In Flender's eyes, the "Yu Xiaogang" before him was now nothing more than an ordinary man without any spirit power. His spirit power had been crippled, and a few more blows might very well end his life.
If this "Yu Xiaogang" died, who would tell him where his dear brother Yu Xiaogang was?
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, the "Flender" in front of him was absolutely not his old friend. Whoever this imposter was, they were treating him horribly!
As Flender walked out the door, Yu Xiaogang struggled to move and then suddenly froze.
"My… my spirit power! Where's my spirit power?"
All 29 levels of his spirit power—gone without a trace?
Had his spirit power been crippled?
Yu Xiaogang was stunned, unable to process the fact that this "Flender" had been so ruthless as to destroy his spirit power entirely!
He had always been weak, with no hope of ever breaking through to level 30. Now, all his dreams were completely shattered.
"Damn it! Don't let me find out who you are! If I do, Flender, Liu Erlong, Bibi Dong, and my father Yu Yuanzhen will never let you off!"
"You bunch of…"
Yu Xiaogang cursed loudly, his rage temporarily fueling his strength enough to let him hurl his insults.
But Flender was already far away. No matter how loudly Yu Xiaogang yelled, his words fell on deaf ears.
Eventually, his voice became hoarse, and he could no longer utter a sound. He fainted again just as Flender returned, accompanied by a rotund man and a middle-aged woman.
"Flender, is this the guy impersonating your brother?"
The rotund man was none other than Shao Xin, the food-type Spirit Saint from Shrek Academy.
His Sugar Bean Martial Soul had a spirit ability with minor healing effects, which was why Flender had brought him along.
The middle-aged woman said nothing. As a fellow spirit master, she trusted Flender, the headmaster of Shrek Academy, to have his reasons.
Besides, someone bold enough to impersonate a friend of Shrek Academy? That was just asking for death, especially since Flender was a Spirit Saint.
"Yes, it's him. Who knows what he was thinking? Of all people to impersonate, he chose Yu Xiaogang. Yu Xiaogang, the Brain of the Golden Iron Triangle, shares spirit resonance and soul vibration with us.
"This fool must not have known that."
Flender's face was cold. If not for the need to find out Yu Xiaogang's whereabouts, this imposter would already be dead.
Shao Xin twitched at the corners of his mouth, his eyelids fluttering as he gave the imposter a disdainful glance.
This guy must be an idiot. Of all the people to deceive, why pick two Spirit Saints?
"He's mimicking Yu Xiaogang's personality, but only to a degree. Unfortunately, he's overacting!"
Flender sighed, speaking as if he were critiquing a poorly performed play.
"People like this deserve to die. Let's heal him first."
With that, Shao Xin and the healing spirit master patched up Yu Xiaogang's injuries. Before leaving, Shao Xin even left Flender with a supply of healing Sugar Beans.
They came and went in a hurry. By the time Yu Xiaogang woke up again, the room was empty save for himself and Flender.
"Speak. Who are you really?"
"Why are you impersonating Yu Xiaogang?"
"Where is the real Yu Xiaogang?"
Having learned from his earlier mistake, Flender began with direct questions.
The groggy Yu Xiaogang blinked in confusion before hearing the three questions.
Who am I? Where am I? Why would I impersonate myself?
This "Flender" must be crazy! He was clearly trying to provoke him just to beat him up!
"I am Yu Xiaogang! What do you want from me?"
Yu Xiaogang shouted, utterly exasperated.
Flender sneered coldly. "Fine. So you won't talk."
Yu Xiaogang: "???"
Hadn't he just answered?
This guy clearly wanted him dead!
Suddenly, Yu Xiaogang noticed something strange. Earlier, his body had been injured, but now the pain was gone. They had actually treated him!
Something was very wrong.
"Smack!"
Flender didn't waste time. He started beating Yu Xiaogang again. With Shao Xin's Sugar Beans on hand, there was no risk of this imposter dying.
"I really am Yu Xiaogang!"
Yu Xiaogang wanted to cry but had no tears. What on earth was this "Flender" trying to accomplish? Was it just to torment him? No, that couldn't be it!
"Speak!"
"Where is Yu Xiaogang?"
"What is your goal in impersonating him?"
"I…"
Yu Xiaogang started to speak but stopped himself. If he kept insisting he was Yu Xiaogang, he'd only get beaten more!
Clearly, that wasn't the answer this person wanted.
Suddenly, inspiration struck him. He had a revelation.
If this "Flender" wasn't after the truth of his identity, then it must be information on something—or someone—else. But who?
Flender? Liu Erlong? Bibi Dong? Or his father, Yu Yuanzhen?
"Flender, your Martial Soul is the Four-Eyed Owl. You're currently at level 78 spirit power, a speed-type Battle Spirit Saint."
Flender froze. What was this guy doing, reciting his personal details?
"He's done his homework," Flender thought grimly.
"Flender, the Slayer's Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle. You have feelings for Liu Erlong, but unfortunately, she doesn't return them."
Yu Xiaogang smirked slightly as he spoke. What was Flender's strength worth compared to his intelligence? Nothing!
Flender's hand, gripping the whip, trembled slightly. This was his lifelong regret.
But Yu Xiaogang didn't care. He continued, recounting the history of their acquaintance, their shared memories, and even some of Flender's "secrets."
The more Flender listened, the more unsettled he felt. How did this imposter know such details?
He frowned deeply, confusion growing.
"Ha! Flender has no idea that Yu Xiaogang has long known Liu Erlong's identity. The nameplate at her waist isn't just for decoration. How could Yu Xiaogang not recognize it?"
At this, Flender's body trembled. His eyes widened, his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.
"To gain absolute control in the Golden Iron Triangle, Yu Xiaogang pursued Liu Erlong…"
Desperate to survive, Yu Xiaogang was willing to say anything. What did it matter if he exposed secrets? After all, this Flender and Liu Erlong were imposters.
Flender: "!!!"
"Now, do you believe I'm Yu Xiaogang? If you have more questions, just ask directly, alright?"
Yu Xiaogang smirked triumphantly, completely oblivious to the growing storm on Flender's face.
(End of Chapter)