Behaving with integrity, coupling strength and gentleness, this was what Tang Yuehua taught Tang San in the Moon Pavilion. All this was also what he had planned well in advance of returning to the Clear Sky School. Intimidating strength, plus the might of his great grandfather’s Clear Sky Warrant, switching from arrogance to deference, this was exactly according to Tang Yuehua’s teachings. It also let him truly display the authority of this Clear Sky Warrant.
If he didn’t do it this way, even he had taken out the Clear Sky Warrant at once, he still wouldn’t have really become the holder of the Clear Sky Warrant in the eyes of the five elders, and everything would be a lot more complex. Even if he could reach his goal eventually, it would take a lot more effort. Now that he struck with the weight of thunder, first smashing their proudest strength, and then taking out this Clear Sky Warrant, absolutely nobody would doubt Tang San’s words. Because they really couldn’t imagine any other reason Tang San could become this strong. He was twenty five!
Taking out this Clear Sky Warrant after the five elders lost to Tang San alone, was equivalent to finding a reason for their defeat. Asking themselves, what was embarrassing about losing to the person directly taught by history’s strongest Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen, who had led the sect to climbing to the number one ranked position of the upper sects?
Sure enough, when they heard this the five elders looked bewildered at Tang San, but their expressions were a lot more relieved.
The second elder respectfully watched the Clear Sky Warrant Tang San held,
“I wonder what instructions uncle would have.”
Tang San’s expression immediately grew solemn, his voice low:
“Great grandfather already knows what has happened to the sect. He said that grandfather’s decision was the greatest mistake since the founding of the sect. Even though it temporarily saved the foundation of the Clear Sky School, it also made the sect lose something most precious. Faith in certain victory. Spirit Hall really was formidable, but not undefeatable. If the sect had been able to confront Spirit Hall’s aggression back then, uniting with the other two of the three upper sects and appealing to the spirit master world, Spirit Hall wouldn’t have dared act blindly. But the sect chose to retreat, not only abandoning all the clans that had always followed the sect, but also abandoning our allies, shifting the balance of the seven great sects as a rival to Spirit Hall. This led to Spirit Hall’s expansion, until they today have founded the Spirit Empire, the state of the Continent unstable.”
The five elders looked at each other at Tang San’s words, and Tang Xiao’s expression grew a bit ugly. After all, that decision was made by Tang San’s grandfather, the Clear Sky School’s first generation sect master. And what Tang San said was equivalent to overthrowing everything his grandfather had done.
“My father was the cause of what happened back then, but was my father really wrong? Great grandfather gave me this Clear Sky Warrant to find justice for my father. Indeed, Spirit Hall’s oppression really started with my father, but even had it not been for him, don’t tell me Spirit Hall would leave the three upper sects alone? Ask yourselves, if someone would kill your wife, how would you react? My father only injured the Spirit Hall Supreme Pontiff to protect my mother, using his strength alone to repel numerous Spirit Hall enemies. I’m proud of my father. He didn’t dishonor the name of the Clear Sky School. Moreover, my mother also died in that battle, choosing to sacrifice herself to save my father. But how did the sect respond to those events? Not only was there no intent to protect my father, on the contrary the sect expelled him, causing my father to suffer to this day. In order to return the favor of the sect for raising him, he even voluntarily severed two limbs to return the spirit bones the sect granted him. I dare ask everyone, if the Clear Sky Sect master back then was great grandfather rather than grandfather, how would it have ended? I’m now twenty five years old, and my father has also suffered for twenty five years due to what happened back then, ending up as a cripple. Even if grandfather was reborn, I would still certainly demand justice for my father.”
Speaking as straightforwardly as slicing iron and chopping nails, Tang San’s manner completely erupted, completely sinking into intense excitement.
Listening to Tang San, the third and fourth generation disciples looked at each other with differing expressions. But the majority were contemplative. The Clear Sky School really was backed into a corner when they chose to retreat, but would these spirit masters with the Clear Sky Hammer really be willing to stay silent?
