Joining the Tang Sect

"Why?"

Upon hearing Wu Zhangkong's icy voice, Tang Wulin unusually did not agree with him. Instead, he questioned him.

Looking at the stubborn Tang Wulin, Wu Zhangkong stared at him for a long time before slowly saying, "If word of this gets out, it could severely damage the Tang Sect's reputation if exploited by those with ulterior motives."

As the number one arms dealer on Douluo Continent, safety and reliability had always been the foundation and hallmark of the Tang Sect.

As one of the Tang Sect's most important projects, Hero Hall had incorporated all of the Tang Sect's finest technologies from its inception to its completion.

If news of Hero Hall's system malfunction spread, those jealous of the Tang Sect's business would certainly make a big issue of it to attack the Tang Sect.

So, for the Tang Sect's ten-thousand-year reputation, he had to make Tang Wulin and the others keep this matter to themselves.

"But, but... is the Tang Sect's reputation really more important than a living human life?"

Tang Wulin clenched his fists and demanded bitterly.

Wu Zhangkong was left speechless. After a long silence, he finally said, "Wulin, I once believed, just like you, that life was above all else."

"But when you grow up, you'll understand that this world isn't like that."

"Sometimes, in order to protect certain things, we have to sacrifice other things."

"But..."

Tang Wulin had just wanted to continue arguing when Wu Zhangkong cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Wulin, I know what you want to say, but have you considered the consequences if the Tang Sect's reputation is damaged?"

"Do you know that although the Tang Sect is the continent's leading arms dealer, it has never forgotten its original purpose? It has always regarded protecting peace on the continent as its duty."

"If not for the Tang Sect's secret support and restraint, the Federation would have long since launched wars against the other two continents."

"Once war begins, countless lives will be lost, and ordinary people will be displaced from their homes."

"So sometimes, to protect certain things, we have no choice but to make sacrifices."

Wu Zhangkong's sorrowful expression left Tang Wulin unsure of how to react, and he instinctively looked toward Xie Xie.

With a grave expression, Xie Xie patted Tang Wulin's shoulder and comforted him. "Teacher Wu is right. Sometimes, to protect certain things, we have no choice but to sacrifice other things."

Born into a prominent local family in East Sea, no matter how little Xie Xie cared about his family's affairs, he had inevitably come into contact with certain matters.

Even with Xie Xie saying so, Tang Wulin still refused to give up and turned to look at Gu Yue.

Seeing the hopeful look Tang Wulin gave her, Gu Yue felt somewhat reluctant, but she still nodded. "That's just how this world is!"

"How could it be like this?"

When even Gu Yue acknowledged Wu Zhangkong's words, Tang Wulin seemed to feel something inside him shatter.

Just as Tang Wulin fell into complete despair, Tang San's voice suddenly rang out.

"Wulin, don't blame yourself too much! This was only a very ordinary accident."

"Although your teacher won't let you reveal this matter, rest assured, the Tang Sect will definitely give Su Mo generous compensation."

"And Su Mo was only seriously injured. With the Tang Sect's methods, as long as Su Mo doesn't die, they can restore him completely."

"Besides, hasn't Su Mo yet to make his stance on this matter clear?"

Within Tang Wulin's spiritual world, Tang San consoled him with a gloomy expression.

Though he dearly wished for Su Mo to die of his injuries, for the sake of his precious son, he had no choice but to say such insincere things.

"Besides, Su Mo might even thank the Tang Sect after he recovers."

"Thank the Tang Sect?"

Tang Wulin was baffled.

The Tang Sect's system malfunction had clearly caused Su Mo to be injured like this, yet Lao Tang was saying that Su Mo would turn around and thank the Tang Sect.

Tang San seemed to have expected Tang Wulin's confusion as he calmly asked, "What was your purpose in entering Hero Hall today?"

"Of course, it was simulated actual combat."

Tang Wulin answered without a second thought.

"Since you know it was simulated actual combat, then you should understand that situations in actual combat change by the moment."

"Although the Tang Sect was at fault first in this matter, Su Mo also bore some responsibility for failing to respond correctly."

"And with this lesson, Su Mo could also realize that there was always someone stronger, and put away his arrogant, self-important attitude."

"..."

Tang Wulin felt that there was something strange about Tang San's reasoning, yet he could not find any fault with it. Half-understanding, he nodded.

And for some reason, he felt that Lao Tang's voice carried an indescribable weariness.

"All right, it seems your teacher has something to say to you, so I'll log off first."

Seeing that Tang Wulin was no longer dwelling on it, Tang San casually found an excuse and logged off.

After being beaten so badly by Su Mo just now, he had not suffered any substantial injury, but the mental pain had been very real.

Tang San could swear to the heavens that this had absolutely been the worst beating and most humiliating experience of his entire life.

The Hero Hall system error just now had been caused by him invading it with his spiritual power.

Originally, he had wanted to use this opportunity to eliminate Su Mo, someone who might threaten Tang Wulin's position as captain of the Shrek Seven Devils, but Su Mo's strength had exceeded his expectations.

Not only had he failed to hurt Su Mo, he had instead been brutally beaten by him.

Su Mo, you have earned yourself a death sentence.

But anger aside, Tang San did not intend to make another move against Su Mo for now.

The power he had left within Tang Wulin's body was limited. If he used too much of it on Su Mo and could not act when Tang Wulin encountered danger, the loss would outweigh the gain.

He had acted this time only because Hero Hall happened to contain his simulation data, allowing him to disguise it as an accident.

Tang San had not yet decided how to deal with Su Mo next.

But Tang San did not believe that Su Mo would suffer no aftereffects after using a secret technique to increase his strength.

Seeing Tang Wulin's furrowed brows gradually relax, Wu Zhangkong struck while the iron was hot. "Wulin, you may think I'm trying to whitewash the Tang Sect, but this is the truth."

"If you think I'm lying, then I hope you can see for yourself how the Tang Sect protects peace on the continent."

"???"

Tang Wulin raised his head, unable to understand what Wu Zhangkong meant.

"Wulin, are you willing to join the Tang Sect?"

As Wu Zhangkong spoke, he extended a hand toward Tang Wulin.

"Join the Tang Sect!!!"

Wu Zhangkong's words exploded in Tang Wulin's mind like a thunderclap.

"I'm willing!"

Looking at the hand Wu Zhangkong offered, Tang Wulin hesitated for a moment before taking it.

Just as Wu Zhangkong had said, he could see for himself what kind of organization the Tang Sect truly was before reaching a conclusion.

Seeing Tang Wulin agree to join the Tang Sect, Wu Zhangkong suppressed his joy and looked casually toward Xie Xie and Gu Yue. "What about you two?"

"Since Wulin is joining, I'm joining too."

Xie Xie accepted Wu Zhangkong's invitation without a moment's hesitation.