Three days later.
At the Heaven Dou Royal Academy of Spirit Masters, within the Mimic Cultivation Ground.
Tang San, who was practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill, was interrupted by Tailong, who rushed over with news from Moon Xuan.
"Young Master, something terrible has happened! Your aunt couldn't overcome her serious illness and has passed away!"
Upon hearing this, Tang San didn't display the earth-shattering reaction Tailong might have expected. He only seemed momentarily dazed before returning to his usual demeanor.
Seeing this, Tailong's heart felt a chill.
Although he suspected his grandfather's disappearance was related to Tang Yuehua, and even felt a sense of vindication at the news, Tang San was different. Tang Yuehua was his paternal aunt, his blood relative. Moreover, Tang Yuehua had been so good to Tang San, yet his reaction to this news was so indifferent.
"If the Young Master is so cold-hearted and unfeeling, does our Strength Clan truly have a bright future by following him?"
"Grandpa, where did you go? The Strength Clan cannot be without you as its pillar."
Tailong thought this to himself, lowering his head to prevent Tang San from seeing his dejected expression.
Tang San, rising from the ground, didn't notice Tailong's abnormality, as he had never truly looked at this ever-present follower.
Since experiencing that inexplicable grief over a month ago, Tang San had become extremely indifferent to matters of emotion. Perhaps this was Tang San's true nature – a cold-blooded assassin raised by the Tang Sect from childhood, he shouldn't have had superfluous emotions to begin with. The abundant emotions he had before felt as if they were bestowed by this body itself. After the deaths of his parents, Tang Hao and the Blue Silver Emperor, the abundant emotions within him also dissipated.
Therefore, upon hearing the news of Tang Yuehua's passing, Tang San's first thought wasn't grief, but rather how to quickly accept the inheritance his aunt had left behind.
"Although most of my aunt's funds were used to support the Clear Sky Sect, her accumulated savings over the years must be considerable."
"Also, the Moon Xuan building is located on the most prosperous street in the heart of Heaven Dou City. If it's sold, it will fetch a hefty profit."
...
The next day.
A grand funeral was held at a cemetery on the outskirts of Heaven Dou City.
As a prominent figure among the Heaven Dou aristocracy during her lifetime, Tang Yuehua's funeral was not only grand in scale but also attended by nobles from all over Heaven Dou City. Even Emperor Xue Ye made a symbolic appearance at the beginning of the funeral to show the royal family's respect and consideration for the occasion.
Soon, the flower-laying ceremony began. In the scenic cemetery, the attending nobles, dressed in solemn black attire, lined up in order, placing bundles of white chrysanthemums on the catafalque. The order of the queue was determined by rank and status.
The four individuals at the very front were Prince Xue Xing, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Fourth Prince Xue Beng, and Princess Xue Ke, all from the royal family. They were closely followed by Ning Fengzhi, the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and his young disciple Ning Rongrong.
Ning Fengzhi placed a bundle of white chrysanthemums before the catafalque and then approached Tang San, who was standing nearby. Speaking to Tang San in a comforting tone, as if to a younger person, he said, "Sect Master Tang, please accept my condolences."
"The Tang Sect cannot do without you as its leader. Do not let this affect your health."
Tang San listened without saying anything, merely nodding expressionlessly, indicating that he had heard the words.
Seeing Tang San's demeanor, a hint of confusion flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes for a moment. He thought to himself, "Strange, after not seeing him for over a month, why has Tang San's emotional state changed so drastically!"
"Also, Tang Yuehua has been seriously ill for so many days, yet there has been no news from the Clear Sky Sect."
"Even at this funeral, under Sword Uncle's investigation, neither Tang Xiao nor Tang Hao were found."
"What exactly has happened? No, I must immediately send someone to investigate."
At this moment, Ning Rongrong placed her bundle of white chrysanthemums before the catafalque and joined her father. Ning Fengzhi then offered Tang San a polite smile before returning to his seat with his daughter to observe the ceremony.
After that, it was the turn of the empire's three hereditary Dukes to present their flowers. In such a setting, where statuses were equal, age determined precedence. Among the three hereditary Dukes, Lin Rong was the youngest, thus he was positioned behind Duke Bai and Duke Shi.
As Lin Rong walked past Tang San after presenting his flowers, he gave Tang San a smile, as innocent and pure as that of a typical ten-year-old child. Upon seeing this smile, Tang San was instantly reminded of what had happened at his ninth birthday banquet two years ago, and he grit his teeth, veins bulging on his clenched fists.
Returning to his seat, the old butler standing by the seat subtly moved his lips and transmitted his voice, "Young Master, this old servant senses the presence of Salas, the Platinum Bishop of Spirit Hall. He is heading this way with a group of people."
Lin Rong, seated, listened and also transmitted his voice, "Yes, Grandpa Yu, I sense it too."
"Salas wasn't invited to this funeral at all. That old geezer's pride must be wounded, and he's definitely holding a grudge."
"The funeral has already begun. If he shows up uninvited, he's clearly here to cause trouble."
"However, if the royal family dared to do this, they must have been fully prepared."
"This is a battle of prestige between the Heaven Dou imperial family and Spirit Hall. We can just sit back and watch. As long as the fire doesn't spread to us, we can treat it as a good show."
The old butler transmitted his reply, "Yes, this old servant understands."
At the seating area, Lin Rong sat upright. His peripheral vision flickered between Tang San and the four members of the royal family, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Tang San has Dragon Whisker Needles hidden in his fingernails. When the situation gets chaotic later, I can make a move in secret and have the royal family members inadvertently notice that Tang San possesses such Hidden Weapons."
"This way, Tang San will be blamed for the theft from the national treasury."
"Xue Ye doesn't know that I've already annihilated the Clear Sky Sect. He'll be wary of Tang San's background and grudgingly accept this disadvantage."
"Although this move won't have any substantial impact on Tang San, it will undoubtedly damage the trust between the royal family and the Tang Sect's cooperation."
"By stifling the Tang Sect's development in this way, we can avoid unnecessary losses when we eventually destroy them."
The flower-laying ceremony continued. After the hereditary nobles presented their flowers, it was the turn of several non-hereditary Dukes to step forward.
And at this very moment, Salas, the Spirit Hall's Platinum Bishop, arrived at the cemetery with a contingent of people. His arrogant voice echoed in all directions:
"Yo! What a lively gathering!"
Salas clapped his hands and walked slowly inside, a fake smile plastered on his face. He said:
"Why didn't you inform me about such an important event? Was it an oversight, or have you all stopped putting Spirit Hall's reputation in your eyes!"
As he spoke the last sentence, the fake smile vanished from Salas's face, replaced by an expression of utter coldness.
In the cemetery, at the seating area.
The royal family members remained silent. Ning Fengzhi didn't want to be the first to act. Lin Rong watched the unfolding drama with great interest. The rest dared not confront Spirit Hall, leading to a deep, silent hush.
"Oh dear!"
Salas walked to the coffin with feigned surprise, shaking his head as he said:
"Look at this! Not notifying me beforehand meant I couldn't prepare a bouquet of white chrysanthemums for Madam Yue."
"However, these flowers absolutely must be presented. What should I do?"
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