Get Lost

Yu Xiaogang said, rather pleased, "Since you've come, Your Excellency Haotian, I imagine the enemies must have been dealt with."

Tang Hao did not engage him in conversation, merely giving a brief "Mm."

Tang Hao's mind was in turmoil, and he had no thought to spare for anything else.

Tang San said, "Dad, it's you! That's wonderful."

Seeing that the newcomer was his biological father, Tang San was overjoyed. Even the gloom from the beating he had taken earlier was largely dispelled.

Tang Hao, meanwhile, gazed with a complicated expression at this "good son" who was delighted just to see him. He truly did not know where to begin.

If Ah Yin had not kept urging him on, Tang Hao might have been drinking himself into a stupor at some tavern right now.

Tang Hao stroked Tang San's head without saying a word. He simply kept his eyes on Tang San, the expression on his face shifting constantly.

Seeing Tang Hao's state, Tang San's heart gave a jolt. Something seemed wrong with his father.

Tang San asked Tang Hao worriedly, "Dad, what's wrong?"

Tang Hao forced out a faint smile. "I'm fine. You've grown quite a bit lately."

Tang San said, "Yeah! Dad, did you know? I've become a Soul Master, and a rank-twelve Soul Master at that! This is my Soul Ring. It's over four hundred years old, and Teacher picked it out for me himself."

At that moment, Tang San was like a real child, showing off his prized possession to the person closest to him.

Tang Hao frowned when he saw the Yellow Soul Ring light up around Tang San.

Tang Hao said, "Little San, remember this: from now on, don't let your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul absorb Soul Rings of other types. Your Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul can only absorb Plant-type Martial Souls, and it's best to absorb Soul Beasts whose characteristics are closer to those of Blue Silver Grass. Remember that."

Tang San was about to say something, but Yu Xiaogang answered first. "Your Excellency Haotian, according to my research on the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, Plant-type Martial Souls can absorb..."

Tang Hao said, "What do you know?"

Tang Hao impatiently cut him off, letting some of his own imposing presence leak out in the process.

Though his presence had leaked out for only an instant, it was enough to show Tang San and Yu Xiaogang how terrifying a Titled powerhouse was, and to make them realize that Tang Hao was in a bad mood.

Of course, Yu Xiaogang could not be blamed entirely for the Soul Ring matter. After all, Tang Hao himself had been watching from the side the whole time.

So Tang Hao had not intended to take Yu Xiaogang to task over it, but that was no reason for him to act so presumptuously in front of Tang Hao!

How dare he?

Doesn't he know I'm in a bad mood right now?

He's nothing but a minor Soul Grandmaster. Where does he get the courage to argue with a Titled Douluo like me?

Just because his father is Yu Luomian? Because his old flame is Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall?

If Tang San and Bibi Dong had not both possessed Twin Martial Souls, if Yu Xiaogang had not had that connection to Bibi Dong, and if Tang Hao himself had not been unwilling to raise a child, he would not have left Tang San in Yu Xiaogang's care.

I gave him a little face, and he actually took it seriously.

Seeing his father treat his teacher this way, Tang San felt awful. He wanted to say a few words in his teacher's defense, but Tang Hao cut him off.

Tang San said, "Dad, you can't blame Teacher for this. At the time..."

Tang Hao said, "Enough. I know what I'm doing in this matter."

Hearing the Clear Sky Douluo he respected speak to him like that, Yu Xiaogang said nothing more, but his hands had long since clenched into fists. He did not even feel the pain as his nails dug into his flesh.

Tang Hao was about to say something more, but when he heard Ah Yin's voice in his mind, he felt nothing but irritation and distress.

The Blue Silver Emperor said, "Tang Hao, what are you still doing? If you keep this up, I'll go find the truth myself."

At that moment, Tang Hao felt nothing but bitterness.

Tang Hao said, "Ah Yin, I want a little peace and quiet right now. My mind is such a mess. Let's come back and ask Little San in a few days, all right?"

Hearing Tang Hao say that, the Blue Silver Emperor's grief and indignation erupted completely.

Laughing and crying at once, the Blue Silver Emperor said, "Heh heh, so what? You're the only one who's hurting, the only one who feels awful? What about me? Don't I feel awful too? You only have eyes for yourself and your Clear Sky Sect. You don't see me or our child at all..."

Tang Hao hurriedly explained, "Ah Yin, how could you think that? You're the most important person to me, the one I care about most. You're the person I love most! For you, I'd be willing to die this instant..."

Hearing Tang Hao say that, Ah Yin's heart soon softened.

Am I pushing Ah Hao too hard?

But those feelings were soon replaced by emotion, by maternal instinct.

Ah Yin quickly regained her composure. She had to get an answer. If Ah Hao was unwilling, she would do it herself.

The Blue Silver Emperor said firmly, "Then do it right now, this instant. I must have an answer today."

Tang Hao said bitterly, "Ah Yin, must you force me?"

Ah Yin refused to yield an inch. "If you can't bear to press your precious Tang San, then I'll ask him myself."

Whew~

Tang Hao heaved a long sigh.

Tang Hao said, "Ah Yin, you win."

Tang Hao and Ah Yin's exchange was over in an instant.

Tang Hao gripped Tang San's shoulders with both hands and looked at him intently.

Father and son looked at each other like that for a while.

Tang Hao said solemnly to Tang San, "Little San, I have a question for you. I hope you'll answer me truthfully."

Seeing how serious and solemn his father was, Tang San understood that his father must have something extremely important to discuss with him.

Tang San nodded emphatically. "Mm, go ahead, Dad. As long as I know the answer, I'll tell you the truth."

Tang Hao fixed Tang San with a blazing gaze and said, "Little San, tell me, when you first came to this world, what do you still remember?"

The question took Tang San by surprise.

Nevertheless, Tang San gave it serious thought.

Tang San said, "I remember when I first came to this world, there was light and rain, and I think there was thunder and lightning too..."

Hearing Tang San's answer, Tang Hao unconsciously tightened his grip, unaware that he was clutching Tang San's two little arms in a death grip.

Tang San's face had gone a little pale from the pain, but he did not make a sound, silently bearing it.

Light? Thunder and lightning? Rain?

If I remember correctly, wasn't it pouring rain on the day Ah Yin sacrificed herself?

Tang Hao felt a helplessness unlike anything he had ever known. His hands fell away, and he could barely keep his feet, swaying as though he might fall at any moment.

The last time this had happened was when he lost Ah Yin.

Tang San felt those powerful hands leave his shoulders. Before he could even rub them, he saw that his father was about to fall and hurriedly supported Tang Hao to keep him from falling.

Tang Hao, however, shoved Tang San away and shouted, "Get lost! You're not my son at all. My son died long ago..."