Late at night, a few days later, in Moon Pavilion, Heaven Dou City.
Tang Yuehua sat by the top-floor window, gazing at the full moon in the sky, lost in thought.
The next second, two figures descended from the night, gliding past the eaves and landing directly at her window.
"Yuehua, are you well?" A familiar voice reached her ears.
Her body trembled, but confusion filled her eyes—she didn't recognize either of the two men before her.
Then, the tall man lifted his hand, tearing away the thin layer covering his temple.
"Second Brother, it really is you!" Tang Yuehua's eyes instantly welled with tears, joy flooding her face.
She threw herself into Tang Hao's arms, sobbing.
"!!?" Tang San was stunned.
Tang Hao's gaze softened slightly. He patted her back gently, then turned his head. "Call her Aunt."
Tang San froze. His father had never told him this trip was to see his aunt—nor even that he had an aunt. But knowing another blood relative stood right before him stirred his heart. He immediately bowed slightly.
"Greetings, Aunt."
"Ah." Tang Yuehua wiped her eyes, managing a faint smile. She stepped back, raising her head to look at Tang Hao's face, marked with age, and her heart ached.
"Yuehua, I came this time to ask for your help," Tang Hao said heavily.
"Come inside first. We'll sit and talk." Tang Yuehua glanced at Tang San and smiled.
She reached out, taking Tang San's hand, and led him toward the sofa inside. Tang Hao followed silently.
"Second Brother, the current situation outside is dire for you both," Tang Yuehua said as they sat. "Even the sect…" She sighed. "Big Brother had already convinced the elders to let Xiao San return to the sect, but after what happened…"
"I understand." Tang Hao's expression dimmed. "It's me who's brought trouble to the sect."
If the sect involved itself, Spirit Hall would have the perfect reason to strike against them. He knew full well why the sect had chosen to distance itself.
"Father, don't say that." Tang San quickly spoke up. "This was clearly Yang Yunhai's scheme to trap us."
"Oh?" Tang Yuehua frowned. "So there's another side to this?"
Tang San nodded, retelling the account he had given Tang Hao before, emphasizing how Yang Yunhai deliberately set a trap.
"Yang Yunhai is skilled in medicine. It wouldn't be hard for him to gather data on your martial soul and external bone in the tournament," Tang Yuehua admitted. "Clearly, this was a plan crafted by him and Dugu Bo to brand you as a fallen soul master. With the testimony of those struck by your Eight Spider Lances, the case is airtight."
"Now that Yang Yunhai has published theory after theory, his prestige is unmatched. Clearing your name will be even harder."
Hearing this, Tang San's rage boiled over. He couldn't tell them the Mysterious Heaven Technique was his creation—at his age, no one would believe it. All he could do was seethe, cheeks flushed with frustration.
"That Yang Yunhai is despicable!" he shouted.
"Complaining is useless now," Tang Hao said coolly. He turned to Tang Yuehua. "Yuehua, I want you to teach Xiao San for a while. Help him temper himself and hone his heart."
"Second Brother, you mean…" Tang Yuehua's eyes widened as she guessed.
Tang Hao gave a small nod. "Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. With me here, no one will harm him."
With that, he stood up. "I'll leave Xiao San to you. When he meets your standards, give him this map."
He tossed a rolled map onto the sofa beside her and turned to leave.
"Second Brother!" Tang Yuehua rose quickly, but Tang Hao had already leapt into the night and vanished.
"Aunt, Father…" Tang San looked at the map, his heart full of questions.
"Your father is still the same," Tang Yuehua sighed, shaking her head. "He wants me to teach you control and calm, but he never slows down himself."
She picked up the map and stored it away, then looked at Tang San solemnly. "Xiao San, the place your father wants you to go is extremely dangerous. Even he didn't leave it until the age of 28. If you can't meet my standards, I won't allow you to set foot there."
"I will not fail you," Tang San vowed.
"Good." Tang Yuehua nodded. "But for now, you must stay in Moon Pavilion as a guard. With your mask, your sudden presence is suspicious. Guard the rear courtyard—there you'll live, and there I'll train you. Also, spies are watching Moon Pavilion. Be careful. Do not leave unless absolutely necessary."
"I understand." Tang San nodded. He wasn't stupid—he knew his father brought him here at night for this reason. Tang Yuehua's identity meant the sect and Spirit Hall would both keep close watch.
"I'll fetch guard clothing for you. Wash and change, then I'll show you your quarters," Tang Yuehua said with a smile as she rose and headed for the stairs.
Meanwhile, Tang Hao had changed clothes and was already walking the streets of Heaven Dou. He rented a hotel room near Yunhai Academy.
Before acting, he needed to study the academy's defenses.
That night, he soared high into the clouds, using the mist to conceal himself as he gazed down at the academy below.
A quick survey made his brow furrow. The good news: the academy had only expanded its outer area. The core layout was still almost identical to Shrek Academy, which he knew well. The bad news: the forest house once used by Liu Erlong had been replaced by a new three-story building—Yang Yunhai's residence. It was deep in the woods, hard to approach.
And even if he got close, how could he seize Yang Yunhai under Dugu Bo's nose?
'I'll have to wait until he leaves the academy.'
With that thought, he departed.
A few days later, at dawn, in the academy's back mountain—
"Zhuqing, Yan Yan, today we should visit Xue'er. Are you two coming?" Yang Yunhai asked.
"Of course," Dugu Yan answered without hesitation. "This is when Sister Xue needs us most."
"Then let's all go together," Yang Yunhai smiled, dressing as he spoke.
Soon, a luxurious carriage pulled up at the academy gate. Yang Yunhai, Dugu Yan, and Zhu Zhuqing boarded with Dugu Bo, heading toward the palace.
Tang Hao, watching from afar, narrowed his eyes.
'They've all left. That means the house is empty. Four people, three floors—there must be unused rooms. I could slip in, find Yang Yunhai's quarters from his belongings, and wait. At night, when all are asleep, I can strike. No plants inside—his abilities will be useless.'
With that, he moved toward the academy's far wall, vaulted over it, and darted into the forest.
As he passed through the tall trees, his foot brushed a thin wire hidden in the bark.
Inside, Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly frowned, hearing a faint chime. He leapt to his feet and shut the door behind him.
"Someone triggered the tree-line alarm," Ghost Douluo said, pressing a panel of warning switches on the wall.
"Into the bedroom," Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes narrowed. "I want to see who's so bold in broad daylight."
"Right." Ghost Douluo nodded.
The two vanished into the inner chamber.
(End of Chapter)
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