to level 92, but shocked that it was all thanks to Tang Yin. She found it hard to believe that Tang Yin was so incredible.

"Yan Yan, I won't force you. You have feelings for Yu Tianheng, but if you were with Tang Yin, your future would be even brighter. The Dugu family's hopes rest on you. Still, it's your choice. However, if it were up to me, I'd want Tang Yin as my grandson-in-law."

With that, Dugu Bo gently patted his granddaughter's shoulder and left, returning to his room to continue his toxic research. He was eagerly waiting for Tang Yin to reveal who the even more powerful poison expert was. When that time came, he'd show that Dugu Bo wasn't someone to be trifled with.

After her grandfather left, Dugu Yan's mind was in turmoil. Images of Tang Yin and Yu Tianheng flashed in her thoughts. While she had feelings for Yu Tianheng, she only had a good impression of Tang Yin. They had only recently met, and her feelings weren't nearly as strong. Her grandfather's words, however, lingered in her mind.

In noble families, marriage was often out of one's control, and as the only direct descendant of the Dugu family, her grandfather favored Tang Yin. His implication was clear: break up with Yu Tianheng and get closer to Tang Yin.

"Ugh, so annoying…"

Dugu Yan clutched her head and collapsed onto the sofa, frustrated by the situation. Breaking up with Yu Tianheng wasn't something she could do easily, but Tang Yin…

She decided to give it some time and perhaps have a conversation with Tang Yin in the coming days.

—

At the Shrek Academy residence, Zhu Zhuqing, though back in her room, hadn't rested either. She went outside to continue her soul power cultivation.

Normally, she used her nighttime rest to meditate and cultivate her soul power, but today, her encounter with Tang Yin in the mimicry training ground left his words echoing in her mind.

"Silent as a shadow, steady as a step, firm as a stance."

She murmured these three phrases, savoring their meaning. In the next moment, she began to move, her figure becoming a dark blur as she shot five meters forward in an instant. She realized that by following Tang Yin's advice, she was faster than before. This improvement filled her with joy, and she continued her training with renewed focus.

—

Inside the two-story villa, in one of the rooms, Ah Yin was breathing heavily, her expression showing pain as if enduring immense discomfort. Her pale skin was flushed red from their earlier vigorous activities, her chest heaving with each strained breath, looking utterly tempting.

Standing behind her, Tang Yin worked to ease her suffering, gently calming her as he leaned in and held her tightly.

"Ah Yin, how are you feeling? Do you feel any better?" Tang Yin asked breathlessly, his muscles tense as he continued to soothe her.

Ah Yin muttered under her breath, cursing:

"You… You little rascal, always making me suffer."

Tang Yin chuckled wickedly in her ear:

"But do you like it when I tease you?"

"Yes… I like it," Ah Yin replied, her voice growing softer.

Unable to contain herself, Ah Yin held her hand tightly over her mouth, trying to suppress the overwhelming sensations coursing through her body. Tang Yin, seeing her in such distress, intensified his efforts to alleviate her discomfort. His power surged like a volcanic eruption, sending a healing flow of energy through her body.

At that moment, Ah Yin clung tightly to Tang Yin, embracing his healing touch.

"Ahh…"

After what seemed like an eternity, Ah Yin finally caught her breath, her body relaxing under Tang Yin's care. She turned to look at him, her face flushed as she thanked him.

"You little rascal, I feel so much better now after your 'treatment.'" She teased, her voice laced with affection.

"I'm just a bad boy who wants to make you happy," Tang Yin said as he stroked her cheek, lowering his head to kiss her lips. Gently, he picked her up, holding her close as they embraced.

"We should rest soon; you have class tomorrow," Ah Yin said shyly.

"Don't worry, we'll just sit here until midnight. There's still plenty of time," Tang Yin reassured her.

"But it's only 10 PM. If we sit until midnight, that's another two hours…"

"What, are you afraid?"

Ah Yin was extremely shy, but she still answered bravely: "I...I'm not afraid. I'm just worried about you, bad boy. I'm afraid your body won't be able to bear it."

Ah Yin said, caressing Tang Yin's cheek lovingly, and nestled in his arms.

As soon as Tang Yin heard that his step mother doubted his ability, he immediately picked her up.

"Ah!"

His step-mom Ah Yin screamed in surprise.

"No, I don't feel well. It's very uncomfortable."

"Don't you doubt that I can't bear it? Now I'll let you know whether you can bear it or not. There are still two hours until midnight. My dear A-Yin~ please don't say no later."

Tang Yin smiled evilly.

He helped his little brother slip in.

"Ah!"

Ah Yin screamed again and fell directly into Tang Yin's arms, letting him do whatever he wanted and do all kinds of things to bully her.

The two fought to the top.