Li Clan, Titan's Courtyard
"Master, just say the word!" Titan's massive body lowered into a respectful bow, his voice trembling with loyalty. "As long as this old slave can do it, I'll stake my life without hesitation!"
Tang Hao's eyes glinted. "I want you to investigate someone for me."
He spoke with deliberate detail: "A man in his thirties. Martial Soul—a sword. Already a Soul King… with a cold attribute."
Every syllable seemed to weigh heavily, his tone sharp and unforgiving.
Titan immediately cupped his fists. "Rest assured, Master. I will personally uncover this man!"
Yet inside, his chest tightened.
Soul King, three purple and two black rings… a sword-type Martial Soul… cold aura…
Every description screamed the same name: Lucien.
But Titan said nothing. His grandson had crossed fists with Lucien—yet the boy hadn't shown any cold attributes, and he certainly didn't look near thirty.
Could there be another monstrous genius on the continent, one so eerily similar?
Still, Titan dared not mention Lucien's name. An unproven guess could bring deadly danger to Tang Hao in his fragile situation.
"Master," Titan continued carefully, "why not stay here awhile? My Li Clan still has strong roots in Heaven Dou City. If you remain in our hidden estate, Martial Soul Hall will never find you."
He slapped his chest like a drum in reassurance.
Tang Hao's expression softened slightly, but he shook his head. "Titan… I've already harmed your clan once. Ten years ago, because of me, your four affiliated sects were nearly wiped from the world. I can't stay here and endanger you again."
"Master…" Titan's throat thickened. His loyalty roared to say more—but Tang Hao's raised hand silenced him.
"No need. I'll return when the time comes." Tang Hao's tall figure stood against the window, shoulders broad, back like iron.
"One last thing." His voice lowered. "Please… keep watch over Little San. Do everything you can to conceal his identity. If Martial Soul Hall ever discovers he's my son, their hammer will crush him before he even grows."
Titan immediately knelt, voice ringing with conviction. "Please be at ease, Master. I will guard the Young Master with my life!"
But when he looked up, Tang Hao was already gone—his steely silhouette vanished without a trace.
Shrek Academy
"Yu Xiaogang—why have you gone back to being a stubborn stone again?" Flender nearly tore his feathers out.
Since Liu Erlong's sudden departure, Yu Xiaogang had buried himself into books once more, obsessively scribbling theories.
"Flender, don't trouble me." Yu Xiaogang's eyes never left the scroll. "She's gone… What's left but study? Perhaps from this grief I can develop my eleventh principle. Maybe… someday… 'The Twenty Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls.'"
He muttered dreamily. "Yes. In the next semester, I'll write my 'Ten Core Competitiveness of Martial Souls' into Shrek's curriculum. Let every student learn. That will be my contribution."
Flender dragged a palm over his face. Even heartbroken, this idiot just thinks of research.
"Xiaogang, don't you care?" Flender snapped. "Tang Hao clashed with Martial Soul Hall in Spirit City. The whole continent is talking!"
Zhao Wou-ki leaned in, intrigued. "Tang Hao, eh? That man's a tiger. Even Martial Soul Hall doesn't scare him." Despite the memory of nearly dying under Tang Hao's hammer years ago, admiration still burned in his tone.
But Flender's brows were drawn tight. "Don't be glib! The situation is worse than it sounds. Right now the entire Martial Soul Hall is hunting Tang Hao. If they learn Little San is his son, the Palace will be knocking at our doors tomorrow morning."
Silence fell.
Then Zhao Wou-ki blanched. "Boss Flender… surely not? Not even Martial Soul Hall would stoop to that."
"How can it be impossible?" Flender snapped. "Tang Hao nearly smashed the Pope's Palace! Do you know what that means? If Spirit Hall doesn't retaliate, they'll become the laughingstock of the continent."
Yu Xiaogang's hand finally paused on the parchment. His face darkened as the weight sank in. He whispered, "Flender is right. I know Bibi Dong. There's nothing she won't do."
His jaw clenched. "Tang San is my disciple. My proof of theory. He must be kept safe, no matter the cost. If anything happens to him… I cannot answer to Tang Hao."
"So what do we do?" Flender pressed.
"…If possible," Yu Xiaogang murmured at last, "send Xiaosan to Haotianzong. Though I don't know why Tang Hao severed ties… he is still their bloodline. The Sect won't abandon him. Only Haotianzong's shadow can shield him now."
Flender's eyes shone. "Yes… it may be the only way. Only Haotianzong can deter Martial Soul Hall."
"Mm-hmm!" Zhao Wou-ki cut in nervously. "That's fine and all, but… didn't we forget one problem?"
The two turned to him with puzzled looks.
Zhao smiled awkwardly. "…We don't know anyone in Haotianzong."
The room froze.
Right. The Sect had sealed its gates more than ten years ago. No one on the continent had seen the Clear Sky Hammer since.
Even if they knew roughly where the Sect mountain lay, approaching it now would likely get them branded as spies… and killed.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A crisp knock broke the tense silence.
The door creaked open.
There, standing dignified with flowing robes and a poised smile, was a noblewoman.
"My name is Tang Yuehua. Who among you is Dean Flender?"
Flender scrambled to straighten his attire, instantly polite. "That would be me, madam. Please, come in."
Her gentle gaze swept the room. "No need for pleasantries. I'll speak plainly. I've come for Tang San."
At once, Yu Xiaogang lowered his scroll, his eyes narrowing.
"…And who are you?"
Tang Yuehua's smile never faltered, but her eyes flashed with urgency.
"I am Tang Yuehua. Tang Hao… is my brother. Which means… Tang San is my nephew."
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