For twenty nine years, starting twenty nine years ago when grandpa elder Tang Lan[6] had brought him to Tang Sect as an infant, Tang Sect had been his family, and Tang Sect’s hidden weapons had been everything to him.
Suddenly, Tang San’s expression abruptly changed, but then very quickly relaxed again, somewhat bitterly saying to himself:
“In the end, that which should happen will still happen.”
Seventeen silhouettes, seventeen white silhouettes, leapt up from halfway up the mountain towards the mountaintop just like shooting stars, these silhouettes were masters, even the youngest was five decades old, each and every one with serious expressions, their white gowns represented the inner sect, and the golden Tang characters on their chests were the symbols of Tang Sect elders.
Including the sect head mister Tang Da[7] there were altogether seventeen elders, and right now there were seventeen climbing the mountain. Even a general assembly of the martial society wouldn’t have been able to rouse all the Tang Sect Elders at the same time, one must know that among the Tang Sect elders, the oldest had already surpassed sixty years twice over[8].
All of these Tang Sect elders had already reached the pinnacle of cultivation, and in only a moment’s work they had already reached the mountain top.
When outer sect disciples met inner sect elders they had to kneel in greeting, but right now Tang San didn’t move, he only calmly looked at these serious faced elders arriving in front of him. They blocked all routes of escape, and behind him was only Hell’s Peak.
Laying down three Buddha Fury Tang Lotuses[9], Tang San threw them a last reluctant glance, the corners of his mouth showing a gratified smile. After all, he had succeeded. With twenty years of effort, he had at last accomplished this penultimate work of the Tang Outer Sect; that kind of satisfactory accomplishment couldn’t be described in words.
At this very moment, Tang San thought to himself, everything was already unimportant. Violating the sect regulations was also fine, matters of life and death were fine. Apparently, everything would come to an end with these three blooming Tang Lotuses before him. Buddha Fury Tang Lotus, this world’s most potent hidden weapon was born in his hands. In his entire life, what could make the hidden weapons enthusiast Tang San more excited than this?
“I know, the crime of sneaking into the inner sect and stealing secret sect lore cannot be forgiven, cannot be tolerated according to sect rules. But Tang San can vow to Heaven, not a bit of the stolen knowledge of the secret books will reach the outside world. I say this, not in the hopes of obtaining the elders’ mercy, but only to let the elders know that Tang San has never forgotten his roots. Never has in the past, and also henceforth never will.”
Tang San’s mood was very calm at this moment; perhaps, this was the calmest moment in his life. Looking at that expansive ancient Tang Sect compound halfway up the mountain, feeling the atmosphere of the Tang Sect, Tang San’s eyes moistened. For as long as he could remember, it could even be said he was born for the sake of the Tang Sect, but right now, he also had to leave the Tang Sect for the sake of his lifelong pursuit.