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"I plead guilty."
"Good, you don't plead guilty, then I can only—"
The Seventh Elder suddenly realized something was wrong, thinking he had misheard. He exclaimed in shock, "What? You plead guilty!"
Uncharacteristically, Tang Hao showed a deep look of guilt on his face and spoke sorrowfully.
"Yes, Seventh Elder, I plead guilty. Because of my personal matters back then, the Clear Sky Sect was forced into seclusion, and the families of many sect disciples suffered as a result. For this, I am deeply remorseful."
His words were filled with regret, stirring a trace of sympathy in the hearts of those who had originally intended to judge him.
After all, of the former Twin Stars of the Clear Sky Sect, one had become the Sect Master, while the other was now a cripple.
Everyone in the Clear Sky Sect believed Tang Hao's temperament had changed only because of his disability. Otherwise, with the temper he had over a decade ago, he would have raised hell long ago.
Seeing the crowd's reaction, Tang Yuehua quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She saw a chance for Tang Hao to survive.
"Hao-ge, it seems you've been through a lot these past ten years."
It wasn't just Tang Yuehua; Tang Xiao felt the same way.
Hearing the disciples whispering amongst themselves, the Seventh Elder's expression turned grim. He had no intention of letting Tang Hao off so easily. The hatred for his son's death had festered for over a decade. Now that the opportunity to judge Tang Hao was right before him, how could he possibly give it up?
"Tang Hao, do you really think a simple apology can atone for your crimes? Don't forget how many Clear Sky Sect disciples died because of you!"
"Everyone, think about why your loved ones are separated from you by death! Think about who caused you to lose your dearest kin!"
"Tang Hao being a cripple is his own doing—what has that to do with us? Don't be fooled by his honeyed words and his act to win your sympathy!"
The Seventh Elder's voice rang like a great bell, thundering through the hall. His words solidified the disciples' determination to judge and publicly execute Tang Hao, the main culprit.
"Damn it, the Seventh Elder is trying to sentence Hao-di to death!" Tang Xiao clenched his fists, his face dark.
However, everything the Seventh Elder said was true and impossible to refute.
A flash of murderous intent flickered in Tang Hao's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, unnoticed by anyone. He maintained his self-reproachful expression and continued.
"I know everyone still harbors much resentment toward me, and that is undeniable. That is why I have long thought about how I can repay the sect."
As he spoke, he pointed with his left hand toward his missing left leg and right arm and began to fabricate a story.
"My left leg and right arm each held a soul bone bestowed by the Clear Sky Sect. Therefore, before returning, I severed them myself as a way of repaying the sect."
Tang Hao knew that no one in the sect was aware of how he had truly lost his limbs. He was using this to change the subject.
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiao pounded his chest in anguish. "Hao-di, you… why would you go to such lengths?!"
Tang Yuehua covered her mouth in shock, her eyes filled with heartache.
The disciples of the Clear Sky Sect also looked astonished. They never imagined Tang Hao would willingly cripple himself just to return the sect's soul bones.
The Seventh Elder's pupils shrank, a glimmer of greed flashing in his eyes. High-quality ten-thousand-year soul bones could greatly increase his power. In the face of such treasures, even his long-held vendetta for his son's death would have to be temporarily set aside.
"Tang Hao, where are the sect's two soul bones? Hand them over at once!"
The Seventh Elder was certain that with his current status and his personal grievance, he could claim at least one of them.
Seeing the Seventh Elder begin to yield, Tang Xiao quickly prompted, "Hao-di, the Seventh Elder is asking you a question."
However, Tang Hao's expression turned to one of grief and indignation.
"Everyone, it is not that I refuse to hand them over, but that the sect's soul bones were stolen."
The Seventh Elder's eyes widened in fury, feeling mocked. "Tang Hao, do you take me for a fool?"
Tang Hao maintained his anguished act, explaining through tears.
