"Why?"
Tang San stared dumbly at his father's stern face. Tang Hao's words didn't sound like a joke—which only deepened his confusion.
Tang Hao's eyes were cold as steel. "Xiao San. Burn this into your heart. The Spirit Hall… is our enemy."
Subei opened his mouth immediately, ready to tear into Tang Hao's sudden declaration. But then his lips curved back into silence. A good word might persuade a man… but not a ghost blinded by hate. Better to wait.
Tang San's brows furrowed. "…Enemy? Spirit Hall is our enemy? Why? From what I've seen after months there, it doesn't look like that. The order is strict, the atmosphere clear. Everyone works hard—"
"Shut your mouth."
Tang Hao's bark cut him, stern and absolute. His eyes softened for only a moment before turning flinty again. "It's not for you to understand yet. Just know this: as long as you live, you must stand opposite Spirit Hall. Not beside them. The reason… I'll tell you when you are strong enough to bear it. Until then—ask less. Obey more."
Tang San's throat closed. He swallowed hard. The fire in his chest dimmed, replaced with obedient silence.
"…Then, Dad, you came here to… take me away?"
Tang Hao exhaled heavily, voice low. "Yes. From the moment you left Saint Soul Village, I shadowed you. I followed you through Notting College, through Lanba Academy… I scarcely believed it when you fell into Spirit Hall's clutch. Every day I searched for an opening to bring you away. Tonight, when the Titan Ape clashed with Bibi Dong, the opportunity came. I seized it."
Tang San's eyes blurred. His chest tightened with a wave of raw relief. So Dad didn't abandon me all along, didn't sink into despair as he pretended. He was watching, protecting… always there.
His father was not decadent—it had only been a mask.
Tang Hao, however, sighed inwardly, full of bitterness. Had Yu Xiaogang been your teacher, at least it aligned with my path—both hated Spirit Hall. Our purposes would coincide. Why… why insist on following this child, Subei?
He had even believed, after Tang San went to Lanba and met Liu Erlong, perhaps Yu Xiaogang had given the boy to his old love to guide. But then Bibi Dong swept in personally, dragging his son into the Pope's Palace itself. No pattern made sense anymore.
And now here was Subei—a boy too dazzling, too dangerously attractive, and impossibly favored by Spirit Hall.
With a snap, Tang Hao kicked wet soil onto the fire, suffocating the flames.
Tang San blinked. "…Dad? What are you doing? Aren't beasts and insects still prowling? The fire drives them off, doesn't it?"
Tang Hao shook his head. "We can't risk it. Spirit Hall is combing all roads, soul masters stationed at every pass around this forest. Every spark, every flicker, may catch their eyes. This flame comforted you while you slept—now, it must die so you may live."
He looked then toward Subei, studying him openly. Admiration warred against suspicion across his rough features.
"You're a strange one, boy. Spirit Hall has always been madness itself over hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. Yet when the Titan raged, Bibi Dong didn't pursue it, didn't gamble for its ring. Instead, she poured all of her power into securing you."
Subei tilted his head calmly. "Strange, isn't it. So why not just take Xiao San? Why bother dragging me out too? Do you enjoy trouble?"
Tang Hao chuckled faintly. "…Because you look too good."
"…"
Tang San blinked. Subconsciously, he pressed a hand to his forehead. Teacher is… targeted for his face?
Tang Hao wasn't done. He admitted inwardly to himself—he'd acted on impulse. When he saw this impossibly beautiful child shining brighter than the Spirit Hall's stars, he hadn't thought rationally. He had just taken him along. But now that I have? I don't regret it. His heart was oddly warmed.
"I've never seen such a child, a beauty like heaven's own favor," Tang Hao muttered. His gaze weighed Subei with sincerity. "If you are truly Xiao San's teacher, then fine. Stay with him. Share your knowledge. I'll guard your lives. Both of you will grow strong beneath my shadow."
Subei raised a brow. "Do I mind? Of course I do. Think—why would I leave? I have a jade pillow, mink quilts, delicacies every day. Women beckoning like spring blossoms. That's Spirit Hall. And you want me to follow you—crawl through mountains, stink in the mud, suffer in cold? You think I'm stupid?"
Tang Hao threw back his head and laughed. "Little one, do you know why I can still shake Bibi Dong, even though my level has long since stopped short of hers? It's because they—all of Spirit Hall—have grown too comfortable. Soft with gold, weak from velvet. I have only iron mountains and brutal nights. That is the difference."
Subei nearly spat. Bro, it's not about willpower, it's about cheat-like plug-ins. A sacrificial hundred-thousand-year soul ring, Xumi Hammer, fried-ring tricks… You're a walking bag of exploits. Don't pretend it was all rough camping nights!
Then Subei's eyes sharpened, his tone gloriously sarcastic.
"Since ancient times, father teaches son, teacher guides disciple. But your son bowed to me. So tell me, Senior Tang Hao—when did fathers get to argue with Masters?"
Tang Hao's breath caught.
"This boy is tied to my sect, my Sumen. If he obeys, he is mine. If he defies the rules, ties are cut. That's the way."
Then he leaned back, voice casual yet laced with defiance.
"Besides, my Pope, my sister, my godmother—they're all waiting for me in Spirit Hall. Why would I suffer with you outside? I'm going back. Tonight or another. Even if it's decadent velvet, I prefer it to starving."
Tang Hao bristled and barked a short laugh, grudging admiration in his eyes.
And Tang San stood frozen between them—eyes flicking from father to teacher, loyalty chained on both sides.
Subei turned to him finally, gaze level, voice calm—formal.
"Xiao San. Decide. If you walk with your father—then go. If you remain as my disciple—you walk back with me. Sumen accepts no half-hearted oaths. Teachers and disciples must keep faith, or we cut ties. Your choice defines the rest of your life."
The bonfire was dead, but its ashes glowed faint red. The night wind howled.
Caught between father and teacher, Tang San's heart beat like thunder.
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