Hearing Tang San's icy words, Tang Hao swallowed back all the sentences he had painstakingly prepared.
After a long silence, Tang Hao finally controlled his emotions and slowly said, "Little San, long time no see. You look... much stronger than before."
"So what? It has nothing to do with you."
Tang San's tone remained freezing. He remembered how weak he used to be due to malnutrition as a child.
Faced with this sudden concern, he felt deeply uncomfortable. His father had been indifferent to him when he was a helpless child, but now that he was grown and powerful, Tang Hao was suddenly starting to care about his growth?
At this moment, Tang San felt resentment and a strong sense of rejection.
After learning the truth from Lin Mu, he understood that his father was not truly a "useless person," but a top expert renowned throughout the continent.
Yet, this top expert had placed the burden of the family on his shoulders when he was only four years old.
While Tang San himself was barely getting enough to eat, he had to cook and care for a Titled Douluo who spent his days drinking.
Was this what a father was?
Even with Tang Hao's concern now, Tang San felt no warmth, only a profound sense of hypocrisy.
Seeing Tang San's rejection, Tang Hao frowned. His son used to be so sensible and obedient; how had he become like this? Could it be that he'd been gone too long?
So, Tang Hao immediately said in a deep voice, "Little San, there's a reason I can't be by your side."
"What reason?"
Tang San's eyes blazed as he stared intently at Tang Hao.
In his view, even if his mother's death had dealt a heavy blow to his father, it wasn't a valid reason to abandon his young son. And leaving his mother's remains in a dark, sunless cave to wither away was simply incomprehensible.
Hearing Tang San's direct question, Tang Hao opened his mouth, but couldn't find a reasonable explanation.
Could he say that he hadn't done anything significant these past few years except secretly watch Lin Mu teach his son?
After a moment, Tang Hao took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Little San, I'm doing this for your own good. Rather than suffering by my side and facing my enemies, you should stay with your teacher."
"Then why are you here to see me now?"
Tang San's gaze sharpened, his tone carrying a hint of accusation.
Previously, he had clung to a sliver of hope that his father had some unavoidable, noble reason for his neglect. But hearing these excuses only deepened his disappointment.
Since his master was fulfilling his father's responsibilities, he might as well consider his master his true father.
Faced with his son's aggressive questioning, Tang Hao was rendered speechless. He could only stiffen his face and change the subject. "Little San, I didn't come to you to argue about these things. I just want to ask you one thing."
"How did you complete the Blue Silver Emperor Awakening?"
At this moment, Tang San finally realized why his father had recognized him despite his drastic change in appearance, he likely resembled his mother now.
After a moment of silence, he looked up at Tang Hao and explained simply, "My Master led me to the Blue Silver King, and with the Blue Silver King's help, I completed the awakening."
Hearing this, Tang Hao was filled with doubt. 'How did Lin Mu know the Blue Silver King's whereabouts? Could it be that he had consulted some ancient records and happened to know the location of the Blue Silver Forest?'
Seeing that his father seemed to care more about the awakening than his son's feelings, Tang San felt increasingly disappointed.
After a pause, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he questioned, "You've neglected Mother completely. Have you ever considered her feelings?"
"What did you say?" Tang Hao's expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward, grabbed Tang San's shoulders, and shook him. "How do you know about that?!"
With Tang Hao gripping his shoulders tightly, Tang San endured the pain. He looked his father in the eye and said, each word piercing the heart:
"You'd rather drink and sleep all day than take care of Mother properly. In your heart... have you ever truly cared about either of us?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Hao was struck dumb. He staggered back several steps, barely managing to steady himself, his entire demeanor becoming even more dejected and defensive.
Cornered by his son's truth, Tang Hao felt a surge of shame turn into anger. He strode forward and slapped Tang San across the face.
"PAH!"
"I raised you with such difficulty, and this is how you talk to your father?!"
Feeling the burning pain on his cheek, Tang San was first stunned, then took two steps back in disbelief. The carefully maintained image of a father in his heart shattered completely.
Seeing the red handprint on Tang San's face, Tang Hao felt an instant pang of regret. But the damage was done, and his pride wouldn't let him admit his mistake right then.
"Little San... think it over carefully. I'll come find you later."
With that, Tang Hao vanished into the shadows of the alley, seemingly too ashamed to face Tang San any longer.
After Tang Hao left, Tang San remained rooted to the spot. He stood there for a long while before collapsing to the ground as if all his strength had been drained.
Although Tang Hao's slap had been physically forceful, the pain was nothing compared to the mental breakdown he had just experienced.
This breakdown surpassed even his previous struggles. He had always longed for fatherly love, but now that he had found it, it was completely different from what he had imagined. It was toxic.
A dozen minutes later, an azure hurricane swept down from the sky into the alley.
Immediately afterward, Lin Mu and Xiao Wu emerged from the wind.
Seeing that Tang San hadn't returned for a long time, Xiao Wu had worried that something happened to him and immediately went to the teachers' dormitory to find Lin Mu for help.
At this moment, Xiao Wu's pretty face was flushed, not from the high-speed flight, but because she had heard some... strange sounds upon arriving at Lin Mu's dormitory. It sounded suspiciously like Teacher Xue's voice.
Seeing Tang San lying on the ground, seemingly lifeless, Xiao Wu hurriedly helped him up, anxiously asking, "Brother! Are you alright?"
However, no matter how Xiao Wu called out, Tang San didn't respond. He just stared blankly.
Just then, Lin Mu noticed the swollen handprint on Tang San's face and immediately frowned. With the healing skill of the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone, Tang San could have healed this physical injury instantly. The fact that he hadn't meant the wound was deeper.
Physical wounds are easy to heal, but emotional wounds are not.
Lin Mu already had a guess about the owner of that handprint.
So, he reached out and gently tapped Tang San on the forehead, infusing a bit of calming energy. "Little San, what did I tell you before? No matter what happens, your Master will always be on your side. How can you be so weak?"
Hearing this familiar and supportive voice, Tang San finally came to his senses. He looked up at Lin Mu, his eyes red, and said in a deep voice, "Master... Father came to see me not long ago."
"What did you talk about?"
"He asked me how to complete the Blue Silver Emperor awakening, and I told him the truth. Then... I questioned him about why he abandoned Mother. He didn't refute me. He just slapped me."
After saying this, Tang San seemed to have shed a massive weight, though his heart was heavy.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu was furious. She stomped her foot and said indignantly, "To hit your own son so hard just for asking a question? What kind of father is that?!"
In the past, Tang San would definitely have made excuses for his father, defending him against Xiao Wu's criticism. But now, he remained silent. He was completely disappointed.
Seeing this, Lin Mu didn't belittle Tang Hao aggressively like Xiao Wu did. Instead, he chose to validate Tang San's feelings. "Little San, whatever decision you make regarding him, I will support you."
"Master... he is still my father. What should I do?"
Even at this point, Tang San was incredibly conflicted. Although he was an orphan in his previous life, the ancient values he held dear emphasized the importance of filial piety above almost all else.
"Little San, although he is nominally your father by blood, he hasn't fulfilled his responsibilities as a father. Filial piety is earned through care, not just birth. You only need to do what you believe is right, without worrying about being bound by empty titles."
Hearing Lin Mu's gentle explanation, Tang San's rigid perspective slowly began to change.
Compared to his Master, who wholeheartedly cared for him, guided him, and protected him, his father was utterly incompetent. Not only had Tang Hao failed to fulfill his paternal duties when Tang San was young, but he even had the audacity to use violence when confronted with his own failures.