"Seventh Elder, I am truly not lying. Because I severed an arm and a leg, my strength dropped drastically. On my way back to the sect, I was attacked by a villain who not only stole the soul bones but nearly killed me."
When Tang Hao had been brought back to the sect, he had indeed been on the verge of death—this could not be faked.
The Seventh Elder was enraged. "Damn it! Who would dare to lay hands on something belonging to the Clear Sky Sect?!"
The other disciples were equally furious. They had already been forced into seclusion by the Spirit Hall's oppression, and their resentment had simmered for years. Now, someone had dared to attack one of their own.
Did they really think the Clear Sky Sect was a soft target?!
Tang Xiao, anxious to protect his younger brother, quickly asked, "Hao-di, do you know who attacked you?"
A surge of joy rose in Tang Hao's heart. He had finally succeeded in shifting the topic and could now redirect the sect's anger toward the man responsible for his condition.
His face twisted into a ferocious grimace as he spoke.
"Lan Minghua! He was the one who stole the sect's two soul bones!"
Instantly, the sect erupted into heated discussion.
"Lan Minghua? Who is that? I've never heard of him."
"Did Tang Hao just make this person up? Lan Minghua? It sounds like 'Rotten Life Hua'! Who would have a name like that?"
"I think he's just trying to change the subject. It's too much of a coincidence."
"Besides, we're the Clear Sky Sect, one of the three upper sects! Who would be so bold as to attack us?!"
The disciples were completely unfamiliar with the name "Lan Minghua."
However, it seemed to ring a bell for the elders.
"Lan Minghua? Why does that name sound so familiar?"
The elders exchanged puzzled looks. They felt they had heard or seen the name somewhere before but couldn't quite place it.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Tang Xiao pulled a crumpled letter from his robes—it was from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Everyone, I believe I know who this Lan Minghua that Hao-di speaks of is!"
Tang Xiao's voice was powerful, instantly silencing the hall.
Tang Hao was also surprised. He hadn't expected the reclusive Clear Sky Sect to have heard of Lan Minghua.
How does Big Brother know about Lan Minghua? Is… is my lie about to be exposed?!
Just as he was racking his brain, Tang Xiao unfolded the letter from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for all to see.
"Lan Minghua is a ruthless and vicious man. I'm sure everyone has heard the news that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Master, Ning Fengzhi, was killed a few days ago."
"The one who killed Ning Fengzhi was this same Lan Minghua. This letter was personally written by Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—it cannot be false."
Upon hearing this, the doubting disciples fell silent. They never expected that the person who gravely injured Tang Hao was real. And if Lan Minghua dared to kill the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it was entirely believable that he wouldn't hesitate to attack a crippled Tang Hao.
"I knew that name sounded familiar! So he's the vicious monster who killed Ning Fengzhi!"
Although the Seventh Elder still had some reservations, he had no choice but to believe it now.
Tang Xiao seized the opportunity to step forward and announce, "Everyone, the three upper sects are branches of the same tree. Now that our Clear Sky Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect share a common enemy, we must lend our aid. Otherwise, we will become a laughingstock for the Spirit Hall."
A faction within the sect that wished to avoid trouble was about to object.
At that moment, the commander standing beside Tang Yuehua stepped forward.
"Honored seniors, may this junior have a word?"
"And who are you?" Tang Xiao only now noticed the man. As a mere Soul Emperor, he was not someone Tang Xiao had deemed worthy of his attention.
The commander was neither servile nor overbearing. "This junior serves as a guard to Pavilion Master Tang and also bears a message from His Majesty."
"What message?" Tang Xiao asked.
"His Majesty says that as long as the Clear Sky Sect is willing to join hands with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to deal with Lan Minghua, the Heaven Dou Empire will offer its full and unwavering support. Furthermore, once the matter is concluded, should the Clear Sky Sect wish to emerge from seclusion, the Heaven Dou Empire will firmly stand behind it."
"What?!"
(End of Chapter)