Chapter 22. Sudden Gust (2)

In the middle of an engaging conversation, the dialogue abruptly cut off.

Zhegela Yan was flustered but did not show it. She smiled and pointed to the opposite side.

"Good..."

At that moment, Zhegela Yan glanced at Lian Huozheng. She knew that Lian Huozheng's social skills were not very good.

Unexpectedly, Lian Huozheng nodded. No matter who the other party was, the larger the setting, the more naturally one would have the opportunity to observe the surroundings.

"Please sit down."

Before the words were even finished, Tang Yangxian had already taken a seat. It was unclear whether he knew the other party would not refuse or if he intended to sit regardless of the other party's wishes.

Zhegela Yan smiled and asked, "Are you from the Tang family?"

"Yes."

He spoke without hesitation. It was clear that this was a lifelong habit.

"Nice to meet you. I'm A Yan from the Zhege family."

"Tang A Yan?"

"Yes."

"Your name is beautiful."

It was a rather bold and frank statement. Zhegela Yan tilted her head.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, your parents named you well."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Zhegela Yan pointed to Lian Huozheng.

"Ah, let me introduce you. This person is..."

"Enough."

"Huh?"

"I know who he is. No need for an introduction."

Zhegela Yan's eyes widened.

"Oh? You've met before?"

"Isn't he the eldest son of the Lian family?"

"Yes, so at least a greeting..."

"It's fine."

"How can it be fine? What do you mean by that?"

Tang Yangxian shrugged.

"I didn't come here for this friend anyway."

Zhegela Yan was slightly flustered.

The perceptive her knew that Tang Yangxian's purpose was herself, but she did not expect him to be so straightforward.

Tang Yangxian held out an empty glass.

"Pour me a drink."

It was a bold move.

Pouring a drink was not difficult, but treating her like a subordinate from the start was bound to make the other party uncomfortable. Despite her intention to be as polite as possible given the setting, Zhegela Yan's mood soured at his tone.

"Here you go."

Zhegela Yan placed the bottle in front of him.

Tang Yangxian tilted his head.

"I said, pour it."

Zhegela Yan smiled and said, "I don't want to pour it."

"You don't want to pour it?"

"Yes."

"Why not, when you were willing to pour for that guy?"

He openly called him "that guy."

Lian Huozheng did not care about the title. As soon as Tang Yangxian sat down, his senses had already swept through the gathered young talents in the hall. He had no intention of reacting to every provocation.

But Zhegela Yan was different.

"That guy is my friend. He can be a bit prickly, though."

Tang Yangxian smiled and asked, "Can I be your friend too?"

"Anyone can be a friend, as long as they have the right attitude."

"Oh?"

"Is this a Sichuan custom? To ask someone to pour a drink as a greeting when you first meet? If so, it's a misunderstanding on my part, and I apologize. But I have no desire to be friends."

Her voice, though smiling, was sharp.

Tang Yangxian, looking at Zhegela Yan with a peculiar expression, chuckled.

"Quite cute, actually?"

"I often hear that I'm average, but this is the first time someone has called me cute since I was nine. I'll take it as a compliment."

"In Sichuan, there are only obedient children. I was bored with the usual, so it's refreshing to meet someone like you."

With this one sentence, Zhegela Yan understood how Tang Yangxian had lived.

The Tang family's name in Sichuan is absolute. Even though the Qingcheng and Emei sects, two of the Nine Great Sects, are also in Sichuan, they are more like Daoist temples and Buddhist temples and do not often interfere in secular matters.

In reality, the Tang family is the top sect in Sichuan. Born as the eldest son of the family head, Tang Yangxian would have enjoyed all the privileges.

Indeed, until the last gathering of young talents, Tang Yangxian had never attended. Perhaps this was his first time stepping out into the world.

Zhegela Yan smiled bitterly.

"The Tang family's strengths are not just poison and hidden weapons."

"Hmm?"

"Can you please leave? I'm uncomfortable."

"No, I can't."

Tang Yangxian tapped his glass.

"You haven't poured me a drink yet. I need to receive what I came for."

"..."

"Pour it quickly. Do I need to throw money at you?"

He treated her like a courtesan in a brothel.

At this point, Zhegela Yan could not help but be angry. And so was Zhege Jun, who was watching from a distance.

Zhege Jun strode over to the table.

"Hey..."

At that moment,

"You."

A dark shadow fell over Tang Yangxian.

Without turning around, Tang Yangxian said,

"You shouldn't stand behind a Tang family member without permission. If you want to see me, come to the front and show proper respect."

Nangong Xian smiled and said,

"I don't think the gathering of the Seven Great Families is so casual that you can bring someone with such poor manners."

"What?"

"Get up and don't cause unnecessary trouble."

"Unnecessary trouble?"

"I don't think someone with such a stupid head could cultivate the Tang family's delicate martial arts."

"Ha!"

"There's no need to elaborate. Don't cause unnecessary commotion and get up quietly."

Tang Yangxian shook his head.

"People say there are so many who don't know their place, and Father was right."

The situation was escalating.

Bang!

Tang Yangxian slammed his glass down, stood up, and turned around.

He saw Nangong Xian.

"You look like a girl. What's your name?"

"Nangong Xian."

Tang Yangxian's eyes sparkled.

"Ah, I thought you had a decent aura, and you're a Nangong?"

He had heard from his father that the Seven Great Families were full of people not worth talking to, but at least the Nangong and Murong were the real deal.

