Chapter 19: How Does Young Master Tang Feel?

Hearing the City Lord call out, Tang Yan's lips curved upward, but he quickly suppressed his smile and turned around with feigned curiosity. "City Lord, you called for me?"

"Ha ha, indeed! Come, Young Master Tang, stay a while longer." Lin Xiao said with a face full of smiles.

"The City Lord must be very busy. I wouldn't want to impose any further — farewell." Tang Yan cupped his fists in a bow.

Lin Xiao couldn't help but curse himself for being too hasty just now. Setting aside his dignity, he hurried over and grabbed Tang Yan's arm. "Don't rush off — come in and sit a while longer."

Tang Yan played dumb. "City Lord, what is it you called me back for?"

"Just now you said you came to deliver a gift. As the saying goes, one should not accept reward without merit — how could I simply take such a generous gift for nothing? As it happens, I have need of this Traceless Pill. Name your price."

"I have long admired Miss Dongxue. The last time we met, I was momentarily confused and caused a misunderstanding between us. Miss Dongxue did not pursue the matter, and I have been grateful ever since. When I happened to hear that the City Lord's wife needed this pill, I brought it over at once — consider it my way of repaying Miss Dongxue's kindness. I have no other intentions." Tang Yan smiled and drew the porcelain bottle from his chest, setting it on the table.

Lin Xiao studied Tang Yan. This scoundrel who had spent over a decade causing trouble in Yun City had today, in both word and deed, completely defied his expectations.

Knowing when to retreat and when to advance — bold yet shrewd! Compared to the finest young talents of the other great families, he was by no means inferior!

Lin Xiao understood that if he accepted this pill, it would be as good as owing the Tang Clan a favor.

If the pill truly proved effective, that favor would be an enormous one.

Every great family in Yun City wanted him in their debt, yet he had always maintained a neutral stance and rarely allowed himself to owe anyone anything.

But for the sake of his wife, this was a debt he had no choice but to incur. Sighing inwardly, Lin Xiao smiled lightly. "Since you put it that way, it would be rude to refuse. I'll accept it then."

Tang Yan didn't overthink it — as long as the Tang Clan was protected from the City Lord's Manor's retaliation in the near term, that was enough. He cupped his fists and said, "The pill can be taken directly. If the City Lord's wife has any cultivation, she can circulate it herself. Once the medicinal effect is fully activated, there will be initial results within four hours. I won't impose any further — farewell."

Lin Xiao didn't try to detain him further, his heart already with his wife. He took the pill and returned to his own quarters.

"The City Lord really is something else. A second-grade pill — even a lower-tier one — could fetch ten thousand silver notes on the market, and the City Lord couldn't even spare a token gesture?" Once outside the City Lord's Manor, Tang Yan let out a wry smile. It seemed the silver for refining the Spirit Initiation Pills would have to come from Grandfather after all.

Just as Tang Yan was lamenting this, a horse-drawn carriage pulled up before the gates of the City Lord's Manor.

"Tang Yan!" A crisp voice rang out. Tang Yan turned around and saw two graceful figures leap down from the carriage.

"Ah, it's Junior Sister Dongxue and Miss Wu Xuan."

"What are you doing at my City Lord's Manor?" Lin Dongxue asked, furrowing her brow.

"The City Lord toils day and night for our Yun City. I was deeply moved and came especially to pay my respects." Tang Yan said with a perfectly straight face.

Hearing Tang Yan's words, both Lin Dongxue and Wu Xuan felt the same absurd sensation rise in their chests. You came to pay your respects?

"I only just stepped out to find Sister Wu Xuan — the round trip couldn't have been more than one hour — and you've already finished paying your respects?" Lin Dongxue stared at him, wide-eyed.

"The City Lord has ten thousand affairs to attend to each day. How could I dare impose for too long?" Tang Yan had no desire to get tangled up in this and quickly changed the subject. "Ha ha, I wouldn't want to impose on the two ladies either — farewell."

With that, he turned and made a hasty escape.

"Dongxue, didn't you want me to guide you on your sword techniques? I heard some news today — the Tang Clan's eldest young master has already reached the eighth grade of the Primary Realm. He'd make a perfect sparring partner for you." Wu Xuan, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

Lin Dongxue's eyes lit up at that, a smile dancing in them. "Young Master Tang, please stay. Come inside — there's something I'd like to trouble you with."

Wu Xuan had made no effort to lower her voice, and her words carried clearly to Tang Yan's ears. Tang Yan felt a wave of helplessness. Why does this woman keep coming after me?