Tang Xiao couldn’t help saying:
“Back then my father chose to retreat due to the Spirit Hall’s influence. Actually father also suffered a lot, and also thought of brother Hao. He was still repeating his name until he died. Even if father’s choice was a bit conservative, using retreat as advance, it might not be the wrong move. As long as there’s a chance, the sect would definitely re enter the spirit master world.”
Tang San shook his head, sighing,
“Uncle, I understand what you mean, but the Clear Sky Sect’s retreat back then still harmed too many people. Also, do you believe the circumstances would be as good as back then if the sect declared it would reappear?”
“Spirit Hall has now already established an empire, joined by the subsidiary kingdoms and duchies of Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires. Adding in their own tens of thousands of spirit masters, they have formed a great power contending with the two great empires, even swallowing a lot of the two empires’ territories. The Clear Sky School went into hiding, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was massacred, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School seriously injured. Who can the spirit masters of the world choose to follow other than Spirit Hall? If the Spirit Hall back then could control at least fifty percent of the world’s spirit masters, then by now they already control more than eighty percent. In such circumstances, can the Clear Sky School reverse the tide by reemerging now? We no longer have any allies. Would the remnants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School trust a cowering Clear Sky School?”
Looking around at the pensive clansmen, Tang San’s voice grew severe:
“I don’t know if everyone still remember the four single attribute clans spent immeasurable effort for the Clear Sky School. You might know that their hatred for the sect is even greater than for Spirit Hall. Just because the sect threw them away, they suffered devastating attacks, and have lived in misery. And this is just a portion of the spirit masters that followed our Clear Sky School back then. The Clear Sky School has been silent for more than twenty years. If it appears again, who would still listen to us? Who would still trust us? We are already branded with the reputation of oath breakers and cowards.”
The second elder said somewhat absentmindedly:
“What will happen, has already happen. Perhaps you are right. Tang San, where is uncle? If he could return to take charge, the Clear Sky School won’t collapse. His fame is still enough to awe the spirit master world.”
Tang San slowly raised the Clear Sky Warrant, his voice clear:
“When great grandfather handed me the Clear Sky Warrant, he had already decided not to return to the sect. A sect that hides in its shell will only gradually wither away. If the sect pays, there is at least a chance to rise. If we want to establish the reputation the Clear Sky School had back then, we must use our own actions to prove it to the spirit master world, and not to keep waiting here. Waiting will lead to nothing.”
The second elder looked at Tang San, then again at Tang Xiao to the side, his voice grave:
“Tang San, did uncle give you the Clear Sky Warrant to make you sect master?”
Hearing the second elder say so, Tang San couldn’t help being frightened. Even if he had already guessed that the Clear Sky Warrant held enormous power in the sect, only when the second elder spoke did he understand it had an even deeper meaning. With the glory Tang Chen established when he founded the sect, a single word for him was enough to change anything in the sect. This Clear Sky W
arrant was equivalent to he himself, and even deposing the sect master wasn’t a problem. And the strength Tang San showed when he defeated the five elders before was also enough to assume the position. After all, he was still young. That the five elders could endure the humiliation of defeat, and even gradually approve of him, was admittedly directly related to Tang Chen’s Clear Sky Warrant, but at the same time also closely linked with Tang San’s strength! In their eyes, Tang San was like Tang Chen who led the sect to glory back then, and even more outstanding than Tang Chen was. Even though Tang Chen was the genius of a hundred years in the Clear Sky School, even he couldn’t compare to the current Tang San when he was his age.
Tang San looked at his uncle. In Tang Xiao’s eyes he saw calm. Tang Xiao seemed to have already figured out a lot of things, and his eyes held frustration, held regret, but even more pain. Pain for the state of the Clear Sky School.
Slowly and firmly shaking his head, Tang San looked at the elders:
“Great grandfather didn’t urge me to take the sect master position, he just told me the Clear Sky Warrant could let me become the sect’s chief elder and obtain the support of the elders and the authority to interfere in sect business.”
