Chapter 11: Nian Nian, You Must Take Good Care of Yourself
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Joining the Spirit Hall to study?
Tang Hao’s anger surged to its peak at that moment. Seeing this, Tang San immediately stepped forward, pulling Tang Nian Nian behind him while positioning himself in front of Tang Hao.
“Dad!”
Frowning, Tang San couldn’t understand why Tang Hao was so vehemently opposed to Tang Nian Nian going to the Spirit Hall to study. This inexplicable fury even made him feel a bit of resentment toward his father.
Neither he nor his sister had ever received genuine care or protection from their father. In this world, without Tang Nian Nian, he might never have had a single relative who treated him sincerely. No matter what, he had to protect her.
Tang San looked at Tang Hao with unwavering determination, speaking slowly and clearly, “Dad, why are you directing this unfathomable anger at Nian Nian? Why won’t you let her study at the Spirit Hall? You know her dream is to become a soul master. Now that she has the chance, you keep blocking her. What exactly do you want?”
“...”
Tang Hao was rendered speechless by Tang San’s questioning. He wanted to explain, but looking at the two young children, Tang San and Tang Nian Nian, he couldn’t bring himself to say the resentful words that weighed on his heart. This pain—he did not want these two children to bear it at such a young age.
His eyes grew moist as he lowered his gaze and sat down on a stool.
He casually grabbed the open bottle of liquor on the table and drained it in one gulp.
The children’s confusion and misunderstanding were natural; why should he argue with them?
The tension among the three remained until Tang Nian Nian suddenly felt that this drunken father wasn’t all bad. Perhaps he was just too deeply longing for her mother.
Even so, Tang Nian Nian could not deny that Tang Hao had failed to fulfill the responsibilities of a father over the years.
She bypassed Tang San and intended to approach Tang Hao on her own.
Tang San frowned with concern and reached out to stop her, “Nian Nian...”
Tang Nian Nian looked up and smiled faintly, signaling Tang San not to worry.
After all, they were kin by blood; Tang Hao wouldn’t truly harm her.
Of course, this was certified by the system.
If the system detected that Tang Hao harbored murderous intent toward her, she’d be the first to flee.
In the end, Tang San let go, watching Tang Nian Nian with worry, readying a hidden weapon box in his hand. If their father tried to hurt his sister, he would protect her at all costs.
“Dad.” Tang Nian Nian spoke as she stood before Tang Hao.
Tang Hao lifted his deep, profound eyes to look at her, the complexity and struggle visible in them revealing the torment within his heart.
This child, who looked so much like A Yin...
She actually wanted to join the Spirit Hall?
How could that be allowed?
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That was the place of her mother’s murderer!
Tang Hao choked on his words, as if something stuck in his throat that he just couldn’t spit out.
Tang Nian Nian was still so young; how could he bear to tell her all this?
Tang Hao’s hesitation and inability to speak made Tang Nian Nian roughly understand what he wanted to say.
But she truly needed to go to a better place to invest resources and strengthen herself.
The Spirit Hall could be a friend—or an enemy. The Xingluo royal family, the Tiandou royal family, even the top three sects—these were all the same.
They could be allies or adversaries; she had to leave this cursed place. She couldn’t go to Notting City with Tang San. In those six years in Notting City, there was so much she could do.
If Tang Hao adamantly forbade her from going, she would run away from home. In any case, she refused to stay in this wretched place, and she didn’t want to attend Notting Academy.
“Nian Nian, Xiao San, Dad can agree to you two going to a soul master academy, but it cannot be the Spirit Hall.”
This was Tang Hao’s bottom line. He bore a blood feud with the Spirit Hall. His daughter must never be educated there!
“Why?”
Before Tang Nian Nian could speak, Tang San asked first.
“No why. I say no, that’s final. You decide for yourselves.”
Tang Hao didn’t want to hear any more questions from Tang San. He stood up and, in a state of decline, returned to his room.
“...”
Only Tang Nian Nian and Tang San remained in the living room, exchanging glances.
Fearing Tang Nian Nian would be upset, Tang San immediately stepped forward to comfort her, “Nian Nian, it’s okay. If you truly want to go, I’ll help you.”
Help her?
Tang Nian Nian looked at Tang San with wide eyes. “But Dad will be angry…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle Dad,” Tang San said with a doting smile, reaching out to pat Tang Nian Nian’s head. “Nian Nian, hurry up. Don’t keep Master Wei waiting.”
“...”
Tang Nian Nian was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit bittersweet inside.
Good grief, she was beginning to sympathize with this child of destiny.
[Why are you sympathizing with him? He’s the chosen one; you should feel sorry for yourself, host.]
“...”
The system’s untimely snark instantly dissipated Tang Nian Nian’s fleeting sentiment.
Alright, alright, indeed the chosen one had built-in advantages; there was no need to pity him. After all, he would be the ultimate winner.
Tang Nian Nian nodded firmly. “Mm-hmm, brother, take care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry, Nian Nian, you take care of yourself too.”
“Mm-hmm!”
“...”
Watching Tang Nian Nian’s departing figure, Tang San felt a hint of regret. He wasn’t sure if letting her go was right, but since his father, fully aware of the truth, chose to turn a blind eye, then perhaps his own actions were justified.
Tang Hao lay in his room, not stopping Tang Nian Nian.
He knew no matter how much he resisted, she would leave. He couldn’t stop her—not now, not ever.
With just over a month before Notting Academy’s new term, Tang Hao spent this time teaching Tang San the art of blacksmithing. Because Tang Nian Nian had not awakened the Haotian Hammer spirit, Tang Hao let her go alone. At least on the surface, no one would suspect Tang Nian Nian was his daughter. In that respect, she was safe.
Tang Nian Nian followed Su Yuntao away, who took her to the Red-Robed Leader and explained her situation.
The Red-Robed Leader valued this prodigy greatly, reporting upward through layers until the Pope’s decree was issued.
After a few days of comfort, the Spirit Hall sent an envoy to escort Tang Nian Nian—a Douluo of Chrysanthemum rank, named Yue Guan.
Meeting Yue Guan, Tang Nian Nian finally understood what a pampered and delicate man looked like.
Yue Guan sauntered over to Tang Nian Nian, swaying his waist as he approached. He appraised her from head to toe.
The young girl was exquisitely cute, still bearing a bit of baby fat on her face, charmingly endearing.
He crouched down and extended a slender finger toward Tang Nian Nian. “Little girl, what’s your name?”
His voice was sharp and distinctly unusual.
Tang Nian Nian looked at him timidly and replied, “I… I’m Nian Nian.”
“Nian Nian?” Yue Guan repeated, nodding. “A good name.”
Just a bit timid, he thought.
Yue Guan tried to keep smiling, so as not to frighten Tang Nian Nian. “Come with me. I’ll take you to meet His Holiness, the Pope.”
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