From behind, Tang San could see that Hu Liena's fists were clenched tight, as though she was struggling to suppress her emotions. He said nothing more, keeping his expression perfectly serene.
Xie Yue had been observing him the whole time, but trying to read anything from Tang San's face was harder than ascending to heaven.
Yan never imagined that Hu Liena would say something like that to him. Grievance, unwillingness, rage, anguish — a torrent of emotions churned inside him. Yet facing Hu Liena as she stood before him, he couldn't bring himself to erupt.
His gaze slid past Hu Liena and landed on Tang San with a venomous glare. He let out a furious snort, then turned and strode back toward the camp.
"Am I free to go now, Miss Hu Liena?" Tang San said mildly.
Hu Liena turned around to face the first man who had ever stirred her heart. For some reason, she felt a flutter of panic.
She stepped forward quickly, stopping in front of Tang San. "I'm sorry. Yan was being too rash just now. Please don't take it to heart. Must you leave in such a hurry? Why not come to our camp and rest a while? We haven't seen each other in over a year — it would be nice to talk about our experiences with the Asura Domain."
Tang San waved his hand dismissively. "No need. I haven't even entered your Spirit Hall's camp yet and I'm already being treated with hostility. If I actually went, wouldn't people accuse me of stealing intelligence? I can't afford that kind of trouble."
"You…" Hu Liena stared at that aloof demeanor of his, the one that held people at arm's length, and recalled the elegance he had lost so recently. For a moment, even someone as sharp as her was left at a loss for words.
"Nana, you just said he has the Asura Domain too? Aren't you going to introduce him?" Xie Yue walked over to his sister's side. Unlike Yan, he had once been the foremost of the Golden Generation, and his temperament was far more composed. What interested him was Tang San himself. A young man who could make his sister behave so differently — this was no ordinary person.
Hu Liena looked at her brother. "Tang Yin, this is my brother. Brother, his name is Tang Yin. Back in the City of Slaughter, when it came to the final Road to Hell, I walked it with him. Without his help, you probably would never have seen me again."
Xie Yue had already guessed as much, so he wasn't particularly surprised to hear it. Still, a hint of gratitude showed in his eyes. "Then I should thank you. You saved Nana's life."
Tang San shook his head. "Nothing of the sort. We were helping each other back then — our goals were the same. It's getting late, and I need to find somewhere to rest. I won't keep you."
Playing hard to get had reached its peak in Tang San's hands — he was gambling, gambling that Hu Liena would try to make him stay.
"You can't leave." A cold voice rang out. Tang San felt a flicker before his eyes, and in the next instant a shadow had appeared in front of him. He recognized it immediately — it was Ghost Douluo.
"Grandpa Ghost! What are you doing here?" Hu Liena exclaimed. In terms of seniority, both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo outranked Pope Bibi Dong, so the Golden Generation privately addressed them as "grandpa," while in formal settings they called them Elder.
Ghost Douluo's face remained as unreadable as ever. His voice was steady and controlled. "I heard everything you just said. Yan is right about one thing. If he disturbs our target and ruins everything, even Chrysanthemum and I would be unable to bear the consequences. Nana, you should understand how important this target is to Her Majesty."
A cold glint flashed in Tang San's eyes. "So what you're saying is, you intend to detain me?" He slowly raised the Clear Sky Hammer in his hand.
Hearing Ghost Douluo's words, Hu Liena's heart clenched with urgency. "Grandpa Ghost, he won't cause any trouble. He's my friend. Why don't I persuade him to leave Star Dou Forest first?"
Ghost Douluo smiled faintly. "Anxious minds make careless judgments. Anxious minds make careless judgments! Nana, this isn't like the clever you. Who's to say our target won't appear near the outer edges of the forest? No matter which direction he takes, he could potentially disturb it. Even if the odds are one in ten thousand, we must avoid it as much as possible."
Hu Liena's cheeks flushed red, but she noticed that there was no killing intent whatsoever in Ghost Douluo's words.
"Being unable to leave doesn't mean we intend to harm you, young man. We simply ask that you cooperate for the time being and travel with us. Once we've completed our objective, your freedom will naturally be restored. Didn't you come here to hunt your sixth Soul Beast? I can promise to lend you a hand and help you choose the one most suited to you. Consider it a gesture of goodwill. After all, Spirit Hall isn't a tyrannical organization — we're merely a gathering of Soul Masters."
