Chapter 272: Twin Stars Reunite, Tang Hao Lays It Bare
After Liu Erlong left, Han Li turned around only to find all the girls staring at him.
"What scheme are you cooking up this time?" Dugu Yan was the most direct she could sense the mischief in his words earlier.
"I'll tell you when we're back. This isn't the place for discussions." Han Li glanced around; though most of the crowd had dispersed, there were still lingering gazes fixed on them.
That was the downside of making public appearances they were always the center of attention.
The group nodded and left the venue together.
To Han Li, Liu Erlong's matter was nothing more than a passing episode. He had nearly forgotten about her until she walked into his path.
But now, it was set he would see her at the finals.
Not because of Yu Xiaogang he was a dead man walking.
The real reason? Han Li wanted to see Bibi Dong's reaction.
Yes. He would arrange Liu Erlong's seat in a very "strategic" location one where neither Yu Xiaogang nor Bibi Dong could possibly miss her presence.
It would be… entertaining.
Han Li excelled at getting under people's skin.
After returning home and resting for a while, he entered his spiritual domain, checking on his "special monitoring list."
Immediately, he noticed an anomaly.
Tang Hao had changed locations.
And he wasn't alone.
Han Li focused in on the scene.
Inside the top floor loft of Moon Pavilion, the atmosphere was heavy.
Tang Hao had arrived later.
After making his rounds at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, he returned to Moon Pavilion only to find Tang Xiao already there.
The room was silent for a while.
In the end, it was Tang Yuehua who took it upon herself to lighten the mood.
"Big brother, second brother… Should I have the attendants bring up some food and drinks?"
She stood up to head downstairs but was stopped by Tang Xiao's outstretched hand.
He glanced at Tang Hao, who sat with his head lowered, saying nothing. Tang Xiao let out a deep sigh.
He wasn't sure what expression he should have toward his younger brother.
"Where have you been all these years?"
"Fanos Province, Nuoding City."
Tang Hao lifted his head, looking at his older brother and answering truthfully.
"That's where that Spirit Hall Holy Son was born, isn't it?"
Tang Xiao frowned that was his only impression of that place.
"Hm. But I didn't know that at the time. I only found out after the rumors spread. Otherwise, I wouldn't have let him live this long."
Tang Hao's voice was cold.
He had never even met Han Li before.
"Kill him? And let Spirit Hall come knocking on Clear Sky Sect's doors again?"
Tang Xiao's reaction was sharp, his tone heated.
He had thought that after all these years, Tang Hao would have matured. But his first instinct was still murder.
"Brother, calm down! Second brother was just speaking out of anger, he didn't actually do anything!" Tang Yuehua quickly tried to diffuse the situation.
"If he really acts on it, then it won't just be him paying the price this time I'll be the one buried with him."
For once, Tang Xiao showed no mercy in his words.
For years, he had shouldered the burden of Tang Hao's sins, barely holding off the elders. If he hadn't taken control and rallied his supporters, the elders would have handed Tang Hao over to Spirit Hall themselves.
"Big brother… I'm sorry."
Tang Hao stopped Tang Yuehua from speaking further and solemnly bowed his head toward Tang Xiao.
"Enough. Get up."
Tang Xiao reached out and pulled him back up.
Despite his anger, he had always protected Tang Hao both in the past and now.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have shouldered the entire disaster alone.
"Yuehua, go prepare some food and wine."
Tang Xiao turned to his younger sister.
She glanced at both brothers, hesitated, then silently nodded and left.
Once she was gone, the room fell into silence again.
"...Where is Third Sister no, Sister in law buried?"
Tang Xiao finally asked. That was why he had sent Yuehua away.
Tang Hao's expression twisted with pain.
"When Ah Yin sacrificed herself, she left behind a seed. I planted it… hoping she could come back to life."
Tang Xiao held his breath, his fists clenching as a faint hope lit up in his eyes.
But Tang Hao's next words shattered it entirely.
"…But it's gone now. There's nothing left."
"In order to protect Tang San, I built a cave for her… but a pack of Wind Baboon spirit beasts found it."
Tang Hao couldn't continue.
Tang Xiao, however, understood immediately.
Useless.
You're utterly useless.
He wanted to punch Tang Hao in the face, to scream at him, but when he saw his brother's tortured expression, he forcibly swallowed the rage.
What's done is done.
And in the end… it had always been just a faint hope.
"Condolences."
After a long silence, Tang Xiao managed to squeeze out two words though even he wasn't sure who he was saying them to.
"Tang San… that's his name, right?"
Tang Xiao didn't want to linger on Ah Yin any longer.
It would only bring more pain.
