Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 482: Master or Brother?

"It's nothing, just overdrawn spiritual power," he said softly.

Mei Gongzi helped him sit up straight. "It's my fault. I didn't realize it would take so much out of you. Why didn't you stop?"

Tang San smiled. "You were in the best state of comprehension then. It would have been a shame to stop. How do you feel?"

"I seem to understand a lot more now. It's given me a new understanding of space. I can't use it myself yet, but I believe that in the near future, when I comprehend more and have better control, I should be able to."

She paused momentarily, then, with a slightly reproachful look, said, "And you call this a basic technique? If this is a basic technique, then what counts as an advanced one?!"

By now, she fully understood that what Tang San had taught her was an extraordinary technique, a divine one even!

Tang San smiled slightly and said, "As long as it helps you."

"It does," Mei Gongzi said sincerely. "I've never understood why you've always helped me and been so good to me, but thank you from the bottom of my heart. I never imagined that your understanding of space was so profound. I think you're even stronger than my father in this aspect. How about I take you as my master? Please come back to Kali City with me and guide me."

Tang San's mouth twitched, and he blurted out, "Nope."

Of course not! If he became her master, not to mention the weird seniority relationships, how mortified would she be when he eventually revealed his true identity?

Mei Gongzi looked at him suspiciously, seeing the fear in his eyes. "Why? Aren't you already teaching me?"

Tang San gulped dry. "Uh... There's not much of an age difference between us. It's not appropriate. I can teach you, no problem, anytime. But being your master, no way. I can't take that title."

Mei Gongzi looked at him deeply and said, "You said you would always help me. You know what I will face in Kali City in the future. If you don't have a reasonable identity, how can I explain your presence to the members of the Peacock Demon clan? Being my master is quite suitable. I can convince my father."

Tang San hadn't expected her to think of something like this, but she was clearly starting to accept him.

"Being your master isn't appropriate. How about you acknowledge me as your big brother?" Tang San suggested tentatively. A fraternal relationship in name only would be good enough for all practical purposes. Although he was younger than her on this plane, he couldn't tell her that, so he took upon himself the role of big brother.

"Big brother?" Mei Gongzi was taken aback.

"Yes!" Tang San immediately responded without hesitation.

Mei Gongzi's face stiffened. "You're shameless!"

"I'm a bit weak. Let me faint for a bit longer." Tang San closed his eyes, tilting his head as if about to pass out.

Mei Gongzi looked at him exasperatedly but remembered how he had overdrawn his strength to help her comprehend space. Her heart softened, and she muttered, "Fine, big brother it is."

"Alright." Tang San immediately opened his eyes again, filled with joy.

......

"Third Brother, Third Brother, come here."

"I'm here, I've always been here."

"I know, I know everything," Xiao Wu said softly. "You deliberately came back a little late, didn't you?"

"I'm sorry, Third Brother. I'm sorry."

"Don't cry! Today is a joyous day for a family reunion. Don't cry! You were never as pretty as me to begin with, and you look even worse when you cry. Hehe."

"Okay, I won't cry, I won't cry."

"That's right. Today is truly a good day. My final wish has been fulfilled, and our grandson is safe. Third Brother, being with you in this life, being your wife, has made me happy. I am extremely, extremely happy. I've never regretted my choice. Maybe I saved the universe in my past life, so I could meet you in this one."

"We've been together for a long, long time. But I still can't bear to part with you."

"Even though I knew we had already returned, you deliberately kept the divine realm from finding this place. You stayed by my side daily so I could hold on longer. But I pretended not to know because I wanted to be with you more and stay by your side. Third Brother, I love you so much."

"But I still have to go. After I'm gone, I know you'll be very sad. But you have many responsibilities. You must manage the divine realm well and take good care of our daughter and son. Be the head of our family. If you miss me, just look at this."

"Xiao Wu..."

"Living is the bravest thing. Death is just an escape. You must be a brave person. There are so many things waiting for you. Protect our children, and help Xuanyu with that divine realm as well. You have a lot, a lot to do."

"Third Brother, I love you."

"Do you remember the first time we met? Do you remember everything we've been through? Third Brother, I'm willing to love the entire world for you. If there is a next life, I will still be your wife..."

......

"What happened to you?" Mei Gongzi asked, her eyes filled with shock as she looked at Asura, who was sitting there with tears streaming down his face.

His tears flowed down from beneath his mask as if he had utterly lost control of his emotions.

Right after she called him "Big Brother," his tears started to fall uncontrollably. She didn't know why, but seeing his tears caused a sharp pain in her heart as if it was being squeezed tightly.

"I-I'm fine... fine... I'm just so happy... I remembered some things from the past." While he tried to find an excuse, he was still sobbing uncontrollably.

Mei Gongzi didn't know how to comfort him, but at this moment, even though he was still wearing a mask, he seemed more real to her, and more human than ever. What did that mask matter?

What kind of past and stories does he have that made him cry like this just because I called him "Big Brother"?

After a long time, Asura finally managed to stop his tears. "I'm sorry, sorry for losing control of my emotions."

Mei Gongzi softly said, "It's okay. If you want to talk, I can listen."

He gently shook his head. "It's not the right time yet. One day, I will tell you, but not now."

In this life, he had finally found her. But in this life, Xiao Wu was now Mei Gongzi, so he wouldn't tell her about their past lives until she genuinely fell in love with him again. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to her in this life. He wanted to win her back, not to make her feel as if she had to be with him due to some nebulous past connection. He wanted her to fall for him and become his wife again of her own will. Only then would he reveal the memories and love from their past life, ensuring she had no regrets in this life.

He let out a long breath, and his emotions finally settled down a bit, though his eyes were still somewhat swollen. He looked at Mei Gongzi and asked, "Can you call me that again?"

"Big Brother?"

"Yes."

"Big Brother!"

***

Even after Mei Gongzi left, Tang San's mind was still in a daze. The expenditure for the Mysterious Circles of Heaven had been worth it. Asura's identity had finally brought him closer to Mei Gongzi, and he had finally heard her call him brother. Even though she wasn't calling him "third brother," he was immensely satisfied. He had always wanted to give her all the best in the world, and nothing less.

Not until the sky outside darkened did his emotions stabilize. Although his spiritual power had been significantly depleted and he hadn't cultivated at all today, it was perhaps the happiest day he had experienced since coming to this world. His whole heart felt as if it had been cleared and brightened.