Bibi Dong's Invitation

Five days later, on South Slope outside Nuoding City.

Tang Hao sat beneath a locust tree, a pot of tea beside him.

From the slope, he could see the official road leading to Nuoding City, though the academy was more than ten li away.

That afternoon, an unmarked carriage stopped at the foot of the slope.

A gray-haired man stepped out.

He climbed the slope alone, stopped ten paces away, and gave a Soul Master's salute.

"Yan Zheng, elder of Spirit Hall. By order of His Holiness the Pope, I have come to meet Your Excellency Tang Hao."

"You found me easily enough." Tang Hao did not rise. "I thought you'd go to the academy and corner my son first."

"My orders were to meet you."

"Good answer." Tang Hao pointed to a stone opposite him. "Sit. Pour your own tea."

Yan Zheng glanced at the teapot but did not sit.

"I need to confirm something first."

"Are you truly Tang Hao?"

"What do you think?"

Tang Hao raised his right hand.

The Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his palm. Nine Soul Rings rose one after another, then swiftly withdrew.

The entire hillside seemed to sink for an instant.

Yan Zheng's back went rigid.

He was a level eighty-three Soul Douluo and had read the Nuoding Branch Hall's report before coming. Yet only after seeing the nine rings with his own eyes did his last doubts vanish.

"Qian Daoliu didn't come himself. I take it Bibi Dong wants to talk?"

"His Holiness the Pope does," Yan Zheng said. "But before I convey her invitation, I need to confirm one more thing."

"Whether I'm still worthy?"

Tang Hao laughed. "How does a Soul Douluo plan to test me?"

"You may strike me once."

"And if I kill you?"

"Then I misjudged the risk."

With that, Yan Zheng released his Martial Soul.

Black armor plates covered his arms, and eight Soul Rings rose beneath his feet.

Tang Hao remained seated.

"Put your Martial Soul away."

Yan Zheng frowned. "You won't make a move?"

"I will. But why wrap yourself up like an iron barrel? Swing my hammer lightly and it won't budge you; put some force into it and I might kill you."

Yan Zheng had no reply.

Tang Hao rose and walked up to him. "Your hand."

Yan Zheng held out his right hand.

The next moment, Tang Hao placed two fingers against his wrist, sending a deep, powerful surge of Soul Power into his meridians.

Yan Zheng immediately channeled his own Soul Power to resist.

The two forces met inside his arm. Tang Hao's Soul Power stopped there, pressing no farther.

Just as Yan Zheng thought Tang Hao was about to withdraw, that force slipped around the weakest stretch of his defenses, lightly touched his shoulder, then retreated to Tang Hao's fingertips.

Tang Hao let go.

Yan Zheng's protective Soul Power remained intact, but sweat had soaked his back.

If that had been an attack, his right arm would have been useless for at least half a month.

"Enough to satisfy your orders?" Tang Hao asked.

Yan Zheng withdrew his Martial Soul.

"Enough."

He then handed over a letter.

The envelope bore the Pope's seal.

Tang Hao opened it. Inside were only a few lines: Bibi Dong invited him to Spirit City to discuss what had happened six years ago in person.

The letter listed no charges and said nothing about reconciliation.

After reading it, Tang Hao turned the paper over and checked the back.

"No date?"

"Her Holiness said that if you're willing to come, you may choose the time."

"Any limit on how many people I bring?"

"I brought only one driver. How you travel to Spirit City is entirely up to you."

Tang Hao folded the letter and tucked it into his clothes.

"Bibi Dong has fewer rules than Qian Xunji did."

"Your answer?"

"I'll go. Of course I'll go."

Yan Zheng blinked. He had prepared plenty of arguments, only to find he needed none of them.

Tang Hao continued, "But before I leave, let's make one thing clear. If Spirit Hall has a problem, come to me. Don't send people to Nuoding Academy."

"I can only guarantee that in part."

A teasing smile touched Tang Hao's lips. "Looks like Bibi Dong has less control over Spirit Hall than I thought."

Yan Zheng kept his eyes lowered. He did not dare answer that, so he pretended he had not heard.

"When do you intend to leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"So soon?" Now it was Yan Zheng's turn to be surprised. He had expected Tang Hao to put it off for a while.

Tang Hao looked at him. "What, your Pope isn't ready?"

"Should I wait a few more days, then? Let her send a second and third group to invite me before I agree?"

"Ahem..." Yan Zheng cleared his throat. "That won't be necessary."

"Since Her Holiness sent me, she is naturally prepared. Your Excellency may depart whenever you wish."

"Good. Wait for me here tomorrow. I'll ride in your carriage."

"Huh?"

"What's with the 'huh'?" Tang Hao said, as though it were obvious. "What, you expect me to walk there?"

"No, I thought..."

"Never mind what you thought. Listen to me. We're going together."

"Oh, and bring plenty of money. You're paying for my food and lodging."

With that, Tang Hao vanished.

Yan Zheng's legs went weak. He collapsed onto the stone and poured himself a cup of tea.

He took a sip and immediately frowned.

"What is this stuff? The mighty Clear Sky Douluo drinks this?"

Little did he know that the tea set had been borrowed from a general store, and the tea had come free with it. Of course it tasted awful.

Tang Hao was so broke his pockets might as well have been ringing. The only reason he had agreed to go to Spirit City tomorrow was for the free food and lodging.

That evening, outside Nuoding Academy.

Tang San came out after training and saw Tang Hao waiting by the road.

"Did you need something?" Tang San asked.

"I'm leaving Nuoding City for a while. I wanted to let you know."

"Where are you going?"

"Spirit City. The current Pope, Bibi Dong, sent someone to invite me. I agreed to meet her."

Tang San tightened his grip on his schoolbag strap.

Only at noon had his father told him that Spirit Hall had hunted his mother down years ago.

Now they were inviting his father to Spirit City. How was that any different from a sheep walking into a tiger's den?

"Are you going alone?"

Tang Hao raised an eyebrow. "What, would you rather come with me?"

"I..." Tang San lowered his head. "I can't do anything as I am now. I'd only be a burden to you, Dad."

Tang Hao gently rubbed his head.

"You're a man. Stop getting all awkward about it. Work hard. I'm sure you'll be able to help me soon enough."

Tang San nodded firmly. "I will!"

Seeing how serious Tang San looked, Tang Hao felt his choice was a hundred times better than the original Tang Hao's.

Giving a child encouragement was far better than leaving him to grow up wild.

"But let's be clear about one thing." Tang Hao looked at him. "If anyone from Spirit Hall gives you trouble, go to Yu Xiaogang. Don't lose your head and try to fight them to the death."

"I know."

"What you need to do now is master what you're learning."

"Once you've spent enough time at Nuoding Academy, I'll take you to see somewhere else."

"There's an academy called Shrek. It's extremely picky about its students. If you've got what it takes, you can try getting in when the time comes."

Tang San asked, "Is it harder to get into than Nuoding Academy?"

"Much harder, so don't rush to say yes." Tang Hao smiled. "You haven't even mastered your first Soul Skill yet. Focus on what's in front of you."

"I'm off!"

Tang Hao turned and waved to Tang San without looking back.

"Dad, I'll work hard to become someone who can help you, not a burden."