Father and Son Reunited

Three days later, in Nuoding City, outside the Spirit Hall Branch.

Tang Hao stood across the street and watched Tang San and Yu Xiaogang enter the branch hall.

He had planned to look for them at the academy first. This saved him a trip.

Inside, more than a dozen civilian Soul Masters stood in line to collect their stipends.

Tang Hao joined the back of the line. No sooner had he stopped than he heard a child at the counter ask, "Isn't it supposed to be one Gold Soul Coin? Why is it ten Silver Soul Coins short?"

The Deacon behind the counter did not look up.

"Registration verification fee. Next."

The child clutched his coin pouch and tried to ask another question, but his companion pulled him away.

Tang Hao glanced at the stipend notice posted on the wall.

It said nothing about a verification fee.

When Tang San's turn came, the Deacon took his Soul Master certificate, turned two pages, and stopped at the Soul Ring registration.

"Mandala Snake, over four hundred years old?"

"Yes," Tang San answered.

"Six years old, and you absorbed a Soul Beast over four hundred years old for your First Soul Ring?" The Deacon closed the certificate. "The record needs to be reviewed. Your stipend can't be paid today."

Yu Xiaogang said, "The Soul Hunting Writ and registration documents are complete. If you need to confirm his Soul Ring, you can inspect it here."

"We can inspect it. Pay five Gold Soul Coins first."

Tang San looked up at the notice on the wall.

"This fee isn't listed here."

"Internal branch rules don't all have to be posted."

"Then please return my certificate first." Tang San held out his hand. "I'll come back once I've confirmed the rules."

The Deacon pinned the certificate beneath his hand.

"The Soul Ring record is in doubt. The certificate will be held for now."

Yu Xiaogang frowned. "You've decided the record is in doubt without inspecting it?"

"Which of us is the branch Deacon, you or me?"

Hearing the commotion, two Guards came over from the doorway.

Tang San did not step back.

He glanced at the certificate, then at the Deacon.

"You can verify it, but you can't take my property just because I asked where this fee came from."

Someone in the line murmured agreement. The Deacon's expression darkened further.

"You're just a work-study student. Who gave you the nerve to talk back here?"

"I did."

Tang Hao walked to Tang San's side.

Tang San's eyes lit up. "Dad?"

"Got your First Soul Ring?"

"I did."

"Any injuries?"

"No."

Tang Hao nodded, then turned to the counter. "My son's certificate. Sorry for the trouble, but give it back to him."

The Deacon eyed Tang Hao's worn sleeves.

"The certificate must wait until the review is complete."

"And that review costs five Gold Soul Coins?"

"We follow the rules."

"It isn't on the wall, and you can't produce it either." Tang Hao asked, "Who made this rule for you?"

The Deacon did not answer. He signaled to the two Guards.

The Guards had barely taken a step closer when heavy Soul Power spread from Tang Hao.

Their knees buckled. Pinned in place, they could not take another step.

The people in line, however, felt nothing.

Tang Hao pointed at the counter. "Get your Manager out here. And have the ten Silver Soul Coins you shorted that child ready."

The Deacon finally panicked and hurried into the inner hall.

Tang San looked at his father.

Before they left Holy Soul Village, using Soul Power had still made Tang Hao cough.

Now he stood there, his breathing steadier than Tang San had ever known it.

"Has your injury healed?"

"Most of it," Tang Hao said. "The rest will heal with time. It won't keep me from getting things done."

He said it lightly, but Tang San let out a breath of relief.

Before long, a middle-aged man emerged from the inner hall with several Soul Masters.

"I'm Ron, Hall Master of the Nuoding Branch Hall." He glanced at the immobilized Guards. "Sir, why don't we discuss this inside?"

"We'll discuss it here."

Tang Hao stepped aside, revealing the line behind him.

"And you'll pay them here too."

Ron's gaze fell on the notice on the wall. He had already guessed most of what had happened.

