**Chapter 268: Rebellious Son, Rebellious Son**

**Chapter 268: Rebellious Son, Rebellious Son**

Apart from Zhao Ling and his companions, the most significant changes occurred with the blacksmiths in the other courtyard. Originally, all the blacksmiths in Zhao Ling's villa were Lou Gao and his disciples; however, the Li clan has now joined them.

Zhao Ling had spent years planning and finally managed to deceive Tang Hao and the Haotian Sect, causing the Li clan and the other three single-attribute sects to sever ties with the Haotian Sect.

How did he achieve this? Zhao Ling found a woman named A Xiu, who bore a slight resemblance to A Yin, and instructed her to get close to Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. A Xiu came from a family in financial distress, but her extravagant spending habits made her particularly susceptible to Zhao Ling's proposition.

He offered her 500 gold soul coins as an initial incentive and promised ten times that amount if she successfully drove a wedge between the two brothers. Enticed by the promise of wealth, A Xiu quickly agreed. To ensure success, Zhao Ling had her study A Yin's mannerisms and habits, even encouraging her to replicate A Yin's makeup.

A Yin, confused by the situation, wondered why her husband needed someone who looked like her to imitate her behaviors. While she rarely wore makeup due to her natural beauty, the sight of another woman mimicking her left her feeling uncomfortable.

However, after reading Zhao Ling's diaries, A Yin grasped his intent and couldn't help but laugh. She thought to herself: "My husband is truly devious. Not only did he steal someone else's wife, but now he's using a fake to deceive others. How shameless!"

Despite her disapproval, she was curious to see whether his plan would work.

Zhao Ling's scheme was, indeed, a resounding success. After extensive preparation, A Xiu met Tang Hao and Tang Xiao. Both brothers were immediately smitten, each feeling as though she was the missing piece of their lives.

Motivated by Zhao Ling's promise of 5,000 gold soul coins, A Xiu maintained an ambiguous yet distant relationship with both brothers. Her innocent demeanor, combined with her thoughtfulness and strength, deepened their affections for her.

Eventually, the brothers, after their journey across the Douluo Continent, brought A Xiu back to their sect. The leader of the Haotian Sect was perplexed upon seeing both his sons vying for the attention of the same woman. Although it seemed she favored Tang Xiao, her behavior toward Tang Hao made the situation unclear.

In a private conversation, the leader urged Tang Hao to step aside for the sake of their brotherly bond. As compensation, he promised to arrange a marriage with a refined and beautiful woman from an allied sect.

Tang Hao, however, was indignant. He believed A Xiu genuinely loved him and saw no reason to step aside for his brother. He confronted A Xiu directly, demanding to know whether she loved him or Tang Xiao.

A Xiu assured him, with feigned tenderness, that he was the only one she loved. Bolstered by her words, Tang Hao vowed never to let her go.

The next night, however, when Tang Xiao approached A Xiu with the same question, she gave him an identical response, claiming he was her true love. Overwhelmed with emotion, Tang Xiao decided he could not relinquish her to his younger brother.

Thus began a fierce rivalry between the brothers, which spread discord within the Haotian Sect and its allied factions. Zhao Ling, aware of the turmoil, initiated his second plan: he instructed Dong'er to incite external friction, further exacerbating the sect's troubles.

Now, the Haotian Sect faced internal strife and external threats, leaving the leader desperate for resolution. In an attempt to end the chaos, he confronted A Xiu, demanding she clarify her feelings.

A Xiu claimed she loved Tang Xiao.

Satisfied with this answer, the leader informed Tang Hao, who appeared devastated. However, his grief soon turned to determination. He believed A Xiu's love for him was genuine, despite her claims otherwise.

Feigning compliance with his father's decision, Tang Hao secretly plotted to escape with A Xiu. On the eve of Tang Xiao and A Xiu's arranged wedding, Tang Hao abducted her and fled the sect.

When the leader discovered their disappearance, he was enraged. Furious and heartbroken, he cursed Tang Hao as a "rebellious son" before collapsing in despair.

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