Chapter 248: Great-Grandfather, Such a Good Man
"Tang San, quick, bow to your great-grandfather!"
Tang Xiao banged his head against the ground seven or eight times in a row, kowtowing fervently to Xiao Yu, who was hiding in the blood-red glow and impersonating Tang Chen.
Only then did he remember Tang San, who was still standing behind him. Grabbing him, he pulled him forward and said, "Grandfather, this is Hao's son, Tang San!"
"Great-Grandfather!"
Tang San immediately knelt down with a loud thud.
During his time with Tang Xiao, he had already heard about the legendary figure who had led the Clear Sky Clan to glory—the peak powerhouse who had reached Rank 99 as an Ultimate Douluo, his great-grandfather, the one who also bore the title Clear Sky, Tang Chen.
"I never expected even Hao's child to have grown this much. Good child, stand up and let your great-grandfather take a good look at you."
Seeing Tang Shenwang kneeling before him, Xiao Yu barely suppressed his laughter. In a hoarse voice, he said, "Hmm… not even twenty years old, and already at the Soul King level. Not bad, just as outstanding as your father!"
"Grandfather, Xiao San not only has talent on par with my younger brother, but he also possesses a rare twin martial soul!"
Tang Xiao added, not holding back his praise for Tang San.
There was a bit of personal interest in his words as well. After all, the elders of the Clear Sky Clan had yet to fully agree on allowing Tang San to return to the clan. They had given him a glimmer of hope, stating that if he completed three trials, he would be allowed to reclaim his identity as a Clear Sky Clan member.
But in Tang Xiao's view, those three trials were not only harsh but also required far too much time. Too many variables could arise along the way, and the hope of success was too slim.
However, if Tang Chen, the former leader of the Clear Sky Clan, were to personally declare Tang San's rightful place, would those elders dare to object?
Xiao Yu instantly saw through Tang Xiao's intentions, but he continued playing along with the act.
"A twin martial soul… good, good, good! The Clear Sky Clan has a worthy successor! And Hao… how is he now? Xiao'er, you have already broken through to Titled Douluo, so Hao must have also reached that level by now!"
When "Tang Chen" asked about Tang Hao's condition, Tang Xiao and Tang San immediately knelt again.
"Great-Grandfather (Grandfather), you must seek justice for my father (Hao)!"
"Hao? What happened to him?"
Xiao Yu feigned shock.
"He had the greatest potential to inherit my legacy… is he not the current patriarch of the Clear Sky Clan? I have been trapped in the City of Slaughter for decades, completely unaware of what has happened outside.
"I vaguely sensed Hao's presence near me at some point, but I never got the chance to confirm it.
"Xiao'er, tell me—what exactly happened over the past few decades? What has become of the Clear Sky Clan?"
Without hesitation, Tang Xiao recounted everything to the man he believed to be his grandfather—Tang Hao and Ah Yin's love, Qian Xunji's death, Qian Daoliu's retaliation, the clan's decision to go into seclusion, the rise of the Nine Star Hall, and ultimately, Tang Hao's death. He left nothing out.
"Good… what a fine Spirit Hall! What a fine Nine Star Hall! Your father was a fool! Did he think patience was the answer?"
Xiao Yu pretended to be furious.
"Xiao'er, remember this—the Clear Sky Clan is meant to stand above all others!
"Your father… that idiot thought he was protecting the clan's bloodline, but in doing so, he lost something even more important—our pride and spirit! Is the Clear Sky Clan still the Clear Sky Clan?"
"Grandfather, do you think my father was wrong?"
Tang Xiao asked hesitantly.
After all, by the time the decision was made to close the mountain gates, Tang Hao had already lost his right to inherit the clan leadership. That meant Tang Xiao was the only successor, and the decision had partially been his as well.
"Of course, he was wrong!"
Xiao Yu continued his act, his voice filled with righteous fury.
