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Later, seeing shrimp on the table, Tang Yuehua carefully peeled one, dipped it lightly in sauce, and placed it gently into Chu Chengzhou's bowl.
'Has my aunt stopped loving me?'
Watching as the first shrimp his aunt peeled wasn't for him, Tang San—quietly chewing his chicken leg—felt tears welling up inside.
He remembered: in the past, whenever shrimp appeared at dinner, she always peeled one first and placed it in his bowl.
Had she simply noticed that the sixteen-year-old boy before her had grown up—or had she stopped loving him altogether?
Tang San: Sobs silently
She peeled three more shrimp for Chu Chengzhou before noticing her nephew staring at her in silence. Tang Yuehua paused, confused.
"Xiao San, aren't these dishes to your taste? I swear, you used to love them all."
She gestured toward the table, puzzled.
Tang San: "..."
"Aunt, I've just lost my appetite lately."
He offered the excuse, his heart aching with silent sorrow.
"Oh~! Is it because of the Killing God Domain? Don't worry, Xiao San—I'll help you master that power."
Tang Yuehua believed him. After all, she'd already helped two others overcome the same condition: Chu Chengzhou, and her second brother, Tang Hao. Both had perfectly stabilized their Killing God Domain under the calming influence of her domain after leaving Slaughter City.
It made sense—her nephew was suffering from "Post-Slaughter Aftereffects." A loss of appetite was normal.
"Mm."
Tang San nodded silently.
"By the way, Xiao San—where's your father?"
Suddenly, Tang Yuehua remembered Tang Hao.
It had been over a year since she'd seen her second brother—and he hadn't even come to visit? That was inexcusable. She'd even planned to formally introduce Chu Chengzhou to him!
Tang San shook his head. "I don't know. But Father said he'll take me back to the Hao Tian Clan once I've fully mastered the Killing God Domain—to acknowledge my ancestral roots."
"Acknowledge your roots? Yes, of course. Xiao San, you carry the blood of our Tang family. No matter what, you must return to your ancestral home. When that day comes, I'll go with you."
After a moment of thought, Tang Yuehua nodded firmly.
Though her second brother had been exiled from the clan long ago, it had been under duress—blood is thicker than water, and that bond could never be severed.
Now that her nephew had grown, it was time for him to return.
If both her brother and nephew came back, her eldest brother, Tang Xiao—the clan's patriarch—would surely rejoice. But several elders within the clan still held deep resentment toward Tang Hao. They would likely oppose it.
Back then, when the Spirit Hall forced the clan into seclusion, the Hao Tian Clan suffered terrible losses—many elders had lost wives, children, or close kin.
No wonder a once-great number one clan, with four generations of direct disciples, now numbered barely two hundred people.
Part of the decline came from allied soul masters scattering like birds fleeing a fallen tree—but many direct clan members had also been slaughtered by the Spirit Hall.
After all, how could the clan not resist when the Spirit Hall forced them into hiding?
And the root of it all? Her second brother, Tang Hao, had fallen in love with a transformed spirit beast woman—and killed the former Spirit Hall Pope, Qian Xunji.
Thus, while the elders hated the Spirit Hall, they also harbored bitter resentment toward Tang Hao.
When Xiao San returned to claim his heritage, he would inevitably face hostility from those elders.
Tang Hao was powerful—but he bore the blame, and couldn't retaliate against them.
Xiao San was gifted, yes—but still young, untrained, and no match for those seasoned elders.
So Tang Yuehua knew: as his aunt, she had to stand beside him.
After all, in terms of closeness, those elders were distant cousins—mere acquaintances. To her, they were nothing compared to her beloved second brother and her cherished nephew.
"Yuehua, I'll go with you too," Chu Chengzhou said gently. "After all, Xiao San is my nephew too~!"
Hearing this, Tang San's face darkened. This scoundrel is truly despicable!
But Tang Yuehua's expression lit up instantly. A radiant smile spread across her face as she leaned her head softly against Chu Chengzhou's shoulder.
Standing up for her nephew? Chu Chengzhou, as her uncle-in-law, would do it far better than she ever could.
Besides, the eldest brother was like a father. Now that she and Chu Chengzhou were together, it was time for her elder brother, Tang Xiao, to meet his new brother-in-law.
"Here, Yuehua—have more papaya soup~"
Chu Chengzhou ladled several spoonfuls into her bowl. Nudge nudge, wink wink.
The sumptuous dinner ended with Chu Chengzhou and Tang Yuehua exchanging tender glances and affectionate gestures.
The meal was lavish, yet Tang San, who barely ate a bite, somehow felt completely full.
That night, in the warm, softly lit bedroom—
After consuming more whale brain, Chu Chengzhou felt his soul power surge once again. He glanced at the soul-powered clock on the wall—it was late. He rose, locked the door from the inside, then walked over and gently wrapped his arms around Tang Yuehua, who was meditating in the Absolute Control state.
He inhaled the faint, sweet fragrance of her skin and whispered into her ear: "Yuehua, it's late… we should rest now~"
"Oh~! Xiao San's right next door!"
Understanding exactly what "rest" meant, Tang Yuehua blushed furiously and whispered back, chastising him softly.
"It's fine—he won't hear a thing~"
With that, Chu Chengzhou kissed her delicate earlobe.
Soon, clothes fell away. Rhythmic thuds and muffled, breathy moans filled the room.
The bedroom walls weren't made of any special soundproofing material. Though they offered some insulation, they were far from perfect—and Xiao San was sleeping right next door.
Tang Yuehua clamped her hand over her mouth, barely holding back her cries.
And for some reason, Chu Chengzhou felt unusually exhilarated tonight.
In the adjacent room, Tang San was wide awake, still practicing the Xuantian Gong.
He understood well: The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. With his mother's death still unavenged, he would never waste a single opportunity to train.
Suddenly, a strange, deliberately muffled sound drifted through the wall.
It made him restless, agitated. He broke his meditation, frowning.
What the hell? Didn't they know disturbing someone's training was deeply immoral?
He listened more carefully.
The sound… seemed to be coming from the neighboring room?
Was his aunt… unwell?
That was his first thought.
"Aunt… are you feeling unwell?"
He called out, unable to hold back.
"No~! Xiao San… ah~! I'm fine~!"
Tang Yuehua answered hastily, then immediately clamped her hand over her mouth and turned to glare daggers at Chu Chengzhou—who was, of course, the source of the disturbance.
Chu Chengzhou: One word—smooth.
Tang San froze.
Then, slowly, realization dawned.
His neck flushed crimson.
'Damn that bastard Chu!'
He seethed inwardly.
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