Tang San stared at his father without yielding an inch. "Father, promise me. I've already lost my mother—I can't lose my father too."
"You…" Tang Hao looked at his son and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
"If you won't promise me, then since my body was given by you, I'll die alongside you." Tang San controlled the Eight Spider Lances until their sharp edges pressed against his own skin. No matter how powerful Tang Hao was, it would be impossible for him to prevent his son's suicide.
Seeing the resolve in his son's eyes, Tang Hao knew Tang San was absolutely not joking with him. From childhood until now, his son had never once defied his wishes. But at this moment, it seemed as though his son had completely slipped beyond his control.
Tang San's appearance had become more handsome—he looked even more like his mother now. Tang Hao's vision grew somewhat hazy, as if the person standing before him were not his son but his wife.
"Father, if Mama were still alive, she would never want to see you throw yourself away either. For my sake, and for Mama's sake, promise me."
Tang Hao drew a deep breath and let out a long sigh toward the sky. "It seems I really have grown old, and there really is nothing I can do anymore. Fine. When you've grown up, I'll go keep your mother company at her grave. Let's go."
With that, he turned and walked forward without looking back.
His father's concession brought Tang San an immense sense of relief. A genuine smile appeared on his face as he hurried to catch up.
Before leading Tang San onto the main road, Tang Hao first stopped beside a small river.
"Take a look at how you look now."
Tang San blinked. How he looked now? He lowered his head and examined his body. There was no particularly obvious sensation—his muscles didn't seem as bulky as before, yet his whole-body coordination had become far better.
Walking to the riverbank, when Tang San saw his reflection in the water, he was completely stunned.
His skin was several shades fairer than before. His dark blue eyes burned with keen brilliance. A head of beautiful, dark blue medium-length hair framed a handsome face carrying a hint of steely resolve—features sharp as though carved by a blade, radiating an inner luminance.
"Is… is this me?" If the old Tang San had been unremarkable, then the current him was absolutely on the same level as Dai Mubai and Oscar, though his style was entirely different. But now, he would never go unnoticed the way he used to.
"Your eyes have grown larger. You look more like your mother. Having inherited her bloodline, you naturally also inherited the genes she kept hidden inside you all this time." There was a touch of melancholy in Tang Hao's voice.
Tang San touched his smooth face. "Mama." His expression softened. He couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself, wondering whether Xiao Wu and the others would even recognize him when they met again.
Looking carefully at his river reflection, it wasn't just his appearance that had changed—even his bearing had transformed. He now carried an air of refined tranquility he hadn't possessed before, the very image of an elegant young man.
"Father, who exactly was Mama?" Tang San could no longer contain the doubt inside him and asked his father directly. Who was his mother? Why did she possess the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul?
Tang Hao shook his head. "I told you—once you've completed all of my special training, I will tell you everything. Let's go. It's time to head where you need to be."
Back on the road, Tang Hao once again fell silent. Tang San could tell from the sun overhead that he and his father were heading due north. Where exactly they were going, he had no idea. All he knew was that the air was gradually growing colder.
Tang Hao continued along the wild mountain paths. The cold of the outside world meant nothing to either of them.
After half a month of sleeping in the open and eating whatever the road provided—
A small town lay ahead. This was the first settlement Tang San had seen since beginning his father's special training. An unfamiliar emotion stirred within him.
The town didn't look large, but the moment he stepped inside, Tang San sensed that the atmosphere around him felt somewhat odd. He couldn't say exactly why, but he had the constant impression that everyone around him carried a peculiar chill.
Tang Hao led Tang San into a tavern in the center of town.
The air inside was exceedingly foul. Tang San noticed that every single piece of decoration in the place was black. Outside it was still daylight, yet the moment he walked through the door, a cold, dark feeling enveloped him.
About thirty percent of the seats were occupied. Although the air was wretched, very few people spoke, so the place was remarkably quiet.
The arrival of the Tang Hao and Tang San drew a fair number of glances, but most were nothing more than fleeting looks that slid right past them.
Tang Hao found a seat in the corner and sat down with his son. A waiter dressed in black with an expressionless face walked over.
"What will it be?"
Tang Hao said coldly, "Two Bloody Marys."
The waiter's expression shifted slightly. "You're certain?" Meeting Tang Hao's icy stare, he dared say nothing more and turned away.
After a short while, two glasses of murky liquid were brought out. The liquid was dark red and gave off a thick, coppery stench—just as pungent as the smell of fresh blood.