"What mistake did Hao make? He only wanted to protect his wife! It was Spirit Hall that forced him into a corner, bringing destruction upon themselves!
"Instead of standing by their brother and son, the Clear Sky Clan cast him out and bowed their heads to Spirit Hall.
"Is that still worthy of the title—the number one sect in the world?"
Tang Shenwang couldn't hide the excitement in his eyes.
Ever since he learned about the truth between his father and mother, not even his most doting uncle and aunt had ever considered clearing his father's name.
Perhaps, deep down, they also believed his father was in the wrong.
But this great-grandfather, the moment they met, had resolutely stood on his father's side.
Yes, what mistake had his father made?
Love should have no boundaries. It should never be constrained by anything.
Just like him—although Xiao Wu's age was enough to be his ancestor for eighteen generations, he still loved her!
However, while Tang San felt deeply moved by Tang Chen's words, Tang Xiao wasn't entirely convinced.
Tang Hao's decision to kill Qian Xunji for Ah Yin was something Tang Xiao never considered wrong.
In fact, he had often thought that if Ah Yin had chosen him instead of Tang Hao, he would have done the same without hesitation.
But after hammering the Pope to death, Tang Hao had chosen to disappear.
That single decision put the entire clan under immense pressure. With Spirit Hall unable to find Tang Hao, they naturally turned to the Clear Sky Clan to demand accountability.
No matter how things were perceived, Tang Hao was of Clear Sky lineage.
Even if the clan officially expelled him, outsiders would always see him as a member of the Clear Sky Clan.
In the end, it was the clan that had to bear the consequences of Tang Hao's actions.
It wasn't that the clan had abandoned Tang Hao—it was Tang Hao who had abandoned the clan first.
As for the decision to seal the mountain?
That was simply an unavoidable choice.
At that time, their father had fallen ill from the sheer fury of Tang Hao's actions and was on his deathbed.
With only Tang Xiao, a newly promoted Titled Douluo, left to protect the clan, how could they possibly deter the forces circling around them?
At its core, the clan's downfall stemmed from not having a peak powerhouse like Tang Chen, a Rank 99 Ultimate Douluo, to safeguard them.
If Tang Chen had been there, they would never have needed to close their doors.
So, in a way, half the blame for the clan's seclusion fell on Tang Chen himself.
Of course, these thoughts stayed only in Tang Xiao's mind.
How could he dare say such things out loud?
Given their relationship as grandfather and grandson, even thinking such thoughts felt like an act of rebellion.
"Grandfather, please don't be angry," Tang Xiao said, carefully choosing his words.
"The most important thing right now is for you to return to the Clear Sky Clan with us. With you overseeing the clan, we will have no obstacles in coming out of seclusion.
"Avenging ourselves against Spirit Hall and the Nine Star Hall would also become effortless!"
Tang San lifted his head, his excitement evident.
"That's right, Great-Grandfather! If you return to lead the clan, we can restore the Clear Sky Clan's former glory in no time!"
Disguised as Tang Chen, Xiao Yu let out a heavy sigh, his voice tinged with regret.
"As much as I would like to…
"I bear responsibility for what has become of the clan. But right now, I cannot leave with you."
"Why?"
Tang Xiao and Tang San were both taken aback.
With the clan in such dire straits, how could Tang Chen—the very man who once led it to greatness—choose to remain uninvolved?
A low voice echoed from within the blood-red glow.
"Do you truly know what the City of Slaughter is?"
Tang Xiao and Tang San exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"Great-Grandfather (Grandfather), we do not."
"The City of Slaughter is the inheritance ground left behind by the Asura God of the Divine Realm.
"The so-called Hell Road is actually the first trial left by the Asura God for those seeking his legacy.
"And right now, I have already passed the eighth Asura God Trial.
"I only need to pass the final trial…
"And I will be able to break through to the legendary Rank 100 realm.
"Until that final trial is completed, I cannot leave this place."
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