"Shen Zihao?" Kang Hong repeated the name. "The guy is a very tough nut, but, I know a few things.
"He's friends with the current emperor, who placed him in the position he is in today."
"The noble who is in charge of the capital." Both Tan Huizhong and Kang Hong said together.
"He's not only friends with the emperor, he used to know your sister." Hong said as he looked at Bohai. "He's been tied to the royal family since birth, and has gained a lot of trust. They've even granted him a pardon for having a private army."
Tan Huizhong became more serious with each word. As Kang Hong mentioned a private army, he became stiff.
"They're after you I see." Kang Hong's smile faded as he spoke.
"Yes." Huizhong replied solemnly. He looked at the two teenagers, and back at the other two in the room. "I'm sorry."
"Its okay. Go ahead." Kang Hong said with an understanding gaze.
Tan Huizhong didn't need to say anything to Bohai or Qingling, they both followed him out immediately after they made eye contact. They traveled at a fast pace, but not fast enough to look suspicious.
Huizhong and Bohai, after reaching the far side of the city, heard the ruckus the private army made as they entered Kang Hong's special cigar shop. They both frowned silently, and picked up the pace.
By the time the private army found out that they weren't at Kang's anymore, it was already too late. The trio had already left the capital to go to the Tan clan. The army wasn't aware of the presences alongside the old man, they had just been instructed to capture the legendary grandmaster of the Tan clan. But, it had to be done in the capital. Shen Zihao's jurisdiction didn't travel outside of the capital walls, especially not in a prestigious clan's territory.
The trek to the Tan clan took the trio a day and a half. None of them talked during the trip, all of them were too preoccupied with their thoughts to converse. Huizhong was worried about Hong, but he knew he could deal with Shen Zihao. More importantly, he was thinking about how to deal with the Shen Zihao. The brat dared to provoke him. There was no way he wouldn't let it go unscathed.
Xu Qingling was busy sorting out her thoughts. After she realized she trusted Bohai, and that he had protected her when she needed it, she realized that she was in trouble. She was falling for him, something she promised herself she wouldn't do until she proved her mother wrong and became a famous chef.
Bohai had been reminded of his sister, someone who he had nearly forgotten over his ten years in hiding. Her beautiful smile, and her terrible downfall were all engraved into his memory now. He was busy thinking about how Shen Zihao knew his sister. From the way Kang Hong emphasized his words, Bohai indicated that it wasn't a simple relationship. He wanted to meet this man, and ask him himself. But, because he had an entire army out for them, he had no choice but to wonder by himself.
After a day and a half of running, the trio finally reached the gates to the Tan household. Like every other prestigious Arts family, there was only way to get in - and out. The gates had to be activated by someone with the blood of the household. Tan Huizhong pricked his finger slightly, allowing a minuscule amount of blood onto the ground. A second later, the impenetrable gates opened.
As the gates opened, the people inside were immediately made aware of their presence. The strong aura that Tan Huizhong held was unmistakeable, and as the strongest person in the clan, everyone had to come out to greet him. None of them expected to see two teenagers besides him.
About fifty five people gathered around to greet the grand master. There were people of all ages there - from elders to children. Most of them looked scared of Huizhong, only a few stood straight before him.
"Your late old man." The man in the middle of the half circle criticized. He looked exactly like Tan Huizhong, but younger. Qingling and Bohai could immediately assume that this was his only child, the head of the Tan clan, Tan Pengfei.
Tan Huizhong said nothing to his son, instead he led his companions to his lodgings. Walking past the crowd without uttering a word, made those who could stand tall contort in disgust. However, none of them said anything. Rather, they couldn't say anything.
Everyone was curious as to who was accompanying their grand master, and only one person could seem to find out. Tan Pengfei's only son, Tan Duyi. As the crowd dispered, Duyi told his father about his speculations. Shortly after, father and son followed after Tan Huizhong and the two teenagers.