"Then we'll go see your teacher later and we'll find out."
Jiang Yi reached out and gently pinched the girl's nose. This little sister was adorably silly, only realizing it now.
"Okay!"
Tang Wuling nodded heavily, but soon, she seemed to remember something, and her face turned pale again.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Yi asked with concern, seeing her changing expression.
"But, Jiang Yi, I... I killed someone!"
Tang Wuling bit her red lips, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling violently.
Only then did she remember that she had lost control of her emotions that morning and beaten to death someone who tried to molest her.
If Old Tang hadn't stopped her at the last moment, she probably would have committed even greater mistakes.
"That person deserved to die."
Just then, Wu Changkong walked in.
"Teacher!"
Tang Wuling saw Wu Changkong come in and, like a startled rabbit, suddenly jumped away from Jiang Yi's arms, her cheeks flushed.
When they were alone, she was fine; she only saw Jiang Yi as her brother. But with outsiders watching, the girl couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
Jiang Yi simply smiled, showing no awkwardness whatsoever.
This really was his little sister.
Wu Changkong glanced at the two of them, saying nothing more, but his gaze towards Jiang Yi held a hint of admiration.
He knew this kid had a knack for charming girls.
"Killing the villain is enough; don't feel guilty. This is something you'll have to face in the future,"
Wu Changkong said earnestly, handing them the information about the man.
Soul Masters are born for battle; before, it was to defend against soul beasts, now it's to protect themselves. Life and death are commonplace.
That bald man should have died a year ago; Tang Wuling, on the contrary, had brought down a bunch of pests for the Federation.
Looking at the numerous evil deeds recorded in the information, Tang Wuling felt much better.
The bald man, relying on his uncle's connections, had formed gangs in Aolai City, committing many harmful acts and being imprisoned more than once.
However, this was the nine-year-old girl's first experience with life and death, and a trace of gloom still lingered between her brows; it would take time to heal.
"I've taken care of things here; you can leave now,"
Wu Changkong said to the two, without explaining the details.
He wasn't a federal official and had no authority to deal with them, but getting Tang Wuling out was no problem.
As for the police chief, he had already informed the Tang Clan; federal officials would handle it in time.
"Okay!"
Jiang Yi and Tang Wuling nodded and followed Wu Changkong away.
...
On the Soul Guidance Train, Wu Changkong sat by the window, looking at the sea outside, lost in thought.
"Ugh! The Federation is so stingy!"
Tang Wuling, regaining her usual energy, sat next to Jiang Yi and couldn't help but complain.
Yesterday, her train back to Aolai City was also like this, stopping and starting constantly, either due to train malfunctions or the tracks being damaged by rocks.
Can't the Federation put in a little more effort?
This is a matter of people's livelihood!!!
"..."
Jiang Yi scratched his head.
Sis! I don't think it's a problem with the train. We're lucky we didn't get robbed.
As evening approached, the three of them finally arrived safely in Donghai City.
"You two be careful, contact me anytime if anything happens!"
At the station entrance, Wu Changkong gave Jiang Yi and Tang Wuling a heads-up before turning and leaving.
Tang Wuling was going to find Mang Tian, so there was no need for him, her homeroom teacher, to go with her; Jiang Yi was enough.
"Thank you, teacher!"
Tang Wuling bowed deeply to Wu Changkong's departing figure.
She truly owed him a debt of gratitude today; otherwise, she would likely have spent several days in the police station.
"Let's go!"
Jiang Yi looked at Tang Wuling, pulled her into a taxi, and headed to Mang Tian's forging workshop.
...
Mang Tian's workshop.
The two sat inside waiting. Tang Wuling's fingers were nervously twisting together, clearly feeling uneasy.
After all, it was just talk, but ultimately, it was still just their speculation.
Click!
The sound of a door opening came from outside, and Tang Wuling immediately stood up to greet him.
A robust middle-aged man walked in, dressed in ordinary gray clothes, his steps hurried.
"Teacher!"
Tang Wuling stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and looked at him expectantly.
"Hmm!"
Mang Tian nodded, then took a letter from his sleeve.
"That's right, Ziran and her husband came to see me a while ago. They were in a bit of a rush and didn't have time to visit you."
"This is what they left for you!"
Mang Tian handed the letter to Tang Wuling and explained.
He had just received a call and rushed over from the Blacksmith Association.
Tang Ziran and her husband had indeed come to see him, but it wasn't that they didn't have time to see Tang Wuling; rather, they seemed to have some reservations.
