The room was shrouded in an uneasy silence after my declaration. Tang Hao's gaze remained locked on me, the weight of my words hanging heavily in the air. I could see the flicker of doubt and curiosity in his eyes, but his body language was guarded, his posture defensive.
"Before we proceed," I said, my tone steady, "let's clear something up. I have never been, nor will I ever be, part of the Spirit Hall." My voice grew colder, and even I could feel the venom in my words. "In fact, my goal is to destroy their current pope."
The sheer hatred in my voice seemed to catch even Grandpa off guard. Dugu Bo turned to look at me, his expression one of pure surprise. I rarely let my emotions slip so openly, but when it came to the Bibi Dong, my loathing was genuine and uncontainable.
Realizing the oppressive atmosphere I had created, I took a deep breath and forced myself to relax. With a small smile, I decided to shift the topic.
"But that's enough about them," I said, waving a hand dismissively.
Tang Hao's brows furrowed slightly, his suspicion clear, but he said nothing. I met his gaze, my voice softening as I began to recount my story.
"You see, Tang Hao," I started, "I understand what it means to lose everything before you even had a chance to hold onto it. I was abandoned by my parents as a baby and left to die in a forest. That's where my Grandpa found me and decided to raise me."
Dugu Bo's lips curled into a rare smile. "Best decision I ever made," he said proudly.
I turned to him, offering an honest smile in return. "Thanks, Grandpa."
Looking back at Tang Hao, I allowed my expression to turn sad. I projected a carefully crafted heartbreak, one designed to tug at the strings of even the coldest heart. I deserve a prize for the amount of bullshit I'm about to say with a serious face, I thought to myself.
"I'm sharing this with you because I know what it feels like to grow up without a mother," I continued. "And I don't wish that for your son. Tang San deserves better than that."
Internally, I was aware of the hypocrisy. After all, my hatred for my own mother burned fiercely. But Tang Hao didn't need to know that.
My words seemed to hit their mark. I could see Tang Hao wavering, the hardened lines of his face softening ever so slightly as he glanced down at his son. He was close to agreeing, but I knew there was still doubt.
"Besides," I said, leaning forward slightly, "if you join my academy, you'll be able to maintain a low profile for the next few years. The academy won't open immediately. You'll have time to spend with your son in a better environment, away from prying eyes."
Tang Hao's grip on Tang San tightened slightly, his lips pressing into a thin line. His eyes narrowed, his skepticism returning. "Why do you care so much? Why go to such lengths?"
"Think about what's best for your family," I said, ignoring his question, my tone unwavering. I gestured toward Tang San. "Don't you want Ah Yin to meet her son again?"
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. Tang Hao's face turned grim, and his eyes blazed with intensity as he stared at me. His voice was low and dangerous as he asked, "How do you know her name?"
Before things could spiral out of control, Grandpa stepped in, his tone light but firm. "Bei has always known things he shouldn't," he said with a shrug. "He remembers his life before being abandoned at six months old. He even managed to heal the poison in our bloodline. Though the poison is still there, our lives are no longer at risk."
Dugu Bo's voice softened slightly. "We've learned to accept his knowledge without questioning it too much. Perhaps you should do the same."
Tang Hao's expression remained guarded, but he didn't press the issue further. Silence filled the room once more before he finally spoke, his voice quieter this time.
"Since you arrived, you've been talking about achieving things that sound impossible," he said, his tone carrying a mix of doubt and longing. "I want to believe you, but it's hard. And I can't risk exposing Tang San to more danger."
I stood up from my seat, the chair scraping softly against the floor. Slowly, I began walking toward Tang Hao, each step deliberate. As I moved, I released my spirit rings one by one.
The first ring, a deep purple, appeared, casting a faint glow in the dim room. Tang Hao's eyes widened in surprise.
The second ring followed, another purple one. His surprise grew with each step I took.
Then came the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth rings, all black, each representing a 10,000-year-old spirit ring. By the time I released my final ring, Tang Hao was staring at me, his mouth slightly open in shock.
I stopped in front of him, towering over his seated form, and extended my hand.
"I told you my name earlier," I said with a small smile. "But I suppose I never properly introduced myself. Dugu Bei, Spirit Emperor, rank 70. I've recently turned 12, and I'm well-known for making the impossible possible."
Tang Hao didn't respond immediately, his shock rendering him momentarily speechless. I chuckled softly and added with a wink, "This is the part where you shake my hand."
Snapping out of his daze, Tang Hao hesitated briefly before shaking my hand. His grip was firm, but I could feel the tension in his body.
"We'll take our leave now," I said, releasing his hand and stepping back while retrieving my soul rings. "You have a lot to think about. We'll return tomorrow to hear your answer. But remember," I paused, walking toward the door, "I don't make offers twice."
Without looking back, Grandpa and I left the house, leaving Tang Hao alone with his thoughts and his son. As we stepped outside, I couldn't help but smile. The seeds had been planted, and now all that was left was to wait. Tang Hao was a man torn between his past and his future, and I was confident he'd make the right choice for his family.