Hearing the City Lord’s call, Tang Yan couldn’t help but smirk before quickly wiping the expression off his face and feigning curiosity. “City Lord, did you call for me?”
“Ah, yes, come, Young Master Tang, let's talk some more,” Lin Xiao replied with a broad smile.
“You must be busy, City Lord. I won’t take up more of your time, farewell.” Tang Yan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, ready to leave.
Lin Xiao, realizing he had been too hasty, couldn’t help but feel a bit of regret. Ignoring his usual pride, he quickly walked over and grabbed Tang Yan’s arm, saying, “Don’t be in a hurry, stay and chat for a little longer.”
Pretending to be innocent, Tang Yan asked, “City Lord, why did you call me back?”
“Well, you said you were here to give a gift. There’s an old saying, no merit, no reward. I wouldn’t just accept something without reason. This No-Trace Pill is just what I need. Name your price,” Lin Xiao replied.
“I have long admired Lady Winter Snow. Last time when we met, I acted impulsively, causing a misunderstanding between us. Thankfully, Lady Winter Snow didn’t hold it against me, and I’ve been grateful ever since. I heard that the City Lord’s wife is in need of this pill, so I brought it as a small token of appreciation for Winter Snow. There’s no other intention,” Tang Yan explained, smiling as he pulled out a small porcelain vial from his robe and placed it on the table.
Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Tang Yan. The spoiled young master of the Tang family, who had been a notorious troublemaker in Yun City for years, was acting completely out of character today.
With careful moves, full of both retreat and advance, courage and strategy—he was not inferior to the best of the other families' youth.
Lin Xiao knew that if he accepted this pill, it would place him in debt to the Tang family. And if the pill truly worked, the debt would be a huge one.
Every family in Yun City wanted the City Lord to owe them a favor, but Lin Xiao had always stayed neutral and avoided owing anyone. However, for the sake of his wife, this was a favor he had no choice but to accept. With a sigh, Lin Xiao smiled lightly, “Since that’s the case, I can’t refuse. I’ll take it.”
Tang Yan didn’t think much of it. As long as it ensured the Tang family wouldn’t be attacked by the City Lord’s mansion, it was good enough. He cupped his hands and said, “The pill can be taken directly. If Lady Winter Snow has cultivation, she can catalyze it herself. After it’s fully catalyzed, it’ll show initial results within three hours. I won’t take up any more of your time. Farewell.”
Lin Xiao didn’t try to stop him. His mind was on his wife, and he left quickly with the pill in hand.
After leaving the City Lord’s mansion, Tang Yan couldn’t help but chuckle to himself, “The City Lord is truly sincere. A second-tier pill, even a low-grade one, can still fetch a good price. Does he really not want to express any gratitude?” He sighed again, thinking he’d need to ask his grandfather for the money to refine the Initial Spirit Pills.
Just as Tang Yan was contemplating, a carriage pulled up in front of the City Lord’s mansion.
“Tang Yan!” A bright voice rang out, and Tang Yan turned to see two graceful figures jump out of the carriage.
“It’s Winter Snow and Miss Wuxuan.”
“You’re here at the City Lord’s mansion for what purpose?” Winter Snow asked with a furrowed brow.
“I’ve heard how tirelessly the City Lord works for the people of Yun City, and I felt so moved that I decided to come visit him,” Tang Yan replied solemnly.
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Upon hearing his words, both Winter Snow and Wuxuan exchanged incredulous looks. You came to visit the City Lord?
“You left just a little while ago to find Wuxuan, and now, within half an hour, you’ve already finished visiting?” Winter Snow asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“The City Lord is extremely busy, how could I dare disturb him for too long?” Tang Yan quickly changed the subject, smiling and saying, “Haha, I won’t take up any more of your time. Farewell.”
Just as he was about to leave, Wuxuan, who had remained silent up until now, suddenly spoke, “Winter Snow, weren’t you looking for me to guide you through your sword technique? I just heard some news—Tang Yan has reached the 8th level of Yuan stage, and he would be perfect as your sparring partner.”
Winter Snow’s eyes lit up at Wuxuan’s words, and with a smile, she turned to Tang Yan. “Young Master Tang, please stay. We’d like to discuss something with you.”
