Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 579: I Will Show You My True Face After the Finals

"No," Tang San blurted out, "If you truly face a life-threatening situation and I'm not there to help you, then of course, you should use it to save your life. You don't need to swear an oath."

Mei Gongzi said, "Then take off your mask and let me see."

Tang San hesitated. He really didn't know how Mei Gongzi would react if he took off his mask and showed her his face. After all, he was actually two or three years younger than her. He couldn't explain how someone so young could have all the abilities he had.

He was even more afraid of damaging the good relationship he had painstakingly built with Mei Gongzi.

Mei Gongzi said, "Still unwilling? Big Brother, I don't understand why you are like this. Do you think I would care about your appearance? You're underestimating me."

"It's not about my appearance," Tang San said with a bitter smile.

Mei Gongzi paused, then her eyes widened as she thought of something. "I actually know your real identity, don’t I?"

Tang San remained silent. A woman’s intuition is indeed frightening. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Mei Gongzi stared at him, trying to find clues from his expression, but she couldn't figure out who he could be. She understood from his silence that they indeed knew each other, but she could not for the life of her recall anyone like him.

She slowly raised her hand, reaching for Tang San's mask.

Tang San raised his hand to stop hers and finally made a decision. "Let's do it this way: tomorrow is the doubles final. After that, I'll show you. Just wait one more day, so it doesn't affect tomorrow's match, okay?"

Mei Gongzi lowered her hand, realizing that one more day indeed wouldn't make a difference. She nodded slowly. "Alright. Tomorrow then. But you have to keep your word."

Tang San was actually very nervous at this moment. The thought of taking off his mask and showing Mei Gongzi his true face made him anxious.

"Then you must remember what I just said: never look into the secrets of heaven, no matter who asks you to do it. Not even for your father. The backlash is no small matter."

Mei Gongzi nodded, "Okay. I'll try not to use it."

A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face. He really wanted to hug her! Unfortunately, now was not the time. Once he took off the mask and she saw and accepted his true identity, they could move further in their relationship. He would become her right-hand man, her closest confidant. He would make her fall in love with him in this lifetime as well; he would be her lover, and he would stay by her side as they both grew stronger—until they reached the God King level once more and went home together.

At this moment, Tang San felt warmth in his heart. Everything was moving in the right direction. This tournament had been quite beneficial for them. Not only had he and Mei Gongzi gotten stronger, but they had also become far closer.

A faint smile appeared on Tang San's face, accompanied by a soft glow in his eyes. "Let's discuss tomorrow's strategy."

"Okay!"

In fact, their opponents in the doubles match were unlikely to be stronger than Meng Dede and his sister. And now, they were even stronger than when they faced Meng Dede. The doubles championship was practically in their grasp.

Tang San's thoughts even drifted back to Kali City, contemplating the steps to take upon their return to make the most of their gains. Additionally, he needed to help Mei Gongzi improve further, understand the White Tiger Transformation, and harness more of its power, making her stronger and achieving godhood sooner.

Time passes by quickly when you’re in good company.

They talked until evening, starting with the strategy for tomorrow's match and moving on to Tang San helping Mei Gongzi review her abilities, teaching her how to use the two bloodlines together and enhance the White Tiger Transformation. All of this was extremely useful for Mei Gongzi.

Her progress had indeed been significant, and her comprehension of higher-level abilities surpassed even Tang San's expectations. All she had to do was further accumulate strength and prepare for the breakthrough.

It wasn't until after dinner that Mei Gongzi returned to her quarters and Tang San was left alone in his room.

Tomorrow, after the match, he would reveal his identity to her. How would she react then?

At this moment, Tang San really couldn't calm down. He worried that Mei Gongzi might overreact upon discovering that Asura was actually Tang San, or that any budding feelings she had might dissipate upon learning his true identity. After all, it meant he had been hiding his identity from her and deceiving her. Moreover, she had previously asked Asura to find Tang San for her.

Thinking back, when Asura asked her for a bubble tea cup, she didn't give it to him but she did give it to Tang San instead. Finding out that Asura and Tang San were the same person might make her feel deeply embarrassed.

At this moment, his feelings were even more complicated than when he faced the Celestial Fox Demon Emperor.

What should I do? I can’t even freaking calm down.

But he also understood that this mask had become the only true barrier between him and Mei Gongzi. If he didn't take it off and show her who he was, their relationship would likely never progress further.

So be it. Since he had already promised her, there was no turning back. He could only take things one step at a time.

Thinking about this, Tang San couldn't help but feel his face flush and his heart race. He could only hope that Mei Gongzi would accept the fact that Asura was actually Schoolyard Sweeper Tang.

That night felt particularly long for Tang San.

***

The city also didn’t sleep, but for an entirely different reason. The entire Ancestral Court was in a state of excitement, and Mei Gongzi's name resounded in every corner.

The top figure of the younger generation wasn't from the dragon or phoenix races, or even from the Behemoth clan, but from the Peacock Demon clan.

Phoenixes and peacocks had always fought for the title of King of Birds; they were never at peace. Eventually, the phoenix race gained the upper hand, leading to the decline of the Peacock Demon clan.

No one could have anticipated that so many years after the Peacock Demon Emperor's death, a girl with human, Peacock Demon, and White Tiger bloodlines would be the one to rise to the pinnacle.

Many strong figures in the Ancestral Court now believed that Mei Gongzi had some kind of unique bloodline mutation. The biggest issue with mutated bloodlines was that they found it extremely difficult to produce viable offspring, but in exchange, some of these mutations resulted in power far beyond the original bloodline.

Moreover, both the Peacock Demon and the White Tiger bloodlines were first tier, and since there was no apparent conflict between them, her strength was to be expected. She also possessed remarkable comprehension, having even mastered the Celestial Dance of the Peacock Demon clan and achieved initial proficiency in Star Shift, an ability that typically required god-level comprehension of space and divine consciousness. All these showcased her extraordinary talent.

She even defeated the formidable heir of the Tenebrous Demon Emperor, Meng Dede, thus becoming the leader of the younger generation. Additionally, she had stunning looks and a noble demeanor.

Overnight, Mei Gongzi had become the most sought-after figure in the entire Ancestral Court.