Chapter 1872 - 1871: Taking Matters into One's Own Hands

The momentary impact that just entered his mind was so strong that Tang Rao still can't quite accept it.

Do you really want to ask if there are no regrets?

Saying there's no regret is false, but if he really had to choose again, he would still make the same choice as today, not for anything else, just because Tang Rao's curiosity is stronger than others.

His life, his death, the achievements he attained when he became the Fighting God, his despondency after being defeated by the Heavenly Dao — all these feelings surged into Tang Rao's mind in an instant. Apart from shock, what existed the most was a sense of frustration. Yes, he felt so frustrated. Every time he wanted to make a breakthrough, for one reason or another, he would part ways with success. Dying consecutively in two lifetimes, every time wasn't it just by a little bit, but due to that little bit every time, the price Tang Rao had to pay would become so much.

"Is this the trick of fate, or does heaven think I haven't suffered enough?"

In Tang Rao's mind was a hint of despair in his mother's eyes when she was taken by the Heavenly Dao, his father's infatuation nearly traded with life, the overwhelming hatred he had for the Heavenly Dao — all these made Tang Rao feel disappointed.

He clearly knew who the enemy was, clearly had once battled with the enemy, clearly was almost the victor, yet, there was no 'yet.'

He still failed. The once always victorious Tang Rao suddenly recalled his many past failures, and his confidence collapsed. He was no longer his confident self. Instead, knowing that he too has failed in the past, his heart turned calm, peaceful. He was still pondering who he was and how he had come to this point.

"Brother, are you still inside?"

Tang Rao's eyes were red, he didn't even know how they became so. When he heard the person calling outside was Tang Qingqing, he reflexively realized and did not stop Tang Qingqing from entering his courtyard.

Tang Qingqing pushed open the courtyard door, walked into the room, and in her eyes, Tang Rao was sitting on the bed, eyes red and vacant, gazing at one spot, having forgotten how to move his pupils.

"I'm fine, are you worried that I couldn't handle that shock?"

Of course, given Tang Qingqing's expression, it was evident.

"I'm fine, I'm good."

It was just accepting some memories, just like listening to stories of other families, no big deal.

That's what Tang Rao thought, and planned to continue thinking that way, but can he really face it calmly? No, he can't, not in a lifetime.

Those aren't just listening to stories of others, the memories are genuine and have really happened, they're indelible recollections. The things that happened before shaped who he is today, the debts owed before still need to be repaid bit by bit now.

"As long as you're fine, I really envy you for only finding your memories now, unlike us, who have always remembered everything. Wanting to forget is a bit difficult."

Tang Rao only now remembered, before he remembered, he was always very happy, unlike Tang Qingqing and Tang Lei, who lived only in sorrowful memories, and had never had a peaceful day. In her view, amnesia is bliss. If she had lost her memory, she wouldn't now have such a heavy mental burden, nor would she think about when to rescue her mother, thus losing the act of smiling daily.

"Hahaha, envy me? For what? When I had no memory, it was as if I were being toyed with like a monkey. Clearly, you all knew everything but just wouldn't tell me, letting me think I was the strongest on the surface, making me feel I would never fail, never lose – turns out I was the foolest one. What strongest? I'm not the strongest; I'm the one who has to start over after each failure."

He hid in the room, denying himself again and again, pondering how he ended up like this.

"No, why would you think so? It's not that we don't want to help you; it's that we can't help you. Once we intervene, the one punished won't just be the Tang Family; you will be implicated as well. To keep you from suffering at the hands of the Heavenly Dao, we can only let you endure some non-lethal hardships at the hands of others. I'm saying this because I don't want you to misunderstand me and father, thinking we have ulterior motives towards you."

Tang Rao hadn't considered the aspect of ulterior motives; his abilities were being questioned, and he was still recovering from that blow. Those trivial matters that only women might think of, he would only get to them afterward.

"I didn't think that far, why do you? Tomorrow I think I'll leave, I won't go over to dad's side. You tell him I'm going back to the Northern Island for a while. Once I've figured things out, I'll come to the Central Island again. I'll keep in contact regarding mom, and will find ways to rescue her. Let dad not worry too much."

Going back to the Northern Island?

Tang Rao had finally reached the Central Island, reunited with the family. Having only stayed for a short while, he's preparing to leave again, isn't this a joke?

"I'm not good at speaking to dad about that; during your seclusion, dad gave orders to the entire family's members that when you come out, the whole Tang Family will be handed over to you. The family is already preparing the things needed for the ceremony. If you tell him now that you're leaving, dad's heart surely won't be well, and all his effort would have been thoroughly rejected by you."

Tang Qingqing knew how bold a move it was for Tang Lei to place power into Tang Rao's hands.

If Tang Rao strives, the Tang Family will be stronger than any previous Family Head's leadership. If Tang Rao doesn't strive, the family's decline will also start with Tang Rao.

"He made that decision without my consent, taking initiative without any relation to me at all. I didn't say I wanted to be the Family Head of Tang."

Fame and fortune had long lost their allure to Tang Rao. He already had everything he should have; now, whatever he desires, he knows in his heart too that he won't give up on his long-held dreams for some benefits.

"But handing the Tang Family to you is dad's lifelong dream. He has only this one dream. Aren't you even going to fulfill this dream?"

Tang Qingqing used emotions, thinking Tang Rao has a soft heart, that a few nice words would make him change his mind. Unfortunately, no matter how much she says, nothing could easily change what Tang Rao was firm about.

"That's his dream, it's got nothing to do with me."

A simple ten words not only shattered Tang Qingqing's hope but also broke Tang Lei's dream.

Yet, Tang Rao's words weren't wrong. To each their own ambitions, one cannot just do whatever they want. He has his plans, and Tang Rao has his. If there's any conflict between the two, Tang Rao will first choose what he wants to do.