First Meeting with Xue Qinghe

After leaving Moonlight Pavilion, Lin Mu found a clean, spacious inn nearby and settled in.

Tang San had kept his brow furrowed the entire way, looking as though he had a great deal on his mind.

Seeing Tang San becoming somewhat withdrawn, Lin Mu took the initiative to break the silence. "Little San, if there's anything you want to ask, just say it."

Tang San raised his head to look at his Master, his eyes filled with confusion and a faint, barely noticeable gloom.

"Master, that Madam Yue... who exactly is she? She seemed to know my father."

"Her name is Tang Yuehua. She is your father's younger sister, so by seniority, you should call her Aunt."

After giving it some thought, Lin Mu answered frankly.

In truth, Tang San was no different from an orphan. He had never seen his mother growing up, while his father had always been indifferent toward him.

Even so, Tang San had still accepted that slovenly drunkard as his father. The ancient way of thinking had already taken deep root in him.

"Aunt?"

Tang San froze at once. The title was far too unfamiliar to him.

He had thought he had only one relative—his father, Tang Hao. Now, an aunt who was so graceful, noble, and elegant had suddenly appeared, and he found it difficult to accept for a moment.

What he found hardest to understand was why his father had treated him that way.

"Master, if Father has a sister with such status, why did he remain in Holy Soul Village? Why couldn't he even manage the basics of daily life? If not for Grandpa Jack's support..."

Tang San abruptly stopped there, his eyes full of doubt and a trace of long-buried grievance.

Before, Tang San had attributed everything to his father's lack of ability.

But now, it was clear that his father was far more than an ordinary blacksmith. He could obviously have given him a good life—at the very least, one where he did not need to worry about food and clothing.

Yet the reality was that his father seemed not to care about him at all.

Seeing this, Lin Mu sighed. Rather than explaining away Tang Hao's irresponsibility, he comforted him instead.

"Everyone has their own choices. Your father may have had his reasons, but that is no excuse for failing in his duties as a father. As for what is right and what is wrong, you must judge that for yourself."

As a father, Tang Hao had undoubtedly failed. No matter the reason, that fact could not be washed away.

However, Lin Mu would not directly slander Tang Hao. This concerned a crucial shift in Tang San's way of thinking. If he pushed too hard, it would only have the opposite effect.

"Yes, Master."

Tang San took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the bitterness in his heart.

Then Lin Mu changed the subject and casually asked, "What do you think of this aunt of yours?"

"Madam Yue—Aunt—has a noble bearing and treats people with grace and propriety. As the mistress of Moonlight Pavilion, her abilities must be considerable. And when she saw me, her feelings seemed genuine."

At this point, Tang San frowned slightly and continued, "It's just... she feels a little too smooth-tongued."

Lin Mu merely smiled noncommittally. For Tang Yuehua to establish herself among the nobles of Heaven Dou City, she was naturally no simple person.

There was even a rumor that she had an ambiguous relationship with Emperor Xue Ye, though no one knew whether it was true.

Elsewhere, while Tang Yuehua was preparing to ask someone to pull strings regarding Tang San and Xiao Wu's enrollment, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe happened to come to Moonlight Pavilion to pick up her younger sister, Xue Ke.

So, she directly invited Xue Qinghe into the VIP room, intending to ask her to help arrange their admission.

However, she deliberately concealed Tang San's true identity.

Even after so many years, Tang Hao's identity remained highly sensitive. If it were exposed, it would certainly cause a tremendous uproar.

"Since it is Madam Yue's request, of course there is no problem."

Xue Qinghe wore a gentle smile. To her, arranging for two people to study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy was merely a matter of a few words.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, there is someone who may be of use to you. He is only a little over twenty, yet his cultivation has already reached Soul Sage. In the future, he will surely be able to cultivate to Titled Douluo."

After careful consideration, Tang Yuehua chose to reveal Lin Mu's existence.

Due to Spirit Hall's suppression, Clear Sky Sect could only remain hidden from the world. Now that they had a powerful ally like Lin Mu, there was a good chance they would reemerge in the future.

And as the heir to the Heaven Dou Empire, if Xue Qinghe could make good use of Lin Mu, it would greatly benefit both Tang San's growth and Clear Sky Sect's eventual return to the world.

"A Soul Sage a little over twenty?"

The gentle smile on Xue Qinghe's face instantly froze, and a flash of disbelief gleamed in her eyes.

She possessed innate twentieth-rank Soul Power and considered her talent unmatched beneath heaven. Even though her heavy responsibilities had caused her to neglect cultivation somewhat, she was still beyond comparison with ordinary soul masters.

But!

Compared to this Soul Sage who was only a little over twenty, she fell short by far more than a little.

After a moment, Xue Qinghe suppressed her shock and returned to her usual composure, though her tone carried an unprecedented degree of seriousness.

"Madam Yue, what is this person's background? If he can be used by my Heaven Dou Empire, he will surely become a pillar of the nation!"

"My apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince, but I do not know his background either. However, among the two people seeking to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy, one is his disciple."

"I see."

Understanding dawned on Xue Qinghe, and a determined glint flashed through her eyes. She said earnestly, "How could we possibly let such talent slip away? I ask Madam Yue to introduce him to me."

"Very well. I will try to arrange it."

Tang Yuehua was not at all surprised by Xue Qinghe's reaction. Everything was going according to her plan.

Two days later, at Tang Yuehua's invitation, Lin Mu once again came to the elegant side hall of Moonlight Pavilion.

Besides Tang Yuehua, there was also a young person dressed in ordinary clothes, though their noble bearing was impossible to conceal.

"Mr. Lin Mu, this is His Highness the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe."

Tang Yuehua introduced her with a smile.

"It was Qinghe who presumptuously invited you here. I hope you will forgive the intrusion."

Xue Qinghe rose and cupped her hands in greeting. Her smile was as gentle as jade, entirely without arrogance, giving others the feeling of a spring breeze.

At the same time, she carefully assessed the young man before her, secretly startled. With her cultivation, she was actually unable to sense even his approximate level.

Just as Tang Yuehua had said, this man was at least a Soul Sage.

"Your Highness is too courteous."

Lin Mu returned the greeting with cupped hands. Though calm on the surface, his heart was roiling with shock.

He had thought Tang Yuehua had summoned him over the enrollment matter. He had not expected to encounter this "His Highness the Crown Prince."

"To have already reached the Soul Sage level at such a young age truly amazes Qinghe."

Xue Qinghe first offered a compliment before getting to the point. "Madam Yue told me that you intend to have your disciple study at Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

"That is correct." Lin Mu's expression remained calm.

"This is a simple matter. Qinghe will certainly see that it is properly arranged, so please rest assured."

At this point, Xue Qinghe paused, then suddenly invited him, "For a powerful Soul Master such as yourself, how about taking up a position as a senior instructor at the academy? You would not need to handle any tedious affairs—only occasionally offer the students some guidance."