Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
A disciple rushed in and bowed. "Sect Master, Patriarch Tai Tan of the Strength Clan requests an audience."
Tang Xiao's eyes instantly lit up. "Send him in at once!"
A moment later, Tai Tan strode inside. He wore coarse hemp clothing and carried a faint smell of rust. His hair had grayed, but his back remained straight. The instant he saw Tang Xiao, his eyes reddened, and he dropped to his knees with a thud. "Sect Master!"
"Tai Tan, get up." Tang Xiao quickly rose and helped him to his feet. "Why did you come? Didn't I tell you not to? It's too dangerous here."
"I had to come." Tai Tan shook his head, his voice choked with tears. "My master's kindness to me weighs as heavily as a mountain. I can't stand by and watch him go on trial without doing anything. Sect Master, is there truly nothing we can do? Must we really watch our master be put to death?"
Tang Xiao looked at Tai Tan, a flicker of anguish crossing his eyes. He slowly shook his head. "There's nothing we can do. Tai Tan, accept reality. Tang Hao's transgressions are too grave—so grave that even the entire Clear Sky Sect cannot bear the consequences."
"But..."
"There are no buts." Tang Xiao cut him off, his tone utterly firm. "Tomorrow, before the entire continent, I will announce that we are severing all ties with Tang Hao. From that moment on, he will have nothing whatsoever to do with the Clear Sky Sect. The same goes for you. Take the Strength Clan and leave Spirit City immediately. Stop thinking about rescuing him. It's impossible."
Tai Tan looked at Tang Xiao's resolute gaze, then at the cold eyes of the seven elders