"Your Excellency, it's like this…"
Yu Xiaogang immediately adopted a compliant attitude and recounted the events, though he laced his explanation with personal emotions and biases.
As he narrated, he realized something: Tang Hao genuinely didn't know all the details and had nothing to do with Zhu Zhuqing's disappearance. His earlier judgment had been mistaken.
But how could a small mistake trip up Master Yu? His mind raced, and a bold idea took shape.
"Your Excellency, I have a theory, but I'm not sure if I should share it."
Yu Xiaogang glanced at the dark and frightening expression on Tang Hao's face, speaking cautiously.
"Speak."
After hearing that his son was injured, Tang Hao's anger was barely contained. This was his son, Tang Hao's son, and someone dared to harm him while he was away. Unforgivable.
"Your Excellency, I didn't know you were away during this time, so I mistakenly believed you were secretly protecting Xiao San. That's why I thought Zhu Zhuqing was taken by you."
"But since you're unaware of this, there's something suspicious about Zhu Zhuqing's disappearance."
As Yu Xiaogang spoke, he carefully observed the changes in Tang Hao's expression.
"Go on."
Tang Hao was momentarily stunned by Yu Xiaogang's words as if something had occurred to him. He then signaled for him to continue.
"You know, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong have always had a close relationship. So, do you think it's possible that Zhu Zhuqing was secretly taken away by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
"The Heaven Dou Imperial Family is also a suspect, but I've considered it before—they lack the courage and strength to hide someone from Ning Fengzhi, and there's no benefit to them in doing so."
"If it were the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, they would likely prefer to see the Star Luo Empire's martial soul fusion skill emerge within the second team. As long as it appears, regardless of its power afterward, it would deal a heavy blow to the Star Luo Empire. If they could even defeat Dai Weisi, that would be even better."
"So, I initially ruled out the Heaven Dou Imperial Family as a suspect."
Yu Xiaogang's analysis was logical, even prompting Tang Hao to nod in agreement.
Indeed, from the perspective of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, it made no sense to take Zhu Zhuqing—it brought them no benefit.
Seeing that Tang Hao agreed with his reasoning, Yu Xiaogang became even more enthusiastic: "So, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is the most likely suspect."
"First, after the incident, Ning Rongrong immediately returned to her clan and didn't return to the academy until much later."
"Second, after such an event, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan showed no other reaction—they merely cooperated with the academy in a perfunctory search."
"But allowing their heir to return to the academy without even a word of blame is highly suspicious."
"Let's not mention Ning Fengzhi—those two Title Douluo dote on Ning Rongrong excessively. Previously, when Mubai merely said some inappropriate words, Sword Douluo gravely injured him. This time, they didn't even show up. Doesn't this suggest that they know something, or that they were involved?"
Yu Xiaogang voiced his thoughts in one breath, feeling a sense of relief as if a weight had been lifted. Even the slight internal injuries he'd suffered from Tang Hao's pressure seemed to hurt less.
"Then tell me, why would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan do this? Is it just because of that little girl, Ning Rongrong?"
Tang Hao felt something was off but couldn't pinpoint it, so he threw the question back at Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang paused, realizing he hadn't considered why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would act this way.
He furrowed his brows—both men failed to notice that their thinking had deviated from identifying who was behind the scheme to why the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would do such a thing.
"Ning Rongrong's request is one reason. Perhaps Zhu Zhuqing's identity is another. Now, in the Heaven Dou Empire, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has reached its peak. Maybe they're trying to establish a connection with the Zhu family?"
Yu Xiaogang's mind raced until a possible motive occurred to him.
"With the Clear Sky Clan in seclusion, the situation in the Heaven Dou Empire has become clear. Maybe they want to extend their influence to the Star Luo Empire."
"Zhu Zhuqing might be the perfect stepping stone. Mubai is a prince—they wouldn't want to interfere there. But what about a discarded pawn?"
"Could it be that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan aspires to become the next Spirit Hall? Hiss..."
As Yu Xiaogang pondered and spoke, he stumbled upon a startling possibility, his voice growing quieter.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his speculation was correct.
Tang Hao's face darkened completely. The seclusion of the Clear Sky Clan was closely tied to him. It was because of him that the once-greatest clan had chosen to shut its doors.
Now, thinking about the increasingly powerful Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Tang Hao began to feel that Yu Xiaogang's speculation might be true.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi—they had grand ambitions indeed.
If not for this worthless fool accidentally stumbling upon the truth, even Tang Hao might have been deceived.
To think they could replace the Clear Sky Clan's status—what a delusion.
In Tang Hao's mind, the position of the greatest clan could only belong to the Clear Sky Clan.
Once someone believes they've uncovered a truth, they often become deeply convinced of it. Tang Hao was now trapped in this mindset.
If this was true, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's subsequent actions made sense.
