Chapter 46

Ten days later, Tang Yan and his companions crossed the vast forest and climbed over the rugged mountain paths, finally seeing the Great Elephant City.

The majestic and grand Great Elephant City was filled with the vicissitudes of time, exuding a heavy and imposing atmosphere. The city walls were tall and thick, reaching twenty to thirty meters in height, wide enough for a dozen horses to run side by side. The grand city gate tower was even more magnificent, ancient and grand. The moat was several dozen meters wide and over ten meters deep, with lotus flowers blooming and fish swimming inside. Upon closer inspection, fierce crocodiles could be seen moving about, occasionally surfacing with their blood-red eyes watching the passing travelers.

"Finally, we made it."

Looking at the giant city ahead, Ailinda let out a long sigh, reflecting on the past three to four months, which felt like a dream, filled with both peril and memorable moments.

"…Great Elephant City…" Tang Yan gazed at the colossal ancient city, lost in thought for a long time. Accustomed to the mountains and forests, suddenly seeing such a grand and ancient city left him deeply impressed. This was a magnificent scene he had never seen or imagined in his previous noble life, and a sense of grandeur surged within him.

"What, after four months away, you don't recognize home anymore?" Tang Ying smiled and waved her small hand in front of Tang Yan.

"Feeling a bit emotional, I… came back alive." Tang Yan smiled, crossed the drawbridge, passed through the moat, and entered the city gate. To avoid causing a commotion, Tang Jun and the others had returned to the family with the Flame Lion and Zhou Linglu the night before.

"Hey? Isn't that the second young master of the Tang family?"

"Second young master is back? Ha, let's go to Drunken Paradise for a drink someday."

"A few new beauties have arrived, waiting for the second young master to have the first taste."

A few young officers on the city wall burst into laughter, and the broad city wall echoed with strange and boisterous laughter.

Tang Yan remembered these guys; they were regulars at the brothels and considered close friends of the second young master, often drinking and carousing together.

"Hmph!!" Tang Ying huffed heavily. She used to ignore Tang Yan's mischief calmly, but today, she felt a sourness in her heart. Even Ailinda frowned slightly, clearly feeling uncomfortable.

Tang Yan didn't care and waved vigorously at the city wall: "Tonight, Drunken Paradise, I'll treat everyone!!"

"Great!! Hahaha!! Second young master, see you there!!" The young officers laughed wildly, drawing strange and disapproving glances from the vendors and travelers around the city. Some first-time visitors to Great Elephant City turned pale, thinking they had come to the wrong place.

"Tang Yan!!" Tang Ying and Ailinda glared at him.

"Just a joke, I, Tang Yan, am upright and just, why would I go to such a place? That was just a bit of banter between men, don't take it seriously." Tang Yan said with a righteous tone.

"Men?" Ailinda sized up Tang Yan from head to toe. Although he had become more rugged after three to four months of training, he still retained a hint of youth. A fifteen-year-old, no matter how mature, couldn't be that mature.

"Oh? Mentor Ailinda, what's that look for? Don't you trust me? Want to spar a bit?"

Ailinda forced herself to remain silent.

"Tonight, count me in." Du Yang poked Tang Yan and winked.

"Aren't you going back to the academy?"

"Rubbish, why would I go back? To wait for them to harm me?" Du Yang seemed lazy but was shrewd. Whether he liked it or not, he would have to stay with the second young master for a long time. Otherwise, as a commoner, he would easily be persecuted by Zhou Lingwang's subordinates.

"Mentor Ailinda, why don't you stay at our place for a while? I just reached the Martial Spirit stage, and I have many questions to ask you." Tang Ying invited Ailinda tactfully.

"Sure." Ailinda didn't refuse the kind invitation. She couldn't return to the academy until she understood the current situation.

"Mentor Ailinda, remember to lock your windows and doors tonight, to prevent wolves and thieves." Tang Yan winked and laughed wildly.

"That… is it… the scoundrel is back?" The vendors and residents on the street quickly recognized the second young master, their smiles gradually freezing into bitterness and tension.

"Didn't he die in the Illusion Forest?"

"Look at him, lively and energetic, does he look dead?"

"Sigh, as the saying goes, good people don't live long, but scoundrels last a thousand years. I think this guy has the fortune to live a long life."

"Uh… the girls in Great Elephant City are in trouble again."

...

In the Tang family courtyard, the training ground, many Tang family members were practicing and sparring vigorously.

"Eldest young master!! Eldest young master!!" A servant rushed over, shouting, "Second young master has entered the city!"

"Hmm?" The handsome young man, who was sparring with a guard, suddenly stopped. At that moment, the guard's wooden sword whistled and struck him, breaking into several pieces.