After all, his blacksmithing workshop was also in Donghai City, not far from Donghai Academy.
"Thank you, teacher!"
Tang Wuling quickly took the envelope and opened it. Inside were two cards and a letter.
"Dad!"
Tang Wuling's anxious heart instantly calmed down upon seeing the familiar handwriting.
"Little Wuling, by the time you read this letter, your father and mother will have gone to a very far place (several hundred words omitted)... One of the two cards in the envelope is your ID card, and the other contains one million in a bank card..." "
Dad and Mom love you, we will always love you!"
Tang Wuling looked at the words in the letter, and the images of her parents appeared before her eyes. Tears streamed down her face.
Her parents hadn't forgotten her; they just had their own reasons.
"Teacher, do you know where my parents went?"
Tang Wuling wiped away her tears and looked at Mang Tian expectantly.
"..."
Mang Tian remained silent.
He vaguely guessed that this matter was related to the Spirit Pagoda, but Tang Ziran and her husband seemed to have been semi-coerced.
Telling Tang Wuling now was not a good choice; for them, the Spirit Pagoda was undoubtedly a behemoth.
"Don't worry! Your father and the others are fine. Ziran is an excellent mecha designer; it's just that her work requires secrecy. When you're strong enough, you'll naturally be able to see them again."
"Or they'll come back after completing their mission,"
Mang Tian said, simultaneously setting a future goal for Tang Wuling.
Although this disciple was a girl, she was the most talented blacksmith he had ever seen, and he didn't want Tang Wuling to be discouraged by this.
"Yes! Thank you, teacher, I definitely will!"
Tang Wuling took a deep breath, dispelling the sadness on her face, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
She wasn't foolish; although Mang Tian hadn't explicitly said so, she had guessed somewhat.
She didn't want to be a burden to her parents; one day, she would reunite with them through her own strength.
"And this is?"
At this moment, Mang Tian noticed Jiang Yi standing to the side and asked.
"Teacher, this is my classmate Jiang Yi from Donghai Academy. Today..."
Tang Wuling introduced him, recounting the events of the day in detail.
"Wu Ling owes it all to you classmates!"
Mang Tian patted Jiang Yi on the shoulder in gratitude after hearing this.
As the saying goes, "A teacher for a day is a father for life," and Tang Wu Ling was practically his daughter.
"It's only right!"
Jiang Yi waved his hand. Tang Wu Ling was his half-sister, and maintaining a good relationship with her was also a way to gain Tang San's trust.
"Good! Good boy! If you ever need any help in the future, you can come to me directly."
Mang Tian patted his chest, making a promise.
"Then thank you very much, Uncle Mang."
Jiang Yi nodded with a smile.
Mang Tian was a level six blacksmith, an unattainable figure for most people.
Afterwards, Mang Tian chatted with the two for a while longer before leaving.
He still had some matters to attend to at the association.
...
As the sun set, the afterglow bathed the streets in a warm gold. Tang Wu Ling and Jiang Yi walked side by side on their way back to school, their shadows stretching long behind them.
"Thank you so much for today."
Tang Wuling stopped and looked earnestly at Jiang Yi.
The afterglow of the setting sun flowed through the girl's golden hair, outlining a soft halo, revealing her stunning beauty.
"We're friends, aren't we?"
Jiang Yi shrugged, his tone relaxed and cheerful.
"Yes!"
Tang Wuling nodded emphatically, realizing that he had unknowingly taken a significant place in her heart.
"Actually, you can think of me as a brother..."
Jiang Yi casually rested his hands behind his head, half-jokingly.
"I've always wanted a cute little sister like you."
"Brother?"
Tang Wuling repeated softly, as if testing the waters, or perhaps pondering the meaning behind the title.
"Of course, if you don't want to, that's fine too."
Jiang Yi winked and added with a smile.
"I do!"
Tang Wuling quickly replied, her eyes instantly curving into bright crescent moons.
"Then it's settled! From now on, you'll be my brother!"
The girl tilted her head and smiled, turning around happily and skipping ahead, her long golden hair casting a dazzling arc in the sunset.
With her hands behind her back, every step she took was filled with joy, as if trying to shake off all the gloom of the day.
Jiang Yi followed behind at a leisurely pace, watching the girl's leaping figure in the afterglow of the setting sun, a smile unconsciously playing on his lips.
Little sister, grow up quickly!
Merge your Golden Dragon King bloodline, and then we'll each be separate figures—you call me brother, and I'll call you mom!
This is a nurturing relationship!
(End of Chapter)