Ghost Douluo's words didn't just surprise Tang San — even Hu Liena and Xie Yue were taken aback. Ghost Douluo had always been known for his cold and sinister nature. Since when had he become so agreeable?
"Very well. I accept." Tang San's reply stunned the Xie Yue siblings just as much.
Hu Liena asked in astonishment, "You accept?"
Tang San replied serenely, "When I have no means of resistance and can gain something from it, why wouldn't I? However, I won't be helping you fight. That's non-negotiable."
Ghost Douluo said with an air of pride, "Spirit Hall has never needed anyone else's help. Xie Yue, take him to the camp and get him settled. He can share quarters with you and Yan. Nana, stay behind — I have something to tell you."
Xie Yue answered respectfully, "Yes." Then he gestured for Tang San to follow and walked ahead.
Only at this point did Tang San allow his long-tensioned nerves to relax slightly. The first step of his plan had been achieved. This was almost the best possible outcome he could have hoped for.
Watching the two figures disappear into the darkness of the forest, Ghost Douluo turned to Hu Liena. "Do you know why I chose to keep him?"
Hu Liena shook her head. "It can't possibly be because he might disturb the target. That's the kind of reasoning only Yan would come up with. Star Dou Forest is vast beyond measure. Setting aside how minuscule the chances are of him encountering that Soul Beast, even if he did, the creature wouldn't become wary just because of one person."
Ghost Douluo smiled. "Now that's my clever Holy Maiden. I kept him because he might help us solve a rather difficult problem."
Hu Liena's heart stirred. "You mean… the Clear Sky Sect?"
Ghost Douluo nodded slowly. "Exactly. You can tell he's not in a good place. He emphasized twice that he's a free man. Perhaps that was unconscious, but it at least proves that his relationship with the Clear Sky Sect is far from harmonious — he may have even severed ties with them entirely. If that's the case, it's excellent news for us. If we can extract accurate information about the inner workings of the Clear Sky Sect from him, it would be of great benefit to the follow-up of Her Majesty's Spirit Hunting Operation."
Although Hu Liena knew that, logically speaking, she should support Ghost Douluo's reasoning, the thought of going after Tang Yin's sect filled her with involuntary reservations. "Grandpa Ghost, we already have a general idea of the Clear Sky Sect's location. The reason we haven't acted is simply because we haven't finished a thorough investigation. Why do we need him specifically? At his age, he can at most be a third-generation disciple — there's no way he knows too many of the Clear Sky Sect's secrets."
Ghost Douluo chuckled. "Silly girl, you really are letting your emotions cloud your judgment. The Clear Sky Sect is only one reason I kept him. The other reason is you. I can tell you've taken a liking to that boy. I have to admit, he's truly outstanding — no less impressive than Xie Yue or Yan. He's worthy of you. And like you, he possesses the Asura Domain. He's undoubtedly a remarkable talent."
"But if you want to be with him, his identity is a major problem. If he were to join Spirit Hall and make some contributions, earn a promotion, then Her Majesty the Pope would be far more likely to accept him."
"That's impossible." Despite the blush on her cheeks, Hu Liena immediately rejected Ghost Douluo's suggestion. "Grandpa Ghost, how could I possibly persuade him to turn against his own sect? The Clear Sky Sect has already gone into seclusion — must we really hunt them to extinction?"
Ghost Douluo's voice turned grave. "Nana, don't say things like that in front of Her Majesty. The Pope's hatred for the Clear Sky Sect runs exceedingly deep. If one of the three great upper sects had to be chosen for destruction, it would undoubtedly be the Clear Sky Sect. Back then, Tang Hao killed the previous Emperor, plunging Her Majesty into unimaginable grief. We and the Clear Sky Sect are irreconcilable enemies. Moreover, leaving the former number one sect in existence makes it a ticking time bomb. The Clear Sky Sect must be destroyed."
Hu Liena wanted to say more, but Ghost Douluo raised his hand to cut her off. "If you truly care for him, then persuade him to join Spirit Hall. Problems have solutions. At the very least, our Spirit Hunting Operation has been kept secret. As for the final decision, that's not for you or me to determine — it all depends on Her Majesty's judgment. But I must say, the two of you standing together really do make a fine pair. And his temperament is admirable. When he left the City of Slaughter, in that situation, he didn't take advantage of you. That speaks well of his character."