"Please forgive me, young master!!" The guard hurriedly knelt down, his face pale.

The young man brushed off the wood chips, not even looking, and said coldly, "Take him away!!"

The servants surrounding the training ground rushed over, grabbing the guard and taking him to the nearby woodshed, which also served as their execution room. The men and women on the training ground were not surprised.

The servant stepped forward and said, "Second young master has just entered the city, and the family head and Second Uncle seem to have gone to welcome him. Should you… go as well?"

"Didn't he die in the Illusion Forest? How is he back?" The handsome and strong young man was Tang Yan's half-brother, the eldest young master of the Tang family, Tang Qian, the nominal heir. At seventeen, he had completed his baptism two years ago and reached the third stage of Martial Spirit, making him a standout among the young generation in Great Elephant City. Though young, he was decisive and shrewd, and was highly regarded by all the family elders.

The servant stammered, "I… don't know… and Miss Ying has also returned."

The collateral members of the family gathered around, puzzled by the sudden return of Tang Yan and Tang Ying.

"They've been missing for almost three months, how are they back alive?"

"This guy has a lot of luck."

"I heard from someone at the academy that Tang Yan completed his baptism."

"Are you kidding? I asked a student, and he said it was just for fun."

"Uh? Really? I guessed as much. A waste who can't condense spiritual energy, how could he participate in the baptism?"

"But I heard it caused a stir."

"The one who caused the stir was Tang Ying, with an activation rate of eighty percent!!"

"Eighty! The little girl isn't simple, usually low-key, but she made a big splash."

"I remember the eldest young master's activation rate was also around this number. We're about to have another prodigy in the Tang family."

"Let's go, let's go, we should go see."

Outside the Tang family residence, the family head Tang Mingjing, Second Uncle Tang Mingzhong (Tang Mingjing's younger brother), and other family elders gathered, waiting for Tang Yan and Tang Ying to arrive.

The guards outside were puzzled. Who were they waiting for? It seemed everyone who should be here was already here!

"Brother, is Tang Yan really…" Tang Mingzhong whispered to Tang Mingjing.

"The details are unclear. The old man ordered the news to be sealed, and for now, everything is being declared as rumors."

"Oh? So it's true!" Tang Mingzhong picked up on the hidden meaning.

Tang Mingjing exhaled lightly and said softly, "When this boy returns, I'll have to interrogate him thoroughly."

"I hope he has changed, otherwise… the girls in Great Elephant City will be in trouble." Tang Mingzhong chuckled softly, showing that they were still concerned about Tang Yan's situation.

"Father! Second Uncle!" Tang Qian arrived at the gate, surprised by the scene.

Tang Mingjing said, "Qian, you've heard about Ying's achievement, an eighty percent activation rate. You need to work hard!"

Tang Mingzhong smiled and said, "You should also help Ying more. She's too competitive and doesn't know how to ask for help. As her older brother, you should take the initiative."

"Second Uncle, rest assured, I'll take good care of Ying."

"Hey? They're here!!" Someone in the crowd suddenly exclaimed. In the distance, a few people were walking and chatting, heading this way.

"It's them!! They're back!!" Tang Mingzhong's eyes misted over. He had only one daughter, Tang Ying, and if anything had happened to her, he wouldn't know how to go on.

"Father!" Tang Ying saw her father from afar and rushed over, hugging him tightly before he could speak, refusing to let go.

Tang Mingzhong smiled and patted Tang Ying's shoulder, comforting her. The little girl rarely showed such affection, and it was clear she had endured a lot during this time.

"Father, Second Uncle." Tang Yan walked over, not in a hurry, taking the opportunity to observe the familiar yet unfamiliar faces.

Tang Qian stepped out of the crowd, patted Tang Yan's shoulder heavily, and hugged him tightly, saying excitedly, "It's good to have you back!!"

"Brother, I missed you so much!" Tang Yan responded warmly to the hug, but inwardly he huffed coldly.

In Tang Yan's memory, his brother was not someone to be underestimated. Though not old, he was deeply calculating and often ruthless in his actions. He pretended to be close to his brother, but in reality, he had often made life difficult for the second young master.

Tang Qian tried to make a subtle probe, but Tang Yan was prepared. He pushed him away subtly and said, "I'm treating everyone at Drunken Paradise tonight, Brother, will you join me?"

Tang Qian looked deeply at Tang Yan, "No need, I have some studies to do tonight, preparing to advance to the Martial Ancestor stage."

"Little brat!! Learn from your brother!!" Tang Mingjing knocked Tang Yan's head without hesitation. This little rascal, inviting everyone to a brothel in front of so many people!