"Today, I'll break you so thoroughly that even your ancestors will feel it." Ye Hao's voice was icy as he cracked his knuckles, advancing step by step toward Tang San.
Faced with this threat, Tang San summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, his entire body tense. The aura radiating from "Tang Yu" was terrifying—like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
In truth, Ye Hao had anticipated Tang San's treachery the moment they stepped onto the iron chain bridge. After all, those relentless slaps had humiliated Tang San beyond measure. And knowing Tang San's character—vengeful and petty—he wouldn't let such an insult slide.
The bridge was a natural death trap. One misstep meant plummeting into the abyss.
Tang San had exploited this perfectly—or so he thought.
What he hadn't accounted for was that "Tang Yu" wasn't the real Tang Yu.
Had it been anyone else, their bones would've been dust by now.
"You—" Tang San's face twisted with frustration. He'd been certain his plan would succeed—that "Tang Yu" would fall to his death, leaving him with a flawless alibi.
"Tang Yu slipped. I tried to save him, but it was too late."
With Tang Long and Tang Hu far ahead, lost in the mountain's mist and snow, who could disprove his story?
Even if suspicions arose, Tang San could simply deny everything. After all, shamelessness was a skill he'd mastered under Grandmaster's tutelage.
But now, his scheme had backfired spectacularly.
"Stay back!" Tang San retreated, his face still throbbing from earlier blows.
Ye Hao seethed with anger, but a sliver of rationality held him back.
This is a critical infiltration mission. I should be lying low, not stirring up trouble.
Then, inspiration struck.
A way to teach Tang San a lesson—without blowing his cover.
---
Meanwhile, Tang Long and Tang Hu had already reached the Clear Sky Clan's gates.
A crowd of clansmen had gathered, eager to see the infamous Tang San for themselves.
When questioned, Tang Long and Tang Hu recounted the earlier events in detail.
Outrage erupted instantly.
Tang San's actions had shattered their expectations—and their patience.
Just then, a distant shout echoed through the mountains.
"Tang Long! Tang Hu! Bring backup—now!"
It was "Tang Yu's" voice.
Exchanging puzzled glances, the two led a group of furious clansmen toward the source.
---
Back at the crime scene, Tang San's instincts screamed danger.
"What are you planning?" he hissed.
Ye Hao's smile was razor-sharp.
"Justice."
"Enough! I apologized!" Tang San's voice wavered.
Ye Hao scoffed. "You tried to murder me. Do you think an apology fixes that?"
He stepped closer, each word a hammer blow.
"If I shoved you off this cliff right now, then said 'sorry,' would that make it okay?"
Tang San's sweat turned icy in the mountain air.
He needed to destroy the evidence—the dagger still embedded in the cliffside—but Ye Hao blocked his path.
Let's see you talk your way out of this one.
Ye Hao's plan was simple:
One victim's word might be doubted.
But a mob of witnesses? That was irrefutable.
---
The thunder of approaching footsteps shook the ground.
Dozens of Clear Sky clansmen arrived, their expressions darkening as they took in the scene.
Tang San's blood ran cold.
Ye Hao didn't waste a second.
With theatrical flair, he pointed to the severed bridge and the damning dagger.
"He tried to kill me!"
The crowd's rage ignited like gunpowder.
Tang Long yanked the dagger free—Tang San's signature weapon, recognized instantly.
Murmurs became roars.
"Treacherous snake!"
"Who the hell does he think he is?!"
"Teach him what happens when you mess with our clan!"
They surrounded Tang San, hammers materializing in fists.
Desperate, Tang San reached for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud's invisibility—
Only for Ye Hao to slam a palm onto his forehead, crushing the activation.
THUD!
A punch sent teeth flying.
"Clear Sky Clan does not tolerate betrayal!" Ye Hao bellowed.
The mob descended.
Fists. Hammers. Boots.
Tang San curled into a ball, howls of pain echoing off the mountains.
Each blow was payback—for his arrogance, his schemes, his sheer audacity.
The once-proud genius writhed in the snow, reduced to a bloodied, broken mess.
