Chapter 2 – Grilled Fish, Goodwill, and an Unexpected Ally
"What a nice smell!"
Tang Ya and Xiao Qiang exclaimed in unison as the aroma of Huo Yuhao's grilled fish drifted through the air.
Their appetites were instantly awakened. Tang Ya's stomach growled, and Xiao Qiang licked his lips involuntarily. Though Xiao Qiang wouldn't forget his priorities for the sake of food, it was only natural to feel tempted by such a delicious scent.
They exchanged glances. Then, without hesitation, Tang Ya pointed a finger at Xiao Qiang. "You're not allowed to snatch my grilled fish!"
"Xiao Ya, I don't think that fish belongs to you," a voice chimed in from behind her.
It was Bei Bei, stepping out from the shadows with a helpless look.
"Hmph! How many times have I told you to call me Teacher Xiao Ya!" Tang Ya snapped, turning to face him.
Bei Bei raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright—Teacher Xiao Ya, happy now?"
Tang Ya rolled her eyes. "That's better. Know your place."
Bei Bei chuckled softly. He was already used to her antics. In a way, this teasing was their own form of affection.
While the two bickered, Xiao Qiang had already made his way to Huo Yuhao.
"Are you selling this grilled fish?" he asked.
As soon as the words left Xiao Qiang's mouth, Tang Ya realized she had been distracted. "Hey! I got here first! Don't take my fish!"
Bei Bei sighed. "Teacher Xiao Ya, the grilled fish belongs to this little brother."
"Hmph! I don't care!" Tang Ya puffed up her cheeks and turned to Huo Yuhao. "Little brother, tell me—are you selling your grilled fish to him or to me?"
With both of them staring at him, Huo Yuhao felt a sudden pressure.
"No need to fight. I'll treat you both to grilled fish," he said quickly.
"Hehe, then I won't be polite."
Without hesitation, Tang Ya snatched one of the grilled fish and began eating, completely disregarding her image.
Xiao Qiang eyed the remaining fish, but politely raised a hand. "I'm not in a hurry."
"My dear Teacher Xiao Ya, this little brother hasn't even eaten yet, but you're already digging in," Bei Bei said with a wry smile, then gave Huo Yuhao an apologetic nod.
"It's fine," Huo Yuhao reassured him. "You guys eat first. There's plenty—I can just grill more."
He handed the second grilled fish to Xiao Qiang, who accepted it silently and began eating while secretly observing Huo Yuhao.
Right now, the boy looked harmless. If Xiao Qiang hadn't known better, he would never have guessed that this same Huo Yuhao would one day become the soul master responsible for a large-scale massacre of civilians.
In wars between nations, there were unspoken rules. Weapons like poison gas bombs—tools that caused mass civilian casualties—were condemned. And yet, as the main character of Douluo Dalu III, Huo Yuhao's actions, particularly the explosion he caused in Mingdu, shocked the Holy Spirit Church to its core. Many soul masters had breakthroughs in the aftermath, and even Ye Xishui, the Supreme Sect Leader, failed to obtain the soul she desired—yet Huo Yuhao achieved it with ease.
Still, the world called him a messenger of justice.
In the history books of Douluo Dalu III, people remembered only that he destroyed the Holy Spirit Cult. No one remembered the price—no one remembered the explosion in Mingdu.
Ironically, the so-called "villains" in earlier parts of the series helped civilians awaken their spirits and empowered common soul masters—only to be hunted down for hunting soul beasts. In contrast, Huo Yuhao slaughtered an entire city, and it was swept under the rug.
In truth, the villains in Douluo Dalu 2 never committed mass murder. Their only crime was collusion with the Holy Spirit Church. By contrast, Huo Yuhao's sins made theirs seem minor. It blurred the line between hero and villain.
Was the protagonist truly better? Or had he simply committed his atrocities under a brighter spotlight?
Eventually, the meal ended.
Huo Yuhao took his leave first, followed shortly by Xiao Qiang. Tang Ya lingered behind to wash up, with Bei Bei waiting beside her.
Using his superior vision, Xiao Qiang easily located Huo Yuhao ahead on the trail.
"Is Brother Li Feiyu alright?"
Huo Yuhao asked cautiously when he noticed Xiao Qiang approaching.
The man, still using the alias "Li Feiyu," smiled faintly and summoned his soul ring. "Relax. Besides the grilled fish, I don't see anything on you worth my attention. And even if you were nervous, what could you do? If I wanted to harm you, you wouldn't be able to escape."
He took a bite of the lingering fish flavor in his mouth and added, "I just felt a bit guilty, eating your food without repaying the favor."
Then his gaze swept over Huo Yuhao. "Judging by the way you're headed, you're planning to enter the Star Dou Great Forest, right? With your current level of soul power… you're not even a proper soul master yet. Probably a level 10 soul warrior."
Huo Yuhao stayed quiet, not confirming or denying.
Xiao Qiang raised an eyebrow. "No way. Did I get it right?"
He shook his head and chuckled. "You're pretty bold for someone your age. Fine. Since you fed me, I'll return the favor. I'll help you get a hundred-year soul ring."
Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up.
In the original timeline, his first soul ring had been a mere ten-year one. He knew all too well the difference in quality between a ten-year and a hundred-year soul ring. To receive one now would be a massive step forward.
And Xiao Qiang made it sound so casual, as if helping him get a hundred-year soul ring was no more trouble than sharing a meal.
Huo Yuhao thought it over carefully.
Did Xiao Qiang have any ulterior motives? Probably not. His strength was too overwhelming for Huo Yuhao to resist anyway. If he wanted something from him, Huo Yuhao had no means of fighting back.
Besides, Huo Yuhao wasn't carrying anything valuable. Even his clothes and gear weren't worth half a gold soul coin. No matter how strong Xiao Qiang was, he wouldn't be interested in robbing someone so poor.
As for his soul ring? That was the only thing of some value—but Xiao Qiang, already a two-ring soul master with both rings being over a hundred years old, had no need for such a low-level spirit ring.
After pondering all this, Huo Yuhao bowed deeply.
"Please, Brother Li Feiyu."
"No need to be so formal," Xiao Qiang said as he helped him up. "It's a small thing."
As they walked together, Xiao Qiang couldn't help but smile to himself.
The psychological suggestion from my first soul skill and the mimicry of my second really worked like a charm.