After leaving Moon Pavilion, Lin Mu found a clean and spacious inn nearby to stay in.
Throughout the journey, Tang San remained frowning, looking as if he had something weighing heavily on his mind.
Seeing Tang San somewhat withdrawn, Lin Mu broke the silence first: "Little San, if you have something to ask, just say it directly."
Tang San raised his head to look at his master, his eyes filled with confusion and a trace of barely detectable gloom.
"Master, that Madam Yue... who exactly is she? She seems to know my father."
"Her name is Tang Yuehua. She is your father's biological younger sister. By seniority, you should call her 'aunt.'"
Hearing this, after a moment's thought, Lin Mu frankly told him.
In reality, Tang San was practically an orphan. From childhood, he had never seen his mother, and his father was indifferent to him.
Even so, Tang San still accepted such a slovenly, drunken father. The mindset of a person from ancient times was already deeply ingrained.
"Aunt?"
Tang San was instantly stunned. This form of address was far too unfamiliar to him.
He had thought he only had one relative: his father, Tang Hao. Now, suddenly, such a graceful, noble, and elegant aunt appeared, making it difficult for him to accept for a moment.
What he found most incomprehensible was why his father had treated him the way he did.
"Master, since Dad has a younger sister of such status, why did he stay in Holy Spirit Village? Why couldn't he even manage basic living? If it weren't for Grandpa Jack's help..."
At this point, Tang San abruptly stopped. His eyes were filled with deep confusion and a long-buried trace of grievance.
Before, Tang San had attributed all this to his father's lack of capability.
But now it seemed his father was clearly not as simple as an ordinary blacksmith. He could have let him live a good life, at least without worrying about food and clothing.
Yet the reality was that his father seemed to not care about him at all.
Seeing this, Lin Mu sighed. He did not make excuses for Tang Hao's irresponsibility but instead offered guidance:
"Everyone has their own choices. Your father may have his reasons, but that is not an excuse for his failure as a father. As for right and wrong, you still have to discern that for yourself."
As a father, Tang Hao was undoubtedly a failure. Regardless of the reason, that fact could not be washed away.
However, Lin Mu would not directly vilify Tang Hao. After all, this concerned a crucial shift in Tang San's thinking. Pushing too hard might backfire.
"Yes, Master."
Tang San took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the bitterness in his heart.
At that moment, Lin Mu changed the subject and casually asked, "What do you think of this aunt of yours?"
"Madam Yue... Auntie... her bearing is noble, she treats others with graceful propriety. As the mistress of Moon Pavilion, her capabilities are certainly not weak. When she saw me, her emotions seemed genuine..."
At this point, Tang San frowned slightly and continued, "Only... it feels a bit too much like clever words and a pleasing manner."
Hearing this, Lin Mu smiled noncommittally. For Tang Yuehua to establish herself in the noble circles of Heaven Dou City, she was naturally no simple figure.
There was even a rumor that she had an unclear relationship with Emperor Xue Ye, though whether it was true or not was unknown.
Elsewhere, Tang Yuehua, intending to ask someone to pull strings for Tang San and Xiao Wu's enrollment, happened to run into Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, who had come to Moon Pavilion to pick up his younger sister, Xue Ke.
Thus, she directly invited Xue Qinghe to the VIP room, wanting to ask for his help in arranging the enrollment.
However, she deliberately concealed Tang San's true identity.
Even after so many years, Tang Hao's identity remained highly sensitive. Once exposed, it would certainly cause an uproar.
"Since it's Madam Yue's request, I naturally cannot refuse."
Xue Qinghe wore a gentle smile. To him, arranging for two people to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy was merely a matter of a few words.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, there is one person who might be useful to you. This person is only a little over twenty years old, yet his cultivation has already reached the Soul Sage level. He is certain to cultivate to the Title Douluo level in the future."
After careful consideration, Tang Yuehua chose to reveal the matter of Lin Mu.
Due to the Spirit Hall's suppression, the Clear Sky Clan could only remain in seclusion. Now, with Lin Mu as a powerful ally, it was highly likely they would emerge into the world again in the future.
And Xue Qinghe, as the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, if Lin Mu could gain his trust and appointment, it would be of considerable help both to Tang San's growth and to the Clear Sky Clan's re-emergence.
"A Soul Sage in his early twenties?"
The gentle smile on Xue Qinghe's face instantly froze. A flash of disbelief passed through his eyes.
He possessed innate level 20 soul power and considered his talent unparalleled under heaven. Even though heavy official duties had somewhat slackened his cultivation, it was still incomparable to other soul masters.
But!
Compared to this Soul Sage in his early twenties, the difference was not by a small margin.
A moment later, Xue Qinghe suppressed the shock in his heart, regaining his usual composure. However, his tone held an unprecedented level of seriousness:
"Madam Yue, what is this person's background? If he can be employed by our Heaven Dou Empire, he would surely be a pillar of the state!"
"My apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I also do not know his background. However, among the two people who wish to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, one is his disciple."
"So that's how it is."
A look of understanding flashed in Xue Qinghe's eyes, followed by a determined glint. He earnestly said, "Such talent must not be missed. I must trouble Madam Yue to make an introduction."
"Very well. I will try to arrange it."
Tang Yuehua was not at all surprised by Xue Qinghe's reaction. Everything was within her plans.
Two days later, at Tang Yuehua's invitation, Lin Mu once again arrived at that elegant side hall in Moon Pavilion.
Apart from Tang Yuehua, there was also a young man in casual attire, yet unable to conceal his noble air.
"Mr. Lin Mu, this is His Highness the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe."
Tang Yuehua introduced with a smile.
"This time, it is Qinghe who has presumptuously requested this meeting. I hope you will be magnanimous."
Xue Qinghe rose and cupped his hands in greeting. His smile was as warm and gentle as jade, without the slightest air of superiority, giving people a feeling like a spring breeze.
Simultaneously, he carefully observed the young man before him, inwardly startled.
With his own cultivation level, he actually couldn't sense the other's approximate cultivation.
Just as Tang Yuehua said, this person was at least a Soul Sage.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is too polite."
Lin Mu returned the courtesy with cupped hands. On the surface, he was calm and unruffled, but inwardly, his mind was roiling with shock.
He had thought Tang Yuehua sought him out regarding the enrollment matter. He never expected to encounter this "Crown Prince."
"To reach the Soul Sage level at such a young age truly amazes Qinghe."
Xue Qinghe first offered a compliment, then got to the main topic: "I heard from Madam Yue that you intend for your disciple to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to study?"
"That is correct." Lin Mu replied calmly.
"This matter is simple. Qinghe will definitely arrange it properly. Please rest assured."
At this point, Xue Qinghe paused, then suddenly extended an invitation: "A soul master as formidable as yourself, why not take up the position of a senior instructor within the academy? You wouldn't need to handle tedious administrative tasks, only occasionally provide guidance to the students."