On the country path leading to Nuoding City, Old Jack held Tang San's hand as they walked slowly onward. The morning mist had yet to fully disperse, and the road was slightly slick.
Just after they left the bounds of Holy Soul Village, three figures suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their way-Wang Jiu, along with Tang Hao and Tang Xiao, whose strength had been restored.
"Little San! I'm your father!"
Tang Hao recognized Tang San at a glance. A blazing light instantly sprang into his eyes, and he hurried forward, spreading his arms to embrace his son.
Tang San instinctively took a step back, keeping half a meter between them.
As he looked at the man before him who claimed to be his father, he felt little of the closeness that blood ties were supposed to bring, only an indescribable strangeness and distance. Throughout the six years of his childhood, it had been kindly Old Jack who stayed beside him and cared for him, and Wang Jiu who taught him to cultivate. The kindness of those who had raised him day after day mattered far more to him than an intangible bond of blood.
Tang Hao's outstretched hands froze in midair. A clear trace of disappointment flashed through his eyes, only to be replaced by deep guilt.
He turned toward Old Jack beside them. Perhaps he was desperate to establish a connection with his son, or perhaps his ingrained pride made it difficult to accept another person's influence over the boy. A trace of viciousness flashed in his eyes, and he raised a hand to shove Old Jack aside.
"Stop!"
Wang Jiu frowned and instantly moved in front of Old Jack, blocking Tang Hao. His voice was icy:
"Tang Hao, when we were at our lowest, this village chief took us