Tang Yan hadn't expected Old Master Tang to react this way. Having never known the warmth of family in his past life, the softest corner of his heart was struck hard in that moment. Looking at this old man with graying temples, he sighed inwardly - truly, parents the world over all have loving hearts.

"My true strength - I hope none of you will make it known," Tang Yan said, sweeping his gaze around the hall.

"Tang Yan's strength is, from this day, the Tang Family's highest sealed order. Anyone who dares let it slip will answer to family law!" Tang Ling thundered.

"As you command!" Everyone agreed at once.

"This evening at six, we go together to Bright Moon Lake for the Mid-Autumn Conference!" Old Master Tang declared, his spirits high.

"Report-!" Just as everyone was looking forward to the night's gathering, a Tang Family guard burst in.

Old Master Tang's face darkened, and Tang Yan's eyes narrowed. When the senior members of the Tang Family sat in council, no one was permitted to disturb them unless the matter was grave.

"What is it?" Old Master Tang asked, his voice low.

"Reporting to the Master - every shop under the Liu Family of North City has been smashed, many of their guards killed, and our own Tang Family men have taken some losses as well," the guard answered quickly.

Tang Yan knew, as it happened, that the Liu Family of North City was a clan that leaned on the Tang Family for protection. He knew because part of their holdings were restaurants, and he had often gone there to eat and drink on someone else's coin.

"Who did this? Has it been uncovered?"

"Men of the Four Seas Gang. But a deeper look shows other families pushing the attack from behind. The Liu Family is the prime suspect - and the Wu Family and Qin Family are likely in it as well," the scout answered plainly.

Tang Yan had heard of the Four Seas Gang. It was the largest underworld power in Yun City, and on ordinary days it never provoked the great families, keeping to gambling dens, pleasure houses, and the like. Over the years it had piled up no small fortune. Still, an underground force like that would never dare brush against the Tang Family's tiger-might, so he was certain other families had a hand in this.

"The Liu Family, the Four Seas Gang..." Old Master Tang murmured the names twice, then turned to look at Tang Yan, whose face was equally thoughtful. Curious about his grandson's mind, he asked, "Yan'er, what is your read on this?"

Tang Yan hadn't expected his grandfather to ask him outright, but he didn't put on airs. He laid it out carefully.

"Our Tang Family may have lost standing these past years, yet in Yun City we remain strong - far more than a mere Four Seas Gang could stand against. Someone greater is propping them up."

"And the timing they chose to ravage the Liu Family of North City is a cunning trap." Tang Yan rose and paced the hall. "Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Conference. The Four Seas Gang may be weaker than the Tang Family, but it has hoarded great wealth over the years, and its strength is nothing to scorn."

"They've surely planted a few experts to lie in wait within the gang. If the Tang Family goes to demand justice for the Liu Family of North City, we walk straight into their counterstrike. If we don't go, word will spread through the Mid-Autumn Conference, and every family that leans on us will lose heart."

"By then, the Tang Family wouldn't dare show its face at the Conference. So they'll trumpet it everywhere - that the Tang Family has no worthy successor, that our road ahead is broken, that we have no future."

"Strike from both sides at once, and it's easy to shake men's hearts. Then they sweep in to win over those families, and in the end our Tang Family is left gravely wounded."

Hearing Tang Yan's reasoning, point by point, the others broke into a cold sweat. The enemy's move was ruthless to the bone. Should it succeed, it would carve away at least a quarter of the Tang Family's strength.

"Then can't we simply go and attend?" Mo Yanjun asked, puzzled.

"In outsiders' eyes I'm nothing but a wastrel, and Big Brother Mo's strength is only Yellow Rank Fifth Grade. Once the other three great families send their young experts to challenge the Tang Family, our face will be stripped away all the same. To them, we're already a turtle in a jar."

Now everyone was struck by how finely Tang Yan saw through it all. Li Hua, who had carried a touch of scorn for him until now, hurried to ask, "Young Master, then what do we do?"

Feeling every gaze settle on him, Tang Yan said firmly, "Our hearts cannot scatter, and time is short. If this isn't cleanly settled before tonight's Conference, they'll use it there to chip away at the Tang Family's name."

"So this time the Tang Family doesn't merely fight - we fight hard. We wipe out the Four Seas Gang in one stroke, raise our fighting spirit, and make the Tang Family's name ring out again!"

Hearing the cold killing intent in his words, Zi Yun's expression turned grave.

The confidence and decisiveness this wastrel young master showed now were beyond what even the sons of some great families could muster.

And his words won the room over at once.

"Then how many men should we send?" Old Master Tang asked.

"The Tang Family guards aren't there for show. Only blood and hardship will let them truly grow. Send out all one hundred and twenty Tang men newly stepped into Yellow Rank. And send ten of our best, led by Uncle Mo, to cut down the experts hiding in the shadows." In that moment Tang Yan was like a general, surveying the field and weaving his plans.

"Good. Brother Mo, this falls to you," Old Master Tang said gravely.

"No trouble at all. I'll gather the Tang men at once." Uncle Mo wasted no words. He cast Tang Yan a glance full of approval and made to leave with his orders.

"Uncle Mo, wait!" Tang Yan called out suddenly.

"What does the Young Master command?" Tang Yan's startling turns of late had already won Uncle Mo's genuine respect.

"A hundred-some guards marching together is far too showy. Uncle Mo, lead twenty openly down the main road straight for the Four Seas Gang. The rest split into groups of ten and take the back lanes toward North City, gathering near the gang's stronghold. Once you meet up, no idle words - strike at once. Remember, the Four Seas Gang provoked the Tang Family first. The right is on our side," Tang Yan instructed in earnest.

Uncle Mo's eyes lit up. This way the Four Seas Gang's guard would drop sharply. By the time they realized more than a hundred Tang men had arrived, it would be far too late to ready themselves.

"Before we finish the Four Seas Gang, tell the guards - a hundred taels of silver for every man cut down, with no ceiling!" Tang Yan said.

"That much?" Uncle Mo shot a startled glance at Old Master Tang. Who knew how many men the Four Seas Gang had? If they truly went by the Young Master's method, the Tang Family would bleed coin all over again.

Old Master Tang was about to call it unwise, but Tang Yan cut in first. "Just go, Uncle Mo. The Four Seas Gang trades in filthy flesh, but that filth has earned them plenty. Sweep it all up afterward, and the Tang Family will come out richer instead."

At that, every eye brightened. A brilliant stroke indeed.

"Brother Mo, do exactly as Yan'er says!" Old Master Tang waved his hand and gave the order.

"Yes!" Uncle Mo answered, turned, and strode out.

Old Master Tang gazed at Tang Yan, his eyes full of wonder. His grandson's deeds of late were simply against the heavens.

Take the suggestion he'd just given Uncle Mo - with the lure of silver, it would surely sharpen the guards' fighting edge by a good measure.

The more he watched, the less he could see through this grandson of his.

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