“Boy, did you really write this poem?” Tang Ling casually asked, though his eyes showed unhidden anticipation.

“Heh, of course,” Tang Yan replied with a grin.

“Oh? Now you're boasting? Speak the truth!” Tang Ling wasn’t going to let him off easy, grabbing Tang Yan’s ear and pulling him closer.

Tang Yan, feeling a bit wronged, wondered how things had come to this. Wasn’t he allowed to tell the truth?

“Easy, easy, I’ll tell you. I met a poor scholar a while ago, and he wrote this poem that I thought was pretty good, so I bought it from him. He told me that if I could write well and then copy the poem, some noble ladies might easily be impressed. I got curious, so I memorized the poem and practiced my handwriting...” Tang Yan quickly came up with an excuse, trying to dodge the situation.

The reason was somewhat believable, and Tang Ling, seeing no other option, finally released his grip.

Tang Yan rubbed his sore ear and, with a bitter expression, said, “Grandfather, I’ve solved the problem with the City Lord’s mansion, so… can you reward me with a few thousand taels of silver to use?”

After the City Lord’s mansion came to settle the matter, Tang Ling was in a better mood. But as soon as he heard Tang Yan’s request, his face darkened, and he growled, “What do you need so much silver for? Want to go back to your old ways, running wild and wasting money? I’ll warn you—if you go out and squander it again, I’ll break your legs!”

Tang Yan’s heart sank. “If you don’t give me money, how am I supposed to buy a cauldron? Without it, how will I refine elixirs?”

“I won’t waste money, I promise! I’ve had a sudden realization. I used to be useless, but now that I can’t cultivate, I want to switch paths and try business. I just need some silver to start,” Tang Yan said seriously.

Tang Ling’s expression softened slightly. Though he didn’t believe Tang Yan would actually pursue business, the excuse sounded heartwarming.

“Fine, take two hundred taels from the family treasury. Once you prove yourself, I’ll consider giving you more. But if I catch you using this money for anything frivolous, I’ll cut off your allowance!” Tang Ling warned, before turning to leave.

Tang Yan felt a chill inside. “Grandfather, I’m your own grandson…”

Tang Yan, though frustrated, wasn’t one to dwell on negativity.

A short time later, Tang Yan gathered all the valuables he had in his room and, with silver in hand and a folding fan in the other, walked out with Xiao Cui.

Since he wasn’t getting any real funds, he decided to go out and buy some low-grade herbs. Even a simple Yuan cultivation medicine would be better than nothing.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

As he walked through the street, he swaggered, twirling the fan in his hand, his steps wide and carefree. His earlier refined demeanor was nowhere to be found. Now, he looked like the typical playboy he was known as.

Xiao Cui, tilting her head, couldn’t help but notice how different Tang Yan seemed now compared to in the main hall. “Could it be true what they say, that it's easier to change a country than one's nature?”

Tang Yan was enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the marketplace. Shouts of street vendors, the hum of casual conversation, the sounds of people at work—everything reflected the old world charm of this city. It reminded him of Earth’s old markets, though over time, such places had been replaced by supermarkets and online shopping.

“Hey, isn’t that Young Master Tang? Why aren’t you at the Red Flower Pavilion? Heard your grandfather cut off your allowance—guess you can’t even afford to treat the old ladies there now?” A sarcastic voice interrupted.

Turning, Tang Yan spotted Liu Yuan, the third son of the Liu family.

Liu Yuan was a fellow playboy of Yun City, similar to Tang Yan, but his life was much better. The Liu family had many relatives, and several of the younger generation had promising futures. As a result, even though Liu Yuan lived a carefree lifestyle, the family wasn’t as concerned about his behavior. Unlike Tang Yan, who had only himself to fall back on, the Liu family wouldn’t lament over their ‘lost cause’ of a son.

“What’s the matter, you want to send some money to your grandfather?” Tang Yan asked, his tone mocking.

Liu Yuan, though a playboy, wasn’t a fool. The Liu family had long wanted to swallow up the Tang family, and he saw an opportunity here. If he could take down Tang Yan, he would earn a reward from his family. However, the Liu family had warned him never to provoke Tang Yan directly. If Tang Yan started trouble first, then Liu Yuan could retaliate.

“Send money to your grandfather? Dream on! I thought you were just a waste with a destroyed dantian, but now it seems your brain’s gone too,” Liu Yuan taunted.

Xiao Cui’s face flushed with anger upon hearing the insult, but Tang Yan snapped back, his eyes blazing, “Who’s talking about brains? You really want to start something?”

“You want to fight me?” Liu Yuan grinned, his confidence growing. “I’m not looking down on you, but even if you had one arm and one leg left, I’d still be able to beat you senseless.”

Tang Yan’s eyes turned red with fury, his breath quickening. He pointed at Liu Yuan and snapped, “You’re just a fourth-tier Origin warrior—what’s all the arrogance for? How about a bet? If I can knock you down, you’ll owe me ten thousand taels of silver. But if you beat me, I’ll give you the two hundred taels I have on me. What do you say?”

Liu Yuan’s heart jumped with excitement. Although he was usually lazy, his fourth-tier martial cultivation was no joke. Tang Yan, with his destroyed dantian and wasted years of indulgence, would barely be able to handle a normal person.

“I don’t have ten thousand taels, but I have two thousand. And if I win, you’ll kneel and bow three times to me. How about that?” Liu Yuan grinned, clearly thinking he had the upper hand.

“Damn it, you’re really gonna make me bow? Fine, if I lose, I’ll do one, but if I win, you better only expect one!” Tang Yan, trying to suppress his frustration, shouted back.

Liu Yuan’s grin widened. "Typical arrogant Tang Yan... you’re so easy to manipulate." He was certain that forcing Tang Yan to kneel would be a major win. It would cement his status in the Liu family and ensure that no one would question his position in the future.

Xiao Cui, seeing this, grabbed Tang Yan’s sleeve urgently, her voice trembling. “Young Master, please don’t listen to him! He’s just trying to provoke you, hoping to humiliate the Tang family.”

Liu Yuan noticed Xiao Cui’s frantic attempt to stop Tang Yan. "So the rumor about Tang Yan’s dantian being destroyed is true." But if Tang Yan walked away now, he’d lose his chance to humiliate him.

“Are you going to fight or not? Make a decision.” Liu Yuan pressed, eager to see the spectacle unfold.