"Kid, did you really write this poem?" Tang Old Master asked nonchalantly, though his eyes were filled with undisguised anticipation.

"Hehe, of course," Tang Yan replied with a smile.

"Oh, you're really full of yourself, aren't you? Tell the truth!" Tang Old Master wasn't polite, tugging on Tang Yan's ear as he pressed for answers.

Tang Yan felt a wave of grievance in his heart. What's wrong with this world? Can't a person even tell the truth anymore?

"Easy, easy, I'll talk, I'll talk. A while back, I ran into a poor scholar. I saw that he'd written this poem quite well, so I bought it from him. He told me that if I could write beautifully and reproduce this poem, it would be easy to impress some noble ladies. I got so intrigued that I memorized the poem and practiced my handwriting..." Tang Yan, in pain from Tang Old Master's tugging, hurriedly came up with an excuse.

This reason seemed reasonable, and Tang Old Master finally let go.

Tang Yan rubbed his reddened ear, pulling a bitter face. "Grandfather, I've resolved this crisis for you. Could you reward your grandson with a few thousand taels of silver?"

Today's issue with the City Lord's Mansion was smoothly resolved, so Tang Old Master was in a good mood. But upon hearing Tang Yan's words, his face instantly darkened. "What do you need so much silver for? Planning to indulge in debauchery again? I'm warning you, if you dare squander money again, I'll break your legs!"

Tang Yan was secretly anxious. If you don't give me money, how can I buy a cauldron? Without a cauldron, how can I refine medicine?

"Grandfather, rest assured, I won't indulge in debauchery. It's just that I've recently had an epiphany. I used to be uneducated and incompetent, but now that I can't practice martial arts, I want to switch to business. I need some silver to start practicing," Tang Yan said earnestly.

Tang Old Master was slightly moved upon hearing this. Although he still didn't believe Tang Yan would genuinely go into business, the reason sounded heartwarming, didn't it?

"Then go to the accounts room and collect two... hundred taels of silver. Once you achieve something, I might consider giving you more. If I find out you used the money for debauchery, your future allowance will be completely cut off!" Tang Old Master warned, turning to leave.

Tang Yan felt a chill in his heart... Grandfather, I am your own grandson...

Feeling like crying but having no tears, Young Master Tang didn't sit idly by.

Within half an hour, Tang Yan packed all the valuable items from his room, tucked the silver into his chest, and with a folding fan in hand, he walked out with Little Cui.

Since he wasn't given money, he decided to go out, buy some low-grade herbs, and concoct a basic energy-nurturing potion.

On the bustling street, Tang Yan walked with a swagger, his folding fan opening and closing theatrically, his eyes roving with a carefree air. The elegant demeanor he had while composing poetry was nowhere to be found.

Little Cui tilted her head, watching her young master. Why did he seem so different from the person in the main hall? Could it be true, as the ancients said, that a leopard can't change its spots?

Young Master Tang observed the street scenes with interest, the cries of vendors, the chatter, and the sounds of labor all mingling together. The various taverns, tailor shops, farm tool stores, weapon shops, and blacksmiths along the street all exuded an ancient charm.

In the past century, such markets were more common on Earth, but with societal progress, these things have gradually been replaced by supermarkets, malls, and even online shopping.

"Well, if it isn't Young Master Tang. Why aren't you at Honghua Building, wandering the streets instead? I heard your grandfather cut off your allowance. Can't even afford the old girls at Honghua Building now?" A sarcastic voice rang out.

Tang Yan turned his head to see Liu Yuan, the third young master of the Liu Family.

Liu Yuan was similar to Tang Yan, both being notorious playboys of Yun City.

However, Liu Yuan was luckier than Tang Yan. The Liu Family had many members, with six or seven promising young men in the direct line, so even though Liu Yuan was a playboy, the Liu Family didn't lament the lack of successors.

"What, you want to give me some money to spend?"

Though Liu Yuan was a playboy, he wasn't stupid. The Liu Family had always wanted to swallow up the Tang Family, a fact not hidden among the noble families of Yun City. If he could teach Tang Yan a lesson, he would surely be rewarded by his family.

Explore the extended edition on p𝑎wre𝑑d.com

But the family had also clearly warned the younger generation of the Liu Family not to provoke Tang Yan proactively, as Tang Old Master could be quite vicious when angered.

To teach Tang Yan a lesson, he had to make Tang Yan strike first.

"Give you money? Dream on! I thought Young Master Tang only had his Dantian destroyed, but it seems his brain is broken too." These venomous words made Little Cui's eyes blaze with anger.

"You Fing Hell, who are you calling brain-dead? Believe it or not, I'll beat you up!" Tang Yan glared and shouted.

"You want to beat me?" Liu Yuan was secretly delighted and couldn't help but laugh. "Young Master Tang, it's not that I look down on you, but even if I let you have one arm and one leg, I could still beat you like a dog."

Tang Yan's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing rapid, as he pointed at Liu Yuan and shouted angrily, "You're just a 4th Grade Origin Rank, what's there to be arrogant about? You think you're so tough? How about we make a bet? If I can knock you down, you owe me ten thousand taels of silver. If you can knock me down, I'll give you the two hundred taels I have on me! Dare to bet with me?"

Liu Yuan was secretly pleased. In martial arts, each rank was like a mountain. Although he was also idle, he indeed had the strength of a 4th Grade Origin Rank.

This guy's Dantian was destroyed, and after years of indulgence, he probably couldn't even handle an ordinary person.

"I don't have ten thousand taels, only two thousand, and if I win, I only get two hundred taels. That's not fair!" Liu Yuan's eyes rolled as he chuckled. "How about this, if you win, I'll give you all two thousand taels. If you lose, you have to kowtow to me three times on the ground. How about it?"

Damn Liu Family scum, just wait till I beat you up later!

Suppressing the urge to hit him, Tang Yan continued his act. "Damn, my head isn't even worth a thousand taels each? At most, I'll kowtow once if I lose!"

Liu Yuan was overjoyed. As expected, Young Master Tang was a brainless braggart, a real fool.

Once you kneel, what's the difference between one kowtow and a hundred?

If he could make Tang Yan kneel today, it would be a great achievement, and the family would be even less likely to restrain his playboy behavior in the future.

Having made up his mind, Liu Yuan said, "In that case, I'll give Young Master Tang this face!"

"Young Master! Let's go back!" Cui Er tugged at Tang Yan's sleeve, her voice choked with tears.

"Get out of the way! Watch as I beat him so badly his parents won't recognize him!" Tang Yan shook his sleeve.

"Young Master, Liu Yuan is deliberately provoking you, trying to use this opportunity to humiliate our Tang Family. Don't fall for his trap," Little Cui's voice grew more urgent.

Liu Yuan took in Little Cui's reaction, confirming that Tang Yan's Dantian was indeed destroyed.

But if this fool was really persuaded by Little Cui to leave, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?

"Do you dare to compete or not? Give me a straight answer," Liu Yuan goaded.