Beside the fire, there were two others besides her. One lay on the ground, still unconscious — Tang San. The other was a disheveled middle-aged man in tattered clothes who looked utterly worn down: Tang Hao.
If one judged by appearances alone, Xiao Wu could never have imagined this was the man who had openly humiliated Spirit Hall before the Papal Hall and stood alone against multiple Titled Douluo.
"You're awake." Tang Hao's low, resonant voice reached Xiao Wu's ears.
She nodded silently, her gaze never leaving Tang San. "Thank you."
Tang Hao waved his hand. "No need for thanks. From a Soul Master's perspective, I should have locked you away and, when Tang San needed it, killed you to give him your Soul Rings and Soul Bones. But from a husband's perspective, I would have chosen differently."
He raised his head, his eyes settling on Xiao Wu. As if there were some irresistible pull in his gaze, Xiao Wu found herself drawn to meet his eyes. In that moment, Tang Hao's eyes were no longer clouded — they were remarkably bright, so much so that the stars in the night sky paled in comparison.
"Is it because of the relationship between Tang San and me?" Xiao Wu asked softly.
Tang Hao shook his head and shifted his gaze from Xiao Wu to the unconscious young man on the ground. A faint trace of a smile appeared on his face — an expression Tang San had never seen in all his years, and one that would have shocked him greatly.
"Because of his mother. I always used to think he took after her — kind, attentive, stubborn. But when I saw the two of you together, I suddenly realized he's actually more like me. Just as foolish as I was." He paused. "Girl, did you know? Tang San's mother was also a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast, just like you. The only difference is that she was at the mature stage, while you're still in the juvenile stage."
"You… what did you say?" Xiao Wu blurted. "Tang San's mother was a Soul Beast too?"
Tang Hao nodded slowly but didn't continue down that path. "You should leave now. Your staying by Xiao San's side will only bring him harm."
Xiao Wu stared blankly. "You're against us being together?"
Tang Hao gave a wry smile. "No. Why would I be? Wasn't I the same way once? The only difference is that you and Xiao San are not like me and his mother. When I was with her, my Soul Power had already exceeded level seventy, and she was a mature-stage hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast. But what level are the two of you now?"
"You've got quite the nerve. Didn't your elders ever teach you? A Soul Beast that hasn't reached the mature stage is a target for every Soul Master out there. If it hadn't been for that… if the first Titled Douluo to find you hadn't been me, you'd probably have already become someone else's Soul Ring and Soul Bones."
"You've been watching over Xiao San all along?" Xiao Wu asked, startled.
Tang Hao shook his head. "No, but I was there for a good long while. Go. Return to where you belong. That's where you'll be safest. One day, when he's able to protect you and you can defend yourself, I won't stand in the way of you seeing each other. But that day is not today."
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip, then mustered her courage. "Can I… wait until he wakes up before I go?"
Tang Hao said evenly, "And if you did, do you think he'd let you leave once he opened his eyes? Go. The Star Dou Forest is close from here. If I'm not mistaken, that's where home is for you. Let me give you one piece of advice: don't leave the forest again until you've reached the mature stage. I once believed I was strong enough, but the ending between me and Xiao San's mother was still a tragedy. I don't want to see the same tragedy played out with my son."
Xiao Wu nodded silently. She walked slowly over to Tang San and crouched down, gazing at his ordinary-looking face from close range. A single glistening tear slipped from the corner of her eye and landed squarely on his chest.
With a trembling hand, she gently touched his face. "You were the first man to comb my hair, and the only one. Forever and always. No matter what our future holds, in my heart, there is no room left for anyone but you."
Without caring that Tang Hao stood nearby, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Tang San's lips, leaving behind the saltiness of her tears and her own unique scent. Then she sprang to her feet and launched herself into the air, vanishing into the distance in a few leaps.
Watching the direction she had disappeared, a glimmer of expression crossed Tang Hao's weathered face. "Human or beast — what does it matter? A beast's feelings are all the more genuine."
Murmuring to himself, he raised his palm and struck lightly toward Tang San. Tang San let out a low groan, his body stirred, and slowly his eyes drifted open.
"Father." The moment he saw Tang Hao, Tang San leaped to his feet in excitement. His body was still weak, but his spirit blazed with intensity. Eight years — over eight whole years since he had last seen his father. How could he not be thrilled?
"Sit down." Tang Hao pointed to the ground in front of him. Gone was the gentle demeanor he had shown toward Xiao Wu. Facing Tang San, his expression had reverted to its usual gravity.