"Since it's come to this, I'd be happy to oblige." Tang Yan sighed inwardly. Neither the City Lord's Manor nor Miaodan Pavilion were forces he could afford to offend right now.

Following the two women back into the City Lord's Manor, Tang Yan noticed Wu Xuan's curious gaze landing on him frequently.

"Miss Wu Xuan, why do you keep staring at me? Have flowers bloomed on my face?" Tang Yan asked with a smile.

"I'm simply curious — you claimed your cultivation core had been crippled, so how did you fool everyone? And how did you come to possess the strength of the eighth grade of the Primary Realm?" Wu Xuan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, feigning nonchalance.

"My cultivation core truly was destroyed — I did not deceive the two ladies that day. It was only by a fortunate encounter with a master that I managed to have it repaired and resume the martial path." Tang Yan once again invoked the cover story of a mysterious teacher.

Lin Dongxue, as the daughter of a city lord, possessed far greater insight and shrewdness than most. Wu Xuan, as the head Alchemist of Miaodan Pavilion, held a lofty position and was equally sharp-minded. The moment they heard Tang Yan mention a "master," both of their pupils contracted simultaneously. This fellow has a powerful figure behind him?

Though they were only half-convinced by Tang Yan's words, the explanation was entirely plausible.

"Oh? Might I ask who your esteemed teacher is? Could you perhaps arrange an introduction?" Wu Xuan asked with a gentle smile.

"He has no fixed abode — one can only meet him by fate."

"What a pity. Should the opportunity arise, please do help arrange an introduction, Young Master. Miaodan Pavilion would extend the warmest of welcomes." Wu Xuan's beautiful eyes drifted expressively, stirring the heart.

"The next time I see my master, I'll be sure to pass the message along."

The three of them walked for about fifteen minutes before arriving at a tastefully decorated small residence, above whose entrance was written "Dongxue Pavilion" — clearly Lin Dongxue's personal quarters.

"Sister Wu Xuan, the Miaoman Sword Art you taught me last time — I've nearly mastered it. If you guide me through it a few more times, I think I'll have it down completely." Lin Dongxue said as soon as they entered the courtyard.

"Very well. Run through it once for me to see, and I'll point out wherever it falls short." Wu Xuan nodded with a smile.

Hearing the two women's exchange, Tang Yan felt a quiet alertness stir within him. Martial techniques were generally closely guarded secrets, yet Wu Xuan was willing to teach Lin Dongxue a sword art — the relationship between the City Lord's Manor and Miaodan Pavilion was far closer than he had imagined.

"Should I step aside?" Tang Yan made as if to leave.

"No need. Young Master Tang may watch. Dongxue, go ahead and run through it." Wu Xuan said.

"Alright!" Lin Dongxue answered, drawing out a sword. Its blade was slender and long, thin as a cicada's wing — even by Tang Yan's exacting standards, he couldn't help but silently admire it as a fine sword.

"Watch carefully!"

Lin Dongxue let out a spirited cry, gathered her True Qi, and began to practice her swordsmanship in the center of the courtyard.

This sword art was called the Miaoman Sword Art, and its techniques lived up to its name — graceful and flowing. As Lin Dongxue unfolded each move in succession, Tang Yan gave a slight nod.

Although the girl had not yet fully mastered this Cultivation Technique, she was already remarkably proficient. It was only a matter of time before she achieved true mastery.

Moreover, Lin Dongxue had an exceptionally fine figure to begin with, and her supple form paired with this sword art was a pleasure to behold. Tang Yan watched with a wandering heart, nodding repeatedly, inwardly exclaiming how wonderful it looked.

Then Tang Yan fell into quiet contemplation. Even now, he had yet to properly practice a complete martial technique. If he were to face a powerful enemy, he would have very little chance of preserving his life.

Though he had experienced no shortage of battles in his previous life, his former self had devoted the greater part of his life's effort to Alchemy, and had never delved deeply into combat techniques. He would need to put more effort into Cultivation Techniques going forward.

When Lin Dongxue finished running through the entire sword art, she let out a long breath and looked at Wu Xuan with a proud smile. "Sister, how did I do?"

Wu Xuan was in no hurry to answer. Her beautiful eyes swept over Tang Yan, and with a smile playing at the corners of her lips she said, "Just now I noticed Young Master Tang nodding repeatedly — he must have picked up on something. I wonder, how does Young Master Tang feel?"

Tang Yan felt a headache coming on at those words. I was just a bystander — how did this get turned back on me again?