Changing Faces Costs Nothing (Tang Hao Edition)

"What?"

Tang San tilted his head and looked at Tang Hao in confusion.

"I said, show me your Martial Soul!"

Tang Hao repeated himself more loudly, and Tang San immediately nodded.

Obediently raising his right hand, he summoned a small, blue-glowing blade of grass into his palm.

"Blue Silver Grass. It really is Blue Silver Grass, just like hers."

Tang Hao stared at the Blue Silver Grass in Tang San's hand, lost in thought. Only after a long while did he gradually come to himself, murmuring under his breath.

After staring at it for more than half a minute, Tang Hao abruptly stood and headed for the inner room.

The sudden movement nearly knocked Tang San over, and the Blue Silver Grass in his hand vanished on its own.

"Dad."

Tang San called out in concern, but Tang Hao waved him off impatiently.

"Don't bother me."

"But I think I have another Martial Soul."

Seeing Tang Hao about to leave, Tang San immediately revealed what had made his Martial Soul awakening today so unusual.

As for why he hadn't said anything earlier...

[First principle of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: Never let anyone you cannot fully trust know the true extent of your strength.]

Old Jack, Chu Chen, and the villagers of Holy Soul Village were all outsiders, without exception. They might even be... enemies!

Tang Hao stopped in his tracks at Tang San's words.

He turned his head with difficulty. His eyes were bloodshot, and he breathed heavily.

"What... did you just say?"

"Dad, I said I think I have another Martial Soul!"

Tang San spoke solemnly and slowly raised his left hand. He drove the Soul Power within him with all his might, and the next instant, a pitch-black hammer covered in intricate patterns appeared in his hand!

"That... that's..."

Tang Hao reached Tang San in a single stride and seized the hand holding the hammer.

"Twin Martial Souls! You actually have Twin Martial Souls!"

Excitement filled Tang Hao's eyes as he looked at the little black hammer. Then he wrapped his arms tightly around Tang San.

"My son. My son."

"Dad..."

Tang San froze in Tang Hao's embrace. His father's hug felt so warm that even his injuries seemed to stop hurting.

Wait... no, they still hurt. They hurt even more!

Tang Hao was a Titled Douluo, after all—the Clear Sky Douluo, famed for his strength. In his excitement, he had lost control of it for a moment.

And Tang San was already injured. Chu Chen had beaten him up, and Tang Hao had kicked him too, so...

Tang San tried to say something, but before he could speak, Tang Hao squeezed him so hard his eyes rolled back. He barely managed to open his mouth before losing himself in the warmth of fatherly love.

In other words, he passed out.

The technical term was loss of consciousness caused by mechanical asphyxiation.

"Son? Son! What's wrong with you?"

Half a minute later, Tang Hao finally calmed down enough to notice something was wrong. He released Tang San and saw that his eyes were shut tight.

His face was tinged blue and purple, and he lay motionless.

Tang Hao's heart clenched.

He had finally had a son with the Clear Sky Hammer... as his Martial Soul. Had he just squeezed him to death?

He's my hope of returning to the sect!

Tang Hao hurriedly reached out to check Tang San's breathing, only to find it so faint he could barely detect it.

"Xiao San!"

Tang Hao let out a low roar and quickly laid Tang San flat on the floor. Pressing a palm to his chest, he tried to channel Soul Power into him to protect his heart.

But Tang San's body was too fragile. The moment the Soul Power entered him, his whole body convulsed, and a trickle of dark blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Cold sweat instantly beaded on Tang Hao's forehead.

Though he was a powerful Titled Douluo, healing was not his specialty, much less a rescue requiring such precise control.

In desperation, Tang Hao suddenly raised his right hand...

Smack!

A resounding slap struck Tang San's left cheek.

Tang San's little head snapped to one side. His cheek visibly swelled even more, and several bloody teeth flew from his mouth and rolled across the floor.

Blood poured from the corner of his mouth, but fortunately, the sharp pain and jolt finally stimulated his nerves.

Tang San shuddered and snapped his eyes open.

His unfocused pupils took a moment to settle before he stared blankly at Tang Hao's anxious face above him.

"D-Dad..."

"Good, good... you're awake... Thank goodness you're awake!"

Tang Hao let out a long breath, his tense shoulders relaxing.

"Son, Xiao San, my good son. Dad got too excited just now, so I..."

"It's... it's okay, Dad... I'm okay..."

Seeing tears in Tang Hao's eyes, Tang San did not blame him in the slightest. Instead, that fierce fatherly love filled him with joy.

Though his whole body ached, he forced himself to stay alert and comfort Tang Hao.

"As long as D-Dad is happy, Xiao San can... I can do anything... It's a shame I can't cook for you..."

"My good son, don't talk!"

Tang Hao cut him off urgently, carefully lifted Tang San, and laid him on the rickety wooden bed in the inner room.

"Listen to me. Your only job for the next few days is to rest. Leave the cooking to Dad. From now on, it's my turn to look after you!"

"My good son, my wonderful son. Twin Martial Souls..."

Tang Hao murmured gently, and a goofy smile even appeared on his face.

Whether he was happy that Tang San had regained consciousness or thinking of Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul was hard to say...

Tang San was curious too. He opened his mouth to ask, but exhaustion and pain washed over him, and he could not help closing his eyes.

Now calm, Tang Hao noticed. Seeing that Tang San seemed to have something to say, he quickly leaned close to his ear and whispered.

"Son, you're thinking about Soul Master Academy, aren't you?"

"Dad agrees. You should go to that academy. You must!"

"Rest easy, Xiao San. Once you've recovered, I'll take you to Old Jack and make him hand over that place!"

"My son is destined to become a great fighter. Letting Holy Soul Village send him to school is an honor for them. Don't you worry!"

"Even if..."

As Tang Hao spoke softly, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"In any case, Dad will make sure you get into that school!"

Tang San listened to his father's promise. The corners of his mouth lifted briefly, and then he fell fast asleep.

Meanwhile, Chu Chen had helped Old Jack home and gently settled him into bed.

As he tucked in the covers, he muttered,

"With that temper of yours, is it worth getting so worked up over an ungrateful wretch who has nothing to do with you?"

"I'm still waiting for you to watch your grandson become a great fighter, marry several wives, and have a whole bunch of children. If you make yourself sick from anger, who's going to help me look after the kids?"

"Fine, fine, I'll stop. All you do is glare at me. You only act tough at home, picking on me and no one else..."

"Stop glaring. I know what you want to say. I'll go to that blasted school, all right?"