Hu Liena returned to the camp with a heart full of unease, because she realized she had no idea how to face Tang San. Spirit Hall's affairs were not hers to decide, and no matter how she looked at it, even if Tang San had truly severed ties with the Clear Sky Sect, she and he still stood on opposing sides.
More than once, Hu Liena had tried to wipe Tang San's image from her mind. But she couldn't do it. That brief flash of excitement when they had met again just now was greater than all the happiness she had felt in the past year combined.
Tang San followed Xie Yue into Spirit Hall's camp. He had already scanned the area with his spiritual power earlier, and now his eyes swept around, taking in the surroundings. At this hour, aside from the patrol guards, everyone else had retired to their tents for the night. And there stood Yan right at the tent entrance.
Seeing Xie Yue bring Tang San back, Yan was momentarily stunned. He shot Xie Yue a questioning look.
Xie Yue shook his head slightly and led Tang San over. He relayed a simplified version of what Ghost Douluo had said.
"What? He's going to stay with us until the operation is over?" Yan regretted it — regretted his earlier impulsiveness. If he had just let this Tang Yin fellow go back then, at least the guy would have been gone and unable to see Hu Liena.
Xie Yue's tone grew firmer. "This is Elder Ghost's order. Don't read too much into it, Yan."
Yan glared daggers at Tang San. "You — remember this, boy. If you dare get close to Nana, I'll kill you right away."
Tang San gave a slight smile, and that flat, unhurried tone of his was the most provocative thing of all. "Do you have the ability to do that?"
"You—" The rage Yan had been suppressing nearly erupted all at once. He was about to throw caution to the wind and fight Tang San to the death, when a silky, feminine voice drifted over.
"It's late. Everyone get some rest."
At the sound of that voice, Yan shuddered from head to toe. He knew exactly who it belonged to. Swallowing his fury with tremendous effort, he spun around and ducked into the tent.
At this moment, Hu Liena and Ghost Douluo returned together. Hu Liena's gaze found Tang San, and he happened to turn back to look at her at the same instant. Their eyes met in midair, and hers were filled with apology. Tang San simply gave a faint smile, letting her see once more that impeccable elegance she remembered.
Tangling himself into the tent, Tang San did not bother provoking Yan further — the other man sat in a corner with his eyes shut. Instead, he found a corner for himself, sat down, and crossed his legs in meditation. Of course, he remained vigilant at all times. Not just toward Yan, but toward Xie Yue as well.
The night passed without incident. The next morning, when Tang San finished his cultivation, the tent was already empty. Both Xie Yue and Yan had left some time ago.
Tang San took a moment to organize his plans and thoughts, then stepped outside.
"Have something to eat." A small, fair hand reached toward him, offering a strip of dried meat and a piece of hardtack. It was Hu Liena.
Tang San took the food and gave her a nod.
Hu Liena said softly, "I really am sorry about yesterday. I had no idea it would cause you so much trouble. But Grandpa Ghost bears you no ill will. We've basically located our target for this mission. Once it's done, you can leave whenever you like."
Tang San replied calmly, "I thought you might try to persuade me to join Spirit Hall."
Hu Liena smiled, and the brightness of it made the surrounding grass fade by comparison. "I'm not one to invite humiliation. It's not like I haven't tried saying that before."
Tang San looked at her. "You're a clever girl."
Hu Liena sighed. "I belong to Spirit Hall. Most of the time, I'm not free to act as I wish. I'll find a way to make this up to you when there's an opportunity."
Tang San shook his head. "Didn't you say we were friends? Then don't use words like 'make it up.' Having a Titled Douluo willing to help me catch a sixth Soul Beast is a benefit in itself. But I am curious — what kind of target could warrant Spirit Hall deploying so many powerful fighters?"
Even as he asked the question, he did his best to remain perfectly composed and indifferent, though a degree of tension still churned within him. Whether Hu Liena answered him directly would tell Tang San a great deal about how she truly felt toward him.
Hu Liena glanced around, then lowered her voice. "We're after an extremely powerful Soul Beast, and there may be complications. To be safe, we brought this many people. If we do encounter the target, make sure to protect yourself. As for what exactly we're after — with your intelligence, I'm sure you can guess without me saying it."