Tang Lian's Vow: Never Provoke This Monster!

"Just one sentence?"

Tang Lian was stunned, somewhat confused.

Listen carefully.

While instructing his daughter to draw whiskers on the "big tiger," Su Changqing casually remarked, "If the Tang Clan wants to be reborn, it must cleanse its heart. Don't always think about taking shortcuts, and don't think that you can dominate the martial arts world with any schemes, tricks, or unparalleled hidden weapons. That's the evil path, a dead end."

"True strength comes from within. Only when the heart is righteous can the hidden weapons be righteous; only when the person is righteous can the sect be righteous."

He paused for a moment, then pulled out the "Manual of Improved Mechanical Arts" (the one from Lei Family Fort) that he had previously despised, and casually tossed it over.

"Go back and practice the booklet I gave you. It's much better than these junks used to prop up table legs. If you can understand even 30% of what's in it, it's not impossible for you to not only revitalize the Tang Clan, but also take it to unprecedented heights."

"Smack."

The thin booklet landed precisely in Tang Lian's hands.

Holding this seemingly inconspicuous booklet, Tang Lian felt as if it weighed a ton.

He turned to the first page, glanced at it, and his breathing instantly became rapid.

Although he had seen it once before in Leijiabao, reading it again now still stirred his heart with a sense of awe!

The mechanical concepts here completely overturn the Tang Clan's centuries-old tradition! It no longer pursues insidious and bizarre techniques, but rather exquisite, grand, and even harmonious with heaven and earth and nature!

This is not just a manual, but a guiding light!

"Thank you so much for your guidance, sir!"

Tang Lian trembled, his eyes flashing with an unprecedented light. He carefully put the booklet away, then bowed deeply to Su Changqing once more, this time bending even lower and kowtowing even more loudly!

"I will heed your teachings, sir! Tang Lian will live up to your expectations and vow to bring the Tang Clan back to the righteous path and wash away today's shame!"

At that moment, the confusion in his heart completely disappeared.

He knew what he had to do.

It's not about revenge, it's not about resentment, it's about... self-improvement!

"Walk!"

Tang Lian stood up, waved her hand, and led the Tang Clan members away. Although their figures still looked somewhat disheveled, the air of dejection had vanished, replaced by a vitality called "hope."

After walking quite a distance from Changqing Tower, Tang Lian stopped and looked back at the towering building one last time.

"Senior Brother, are we really just going to let this go?" a young disciple asked unwillingly.

"What else can we do but forget about it?"

Tang Lian gave a bitter smile, her eyes filled with awe. "That man... he's no longer someone we can look up to. He's like an insurmountable mountain; anyone who tries to challenge him will ultimately be crushed to pieces."

"and……"

He touched the warm booklet in his arms, his eyes hardening with unwavering resolve. "He gave the Tang Clan a second life. This debt of gratitude is heavier than hatred."

"Pass down the order! From this day forward, everyone in the Tang Clan must treat Mr. Su as if he were their sect leader! No one is allowed to disrespect him! Furthermore, no one is allowed to provoke anyone around him! Anyone who disobeys... will be executed without mercy!"

"yes!"

Tang Lian secretly vowed in her heart: I will never provoke this monster again! Not only will I not provoke him, I will also treat Mr. Su like a revered deity! He is the guiding light for the future of the Tang Clan!

……

Inside Changqing Tower.

Watching Tang Clan's departing figure, Xiao Se leaned against the counter, gently shook his head, and a trace of emotion flashed in his eyes.

"Sir, your move is truly masterful."

Xiao Se said in a low voice, "First, we used ruthless methods to suppress them and shatter their pride; then we offered them a sweet treat and pointed them in the right direction. With this combination of force and persuasion, we completely subdued and won over the Tang Clan."

"This isn't some江湖 (jianghu) tactic; this is clearly imperial strategy!"

Xiao Se looked at Su Changqing with a deep sense of fear and...admiration.

If this gentleman had any ambition to seize the throne, the dragon throne would probably have changed hands long ago.

"What imperial tactics? I just find it too troublesome."

Su Changqing stretched lazily, looking completely nonchalant. "If I don't beat them into submission, they'll come looking for trouble every day. How am I supposed to keep my business running? How am I supposed to get my daughter to sleep?"

"Whether they submit or not is irrelevant, just leave me alone. As long as they behave themselves, I'm too lazy to bother with them."

As he spoke, he glanced at the sky outside and then touched his stomach.

"Alright, the show's over, everyone's gone, time to get down to business."

Su Changqing stood up and called out to Lei Wujie and Wushuang, who were busy at work, "That's a wrap! Everyone did a great job today, especially Lei Wujie, he's getting better and better at carrying the plates. Extra treat tonight! I want hot pot!"

Hot pot?! Yay!

"I want to eat meat! I want to eat lots and lots of meat!"

Upon hearing that there was food, Lei Wujie and Wushuang immediately forgot their earlier tension and ran excitedly towards the kitchen.

"Me too! Me too!"

Little Nuomi jumped down from Su Changqing's arms and ran after him with her short legs.

Su Changqing watched the lively scene and a warm smile appeared on his lips.

This is life.

What are the ups and downs of the martial world, or the feuds between sects? At this moment, nothing is more important than a steaming hot pot.

Night falls.

The Changqing Tower was brightly lit and filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.

Su Changqing's family of three, along with Lei Wujie, Wushuang, Xiao Se, and Song Yan Hui who refused to leave (allowed to stay for a free meal because of her merit in buying groceries), sat together, eating a hot and spicy hot pot and drinking fine wine, just like a family.

however.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

While everyone else was immersed in the delicious food and laughter, only one person had a hint of loneliness and melancholy in his eyes.

Desolate.

Although he was laughing and drinking, his heart could not find peace.

The arrival of Lan Yuehou today reminded him of some past events he didn't want to recall, and forced him to confront the issue he had been avoiding.

Apocalypse City...

Can he really escape that vortex of power struggles and bloodshed forever?

"Xiao Se, what are you thinking about? Why aren't you eating? This mutton is so tender!" Lei Wujie picked up a large chopstick of meat and put it into his bowl, asking with his mouth full of oil.

"It's okay, I'm full."

Xiao Se smiled, put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine glass, and walked to the window.

Outside the window, a light rain had started to fall.

The pattering rain tapped against the windowpane, and also against his heart.

He looked at the dark night sky and seemed to see that rainy night, the rainy night that changed the course of his life.

The person who crippled his martial arts and destroyed his hidden meridians...

The person who had been secretly watching him, wanting to kill him...

And then there was his father, who had been waiting for him to return, yet was forced to exile him...

"Some things, in the end, cannot be avoided."

Xiao Se murmured softly, his voice so low that only he could hear it.

He turned around, glanced at Lei Wujie who was fighting with Wushuang for meat, and then glanced at Su Changqing who was wiping his daughter's mouth.

His gaze gradually hardened.

He used to be all alone, so he was afraid and he ran away.

But now, he has friends, partners, and... a powerful backer.

"Sir, you are right. Not competing is competing. But if you want to truly not compete, you must first have the means to compete."

In the stillness of the night, Xiao Se sat behind the counter, looking at the account book in his hand, but his gaze drifted to the rainy night outside the window.

"The Demon Within... Perhaps, it's time for me to confront my own inner demons."