"Ahem… People have gone far, why are you still staring?"
Flender's irritated voice broke Yu Xiaogang's trance. He had been watching the shadow of Tang Yuehua's retreat, his eyes lingering far too long.
"Xiaogang," Flender sneered, "Liu Erlong leaves for a few days, and suddenly your attention shifts to another woman? Truly impressive."
Yu Xiaogang's brows twitched. "Don't talk nonsense!" he snapped. His gaze had lingered not out of desire but sympathy. Tang Yuehua's Martial Soul was… special. Her life, her situation—complicated.
Of course, Flender twisted everything.
"…You really are impossible," Xiaogang muttered, burying the flush on his face under a scowl.
Outside the Academy, Tang Yuehua strode briskly down the cobbled path, her long robes fluttering softly. Yet her steps carried heaviness.
Convincing Tang San had proven… impossible.
No matter how patiently she pleaded, how sincerely she explained, the boy refused to believe her. He only grew more silent, stubborn as a mule.
Just like his father.
"Stubborn as iron," she whispered with a sigh.
Her thoughts weighed down on her when suddenly—
"Ahhh!" she gasped as she collided against a figure. Strong hands snaked firmly around her waist, steadying her.
"Big sis, what a coincidence," came a teasing voice, laced with the slur of alcohol, "why are you here? Don't tell me you were secretly following me?"
Tang Yuehua stiffened. She knew that voice.
Lu Yuan.
"I'm simply here on business, nothing more," she replied coldly, trying to twist free. "Boy, release me."
Yet Lu Yuan's grip lingered, calloused palms deliberately brushing against the curve of her waist before he finally let go. His grin was maddening.
"Since we're both here," he drawled, "why don't you come drink at my place?"
"Another day." Tang Yuehua spun away quickly, her heart thudding.
Even she had to admit—this boy's strength was terrifying, his shamelessness even worse. Impossible he hadn't sensed her arrival earlier. He must have deliberately blocked her path, just to seize the excuse of a touch.
As she hurried on, her lips pressed thin. That stinking boy is trouble.
Star Dou Great Forest
Under the night sky, a lonely bonfire crackled, scattering golden sparks against the dark trees.
Tang Hao sat silently beside it, the flames illuminating the exhaustion etched into his hardened features. He tossed in one last log, eyes reflecting red firelight.
Everywhere he turned, Martial Soul Hall's eyes were waiting. Every city, every road, every shadow—they hounded him endlessly. Hiding in the Star Dou Forest was all that kept him alive.
But here too, he could not rest.
"Who's there?"
At the faint rustle of movement, his head jerked. The crimson Clear Sky Hammer swelled in his grasp, radiating murderous intent under the firelight. The spirit rings around him flared, and then—
"Rumble!"
The ground split as Tang Hao swung down, smashing the silence apart. Birds shrieked skyward, beasts fled, terror spreading like wildfire from the impact.
"Show yourself!" he roared.
From the shadows, a figure leapt into the open. The swinging hammer swept toward them like a sweeping mountain.
"Boom!"
The force collided with equal weight. The shockwave split rocks and toppled trees, explosions echoing across the night.
Then—
"Smelly little brother, stop! It's me!"
That voice.
Tang Hao froze mid-motion, his pupils dilating.
From the darkness, a tall, stern figure emerged—Clear Sky Hammer in hand, his aura twin to Tang Hao's.
"Da…ge?"
Tang Hao's throat tightened, disbelief cracking his voice.
It was Tang Xiao. His elder brother.
"It's been a long time, brother Hao!" Tang Xiao opened his arms wide, a rare smile lifting his lips. For a moment, the years melted away. They were brothers again, rampaging through the continent side by side.
Emotions choked Tang Hao's chest as he embraced him roughly. "Why here? Why now?"
"I came looking for you."
After the Clear Sky Sect's stormy council, Tang Xiao had sought his brother himself, desperate for truths no rumor could taint.
Tang Hao frowned, still bristling. "Why didn't you announce yourself sooner? Had it not been for the aura of your hammer, I'd have struck you dead already."
Tang Xiao chuckled wearily. "Believe me, I almost believed I should!"
Then his expression sobered. "Brother Hao… what is going on between you and Martial Soul Hall? Is it true, these absurd rumors that shake the continent?"
At last, Tang Hao's face darkened like night itself. With clenched fists, he spoke in a low growl.
"A Yin is gone. Taken."
Then, haltingly, raggedly, he recounted it all. From her sacrifice years ago to the foul moment recently when her reborn Blue Silver Emperor form was stolen, roots and all—dug away by Martial Soul Hall's despicable hands.
When Tang Xiao heard, his composed façade cracked.
"These bastards!" His fury exploded. "Forced her to sacrifice back then—and now, after all these years—they tear her from the soil again? They trample every shred of humanity!"
His hammer crackled with rage.
"Hao, come back to Sect."
His plea was solemn, urgent. Only the Sect's shield could give his brother shelter. Right now, Tang Hao was surrounded by enemies. Wherever Martial Soul Hall's reach extended, Tang Hao had no place to set foot.
But Tang Hao only shook his head.
"No, Dage. I've severed myself from Sect. I can never return."
The fight ten years ago had scarred too deep. Sect elders buried, four major affiliates disbanded, clanspeople still grieving their dead. How could they forgive him?
Tang Xiao's jaw stiffened. "…Don't you even want to honor our father? To pay respects?"
Tang Hao's face twisted in agony. "…I am unfilial. Go in my place. Worship him for both of us." His powerful body trembled—not even he was free from that pain.
But then his voice dropped gravel-deep.
"Dage, there is one thing I beg of you. Take my son. Take Tang San back to Haotian Sect."
A storm pulsed in Tang Xiao's eyes.
Tang Hao went on. "You know how it is. By now, Martial Soul Hall must already know of him. His Clear Sky Hammer… exposed. If he remains outside, he'll be crushed before he grows. Take him back before they come for him."
For once, Tang Hao's iron certainty cracked into desperate pleading.
"Brother Hao…" Tang Xiao's heart ached.
From Yuehua, from spies' whispers, he already knew of Tang San's existence. But hearing the request from his brother's own lips…
"Yes," Tang Xiao said firmly. "Shrek Academy, in Heaven Dou City? Then I will fetch him. No wonder Yuehua appeared at that Academy. She must have gone seeking to protect him as well."
Tang Hao's breath caught. "Yuehua? She went there too? Now, of all times?"
Tang Xiao nodded. "I passed through Tiandou City before entering this forest. I saw her at the Academy gates… with a man. The two of them were… quite affectionate. Hugging. I thought I'd interrupt, but it seemed improper, so I let them be."
Tang Hao froze. His heart sank as ice.
Yuehua… affectionate? Could it be…
But no. There was no time to unravel that mystery. His son was exposed. Danger was already closing.
"Dage! Please, go now. Take him away before Martial Soul Hall makes their move."
"And you?" Tang Xiao's eyes pierced him.
Tang Hao's lips curved cold, his scarlet gaze burning. "I am Vast Sky Douluo. If I fight without burden, no one in Martial Soul Hall can kill me. Let them try."
Tang Xiao slammed his hammer onto the ground. "Then it's settled. I go to Shrek. I'll bring Tang San back."
He turned. His colossal frame disappeared into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest like a streak of thunder.
Tang Hao watched him vanish, fists clenching at his sides. For the first time in years, a father's fear gnawed at his pride.
"Tang San… my son. Hold on. For me. For your mother."
--
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