One month later, Spirit Hall's reply letter arrived.
Reading the letter, the elders could only seethe in anger, having nowhere to vent.
Spirit Hall declared that the Clear Sky people's explanation was unconvincing, and they must prove Tang Hao was not colluding with soul beasts within one month. Otherwise, Spirit Hall would handle matters themselves and hunt the soul beasts directly...
Clear Sky Sect truly had nothing left to say...
Tang Xiao even felt that, unlike what was depicted in the novel where Spirit Hall behaved like a foolish dog under Bibi Dong's rule, the current Pope of Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, seemed to have some intelligence... He appeared to possess eloquence, and a considerable degree of cunning. To maneuver like this, Qian Xunji must have at least some genuine wisdom.
He truly didn't know how the Clear Sky Sect managed to survive in the original novel and hide away without carrying the stigma of humanity's betrayers...
If Spirit Hall had wished, when Ah Yin sacrificed herself and they lost both the soul bone and soul ring, they could have spread the matter across the entire continent, making the Clear Sky Sect the disgrace of the world...
But then, reflecting more deeply, he realized some possible reasons why such a thing didn't occur in the novel...
"First, Qian Xunji was injured at that time, and he died shortly after because of Bibi Dong... which resulted in even the last man with a trace of intellect in Spirit Hall perishing. Second, the Clear Sky Sect declared they had no ties with Tang Hao and shifted all blame upon him... which truly happened in the novel. The third could be the fear of Tang Chen, the level 99 Douluo retaliating..." Tang Xiao mused silently.
It had to be admitted, Tang Xiao held a relatively favorable view of Qian Xunji... Though somewhat foolish, he was not like Qian Daoliu or the other spineless worms in Spirit Hall. He carried a measure of resolve... From how he rapped Bibi Dong and made her give birth to Qian Renxue, it was clear he was unlike every other bootlicker in this world.
Although the way he dealt with Bibi Dong's matter was reckless and absurd, and he ended up dying because of it... at least he enjoyed life, right? He even placed a great green hat upon Yu Xiaogang, the so-called playboy, and left Bibi Dong with a swollen belly.
"Alas... Such a man is fated to die... Still, that is also for the best... If Qian Xunji were still alive, it would be troublesome... Isn't it better for that woman who seeks to destroy Spirit Hall and the Angel family to become Pope? That way... I, Tang Xiao, will have nearly twenty years of peace to grow stronger and develop myself." Thinking this, Tang Xiao smiled.
Afterward, he pushed all such thoughts to the back of his mind... After all, today the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would arrive at his sect... for the engagement to finalize the marriage.
And because of this grand occasion, even though the clan's elders were brimming with fury and dissatisfaction at Spirit Hall's reply, they forced themselves to calm down, swiftly dismissed the meeting, and resolved to discuss the matter another day.
....
Inside his chamber, Tang Xiao stood before his mirror, examining his appearance.
Unlike two months earlier... after careful grooming, his face now bore a three-inch-long full beard, thick and luxuriant. His mustache had also grown dense, pressing against his lips.
Though his features were ordinary, with his beard concealing half his face, his straight nose, and his bright eyes brimming with wisdom and calmness, he indeed radiated an aura of dominance and oppression. With his towering 2.1-meter muscular frame, the effect was even more pronounced...
"Unlike the original Tang Xiao who looked foolish and silly with that horrible leech-like beard on his chin, my current appearance is several times better. Once I have my mustache and beard styled, I'll look even more appealing..."
Considering the fact that he was going to meet his future wife today... possibly within just a few hours, Tang Xiao felt butterflies stirring in his stomach.
He quickly summoned the new maid he had chosen, one skilled in versatile talents, and had her work on his hair and beard...
"Like this..."
"Yes... shorten it a little here..."
"No... don't cut the hair that short, leave it long on top and trim the sides..."
"Yes, shape the mustache like that... Yes, trim the beard and refine it."
"...."
"..."
After an hour of meticulous effort, Tang Xiao's haircut and beard styling came to an end.
"Mm... Tang Ya, you did an excellent job... Remember this haircut of mine... Since it's the first time, I had to instruct you on the style. But next time, I won't tell you—you must reproduce the same cut without my guidance..." Tang Xiao said, his tone filled with satisfaction.
The mature, plump, and pleasant-looking maid beside him hurriedly nodded and imprinted the style into her memory...
She hadn't expected the eldest young master to look this striking with his beard grown and styled... It was leagues apart from how he appeared when he returned to the sect two months ago... The present Tang Xiao gave her the impression of a domineering ruffian.
"Yes, young master... I will remember it by heart," Tang Ya, the maid, affirmed.
"Mm... Now help me wash up..." Tang Xiao ordered, his expression stern.
"Yes, young master."
When Tang Ya heard Tang Xiao instructing her to help him wash again... her earlobes flushed crimson. Still, she bowed and followed him into the bathing room.
Once inside... Tang Xiao, without the slightest care, dropped his robes and entered the bathtub completely bare...
Tang Ya blushed and turned her eyes aside... yet they inadvertently caught sight of something... something dark and imposing... But still, she steeled herself and moved toward Tang Xiao to assist her young master...
Anyway... it wasn't her first time attending to Tang Xiao...
.....
After a few hours, accompanied by Tang Ya whose face was still flushed, Tang Xiao emerged from the bathing room wearing a towel around his waist.
Just as Tang Xiao reached his chamber, he coincidentally encountered his sister Tang Yuehua, who was carrying a tray... upon it lay what appeared to be a set of clothes for him.
"Brother, here you are. This is the outfit I prepared for you... Now that you're going to meet sister-in-law, the impression you leave must be excellent," Tang Yuehua said with a smile.
Although she noticed the little maid trailing behind her brother, cheeks crimson, she paid it no mind...
Not to mention, she trusted her brother's character completely... Even if he truly did something unspeakable with another woman, she would only support him... That was Tang Yuehua.
"Mm... Since it is the outfit little Yue'er prepared, I will definitely wear it," Tang Xiao said, his voice full of doting affection.
"Hmm... Big brother, once you've changed, tell me. I'll help you with the other details. Unless I personally ready my brother, I won't feel assured." Saying this, Tang Yuehua cast a meaningful glance toward Tang Ya.
"Hmm... I know, I know."
Taking the outfit from her hands, Tang Xiao stepped inside... Tang Ya quickly followed after him.
Watching this, Tang Yuehua shook her head, a smile playing at her lips.
"Brother seems to have changed a little from how he was eight years ago... He knows how to enjoy life now," Tang Yuehua thought with a faint smile.
She knew about Tang Xiao selecting a beautiful maid to serve him... She also noticed that aside from spending most of his time cultivating, Tang Xiao particularly delighted in fine food, massages from beautiful women... even flirting with them.
Most importantly, in recent times, her brother had grown far too lazy... Not only did he let others bathe him, dress him, and manage everything else... he even asked the maid to feed him, refusing to use his own hands...
Then again... in her view, such changes in Tang Xiao weren't bad either...