"The Tang is honored to have Lady Lin..." Tang Laozi never expected that his grandson would be this impressive, able to present such a miraculous pill. He couldn't help but feel immense satisfaction.

"Tang Gongzi, may I inquire where this elixir came from? Is there any chance I could acquire one?" Wu Xuan, the chief alchemist from Miaodan Pavilion, asked, looking at Tang Yan with a smile.

At that moment, every person in the hall, men and women alike, turned their gaze toward Tang Yan, especially the women, all eager and full of anticipation.

"There’s only this one, and it was an unexpected acquisition. I'm afraid I won’t be able to find another," Tang Yan said, suppressing a grin. The pill was one he had personally crafted, and he had made six from one cauldron. But since rarity increases value, if he mentioned that more existed, it would lower the value of this prestigious gift.

Hearing that there was only one, the women’s faces fell with disappointment.

After Tang Yan’s incredible gift, the other gifts presented seemed lackluster.

Fortunately, the City Lord’s attitude was gracious and well-received, and the banquet carried on in a harmonious atmosphere, with guests mingling, the evening slowly drawing to a close.

As the banquet was winding down, just as Tang Yan was about to leave, he was called over by the City Lord.

"Tang Yan, come with me," Lin Xiao said.

Amid the complicated gazes of the others, Tang Yan and the City Lord left the room, leaving behind a mysterious aura.

At this banquet, the Tang family had become the biggest winner. Not only had they gained attention and acclaim, but they had also secured goodwill from the City Lord's mansion, putting a damper on any ulterior motives from the other families. It gave the Tang family some breathing room to rise.

On the other hand, the real losers were the other three families, especially the Liu family. Their schemes against the Tang family had been completely thwarted, and with the issue surrounding the Qian family, any forces allied with the Liu family were now having second thoughts.

City Lord’s Mansion.

On a high tower.

Lin Xiao and Tang Yan stood side by side, gazing out at the city, almost able to see the whole of Yun City from here.

"Tang Yan, do you think I'm managing Yun City with benevolence or with force?" After a long pause, the City Lord finally spoke, his voice calm as he asked the question.

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"Neither," Tang Yan replied after thinking for a moment.

"Really?" Lin Xiao was intrigued, smiling as he asked, "Then, what path do you think I follow?"

"Lord City Lord, you follow the path of moral influence and effortless governance," Tang Yan answered honestly.

"Ah, the way of effortless governance? What path does your Tang family follow, then?" Lin Xiao asked with a knowing look.

"Those who don't harm us, we don't harm. The Tang family seeks to live in peace with the world," Tang Yan replied plainly.

Lin Xiao’s eyes narrowed at this. He asked again, “Then tell me, is my way of effortless governance correct or not?”

“There is no absolute right or wrong, only what fits. Whether it fits or not, you, City Lord, surely have your own considerations,” Tang Yan responded simply.

Hearing this, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but feel a new level of respect for Tang Yan. Unlike other outstanding young talents he had spoken with, who always analyzed the pros and cons in ways that suited their family’s interests, Tang Yan’s answer was sincere and revealing. It made it clear that the Tang family didn’t seek to challenge the City Lord, which was a reasonable stance, and Lin Xiao appreciated it.

“What, then, do you consider the way of kingship?” Lin Xiao asked, seemingly enjoying the conversation.

“Those who defy you, crush them,” Tang Yan answered.

Lin Xiao blinked in surprise. He had lived so long and had never heard anyone put it this bluntly.

“That’s a direct answer,” Lin Xiao chuckled. "And what about the way of tyranny?"

"Those who submit, crush them too!" Tang Yan answered again, this time even more directly.

Lin Xiao’s brows shot up. He had never heard anyone explain it like this before. The answer was simple yet incredibly bold, and it spoke to his own sentiments. Lin Xiao smiled wider.

"And what about benevolence?" Lin Xiao asked playfully.

"Before you crush them, remind them once," Tang Yan responded.

Lin Xiao burst into laughter, his belly shaking as he laughed louder than ever, clearly enjoying the conversation.

“Well said!” Lin Xiao finally stopped laughing, giving Tang Yan a hearty compliment.

Lin Xiao didn’t keep Tang Yan for long. Within less than half an hour, Tang Yan had exited the City Lord’s mansion.

The days were getting shorter as Mid-Autumn approached. By the time Tang Yan walked back, it was already dark.

Since the road was empty, Tang Yan thought it would be a good time to practice a new technique. If he encountered a strong enemy, it would be useful to have a way to escape quickly, even if he couldn’t defeat them.

Recalling some of his memories, Tang Yan chose a technique called "Shadow Step."

This step technique, as the name suggested, allowed one to move silently and swiftly, almost ghost-like. It was not only good for escaping but also highly effective in combat.

However, like all excellent techniques, it was difficult to master. After just a few steps, Tang Yan stumbled and nearly fell.

Not willing to give up, he tried again, but the same thing happened. The second time he tried, he lost his balance and fell hard to the ground.

But Tang Yan was not the type to give up easily. He picked himself up and tried again. "Boom!" He fell again. "Boom!" Another fall.

In the middle of the night, Tang Yan had already fallen over twenty times, but finally, he started to get the hang of it. The technique, initially slow, had now become faster than a normal walking pace.

Another hour passed, and Tang Yan had begun to master the movements. He was moving as fast as an average person would run.

Lost in his practice, Tang Yan wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. In the still of the night, his movements became more fluid, and his speed increased even more.

Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, his hairs standing on end. A dangerous aura crept over him.