Not Born By You

Before long, the two arrived at the Strength Clan's separate courtyard.

Tai Tan personally greeted them at the entrance, leading the pair through the corridors before pushing open the doors to the reception hall.

The Speed Clan's patriarch appeared especially formal today. Though the fabric of his clothes could not compare to Tang Yuehua's fine brocade, they had been washed spotlessly clean. At the sound of the door opening, he rose to his feet, his gaze passing over Tai Tan and settling on the young man entering through the doorway.

This was White Crane's first time seeing Tang San.

Especially those eyes.

Well, this time there was no lion—only a steadiness and sophistication that did not suit his age.

White Crane nodded silently to himself, but his expression revealed nothing.

"Greetings, Uncle." Tang Yuehua led Tang San into the hall and curtsied. "It has been many years. Has Uncle been keeping well?"

"Greetings, Great-Uncle." Tang San also bowed, respectful but neither servile nor humble, striking precisely the proper balance for a junior greeting an elder.

Yet upon closer inspection, one would find that neither member of the Tang family held much genuine respect in their manner.

They were merely going along with the circumstances.

"Child, rise." White Crane hurried forward several steps, placing both hands on Tang San's shoulders as he examined him carefully.

"Ah, I never imagined Hao'er's child would already be so grown." White Crane released his hands and took a step back, his voice heavy with the weight of time. "When your father brought your mother back to the Clear Sky Sect, I saw them from afar. You were still in your mother's womb then. Who could have imagined that more than twenty years would pass in the blink of an eye?"

"Don't just stand there, everyone.