Chapter 220: Han Li Encounters an "Old Acquaintance," Haozi Crushes Gangzi
As Tang Hao recounted his story, Ning Fengzhi and the other two listened with increasing skepticism.
Why did Tang Hao's version sound so different from what they had heard from Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe?
First of all, Ning Rongrong had no reason to lie to him, which meant the truth was already obvious.
When Tang Hao finally finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi carefully considered his words before replying, "Brother Tang, to be frank, my daughter was present during the incident. She told me everything afterward, but her account differs slightly from yours. Would you like to hear it?"
Tang Hao wasn't a fool he immediately understood what Ning Fengzhi was implying. Given what had just happened, he was also starting to doubt Yu Xiaogang's version of events. So, he simply nodded.
Three minutes later, Ning Fengzhi finished his recounting and looked at Tang Hao. "That's how it happened, according to Rongrong's perspective."
By this point, Tang Hao was already boiling with rage. The discrepancies weren't major, but the way the story was framed gave it an entirely different meaning.
In Yu Xiaogang's version, he had positioned himself as a responsible teacher, merely guiding his disciple.
But in Ning Fengzhi's account, from Ning Rongrong's point of view, Yu Xiaogang had played a far more active role. In fact, the entire event had been orchestrated by him, with Tang San merely executing his orders.
"Thank you, Brother Ning. I believe I've found the problem."
Tang Hao's voice was strained with frustration.
"It's no trouble at all. After all, the Upper Three Sects have always supported one another. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan have traditionally been allies. It seems this was merely the work of a schemer. I'm glad we could clear up the misunderstanding."
Despite his words, Ning Fengzhi's expression remained dark. Yu Xiaogang… He would remember this name.
Seeing Tang Hao's stormy expression, Ning Fengzhi suddenly added, "Brother Tang, if neither of us took Zhu Zhuqing, then this situation has become quite interesting. Perhaps someone is trying to manipulate both of us. Of course, this is just speculation."
"If that's the case, then the only other possibility is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Xiaogang… What a cunning little snake."
Tang Hao followed Ning Fengzhi's reasoning and immediately thought of the one faction he had overlooked. His voice was filled with bitterness.
"We can't be certain yet. They have no clear motive for abducting Zhu Zhuqing."
This time, Ning Fengzhi played the role of the skeptic.
"If not them, then who? Brother Ning, I was too hasty today. I'll take my leave for now and return another day."
Without waiting for Ning Fengzhi's response, Tang Hao turned and strode out of the hall, heading toward the mountain gate.
Sword Douluo silently followed behind him. There was no way he would let this brute wander off unsupervised who knew what kind of trouble he might cause next?
Once the two had disappeared, Bone Douluo turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, do you really think they're involved?"
"I don't know. But most likely, they aren't. They're not clever enough for this kind of scheme."
Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea, his voice relaxed and indifferent.
"And Tang Hao?"
Bone Douluo raised an eyebrow.
"What does that have to do with us? He was the one who jumped to conclusions and blamed us. If we don't retaliate, people will start thinking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is weak."
"Besides, Yu Xiaogang may be useless, but he's still Yu Yuanzhen's son. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to deal with him. Letting Tang Hao handle it is the better option. A Clear Sky Clan exile and a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disgrace how poetic."
Ning Fengzhi's smile remained as warm as ever, but Bone Douluo sighed inwardly. He knew this matter wouldn't end here. If anything, this was just the beginning.
"By the way, Uncle Bone, instruct our people to continue searching for Zhu Zhuqing through all possible channels. Let's not stop just yet. If Tang Hao didn't take her, then someone else must be pulling the strings, and we need to find out who."
Ning Fengzhi's expression grew serious again.
"It's unlikely to be Xue Qinghe, which leaves two possibilities the Star Luo Empire or Spirit Hall."
"Spirit Hall is the more probable culprit, but we've confirmed that Salas hasn't made a move. Could it be that someone else from Spirit Hall is operating behind the scenes? Have we failed to notice their movements?"
"Or… could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan actually be involved? But for what reason? I don't understand."
Ning Fengzhi lowered his head, carefully piecing together the situation.
For him, when in doubt, Spirit Hall was always a suspect. Even if they weren't behind something, it was still worth keeping an eye on them.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was the same. Despite his earlier diplomatic words about the Upper Three Sects standing together, that was just polite nonsense. Anyone who believed it was a fool.
