Before long, in Tang Yuehua's bedroom, Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo leapt out of the passage one after another. The latter glared coldly at Tang Yuehua.
"Master of the Moon Pavilion, can you explain why there's a secret passage here, and why there are male footprints inside it?"
"Has His Excellency Dugu forgotten my identity? This is merely a precaution." Tang Yuehua forced down her hatred, her expression indifferent as she said calmly: "Besides, that passage is part of the Moon Pavilion's drainage system. There's more than one entrance down there."
"Now it's September, and the weather is stifling. To prevent foul smells from seeping out and affecting the students here, of course we must keep the channels clean. People go down there to sweep nearly every day—leaving some footprints is only natural."
Dugu Bo frowned. He had indeed seen multiple passages below.
They must have been built for escape, scattered throughout the Moon Pavilion, allowing one to slip away at any moment of danger.
"Tang Hao and his son are wanted criminals of the empire. Tang San is even a Fallen Soul Master. Master of the Moon Pavilion, sheltering such fugitives is a crime of extermination—you'd best not bring ruin upon yourself." Dugu Bo stepped close, his voice cold, then strode past her.
Yang Yunhai said nothing and followed.
"Master of the Moon Pavilion, thank you for your cooperation." The commander of the Royal Knights clasped his hands politely, then led his men out.
Soon, the house grew quiet again. Tang Yuehua finally collapsed to the floor, sobbing bitterly.
After a long time, she slowly sat up, her bloodshot eyes burning with hatred.
"Second Brother, rest assured. I will raise Xiao San into a man worthy of you, and avenge you!" she swore in her heart.
"Such a pity." In the sky above the Moon Pavilion, Chrysanthemum Douluo murmured as he watched Yang Yunhai, Dugu Bo, and the others withdraw. He had found no suspicious figures elsewhere—Tang San had clearly been hiding in Tang Yuehua's courtyard, but had already escaped. With that, he turned and left.
Not long after, at Yunhai Academy—
"Reporting to the Worship, Tang Hao infiltrated from the eastern forest. We found traces left on the tree trunks."
When Dugu Bo returned, the commander in charge of the academy's search delivered his report.
The area around Yang Yunhai and Dugu Bo's residence was forbidden ground. Normally, no one would ever enter, so there were no human traces. If an outsider came, they would inevitably leave marks unless they flew in from the sky—and flying in broad daylight would draw attention. Thus, there was no doubt: Tang Hao had entered by land, through the forest.
The evidence all pointed to this.
"Hm." Dugu Bo nodded slightly. The empire could now officially confirm that Tang Hao had indeed infiltrated, and not that they killed him elsewhere and brought the body here. That was enough.
With a wave of his hand, he tossed Tang Hao's corpse to the ground.
"Take the body back. Tomorrow, display it at the execution grounds to serve as a warning!"
"Yes." The commander bowed and had his men carry the corpse away.
"Uncle Shou, you should rest early as well." Yang Yunhai turned to Meng Shenshou.
"Mm." Meng Shenshou nodded and left.
"Tang San will remain a hidden threat if left alive." Chrysanthemum Douluo landed nearby, frowning.
"No matter. He may hide for a while, but not forever. We'll have our chance." Yang Yunhai's tone was calm.
Truthfully, if Tang San could cultivate without harming innocents through his devouring ability, Yang Yunhai would have preferred he inherit the Asura God's position. According to the laws of the God Realm, a god who lost his divine seat would fall in power. A newly risen, weak Asura God would be far easier to handle than an ancient one who had existed for millennia. It would weaken the God Realm's overall strength.
But that was only the last resort.
To prevent innocents from suffering, Yang Yunhai leaned toward killing Tang San on sight.
'Asura God's position…' He fell into thought.
"It's late. Let's rest. We'll discuss tomorrow." Dugu Bo inclined his head.
"Mm." Yang Yunhai returned to himself and nodded, heading back inside.
The night passed in silence. The next morning, at Heaven Dou City's gates—
'Could it be Father was discovered last night?' Seeing soldiers checking every man's face at the gates, Tang San's heart sank.
With such inspections, slipping back in during the day was impossible. Helpless, he turned to leave and look for another way.
But only after a few steps, shouts erupted behind him.
"Make way, make way!"
A squad of soldiers pushed through the crowd. Their leader strode to the public notice board and began pasting proclamations.
Tang San turned back in confusion. His Purple Demon Eyes flared—and his pupils contracted, bloodshot veins spreading through his eyes, his face twisting in shock.
"Father… dead? How can this be!"
Eyes wide with disbelief, his gaze darted down the announcement.
Tang Hao's body would be displayed that very noon at the southern execution grounds.
His vision turned red. His body trembled violently.
"Beasts!" Fury exploded within him.
They had killed his father, and now they would defile his corpse. Such hatred could not coexist under the same sky.
But he also understood—Yang Yunhai was using his father's body to lure him out, to trap him.
'No. I must endure. If I die too, no one will avenge Father!'
He silently recited the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record's creed: Even with Mount Tai collapsing before you, remain calm. Even with the Yellow River bursting above you, remain unshaken. A true master of hidden weapons must always hold a cool head.
Biting his lip until it bled, Tang San spun and walked away.
"What! Tang Hao is dead?"
"Serves him right! His son is a Fallen Soul Master, and now he tried to harm Master Yang—truly deserved to die!"
"Sneaking into a junior's home to strike at him? Shameless! So much for the Clear Sky Douluo. Bah!"
"His Excellency Dugu is incredible!"
The voices of scorn and mockery rang out, each word stabbing into Tang San like a blade. His body tightened, his fists clenched, blood veining his eyes even deeper.
'Damn it—all of them damn it! They insult my father—every last one of them deserves death!'
Hatred burned hotter with every word, yet his steps never faltered.
Elsewhere, in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—
"Hmph, Clear Sky Douluo stooping to such petty tricks—how disgraceful." After hearing a disciple's report, Sword Douluo's eyes were full of disdain.
"With Tang Hao's soul bones, Dugu Bo and Yang Yunhai's strength will surely rise even further." Bone Douluo sighed. "Especially Dugu Bo—first killing Yu Yuanzhen, then Tang Hao. His true strength may already far surpass what we imagined."
Sword Douluo frowned deeply. "If Tang Hao infiltrated, and in such confined quarters, how did Dugu Bo manage to kill him while protecting Yang Yunhai and the others?"
"That point is indeed baffling."
"Could it have been his eighth soul skill? If so, the control level is far too high."
"Send someone to the execution grounds at noon to confirm." Ning Fengzhi stood up slowly.
The sudden arrival of Royal Knights last night to seal the city and surround the Moon Pavilion had already caught his notice. He had guessed it might involve Tang Hao and Tang San, but the message was locked down. It was only this morning that he learned the truth.
Since Tang Hao had attacked, he had to go to Yunhai Academy to offer support to Yang Yunhai.
And, of course, to see things for himself.
"Let's go, Uncle Bone. We'll visit Yunhai Academy."
(End of Chapter)
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