Chapter 98: Tang San Meets Tang Yuehua

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"Who are you? Do you know me?" Yu Xiaogang looked at the beggar before him with confusion. As he caught a whiff of the foul stench emanating from the beggar and noticed the yellowed, black-streaked teeth, he instinctively took a step back, waving a hand in front of his nose in distaste. 

Bibi Dong watched Yu Xiaogang's disgusted reaction, and her heart shattered. Her tear-filled eyes, which had long since dried up, overflowed once more. With a sorrowful voice, she pleaded, 

"Xiaogang, it's me, Bibi Dong! I am Bibi Dong! I came all the way from Spirit City just to see you! I've always loved you!" 

Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression grew cold. There was no way he could believe that this filthy, wretched woman, covered in grime and reeking of decay, was the same Bibi Dong he had once known. Though they had broken up long ago, he couldn't deny that she had once touched his heart, leaving behind bittersweet memories. After all, who could resist the affections of a woman as stunningly beautiful and extraordinarily talented as Bibi Dong, who had once worshipped him so devotedly? But now, this beggar standing before him tainted the noble place she had once held in his heart. 

Liu Erlong's expression also turned frigid. The name "Bibi Dong" was one she least wanted to hear. Extending her hand, she conjured a gold spirit coin and held it out coldly. 

"Beggar, if it's money you want, I can give you some. But please, don't spout such ridiculous nonsense." 

"I don't want money! I don't want money!" Bibi Dong shook her head desperately. "I really am Bibi Dong! My spirit power was crippled, my money was stolen, and I've wandered all the way here from Nuoding City, begging just to survive. Xiaogang, I am truly Bibi Dong! Have I changed so much that you can no longer recognize me?" 

Seeing Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong standing together, Bibi Dong's heart clenched in agony. She already believed herself unworthy of Yu Xiaogang, but witnessing the man she loved with another woman still filled her with unbearable sorrow. 

"Erlong, let's go. Don't waste time with this lunatic." Yu Xiaogang dismissed her without hesitation, unwilling to lower himself to converse with a foul beggar. 

Liu Erlong nodded, placed the gold coin on the ground, and the two quickly left. 

As they were walking away, a faint voice called out— 

"Yelin City!" 

Yu Xiaogang's steps faltered. Liu Erlong looked at him, puzzled by his sudden hesitation. 

"Kongming lanterns… making a wish…" 

Yu Xiaogang's pupils constricted. 

"Xiaogang, do you still remember our first date? The day we confirmed our relationship and released Kongming lanterns into the sky?" Bibi Dong's trembling voice carried a deep longing. "I still remember how you couldn't find me that day, so you drew my portrait and asked around all over the city. In the end, I sneaked up behind you, and we continued our stroll together." 

These were memories that only she and Yu Xiaogang could possibly know. 

Yu Xiaogang turned back, his gaze fixed on the tear-streaked face of the elderly beggar. His voice wavered with uncertainty. 

"Are you… really Bibi Dong?" 

"It's me, Xiaogang… I am Bibi Dong." She nodded weakly. "After my spirit power was crippled, I first went to Nuoding City to look for you, but they told me you had gone to Shrek Academy in Soto City. My money was stolen, and while searching for you, I tried to find work, but I was met with hostility everywhere I went. I had no choice but to survive by selling wild vegetables and begging. I suffered through the elements, starvation, and humiliation… and in the end, I became like this." 

As she spoke of the past two years of torment, she longed to throw herself into Yu Xiaogang's arms and weep. But she couldn't. She knew how hideous she had become, how filthy she was. She didn't want to taint him with her filth. 

Liu Erlong, observing Yu Xiaogang's reaction, was finally convinced that the beggar before them truly was Bibi Dong. Listening to her story, an unfamiliar emotion flickered in her heart—pity. Even though she despised Bibi Dong and considered her a romantic rival, she couldn't bring herself to feel jealous. Looking at Bibi Dong now—skin and bones, wrinkled, and utterly broken—Liu Erlong could muster nothing but deep sympathy. 

---

Meanwhile, elsewhere, Tai Long led Tang San into a quaint, elegantly designed teahouse. The establishment was not particularly large, spanning three floors, its decor exuding an old-world charm. At this time, only a few guests were inside, creating a peaceful atmosphere. 

The two ascended to the private seating area on the second floor, where Tai Long pushed aside a folding screen and gestured for Tang San to enter. 

Inside, a lone figure sat quietly. Upon hearing their arrival, the person rose from their seat. 

Tang San stepped inside and froze upon seeing the individual before him. It was none other than the noblewoman from the Soul Master Tournament's VIP section—the woman whose gaze had lingered on him the entire time. 

Tang Yuehua. 

"Master, I have brought the young lord," Tai Long said respectfully. 

Tang Yuehua nodded slightly and waved her hand. 

"Tai Long, you may leave."

After Tai Long left, Tang San maintained a calm expression as he looked at Tang Yuehua. He could sense that she bore him no ill will, but his muscles remained subtly tense, keeping him on guard. 

"You must be Hao-ge's son," Tang Yuehua said, stepping forward and reaching out as if to stroke Tang San's cheek. 

Tang San frowned and tilted his head to evade her touch. Before he could say anything, Tang Yuehua's slightly reproachful voice rang out. 

"What are you dodging for? I'm your aunt!" 

"Aunt?" Tang San was momentarily stunned. 

"You silly child, Hao-ge really hasn't told you anything, has he?" Tang Yuehua sighed and shook her head. "Come, let me see your second martial soul—the Clear Sky Hammer." 

"Clear Sky Hammer!" 

Tang San was completely taken aback. He had always known that his second martial soul was powerful, but he never expected it to be the legendary Clear Sky Hammer—the inherited martial soul of the Clear Sky Clan. 

Even so, he still wasn't entirely convinced. His wary gaze remained fixed on Tang Yuehua. 

"You're really something," she said, noticing his continued vigilance. Shaking her head, she extended her right hand. A small golden hammer appeared, surrounded by a faint golden ring. The ring radiated an aura of nobility, exuding a serene energy that seemed capable of washing away all negative emotions, bringing a profound sense of peace. 

"Aunt…" 

Tang San's eyes widened at the sight of the golden hammer. He was now eighty percent convinced. To confirm, he summoned his own Clear Sky Hammer—a pitch-black weapon. Apart from the difference in color and the absence of the golden ring, the intricate patterns on both hammers were identical. 

"Xiao San, our lineage comes directly from the Clear Sky Clan's main branch. The current clan leader is your uncle, and your father… is the renowned Clear Sky Douluo, one of the most powerful soul masters on the continent." 

Tang Yuehua's words struck Tang San like a series of explosions, leaving his mind buzzing. 

"My father… the Clear Sky Douluo who defeated the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall?" 

Tang San blinked, trying to reconcile the image of his scruffy, drunken father with that of the legendary Titled Douluo. No matter how he looked at it, the two seemed like completely different people. 

Unable to suppress his confusion, he asked, "Aunt, if my father is really the Clear Sky Douluo, then why did he take me into hiding in a small village?" 

Tang Yuehua didn't answer immediately. Instead, she turned toward the empty air and spoke with a hint of irritation. 

"Hao-ge, I know you're nearby. Xiao San is an adult now, and he's about to return to his ancestral clan. He deserves to know the truth. If you won't tell him, I will!" 

A deep sigh echoed through the private room. 

The next moment, Tang Hao stepped forward, appearing before them. 

After more than eight years, Tang San was once again face to face with his father. 

(End of Chapter)