Tang Hao

Biodata

Background and History

Tang Hao hid in Holy Soul Village for six years after the hunt that led his wife, Ah Yin, to sacrifice herself. He planted her surviving Blue Silver Emperor form and concealed her Spirit Bone in a cave behind a waterfall, but could not bear to revisit her. He drank heavily and neglected their son, Tang San 27.

Tang San’s awakening changed his outlook. The boy inherited both Blue Silver Grass and the Clear Sky Hammer, giving Tang Hao hope that he could return to the Clear Sky Sect. Tang Hao reversed his earlier refusal to send Tang San to Soul Master Academy and demanded Holy Soul Village’s work-study place. To secure it, he swore that he would not harm anyone inside Holy Soul Village until Tang San fulfilled three conditions set by Chu Chen 18 20 22 23.

Chu Chen later stole Ah Yin’s reborn form and Spirit Bone from the cave and left a message implicating Spirit Hall. Tang Hao believed the accusation and vowed revenge. At Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy, he entrusted Tang San to Yu Xiaogang, gave the teacher a Spirit Hall elder token, and ordered him to keep the Clear Sky Hammer secret until Tang San could protect himself 27 28 37.

After hearing that Chu Chen had injured Tang San again, Tang Hao confronted the boy on the academy’s Back Mountain with the intent to kill him. Chu Chen struck first with a Fire Thunder Seed. Tang Hao detonated six Soul Rings and used the Great Sumeru Hammer against it, but died in the explosion 39 41 42 43.

Appearance

Tang Hao is a tall, powerfully built middle-aged man whose neglected appearance conceals his strength 4.

• Hair and beard: Tangled hair and an untrimmed, scraggly beard 4 37.
• Eyes: Usually heavy-lidded, though they turn sharply threatening when he releases his power 4.
• Dress: Wears a dark robe when visiting Yu Xiaogang in concealment 36 37.

Personality

For much of his seclusion, Tang Hao is withdrawn, bitter, and inattentive to Tang San. He strikes his son and expects him to cook, yet later closes his smithy to care for him after Chu Chen breaks his bones. Tang San’s twin Martial Souls bring out a forceful determination to secure the boy’s training and future 16 18 23 24.

Tang Hao readily intimidates others, but can suppress his anger when Tang San’s prospects are at stake. He accepts Chu Chen’s humiliating oath for the academy place and avoids exposing his identity because doing so could put his son at risk. News of Tang San’s later injuries finally drives him to seek Chu Chen out 20 22 38 39.

Abilities & Skills

Clear Sky Hammer

Tang Hao’s Martial Soul is the Clear Sky Hammer. When he reveals it to Yu Xiaogang, it bears nine Soul Rings, including a red hundred-thousand-year ring 37.

• His Titled Douluo pressure briefly leaves Chu Chen struggling to breathe in Holy Soul Village 4.
• He can release enough Soul Power to force apart the water of a waterfall and enter the cave behind it 27.

Ring Detonation and Great Sumeru Hammer

Facing the Fire Thunder Seed, Tang Hao detonates his first six Soul Rings and channels their energy into a Great Sumeru Hammer strike 42.

• The strike fails to contain the explosion; his hammer is damaged and his bodily defenses break 42.
• The blast kills him despite his use of both techniques 43.

Equipment and Possessions

• Spirit Hall elder token — A high-ranking token bearing six emblems; Tang Hao gives it to Yu Xiaogang for use if Tang San encounters serious trouble 37.
• Six Spirit Bones — Remain attached to Tang Hao’s skeleton after his death and are collected by Chu Chen 43.

Relationships

• Tang San — Son. Tang Hao neglects and injures him during their village years, then invests in his future after discovering his twin Martial Souls. He entrusts Tang San’s education to Yu Xiaogang 16 18 37.
• Ah Yin — Wife. Her sacrifice leaves Tang Hao grief-stricken; he hides her reborn form and Spirit Bone behind a waterfall. Their disappearance prompts his vow of revenge against Spirit Hall 27 28.
• Chu Chen — Antagonist. Chu Chen forces him to swear an oath over Tang San’s academy place, secretly steals Ah Yin, and ultimately kills him with a Fire Thunder Seed 22 27 42 43.
• Yu Xiaogang — Tang San’s teacher. Tang Hao entrusts his son to him, supplies an elder token, and demands secrecy about Tang San’s Clear Sky Hammer 37.
• Old Jack — Holy Soul Village’s chief. Jack condemns Tang Hao’s treatment of Tang San and refuses to surrender the work-study place after Tang Hao initially turns it down 16 20.