Tang Yuehua, "Second Uncle, you mean... you want me to go to the Seven Kill Sect for a marriage contest?"

The impact of this matter was truly too great; even for him, it was impossible to remain calm. After all, it concerned the safety of the entire Clear Sky Sect.

And.

Just as Tang Cang was preparing to dismiss the meeting so he could have some peace and quiet to think about what to do.

Suddenly.

The doors of the great hall were pushed open from the outside.

A young, beautiful girl poked her head in, her features delicate, with contours around her brows and eyes that bore a resemblance to Tang Cang.

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

"Father."

Tang Yuehua did not notice the heavy atmosphere in the hall. She seemed to be looking for Tang Cang, and upon seeing him, her eyes lit up as she spoke excitedly.

A crisp voice shattered the tension in the hall.

Everyone looked toward the sound to see a girl of fifteen or sixteen poking her head in. Her face was delicate and bright, her features bearing a resemblance to Tang Cang, yet she possessed a unique, youthful vitality and spirit.

She wore a light blue long dress with a silver silk sash tied at her waist, and her long, raven-black hair was pinned back with a simple wooden hairpin. She looked clean and sharp, carrying an air of innocent, bright-eyed curiosity.

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

She seemed completely oblivious to the atmosphere in the hall, which was so stagnant it felt almost frozen. After sweeping her bright eyes over the people in the hall, she locked them directly onto Tang Cang, and they immediately curved into crescents. "Father, I've been looking for you!"

Tang Cang frowned imperceptibly, but with so many elders present, he could not easily lose his temper. He suppressed his irritation and kept his tone as calm as possible. "Yuehua, I am currently discussing matters with the elders."

"Whatever it is, we shall speak of it later."

"Oh, I only want to say one thing!"

Tang Yuehua did not care at all, skipping into the hall. "Father, I want to go down the mountain for training."

"Go down the mountain for training?"

Tang Cang was taken aback.

"Yes!"

Tang Yuehua nodded heavily, her eyes shining with excitement. "I've stayed in the sect for so long; it's time I went out to see the world."

"Besides, haven't Big Brother and Second Brother gone out for training?"

"I want to go out and walk around, too, to see the world outside."

As she spoke, her tone was light and carried the eager, restless spirit of a youth, as if she were completely unaware of the massive waves her words had stirred in the hearts of the elders.

The already heavy atmosphere in the hall became even more subtle.

The elders, who had been twisting their beards and looking down at their noses, paused their gazes on Tang Yuehua for a moment before exchanging meaningful glances with one another.

Tang Cang did not notice these subtle changes. He was frowning as he looked at his fearless youngest daughter, and just as he was about to refuse, he was interrupted by a light cough.

"Ahem."

The Second Elder cleared his throat, stroked his beard in a leisurely manner, and let his gaze sweep over Tang Cang before landing on Tang Yuehua. He spoke slowly, "Since Yuehua has the heart to go out and train, that is a good thing."

"Young people, after all, it is always good to see more of the world."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yuehua's eyes lit up, and she turned to look at the Second Elder. "Second Uncle, you think I should go too?"

In the original work, Tang Xiao referred to the Second Elder as Second Uncle, hence why it is said these elders are cousins of Tang Chen.

Tang Wei, however, could actually be considered a cousin-uncle to Tang Chen; his seniority was higher, but he was younger than Tang Chen because he was the youngest of that generation in the Tang family.

"However... for training, one must find a safe place to go."

"The continent is not peaceful right now, and Yuehua, you aren't even a Spirit Master yet. Running out alone like this is not very safe..."

"Then, Second Uncle, what do you mean?"

The Second Elder did not answer immediately, instead looking at Tang Cang again with a depth in his eyes that only Tang Cang could understand.

Tang Cang's Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

He understood.

The sixteen elders sitting in the hall had almost all arrived at the same thought at the same time.

A marriage alliance.

The Seven Kill Sect was now openly seeking a marriage, and Tang Yuehua happened to say she wanted to go down the mountain for training at this very moment.

Could there be a more suitable time in this world?

Using the name of a marriage alliance to perform an act of apology.

It could resolve the current crisis of the Clear Sky Sect while giving the Seven Kill Sect a way out that they could not refuse.

Tang Yuehua was, after all, Tang Chen's own granddaughter and the apple of the eye of the current Clear Sky Sect Master, Tang Cang.

This gesture of a marriage alliance was more than enough!

Tang Cang naturally understood the implication.

It was just that...

He opened his mouth, looking into his daughter's bright, clear eyes, but the words died on his lips, unable to be spoken.

The Second Elder clearly sensed Tang Cang's hesitation, so he chuckled and finished the thought for him, "Yuehua, I actually have a proposal."

Tang Yuehua blinked. "What proposal?"

"The Seven Kill Sect is currently holding an open recruitment for a marriage alliance."

"You just said you wanted to head down the mountain for experience; I think... that would be a fine place to go."

The Second Elder spoke tactfully, but who among those present could fail to grasp the meaning behind his words?

Although Tang Yuehua looked to be only fifteen or sixteen, she was actually in her early twenties; she simply possessed a youthful appearance.

Therefore.

After a brief two-second pause, she reacted quickly, the smile on her face instantly freezing. "Second Uncle, are you saying... you want me to go to the Seven Kill Sect for a marriage alliance?"

The Second Elder did not deny it, merely nodding with a smile. "The new Sect Master of the Seven Kill Sect, Chen Fan, has taken charge of his sect at a young age. If we could form a marriage alliance with him, it would be a wonderful thing for the Clear Sky Sect."

"Furthermore, with the Seven Kill Sect as your husband's house, no one would be able to stop you from doing whatever you wish in the future."

Tang Yuehua's face flushed red, but it was not from shyness; it was tinged with a hint of irritation. "I won't go!"

The words tumbled out of her mouth, her tone so resolute that there was no room for negotiation.

The elders in the hall exchanged glances, clearly not having expected her to refuse so bluntly.

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

"I said I won't go!"

Tang Yuehua cut him off, her tone even firmer than before. "I only want to go down the mountain to have some fun and gain some experience. Who said anything about me getting married?"

She clenched her fists, her chest rising and falling slightly, and as she lifted her head, her small face was filled with stubbornness. "Father, if you don't allow it, then I'll just sneak down the mountain!"

Tang Cang looked at his daughter's expression, his brows knitting even tighter.

Logically, as a father, he should not force his daughter to do something she did not want to do.

Yet... the current situation allowed for no indecision.

He had only just taken over the position of Sect Master, and it was a time when he desperately needed the support of the people.

If any mishap were to befall the Clear Sky Sect under his watch, how could he continue to serve as Sect Master?

When that time came, how would he answer to Tang Chen, should he return in the future?