Chapter 24: Ambush
"???"
Su Yuntao stared at Tang San, utterly baffled. Not joining Spirit Hall? Fine—he'd seen it before. Every year in Notting City, a handful of awakened children chose other paths.
But *not wanting to become a Spirit Master at all*? That was absurd! Spirit Masters were the elite of society! What kind of uncivilized brute would deny his child such an honor?
"Child… is your father still drunk?" Su Yuntao finally asked, recalling Old Jack's earlier comment about Tang Hao's drinking.
"Master Su Yuntao," Old Jack interjected, equally convinced Tang Hao was in a drunken stupor, "why don't you take Anjila and Xiao San to Notting City first? I'll speak to Tang Hao once he sobers up. He'll surely be thrilled his son's joining Spirit Hall."
"Fine," Su Yuntao agreed, exasperated. A drunkard's words weren't worth arguing over. He grabbed Tang San's hand with one grip and hoisted Anjila into his other arm, striding out of Spirit Village.
Tang San was stunned. *Wait—how did I end up going to join Spirit Hall?! Me? The Shura God King?!*
He didn't resist. First, Su Yuntao was a Spirit Elder—any struggle would be futile. Second, he doubted Tang Hao would truly let him join. If anything, this might force his father to reveal himself sooner, which suited his plans.
Anjila, however, was horrified. *Tang San's really joining Spirit Hall? That's a cosmic joke!*
Then she caught herself. *No—this isn't fiction. In reality, a child with full innate spirit power would absolutely be recruited. The original story's "Su Yuntao ignores him" was pure author-induced stupidity!*
A chilling realization struck her. If Tang Hao truly loved his son—and if the books accurately portrayed his character—he'd never allow Tang San to join Spirit Hall. And Tang Hao *must* have heard her declare her intent to join!
*We're walking into a death trap!*
As Su Yuntao carried her forward, Anjila's mind raced. Warn him? Even if he believed her, they couldn't outrun a Titled Douluo. And drawing Tang Hao's attention to her "special awareness" would only seal her fate.
*Survival first. Forget preferences—just stay alive.*
She steeled herself, then forced tears into her eyes.
"Uncle… I don't want to join Spirit Hall anymore. Can I go back to Grandpa?"
"Don't cry, little one," Su Yuntao soothed, mistaking her fear for childish homesickness. "You'll see him in a day or two."
Tang San glanced at her, unimpressed. *Even with a super martial soul, she's still just a kid.*
Unbeknownst to them, Tang Hao was already moving.
He'd never let his son join Spirit Hall—not in his broken state, and certainly not now, with his resolve reignited.
Pulling out Ah Yin's tattered cloak and wrapping a scrap of cloth over his face, Tang Hao vanished from the crumbling hovel.
After a short journey, Anjila's dread peaked as a shadowy figure appeared ahead on the road.
Then—darkness.
When Tang Hao finished knocking out both children, he turned to Su Yuntao, who was just beginning to summon his martial soul.
No words. Just a swift, brutal grip on the man's skull. Spirit power surged—and the Spirit Elder who'd dreamed of promotion collapsed, lifeless.
Tang Hao felt nothing. *All of Spirit Hall deserves death.* He'd dispose of the body properly—make it look like a disappearance. Spirit Hall lost countless personnel yearly; one missing Spirit Elder wouldn't raise alarms.
He studied the two unconscious children. Tang San was his son—no question.
But Anjila… she was a dilemma. Killing her felt excessive—she was clearly just a sheltered, naive girl. Yet sparing her risked her reaching Spirit Hall. A super martial soul with full innate spirit power might not threaten his revenge, but it was an unnecessary complication.
Then—an idea sparked.
*Why send her to Spirit Hall? I could train her myself.*
He already trusted Tang San to restore the Hao Tian Sect and avenge Ah Yin. Adding another prodigy? Only beneficial.
And… she'd clearly grow into a stunning beauty. A fitting match for his son. Dual martial souls plus a super martial soul? Their offspring would be extraordinary. Even if they didn't marry, the Hao Tian Sect had other heirs—integrating a super martial soul lineage would strengthen the clan.
*(Of course, as a mere附属 sect—nothing surpassed the Hammer of Hao Tian.)*
Decision made, Tang Hao gently placed both children in a hidden roadside thicket. His strikes had been precise; they'd wake before anyone found them. He trusted Tang San—clever and composed beyond his years—to lead Anjila back to Spirit Village.
With that, Tang Hao slung Su Yuntao's corpse over his shoulder and melted into the distant forest.