After leaving Yuexuan, Lin Mu found a clean and spacious inn nearby. Throughout the journey back, Tang San's brows remained furrowed, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Noticing his disciple's withdrawn demeanor, Lin Mu broke the silence. "Little San, if you have something on your mind, just ask."
Tang San looked up at his Master, his eyes filled with confusion and a hint of lingering melancholy. "Master... that Madam Yue... who exactly is she? She seemed to know my father quite well."
"Her name is Tang Yuehua. She is your father's younger sister. By seniority, you should call her Aunt," Lin Mu answered frankly.
Tang San was immediately stunned. The title was entirely foreign to him. He had spent his entire life believing he had only one living relative: his father, Tang Hao. The sudden appearance of such a graceful, noble aunt was difficult to reconcile with the memory of his slovenly, alcoholic father.
What hurt him most, however, was the realization of what his childhood could have been.
"Aunt?" Tang San murmured, his eyes reflecting a long-buried grievance. "Master... if my father has a sister of such status and influence, why did we live like that in Holy Spirit Village? Why did he barely manage to feed us? If it weren't for Old Jack's help..."
He stopped abruptly, unable to finish. Before today, Tang San had attributed their poverty to his father's lack of ability as a simple village blacksmith. But now he realized his father was no ordinary man. Tang Hao could have provided him with a life of luxury, yet he chose to let his son grow up in squalor and neglect.
Lin Mu sighed. He didn't intend to make excuses for Tang Hao's failures as a parent. "Everyone makes their own choices. Your father may have had his reasons, but that is no justification for the dereliction of his duty to you. As for right and wrong, you will have to judge that for yourself when you have the full story."
"I understand, Master," Tang San said, taking a deep breath to suppress the bitterness in his heart.
Lin Mu shifted the topic. "What did you think of her?"
"Madam Yuehua possesses a noble air; she is elegant and poised. As the Master of Yuexuan, her social abilities are clearly exceptional. When she looked at me... her emotions felt genuine." Tang San paused, then added, "It's just... she seems a bit too adept at 'smooth-talking' the elite."
Lin Mu smiled. Tang Yuehua had established herself in the cutthroat noble circles of Heaven Dou City; she was naturally no ordinary woman.
Meanwhile, back at Yuexuan, Tang Yuehua was planning to secure enrollment for Tang San and Xiao Wu when Crown Prince Xue Qinghe arrived to pick up his younger sister, Xue Ke. Taking the opportunity, she invited the Crown Prince to a private VIP room.
She deliberately concealed Tang San's true lineage. Even after all these years, Tang Hao's name was a lightning rod for trouble. If the Heaven Dou Imperial Family learned a scion of the Clear Sky Sect was in the city, it would cause a diplomatic earthquake.
"Since it is Madam Yuehua's request, I see no reason to refuse," Xue Qinghe said with a gentle, perfect smile. For the Crown Prince, arranging enrollment at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was a trivial matter.
"Your Highness, I have another request. There is someone I believe might be of great use to you," Tang Yuehua said, choosing to reveal Lin Mu's existence. "This man is only in his early twenties, yet his cultivation has already reached the Soul Saint level. He is guaranteed to become a Titled Douluo in the future."
"A Soul Saint in his early twenties?"
Xue Qinghe's gentle smile froze. A glint of shock flashed in his eyes. Behind the disguise, Qian Renxue, who possessed Innate Level 20 Soul Power, considered herself the pinnacle of talent. Yet, compared to a Soul Saint in his early twenties, even her progress seemed sluggish.
Suppressing his shock, Xue Qinghe regained his composure. "Madam Yuehua, what is this person's background? A talent of that caliber would be a pillar of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"I do not know his origin, Your Highness. However, one of the students I wish to enroll is his direct disciple."
"I see." Xue Qinghe's eyes sharpened with determination. "Such a talent cannot be overlooked. Madam Yuehua, please introduce us."
Two days later, at Tang Yuehua's invitation, Lin Mu returned to Yuexuan. In the elegant side hall stood a young man in noble attire, radiating an undeniable aura of authority.
"Mr. Lin Mu, allow me to introduce His Highness, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe," Tang Yuehua said.
"It is I who have taken the liberty of inviting you. I hope you will forgive the intrusion," Xue Qinghe said, stepping forward and cupping his hands. His smile was warm, giving the impression of a spring breeze.
As he spoke, he surreptitiously observed Lin Mu. He was startled to find that, despite his own high cultivation, he could not sense the limits of Lin Mu's power. This man was indeed at least a Soul Saint.
"Your Highness is too kind," Lin Mu replied, returning the greeting. While he appeared calm, he was wary. He hadn't expected to run into the 'Crown Prince' so soon.
"To reach the Soul Saint level at such a young age is truly miraculous," Xue Qinghe said, getting straight to the point. "Madam Yuehua mentions you wish for your disciple to study at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"That is correct."
"The matter is settled; I will personally see to their proper arrangement," Xue Qinghe promised. He paused, then extended a sudden invitation. "A Soul Master of your caliber would be a prestigious addition to the academy's faculty. If you are willing, I would like to invite you to serve as a Senior Teacher. You would not be burdened by administrative trifles, your only duty would be to guide the most promising students at your own discretion."