Tang Xiao suddenly spoke up,
“Little San, you don’t have to force yourself to give up on the sect master position, and you don’t have to give me face either. You’re young, you have vitality, strength, and even more grandfather’s inheritance. This sect master position should be passed to you. Only under your lead can the Clear Sky School return to the peak as number one in the world like under grandfather back then.”
“No, uncle, listen.”
Tang San hurriedly interrupted Tang Xiao,
“Uncle, I really can’t become sect master. First of all, I have already created the Tang Sect. I’ve also accepted the Heaven Dou Empire’s title. In terms of my personal status, if I become the Clear Sky School sect master, it would harm the sect’s independence. Also, I’m still too young, I don’t have enough prestige. But uncle and elders please don’t worry, Tang San is always a member of the Clear Sky School. As long as Tang San still lives, I will definitely help the sect return to the peak.”
Before Tang Xiao had thought of what to say, Tang San had already turned to the five elders,
“I don’t know if the elders could accept me as chief?”
The five elders glanced at each other, then simultaneously bowed to the Clear Sky Warrant in Tang San’s hand,
“We comply with the Clear Sky Warrant, greetings chief elder.”
“Greetings chief elder.”
In a rustle, the Clear Sky School disciples knelt on the ground. Among these sect disciples, only a very few had seen Tang Chen. Most had only heard of him. Rather than saying they were convinced by the Clear Sky Warrant, it would be better to say they were conquered by Tang San’s formidable strength and his previous speech. What youth wasn’t hot blooded? Who didn’t wish for the Clear Sky School to again be number one in the world? Even though this place was quiet, it was also lonely. Even though the Clear Sky School had cultivated a group of powerful young spirit masters over more than twenty years, they had suppressed their hot blood. Tang San’s appearance was the ideal choice to change the situation.
“Please rise, elders. I hope we can work with a common purpose, to recreate the Clear Sky School’s glory.”
Tang San finally heaved a sigh of relief. After returning to the sect, with this step his goal was basically already accomplished.
“I currently have two items that must be dealt with first. One, to offer rites to my grandfather together with my father, and fulfill my filial duty. Second, to invite my father Tang Hao back to the sect, and in the name of the sect, return those two spirit bones.”
The five elders secretly sighed. They of course also vaguely understood that what Tang San said before was partly from selfish motives, but they still regarded Tang San’s strength as even more important. When they now heard Tang San state his goals, they nodded simultaneously without raising any objections.
Tang San said:
“Then uncle and elders please return to the sect. I’ll go welcome father and mother.”
While speaking, he was about to go down the mountain.
“Hang on.”
Tang Xiao’s voice trembled somewhat, grabbing Tang San’s shoulder,
“Chief elder, what did you just say? Your…… mother?”
Tang San smiled calmly:
“This should count as my surprise for uncle. You will see her in a while.”
Tang Xiao’s eyes grew even brighter, complex light glinting like the moon and stars,
“I’ll go down the mountain and welcome brother Hao with you.”
Before Tang San could say anything, this Clear Sky School master had already leapt up, dashing down the iron chains like an arrow, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Tang San stared blankly, then turned to look at the elders. The five elders drew deep breaths, then said in chorus:
“We’ll wait back at the sect.”
As Tang San landed back in the village below the mountain, it was just in time to see the brothers Tang Hao and Tang Xiao stand opposite each other. Tang Xiao’s lips trembled, looking over Tang Hao, then looking over Ah Yin next to him, the rims of his eyes quickly reddening.
“Big brother…...”
Tang Hao spoke with some difficulty.
Tang Xiao lunged fiercely, gathering his crippled little brother in his embrace. Even if he still had some resentment back on the top of the mountain because Tang San accused his father’s decision as being wrong, now that he saw his one armed, one legged little brother, his heart was again free of all grudges.