He turned to the Deacon. "What's this verification fee?"

"Hall Master, people have been forging certificates lately. I was only being careful..."

"Careful to put the money in your own pocket?" Tang Hao asked.

"Don't make baseless accusations!"

"Then bring out the accounts."

The Deacon shut his mouth.

Ron's face darkened, but he still said to Tang Hao, "I'll investigate this. First, please withdraw your Soul Power and release the branch Guards."

"Fine."

Tang Hao withdrew his Soul Power. The two Guards staggered aside.

"Check the accounts now."

Ron was silent for a moment. "You're overstepping, sir."

"I only came to take my son out for a meal." Tang Hao gave a cold laugh. "You went after my meal money, and now you say I'm overstepping?"

"Is this what Bibi Dong taught you?"

"How dare you address the Pope by name!"

Ron barked out the reprimand, and five Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

Everyone inside the branch hall retreated.

Tang Hao pulled Tang San over beside Yu Xiaogang and raised his right hand.

The jet-black Clear Sky Hammer dropped into his palm.

Ron recognized the Martial Soul as soon as the first Soul Ring rose.

By the time the eighth and ninth Soul Rings appeared in turn, all color had drained from his face.

"You... you're Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao."

"Good. You recognize me." Tang Hao planted the hammer's handle against the floor. "Saves me an introduction."

The stone tiles did not crack.

But Ron knew that if Tang Hao wished it, this entire branch hall might not survive a single blow.

Tang Hao did not advance. He only asked, "Can my son have his certificate back?"

"Yes."

"And his stipend?"

"Paid in full."

"And the verification fees you overcharged?"

Ron turned to the Deacon, his voice turning cold. "Check the accounts. Refund everyone, one by one. Do it now."

The Deacon tried to speak, but Ron had someone take him into the inner hall.

Tang Hao put away the Clear Sky Hammer.

He stared at Ron. "After I leave, if you call back the people who collected their money today and question them one by one, this won't end with a refund."

"I won't," Ron answered at once.

Tang Hao said nothing more and led Tang San and Yu Xiaogang out of the branch hall.

Only when they reached the street did Yu Xiaogang speak. "Word of who you are will reach Spirit City soon."

"Mm."

"They may send someone."

"I can't hide forever and wait for Little San to grow up and settle my old scores for me."

Tang Hao's tone still held a trace of bitterness, but Tang San heard how serious he was.

"Dad, how long will you stay in Nuoding City this time?"

"Long enough to have a meal with you and see that Soul Skill of yours." Tang Hao thought for a moment. "Then I have some things to take care of. But from now on, I'll tell you where I'm going."

"Can I know what those things are?"

"Yes. Once I decide which one to tackle first, I'll tell you."

Tang San nodded and did not press him.

Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang. "Thanks for helping him get the Soul Ring."

"Tang San killed the Mandala Snake himself," Yu Xiaogang said. "I wasn't much help."

"He came back safely. That means you helped."

Yu Xiaogang paused, taken aback.

Tang Hao turned toward the shops along the street. "Let's find somewhere to eat and celebrate Little San getting his First Soul Ring. Eat all you want today!"

"Did you bring any money?" Tang San asked.

Tang Hao stopped and felt in his pocket. His fingers poked through the other side.

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San both stared at him.

Tang Hao's expression did not change. "No problem. Worst case, we leave Grandmaster there to wash dishes."

Yu Xiaogang shook his head and laughed. Tang San laughed too.

Inside the branch hall, Ron remained where he stood.

Only after the three figures vanished from sight did he order someone to bring him paper and personally write an urgent report:

Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao has appeared in Nuoding City and can use Soul Power normally again.

His son, Tang San, is six years old and a One-Ring Soul Master.

After sealing the letter, Ron stopped the subordinate who was about to deliver it.

"Check today's accounts first."

He glanced in the direction Tang Hao and the others had gone.

"That man's notorious for being unreasonable. Don't give him a reason to come looking for trouble."