Tang San heard someone call his name and responded instinctively, "That's me."
"Well, well — so you're the little brat who beat my son half to death." Tai Nuo had been waiting here all afternoon, and finally having found his target, fury surged to his head. He thrust out his massive hand and grabbed straight for Tang San's shoulder.
Tang San stepped into Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail, his body sliding back three feet as he evaded Tai Nuo's grip. "You're Tai Long's father?"
Tai Nuo replied with lofty pride, "That's right. I am Tai Nuo, the Great Strength King. You beat my son into this state — don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Xiao Wu cast a disdainful glance at Tai Long. "Beat the kid, and out comes the old man. If we beat up your dad too, does that mean your grandpa's going to show up?"
Tai Long froze for a moment, shame flickering across his eyes. "Xiao Wu, don't misunderstand — my dad saw my injuries and that's why he came. But… if my grandpa really did show up, that would be a real problem."
Tai Nuo shot Xiao Wu a glare. "Little girl, you're mixed up in this too. If you hadn't seduced my son, would he have gotten beaten this badly? A true femme fatale. You're barely grown and already learning to lure men."
Xiao Wu was momentarily stunned, then flew into a rage. "You great ape — who are you calling a man-eater?"
Tai Nuo snorted. "Isn't it your fault that got this little brat to beat my son? Once I'm done dealing with him, I'll deal with you too. What's wrong with my son? It's not like this kid is some pretty-boy." As he spoke, he reached for Tang San once more.
Tang San hadn't been angry about Tai Nuo's attack in itself — he could tell Tai Long hadn't been lying, and this father clearly hadn't been summoned by his son. But Tai Nuo's insult toward Xiao Wu was something Tang San could not tolerate. To him, Xiao Wu was sacred and inviolable. His eyes turned cold in an instant. This time he didn't dodge either. He stepped forward to meet the charge, his left hand sweeping out to seize Tai Nuo's wrist while his right hand propped up the elbow joint — executing the most domineering joint-locking technique among grappling arts: bone-separating, tendon-shifting art.
His wrist caught, Tai Nuo was briefly taken aback, but his reaction was nothing like Tai Long's. Rather than pulling back, he gave a low shout, his entire body shuddering with force. His outstretched hand clenched into a fist, and the muscles along his arm bulged violently.
Tang San's Crane Control Dragon Catch, though exquisite, proved utterly useless here. He felt a tremendous surge of force blast through from the other man's elbow, tearing his hands apart. He used Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail to retreat several steps before barely managing to steady himself.
Such incredible strength. Tang San's heart tightened, and his focus sharpened at once.
"Oh?" Tai Nuo seemed mildly surprised that he hadn't knocked Tang San flat. "No wonder you were able to beat my son — you've got some skill. Let's see how many of my moves you can take."
Even as he spoke, he didn't release his Martial Soul. He simply charged after Tang San, both arms spreading wide as he lunged to wrap them around Tang San's waist.
From their earlier exchange, Tang San already knew the other's strength far exceeded his own. If he got caught in that bear hug, escape would be impossible. But Tang San was not a power-type Soul Master, and he had no intention of meeting force with force. His footwork shifted, and his entire body turned phantom-like. Tai Long's speed was already respectable, yet despite several consecutive lunges, he couldn't so much as touch the hem of Tang San's clothes.
"Brat, hold still if you've got the guts!" Tai Nuo roared at Tang San, but inwardly he was deeply startled. He had already heard from Tai Long that Tang San was a Control Type Soul Master with formidable close-combat ability. Through these few exchanges, he could see that while Tang San's raw strength was far inferior to his own, his agility even without using his Martial Soul was a cut above. Catching him like this was clearly not going to be easy.
Tang San said nothing. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, and a milky-white radiance emanated from his body. Blue Silver Grass coiled upward around him, and three Soul Rings — two yellow, one purple — spiraled into the air, blazing with brilliant light.
Tai Nuo snorted. "Using your Martial Soul against me? Fine — let's see just how strong it is. Great Strength Ape, possess me!" With a thunderous shout, his entire body surged upward by half a foot. A series of ripping sounds tore through the air as his dark muscles burst through his shirt, revealing a physique of tempered steel.
Tai Long was already impressively built, but compared to his father, he fell considerably short. What made Tang San's pupils contract, however, was the sight of five Soul Rings rising from beneath the Great Strength King Tai Nuo — two yellow, three purple. Dazzling light spiraled around his frame.
In truth, Tang San didn't know that Tai Long's family had a very traditional habit: fiercely protecting their own. Tai Long was the sole heir of his line. After he'd gone home at noon and Tai Nuo had seen the bruises covering his body, he had stormed out in a rage he couldn't contain.
"Kid, scared now? If you're scared, then admit defeat. I'll start by dislocating all four of your limbs, and then I'll drag you to your academy's teachers to settle the score. I'm a fifty-eighth rank power-type Battle Soul King — think carefully. Fists and feet don't have eyes. If I accidentally break your leg, well… don't say I didn't warn you."