Not long ago, Tang Hao was talent even he had to admire, the genius of a generation of the Clear Sky School. When their grandfather still hadn’t left, he’d once praised Tang Hao as his best successor. But the former genius was now already crippled, and the bleakness and misery in Tang Xiao’s heart made him feel as if he would cry tears of blood.
Why, why didn’t he have the courage to doubt his father’s decision? He’d let his little brother suffer until now. Oh father, you really were wrong! Do you see? Your most beloved son actually ended up like this. These past two decades was because of your decision, the Clear Sky School falling, and little brother…...
“Brother Hao, you’ve suffered.”
Tears fell uncontrollably from Tang Xiao’s eyes.
“Big brother……”
Tang Hao had never thought his elder brother, as the sect master, would come to welcome him. Right now he was shocked, and twenty five years of always suppressed feelings for the sect instantly erupted. The brothers embraced again after so many years of separation, this feeling made him unable to calm his heart, as if he again saw the scenes where he and his brother moved unhindered through the world back then.
“Big brother.”
Ah Yin’s face was already covered with tears. She stepped forward next to Tang Hao and looked at Tang Xiao.
The brothers let go, and Tang Xiao somewhat foolishly looked at Ah Yin,
“Ah Yin, you, you……”
Ah Yin smiled sadly,
“Ah’Hao guarded me for twenty five years, and finally little San helped me resurrect. I didn’t think there would be a day I could see brother again.”
Tang Xiao looked foolishly at Ah Yin, muttering to himself:
“Your choice was right. I’m just a cowed. I didn’t have the courage to love you. Brother Hao is much, much stronger than me.”
Tang San stepped up to the three of them:
“Dad, mom, uncle, let’s go up the mountain and offer rites for grandfather.”
He was anxious to help his father restore his arm and leg, and so couldn’t help reminding them.
Tang Xiao sobered from his complicated mood, watching Tang Hao deeply,
“Brother Hao, don’t blame father. Ok? He also had his difficulties. With the situation back then, and grandf
ather away from the sect, father worried the Clear Sky School would end under his watch. So……”
Tang Hao shook his head,
“Big brother, don’t talk like that. I only want to kowtow to father’s spirit a few times, I’m the one who was unfilial and failed to live up to his expectations.”
Tang Xiao’s eyes reddened, tightly gripping Tang Hao’s shoulders,
“Little San is right, it’s the sect that let you down, not the other way around. Let’s go home.”
The whole group soared up. Tang Xiao originally wanted to help Tang Hao, but Tang Hao refused. More than twenty years had passed, but Tang Hao’s pride had never changed.
The Clear Sky School, the back mountain.
Tang Xiao, Tang Hao, and Tang San stood furthest ahead. The five elders, Ah Yin and Xiao Wu stood behind.
In front of them was a lonely stone brick tomb. Even if Tang San had previously been resentful of his grandfather, when he now saw this lonely tomb he couldn’t help feeling sad. He seemed to sense his grandfather’s helplessness and sadness before he died.
Tang Hao knelt on his one knee, his lips tightly pursed. Placing his one hand on the ground, he ‘bang bang bang’ knocked his head on the ground nine times. When he raised his head again, there was a red mark on his forehead.
Tang San followed his father to pay his respects, and Ah Yin and Xiao Wu knelt behind them. Nobody spoke, but that intensely sad mood infected everyone.
Tang Hao stayed kneeling like this for a full three days without rest. For three days without rest, Tang San also always stayed by his father’s side. Father and son didn’t utter a word in these three days.
Ah Yin and Xiao Wu silently kept the father and son company from the side.
Three days had just passed when Tang Hao finally raised his head. After three days without eating or sleeping, his eyes were already hazy red.
“Father, depart without worries. Unfilial son Tang Hao has brought Tang San, we will definitely help big brother to again raise the Clear Sky School.”
After kowtowing another nine times, Tang Hao stood, turning and leaving with Tang San’s support.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 467