So instead, he latched onto the only living piece of her left Tang Hao's son.
Yet, when he spoke the name… his expression dimmed again.
Tang Yuehua had only written vague details in her letter, leaving out specifics to prevent any leaks.
"Yes, he's now the captain of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's second team and is currently participating in the Soul Master Tournament."
Seeing that Tang Xiao had shifted the topic to more pressing matters, Tang Hao also regained focus. This was more important. He couldn't afford to neglect anything anymore Tang San was his only son.
At that moment, Tang Yuehua reentered the room, carrying a food box she had prepared in advance.
She had been waiting downstairs for a while. When the conversation quieted, she knew they had finished discussing other matters and decided to come up. Had they finally reached the main point?
As she entered, she handed Tang San's profile to Tang Xiao.
By the time Tang Xiao finished reading it, she had already set the table and taken her seat.
"He's more talented than either of us was back then, but it's still not enough. The issue of his twin spirits must be resolved the elders won't approve otherwise."
Tang Xiao was quite satisfied with his nephew but knew it wasn't enough. Unless Tang San could reach the level of their grandfather, Tang Chen, there was no way the elders would agree.
And even if he could, how long would that take? Tang Hao clearly didn't want to wait otherwise, he wouldn't have reached out.
The key issue was what Tang Yuehua had mentioned in her letter the secret technique Tang Hao had spoken of. If it was real, then it was the perfect leverage to convince those stubborn old men.
"The secret technique has already been tested on three people. Tang San was one of them. His ten thousand year fourth ring and current strength are proof enough."
"Yu Xiaogang has also successfully broken through to rank 37 and absorbed a spirit bone. That Dai brat from Star Luo, although he didn't obtain a ten thousand year fourth ring, his spirit ring still reached eight thousand years he succeeded yesterday."
Facing Tang Xiao, Tang Hao didn't hold anything back.
He explained the Bone Replacement technique in detail, including the names of those who had successfully undergone it and the potential side effects.
Tang Xiao listened carefully, not interrupting once. When Tang Hao finished, he looked at both of them.
"So, calling me here isn't just about informing me, is it? If you simply wanted to return to the sect, you wouldn't need to take such a roundabout way. The secret technique alone is enough to silence the elders."
Tang Xiao stared at Tang Hao and Tang Yuehua he knew they weren't telling him everything. Even the letter had been deliberately vague.
But he still came. For nothing else but news of Tang Hao, he would have come.
"Brother, you know me. I'm not willing to settle."
Tang Hao met Tang Xiao's gaze head on. He wasn't hiding anything.
But in his eyes, hatred burned fiercely.
"So, how much more are you keeping from me? What exactly do you plan to do? You should tell me everything now. If you don't, I won't agree to this."
"I'm not just your brother I'm also the sect master of the Clear Sky Clan."
Tang Xiao's voice was firm.
Did he hate Spirit Hall? Yes.
Did he hate Tang Hao? Also yes.
But Tang Hao was his brother. The only place he could direct his hatred was Spirit Hall.
Still, hatred alone wasn't enough to justify reckless action. He had the entire Clear Sky Clan behind him, and he had to be responsible for their survival.
"Fine. Then I'll tell you everything."
Tang Hao fell silent for two seconds, then looked at Tang Xiao.
"Tang San has someone beside him someone just like Ah Yin."
The moment he spoke, it was like a bomb went off.
"WHAT?"
Tang Xiao bolted to his feet. His gaze on Tang Hao completely changed.
His right hand even trembled slightly he wanted to punch this fool to death.
Was he trying to bring another calamity upon the Clear Sky Clan?!
Tang Yuehua was also stunned. Her mouth hung open Tang Hao had never mentioned this before.
"It has nothing to do with me! She transformed on her own and entered the human world, where she met Tang San."
Tang Hao hurriedly defended himself, then added:
"But I can conceal her aura no one has noticed."
Of course, he conveniently left out the fact that Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect already knew.
Tang Xiao let out a slow breath and sat back down, his expression unreadable.
"And what do you plan to do with her?"
"I… I don't know. I haven't told Tang San yet. I wanted to discuss it with you two first before deciding."
Tang Hao's brows furrowed tightly.
He genuinely didn't know what to do.
Having lived through his own tragedy, he should stop them. Killing Xiao Wu would be the best choice.
But precisely because of his own past, watching them grow closer softened his heart.
This wasn't just Tang San and Xiao Wu it was him and Ah Yin all over again.
So, he had been using his spirit ability to help mask Xiao Wu's aura, even disguising himself as a transformed spirit beast to help her hide.
He just… couldn't bring himself to do it.
He really, really couldn't.
A heavy silence settled over the room.
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