Tang Hao Appears and Tells Tang San the Truth

After a day and a half of travel, they arrived in Notting City. Tang San was the first to step down from the carriage. Standing on tiptoe, he took the initiative to pull open the curtain.

"Teacher, we're here. You can get out now!"

He had been so thoughtful. His teacher would surely be pleased, and then calling him Father would definitely succeed.

"How thoughtful."

Shen Qingling led Gu Yuena down from the carriage, with Xiao Wu hopping down right after them.

After paying the fare, Shen Qingling led the three of them into a tavern in Notting City and ordered several homestyle dishes.

While waiting for the food to be served, Shen Qingling and Gu Yuena found an excuse to leave the tavern first. They headed into the alley to the left, stopping halfway through. Shen Qingling spoke to the empty air.

"No need to keep hiding, sir. Please come out."

As soon as he spoke, a black-robed figure slowly emerged from the shadows of the alley. The man stood tall and straight, carrying a faintly oppressive aura. His voice was hoarse and low. "What sharp senses."

Shen Qingling remained calm as he said,

"Your Excellency Hao Tian, there is no need to hide. I know you are Xiao San's father."

Tang Hao's entire body stiffened. Clearly, he had not expected the other man to expose his identity at once. He raised a hand and removed his hood, revealing the bearded face of a middle-aged man. His brows carried the despondency of years of drinking, yet his eyes remained as sharp as an eagle's.

"You have good eyes indeed." Tang Hao stared at Shen Qingling, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny. "How did you recognize me?"

He had followed them for a long time and believed he had concealed himself well. Yet from the look of things, he had been noticed as soon as they neared Notting City.

Shen Qingling chuckled softly.

"Clear Sky Sect has gone into seclusion. Xiao San possesses the twin martial spirits of Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer. Other than the son of Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo who once shook the continent, whose son could he be?"

Tang Hao fell silent for a moment and nodded to himself. No wonder Tang San had changed so much over the past year. This young teacher before him was not only unfathomably strong, but also exceptionally perceptive.

He had followed them because he feared Tang San might fall in with the wrong people. Now, it seemed he had worried for nothing.

"Worthy of being Xiao San's teacher." Tang Hao's tone softened somewhat. "Thank you for taking care of him these past days."

Gu Yuena stood beside Shen Qingling without saying a word from beginning to end. She merely glanced at Tang Hao indifferently. The strength of a Titled Douluo meant nothing in her eyes. Since he was Tang San's father, she did not interfere further.

"You're not much of a father, are you? How did you raise such a fine son into this?"

Like a teacher making a home visit, Shen Qingling spoke earnestly.

Tang Hao looked troubled. "Sigh, I had no choice. Besides, my identity cannot be exposed, so I have always kept watch over Xiao San. And that hundred-thousand-year soul beast, Xiao Wu—you even have a way to conceal her soul beast aura."

When he saw Xiao Wu again, he discovered that the aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast had vanished from her body. If he had not encountered her before, he truly would have thought she was an ordinary human girl.

That meant the other man truly had a way to accomplish this, and his methods were extraordinarily ingenious.

"Just a trivial little trick, not worth mentioning."

Shen Qingling knew Tang Hao was about to pull the same stunt he had with Yu Xiaogang. It really had not been easy for him to stay hidden for a whole year without showing himself.

"Catch!"

Tang Hao tossed over a token.

Shen Qingling raised a hand and caught it. It bore six symbols, one of which was a hammer representing the Clear Sky Hammer.

"This is the Pope's Token. Keep it safe. If you encounter danger, you can use it to protect yourself." Tang Hao instructed, "I should leave as well. I'll leave Tang San to you from now on."

"You don't plan to see him?"

Shen Qingling accepted the Pope's Token.

Tang Hao shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of loneliness.

"Forget it. I won't go. I can rest easy leaving Xiao San with you. Your strength and knowledge far surpass that Yu Xiaogang, who calls himself a master. It is Xiao San's fortune to follow you."

He knew full well that in his current dispirited state, seeing Tang San would only cause trouble. It was better to continue hiding in the shadows.

Shen Qingling did not try to persuade him further. Everyone had their own choices. Tang Hao had his own hardships and obsessions, things outsiders could not interfere with.

Before leaving, Tang Hao suddenly recalled something and asked,

"How old is Xiao San's second soul ring?"

He only knew Tang San had entered Sunset Forest to absorb a soul ring. He had not followed them in, merely waiting nearby for everyone to return.

"Two thousand years." Shen Qingling's tone was calm.

"Two thousand years!"

Tang Hao's eyes flew wide, his face filled with disbelief. He clearly remembered the common knowledge of the soul master world: the limit for a second soul ring was only a little over seven hundred years. Two thousand years was simply inconceivable. After standing stunned for several seconds, he suddenly clutched his head and burst into laughter, his laughter full of relief and joy.

"Good, good! This is Xiao San's opportunity!" Tang Hao stopped laughing and solemnly cupped his hands toward Shen Qingling. "Thank you for carefully nurturing Xiao San. Tang will remember this kindness. If the chance arises in the future, I will certainly repay it."

With that, he put his hood back on. His figure flickered, and he vanished completely into the depths of the alley.

After Tang Hao left, Gu Yuena frowned, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.

"That is what a father is like? His son has grown up, yet he only watches from the shadows and does not even dare show his face. That is far too irresponsible."

She truly could not understand it. He was obviously right there, so why was he unwilling to see his own child?

Shen Qingling smiled nonchalantly.

"Everyone has their own reasons and difficulties. There's no need to think so much about it. Let's go back. Xiao San and the others must be getting anxious."

"Yes." Gu Yuena looked thoroughly unhappy. "Just like how my husband has his own difficulties, making it impossible for me to proceed with the pregnancy process."

"Na'er, can we change the subject?"

Shen Qingling was nearly numb.

"No. When we get back, you'd better perform properly. Otherwise, be careful—I'll chain you up and let you experience what ten times a day feels like."

Gu Yuena rolled her eyes at Shen Qingling and walked ahead.

Shen Qingling covered his waist, feeling a faint ache spreading through his lower back.

When they returned to the tavern, Tang San and Xiao Wu had not yet touched their chopsticks.

"What's wrong with you two? Why aren't you eating?"

Shen Qingling sat down.

"Teacher, weren't we waiting for you and Mistress?"

Tang San had thought they would return quickly, which was why neither he nor Xiao Wu had started eating.

"You two, honestly. Don't do this again next time. If you do, Teacher will get angry."

Shen Qingling pretended to be angry.

Tang San nodded furiously. Whatever his teacher said, he felt it was absolutely right.

As the four ate, Shen Qingling suddenly set down his chopsticks and spoke.

"Xiao San, do you know about your father?"

Tang San's hand froze midway as he picked up food. He raised his head, his face filled with confusion.

"Why did Teacher suddenly bring him up?"

His heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, he did not want to mention that father who drank himself senseless every day.

Shen Qingling smiled.

"I know who your father is."

Tang San was stunned. His grip on his chopsticks tightened, but he did not ask further. In truth, he held no expectations. That man who got drunk every day in the blacksmith shop in Holy Soul Village had given him nothing but a rundown house and the craft of blacksmithing.