Tang Yangxian did not believe everything his father said. He respected his father but also valued his own experiences.

The Tang family's reputation in the world was one of fear.

This was not limited to Sichuan. The Tang family, though based in Sichuan, was also present throughout the land. In the martial world, no one who dared to provoke the Tang family could sleep soundly.

Power is fear. The most feared group in the martial world is the Tang family.

Therefore, the Tang family is truly the First Family under Heaven. Even his grandfather, one of the Thirteen Greatest Martial Artists, is known as the most feared expert.

"If you're a descendant of the Nangong family, known as the First in Swordsmanship, you have every right to be arrogant."

"More and more interesting."

"But even the First in Swordsmanship, if you make a fuss in front of the First under Heaven, it won't do you any good."

Nangong Xian couldn't help but laugh.

"First under Heaven? Who is the First under Heaven?"

"Obviously, the Tang family is the First under Heaven."

"You don't know the world."

Tang Yangxian's smile faded.

His previously relaxed face turned expressionless, creating a chilling atmosphere.

"Kneel."

"What?"

"I'm giving you a chance. Kneel and apologize. If you do, I'll forgive your arrogance."

Nangong Xian's eyes turned cold.

"I thought you were just ignorant, but now I see you're insane."

At that moment,

"First under Heaven?"

A clear voice echoed throughout the hall.

Tang Yangxian's face showed surprise, while Nangong Xian frowned.

'Amazing inner strength!'

The inner strength in the voice was truly remarkable. Just hearing it made one's body resonate.

Flash!

Lian Huozheng's eyes blazed.

"Discussing the First under Heaven in front of the Tang family? And you're talking about the Tang family?"

A young man was slowly descending the stairs.

He seemed to be about five or six years older than Nangong Xian. He had a noble appearance, but it was hard to call him handsome like Lian Huozheng or Nangong Xian.

His physique was also ordinary, and his clothes were not particularly luxurious.

However, his presence was extraordinary.

Rumble! Rumble!

The air seemed to tremble.

Although no one present had weak inner strength, most of them felt as if they were hearing a ringing in their ears.

"Sure, the Nangong or Murong might say that. But the Tang family? I can't understand that."

Tang Yangxian's face contorted.

The increasingly loud voice kept piercing his ears, which was extremely unpleasant.

"Indeed, I've heard that the Tang family has many eccentrics. Now I see you're one of them."

Tang Yangxian couldn't help but shout,

"Who are you!"

His voice was loud and clear.

It was even louder than he intended, surprising even himself.

It seemed like an overreaction. Tang Yangxian's neck turned slightly red.

"Are you young? Your words and actions are all clumsy."

"You!"

"Listen, young friend of the Tang family who doesn't know the world. In the martial world, you can't just throw around the title 'First under Heaven.'"

"Who are you!"

"One more thing. Don't throw tantrums like that."

The young man smiled.

His appearance was ordinary, but his smile was quite charming.

"You look weak."

Tang Yangxian couldn't take it anymore.

Rumble!

Nangong Xian involuntarily took a step back due to the toxic aura emanating from Tang Yangxian.

'Toxin?'

It was toxic energy. Not just released, but the nature of his inner strength itself was toxic.

Zhegela Yan shouted,

"Prince Tang!"

Rustle!

A group of people rushed over from a distance, alarmed by the sudden spread of toxic energy. The bodyguards of various families were running over.

The young man looked at Nangong Xian.

"Brother Nangong."

"..."

"Nothing serious, right?"

Nangong Xian nodded reluctantly.

"Shouldn't we explain the situation to the bodyguards who are working hard because of these young, inexperienced people? We should also arrange a separate drinking session. Isn't this gathering hosted by the Nangong side?"

"..."

"Please, Brother Ming."

"Alright, Brother Ming."

Even in his anger, he managed to use the title "Brother Ming."

Tang Yangxian growled,

"Are you from the Ming family?"

"Yes."

The young man, Ming Hulin, said,

"I am the third prince of the current First Family under Heaven, the Nine Provinces Ming Family, Ming Hulin."

Tang Yangxian snorted.

Although he had shown great composure in front of Zhegela Yan, he was not now. His naturally explosive temperament was being provoked by Ming Hulin's strong aura.

"Ming Hulin? I've never heard of that name."

"That's because you don't know the world. At least remember the names of the strong in your generation to avoid mistakes."

"Mistakes? I don't make mistakes. I'm not the kind of person who makes mistakes."

Ming Hulin looked at Tang Yangxian with pity.

Tang Yangxian's face contorted. If he had just been angry or shouted, it might have been better, but that arrogant look was unbearable.

"Think about it. You won't be leaving here alive."

"Prince Tang!"

A distant shout from Han Hongming, but Tang Yangxian couldn't hold back.

Sssss.

A faint purple aura began to swirl around Tang Yangxian's body. He was now fully releasing his toxic energy.

Zhegela Yan, startled, took a step back and glanced at Lian Huozheng.

Lian Huozheng was still sitting in his place, even holding the glass in his hand.

Zhegela Yan shouted urgently,

"Prince Tang! There's someone next to you!!"

At that moment,

Whizz! Bang!

A sharp sound cut through the tense atmosphere of the hall.

Ming Hulin looked at his hand, which was now holding a broken glass, almost up to his shoulder.

He looked at Lian Huozheng.

Lian Huozheng, with a indifferent expression, raised his hand.

"Mistake."