Doubts of Three, Tang Hao Sets a Trap!

[I don't understand~]

Why could others offer him warmth and support, yet his own biological father viewed him only as a cold tool, arbitrarily mapping out his life without the slightest regard for his own desires?

The candle flame in the room flickered unsteadily as two figures stood—one rigid, one still—while a frigid sense of oppression permeated the air.

Before long, without lingering or offering a single word of concern, the figure of Tang Hao vanished from the room before Tang San could even react.

Just as when he arrived, he truly lived up to the description of coming without a shadow and leaving without a trace!

"Such terrifying speed; even my Purple Demon Eye couldn't keep up! Father must be a master, and the martial soul in my left hand must have an extraordinary origin. But... why does he treat me this way? I am his own son!"

Tang San's fingertips turned white as he clenched his fists, his knuckles flushing a cold, bruised color.

The roiling resentment, grievance, and chill deep in his heart refused to subside.

No fatherly love, no care, not a single word of inquiry, only two cold, bone-piercing, and non-negotiable commands.

Withdraw from the Tang Sect, apprentice under Yu Xiaogang; get close to Xiao Wu, becoming a pawn with every step.

He could clearly feel that in Tang Hao's eyes, he had never been a son, merely a tool carrying the weight of vengeance, endurance, and schemes.

The urge to utter "Way of Seeking Death" had nearly burst from his throat, yet he swallowed it back down, leaving only a dull ache in his chest.

Tang San wanted to resist, but the feudal upbringing from his past life acted like invisible shackles, tightening until he could barely breathe.

That was his biological father, his own flesh and blood.

"Ruler is ruler, subject is subject; father is father, son is son. How could I possibly defy him?"

Lying on the soft, large bed—though the conditions were infinitely better than those in Holy Soul Village—Tang San, burdened by his thoughts, tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.

Outside the window, the sky shifted from ink-black to a pale, fish-belly white, then to the brightness of dawn. Tang San sat with his eyes open until daybreak, his eyes rimmed with faint red bloodshot lines.

His once gentle features were now clouded by an impenetrable gloom.

After a full night of contemplation, perhaps due to the influence of the system, Tang San ultimately decided not to follow Tang Hao's orders.

No matter what, he would not withdraw from the Tang Sect!

He hadn't feared death in his past life; to be told to quit with a single sentence in this one was simply too laughable.

As for Xiao Wu...

"I shall see what the Sect Master thinks of Xiao Wu. If he has no such intentions, for the sake of my father, I might consider approaching her. Although her martial soul is a rabbit—a natural counter to my Blue Silver Grass—and her personality isn't to my liking, it would be a form of filial piety to follow my parents' wishes. However, if the Sect Master has designs on her..."

A friend's wife should not be trifled with!

Other friends might be one thing, but the man in question was his dear Brother Qin!

"I am a member of the Tang Sect, a descendant of Shu Han! Brothers are like limbs, women are like clothing; how could I ever do such a thing!"

Even with his biological father standing on the other side, Tang San could not bring himself to be ungrateful or betray Qin Yun.

At dawn, the sound of light hoofbeats echoed outside the courtyard gate.

Qin Yun had already rented a spacious carriage. Dressed in neat, practical attire, he stood tall beside the vehicle, followed by a fully prepared Xiao Wu and Wang Sheng.

The carriage was packed with dry rations, water, soul power potions, healing salves, and all the essential tools for hunting soul beasts.

The rental cost five silver soul coins, and one look at the horse revealed it was no ordinary steed, but a crossbreed with the bloodline of a soul beast.

This was understandable; according to the original story of Douluo Dalu, the Soul Hunting Forest was located southeast of Nuoding City, a journey of nearly four hundred li—roughly two hundred kilometers.

Yet, Gangzi and the brat had arrived in just a day and a half.

Such speed required either a soul beast or one with soul beast blood.

Had it been an ordinary horse, it likely would have collapsed from exhaustion long before reaching the Soul Hunting Forest.

"Is everything packed? Then let's go!"

"We're off! We're off!"

Xiao Wu, wearing her rabbit-ear accessories, couldn't help but punch the air in excitement.

Qin Yun smiled, then raised his eyes to look at Tang San.

But... his state seemed a bit off, didn't it?

"He was fine last night, why is he like this now? Could it be that Tang Ritian came by last night?"

Looking at Tang San's appearance, the more Qin Yun observed, the more he felt it was likely.

Since the other party did not speak, to avoid leaving too obvious a trail, he did not find it appropriate to say much either.

"San, are you alright?"

"What could possibly be wrong with Brother San? He's probably just excited about obtaining a soul ring and couldn't sleep all night, right? Actually, I was excited last night too; I don't even know when I finally fell asleep." Wang Sheng scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Brother Yun, don't worry, I'm fine.

Just like Wang Sheng said, I was just a little excited."

"Mm, as long as you're fine. If anything happens, remember to come to me. Remember... no matter what it is, I'm here!"

[Tang God King favorability +4, 75/100!]

The gap between people is truly greater than the gap between a person and a dog!

Tang San took a deep breath, suppressing all the surging emotions in his heart, picked up his pack, and silently boarded the carriage.

Xiao Wu had a lively personality; as soon as she got on the carriage, she chattered incessantly, while Wang Sheng sat reservedly in the corner, his eyes filled with both anticipation and nervousness for the Soul Hunting Forest.

The warmth and liveliness inside the carriage only made Tang San, who sat by the window, appear all the more reticent.

Qin Yun flipped over to sit in the driver's seat outside the carriage and lightly flicked the horse whip. The horse's hooves struck the bluestone road, producing a crisp sound as they slowly drove away from Nuoding City.

Halfway through the journey, Tang San found an excuse to lift the curtain and step out, sitting quietly beside Qin Yun.

The morning breeze was slightly cool, fluttering the hems of their robes. As the carriage wheels rumbled forward, leaving the bustle of the town behind, only the sound of the wind through the grass and trees remained.

The two sat side by side, neither speaking for a long time.

Tang San gripped the corner of his clothes, his fingertips tightening slightly.

The shock brought by Tang Hao last night was simply too great. Those two cold commands and that gaze devoid of warmth were like a thorn stuck in his heart.

He found it increasingly difficult to see his father clearly, unable to discern what kind of secrets were hidden within that man who spent his days drinking and living in a slovenly, down-and-out state.

He wanted to know the truth, yet he feared the truth might be too cruel.

After hesitating time and again, Tang San finally lowered his voice, breaking the silence.

When he spoke, his voice carried a hint of imperceptible hoarseness.

"Brother Yun, I... I want to ask you about something."

Qin Yun's hand holding the whip paused. He turned his head to look at him, his gaze calm: "Go ahead."

Tang San lowered his eyes, his gaze resting on his clasped hands, his voice very soft.

"Brother Yun, do you know of any powerful expert on the continent whose martial soul is a hammer, who is about forty or fifty years old, whose wife passed away early, and who also suddenly vanished without a trace?"

With these conditions, Tang San might as well have just asked directly if he knew about Tang Hao!

However, since you've asked, don't blame me for adding some fuel to the fire.

After all, if you don't occupy the high ground of public opinion, the enemy will!

"A martial soul that is a hammer? I do know a few.

There is a city in the Star Luo Empire called Gengxin, which is the headquarters of the continent's Blacksmith Association. There are quite a few soul masters there whose martial souls are related to hammers.

However, those people can hardly be called experts.

If we are talking about someone who can truly be called an expert and whose martial soul is a hammer, I only know of one!"