Indeed, on the surface, Tai Tan's words seemed reasonable.
The Clear Sky Sect, Tang Hao, and Tang San were, technically speaking, separate entities. At present, they weren't fully united. However, claiming that the Four Great Clans' hatred toward the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao had nothing to do with Tang San was utterly absurd!
Let's not forget, in the live stream, Tang San had already acknowledged his ties to the Clear Sky Sect. So, saying he had no connection to them was pure nonsense!
Moreover, as Lin Yu saw it, the most critical factor was this:
Although Tang San hadn't formally rejoined the Clear Sky Sect, as a child who had longed for familial love, could Tang San remain unaffected by Tang Hao's influence?
And as long as Tang San remained under Tang Hao's influence, it was inevitable that he would be swayed by his father's deep loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect—a sect Tang Hao placed above nearly everything else in his life. This same mentality would undoubtedly be passed down to Tang San.
Given that, saying the Four Great Clans' hatred toward the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao had nothing to do with Tang San was just Tai Tan twisting the narrative.
This reminded Lin Yu of something similar from his past life—a country called "Little Japan" often made excuses, claiming that the wrongs it had committed in the past were unrelated to its current state. The sheer ridiculousness of the comparison was not lost on him.
However, the level of education on the Douluo Continent was far behind that of Lin Yu's past world. Without access to the wealth of information from the internet to broaden their horizons and sharpen their critical thinking, the people here were more easily swayed by shallow arguments.
Thus, in the livestream, even though Niu Gao's face darkened and he sensed that something was off about Tai Tan's logic, he found himself at a loss for words, unsure of how to counter the argument.
Moreover, because it was his old friend Tai Tan speaking, Niu Gao chose not to challenge the statement, trusting that Tai Tan wouldn't intentionally deceive him.
Yet, just because the Niu Gao in the live stream didn't object didn't mean the one in the live stream audience would remain silent.
As the saying goes: "The onlooker sees more clearly than the participant."
While the Niu Gao in the livestream, caught up in the moment, was confused by his friend's misdirection, the Niu Gao watching from the audience saw things more clearly. He immediately recognized Tai Tan's argument as deeply flawed.
He might not know the term for what Tai Tan was doing—misleading—but he knew one thing for certain:
With Tang Hao's fanatical loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect, and given the father-son bond between Tang San and Tang Hao, there was no way the Four Great Clans would have any good outcome if they submitted to Tang San.
Unfortunately, no matter how furious the Niu Gao in the audience became or how desperately he mentally screamed at his on-screen self to wake up, the Niu Gao in the livestream ultimately accepted Tai Tan's argument as valid.
What followed was just as disheartening. Niu Gao admitted that if it weren't for his old friend Tai Tan bringing Tang San over, he would've thrown both Tang San and Ma Hongjun out on the spot!
However, even though Niu Gao didn't approve of Tai Tan's decision or accept Tang San, he still didn't directly refute Tai Tan's words.
This greatly displeased Tai Tan, who had already led his entire clan to pledge allegiance to Tang San. Enraged, he declared that if Niu Gao didn't accept Tang San, the Strength Clan would leave alongside him.
It was nothing short of an ultimatum!
"Then let him leave!" thought Niu Gao furiously in the livestream audience. Watching his old friend betray their long-standing friendship for Tang San filled him with anger, knowing full well that following Tang San would lead to disaster.
But the Niu Gao in the live stream was still blinded by his emotional attachment to Tai Tan. Although he hadn't fully accepted Tang San, he couldn't bear the thought of his old friend walking away. His expression changed, and unconsciously, he stepped forward, extending his right hand as if to stop Tai Tan.
Despite his stubborn nature preventing him from actually calling out to Tai Tan, his hesitation was noticed by Tang San.
Sensing this shift in Niu Gao's demeanor, Tang San seized the opportunity. He stopped Tai Tan and, turning back, addressed Niu Gao with a sincere offer: he would apologize on behalf of the Clear Sky Sect and his father, Tang Hao, to the Four Great Clans.
His tone might have been sincere, but his sincerity? Nonexistent!
Watching this, Lin Yu couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Hollow gestures?
Tang San's actions were reminiscent of a certain insincere, performative attitude that Lin Yu had seen in a nation in the past. The resemblance was uncanny.
Lin Yu suddenly recalled Tang San's two-faced behavior in the original timeline. Before heading to Seagod Island, when he returned to the Clear Sky Sect, he apologized profusely on behalf of his father, even offering to bow in submission when the sect's elders criticized Tang Hao.
But after returning from Seagod Island, with his newfound power, Tang San's attitude flipped entirely!
When faced with the same Clear Sky Sect, he now vehemently declared that the sect was in the wrong—that the Clear Sky Sect had failed to protect its disciples, and that the fault lay with them, not his father.
These completely contradictory statements revealed Tang San's true, hypocritical nature. For him, strength was the only currency that mattered—when weak, he would bow and grovel, but when strong, he would hold his head high and claim superiority.
Lin Yu had long since recognized this side of Tang San's character. Later actions, such as manipulating Huo Yuhao, plotting against the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, even exploiting his daughter, Tang Wutong, and breaking the rules of the gods to interfere in the mortal world—all these double standards made perfect sense given that Tang San truly was.
Tang San was always this way: weak when necessary, arrogant when powerful.
As Lin Yu mocked Tang San in his mind, the livestream continued.
After offering his shallow apology, Tang San didn't wait for Niu Gao's response. Instead, he straightened his back as if his bow had erased all wrongs.
He then confidently stated that he understood an apology alone wouldn't suffice, but he was here with Tai Tan to find a way to make amends for the past.
However, knowing the severe damage his clan had suffered due to the Clear Sky Sect and Tang Hao, Niu Gao wasn't about to let this go. A simple bow wasn't enough to erase such a deep-seated grievance.
Glaring at Tang San, Niu Gao coldly remarked that the past had nothing to do with him, and the Defense Clan was doing just fine without his so-called reparations.
With that, Niu Gao turned his back, arms crossed, ready to walk away.
But Tang San called out once more, stopping him in his tracks. Once again, he seemed sincere, stating that although his previous apology was just words, he still hoped Niu Gao would allow him the opportunity to stay and participate in the Four Great Clans' gathering.
At this point, Lin Yu's disdain for Tang San only deepened.
More empty words!
Tang San had already taken all the immortal herbs from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. If he truly wanted to make amends, he could offer a herb to the Defense Clan as compensation. That would speak louder than any words.
But he wouldn't do that. His hypocrisy knew no bounds!