Douluo: Steal Tang San's luck and become stronger!

"Just wait and see, given that lord's temper, these two are probably in for a rough time..."

Quiet whispers rose from the corner, tinged with schadenfreude, sympathy, or simply a desire to watch the spectacle.

Everyone thought that this unfamiliar "couple" was probably in for a rough time.

Just then, a figure stood up from a table in the corner of the restaurant and walked straight toward Tang Lan and his group.

This was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties. He had a thin face, three long wisps of beard, and wore a faded blue Taoist robe. His hair was tied up in a Taoist bun with a wooden hairpin in it, dressed as a Taoist priest.

He walked with a composed gait, a gentle yet seemingly insightful smile on his face, and held his unfinished glass of wine in his hand.

He walked over to Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er's table, first nodding politely to them, then turning slightly to glance at Chai Yong, who was drinking alone and whose breathing was becoming increasingly unpleasant, before lowering his voice to remind Tang Lan.

"Gentlemen, you look unfamiliar; you must be newcomers. Please heed my advice."

He gestured to Chai Yong beside him with his eyes.

"The man sitting in the middle... is no ordinary person, and his temper is certainly not good. Before he gets truly angry, you two should... move to another table and stay away. When you're traveling, peace is the best policy."

The Taoist priest spoke tactfully, but the meaning was clear—you can't afford to mess with this person next to you, so get out of the way.

Tang Lan smiled and nodded, expressing her gratitude for the Taoist's "kindness".

"Thank you for the reminder, Taoist priest."

But his body showed no sign of moving; he remained seated steadily, even taking another sip of tea. At the same time, his senses were completely locked onto Chai Yong beside him. Tang Lan would immediately detect even the slightest abnormal fluctuation in Chai Yong's soul power or the slightest tension in his muscles.

He appeared casual, but in reality, he was already on high alert.

Tang Lan's attitude of "humbly accepting but resolutely not changing" slightly surprised the Taoist Ding Huo, a fleeting hint of astonishment flashing in his eyes. Even the most oblivious ordinary person, upon hearing such a warning, would feel fear upon sensing Chai Yong's increasingly palpable pressure.

This couple... is interesting.

Meanwhile, Chai Yong, who was already annoyed by Tang Lan and the other two's disregard, was now seeing this annoying Taoist priest coming over to "meddle" and even reminding others to avoid him in front of him, as if he were some kind of monstrous flood or a plague god to be avoided at all costs. His anger was instantly ignited!

"Humph!"

Chai Yong immediately questioned him in a deep voice, his voice like muffled thunder, echoing in the somewhat empty hall and making people's eardrums tingle.

He suddenly turned his head, his tiger-like eyes gleaming with undisguised ferocity, and stared intently at the Taoist priest Ding Huo.

"Ding Huo! I advise you to mind your own business! I'm sitting here drinking, what's it to you? Do you need to play the good guy and point fingers?"

He was by nature hot-tempered and hated people who put on airs in front of him, especially Ding Huo, who was mysterious, always showing off his information, and seemed to be able to chat with anyone. He had long disliked him.

With a cold snort, a terrifying pressure was released from Chai Yong's body!

Unlike the previous invisible sense of oppression, this time it was a tangible wave of soul power! A scorching, violent, and domineering crimson soul power, brimming with an aura of destruction, erupted like a flood bursting its banks, centered on Chai Yong! The air instantly became scorching and viscous, and the tables, chairs, and dishes trembled slightly under the impact of this wave of soul power, groaning as if they couldn't bear the weight!

A powerful surge of soul energy began to emerge throughout the entire first floor of the restaurant!

"Pfft!"

"what!"

Those guests with weak strength turned pale, as if they had been struck in the chest by an invisible hammer. They had difficulty breathing and were completely unable to move. Some even collapsed to the ground with their legs giving way, their eyes filled with fear!

Even a casual release of the pressure from a Title Douluo is something they cannot withstand! Even the Taoist Ding Huo, who reminded Tang Lan, had a slight change in expression. A faint blue light emanated from his body as he barely resisted the scorching and violent pressure. However, he involuntarily took a half step back, his gentle smile disappeared, and his brows furrowed.

However, right at the center of this infernal surge of soul power, beside the table closest to Chai Yong—

Tang Lan gently grasped Wang Qiu'er's hand with her left, the movement natural, as if it were just a normal touch between lovers. The two remained seated steadily, not even the hem of their clothes fluttering in the face of the raging surge of soul power!

