Chapter 22: The Despicable and Shameless Tang Hao
"The referee can announce the results now." Zhu Zhuqing gave Tang San a disgusted look before turning to the host and saying coldly.
"Huh? Oh!" The host was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered and loudly declared, "I announce that the winners are the Glazed Cat team!"
"Ohhh!" The audience erupted in cheers.
Zhu Zhuqing walked off the stage amidst the applause, where Ning Rongrong was waiting with a smile.
On the other side, medical staff hurriedly carried the severely injured and poisoned Tang San, along with the unconscious Xiao Wu, onto stretchers and took them away.
As if remembering something, Zhu Zhuqing flashed over to the unconscious Xiao Wu, glanced at the five claw marks on her chest, and gently swiped her hand. Instantly, the black aura around the wounds dissipated.
With that, the match was over.
The scene then shifted, skipping forward to nighttime.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong walked side by side, chatting and laughing as they left the Soto Grand Spirit Arena.
Looking up at the sky, Zhu Zhuqing noticed that the night was not clear; dark clouds covered the heavens, obscuring both stars and moon.
Suddenly, she frowned.
Ning Rongrong, noticing this, asked, "Zhuqing, what's wrong? Did you forget something inside?"
"No, it's nothing." Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and then said, "I just remembered I have some personal matters to take care of. Rongrong, you go back first."
"Personal matters, huh? Alright then."
Though somewhat reluctant, Ning Rongrong waved goodbye before turning and gradually disappearing into the distance.
Zhu Zhuqing watched her leave, her expression gradually turning cold. Then, without saying another word, she turned and walked in a specific direction.
At this moment, the live chat began filling with speculation.
[Huh? What's going on?]
[Why did her expression change as soon as Ning Rongrong left?]
[Did something happen?]
[Something seems off...]
Even Zhu Zhuqing herself, watching the video, was confused.
Why did she deliberately send Ning Rongrong away?
However, as the video continued playing, the answer became clear to everyone.
Zhu Zhuqing moved like a shadow through the city, her speed swift as lightning, as if avoiding something.
Soon, she stopped in a remote area.
Because ahead of her, a black clad figure blocked her path.
Just then, the dark clouds covering the moon quietly dispersed, allowing gentle moonlight to illuminate the scene.
Now, everyone in the live chat could clearly see the mysterious figure.
The person was entirely shrouded in black, even wearing a hood that concealed their face. From their tall and sturdy physique, it was clear they were a man.
"You've been secretly watching me for a while now. What exactly do you want?" Zhu Zhuqing's entire body tensed, her martial spirit instincts warning her that this man was extremely dangerous far beyond her imagination.
At this point, the live chat exploded with reactions.
[Oh, she noticed someone was following her.]
[She sent Ning Rongrong away to keep her out of danger. Smart girl.]
[She seems like someone worth befriending.]
[But who is this cloaked guy?]
[I think I have a guess...]
[No way...]
[It can't be... right?]
Meanwhile, at Moon Pavilion, Tang Yuehua, watching the video, immediately recognized the black clad man as her long lost brother, Tang Hao.
Piecing together the previous footage, she began to suspect the identity of the boy in the video.
Ah, Hao… after all these years, how did you fall so low? Tang Yuehua sighed inwardly, feeling her illusions shatter.
The Tang Hao she once admired and respected was a man who stood tall, unshakable like a mountain.
Now, was the mighty Haotian Douluo really so petty that he'd go after a young girl over a match at the Spirit Arena?
And it wasn't even a sneak attack Zhu Zhuqing had won the match fair and square.
Tang Yuehua shook her head in disappointment and continued watching.
Back in the video, the cloaked man did not respond to Zhu Zhuqing's question. Instead, he spoke as if talking to himself, "The boy you injured in the arena today is my son. I have been an unworthy father, never caring for him properly..."
"You're here because of that?"
Zhu Zhuqing impatiently interrupted, her tone icy. "Spirit Arena battles are fought with soul skills. If you're afraid of getting hurt, why enter in the first place?"
"If you have something to say, just say it!"
She already knew that this night wouldn't end peacefully.
After all, if this man was shameless enough to bully someone much younger and weaker than himself, there was no point in reasoning with him.
"..."
The cloaked man paused. Clearly, he hadn't expected this young girl to show no fear before him, even daring to question him in return.
The live chat immediately erupted with contempt.
[Shameless! Absolutely shameless!]
[Just because his son lost, he's now picking on a little girl?]
[This kind of person will never amount to anything...]
[Disgusting!]
Seeing the overwhelming disgust in the chat, Tang Hao's face turned red with shame. He wanted to retort but held his tongue.
After all, now that he thought about it, Tang San had been severely wounded not just lightly injured.
A father not standing up for his son? That would be unacceptable.
Besides, Tang Hao had neglected Tang San for years, raising him with a "let him fend for himself" attitude. It wasn't until Tang San awakened his martial spirit that Tang Hao began taking an interest.
Since then, he had felt guilty and wanted to make up for lost time.
Now, seeing his son gravely injured, how could he just let it go?
So, knowing what kind of person he was, Tang Hao wasn't too surprised that his future self had gone after Zhu Zhuqing.
As for how disgraceful it was to bully someone weaker?
For Tang Hao, the proud Haotian Douluo had already died the day his wife sacrificed herself.
The man that remained was merely a broken shell.
If seeking revenge for his son meant bullying a junior, then so be it.
…
Back in the video, the cloaked man struggled to find words after Zhu Zhuqing's sharp retort. After a long silence, he finally said, "Getting injured in the arena is inevitable. However, you are young, yet your attacks were so vicious. My son barely survived."
Recalling Tang San's injuries and the poison coursing through his veins, Tang Hao's anger reignited.
If his son had not been lucky enough to avoid a fatal hit, he could have…
A surge of fury filled Tang Hao's chest as he thought of how ruthless this girl had been.
(End of Chapter)
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