"Hmph! You're such a disappointment."
Watching Ye Qiu's anxious expression, Tang Hao spoke with a trace of disdain.
But he had other thoughts on his mind.
Although this kid really wasn't much to write home about right now,
he had Innate Full Soul Power!
Only a dozen or so people like that had appeared in a hundred years. This kid's Martial Soul might even be a Mutated Martial Soul.
At the thought,
Tang Hao couldn't help sneering inwardly.
Those useless fools at Spirit Hall were as incompetent as ever!
They'd left this uncut gem for his Clear Sky Sect.
With some proper cultivation,
he could become a great help to his son as he returned to the Clear Sky Sect and rose to the pinnacle!
Even if his son was a little strange,
when people saw him, they'd still attribute his strength to the words "Clear Sky."
"How am I a disappointment?!"
Hearing Tang Hao's words, Ye Qiu immediately scrunched up his face and protested.
Let's see if you still say that after I pull your wife out!
"I don't steal or rob. I keep my nose clean and earn money through my own hard work. What's wrong with that?!"
"..."
Tang San couldn't help frowning beside them.
"Hmph!"
Ye Qiu snorted, glaring at Tang Hao in defiance and returning his disdainful look.
"But you, Uncle Haozi—you've got two good hands and two good feet, yet you can't even cough up a dozen or so coppers. You even make your son, Xiao San, wait on you. You're an even bigger disappointment than me."
"Ye Qiu!"
Tang San frowned deeply.
Although Ye Qiu was telling the truth, Tang San still felt he was insulting Tang Hao!
"Xiao San, don't you know how to do something about him?"
After finishing with Tang Hao, Ye Qiu couldn't help complaining to Tang San as well, sounding as if he felt sorry for him.
"I..."
Tang San froze, at a loss for words.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about doing something, but Tang Hao stayed home and didn't wander around. That was the best arrangement for Tang San.
That way, he could leave to cultivate without worry.
"It's only a dozen or so coppers!"
Tang Hao's expression darkened slightly, but he wasn't about to pick a fight with a kid who hadn't even grown his first whiskers.
When his identity was revealed,
that brat before him would naturally respect him like a god!
At this,
Ye Qiu immediately put on a smile.
He asked happily, "So Uncle Haozi means I can get paid now?"
"What does money matter?"
Tang Hao's eyes brimmed with contempt.
He smacked his lips, swallowed the mouthful of fodder, then turned to Tang San.
"Xiao San, look after him at school. Make sure no one bullies him. Consider it repayment for the money."
"Father, I understand."
Tang San nodded obediently.
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes in resignation, realizing he'd been happy for nothing.
He couldn't help pursing his lips. "Tch! We're both useless Martial Souls with Innate Full Soul Power. Who looks after whom remains to be seen."
"Heh."
Tang Hao smiled and looked at Tang San, reminding him, "When you get the chance, look after him a few times. Make him owe us instead."
"Mm, I will."
Tang San nodded slightly and glanced at Ye Qiu, amused.
How could you possibly know everything about yourself?
"So I can't get the money back."
Ye Qiu sighed helplessly.
Was there something wrong with this father and son? Couldn't they look after him after giving him the money?
Did they really think he didn't know about the Clear Sky Hammer?
Hmph!
If he got the chance, he'd make Ah Yin pay them back in full!
"Enough, quit looking so miserable! Here, take it back!"
Tang Hao picked through the candies, ate the ones that tasted like grass, then returned the rest to Ye Qiu.
"Thanks for sparing them, Uncle Haozi."
Ye Qiu wasn't about to waste them. He pulled himself together and took his candy back.
He didn't dwell on it.
He took the wine gourd hanging from his waist.
"Uncle Haozi, I'm going to school. You're the only one who likes this wine, so I'll give it to you."
"Heh, at least you know what you're doing."
Tang Hao reached out his hand and took it without hesitation.
Ye Qiu's mouth twitched.
It was something he'd have thrown away anyway. He might as well pour it into a slop bucket.
That saved him from having to carry it any farther.
"Xiao San, Xiao Qiu, it's about time we set off."
Old Jack glared fiercely at Tang Hao.
Tang Hao narrowed his eyes, said nothing, and tipped his head back to drink the watery horse piss. Then he stood and went back into the inner room.
"Father."
Tang San watched Tang Hao's retreating figure and murmured to himself.
Old Jack comforted him. "All right, Xiao San. Don't be so reluctant to leave your drunkard of a father. You can still come back later. Xiao Qiu, let's go."
"Sure thing, Grandpa Jack!"
Ye Qiu grabbed his little bundle and hurried after him.
Tang San had just taken a step toward the door when Tang Hao's voice came from inside.
"Xiao San, remember what I told you. Protect the grass, and look out for each other."
"Father, Xiao San will remember!"
With that, Tang San followed Ye Qiu, gazing at his back in thought.
Why had Father stressed that he should look after Ye Qiu?
Up ahead, Ye Qiu pursed his lips.
What did he mean, protect the grass?
He'd just been using the grass to hide the hammer all along.
When Tang Hao saw the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, he'd probably barely reacted, thinking it was useless. But the moment he saw the Clear Sky Hammer, his voice had gone hoarse with emotion, and he'd exclaimed, "My good son!"
He loved that grass so much,
yet it wasn't until the hammer appeared that he remembered to love it.
As for looking out for each other, Ye Qiu didn't dare count on Tang San for anything.
What if he stole something from him one day?
He'd even steal from the Tang Sect that had raised him.
What could Ye Qiu expect from a mere friendship between boys from the same village or classmates at the same school?
He'd be lucky if Tang San didn't loot his pockets.
Ye Qiu was clearheaded: his own strength was what mattered most!
With his bundle on his back, Ye Qiu set out.
Notting City lay at the border between two empires and was also adjacent to the Star Dou Great Forest.
It was where all three converged.
In other words, it was a convenient place to flee from.
Otherwise, Tang Hao wouldn't have brought Tang San here to live in seclusion for so many years.
For ordinary people, communication basically relied on shouting, public safety on dogs, and transportation on walking.
Most people didn't have any means of transport.
Fortunately,
Holy Soul Village wasn't far from Notting City.
After half a day's journey, they finally saw the city's thick walls.
Along the way,
Old Jack told them plenty about Soul Masters.
Ye Qiu knew most of it by heart, while Tang San listened with keen interest.
Though Notting City wasn't a large city,
it wasn't far from the border, so routine checks at the city gate were unavoidable.
"Once I've taken you two little ones to the academy, don't go wandering around. When the school term's over, Grandpa Jack will come get you!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Jack!" ×2
"Mm, let's go!"
Old Jack felt a little helpless. A city was a city, after all, and prices were high. Ordinary people like them couldn't afford to stay in an inn. He had to hurry back, too.
Under the blazing sun, after asking for directions several times,
the three of them finally arrived at Notting Academy, located on the west side of Notting City.
The academy's main entrance was a tall archway, with a large gilt sign bearing the words "Notting Academy" above it. An iron fence surrounded the grounds.
There weren't many people by the entrance under the blazing sun.
There were only two gatekeepers.
"Stop!"
As soon as they approached, one of the arrogant gatekeepers shouted them to a halt.
"Unauthorized visitors aren't allowed in. This isn't a place for country bumpkins like you."
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