Neither Stealing Nor Robbing

"Hmph! Look at how pathetic you are."

Seeing Ye Qiu's anxious appearance, Tang Hao's tone carried a hint of disdain.

Yet he had other thoughts in his heart.

Although this brat truly had little promise right now, he possessed Innate Full Soul Power!

Only a dozen or so had appeared in a hundred years. This brat's martial soul might very well be a mutated martial soul.

At that thought, Tang Hao could not help sneering inwardly.

Those fools at Spirit Hall really were as incompetent as ever!

They had left this uncut jade to his Clear Sky Sect.

With proper cultivation, he could become support for Tang San's return to Clear Sky and rise to the very pinnacle!

Even if his son was somewhat strange, when the world saw him, they would only attribute his strength to the name "Clear Sky."

"How am I pathetic?!"

Hearing Tang Hao's words, Ye Qiu immediately scrunched up his little face in displeasure.

Believe it or not, I'll uproot your wife!!

"I neither steal nor rob. I earn money honestly through my own ability—what's wrong with that?!"

"..."

Tang San could not help frowning from the side.

"Hmph!"

Ye Qiu gave a cold snort, shooting Tang Hao an unconvinced glance and returning that bit of disdain right back to him.

"Look at you, Uncle Haozi. You've got hands and feet, yet you can't even come up with a dozen copper coins. You still need Little San, your son, to serve you. You're even more pathetic than I am."

"Ye Qiu!"

Tang San's brows furrowed deeply.

Although what Ye Qiu said was true, Tang San still felt that it was an insult toward Tang Hao!

"Little San, you don't even know to find a way to teach him a lesson."

After criticizing Tang Hao, Ye Qiu could not help complaining to Tang San as well, his words carrying a sense of indignation on Tang San's behalf.

"I..."

Tang San froze for a moment, left speechless.

It was not that he had never considered teaching him a lesson, but Tang Hao staying at home and not wandering around was what suited him best.

That way, he could leave home to train without worry.

"It's only a dozen or so copper coins!"

Tang Hao's face darkened slightly, but he was not about to argue with a child whose hair had not even fully grown in.

Once his identity was exposed, this brat before him would naturally revere him like a god!

At those words, a smile immediately appeared on Ye Qiu's face.

He asked happily, "Does that mean you can settle the bill, Uncle Haozi?"

"What is money worth?"

Tang Hao's eyes were filled with deep disdain.

Smacking his lips as he swallowed the fodder in his mouth, he turned to Tang San.

"Little San, look after him more once you get to the academy, so he doesn't get bullied. Consider it repayment for the money."

"Dad, I understand."

Tang San nodded obediently.

Ye Qiu rolled his eyes helplessly, suddenly feeling that his happiness had been for nothing.

He could not help curling his lips. "Tch! We both have useless martial souls with Innate Full Soul Power. Who'll be looking after whom is still uncertain."

"Heh."

Tang Hao chuckled, then looked at Tang San and instructed him:

"When you get the chance, look after him a few more times. Make him owe us instead."

"Mm, I will."

Tang San nodded slightly and glanced at Ye Qiu, inwardly amused.

How could you possibly know everything about yourself?

"Looks like I can't get it back."

Ye Qiu let out a helpless sigh.

Was there something wrong with this Tang father-and-son pair? Since they had taken his money, couldn't they at least look out for him?

Did they really think he didn't know about the Clear Sky Hammer?

Hmph!

If he got the chance, he'd make Ah Yin take it all back!

"Alright, stop looking so miserable! Here, take them back!"

After picking through them and eating the grass-flavored ones, Tang Hao returned the remaining candies to Ye Qiu.

"Thank you for showing mercy, Uncle Haozi."

Ye Qiu wasn't about to waste them. Pulling himself together, he accepted his candies.

He didn't dwell on it any further.

He took the wine gourd hanging at his waist.

