บท 7: Deducing Tang Hao’s identity

Ryusei asked him, "Is there a village nearby?" Tang San raised an eyebrow at his question as if he was surprised that Ryusei didn't know about the village.

He then said, "The village nearest to this place is the Holy Spirit Village, I am also from that village." He then asked in a cautious tone, "Why are you here alone? Is there someone along with you?"

Ryusei got a weird feeling when Tang San asked him these questions, as if he wasn't as simple boy as he seemed because most of the young boys at 6 years of age will be naïve and wouldn't ask these questions to someone of their age.

His expression turned a bit sorrowful as he started speaking, "I got separated from my big brother and I was thinking if I could go in the nearest village and search for him. I am really scared right now and want to find my big brother soon."

Tang San was still a bit sceptical and nodded and started leading the way to the Holy Spirit Village. While they were walking, Ryusei observed that while walking, Tang San's footsteps almost didn't have any sound, even with his enhanced senses, he could only faintly hear his footsteps.

He deduced in his thoughts 'This boy is either being trained by a good Ninja or his talent as a Ninja goes beyond anything I can imagine. The chances for the later happening are really less so he should be trained by some good Ninja. That would explain the martial arts that he was practising earlier.'

He followed him towards his house and heard him call out to his father, "Father, I have brought someone home. He lost his big brother and is looking for him." Tang San's father was a middle-aged man. His stature was extraordinarily large. His eyes had a sleepy and dazed look. He had messy hair that looked just like a bird's nest and a beard that grew out.

Tang San's father got up from his bed and looked towards him and said in a gruff voice, "Kid, where did you lose your brother?" Ryusei said in a scared and low voice, "I don't remember, I was separated from my big brother and I thought that maybe I could find about him in the nearby village."

Tang San's father raised his eyebrow at his reason and then said, "I am Tang Hao and he is my son Tang San, you can stay with us for some time. Maybe your big brother will come to this village to search you tomorrow or within this week. Is it alright…"

Ryusei remembered that he didn't introduce to him and continued, "Long Tian. My name is Long Tian. 'Long' for Dragon and Tian for 'Heavenly' so it is Heavenly Dragon." Tang Hao nodded and said, "Then you can stay with us for some time Long Tian."

Ryusei nodded and went near a chair and sat on it. He sat on it and started thinking about a thing which bugged him, he thought 'Why does Tang Hao seems to have no Spirit Energy around him, even an ordinary man will have some Spirit Energy around him even if he can't absorb it, it's always in the surrounding but in his case it's like there is no Spirit Energy or he is suppressing it so much that others can't detect it.'

'But, why, from the state of this house, it's as if he is only an ordinary blacksmith with a lazy motivation to do anything, and the next big question, if his Spirit Rank is so high that he is able to suppress his Spirit Power to such an extent then why, why is he living like this?'

'He should have some aspirations, some dreams to fulfil not for himself but for his son, or does he not care about him. But that does not seem to be the case as Tang San cares about him so he definitely doesn't hate Tang San. Then what could be the reason?'

'And the next big thing, this name Tang Hao, it matches the name of the Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, the man who fought against three Titled Douluo just after becoming a Titled Douluo and managed to severely injure one while killing the other. He was the man to have severely injured the previous Supreme Pontiff, mother told me such things about him.'

'But, is this the same man in front of me?' This question bugged him for some time as he looked around and his eyes widened and he thought 'Yes, he has already angered the Spirit Hall by killing their Titled Douluo and severely injuring the Supreme Pontiff and another Titled Douluo. He wouldn't want them to harm Tang San because of him, then he must be hiding in this village.'

'Hiding for some time or perhaps waiting, waiting for something to happen. But what could it be, some friend, but they would have helped him already, it has been 6 years now.' He then looked towards Tang San and thought 'Or perhaps he is waiting for Tang San to grow up and then take his revenge, as a Titled Douluo his life is longer than that of an Average person so he should be waiting for him to grow up and take his revenge alone so that it doesn't affect Tang San's life.'

He then thought 'This explains everything but these are all only my guesses and I still don't know if these are correct. I have to confirm them, looks like I will have to take a risk. Let's talk with him after Tang San has left the house.'

He heard a sound of footsteps and saw an elderly person with White hair coming towards the house. He looked at Tang San and turned towards Tang Hao and said, "I am taking your Tang San for his Spirit Awakening Ceremony. And you, Tang Hao, make your food yourself, today."

He turned towards Ryusei and asked in a kind voice, "Oh, child who are you? I have never seen you in the village."

Ryusei replied to him in a kind voice, "I got separated from by big brother and I am waiting here for him to find me here." The Elderly man smiled and said in an enthusiastic voice, "Don't worry, I am Old Jack and the head of this village, if your big brother comes here, I will be sure to direct him here."

Ryusei nodded and said in a soft voice, "Thank you, Village head." After Tang San was taken away from the house, he sat in front of Tang Hao and slowly started speaking in a voice full of seriousness, "Tang Hao or should I call you Clear Sky Douluo."

When he said those words, Tang Hao turned his entire attention on him. He was astonished to hear such words spoken to him by this young boy and said in a confused expression, "What do you mean by Clear Sky Douluo."

Ryusei said in a deadpan voice, "You do know that your entire reaction and the attention that you gave me right now just confirmed my guess. So, you really are the Clear Sky Douluo, huh. You know you are definitely not what I have imagined from the stories my mother told me about you."

Tang Hao released a sigh as if he was disappointed a bit and looked at Ryusei and said, "Yes, I am Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Douluo. So, tell me how did you know about my identity, I definitely didn't leak it to anyone and not even my son knows about it. So, how did you guess about my identity?"

Ryusei was a bit hesitant when he looked into the eyes of Tang Hao, he nodded and started speaking, "I can tell you, well the first thing was that I didn't feel any Spirit Energy around you, I mean that it was too suppressed that the Ordinary man won't be able to do that."

"If someone was trying to check your Spirit Rank then they would indeed think that you are an ordinary man but if someone stayed near you and observed that there is no Spirit Energy around you then they would indeed be able to know that you are strong enough to suppress your Spirit Energy to such an extent that they couldn't sense it."

"Then was your name, Tang Hao. Do you know that many clans still have legends about that Legendary feat of yours? But it wasn't enough to deduce that you were really the Clear Sky Douluo as why would such a great expert want to live in such a little village and with no recognition."

"I was pretty confused at this and even doubted my earlier deductions but when I looked at Tang San, I suddenly thought what if you were waiting for something, like waiting for him to grow up. You wanted him to grow up so that he can take care of himself when you leave to take your revenge against the Spirit hall. Am I right, Tang Hao?"