The two remained calm. Tang Lan even reached out to refill her cup of tea, while Wang Qiu'er tilted her head slightly, seemingly listening to the sound of rain outside the window.

They seemed to be surrounded by an invisible, absolutely silent barrier, completely isolating them from the terrifying pressure that was enough to cause Soul Masters below the Soul Saint level to collapse! They felt absolutely no pressure!
This scene immediately caught the attention of Chai Yong and Ding Huo!
Chai Yong's pupils suddenly contracted! Although he hadn't unleashed his full power, the pressure he released was enough to make ordinary Soul Douluos feel immense pressure, and those below the Soul Saint level would almost be unable to stand! Yet this seemingly ordinary "couple," with barely any fluctuation in their soul power, were... completely unharmed? They hadn't even... blinked?! How could this be?!
Ding Huo's surprise deepened, his eyes gleaming as he carefully examined Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er, as if trying to re-evaluate them. He himself had felt somewhat strained under that oppressive aura just now, yet these two… were truly hiding their true strength! Absolutely hiding their true strength!

Both of them stared at Tang Lan and the other person in astonishment, their eyes filled with disbelief and deep confusion.

Having roamed the martial world for many years, their discerning eyes were naturally sharp. At this moment, they understood perfectly well that they had completely misjudged the situation! This "couple" was definitely not as simple as they appeared! To be able to so casually disregard the pressure of a Title Douluo, their strength... was at least at the same level, or perhaps even higher!

An eerie silence fell over the hall. Only the surging crimson soul power emanating from Chai Yong, the lingering heat in the air, and the pattering rain outside the window could be heard.

Finally, Ding Huo spoke first, breaking the suffocating silence.

His face regained that gentle, worldly smile, as if the oppressive confrontation from before had never happened.

Instead of getting angry and leaving after being scolded by Chai Yong, he shamelessly sat down in the empty seat opposite Tang Lan and her companion at the same table!

"Cough cough."

Ding cleared his throat and, as if they were old friends, cupped his hands in greeting to Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er.

"You two...you're quite skilled! I, Ding Huo, was merely showing off my limited abilities before an expert; please forgive my poor performance." His sitting down immediately made the situation delicate. What was originally a standoff between Tang Lan and Chai Yong had now become a three-way confrontation. Ding Huo's sitting down seemed to have inadvertently "bound" himself and Tang Lan together, at least to outsiders.

Seeing this, Chai Yong's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he stared intently at Ding Huo, then glanced at the still calm Tang Lan and her companion, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He was hot-tempered, but not stupid. A mysterious "couple" who could disregard his intimidating presence, coupled with this slippery, complex-backgrounded Ding Huo…

Forcing the issue would likely not yield any advantage and might even cause more trouble. Especially since he had other missions in Rose City…

He let out a heavy snort, and the surging crimson soul power within him receded rapidly back into his body like a tide, instantly dispelling the suffocating pressure. But he didn't leave; instead, his face darkened, he continued drinking his wine, his ears perked up, clearly wondering if Tang Lan and Ding Huo had any connection, or what the true background of this "couple" was.

With the pressure suddenly reduced, the patrons who had been slumped on the floor felt as if they had been granted a reprieve. They scrambled to more distant corners or simply paid their bills and slipped out of the restaurant, fearing they would be affected again. The lobby was even emptier.

Tang Lan had heard about this Ding Huo from Tao Zuo yesterday. Tao Zuo specifically mentioned this man when reporting on the various factions in Rose City, his tone quite wary. According to Tao Zuo, this man had connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

Not only does he have connections among imperial officials, making things easier for them, but even the so-called evil spirit masters are unwilling to be his enemy. This person seems to possess many people's secrets and weaknesses, and his own strength is a mystery. His whereabouts are unpredictable, and his identity is extremely special and mysterious.

His main "business" in Rosette was selling all sorts of information.

Ding Huo saw that Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er were just looking at him calmly without saying a word, and the look of doubt in his eyes deepened, but the smile on his face remained unchanged.

He picked up the empty teacup on the table and poured himself a cup of coarse tea from the Tanglan teapot. Without any hesitation, he took a sip before slowly speaking.

"Please forgive my abruptness, gentlemen. I was simply struck by your extraordinary bearing and decided to befriend you."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er's faces, seemingly observing their reactions.

