Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

As the entourage of the Daili Clan disappeared at the end of the dusty official road, Tang Yuehua turned gently, the setting sun casting a golden glow on her elegant dress. She gazed at Tang San's pale face and softly said, "Little San, before we return to the sect..."

She paused, her slender fingers gently brushing the dust from Tang San's shoulder. "Auntie has some things to tell you."

The distant barking of dogs echoed from a village. Tang Yuehua suddenly grasped Tang San's cold hand, her voice soft yet firm: "No matter who you encounter, no matter what you hear later," her golden eyes met Tang San's reddened eyes, "Auntie only asks you to do one word—"

A glimmer of clarity suddenly flashed in Tang San's previously dim eyes. He slowly raised his head, moonlight casting dappled light into his bloodshot eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed a few times before he uttered a hoarse voice: "Aunt...please speak."

His voice was soft, yet it sent a shiver down Tang Yuehua's spine. The boy's slender figure trembled slightly in the breeze, like a blue silver grass that might break at any moment. But those eyes—those eyes that were exactly like Tang Hao's—burned with a chilling obsession.

She slowly raised her other hand, her fingertips gently touching Tang San's heart. In the setting sun, Tang San could clearly see the tears glistening in his aunt's eyes, and the silent words she lipped out: "Endure."

Tang San nodded silently, the setting sun casting a shadow beneath his lowered eyelashes. He didn't ask any further questions, but mechanically clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white from the force.

Tang Yuehua gazed worriedly at the overly quiet boy, and sighed softly. She smoothed her hair, ruffled by the wind, and said gently, "Let's go."

The two entered the village one after the other. A few barks echoed in the distance. Tang San's steps were unsteady, yet he stubbornly refused any assistance. When Tang Yuehua turned back, she saw the boy's back appear exceptionally thin in the moonlight, as if he might vanish into the sunset at any moment.

As soon as the two stepped onto the bluestone path at the village entrance, several figures emerged from the shadows and blocked their way.

"Lady Yuehua, this is..." The burly middle-aged man at the head of the group clasped his hands in greeting, his rugged brows furrowed tightly. His wary gaze swept back and forth over Tang San.

Tang Yuehua's gaze suddenly turned cold, becoming surprisingly sharp despite lacking soul power: "What? Do I need your permission to bring people home?"

The middle-aged man appeared slightly nervous and knelt on one knee: "I dare not!" He looked at Tang Yuehua and continued, "It's just that the village is under martial law, and it's my duty."

Although Tang Yuehua only possesses level nine soul power, her status and position are far beyond that of ordinary people. As the direct younger sister of the Haotian Sect Master, she is second only to the sect leader and above all others. Even the elders have to show her respect.

This seemingly ordinary mountain village is actually a carefully arranged outpost of the Haotian Sect. The village is inhabited entirely by affiliated families that the Haotian Sect has nurtured for generations. They are either from collateral branches of the sect or have served as servants for generations, and every one of them has an intricate bloodline connection with the Haotian Sect.

As the sun set, the stone houses in the village were arranged in a neat and orderly fashion. Every time Tang Yuehua passed by a house, the villagers would silently bow. Tang San followed behind his aunt and could clearly feel the probing gazes coming from all directions—those gazes immediately turned respectful and fearful when they fell on Tang Yuehua's back.

Tang Yuehua snorted coldly, her sleeves drawing a sharp arc in the air. Without looking back, she walked towards the back mountain, her gilded gold hairpin gleaming coldly in the moonlight.

"Stay close." She said to Tang San without turning her head, her voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Tang San followed silently. The path on the back mountain grew steeper and steeper, and the ancient trees on both sides cast dappled shadows, like countless pairs of prying eyes.

Before long, the two had crossed the path behind the village. Suddenly, a magnificent mountain peak stood out against the night sky.

The mountain wasn't high, but it was frighteningly steep. The entire cliff face stood vertically, as if carved by a knife and axe, its surface gleaming a cold, hard bluish-gray in the moonlight. Not a blade of grass grew on the smooth rock face; even the most tenacious vines couldn't climb it, as if it had been deliberately polished by some invisible force.

Tang San looked up and saw the mountain gleaming with a metallic golden light in the setting sun, its peak hidden in a thin mist. Even more astonishing was that the entire mountain was composed of a single, naturally formed giant rock, without the slightest gap.

Tang Yuehua smoothed her hair, which had been ruffled by the mountain wind, and said softly, "Little San, your aunt didn't inform the sect beforehand about my return." She looked up at the steep mountain wall, "You need to take your aunt up."

Tang San nodded in understanding, and a burst of purple light suddenly erupted from his eyes. With the Purple Demon Eye activated, the originally smooth, mirror-like mountain wall suddenly revealed its secrets—every ten meters there was a cleverly placed indentation, and these grooves were arranged in a staggered manner, casting a shadow in the setting sun.

"I see," Tang San murmured. He noticed that these indentations were not naturally formed; each groove had subtle hammer and chisel marks on its edge, clearly indicating a unique climbing path of the Clear Sky Sect. Most remarkably, these grooves were completely invisible from a distance, only becoming apparent from specific angles.

