Chapter 97: Departure
Chapter 97: Departure
After half an hour, just as the several people waited silently, the Third Elder, who had originally had his eyes closed, involuntarily opened them.
“It’s coming!”
The Third Elder said coolly, then closed his eyes again.
…
A quarter of an hour later, Tang Zhantian’s tense expression relaxed slightly.
…
Another quarter of an hour later, a black shadow appeared on the horizon.
A moment later, a large eagle bearing an old man around fifty years old appeared above the Tang Family compound.
“Tang Zhantian, Head of the Wuzhou Tang Family, come out and speak!”
The old man wore an arrogant expression. He casually glanced down, appearing utterly disdainful. He deliberately released the pressured aura of his Core Formation Stage cultivation level and spoke loudly.
The old man was precisely Wang Ruhai, whom Tang Jinbiao had met once a year ago. If it hadn’t been mentioned a few days prior, he would have forgotten himself.
“A’ge!”
Upon seeing the old man, a complicated expression appeared on Wang Wanyu’s face.
“Hmm, I know. Don’t worry!”
Tang Zhantian glanced at Wang Wanyu, his expression equally complex.
Whoosh!
Hearing this man’s words, Tang Zhantian frowned, but he still forced a smile onto his face and transformed into a beam of light, flying out to meet him.
The two men seemed to converse somewhat in the air. A moment later, Tang Zhantian transformed once more into a beam of light and flew back.
…
After about the time it takes to eat a meal, Tang Jinbiao and the others all stood upon the large eagle. Tang Zhantian and the others gave some instructions and seemed to feel it was about time. They watched Wang Ruhai leave, taking Tang Jinbiao and the others with him.
After Tang Jinbiao and the others had departed, the Third Elder’s lips moved slightly as he sent a voice transmission to Tang Zhantian and the others. What exactly the Third Elder said was unknown, but upon hearing the message, astonishment washed across their faces. Nevertheless, they followed the Third Elder and transformed into beams of light, departing.
…
Half an hour later, in the sky about a hundred miles from the Tang Family, Little Tang Song flung himself into Wang Ruhai’s arms, acting spoiled.
“Grandfather, Tang Song hasn’t seen you for such a long, long time! Not long ago, Auntie still came to see Tang Song!”
Tang Song nuzzled into Wang Ruhai’s embrace, acting coy.
“Haha, Tang Song is so good. When you go learn skills at the Divine Wind Academy in the future, you can come see your grandfather every day!”
All traces of that previous arrogance vanished from Wang Ruhai’s face, replaced by an expression full of affection for Tang Song.
“Mmm, Grandfather is still the best!”
Little Tang Song clung to him even more tightly.
…
An hour later, the group could already see Panlong City in the far distance.
“You two, if not for Little Tang Song’s pleading today, I’d have made you fly on your own. We’re about to reach Panlong City. When we use the Teleportation Array later, stay calm and don’t cause any trouble. If teleportation goes wrong, I won’t be responsible!”
Wang Ruhai turned his head, his face indifferent as he spoke coldly.
“Okay, understood!”
“We understand!”
Though Tang Jinbiao and Tang Yilin didn’t know much about his character, just over an hour together gave them a sufficient understanding.
Wang Ruhai disliked—even resented—the Tang Family. This was evident in his tone and expression when addressing them. Most likely, he was furious that his daughter Wang Wanyu married a “useless” man like Tang Zhantian. Yet, he clearly adored Little Tang Song. Throughout the journey, the two had chatted and laughed together.
Initially, Wang Ruhai intended to make Tang Jinbiao and Tang Yilin fly independently, but only Little Tang Song’s pleading secured them a ride on the giant eagle.
“Young man, though you aren’t born to my daughter, since she claims you as her son, this grandfather can’t be stingy. Take this Token. It’ll prove useful once you reach Divine Wind Academy.”
Despite his detached expression, Wang Ruhai lightly tapped his Storage Pouch and produced a palm-sized, token-like object.
“Yes, thank you, Grandfather!”
Tang Jinbiao quickly took the Token with both hands. Visually, it seemed utterly ordinary, lacking any noticeable distinction—except for the terrifying, indescribable power contained within. Or perhaps it appeared ordinary precisely because it was extraordinarily profound.
“Little Annoyance!”
However, upon reading the three characters engraved on its surface, Tang Jinbiao’s expression turned peculiar. He instantly realized this must belong to his Auntie Wang Hanyu.
“Hmm, not bad. It seems you understand basic courtesy.”
Seeing Tang Jinbiao’s polite conduct, the frost in Wang Ruhai’s expression thawed slightly.
He then took out an identical Token and passed it to Tang Yilin. “I hear you two hold the marital title now. Though I despise the Tang surname, family is family. Take this too. Crush it in dire emergencies. It contains a wisp of Hanyu’s aura—even Nascent Soul Cultivators cannot withstand it. It may save your life when needed.”
Yuck! Who’d marry this pig?
Glancing sideways at Tang Jinbiao, Tang Yilin cursed inwardly.
