"Master, just say the word! As long as this old servant can do it, I'll go through fire and blades if I must!"
The Titan cupped his fists, bowing low.
Tang Hao's expression was grim, his scarlet-rimmed eyes flickering in the dim light. "I want you to find someone for me."
The room grew still.
"This person…" Tang Hao's voice sank, every word weighted by fury and desperation. "His Martial Soul is a sword. He looks to be in his thirties, but he has already reached the Soul King level. His spirit rings are three purple, two black. And his attribute—cold."
He delivered the details meticulously, every fragment etched into memory. This man was tied to the theft of Ah Yin. He was sure.
Titan's heart jumped.
Age around thirty… soul king… sword martial soul… cold attribute...
Why does this sound exactly like Lu Yuan!?
But Titan hesitated. He had personally sparred with Lu Yuan before. That brat's Martial Soul didn't hold cold powers, did it? And his appearance didn't quite line up. Could it be another monstrous genius just like him, hidden in the continent?
For long seconds, Titan's mind spun. Yet he held his tongue. Lu Yuan's name was lethal right now—just a casual suspicion could send Tang Hao into another storm, risking disaster. Best not to mention, not until more was certain.
"Rest easy, Master," Titan lifted his thick hand, palm slapping against his chest. "I will get to the bottom of this immediately."
Tang Hao's shoulders softened slightly, though his face was still a mask of rage and weariness.
"Master, why not remain here under our Li Clan's roof?" Titan urged with sincerity. "The Martial Soul Hall hounds you night and day. But in our territory, we still have roots in Heaven Dou City. Here, they won't find a trace. Rest, recover—you'll be safe."
But Tang Hao shook his head.
"No."
He could not. Ten years ago, because of him, the four affiliated clans of Clear Sky were nearly destroyed. Dragging Titan down with him again? Unacceptable. One burden had been enough.
"Master…"
"Enough." Tang Hao raised a scarred hand to stop him. "Don't persuade me. I won't stay to bring disaster here. But I'll come see you again."
His burly frame turned toward the moonlit window, his voice dropping to a near whisper.
"One last thing."
Titan waited, solemn.
"Help me take care of Xiao San. Do all you can to keep the Martial Soul Hall from uncovering who he really is. I… no longer have the ability to protect him myself." Tang Hao's voice cracked only faintly on the last words, like a hammer striking hollow iron.
If Tang San's identity as his son was exposed, the boy's future would burn to ashes before it could begin.
Titan drew in a deep breath. His chest swelled broad like a mountain. "Master, rest assured. I swear on the honor of the Li Clan—I will watch over the young master."
When he lifted his head again, Tang Hao's towering body had already vanished from the room, leaving only the echo of presence, heavy as an unbroken oath.
Shrek Academy
"Xiaogang! Why are you still sitting there dazed again?"
Flender rubbed his face, exasperated beyond words. Yu Xiaogang sat unmoving, hunched over his desk once more, scribbling notes with that same obsessed expression.
Days passed since Liu Erlong left without goodbye, yet instead of grief, Yu Xiaogang buried himself deeper in his research.
"Flander, leave me alone," he muttered, eyes never shifting from parchment.
On some level, the ache was unbearable. But what could he do? He still hadn't figured out the reason behind Erlong's departure. Instead, he would transmute sorrow into theory, heartbreak into ink.
Yes. Perhaps Liu Erlong's leaving could sharpen his knowledge further. Perhaps this pain would be the seed of yet another pillar in his great contribution to soul master theory.
His pen scratched faster. Maybe this could be—The Eleventh Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls…
Next semester, he had already planned it—his textbook would be titled "Martial Soul's Ten Core Competences." Shrek's students would learn from it, and from him, the truths of the world.
But Flender's eye twitched.
"Xiao Gang! Enough! Have you even noticed the chaos shaking the continent? Tang Hao—Tang Hao! He almost tore apart the Papal Palace!"
That name made even Zao Wou-ki lift his head mid-snack.
"Tang Hao? That real tiger?!" Zao Wou-ki barked a laugh. "Hah! No wonder. Years ago, he almost beat me to death in one strike… and somehow I still admire him. If I had his power, I'd have crushed those bastards who messed with me!"
Flender groaned. "You two! Do you understand? Tang Hao's escape has the entire Martial Soul Hall rattled. The whole continent now breathes in anticipation. If the Hall learns that Xiao San is Tang Hao's son—they'll trample this Academy tomorrow!"
Zao Wou-ki flinched, dropping his food. "Heavens almighty… don't curse us like that! If the Hall descends, we'll all be corpses!"
"How can it be impossible?" Flender snapped. "Tang Hao nearly smashed their Papal Hall to dust! If they don't strike back, Martial Soul Hall will become the laughing stock of the continent!"
For the first time, Yu Xiaogang actually lowered his scroll. His eyes, deep and calm, sharpened. "No… Flander is right. I know Bibi Dong better than anyone. She'll do it. She's capable of anything."
Tang San was more than just his disciple. He was hope incarnate. Hope for Yu Xiaogang to prove that his theories had worth. If Tang San fell, his ten core competitiveness would never be vindicated.
There could be no danger.
Absolutely none.
"Xiao Gang, what should we do now?" Flender gripped his beard, unease twisting him in circles. All he wanted was peace, retirement—but peace with Tang Hao's son under his roof? Impossible!
Yu Xiaogang thought for a long moment before speaking, voice low. "If it comes to it… send Tang San to the Clear Sky Sect."
Both Flender and Zao Wou-ki froze.
Though distant from his clan, Tang San was a Clear Sky Hammer heir nonetheless. Their blood, their legacy. Surely, they would not turn away one of their own children.
"It's dangerous," Yu Xiaogang admitted, "but… only they have the strength to shield him now."
Flender sighed, nodding slowly. "Right. Only Clear Sky Sect."
A pause stretched. Then Zao Wou-ki snorted. "…There's just one problem."
They turned.
"We don't actually know… anyone from Haotian Sect, do we?"
The room went deathly still.
…
Yes. They had forgotten the single most important step.
Clear Sky Sect had walled itself away for more than a decade. No one had seen a trace of a Clear Sky Hammer. Even if they knew the vague location, to approach now, in such a volatile time, might well get them executed as spies before opening their mouths.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Three sharp knocks snapped them from their grim thoughts.
The door swung open with a faint creak.
A woman in noble attire stepped in, moving with practiced elegance. Her aura exuded calm dignity, and her smile was poised, warm yet unreadable.
"My name is Tang Yuehua. Who here is Dean Flender?"
Flender's eyes widened. Quickly, he straightened his robes and stepped forward, smoothing his expression into courtesy. "Madam, I am Flender. Please, come in."
Tang Yuehua dipped her head politely. "Long story short. I've come for Tang San."
At her name, Yu Xiaogang's head whipped around, his scroll forgotten. His eyes narrowed, piercing.
"And you are… who exactly?" he asked, wary.
Tang Yuehua's smile never faltered. "I am Tang San's aunt."
--
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