Tang San’s eyes displayed a deeply pondering light,
“Aunt, you’re telling me that my matter of recognizing my ancestors and clan will be obstructed by the sect elders?”
Tang Yue-Hua nodded,
“Just so. I fear tomorrow’s business won’t go over too smoothly. Even if your father has returned the two spirit bones, I’m afraid it will still be very difficult for them to forgive him. Second brother also separated himself from the sect, drawing a clear line. I’m afraid they won’t easily allow you to recognize your ancestors and sect.”
Tang San’s brows wrinkled,
“If the elders don’t consent, what will the result be?”
Tang Yue-Hua’s face turned gloomy,
“In the worst case, you’ll be expelled from the sect, your spirit crippled. Even so much that they would use you as bait to find your father, investigating his guilt from back then. Of course, this is practically impossible, big brother is after all the sect master, and the elders will still give him some face. If I don’t guess too much, the elders will compromise in the end, driving you away from the sect, not recognizing you as a child of the Clear Sky School.”
Tang San looked at Tang Yue-Hua and said:
“Then what should I do? Since you agreed to let me return, you should already have thought of a countermeasure.”
Tang Yye-Hua nodded,
“Even though the elders are outdated, they always attach most importance to the sect. In order to gain their recognition, you must first do as your uncle said, prove your own strength in front of them. Use strength to conquer them. Afterwards make some contributions to the sect. Like that they’ll be unable to oppose you recognizing your ancestors and clan. The reason your uncle’s hint was ‘unyielding’ was in order to tell you that in our Clear Sky School, the strong eat the soft. Originally your uncle and your dad’s position in the strength was completely gained by fighting. Whoever refused got a beating, that’s how they established their authority. When your uncle returned to the sect to take over as sect master, the elders also called him into question, since he was always together with your father. Your uncle relied on his strength to defeat all the elders, thereby gaining their approval, becoming the new generation’s Clear Sky School sect master. Therefore, the process of your recognizing your ancestors and sect tomorrow won’t be effortless, there’s no harm in being a bit unyielding, use strength to prove you have the capability to help return the sect to its glory.”
Tang San nodded slowly,
“Aunt, I understand.”
Tang Yue-Hua stood up, touching Tang San’s head,
“Then rest well. Preserve and nurture your spirit. I still have some matters to prepare. The sect general assembly will begin tomorrow morning, aunt will watch your performance then.”
Finished saying this, Tang Yue-Hua told Tang San that someone would specially deliver his meal, letting him rest properly.
With Tang Yue-Hua gone, Tang San sat crosslegged on his bed, recalling his return to the sect today. His uncle and aunt were clearly partial to his father’s side. He had seen that when uncle mentioned his father he was always constraining his emotions, and as he said he looked like his mother, his eyes revealed a gentleness that couldn’t be concealed. Apparently, even though his father suffered, he was at least together with his mother. Even though his uncle had become the sect master, the suffering he bore wasn’t any less than his father’s.
Whether he could smoothly accomplish his father’s wishes, would perhaps have to be seen tomorrow.
Thinking thus, Tang San drew a deep breath and slowly closed his eyes, entering a cultivating state. Even though his improvement speed had slowed somewhat in his year at the Moon Pavilion, he had had instead mastered the subjects of his study. Especially after now having completely connected all eight extraordinary meridians, even though his overall strength hadn’t improved much, his inner strength was like a great river, deep and unending, far from something opponents of the same level could compare to.
In the evening.
Soft knocks echoed from the door.
Tang San slowly opened his eyes,
“Please come in.”
The door opened, and first to stretch inside was a head. That was a young lady, her hair combed into two adorable little pigtails, appearing around thirteen or fourteen years old.
“Are you uncle San?”
The sharp and clear voice was very pleasant, a pair of spirited big eyes looked curiously at Tang San.
Tang San smiled slightly,
“Who are you? Come in.”
The young girl pushed open the door, holding a box of food,
“You still haven’t told me if you’re uncle San.”
Tang San smiled:
“If you’re bringing food for Tang San, then that’s right. It’s me.”
The young girl giggled, big eyes curiously studying Tang San,
“Uncle San, you really look pretty. Much better looking than my dad.”
Tang San stared blankly a moment,
“Who’s your dad?”
The young girl said:
“My dad’s called Tang Hu[6], he’s the third generation chief.”
Tang San puzzled said:
“Isn’t the third generation chief big brother Tang Long?”
The young girl shook her head, saying:
“The third generation chief is my dad, not uncle Tang Long. Dad always say that uncle Tang Long can’t beat him. Losing to uncle Tang Long last time was just bad luck.”
While speaking, she placed the food on a table next to Tang San’s bed, her big eyes looking somewhat resentfully at Tang San.
Tang San smiled wider, saying:
“Over time, luck is also a part of strength. I still don’t know your name.”
The young girl said:
“I’m called Tang Tiantian[7]. Uncle San, you can call me Tiantian.”
Tang San smiled:
“Alright, thank you, Tiantian.”
Looking at this cleareyed pure little lady in front of him, Tang San couldn’t help recalling when he was her age. At that time, he had already met Xiao Wu, met the other Shrek Seven Devils. Everyone were putting all their effort into cultivating together.
Tiantian smiled at Tang San,
“Uncle San, then I’ll leave. Goodbye. Your smile is really pretty.”
Finished speaking, the young girl ran out, bouncing and vivacious.
The meal was very simple, one dish of beef, four steamed rolls, one stir fried cabbage, as well as a big bowl of egg soup. Tang San ate with good appetite, this was his first meal back at the sect. No matter what was said, this place was also considered his home in this world.
After an uneventful night, early the next morning, Tang San customarily got up at dawn and stepped outside.
[1] Tang Long - (唐龙) “Tang Dragon”
[2] Tang Tian - (唐天) “Tang Heaven”
[3] Tang Yu - (唐玉) “Tang Jade”
[4] Tang Xiao - (唐啸) “Tang Howl”, could also be hiss, whistle, or any number of similar sounds.
[5] Uncle - He asks Tang San to use a rather informal way of addressing an uncle (大伯)
[6] Tang Hu - (唐虎) “Tang Tiger”
[7] Tang Tiantian - (唐甜甜) “Tang Sweetie”
Credits
Translator: Blue Silver Translation
Epub: Estevam / dotNOVEL
Douluo Dalu: Volume 21: Tang San’s Third Spirit Bone Page 13