Wuxuan hadn’t lowered her voice, and her words were clearly heard by Tang Yan. He couldn’t help but feel helpless. Why does this woman keep dragging me into trouble?
“Since that’s the case, I’ll reluctantly comply,” Tang Yan muttered inwardly. The City Lord’s mansion and the Miao Dan Fang weren’t something he could afford to offend right now.
Following the two women back into the City Lord’s mansion, Tang Yan could sense Wuxuan’s curious gaze constantly falling on him.
“Miss Wuxuan, why do you keep staring at me? Did I get something on my face?” Tang Yan joked with a smile.
“I’m just curious. When you said your dantian was destroyed, how did you manage to fool everyone? And how did you go from that to having Yuan stage 8th level cultivation?” Wuxuan casually brushed her hair aside as she spoke.
“Indeed, my dantian was destroyed, and I didn’t lie to you two. I was fortunate enough to meet my master, who helped me repair my dantian and restored my cultivation,” Tang Yan once again brought up the excuse of his “master.”
Winter Snow, as the daughter of a city lord, was far more discerning and calculating than most. And Wuxuan, as the chief alchemist at Miao Dan Fang, was equally sharp. When they heard Tang Yan mention “master,” their eyes both flickered with suspicion. Does this kid have a powerful backer?
Although they didn’t fully believe him, Tang Yan’s explanation was plausible enough.
“Oh? May I ask who your master is? Could you introduce him to us?” Wuxuan smiled, her eyes glinting with interest.
“My master is someone who shuns fame and fortune. He has no fixed name and prefers to live in seclusion, traveling the world. We can only meet by chance. If I see him again, I’ll certainly ask him to come visit,” Tang Yan replied with an air of sincerity.
“Such a pity. If you ever have the chance, please do introduce him to us. We at Miao Dan Fang would be honored to welcome him,” Wuxuan responded with a smile, her eyes dancing with charm.
“If I see him next time, I’ll certainly pass on your message.”
After walking for a while, they arrived at a small, elegant courtyard, marked with the sign “Winter Snow Pavilion,” which Tang Yan guessed must be Winter Snow’s residence.
“Wuxuan, the sword technique you taught me last time, I’ve almost perfected it. If you guide me a few more times, I should be able to master it,” Winter Snow immediately said as she entered the courtyard.
“Alright, show me your practice, and I’ll point out any areas where you’re lacking,” Wuxuan smiled and nodded.
As Tang Yan overheard their conversation, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Martial arts techniques were usually closely guarded secrets, yet Wuxuan was teaching Winter Snow sword techniques. This showed just how tightly knit the City Lord’s mansion and Miao Dan Fang were.
“Should I excuse myself?” Tang Yan pretended to prepare to leave.
“No need, Young Master Tang, just stay and watch. Winter Snow, go ahead and practice,” Wuxuan said with a smile.
“Alright!” Winter Snow agreed and took out a slender sword. The blade was light as a feather, and even Tang Yan, who had a discerning eye, couldn’t help but nod in approval.
“Watch closely!”
With a command, Winter Snow gathered her true qi and began practicing the sword technique in the center of the courtyard.
The technique, called Miao Man Sword, lived up to its name. The movements were fluid and graceful, and as Winter Snow demonstrated it, Tang Yan couldn’t help but nod in approval.
Although she hadn’t fully mastered it, she was already quite proficient, and with more practice, reaching a higher level was just a matter of time.
Furthermore, Winter Snow had a graceful figure, and when combined with the flowing sword moves, it made for a truly mesmerizing sight. Tang Yan found himself captivated, nodding repeatedly, thinking to himself, How beautiful.
As Winter Snow finished the set, she took a deep breath and looked proudly at Wuxuan. “Sister, how was my practice?”
Wuxuan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she glanced at Tang Yan and, with a smile at the corner of her lips, asked, “I saw Young Master Tang nodding continuously. I’m sure you saw something worthwhile. What do you think, Young Master Tang?”
Tang Yan, caught off guard, sighed inwardly. I’m just a spectator here, and now they’re dragging me into this.