Unlike the heavy atmosphere of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, the Lin Family's Ducal Estate remained calm and peaceful, as always.
"Tonight's the fifteenth... what a full moon,"
In the open-air hot spring, Lin Rong looked up at the starry sky and full moon, a rare trace of emotion surfacing as he murmured:
"Sharing this moon should move one to tears,
Longing for home, hearts connect across five lands tonight."
"I've never considered myself sentimental, and yet… under this moonlight, I can't help but think of family — both from this life and the last."
"Ah, Tang Yuehua… the one you loved but couldn't have. How much must you be missing your second brother tonight, after all these years apart?"
"I've always been a helpful person. Let me help you, just this once."
The Next Day
In the heart of Heaven Dou City, the capital's most luxurious district, stood a graceful, elegant estate known as Moon Pavilion (月轩).
As the official imperial etiquette academy of the Heaven Dou Empire, Moon Pavilion had been a symbol of nobility since the day it was founded.
Graduates of the Moon Pavilion were known as true aristocrats.
The mysterious headmistress of Moon Pavilion, known only as Madam Yue, was rumored to share a secret relationship with Emperor Xue Ye of Heaven Dou.
Of course, this was merely gossip.
In truth, Madam Yue's real identity was far more extraordinary: she was Tang Yuehua, daughter of the previous Clear Sky Douluo, and younger sister to both Tang Xiao (Howling Sky Douluo) and Tang Hao (Clear Sky Douluo) — an open secret among high nobility, including the hereditary Duke Lin family.
Moon Pavilion, Upper Floors
Everything on the top floor was crafted from aromatic agarwood, giving off a subtle fragrance.
Seated with grace in a wooden chair was a noble woman in palace attire. She was elegant and poised, but the faint dark circles under her eyes hinted at fatigue. This woman was none other than Tang Yuehua.
With a soft motion beneath her eye, she said gently:
"Forgive my appearance, Your Grace. Last night's moon was too beautiful to ignore. I stayed up until dawn and ruined my complexion."
"To what do I owe the honor of your visit? You're still too young for court etiquette training, after all."
Lin Rong sat across from her, the old butler standing silently behind.
Smiling politely, Lin Rong came straight to the point.
"One doesn't visit the Three Treasures Hall without a purpose. I've come to bring you a message — one I think you'll find… very interesting."
Tang Yuehua raised an eyebrow, subtly appraising the young duke. He was composed, yes, but still just a six-year-old child. What could such a boy possibly say that would interest her?
"I'm listening," she replied, gracefully sipping tea.
But Lin Rong noticed her gesture. While perfect in etiquette, it conveyed that she wasn't taking him seriously, merely being polite.
That was fine. After all, being underestimated had its uses.
So Lin Rong picked up a teacup himself, leisurely swirling the lid but not drinking, and began:
"Two months ago, one of my guards was sent on business to the Balak Kingdom. Along the way, he passed through a small city in the Fasno Province."
"That city is called Notting City. My guard happened to know a patrol deacon at the local Spirit Hall, and during their conversation, something curious came up."
"A boy in Holy Spirit Village awakened with innate full soul power. Unfortunately, his martial spirit… was the so-called 'trash' spirit — Blue Silver Grass."
At the mention of "innate full soul power" and "Blue Silver Grass," Tang Yuehua's hands visibly trembled.
But Lin Rong continued, unbothered, eyes fixed on his teacup.
"Notting City is remote, and even Spirit Hall's personnel there are of limited vision."
"To most, Blue Silver Grass is worthless. But innate full soul power... even with a weak martial spirit, that kind of potential is exceptional."
"So my guard did some digging. The boy's name is Tang San. His father? The only blacksmith in Holy Spirit Village. The villagers call him — Tang Hao."
Crash! — The teacup in Tang Yuehua's hands shattered on the floor, splashing tea across her dress.
Lin Rong acted as if nothing had happened, still speaking calmly:
"According to the village, six years ago, a man claiming to be Tang Hao arrived carrying a baby. The village chief, Jack, took pity on them and let them settle down as the village's blacksmith."
"Madam Yue, if I'm not mistaken, your second brother is also named Tang Hao."
"And if memory serves, it was six years ago that the former Pope of Spirit Hall — Qian Xunji — fought a legendary battle against your brother."
"I wasn't born yet, but I've heard that fight was triggered… over a woman."
"That woman was Tang San's mother."
"I can't fathom why the Pope, a man in his fifties, would lose his mind over a woman to the point of bloodshed. But hey, who am I to judge?"
"Once my guard realized Tang San was the son of the Clear Sky Douluo, he abandoned all thoughts of recruiting him and reported back to me."
"I was in Sunset Forest obtaining my first soul ring when the message arrived, which delayed this visit."
"As soon as I returned, I sent a formal letter requesting an audience, and came at once."
"It's a pity. Though Tang San inherited his father's talent — a rare innate full soul power — he inherited his mother's martial spirit: Blue Silver Grass."
"Strange, isn't it? The strongest tool-type spirit in the world — the Clear Sky Hammer — is losing out in spirit inheritance to Blue Silver Grass. Perhaps that grass isn't as ordinary as people think…"
"Ah, I digress."
Lin Rong finally looked up.
"So, Madam Yue — does this news interest you?"
Tang Yuehua, ever graceful, quickly regained her composure. But Lin Rong could sense the turmoil under her calm, thanks to his Life Sense ability.
"Forgive me — I lost my manners for a moment," she said with poise. "Thank you, Your Grace. I am truly grateful for this news."
"But I just remembered I have urgent matters to attend to, so I'll have to cut our meeting short."
Having achieved his goal, Lin Rong didn't insist.
"Of course, I won't keep you."
He rose, bowed politely, and with the old butler in tow, began descending the stairs. He hadn't planned to linger — yet on the fourth floor, he ran into someone he hadn't expected at all…
✨ Author's Note:
Moon Pavilion operates on a three-year cycle.
Tang Yuehua started at age 19 and graduated a year early at 20.
Xue Ke entered the academy the same year as Tang San, meaning she enrolled 11 years later.
Tang San is currently six years old. That places Xue Ke's enrollment 11 years in the future.