With Spirit Hall currently keeping a low profile, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were locked in a direct competition not just for sect influence, but also for control over the Heaven Dou Empire.
Ning Fengzhi wanted the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan gone. Of course, not completely wiped out he still needed them to counterbalance Spirit Hall. But they had to remain weaker than him.
Meanwhile, after being escorted down the mountain by Sword Douluo, Tang Hao was angrier than ever.
But he couldn't win a fight, and he wasn't in the right, either. So, he redirected all his fury toward the person who had caused this mess in the first place.
Damn Yu Xiaogang.
It was his fault that Tang San had been injured. It was his fault that Tang Hao had been humiliated at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The more he thought about it, the faster he moved.
This time, no one could save Yu Xiaogang. Not even Yu Yuanzhen himself.
Even though he had told Ning Fengzhi that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might be involved, Tang Hao had only said that to divert suspicion.
In truth, he agreed with Ning Fengzhi they had no reason to interfere.
As Tang Hao spoke, Ning Fengzhi and the others listened with growing skepticism.
Why was Tang Hao's version of events so different from what they had heard from Ning Rongrong and Xue Qinghe?
First of all, Ning Rongrong would never lie to him, which meant the truth was already clear.
When Tang Hao finally finished speaking, Ning Fengzhi carefully chose his words and said, "Brother Tang, to be honest, my daughter was present at the time. She told me everything when she returned, but her account differs slightly from yours. Would you like to hear it?"
Tang Hao wasn't stupid he immediately caught Ning Fengzhi's implication. After what had just happened, he was also starting to doubt Yu Xiaogang's version of events. So, he simply nodded.
Three minutes later, Ning Fengzhi finished recounting the story and looked at Tang Hao. "That's how it happened, according to Rongrong's perspective."
At this moment, Tang Hao was seething with rage. The discrepancies weren't major, but the way the story was framed gave it a completely different meaning.
In Yu Xiaogang's version, he had portrayed himself as a responsible teacher, merely guiding his disciple.
But in Ning Fengzhi's account, from Ning Rongrong's point of view, Yu Xiaogang had played a central role. In fact, he had orchestrated the entire event, with Tang San merely executing his orders.
"Thank you, Brother Ning. I believe I now understand the real issue."
Tang Hao's voice was strained with frustration.
"It's no trouble at all. After all, the Upper Three Sects have always supported one another, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Clear Sky Clan have traditionally been allies. It seems this was merely the work of a schemer. I'm glad we could clear up the misunderstanding."
Despite his words, Ning Fengzhi's expression remained dark. Yu Xiaogang… He would remember this name.
Seeing Tang Hao's stormy expression, Ning Fengzhi suddenly added, "Brother Tang, if neither of us took Zhu Zhuqing, then this situation has become quite interesting. Perhaps someone is trying to manipulate both of us. Of course, this is just speculation."
"If that's the case, then the only other possibility is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Yu Xiaogang… What a cunning little snake."
Tang Hao followed Ning Fengzhi's reasoning and immediately thought of the one faction he had overlooked. His voice was filled with bitterness.
"We can't be certain yet. They have no clear motive for abducting Zhu Zhuqing."
This time, Ning Fengzhi played the role of the skeptic.
"If not them, then who? Brother Ning, I was too hasty today. I'll take my leave for now and return another day."
Without waiting for Ning Fengzhi's response, Tang Hao turned and strode out of the hall, heading toward the mountain gate.
Sword Douluo silently followed behind him. There was no way he would let this brute wander off unsupervised who knew what kind of trouble he might cause next?
Once the two had disappeared, Bone Douluo turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, do you really think they're involved?"
"I don't know. But most likely, they aren't. They're not clever enough for this kind of scheme."
Ning Fengzhi took a sip of tea, his voice relaxed and indifferent.
"And Tang Hao?"
Bone Douluo raised an eyebrow.
"What does that have to do with us? He was the one who jumped to conclusions and blamed us. If we don't retaliate, people will start thinking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is weak."
"Besides, Yu Xiaogang may be useless, but he's still Yu Yuanzhen's son. It wouldn't be appropriate for us to deal with him. Letting Tang Hao handle it is the better option. A Clear Sky Clan exile and a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disgrace how poetic."
