Heaven Dou City, the southern district.
A towering mansion stood here, its thick courtyard walls over four meters high, with two gorilla-shaped stone statues standing before its gates.
Two burly men stood before the statues. Both were over two meters tall, their bulging muscles stretching their black clothes as though they might burst. Like two door gods guarding the entrance, they constantly surveyed the passersby.
A plaque hung high above the mansion, bearing only one large character.
Strength!
Tang San and Dugu Bo arrived together. Tang San stepped forward with a smile.
"Sorry for the trouble, but could you two inform Senior Tai Tan that someone has come to visit?"
The two burly men looked over expressionlessly. When their gazes fell on Dugu Bo, their pupils contracted, both sensing the powerful pressure coming from him.
One immediately nodded and said in a rumbling voice, "Please wait a moment."
Dugu Bo looked around and raised an eyebrow.
"What, do you have a grudge against the God of Strength?"
"That old fellow does have a foul temper, but he's easy enough to handle."
Tang San rolled his eyes at that.
"Old Monster, do you think everyone's like you? Why is fighting all you ever think about?"
"I have business here."
As his words fell, Dugu Bo muttered something.
"You little monster, criticizing me. What business could you have here if you're not looking for a fight? Don't tell me you came looking for women."
Tang San nearly laughed in exasperation. Dugu Bo's train of thought really was bizarre.
They had exchanged only a few words when a middle-aged man walked out, looking at the two of them in puzzlement.
"Senior Dugu? And this is...?"
"May I ask what brings you two here?"
Dugu Bo did not so much as glance at the middle-aged man, while Tang San smiled and revealed a small black hammer.
"Uncle, do you recognize my Martial Soul?"
Upon seeing the hammer in his hand clearly, the middle-aged man's eyes widened in shock.
The Clear Sky Hammer?
The Strength Clan had once been a vassal of the Clear Sky Sect. Now that the Clear Sky Hammer had appeared again, he naturally dared not slight them and hurriedly ushered them inside.
"The sect master happens to be inside. You can discuss whatever business you have face-to-face."
Following the middle-aged man, Tang San and Dugu Bo entered the assembly hall. The man asked them to wait a moment, then went to notify Tai Tan.
Before long, footsteps rang out.
Tang San looked up toward the footsteps and immediately saw all three generations of the family leading the Strength Clan gathered together, with Tai Tan at their head, puzzlement still in his eyes.
"The Clear Sky Hammer? Has the sect come down from the mountains again?"
"Tai Xing, are these the people from the sect you mentioned?"
Tang San revealed his Clear Sky Hammer as proof of his identity.
At this, most of Tai Tan's suspicions faded. He slowly sat down and asked, "Didn't the sect seal itself off long ago? Where did you come from?"
Tang San said softly, "My name is Tang San. I'm Tang Hao's son."
"Tang Hao?!"
At the mention of that name, Tai Tan cried out and sprang to his feet. That was the master of their Strength Clan. For Tang Hao's sake, the Strength Clan had even broken away from the Clear Sky Sect.
"Boy, even if you have the Clear Sky Hammer, don't lie to me, or you know what the consequences will be!"
Tai Tan spoke urgently, staring fixedly into Tang San's eyes. He could hardly be blamed for his doubts. Haozi had appeared and vanished like a ghost over the years, and there had been far too little news about him.
Upon hearing the name Tang San, Tai Long frowned in thought, then suddenly raised a finger.
"Tang San, I remember now! You... aren't you the one who was expelled from Shrek Academy?"
"So you actually have Twin Martial Souls, and the other one is the Clear Sky Hammer?"
"Grandfather, his father should indeed be our master. I once heard Grandmaster mention it."
With even his own grandson saying so, Tai Tan believed him somewhat, though his doubts were not completely dispelled. Only after asking several more questions about Tang Hao did he truly believe him.
Once he had confirmed it, Tai Tan suddenly threw his arms around Tang San, old tears streaming down his face in excitement.
"Young Master! You've grown so much!"
"What has our master been doing lately? Why hasn't there been any news of him?"
Tang San gently pushed Tai Tan away and said, "...I don't know either."
"I joined Spirit Hall. I haven't been in contact with him for a long time."
Those words struck like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, leaving Tai Tan frozen in place. Then his eyes widened, and he said urgently, "Young Master, do you not know about your mother and father's...?"
Before he could finish, Tang San interrupted him.
"I know."
"I won't forget this vengeance, but there are many ways to take revenge. I hope you can understand."
"I need your Strength Clan now. If you're willing, follow me. If not, then forget it."
There was something else left unsaid: Ah Yin's death was riddled with suspicious circumstances. The danger had clearly almost passed, yet they had gone out precisely when Tang Hao reached Level 90. It would not even be going too far to call it Haozi killing his wife for an insurance payout.
In Tang San's view, there was a good chance the matter was not so simple. Perhaps some god had once again reached down with the great hand of heaven's will.
If he wanted to investigate this, find the true culprit, and do right by the Soul Bone in his leg, he would have to remain in Spirit Hall.
But he clearly could not say this to Tai Tan, who would not understand it anyway.
Tang San had never intended to conceal his joining Spirit Hall, nor could he hide it. It was better to say it outright.
Tai Tan stood frozen, his expression shifting repeatedly. Finally, he gritted his teeth and knelt.
"Tai Tan, chief of the Strength Clan, greets the Young Master!"
His kneeling stunned Tai Nuo and Tai Long behind him.
Tai Tan turned and glared at them, roaring, "Why are you standing there like fools? Aren't you going to greet the Young Master?"
At his roar, Tai Nuo and Tai Long hurriedly dropped to one knee and said in unison, "Greetings, Young Master!"
Then Tai Tan raised his head and said solemnly, "Young Master, I don't know what you've been through, and I won't try to persuade you to change your mind. As long as you don't come into conflict with our master, for the sake of your bloodline, the Strength Clan will always safeguard you!"
As his words fell, a smile appeared on Tang San's face. That was enough. It was not as though he necessarily had to clash with Haozi. This meant he had already won over the Strength Clan.
"Senior Tai Tan, all of you, please get up."
As he spoke, Tang San stepped forward and helped Tai Tan up. "There's nothing major I need you to do right now, but I do have a business proposition."
Tai Tan stood and brushed off the dust, looking curious.
"Please go ahead, Young Master."
Tang San smiled and said, "I'm also a Guest Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now. There's a batch of hidden weapons that needs forging, and I happened to think of you."
"You can also send some people to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. You won't receive a penny less than the compensation you're due."
Tai Tan hurriedly waved his hands. "Why would we ask for money to work for you, Young Master? Just give us your orders."
Tang San shook his head firmly. "No. One matter is one matter, and another is another. Besides, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect isn't short of money. It's settled."
Seeing his insistence, Tai Tan could only agree. "All right, then. Whatever you say, Young Master."
As he spoke, Tai Tan also murmured to himself, "The Strength Clan has lain quiet for a long time. It's time to stretch our limbs!"
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