And as the clansmen finally stepped back, panting, one truth became undeniable:
Tang San had been well and truly broken.
The grand hall of the Clear Sky Clan stood in solemn silence.
Clan Chief Tang Xiao sat upon the patriarch's seat, patiently awaiting Tang San's arrival. Around him, the five elders took their positions.
It was the Second Elder who had insisted on summoning Tang San today. He wanted to see for himself what kind of person this exiled descendant truly was. As for the three impossible conditions set years ago—they were merely tests of character.
"Where is he?" The Seventh Elder tapped his fingers impatiently. "Wasn't Tang San already at the mountain gates? Why the delay?" His tone dripped with disdain, already preparing scathing remarks.
"Patience, old seventh." The Second Elder remained calm. "If he's reached our territory, we'll see him soon enough."
"Indeed," Tang Yuehua added proudly. "After a year under my guidance, Little San has made remarkable progress."
Suddenly, commotion erupted outside.
Tang Long and Tang Hu led a group of clansmen into the hall, dragging a battered figure between them.
The person was barely recognizable—covered in blood, breaths shallow, hovering at death's door.
"Hmph!" The Seventh Elder scowled. "Tang Long, Tang Hu! Since when do we barge into the assembly hall without announcement?"
Without a word, Tang Long hurled the limp body onto the stone floor with a sickening thud.
Silence.
The five elders exchanged confused glances while Tang Xiao and Tang Yuehua froze in shock.
Tang Yuehua's eyes reddened as she rushed down the steps, cradling the broken form. "Little San! Little San!"
No response came. Tang San's face was a mess of bruises and boot prints, his body a canvas of violence.
Tang Xiao's aura erupted like a storm.
"Explain this!"
For a newly arrived guest to be beaten to near-death defied all reason. His disciples, though opinionated, would never cross such lines—unless provoked beyond measure.
"What?" The Seventh Elder pushed forward, then recoiled at the sight. "This is Tang San?" The brutality made even his battle-hardened stomach churn.
"Who did this?!" Unexpected fury colored his voice.
The clansmen blinked in surprise. Wasn't the Seventh Elder Tang San's most vocal critic?
As hesitation filled the air, the answer came in unison:
"We all did."
"Good job!" The Seventh Elder burst into laughter.
"...Old seventh!" The Second Elder shot him a warning glare.
After examining Tang San's injuries, the Second Elder sighed in relief. "Superficial wounds. He'll recover with rest." Turning to the crowd, his voice turned grave. "Now—why?"
This was the question weighing on everyone's minds.
Tang Hu stepped forward. "It started when..."
As the story unfolded—the severed bridge, the damning dagger, the attempted murder—Tang Yuehua covered her mouth in horror.
"Tang Yu," she whispered, turning to the apparent victim. "Is this true?"
Ye Hao, disguised as Tang Yu, nodded solemnly. "Every word, Aunt Yuehua." He produced the throwing knife. "Chief Tang will recognize this. If I hadn't caught his ankle in time..." His voice broke convincingly.
Tang Xiao's grip shattered the blade to dust.
"Take him to the infirmary." As attendants carried Tang San away, Tang Yuehua cast one last devastated look at "Tang Yu."
"What a disappointment," she murmured.
Once the hall cleared, the Second Elder placed a reassuring hand on Ye Hao's shoulder. "Justice will be served."
The Seventh Elder, however, was already kicking the unconscious Tang San's prone form. "This is the scum you wanted back in our clan? He should be thrown off the mountain!"
His words ignited the crowd.
"Expel Tang San!"
"Drive him out!"
The unified hatred was palpable—Tang San's reputation now lay in tatters.
"Enough!" The Second Elder raised his hand. "Until Tang San recovers, all will resume duties. Remember—we must guard against Spirit Hall's ambush. Let not the tragedies of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family repeat here."
As the assembly dispersed, Ye Hao melted into the crowd, a hidden smile playing on his lips.
Perfect. With Tang San's credibility destroyed, the Clear Sky Clan's downfall is assured.
The infiltration proceeded flawlessly.