Chapter 22: Tang San's Fury, Intent to Kill Xu Ran

Tang San was filled with immense hatred. Why had his life come to this?

The humiliation of putting a green hat on was unbearable.

Yet, if he refused the 'green hat,' he would lose Xiao Wu's trust further.

If he accepted it, he would be falling into Xu Ran's vile trap and be the laughing stock for Xu Ran.

Inside, he harbored resentment. He didn't blame Xiao Wu; she too was a victim of Xu Ran's deceit. His hatred was solely for Xu Ran, a despicable man who not only aimed to steal Xiao Wu but also humiliate him.

Though he didn't fully understand what had transpired between him and Xiao Wu, he knew that Xu Ran was the mastermind behind all their problems.

"Tang San, lighten up, will you? Smile a bit. This hat is green and embodies a strong force of destiny. The greener it is, the stronger the force," said Xu Ran, walking up to Tang San and patting him on the shoulder. "Why the long face? Have I wronged you in some way?"

"If you want to have a good life, you have to accept some greenery. A treasure like this, rich in the force of destiny, isn't something just anyone can have. Wearing this hat could even protect you from misfortunes in the future," Xu Ran continued. If the Hat of Fate ended up on Tang San's head, then he would consider his mission complete.

And then he would receive 500 skill points.

The most important aspect was humiliating Tang San. Once the Hat of Fate was placed on his head, it could never be removed. The hat was constructed from special energy that was difficult to destroy.

"Xu Ran, you're contemptible. The humiliation you bring me today, I will repay it bit by bit in the future," Tang San said, his face as pale as a ghost. Seeing the hat in Xiao Wu's hand getting closer and closer, he felt a twinge of dread.

Suddenly, he felt afraid. He sensed that there was more to this 'green hat' than met the eye.

Xiao Wu was also nervous, holding her breath. She hoped that the Hat of Fate would not glow and that all that had occurred between her and Tang San had been mere coincidences. Then they could reconcile, and she would forget today's events.

A strange silence enveloped the atmosphere.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Wu carefully placed the green hat on Tang San's head.

Click.

It was as if an invisible clasp had been fastened. Simultaneously, an intense green light burst from the hat.

The light was so strong that it enveloped the surrounding area, even in broad daylight.

"So green!"

"It's even glowing!"

Tang San shivered at the sight of the overwhelming green light. He had never seen anything so vividly green. What did this hat signify? What had Xu Ran told Xiao Wu?

Now that he had accepted the 'green hat,' would Xiao Wu finally trust him?

Tang San took a deep breath. If wearing this hat could resolve the misunderstandings between him and Xiao Wu, then he was willing to bear any humiliation. All for the sake of Xiao Wu, he was willing to endure anything.

"Xiao Wu, the Hat of Fate is now on my head; you should believe me now," said Tang San, a glow of green light radiating from his head, as he looked at Xiao Wu. At this moment, he still couldn't understand what the green light symbolized in Xiao Wu's heart.

"It's glowing... The Hat of Fate is glowing..." Xiao Wu muttered, her face turning pale and her body trembling slightly. Overwhelmed by emotion, she took a few steps back. Even though she knew the answer all along, her heart shattered seeing this unfold.

She never imagined that Tang San actually meant to harm her.

For six years, he had been hiding his intentions, scheming to take her soul ring and soul bone. It had to be said, Tang San had hidden his plans well, so well that she hadn't noticed. If not for the appearance of the Auspicious Beast awakening her, she would still be naively following Tang San. In the future, like his father Tang Hao, he could have taken her soul ring and soul bone, and she wouldn't even know that he was the one who killed her behind the scenes.

How tragic would it be if she ended up like Ah Yin, dying without even knowing it was the one she loved who had harmed her?

"Tang San, from now on, there's nothing left between us. You go your way, and I'll go mine," Xiao Wu's voice was devoid of emotion. She closed her eyes slightly as two lines of tears trickled down her cheeks.

Right now, she found Tang San somewhat laughable. He clearly knew what the Hat of Fate represented, yet he still pretended ignorance after being exposed.

What an actor Tang San was.

But then again, if he weren't such a good actor, how could she have been deceived to this extent over the years?

"Xiao Wu, haven't I already put on this Hat of Fate? What's come over you?" Hearing Xiao Wu's even more heartbreaking words, Tang San roared at her, his voice tinged with desperation.

He felt his mental state collapse.

Indeed, he was falling apart emotionally.

Initially, he thought that by going along with Xiao Wu's wishes, she would stop being angry. But now, why did Xiao Wu seem even more heartless? What did wearing this "green hat" really signify?

"What's wrong with me? For six years, you've deceived me. What did I do to deserve this? Tang San, are you planning to keep this act going?" Xiao Wu yelled, her voice icy and unfeeling. She had never met someone like Tang San, who had stayed by her side like a brother for six years. What did he think of her—as livestock to be raised until he was strong enough to bear a hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring and then kill her?

"Xiao Wu, I didn't—"

"Xu Ran, you're despicable! If you have an issue, take it up with me. What have you told Xiao Wu? Have you drugged her?" Tang San screamed, his eyes bloodshot. He lunged wildly toward Xu Ran, releasing his martial soul. Thick tendrils of Blue Silver Grass aimed directly for Xu Ran's neck.

Xiao Wu's callous behavior had completely shattered his rationality.

A piercing ache overwhelmed his heart.

He now realized that if he wanted the gentle, stunning Xiao Wu back by his side, he had to eliminate Xu Ran first. Xu Ran had been continually manipulating Xiao Wu. As long as he was around, no matter how well Tang San behaved, Xiao Wu would never trust him.

Murderous intent—overwhelming murderous intent made Tang San forget even to use his own soul abilities. He just rushed toward Xu Ran in the most primal manner that men resort to when fueled by uncontrollable anger.