"Hmph! Look at how pathetic you are."
Seeing Ye Qiu's anxious expression, Tang Hao spoke with a tone of slight disdain.
But deep down, he was thinking something else.
Although this kid really doesn't look like much now...
He was born with full innate soul power!
Only a dozen or so appear in a hundred years. This kid's martial soul might very well be a mutated one.
Thinking of this,
Tang Hao couldn't help but sneer to himself.
Those useless fools from Spirit Hall are just as incompetent as ever!
They left this unpolished gem for our Clear Sky Clan.
With proper training...
He could be a great help for my son to return to the Clear Sky Sect and stand once more at the summit!
Even if my son is a bit... odd,
People will only attribute his strength to the name Clear Sky when they see him.
"What do you mean I'm pathetic?!"
Upon hearing Tang Hao's words, Ye Qiu immediately scrunched his face in protest.
"Believe it or not, I'll steal your wife!!"
"I don't steal or rob, I earn my money fair and square with my own skills—what's wrong with that?!"
"…"
Tang San, standing beside him, couldn't help but furrow his brows.
"Hmph!"
Ye Qiu let out a cold snort and shot a defiant glance at Tang Hao, returning his disdain with interest.
"Honestly, Uncle Haozi, you've got hands and feet, yet you can't even fork out a few copper coins and have your son serve you like a butler—how am I the one who's pathetic here?"
"Ye Qiu!"
Tang San's brows knitted tightly.
Even though what Ye Qiu said was true, he still felt it was an insult to Tang Hao!
"Xiao San, aren't you going to do something about him?"
Ye Qiu, having finished roasting Tang Hao, turned to complain to Tang San, clearly expressing a tone of "you deserve better."
"I…"
Tang San hesitated, at a loss for words.
He had thought about it before, but having Tang Hao stay home and not wander around was honestly the best outcome for him.
That way, he could leave to cultivate with peace of mind.
"It's just a few copper coins!"
Tang Hao's face darkened a little, but he wasn't about to argue with some brat who hadn't even grown all his hair yet.
Once his identity was revealed,
This brat in front of him would revere him like a god!
Hearing that,
Ye Qiu immediately beamed with joy.
"So what you're saying, Uncle Haozi, is... you're paying the bill?"
"Money? What even is money…"
Tang Hao's eyes were full of disdain.
He smacked his lips, swallowed the grass-flavored candy in his mouth, then turned to Tang San.
"Xiao San, once you get to school, look out for him. Don't let others bully him. Consider that paying off the debt."
"Okay, Dad. Got it."
Tang San nodded obediently.
Ye Qiu rolled his eyes, suddenly feeling like he got happy for nothing.
He couldn't help but mutter, "Tch! We're both born with full soul power and useless martial souls—who's protecting who is still up for debate."
"Heh…"
Tang Hao chuckled and glanced at Tang San, reminding him:
"If you get the chance, help him a few more times. Make sure he owes us instead."
"Mm. I will."
Tang San nodded slightly and glanced at Ye Qiu, amused.
If only you knew your whole story…
"I guess there's no getting my money back."
Ye Qiu sighed helplessly.
What's wrong with these Tang father and son? Can't they just protect me since I already paid?!
Do they really think I don't know what the Clear Sky Hammer is?
Hmph!
If I get the chance, I'll have Ah Yin get it all back for me!
"Alright, quit pouting. Here—you can have it back."
Tang Hao, after picking through the candy and eating all the ones that tasted like grass, handed the rest back to Ye Qiu.
"Thanks for sparing me, Uncle Haozi."
Ye Qiu wasn't about to waste anything. He adjusted his mood and took his candy back.
He didn't dwell on it.
Then he took the wine gourd hanging at his waist and handed it over.
"Uncle Haozi, I'm heading off to school. Only you like this kind of wine—here, take it."
"Heh, at least you're a little thoughtful."
Tang Hao reached out and took it without hesitation.
Ye Qiu tugged at the corner of his mouth.
It was something he was going to toss anyway—consider it poured down the slop bucket.
Saved him from carrying it along the way.
"Xiao San, Xiao Qiu, it's about time we hit the road."
Old Jack shot Tang Hao a fierce glare.
Tang Hao squinted his eyes but said nothing, raised his head to gulp down the tasteless "horse piss," then turned back inside.
"Dad…"
Tang San watched his father's back and murmured softly.
Old Jack comforted him, "Alright, Xiao San, don't get too sentimental over your drunkard father. You can always come back in the future. Xiao Qiu, let's go."
"Coming, Grandpa Jack!"
Ye Qiu hurried to catch up with his little pack slung on his back.
Just as Tang San stepped out the door, Tang Hao's voice came from inside.
"Xiao San, remember what I told you—protect the grass, and take care of each other."
"Got it, Dad! I'll remember!"
With that, Tang San followed behind Ye Qiu, looking thoughtfully at his back.
Why did Dad specifically tell me to look out for Ye Qiu...?
Ahead, Ye Qiu pouted.
Protect the grass?
He's obviously just using the grass to hide the hammer.
When Tang Hao saw the Blue Silver Grass martial soul, he probably looked bored out of his mind.
But once the Clear Sky Hammer appeared—he cried on the spot and declared, "That's my son!"
So much for loving the grass...
Only when the hammer came out did he suddenly remember to be proud.
As for "taking care of each other," Ye Qiu wasn't about to rely on Tang San.
What if one day he ends up stealing from him?
He could rob the Tang Sect that raised him—what's a fellow villager and classmate to him?
He'd be glad just not to ransack my bag.
Ye Qiu was very clear-headed:
Having power is what matters most!
Ye Qiu shouldered his bundle and hit the road.
Notting City sat on the border between two empires and was also adjacent to the Star Dou Forest.
It was a three-way intersection.
In other words it was a good place to run if things went south.
Otherwise, Tang Hao wouldn't have chosen to hide here with Tang San all these years.
At the civilian level, communication relied on yelling, security on dogs, and transportation on walking.
Most people didn't have any form of transport.
Fortunately
Saint Soul Village wasn't far from Notting City.
After most of the day, they finally saw the thick city walls of Notting.
Along the way,
Old Jack explained many things about soul masters.
Ye Qiu already knew most of it by heart, but Tang San listened eagerly.
Though Notting wasn't a big city,
It was near the border, and a routine check at the gate was a must.
"You two brats once I drop you at the academy, don't go wandering around. When the term ends, Grandpa Jack will come pick you up!"
"Thank you, Grandpa Jack!" (×2)
"Alright, let's go!"
Old Jack sighed a little. The city was expensive too pricey for commoners like them to stay at any inn. He had to hurry back.
Under the blazing sun, after asking around several times
The three of them finally arrived at Notting Academy on the city's western side.
The main gate of Notting Academy was a tall arch with a golden plaque that read: "Notting Academy," surrounded by iron fencing.
Under the burning sun, no one was at the gate
Just two gatekeepers.
"Stop right there!"
As they approached, one overbearing guard barked at them.
"No outsiders allowed. This ain't a place for country bumpkins like you."
Ye Qiu pursed his lips.
This kind of attitude was already starting to piss him off...
---
Wishing everyone a happy life!