'This brat…'
Before he could respond, Tang San had already turned away, walking toward the interior of the pavilion as if Aude no longer existed.
His voice drifted back, cold and dismissive.
"If you don't want to be beaten again," Tang San said lightly, "don't block the road like a rabid dog."
Aude's fists clenched violently. Veins bulged beneath the bandages as anger surged in his chest—but he did not move.
The memory of that man's strength was still fresh, and his injuries had not even fully healed.
'Damn it…'
As Tang San's figure disappeared inside, Aude stood rooted to the spot, teeth grinding.
'Looks like Emperor Xue Ye has given far too much leeway to Madam Tang', he thought bitterly. 'First, some trashy middle-aged man is allowed to enter this establishment, and now even this uncultured brat dares to barge in.'
His gaze darkened with resentment.
'Did she forget her place? She's nothing more than a courtesan to Emperor Xue Ye.'
'Does she really think His Majesty doesn't know that this so-called Moon Pavilion is merely a shell—used by the Clear Sky Clan to secretly purchase supplies from the outside world after being frightened into seclusion by Spirit Hall?'
A cold sneer formed in his heart.
'If Emperor Xue Ye learns that she's invited some wild man from outside… he won't be pleased.'
Aude's anger simmered, mixed with jealousy and a sense of powerlessness.
-----
At a short distance away, beneath the shade of carved wooden corridors several young nobles sat gracefully around low tables. Porcelain teacups steamed gently, silk sleeves brushed softly against polished wood, and refined laughter drifted through the air.
This was the resting area reserved for those sent to the Moon Pavilion to learn etiquette, conversation, and the art of appearing noble.
Among them sat a girl whose presence subtly stood out.
Her golden hair was neatly tied, cascading down her back like strands of sunlight, while her purple eyes—quietly observed everything around her. She appeared relaxed, her posture elegant, fingers lightly holding a teacup.
Yet her gaze was fixed in a very specific direction.
She had clearly seen the confrontation at the entrance.
A faint curve appeared at the corner of her lips.
"Interesting…" she murmured softly, her voice barely audible.
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
'What role am I supposed to play now…Qian Renxue…?'
Before her thoughts could deepen further, a delicate voice interrupted her contemplation.
"Eve," a noble girl sitting beside her called out, curiosity evident in her tone. "Do you know the boy who just went upstairs?"
Several others instinctively turned their heads as well.
The Moon Pavilion was not a place where just anyone could enter—especially not a youth dressed so plainly. Tang San's presence had naturally stirred interest.
Eve withdrew her gaze and gently lifted her teacup, taking a small sip. Her movements were unhurried, graceful, perfectly befitting a noble lady trained in etiquette.
"Ah," she replied casually, as if recalling something trivial. "I saw him once before, in Nuoding City."
Her tone was light, almost indifferent.
"I was just a little surprised, that's all."
The noble girls exchanged glances. Before they could probe further, Eve smoothly changed the subject.
She set her teacup down and turned slightly, her purple eyes glinting with faint amusement.
"Did you know," she said softly, "that there will soon be an interesting play in Heaven Dou City?"
Her words carried no emphasis—yet somehow, they felt weighted.
One of the noble girls frowned slightly, trying to recall recent announcements.
"At the Heaven Dou Grand Theatre…?" she asked uncertainly.
Eve did not answer.
She merely lifted her teacup once more and took another quiet sip, her long eyelashes lowering to hide the thoughts within her eyes.
Steam curled upward, briefly obscuring her expression.
---------
When Tang San stepped into the inner chambers of the Moon Pavilion, the noise of the outer halls faded away.
The room was spacious yet restrained, inside, Tang Hao still appeared slovenly and unkempt, his clothes worn and his beard untidy. He leaned casually against a pillar, a wine flask hanging at his waist, speaking in a low voice with a woman seated nearby.
That woman—was dressed in simple yet exquisitely tailored robes, pale lavender in color, without excessive ornamentation. This was Tang Yuehua.
Her gaze shifted the moment Tang San entered.
She studied him carefully—his facial structure, his eyes, the faint resemblance hidden beneath youth and restraint.
Then she turned her head slightly toward Tang Hao.
"Is he the one?" she asked softly.
Tang Hao's reply was simple. A single nod.
In the next instant, Tang Yuehua stood up and walked toward Tang San. Her steps were light, yet unhesitating.
Before Tang San could react, she reached out and pulled him into a gentle embrace.
"I'm your aunt," she said, her voice warm yet controlled. "Tang Yuehua."
Tang San did not resist. He had already guessed her identity long before coming here.
He nodded calmly.
"I understand, Aunt Yuehua," he replied. "You are my father's younger sister."
A flicker of emotion passed through Tang Yuehua's eyes—surprise and relief.
After the brief introductions were completed, Tang San's expression grew serious.
He turned toward Tang Hao.
"Father," he said quietly, "there is an important place in the Sunset Forest. It may help Mother's growth."
He deliberately chose his words.
He had not forgotten that his mother—A Yin—was still only a Blue Silver Grass sapling. And the Yin Yang Ice Fire Well was known to accelerate the growth of plants by more than a thousand times.
The room's atmosphere changed instantly.
Tang Hao's eyes sharpened, becoming as fierce as a predator that had just locked onto prey.
The slovenly, indifferent man vanished.
"Really?" Tang Hao asked, his voice low and heavy. "Where in the forest?"
Tang San smiled faintly.
"It is deep within the Sunset Forest. I know the exact location," he said. "At present, it is occupied by Dugu Bo."
Tang Hao snorted coldly.
"Just a Dugu Bo."
To the outside world, Dugu Bo was merely a Rank 91 Titled Douluo, a Poison Douluo feared for his toxins rather than his raw strength.
But— What Tang Hao and Tang San did not know— Was that Dugu Bo had long since broken through and his true cultivation had already reached Rank 96.