"Since you two are unwilling to reveal your origins, I will not insist. However, our meeting is fate. Perhaps... you have some information you wish to inquire about? Or perhaps you wish to learn about... certain secrets of this city of Rose, or even the wider region?"

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and exuded a professional, seductive charm.

"I work in the information trade within the city. Whether it's news from within the city, outside the city, from dozens or even hundreds of surrounding cities, or even beyond the empire, as long as you can afford the price, I, Ding Huo... can find out for you. Fair prices, guaranteed information. Are you two interested?"

This statement immediately piqued Tang Lan's interest.

Independent intelligence brokers may exist. But an intelligence organization capable of covering "dozens or even hundreds of cities, and even beyond the empire," and daring to boast that "we can find out anything as long as you can afford the price," could never be accomplished by just one or two lone wolves.

This means that Ding may not be an individual, but a member of a very large and far-reaching intelligence organization, and may even be the person in charge of this place in Rose City.

Tang Lan's mind raced through several well-known large intelligence organizations on the mainland.

The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, the Hundred Knowledge Tower, the Shadow Society… these organizations, though powerful, are all more or less dependent on various major powers, serving them openly or covertly, making it difficult for them to achieve true “independence.” The organization Ding Huo mentioned does not seem to be one of them.

As for Ding Huo, no one knows which side is behind him. This is precisely what makes him most mysterious and most feared.

Ding Huo seemed to discern his guess from Tang Lan's calm yet slightly scrutinizing gaze.

He stroked his beard, chuckled twice, and explained further in a voice that only the three of them could hear.

"You two need not be suspicious. Our 'Listening Wind Pavilion' is quite different from other intelligence organizations. Because we are truly independent of all forces, and are not bound by any empire, sect, or family. We do not participate in the struggle, we do not take sides, we only act as carriers and integrators of information."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of pride and absolute reality.

"So in many ways, as long as the employer pays enough and it meets the bottom line of our 'Listening Wind Pavilion,' we can sell information to the employer, regardless of whether the employer is good or evil, an official or a bandit. Reputation is the foundation of our business."

These words were both a boast of the neutrality and capabilities of "Listening Wind Pavilion" and an implication of Tang Lan.

As long as the price is right, you can inquire about any secrets you want, even those related to the Holy Spirit Cult or imperial secrets.

Upon hearing this, Tang Lan raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. A completely independent and unrestrained intelligence organization? It sounded wonderful, but in the dog-eat-dog world of Soul Masters, the power and cunning required to maintain such "independence" would probably far exceed imagination.

This "Listening Wind Pavilion" either has a powerful background that no one dares to provoke, or it possesses special abilities or secrets sufficient to protect itself and even make all parties hesitant to act against it. In any case, it is indeed a channel worth contacting, but also worth being wary of.

He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his options. Wang Qiu'er beside him remained quiet, only her fingertips lightly tapping the table, making a soft clicking sound.

Finally, Tang Lan raised her head, looking calmly at Ding Huo. Her lips moved slightly, but she did not make a sound. Instead, she used the secret transmission technique to condense her voice into a single line and send it into Ding Huo's ear.

"Okay. Tonight at midnight, on Longteng Street, on the third stone bridge, you'll be the only one there."

His telepathic message was concise and direct, setting the time and place, and outlining his requirements. Longteng Street was a relatively quiet old street in Rose City, and the third stone bridge was rarely crossed at night, making it suitable for a clandestine meeting.

Upon hearing the telepathic message, Ding Huo's eyes flashed with understanding and satisfaction. The fact that the other party was using telepathy was clearly a sign of caution, and it also indicated that the matter to be discussed was of great importance.

He nodded slightly without making a sound, replying in kind with telepathy.

"At three-quarters past midnight, at the head of Longteng Bridge, I await the arrival of the two of you."

With the agreement reached, Ding Huo's face once again revealed that gentle and worldly smile, as if they had just exchanged ordinary pleasantries.

He stood up and bowed to Tang Lan and Wang Qiu'er.

"Please enjoy your meal, gentlemen. I have some worldly matters to attend to and must take my leave now."

After speaking, he casually cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Chai Yong, whose face was grim beside him. Ignoring the man's reaction, he turned and, holding his oil-paper umbrella, left the restaurant, his figure quickly disappearing into the torrential rain outside. (End of Chapter)