Branches of the Same Tree, Searching for Tang San

Outside the gap in the window, Ning Rongrong held her breath and quietly pricked up her little ears.

She heard Sword Chen Xin say gravely:

"Fengzhi, Tang Xiao came down the mountain to visit us in person this time. Clearly, he's been driven into a corner.

No one expected Tang Hao, who had stayed hidden for so many years, to be caught in a little village

by elite forces sent by Spirit Hall!"

What?!

Tang Hao had been captured?!

Hiding outside the window, Ning Rongrong felt as though lightning had struck her. She froze, her mind buzzing into a tangled mess.

How could Tang San's father, Clear Sky Douluo, have been taken away by Spirit Hall?!

Nothing like this had happened in her previous life!

Then what about Third Brother?

Third Brother was only five now, living with Tang Hao.

With Tang Hao taken away by Spirit Hall, didn't that mean Third Brother's prospects were grim?!

For a moment, Ning Rongrong was both shocked and frantic. Her heart leaped into her throat, and her mind filled with worry over Tang San's safety.

Inside the main hall, Ning Fengzhi lightly rubbed the rim of his teacup with his fingers, his brow furrowed as he analyzed the situation:

"Tang Xiao's meaning just now was quite clear. He wants me to join him in pressuring Spirit Hall to release Tang Hao.

But ever since the Clear Sky Sect sealed its mountain and withdrew from the world to distance itself from the affair back then, the alliance of the Upper Three Sects has existed in name only.

Over these years, I've been looking for a stronger backer for the sect's long-term future.

Now we enjoy good relations with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, and even that boy Xue Qinghe is preparing to become my disciple.

Just as the sect's position has become quite stable,

the Clear Sky Sect suddenly comes knocking at this critical juncture, asking for our help.

It really puts us in a difficult position."

Chen Xin nodded at his words, then said hesitantly:

"Spirit Hall's Pope Bibi Dong takes a hard line. Since she dared to capture Tang Hao, she certainly won't release him easily.

If we rashly step forward, we're bound to tear away all pretense of civility with Spirit Hall.

Fengzhi, why don't we wait and see what stance the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect takes?"

Gu Rong, beside him, gave a cold snort and waved a hand dismissively:

"Why bother waiting for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's stance?

If you ask this old man, we should just find an excuse to stay out of it!

When Tang Hao caused trouble back then, the Clear Sky Sect expelled him themselves and shut their doors like turtles pulling in their heads.

Why should our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wade into these muddy waters with them now?"

Outside the window, Ning Rongrong heard the three men inside doing nothing but weighing gains and losses, with no one mentioning whether Tang San lived or died. She grew so frantic that she lost all composure,

and accidentally snapped a dry twig beneath her foot!

Crack!

The crisp sound was especially piercing outside the quiet hall.

"Who's out there?"

Chen Xin's gaze sharpened, and his sleeve stirred slightly. Ning Rongrong knew she could no longer hide,

so she simply ran in through the back door herself, tilting up her little face as she urgently sought confirmation from the three men:

"Daddy, Grandpa Sword, Grandpa Gu! Was what you just said true?

Was Clear Sky Douluo really taken away by Spirit Hall?"

Seeing that the eavesdropper was his own daughter, Ning Fengzhi first froze, then frowned and scolded sternly:

"Rongrong, who gave you permission to sneak behind the main hall and eavesdrop?

The adults are discussing serious matters. Children shouldn't make trouble here. Go back to the rear courtyard!"

Normally, after such a harsh scolding from her father, Ning Rongrong would have pouted in grievance and left long ago.

But with Tang San's life at stake, how could she possibly leave? She ran two steps forward in agitation and said loudly:

"I'm not leaving!

Daddy, I've heard the sect's elders say that when Clear Sky Douluo fought Spirit Hall to the death back then,

he held his newborn child in one arm and swung the Clear Sky Hammer with the other, driving back Spirit Hall's Pope!

