The Clear Sky Sect stood on the northern frontier of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Within its grounds, mountains towered over deep forests, and clouds cut across the slopes halfway up. Its bluestone gates lay hidden behind ancient woods. Anyone unfamiliar with the way could wander for three days without coming close.
Tang Hao, of course, was not someone who would lose his way.
At that moment, he stood outside the gates, wind surging up from the mountain hollow and snapping his tattered robes.
The disciple guarding the gate failed to recognize him at first. Once he made out that stubbled face, his hands trembled, and he frantically struck the bronze gong.
Clang-clang-clang!!!
The ringing rolled together, startling mountain birds into a flurry of wings.
"The traitor is attacking the Clear Sky Sect! First Elder, come quickly!"
Tang Hao's face darkened. His half-extended hand hung awkwardly in the air; he could neither withdraw it nor reach any farther.
Was there any need to make such a fuss?
Before half an incense stick had burned, the training ground before the ancestral hall was packed with people.
A dozen or so elders wore equally thunderous expressions, as though someone owed them debts stretching back eight lifetimes.
"Tang Hao!"
The first to speak was a white-bearded elder. He slapped the stone table, making a teacup jump an inch.
"You still have the nerve to come back!"
Tang Hao remained silent in the middle of the grounds. A gentle breeze lifted his half-length cloak, exposing the empty wine flask at his waist.
With his sunken eyes and gaunt cheeks, he looked like an entirely different man from the Clear Sky Douluo whose name had once shaken the continent.
"That fine deed of yours back then forced our Clear Sky Sect to seal its mountains for