"Aunt, I'm sorry." Before Tang San could finish speaking, dozens of crystalline blue silver grasses had already coiled around Tang Yuehua's waist like serpents. He lightly touched the ground with his toes, unleashing the full power of his Ghost Shadow Step, transforming himself into a blurry afterimage.

With a flick of his wrist, the skillful force of the Crane Control and Dragon Capture Technique erupted instantly. Tang Yuehua felt a tightening around her waist, and her entire body was lifted lightly off the ground. Tang San used the momentum to rise, his toes precisely landing on the first indentation. The Blue Silver Grass tightened, carrying Tang Yuehua steadily upward.

As the sun set, two figures rapidly ascended the cliff face. Tang San's every use of leverage was perfectly timed, the Blue Silver Grass tightening and loosening under his exquisite control. Tang Yuehua was astonished to find that despite the extremely high speed, she felt no jolts whatsoever, as if she were being lifted up by a gentle breeze.

Amidst the howling mountain wind, Tang San's robes fluttered in the wind. His gaze was like lightning, his Purple Demon Eyes clearly discerning every foothold. In the blink of an eye, the two had climbed more than halfway up, the village below already hidden in the thin mist.

In the blink of an eye, Tang San and Tang Yuehua landed gracefully on the mountaintop platform. A mountain breeze blew, fluttering their robes. Tang Yuehua was about to speak when suddenly—

A towering figure, as imposing as a mountain, suddenly appeared at the edge of their vision. The person simply stood there, as if pressing down on the entire sky. Tang Yuehua's pupils contracted sharply, and even her breath caught in her throat; Tang San instantly tensed all his muscles, and the Blue Silver Grass unconsciously spread in his palm.

The setting sun outlined a blurry yet majestic silhouette. But the overwhelming sense of oppression caused the uncle and nephew to freeze in place. The mountain wind suddenly ceased, even the chirping of insects stopped abruptly, and the entire mountain seemed to solidify at that moment.

His simple grey robes couldn't conceal his imposing, mountain-like figure. The man stood over two meters tall, his broad shoulders seemingly capable of supporting the entire sky. His chiseled, resolute face bore a striking resemblance to Tang Hao, yet appeared much younger. His piercing gaze swept over, instantly locking onto Tang San.

"Brother!"

Tang Yuehua's voice choked with emotion, and her beautiful eyes instantly welled up with tears. She subconsciously took a half-step forward, but then stopped, her slender hands tightly gripping the hem of her dress. In the setting sun, her slightly trembling lips could be clearly seen.

Tang San stood frozen in place. That gaze was too sharp, as if it could pierce through one's soul. He noticed the man's hands hanging at his sides—the knuckles were distinct, covered in calluses, marks left by years of wielding a hammer.

A sudden, biting wind swept up fallen leaves. Tang Xiao's gaze lingered on Tang San for a moment before finally settling on his sister's tear-streaked face. His resolute expression softened slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing: "It's good that you're back." Tang Yuehua could no longer contain herself, rushing into Tang Xiao's broad embrace like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest. "Big brother... second brother..." Her choked voice trailed off in her brother's chest, tears instantly soaking his simple gray robes.

Tang Xiao's steely body trembled slightly, his massive hands, capable of wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, now moved with an unbelievable gentleness. He slowly stroked his sister's trembling back, his eyes filled with a mixture of grief and rage: "Yuehua, don't worry, your elder brother will definitely avenge Hao-di," his voice low and rumbling like thunder, "I will make those people pay for Hao-di's crimes in blood."

Having said that, he gently helped his sister sit up, his rough thumb wiping away the tears on her face. Turning to look at Tang San, his gaze had regained its composure: "The most urgent task is to settle Xiao San down first." The mountain wind ruffled his graying temples, and his resolute profile stood out sharply in the setting sun, like a sculpture.
Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Tang Yuehua's reddened eyes again. She bit her lip and nodded gently, her slender fingers still tightly gripping her brother's sleeve.

Tang Xiao gently patted his sister's shoulder one last time with his broad hand, then strode steadily toward Tang San. As they drew closer, Tang San could clearly see every line on his uncle's face that resembled his father's—his tightly furrowed brows, resolute jaw, and the deep sorrow hidden in his eyes.

The air seemed to freeze. Tang San opened his mouth, but no sound came out. It wasn't until Tang Yuehua broke the silence with a nasal reminder: "Little San, this is your uncle."

"Uncle."

These two words were as soft as a sigh. Tang San saw Tang Xiao's pupils tremble slightly, and his hands, which could wield the Clear Sky Hammer, were now hanging in mid-air, seemingly at a loss.

Tang Xiao's broad hand landed heavily on Tang San's shoulder, and in that instant, Tang San abruptly turned his face away. In the setting sun, one could clearly see the iron man's Adam's apple bobbing violently a few times. When he turned back, his resolute face had returned to calm, only the slightly red corners of his eyes betraying the emotional turmoil he had just experienced.