Ning Fengzhi's smile remained as warm as ever, but Bone Douluo sighed inwardly. He knew this matter wouldn't end here. If anything, this was just the beginning.
Meanwhile, after being escorted down the mountain by Sword Douluo, Tang Hao was angrier than ever.
But he couldn't win a fight, and he wasn't in the right, either. So, he redirected all his fury toward the person who had caused this mess in the first place.
Damn Yu Xiaogang.
It was his fault that Tang San had been injured. It was his fault that Tang Hao had been humiliated at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The more he thought about it, the faster he moved.
This time, no one could save Yu Xiaogang. Not even Yu Yuanzhen himself.
Even though he had told Ning Fengzhi that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan might be involved, Tang Hao had only said that to divert suspicion.
In truth, he agreed with Ning Fengzhi they had no reason to interfere.
While people in Heaven Dou City were caught in endless speculation, Han Li and his group encountered an unexpected scene while returning from the Star Dou Forest.
A group of people was gathered around an injured man, treating his wounds.
The man's right arm was almost completely severed, barely hanging on by a few strands of flesh and muscle. He had already lost consciousness, but his left hand still clutched a medicinal herb tightly.
It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened.
"Old White Bird, I told you not to let your people take things by force. If they find something dangerous, they should mark the location and return for it later."
The injured man lay before a slender, black haired old man, who seemed rather troubled. He looked at the unconscious man on the ground, unsure of what to do.
Saving his life wouldn't be difficult, and he had already stopped the bleeding.
But the injury was severe, and his clan was already weak in combat. Losing a key member like this was devastating. He had no idea how to face his old friend.
Technically, none of this was his fault he had warned them beforehand. And they had volunteered to help.
Even so, the old man sighed heavily.
"Old Goat, this isn't your fault. Bai Ming acted recklessly. Forget about his arm. As long as he survives, that's all that matters."
Beside him, a white haired old man of similar build looked at the wounded man with sorrow before closing his eyes and making a decision.
It wasn't anyone's fault. The fact that he was still alive was a miracle. If the old man hadn't been nearby to save him in time, he would have died.
"It can't be helped."
The gaunt old man reached for his waist and drew a gleaming dagger.
Just as he was about to act, rustling sounds came from the nearby bushes.
They immediately went on guard as several figures emerged from the undergrowth.
"Do you gentlemen need assistance?"
Who else could it be but Han Li and his group?
Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Tang Hao finally arrived after racing across the city.
Yu Xiaogang was in his office, chatting and smiling with Flender. However, Flender's expression was anything but pleasant.
Flender had been in the middle of supervising combat training when Yu Xiaogang called him over, claiming that "His Majesty, the Clear Sky Douluo," wished to see him.
But after arriving, Tang Hao was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Yu Xiaogang had wasted an hour of his time on meaningless conversation.
Yu Xiaogang kept hinting that he would soon be the official instructor in charge of training the group. He also subtly suggested that Flender should speak to Qin Ming about getting Tang San and Xiao Wu into the Emperor Battle Team.
"When exactly is His Majesty arriving? If you don't have anything important to say, I'd like to return to training my students."
Flender stood up impatiently, unwilling to waste any more time.
Ever since the last incident, he had lost all respect for his sworn brother. Even Zhao Wuji had praised him for finally seeing sense.
"What's the rush "
Yu Xiaogang frowned, about to retort, when the door burst open with a gust of wind.
A shadow appeared before him.
"His Majesty, I "
Yu Xiaogang had barely lowered his hand from shielding his face when a palm suddenly enlarged in his vision.
Smack!
A deafening slap rang out in the office, shocking both Yu Xiaogang and Flender.
But unlike Flender, Yu Xiaogang was sent flying by the impact, crashing hard against the wall.
A bookshelf toppled over, burying him in a pile of books.
"Your Majesty?"
Flender barely had time to react before Tang Hao's icy glare silenced him.
Then, without hesitation, Tang Hao locked the room with his soul power and stalked toward Yu Xiaogang.
"You dared to lie to me "
Smack!
"You enjoy making up stories, huh? Let me help you spin a few more!"
Smack!
Flender could only watch in shock as Tang Hao, unsatisfied with just slaps, summoned a small hammer and aimed it at Yu Xiaogang's leg.
"AAAAH!"
A bloodcurdling scream filled the sealed room.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/johanssen