As Bai He and Yang Wudi were busy helping the Strength Clan rescue their trapped members, Tang San, having spotted Bai He, swiftly used his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to dash toward him. Without a second thought, Tang San dropped to his knees with a loud "thud!" before Bai He, bowing his head repeatedly to the ground, tears brimming in his eyes as he cried out.
"Great Uncle, I beg you, please save my father!!"
Tang San's heart-wrenching plea echoed through the area, catching the attention of not only Yang Wudi but also many of the Strength Clan members nearby. When they realized it was Tang San, Yang Wudi's face twisted with disgust, while the Strength Clan members glared at him with open hostility. Their home lay in ruins, and many of their people were either dead or injured—all because of Tang Hao and his son.
"You…"
Bai He was taken aback when Tang San suddenly knelt before him. He was completely caught off guard, his mind momentarily blank.
"Child, what are you doing…?"
Even though the livestream had exposed much about Tang San and Bai He's once joyful recognition of him had turned bitter, seeing Tang San kneel before he filled him with complicated emotions.
"Great Uncle, please, I beg you, save my father!"
"I know I was wrong in the live stream—I was ungrateful and selfish—but that was a different version of me! I swear, I would never act that way now. If you save my father, I promise I will repay you, Great-Uncle!" Tang San's tears streamed down his face as he knelt before Bai He, his voice choked with emotion.
Bai He's expression became more conflicted, his heart weighed down by the sight of Tang San pleading before him.
"Hey! Bai He! Don't let this kid fool you!" Yang Wudi suddenly interjected, his tone sharp and urgent. "This boy and his father are as deceitful as they come! Didn't you see what Tang Hao did? He used the lives of the Strength Clan members to blackmail Taitan into joining the fight. Don't tell me you've forgotten how this boy acted in the livestream, pretending to be all grateful to us but abandoning the Four Great Clans when we needed him the most!"
His words struck hard, and Bai He froze as the memories from the livestream replayed in his mind. His heart jolted with realization, and his thoughts cleared.
Damn it! That Yang Wudi ruined my only chance to save Father! Tang San cursed internally, his hatred for Yang Wudi intensifying. He had been so close to convincing his great-uncle to help, but Yang Wudi's intervention had ruined everything.
Yet, even though his initial plea had failed, Tang San wasn't about to give up. He recalled something from the livestream—a conversation with Bai He that had left a deep impression on him. His great-uncle had mentioned two things that moved him: his grandmother's early death and the fact that Bai He had practically raised his father, Tang Hao, and his uncle, Tang Xiao.
If begging doesn't work, then I'll appeal to family ties!
"Please, Great Uncle!" Tang San sobbed, his voice filled with raw emotion. "Don't you remember? You watched over Father and Uncle Tang Xiao as they grew up. Father can't hold out much longer—if you don't help, he'll die! How could you bear to let that happen? You know that Grandmother passed away when Father was young, and I never knew Grandfather… All Father and I have left is you, Great-Uncle! You're the only family we have left! Please, you have to save him!"
Tang San knelt, tears flowing as he repeatedly banged his head on the ground, desperately invoking the emotional bond he knew existed between Bai He and his family.
"You little…" Yang Wudi's eyes widened in alarm as Tang San brought up Bai He's sister. He knew full well how much Bai He had loved his sister—she had been like a mother to him. If Tang San's words reached Bai He's heart, it could sway him into acting impulsively.
"His sister…" Bai He's expression softened as he was momentarily transported back in time, recalling the fond memories of his beloved sister.
"Old Goat! Don't let this kid fool you! Your sister wouldn't want you to risk your life for these ungrateful, deceitful wolves! Think of the Agility Clan, think of your granddaughter, Xiangxiang! You can't throw your life away for them!" Yang Wudi's voice was desperate now, trying to snap Bai He out of his emotional reverie.
Then, he turned to glare fiercely at Tang San, his killing intent flaring up as he shouted, "Get out of here! Your father can't even save himself—he sure as hell won't be able to save you! If you don't leave now, I'll kill you myself!"
But Tang San saw through Yang Wudi's panic, and his heart filled with cold satisfaction. The old goat was scared—scared that Bai He might help.
You're panicking, Yang Wudi. That means I'm winning… Tang San thought, masking his triumph behind a façade of determination. He had realized something important: if he could convince Bai He to help, Yang Wudi would follow out of loyalty, just as Niu Gao had followed Taitan into the fight.
Facing Yang Wudi's threats head-on, Tang San shouted back, "Yang Grandpa, I won't stop! If it means saving my father, I'm willing to die! Do what you must!"
"You…" Yang Wudi was furious, but before he could act, Bai He let out a deep, sorrowful sigh.
"Stop, Old Goat." Bai He's voice was filled with resignation.
"Bai He, what are you doing? Are you really going to help that bastard Tang Hao? After everything we saw in the live stream? After what he did to the Four Great Clans?" Yang Wudi was stunned, unable to believe that Bai He would consider helping Tang Hao.
"Regardless of what happened, Tang Hao is still my sister's son," Bai He replied, his tone heavy with emotion. "I can't just stand by and watch him die. If I survive this, it will be the last time I help him. After this, I will consider my sister's debt repaid. But this matter doesn't concern you, Old Goat—stay out of it."
With a final, resigned sigh, Bai He summoned his martial spirit, the Swift-Tail Swallow. His body transformed as he unleashed his Martial Spirit Avatar, turning into a massive swallow with razor-sharp wings.
"Damn it, Bai He! You think I'll just stand here and watch you die? I'm coming with you!" Yang Wudi roared, his face flushed with anger.
Bai He's wings fluttered, and with a shrill cry, he launched himself toward the battlefield, leaving Yang Wudi no choice but to follow.
As he summoned his Breaking Spear, Yang Wudi shot one last furious glare at Tang San. "Next time I see you, kid, I'll kill you!"
With that, he chased after Bai He, joining the fray alongside his old friend.