"Eh? Why does that dirty old man look so angry?"
Paimon's tiny head was brimming with big questions.
Did something she said about the Hilichurls offend him?
But he doesn't even look like a Hilichurl…
"…Let's finish this quickly. I have more important things to do."
Aether shook his head. Since Tang Hao had chosen to shield Tang San, then he'd bear the consequences of laying a hand on Paimon.
Crackle!
Electricity surged wildly across Aether's body, arcs of lightning dancing along his skin. A violet elemental aura flared to life around him.
"Seventh Soul Skill: Martial Soul True Body—Great Sumeru Hammer!"
Seeing this, Tang Hao didn't dare hold back. He unleashed his peak soul skill—his strongest trump card aside from detonating his rings.
The pressure Aether gave off was overwhelming. Tang Hao could feel it clearly: their duel would be decided in a single moment.
If he didn't go all out, he'd die!
"Thunder Shadow Sword!"
Aether's bladeless sword was wrapped in roaring thunder. He launched himself into the air with a single step, both hands raising the lightning-infused blade. With the force of a collapsing mountain, he brought it down to clash against Tang Hao's mighty Sumeru Hammer.
Crack!
The sound of shattering glass echoed from Tang Hao's Martial Soul True Body. Cracks began to spread across the form—one, two… then like a mirror smashed into pieces, it completely broke apart.
Tang Hao himself was sent flying backwards, his body flickering with electric arcs as he crashed through tree after tree, smashing countless trunks along the way.
"Wait here for me."
Aether turned back and spoke calmly before darting off in pursuit of Tang Hao.
"Ah, wait a minute…"
Paimon opened her mouth to protest, but Aether's figure had already vanished.
That traveler! Always leaving her behind—hmph!
She looked around at the ruined forest, thoroughly wrecked by the battle. If a bad guy popped out now, what would she do?
Shivering at the thought, she quickly flew off in Aether's direction.
"Hey! Traveler, wait for me! I'm scared…"
...
Cough… cough…
Tang Hao struggled to rise from the pit his body had gouged into the earth. Blood spilled from the corners of his mouth.
He had used 'very ounce of his strength to withstand the mysterious youth's attack—yet he still couldn't hold on.
"You've been following secretly this whole time. You should understand the situation even better than I do."
Aether stood before Tang Hao, sword in hand.
"I didn't want to hurt anyone. You chose to protect your son. So you'll pay the price in his stead."
"Wait!"
Tang Hao knew he had no strength left to fight. He suppressed the pain and pleaded.
"Traveler… Seriously, you left me behind again!"
Paimon caught up just in time, hands on her hips, delivering a stern reprimand to Aether.
"Excuse me, miss?"
Tang Hao's tone became noticeably more respectful when he noticed Paimon arrive.
Whether or not he would leave the Star Dou Forest alive today might just depend on her.
As Aether had said, he had been watching from the shadows to protect Tang San. Especially during this spirit ring hunt, he'd been following them the entire time.
He had seen everything with his own eyes—including his son capturing this mysterious traveler's companion. At the time, he hadn't thought much of it.
How could he have known that this would offend such a terrifying powerhouse?
"Eh? Miss? Are you talking to me?"
Paimon pointed to herself, then glanced over at Aether with confusion.
"Yes, miss. I deeply apologize for what happened earlier…"
Tang Hao sighed as he finished speaking.
The spine he had held straight his whole life seemed to finally collapse.
But to apologize to someone so powerful… perhaps it was understandable.
"It was my son who grabbed you earlier. He's been motherless since he was little…"
Aether watched coldly as Tang Hao—now like a fading old man—began recounting his family's tragic past and personal misfortunes. His words dripped with sorrow.
Wait a second… that didn't match what Aether remembered.
As Tang Hao continued, Aether cross-referenced it all with his memories, quickly realizing that the once-dominant Clear Sky Douluo was intentionally crafting an image of himself as pitiful, weak, and helpless.
Of course, Aether didn't buy it.
His memories were hazy, but he clearly recalled that Tang San's mother had sacrificed herself largely due to Tang Hao's manipulation.
In fact, Tang Hao had likely leaked the information that she was a soul beast to ensure she would willingly sacrifice herself.
Why? To obtain her hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
This family… the father was manipulative, and the son had learned well.
However…
Aether glanced to the side and saw Paimon staring intently at Tang Hao, her eyes brimming with sympathy.
"And that's the gist of it, miss. As a father, I've really failed my son.
If you're willing to forgive us, I promise I'll go back and discipline that unfilial brat properly."
"Uuugh… I didn't expect your life to be so tragic, old man. Alright, I've decided to forgive you."
Paimon couldn't stand sappy stories. After Tang Hao's emotional monologue, she chose to forgive the ignorant little brat.
"Traveler… This poor grandpa's had it rough. Let's just let it go this time."
"…Have you considered that he might be lying?"
Aether gave Paimon a sidelong glance. He had told her not to come, and now she'd been completely fooled.
"Eh?"
Paimon made a classic shocked face.
"What he said was technically true, but he left out all the important parts…"
Aether slowly laid out the truth: a man who would stop at nothing to grow stronger—even sacrificing his own wife.
He then revealed a key piece of information: Tang San… was no longer the Tang San they knew.
"That's terrifying!"
Paimon huddled close to Aether, shaken by the idea that the real Tang San's soul had been erased by an outsider's spirit.
What sounded like just a spooky tale to her struck Tang Hao like a bolt from the blue.
"You… you're lying! My son is my son! What nonsense is this!?"
Tang Hao couldn't accept the truth. He erupted in disbelief.
"Whether it's true or not doesn't matter to me. I wasn't saying it for you."
Aether gave him a cold glance. He had no ties to these people—he'd only come this far to help Paimon vent her anger.
True or not, he probably wasn't the only one who knew the truth.
As Tang San's father, and one of the continent's top powerhouses, Aether couldn't believe Tang Hao hadn't noticed anything odd.
Even if Tang San had hidden it well, a sudden shift like that—he had to have known.
He just chose to ignore it.
"I'm already your defeated opponent. If you want to kill or flay me, go ahead. Why lie to me on top of that…?"
Tang Hao's face was too dirty to make out any expression, but his voice carried a deep, unmistakable hopelessness.
"Eh? We never said we were gonna kill you."
Looking at the battered and beaten Tang Hao, even Paimon's lingering anger faded into mist.
This old man really was pitiful now. Might as well count it as him taking his son's punishment.
"…Really?"
A glimmer of hope returned to Tang Hao's lifeless eyes.
There was still so much he hadn't done.
If he could help it… he didn't want to die.
_
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