"Uncle Haozi, I'm going off to school. You're the only one who likes this wine, so you can have it."

"Heh, at least you know how to behave."

Tang Hao stretched out his large hand and took it without the slightest politeness.

Ye Qiu tugged at the corner of his mouth.

He had been going to throw it away anyway; he might as well treat it as dumping it into a slop bucket.

It even saved him from having to carry it any farther.

"Little San, Xiao Qiu, it's about time we set off."

Old Jack shot Tang Hao a fierce glare.

Tang Hao narrowed his eyes but said nothing. Tilting back his head, he drank the bland horse urine, then rose and returned to the inner room.

"Dad."

Tang San looked at Tang Hao's retreating back and muttered to himself.

Old Jack comforted him, "Alright, Little San, don't be so reluctant to leave your drunkard father. You can still come back in the future. Xiao Qiu, come on, let's go."

"Alright, Grandpa Jack!"

With his small bundle on his back, Ye Qiu hurriedly followed.

Just as Tang San stepped toward the door, Tang Hao's voice came from inside the house.

"Little San, remember what I told you. Protect the grass, and look after each other."

"Dad, Little San will remember!"

After saying that, Tang San followed after Ye Qiu, gazing thoughtfully at his back.

Why had Father specifically emphasized that he should look after Ye Qiu?

Walking ahead, Ye Qiu pursed his lips.

What protecting the grass?

He had clearly been using the grass to conceal the hammer all along.

When Tang Hao saw the Blue Silver Grass martial soul, he must have had a completely flat reaction, thinking it was useless. But the moment he saw the Clear Sky Hammer, he became choked with emotion and declared, "That's my good son!"

He loved that grass so much, yet he had waited until the hammer appeared before remembering to show that love.

As for looking after each other, Ye Qiu didn't dare expect anything from Tang San.

What if one day he started stealing from him?

He could even steal from the Tang Sect that had raised him.

Let alone someone who was merely from the same village and school.

It would already be good enough if Tang San didn't loot his bag.

Ye Qiu was very clear-headed: having strength himself was what mattered most!

Ye Qiu hoisted his luggage onto his back and set out on the road.

Notting City lay at the border between the two great empires and also neighbored the Star Dou Great Forest.

It was where all three territories met.

In other words, it was a very convenient place to make a getaway.

Otherwise, Tang Hao would not have brought Tang San here to live in seclusion for so many years.

At the economic level of commoners, communication basically relied on shouting, public safety basically relied on dogs, and transportation basically relied on walking.

Most people had no means of transport at all.

Fortunately, Holy Soul Village was not far from Notting City.

After spending more than half a day on the road, they finally caught sight of Notting City's solid walls.

Along the way, Old Jack told them quite a bit about soul masters.

Ye Qiu was already familiar with most of it, but Tang San listened with great interest.

Although Notting City was not a major city, it was not far from the border, so routine inspections were mandatory when entering through the city gates.

"You two little ones, I'll take you to the academy in a moment. Once you're there, don't wander around. When the term ends, Grandpa Jack will come pick you up!"

"Thank you, Grandpa Jack!" ×2

"Mm, let's go!"

Old Jack was somewhat helpless as well. A city was still a city, after all—the prices were high, and commoners like them could not afford to stay at any inn. He had to hurry back as soon as possible.

Under the blazing sun, after asking for directions several times, the three of them finally arrived at Notting Academy, located on the western side of Notting City.

Notting Academy's main entrance was a tall archway. Above it hung a large gilded plaque bearing the words "Notting Academy," while iron fences surrounded the area.

There was hardly anyone at the entrance under the scorching sun.

Only two gatekeepers were there.

"Stop!"

As soon as they approached, one arrogant gatekeeper shouted and stopped Ye Qiu's group.

"No unauthorized people allowed. This isn't a place for country bumpkins like you."

Ye Qiu pursed his lips.

That attitude was already starting to make him angry.

Wishing everyone a pleasant life!