Catching his subtle signal, she instantly painted on a sweet smile, accepted the Token, and chirped, “Thank you, Grandfather!”
You damned Tang Jinbiao—how dare you exploit this! Once the old coot leaves, I’ll make you suffer!
Beneath her radiant smile, venomous thoughts simmered.
“Good. We’ll shortly arrive at Panlong City. Rest there tonight. Tomorrow I’ll send you to the Teleportation Array, which will carry you directly to Suzhou. Upon arrival, proceed to the academy yourselves using the map. I’ve matters to attend, and won’t accompany you further.”
Pleased after Tang Yilin accepted the Token, Wang Ruhai gave a nod.
Damned Tang Jinbiao!
Tang Yilin burned with resentment. She didn’t understand why she’d even agreed to the engagement. But with Wang Ruhai present, resistance was impossible—she could only silently curse Tang Jinbiao’s name.
Thunk.
Beside her, Tang Jinbiao sensed something amiss and subtly shifted his feet away…
…
As Tang Jinbiao and the others approached Panlong City, atop the Tang Family’s Back Hill, Tang Hu and companions gazed into the distance where the figures had vanished.
“Agh. Now that Brother Biao’s gone, this sudden loneliness is unbearable!”
Tang Hu sighed, watching the figures dissipate over the horizon, and plopped down onto the ground.
“So… how should we endure the long nights ahead?”
Tang Bi also wore a troubled expression as he sat down, sighing.
“Oh, Brother Biao just left, and I already miss him terribly!”
Tang Xing’s speech seemed to become more fluent too as he followed suit and sat down.
“Brother Biao!”
Tang Bu seemed to still be immersed in those beautiful memories.
“Cough, I keep feeling that once Brother Biao leaves this time, he won’t come back!”
“Sigh, Brother Biao, please, please don’t forget us!”
“Hey, Brother Biao, we miss you and we just separated!”
The few of them couldn’t help sighing.
……
A quarter of an hour later, Tang Hu stood up, smacked the dust off his bottoms, and spoke somewhat lonesomely: “Ah Bi, Ah Xing, Ah Bu, let’s call it a day. Everyone, let’s disperse. There’s not much point staying here any longer!”
“Alright then, Brother Hu, goodbye!”
Tang Xing stood up as well, brushing off dust, and said.
“Brother Hu!”
Tang Bu turned back, looking somewhat perplexed.
“Ah Bi, we’re off!”
Tang Hu, taking Tang Xing along, started heading towards the mountain path, preparing to leave.
However, Tang Bi and Tang Bu still showed no reaction, seemingly reluctant to go.
“Aren’t you two leaving?”
Seeing Tang Bi and Tang Bu remain unmoved, Tang Hu frowned and asked.
“Brother Biao!”
Tang Bu turned his head to look into the distance and softly muttered.
“Oh, since you’re not leaving, we’ll go first!”
Seeing Tang Bi unresponsive, Tang Hu led Tang Xing and departed.
Tang Bi, meanwhile, wore a look of deep contemplation on his face, as if pondering something. Suddenly, however, as if remembering something, he called out loudly: “Brother Hu! Brother Hu! Wait a moment, wait!”
“Huh?”
Hearing Tang Bi’s shout, Tang Hu frowned, turned around, and asked puzzledly: “What is it?”
“Ha ha, Brother Hu! I have a great suggestion. Brother Biao is gone now, we can’t just wallow in sadness! How about we go wash our hair today?”
Tang Bi declared loudly.
“What?”
“Wash hair?”
“Alright, alright, alright!”
Hearing Tang Bi’s suggestion, Tang Hu and the others froze slightly for a moment, but swiftly recovered, unanimously agreeing.
……
One hour later, within the dense forest.
“Ha ha, I definitely want an eighteen-year-old one!”
“Hm mm, last time we agreed to go wash hair, who would have thought it never happened. This time we definitely must wash!”
“Yep, we absolutely must wash! I want an eighteen-year-old one too!”
“Brother Bi, that’s not very brotherly of you! Brother Biao just left and you’re already clamoring to wash hair!”
“Pfah! I was the one who brought it up, but you guys didn’t have to agree, did you?”
“Well, we’ll remember to bring Brother Biao next time. This time let it slide!”
“Ha ha…”
……
Cheerful laughter spilled out from the forest intermittently. Unbeknownst to them, Tang Bi’s suggestion had actually allowed them to avoid a disaster.
……
Inside a secret chamber of the Tang Family.
The Great Elder was speaking solemnly about something. The other Elders wore expressions of shock, looking hard to believe, yet they still listened intently.
It lasted for an unknown length of time when suddenly, these people departed the chamber one by one. Several Elders transformed into streaks of Escape Light, shooting outwards towards all directions. Meanwhile, any keen observers would have noticed numerous Message Talismans being dispatched continuously from the Tang Family compound. Layer after layer of Restrictions began to envelop the Tang Family; an atmosphere of tension enclosed every part of it, inside and out…