Sending Ning Rongrong back to the academy and pretending nothing had happened—even neglecting to hold anyone accountable—was a tactic to lull him into complacency. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan certainly knew of his presence.
As Tang Hao's thoughts unraveled, everything began to make sense to him, and he even looked at Yu Xiaogang with a friendlier gaze.
This useless guy still had some value after all, so he decided to let him off the hook for now.
"Go tell Flender to wait for me in his office tonight. I need to step out for a bit."
Having made up his mind, Tang Hao looked at Yu Xiaogang and gave his order.
His son had been injured, and as his father, he had to get an explanation from someone.
Whether or not the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was behind it, Tang Hao would naturally discern the truth. But right now, he was convinced they were responsible—no one else had the power to pull this off.
And even if they weren't responsible, he intended to test the waters and, if possible, give them a warning. The title of the greatest sect could only belong to the Clear Sky Clan.
Most importantly, why was it that a support-type soul master like Ning Rongrong came out unscathed, while his son ended up injured? Tang Hao conveniently ignored the fact that it was Tang San who instigated the conflict.
"Yes, Your Excellency, I will convey your order."
Yu Xiaogang suddenly felt like his injuries didn't hurt at all, and he responded energetically.
"Hmph."
Tang Hao snorted coldly, then disappeared from the office. Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, clenched his fist in excitement.
...
More than an hour later, at the foot of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's mountain.
A figure in a black robe appeared, glancing coldly at the guards at the mountain gate. He tossed a token towards them.
"Go inform your sect master that an old acquaintance has come to visit."
The token struck one of the guard's stomachs, knocking him to the ground. The other guard was about to take action when the fallen guard stopped him—he had recognized the token.
Enduring the pain, the guard quickly got up.
"Please wait a moment. I'll go report to the sect master right away."
He motioned to the still-angry guard to stand down and hurried towards the mountain gate.
Inside the main hall, the guard presented the token with both hands, quickly reporting the situation.
"Tang Hao? What does he want?"
As soon as Ning Fengzhi saw the token, he knew who had come. Glancing at the guard's condition, his expression darkened.
What was this supposed to mean? Was it a visit or a vendetta? Did Tang Hao think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was so weak that he could casually assault their guards?
His martial soul appeared in his hand, and a white light enveloped the injured guard, healing him until he could stand straight again. Only then did Ning Fengzhi withdraw his martial soul.
Ning Fengzhi's face showed a hint of apology.
"You did well. Regardless of who the visitor is, I will make sure you get justice."
"Here's what we'll do: you go back and rest. Later, you can go to the logistics department and receive an extra half year's worth of money and resources. Take a good month off—how does that sound?"
Hearing this, the guard's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. He quickly bowed.
"Sect master, this is just my duty, but as for…"
"That's enough. This is my order. You've earned it. Go and rest."
Ning Fengzhi interrupted him, his expression growing serious.
The guard, deeply moved, bowed again and followed Ning Fengzhi's orders, leaving the hall.
"Uncle Sword, could you please go see what Tang Hao is up to? He's grown bold enough to act this way at our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Does he think this is a place where he can do whatever he pleases? Even when his father was alive, he didn't dare act like this."
After the guard left, Ning Fengzhi's expression turned cold, his tone laced with a hint of killing intent as he turned to look at Sword Douluo.
"Alright."
Chen Xin nodded decisively and disappeared from the hall.
He might appear gentle, but he wasn't one to have a good temper. His title was Sword, after all. If someone dared to trample on their dignity, they had to retaliate; otherwise, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might as well give up. It would be humiliating.
At the mountain gate, the remaining guard stared at Tang Hao warily, but Tang Hao didn't seem to care, his figure was still shrouded in a black robe, concealing his aura.
At that moment, Tang Hao seemed to sense something and looked up, catching a glimpse of a white streak flashing through the sky.
A powerful sword aura then slashed fiercely toward him.
"Boom!"
Tang Hao's figure flickered as the Clear Sky Hammer appeared briefly, deflecting the sword aura to the side, causing an explosion.
By now, Chen Xin had landed in front of him, the Seven Kill Sword in hand, ready to strike again.
"Are you crazy?"
Tang Hao glared at Chen Xin, his voice deep.
"Crazy? The one who's crazy is you. Who gave you the nerve to come here and injure one of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan disciples right from the start?"
Chen Xin looked coldly at the once-arrogant prodigy of the Clear Sky Clan, now forced to hide under a hood, his eyes filled with icy disdain.
Against such a person, there could be no mercy. Perhaps Fengzhi's previous kindness gave this old man the wrong idea, emboldening him to the point of attacking their clan. If they backed down now, what would stop him from pushing even further?
The remaining guard was stunned—Elder Sword had personally stepped in. Should he also do something to show his loyalty?
The atmosphere at the mountain gate was tense, with both sides on the brink of a fight.