Chapter 33: The Broken-Backed Dog Tang Xiao
The next morning, Tang Hao, his hair wild like a bird's nest, came looking for Tang Xiao. He said, "Brother, I've decided to give up. I'm returning to the Clear Sky Sect to inherit the family estate."
Tang Xiao smiled faintly, patting his brother's shoulder. "It's good you've come to your senses. One day, I'll introduce you to a good woman."
"Yes, Brother," Tang Hao replied blankly.
After breakfast, Ah Yin and Tang Xiao prepared to continue their travels, while Tang Hao would return to the sect. Before parting ways, Tang Xiao decided to walk him a little farther.
The three went together until they reached a lonely fork in the road, where not a soul could be seen for miles.
Ah Yin and Tang Xiao walked hand in hand. Ah Yin was obviously delighted by the news of Tang Hao's departure, happily chatting about which cities they might visit next.
Behind them, Tang Hao's expression grew colder with every step.
Ah Yin, I haven't even left yet, and you're already this joyful? You despise me that much? This isn't how you were in the past life… It must be Tang Xiao. He's bewitched you somehow.
"How about we visit Vast Sea City?" Tang Xiao suggested after some thought. "I've heard the seafood there is delicious. What do you think, Ah Yin?"
"Sure," she said cheerfully. "I'll cook for you when we get there. Something really special."
"You won't be making that 'Plenty of Fish' dish again, will you?" Tang Xiao teased.
Ah Yin giggled. "Of course not! That's not the only thing I can cook. I'll make something just for you—something no one else will ever get to taste."
"Haha, then I'm truly blessed."
Quietly, without anyone noticing, a Clear Sky Hammer appeared in Tang Hao's hand.
With every step he took forward, another spirit ring flared beneath his feet.
"After that, we could visit Gengxin City, the City of Blacksmiths," Tang Xiao continued, oblivious. "Once we're there, I can forge a soft armor for you myself—something to protect you."
"Thank you, Brother Xiao," she said gently.
As Tang Xiao went on about their plans, a violent surge of soul power suddenly burst behind him.
"Great Sumeru Hammer!" came a furious roar that had been bottled up for far too long.
Tang Xiao turned around—just in time to see an immense hammer crashing toward him with overwhelming might.
He barely had time to raise his defense before the hammer struck his back with bone-shattering force.
"Ah—!"
There was a sickening crack. Under the impact of Tang Hao's catastrophic strike, Tang Xiao's spine was completely pulverized. His body flew through the air like a rag doll before crashing heavily into the ground.
Ah Yin froze in shock. Tang Hao stood there, eyes crimson, chest heaving, still holding the hammer mid-swing.
"Hao… why?" Tang Xiao gasped, blood spilling from his mouth. He tried to stand but found he couldn't move—his spine was shattered. Paralysis set in.
He, Tang Xiao, a Soul Douluo capable of reaching the Title Douluo rank within a few years—perhaps even his grandfather's near-limit realm—was now ruined. The realization was unbearable.
Tang Hao laughed bitterly. "Haha! My dear brother—you took my woman, took everything that was supposed to be mine—and you still ask me why?"
"Silence! I am not your woman!" Ah Yin cried, snapping back to reality. She rushed to Tang Xiao's side and instantly began checking his injuries. When her hand brushed the broken bones of his spine, her face went pale. Channeling her Blue Silver Emperor's power, she poured healing energy into him, trying desperately to ease his pain.
The sight stabbed deeper into Tang Hao's heart. His blood-colored pupils dilated; steam hissed from his nostrils as fury boiled over. Throwing down the Clear Sky Hammer, he spread his arms, his bronzed muscles bulging, striking his chest in rage as he howled to the sky.
"Why?! Why is it always him in your eyes, Ah Yin? Even now, when he's nothing more than a cripple, you still won't look at me. We're the ones who should be together! Why?!"
"There's no 'why,'" Ah Yin said coldly. "I never liked you. From the first time we met, I knew it. I was right all along. You're a beast—striking your own brother like this."
Then she turned tenderly toward Tang Xiao. "From the first moment I saw you, Brother Xiao, I loved you deeply. Even now, even if you're crippled because of this monster, I'll stay by your side for the rest of my life."
"Ah Yin…" Tang Xiao's pain seemed to fade. Tears filled his eyes as he gazed at her lovingly.
That image cut into Tang Hao's chest like a hot blade. He forced himself to breathe steadily. "I don't know what spell my brother cast on you, Ah Yin, but you are mine. You always will be mine. I don't care if I can't win your heart—I'll have your body first. Then your heart will follow."
Step by step, he closed in on her.
"What… what are you doing?" Ah Yin's voice trembled.
Without another word, Tang Hao lunged. With terrifying precision, he sealed her soul power and grabbed her. Just as he was about to leave, a hand clutched at his ankle.
"Let her go!" Tang Xiao shouted from the ground, his voice full of rage.
"Let me go!" Ah Yin struggled in Tang Hao's grasp.
Tang Hao kicked his brother's hand away and strode off, dragging Ah Yin with him.
Behind them, Tang Xiao lay crawling weakly across the dirt, his voice breaking.
"Tang Hao! Stop! Give Ah Yin back!"
Eternal Shrine, God Realm
In a chamber of endless white light, Huo Yuhao closed the Eternal Chronicle. Glancing toward Douluo Continent, he saw every brutal moment play out—a deranged man, a broken brother, and a terrified woman. He smiled coldly. "What a story this is. Before boundless greed, even pure love must yield, mustn't it?"
Elsewhere, in the Asura God Temple—
The Asura God had just finished handling divine affairs. When he returned and opened his divine sight, he froze.
What just happened? His whole face turned blank.
According to his script, Tang Xiao was supposed to be out of the picture once Tang Hao left Slaughter City. Ah Yin was meant to fall for Tang Hao; together they'd conceive a son, whose body his "precious successor" would later occupy. Tang Hao would be the guardian, while Ah Yin, the soul beast mother, would dutifully sacrifice herself for love, paving the way for the divine inheritance.
But the script had gone wildly off course. When the three met, Ah Yin had fallen for Tang Xiao instead. Still, that wasn't a complete failure—Tang Xiao was talented enough to be the father of his chosen vessel. Tang Hao could stand guard outside; once the child was born, he would protect him and later serve as a sacrifice to open the way for his heir's ascension. A reasonable plan.
Never, never did he expect Tang Hao to snap—to shatter his brother's spine and abduct Ah Yin on the spot.
The Asura God stared wordlessly into the void, completely dumbfounded.
Wasn't loving her supposed to mean letting her go?
(END CHAPTER)
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