Since he's been living with his child all this time, now that Spirit Hall has taken him away, what about his child?!"

Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong all paused at once,

clearly not expecting Ning Rongrong, only five years old, to care about such a detail.

Gu Rong doted on her the most. Seeing her little face flushed with anxiety, he casually explained on Ning Fengzhi's behalf:

"So that's what you're curious about.

Tang Xiao did mention it just now. He said that after the Clear Sky Sect received the news, they immediately sent people to search that place called Holy Soul Village."

Ning Fengzhi's expression softened too, and he continued:

"That's right. Tang Xiao said their people didn't find Tang Hao's child in Holy Soul Village.

Apparently, the child disappeared on the very day Tang Hao was captured. His whereabouts are still unknown."

Hearing that Tang San had not been taken away by Spirit Hall as well, Ning Rongrong's suspended heart finally settled halfway back down!

Her little mind raced.

Holy Soul Village was not far outside Nuoding City.

In her previous life, Third Brother had studied in Nuoding City while earning money through smithing.

Now that Tang Hao had been captured and Third Brother was all alone, the place he was most likely to go was Nuoding City!

At that thought, Ning Rongrong's eyes darted,

and she immediately stepped forward, grabbed Ning Fengzhi's arm, and pulled out every trick she had, shaking it as she wheedled:

"Daddy, my wonderful daddy!

That child is about Rongrong's age. He must be so pitiful, wandering out there all alone!

I heard Holy Soul Village is right beside Nuoding City. He must have fled to Nuoding City!

Daddy, could you send people to Nuoding City to find him and bring him here? Please?"

Ning Fengzhi had initially intended to refuse,

but after hearing Ning Rongrong's words, his expression suddenly stilled,

and he exchanged glances with Chen Xin and Gu Rong beside him in unison.

Gu Rong stroked his chin, his eyes lighting up:

"Fengzhi, Rongrong's idea is quite good!"

A keen gleam flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, and a refined smile returned to his lips:

"It really is a fine solution that gives us the best of both worlds.

Even if our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect finds an excuse not to confront Spirit Hall,

as long as we secretly send people to find and protect Tang Hao's child, we'll have preserved Tang Hao's only bloodline.

That would be doing the Clear Sky Sect an enormous favor at no cost!"

Hearing her father agree to send people to find Tang San, Ning Rongrong immediately jumped for joy.

She cheered and climbed up along Ning Fengzhi's sleeve onto the armrest of his chair.

With a loud smack, she planted a firm kiss on Ning Fengzhi's gentle face:

"Hooray! Daddy's the best!"

His daughter's kiss filled Ning Fengzhi with delight. He raised a hand to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead, his eyes full of affection.

Beside them, Gu Rong laughed heartily, full of praise:

"Our Rongrong really is the clever one!

One turn of that little head, and she's come up with such a fine idea that gives the sect the best of both worlds!

Fengzhi, just look at how quick-witted our Rongrong is. She's sure to keep our sect in perfect order someday!"

Sword Chen Xin smiled and said:

"Rongrong isn't just intelligent. What's truly precious is that she also has a kind and compassionate heart.

Knowing that a child her age is wandering outside with no one to rely on, she knows to worry for him. That disposition is the most precious thing of all."

Listening to the two grandfathers' praise, Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly, her eyes narrowing and her brows curving.

But what she was thinking was another scene entirely.

Doing the Clear Sky Sect a favor, sympathizing with a child my age-who cares about any of that?

In her previous life, by the time she met Third Brother at Shrek Academy at twelve, Xiao Wu had long been at his side.

But in this life, Third Brother had only just turned five, and with Tang Hao captured by Spirit Hall, he was alone with no one to turn to!

As long as I bring Third Brother back to the sect.

From then on, Third Brother and I will be childhood sweethearts, growing up together!

Third Brother, this life will be different!

PS: Please keep reading and urge me to update. It's very important for a new book. Thank you, dear readers!