"The mistress, right?" Tang Xiao's voice was deep and muffled like thunder.

Feeling the warmth on his shoulder, Tang San nodded silently. The next moment, Tang Xiao's hand tightened abruptly, his voice filled with suppressed anger: "Tell me, what happened that night of the attack—" Each word seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth, "Don't leave out a single detail!"

Tang San took a deep breath, his Purple Demon Eyes gleaming faintly in the night. He began to describe the bloody night in detail, and when he mentioned the opponent's strange martial soul, Tang Xiao's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Serpent Spear, Pufferfish," Tang Xiao's deep voice echoed on the mountaintop, each word like a chisel carved into the rock. His eyes were slightly closed, his thick brows furrowed, as if he wanted to imprint these two martial souls deep into his mind.

Tang Yuehua gripped her sleeves tightly, the gilded hairpin jingling in the night breeze: "Brother, this is clearly the work of the Spirit Hall!" Her voice trembled. "Besides them, who else could send such a little-known Title Douluo?"

Tang Xiao slowly opened his eyes, the moonlight casting deep shadows in his resolute gaze. "I understand, of course." His rough fingers rubbed together. "But this reason is not enough for the Haotian Sect to avenge Brother Hao."

Tang Xiao's gaze slowly fell on Tang San, his voice softening unconsciously: "Did Brother Hao say anything before he left?"

Tang San remained silent for a moment, then took out an ancient wooden box from the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlit Night. The moment he opened the lid, several crystalline soul bones shimmered with a breathtaking light under the setting sun.

"Father said," Tang San's voice was a little hoarse, "that I should return all of these to my uncle."

Tang Xiao's imposing figure swayed abruptly; his hands, capable of wielding the Clear Sky Hammer, couldn't even catch a light wooden box. His lips trembled violently, and the muscles in his face twitched uncontrollably. Just as Tang San was about to continue relaying the story—

"Enough!!!"

The sudden roar sent rocks tumbling down the mountaintop. Tang Xiao slammed his fist into the rock face beside him, causing the entire mountain to tremble. He turned away, his broad shoulders heaving violently in the setting sun, his heavy breathing unusually clear on the silent mountaintop. Tang San saw a few drops of liquid splashing onto the soul bones, creating tiny water droplets.

A deathly silence fell all around, with only the howling mountain wind whistling in your ears and swirling up the withered leaves on the ground.

"Brother, let's go back to the sect and discuss this further." Tang Yuehua gently stroked her brother's trembling arm, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.

Tang Xiao slowly raised his eyes, his weathered eyes filled with unspeakable guilt. He shook his head, his voice hoarse: "Xiao San...can't go back yet."

"Big brother!" Tang Yuehua suddenly raised her voice, her gilded hairpin swaying violently in the moonlight. "We've come to this point, are you still going to care about the outdated views of those old stubborns?" Her slender finger pointed directly in the direction of the sect, her usually elegant face flushed with anger.

Tang Xiao ignored his sister's angry rebuke, only staring intently at Tang San, his voice low and rumbling like thunder: "Take it back."

Tang San hesitated for a moment, but ultimately put the heavy wooden box back into the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlight. Under the moonlight, he could clearly see the pain surging in his uncle's eyes.

"Your father should have made some arrangements for you?" Tang Xiao's voice suddenly softened, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Tang San nodded, his Purple Demon Eyes glowing faintly in the night: "My father instructed that my uncle take me to the Blue Silver Grass Forest and the cultivation waterfall." He paused, "Finally, he sent me to the City of Slaughter."

Tang Xiao's burly body jolted, a barely concealed pang of heartache flashing in his eyes. He looked up at the sky, and after a long silence, nodded heavily: "I see."

"Big brother! Are you crazy?" Tang Yuehua suddenly grabbed Tang San's wrist, her gilded hairpin swaying violently in the moonlight. "Little San is Second Brother's only bloodline, I absolutely will not allow him to go to a place like that!" She pulled Tang San and was about to turn around. "Come on, let's go back to Heaven Dou City with your aunt. With your talent, you will definitely surpass your father."

"Foolish!" Tang Xiao roared, his voice sending rocks tumbling down the mountaintop. His broad frame blocked the two men, his eyes burning with terrifying fury: "Brother Hao was attacked as soon as he left Heaven Dou City, and you think that's a coincidence? You think you can protect Xiao San right under the Spirit Hall's nose? Do you intend to keep him trapped in Heaven Dou City like a coward for the rest of his life?"

"Then why don't you let the mistress be recognized by her ancestors!" Tang Yuehua's voice was shrill and cracked, her usually elegant face now covered with tears.

Tang Xiao clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking horribly. "Yuehua, you're not a child anymore!" His voice suddenly deepened, filled with heart-wrenching pain. "Don't you understand what Xiao San will face after returning to the sect? Must he cower in these deep mountains every day? How can we avenge Hao-di then!"

The mountain wind howled as it swept between the three of them. Tang Yuehua slowly loosened her grip and staggered back half a step.

(End of this chapter)