Tang Yuehua, "Second Uncle, You Mean... You Want Me to Join Seven Kill Sect's Marriage Recruitment?"

The shock of this was simply too great. Even he couldn't stay calm, after all, the safety of the entire Clear Sky Sect was at stake.

And.

Just as Tang Cang was about to call the meeting to a close and find some peace and quiet to think about what to do.

Suddenly.

The hall doors were pushed open from outside.

A pretty young girl poked her head in. She had delicate features, and her brows and eyes bore a few traces of resemblance to Tang Cang.

It was none other than Tang Cang's youngest daughter, Tang Yuehua.

"Father."

Tang Yuehua hadn't noticed the solemn atmosphere in the hall. She seemed to be looking for Tang Cang, and when she spotted him, her eyes lit up. She eagerly began to speak,

Her clear voice broke the solemn silence in the hall.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl peeking in. She had delicate, bright features, and her brows and eyes bore a few traces of resemblance to Tang Cang, though they also held more of the lively energy unique to a young girl.

She wore a light-blue dress, with a silver sash tied around her waist. Her dark hair was pinned up behind her head with a simple wooden hairpin, and she looked neat and fresh, with a bright, carefree air.

It was none other than Tang Cang's youngest daughter, Tang Yuehua.

She seemed completely unaware of the almost frozen atmosphere in the hall. Her bright eyes swept across the people inside before fixing directly on Tang Cang, and instantly curved into crescents. "Father, I was just looking for you!"

Tang Cang's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but with so many elders present, he couldn't lose his temper. He could only suppress his irritation and keep his tone as even as possible. "Yuehua, your father is discussing matters with the elders."

"If you have something to say, wait until later."

"Oh, come on, I just have one thing to say!"

Tang Yuehua paid him no mind and bounced into the hall. "Father, I want to go down the mountain and gain some experience."

"Go down the mountain and gain experience?"

Tang Cang froze.

"Right!"

Tang Yuehua nodded firmly, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "I've been cooped up in the sect for so long. It's about time I went out and saw more of the world."

"Besides, didn't Big Brother and Second Brother go out to gain experience?"

"I want to go out too, and see what the world beyond the sect is like."

Her voice was light and eager, brimming with the restless anticipation unique to the young. She seemed completely unaware of the storm her words had stirred up in the ears of these elders.

The already solemn atmosphere in the hall grew even more delicate.

The elders, who had been stroking their beards with their heads bowed, each let their gaze linger on Tang Yuehua for a moment, then exchanged meaningful looks with one another.

Tang Cang didn't notice these subtle changes. He only frowned at his fearless youngest daughter, and was about to refuse when a soft cough interrupted him before he could get the words out.

"Ahem."

The Second Elder cleared his throat and leisurely stroked his beard. His gaze swept over Tang Cang almost imperceptibly before settling on Tang Yuehua. Then he slowly said, "Since Yuehua is eager to go out and gain experience, that's a good thing."

"Young people should see more of the world."

Tang Yuehua's eyes immediately lit up. She turned to the Second Elder. "Second Uncle, you think I should go too?"

In the original work, Tang Xiao had called the Second Elder his second uncle, which meant these elders were Tang Chen's cousins.

Tang Wei, in fact, was Tang Chen's younger paternal uncle. He belonged to an older generation, but was younger than Tang Chen, because he was the youngest of their generation in the Tang family.

"However... one must choose a safe place to gain experience."

"The continent is unsettled these days, and Yuehua isn't even a Soul Master. It wouldn't be safe for her to travel alone..."

"Then what do you mean, Second Uncle?"

The Second Elder didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced at Tang Cang again, his eyes carrying a meaning only Tang Cang could understand.

Tang Cang's Adam's apple bobbed.

He understood.

All sixteen elders seated in the hall had thought of the same thing at almost the exact same moment.

A political marriage.

Seven Kill Sect was currently holding an open marriage recruitment, and Tang Yuehua had happened to say she wanted to leave the mountain right now.

Could there be a more perfect opportunity?

Use the marriage alliance to apologize.

It could resolve the Clear Sky Sect's current crisis and give Seven Kill Sect a face-saving way out that it couldn't refuse.

After all, Tang Yuehua was Tang Chen's own granddaughter, and the cherished daughter of Tang Cang, the current sect master of the Clear Sky Sect.

That was more than enough to show the Clear Sky Sect's sincerity about the marriage alliance!

Tang Cang of course understood what they meant.

But...

He parted his lips and looked at his daughter's bright, clear eyes. The words reached the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn't bring himself to say them.

The Second Elder had evidently noticed Tang Cang's hesitation, so he gave a soft chuckle and spoke on Tang Cang's behalf. "Yuehua, this old man has a suggestion."

Tang Yuehua blinked. "What suggestion?"

"Seven Kill Sect has recently opened its doors to marriage candidates."

"You just said you wanted to go down the mountain and gain experience. I think... that would be a good place to go."

The Second Elder put it gently, but who among those present couldn't hear what he meant?

Tang Yuehua looked only fifteen or sixteen, but she was actually already in her early twenties. She simply looked young.

Thus.

After a brief moment of surprise, she quickly realized what he meant. Her smile froze instantly. "Second Uncle, you mean... you want me to join Seven Kill Sect's marriage recruitment?"

The Second Elder didn't deny it. He simply nodded with a smile. "Chen Fan, the new sect master of Seven Kill Sect, is young, yet already commands the sect. If you can form a marriage alliance with him, it would be a fine arrangement for the Clear Sky Sect."

"Besides, with Seven Kill Sect as your husband's family, no one will be able to stop you from doing what you want afterward."

Tang Yuehua's face turned red, but it wasn't from shyness. She was furious. "I'm not going!"

The words burst out of her, firm and leaving no room for negotiation.

The elders exchanged glances, clearly not expecting her to refuse so bluntly.

The Second Elder's smile faltered slightly. "Yuehua, this..."

"I said I'm not going!"

Tang Yuehua cut him off, her voice even more resolute than before. "I only wanted to go down the mountain for fun and gain some experience. Who said I wanted to get married?"

She clenched her fists, her chest rising and falling slightly. Then she lifted her head, her little face full of defiance. "Father, if you won't let me, I'll sneak down the mountain!"

Tang Cang looked at his daughter, his brows drawing together even tighter.

As her father, he shouldn't force her to do something she didn't want.

But... the situation left him no room for indecision.

He had only just taken over as sect master, and this was precisely when he needed to win people's support.

If something went wrong with the Clear Sky Sect under his watch, could he remain sect master?

And when Tang Chen might return in the future, what would he say to him?