Chapter 74

Two days later, Tang Yan, who had completed his six-month training, returned to Juxiang City.

"Du Yang, are you up for Zui Xiang Tower tonight? Last time you didn't have the guts to go, but today you have to be brave! Don't worry, I'll treat you and find you a fresh, young girl!"

Standing under the magnificent city wall, Tang Yan spread his arms wide and took a deep breath. The bustling and lively atmosphere hit him, and he felt invigorated!

Du Yang rolled his eyes: "Hey, hey, hey, you can't be so shameless! What do you mean by 'no guts'? I was acting as your bodyguard back then! Otherwise, I would have gone long ago!"

Ailinda was both angry and annoyed: "You two rascals, must you discuss such topics in front of us?"

"Huh? Jealous? Sister Ailinda, are you jealous? I knew it, you have feelings for me. Alright, since my dear sister is unhappy, I'll stay home tonight... and wait for you!"

"You... " Ailinda ignored him and walked towards Juxiang City with her Ice Sword.

"Sister? Sister! Don't be mad, men only go out when they feel empty. If there's someone at home, who would go out?"

"Who is your sister!"

"Unless... you want me to call you 'little sister'? Hehe, I have no objections."

"Stay away from me."

"Come on, we're about to part ways. Let's find a place to spend some time together?"

"..."

Looking at the cheerful and shameless back of the person in front, Du Yang was speechless. He snapped his fingers at the black girl following behind and walked towards the city gate. It had been half a year since he last saw the city, and he was quite nostalgic for his former life.

However... as he walked, Du Yang had a strange feeling, as if someone was watching him from the shadows. But looking at the passersby and the guards at the city gate, he didn't notice anything unusual.

"Let's go, Black Girl." Du Yang didn't think too much about it and lazily put his hands in his pockets as he walked into the city gate.

...

"Milady, Tang Yan has entered the city. He is only accompanied by Du Yang and Ailinda. The royal guards are ready to act at any time!"

"No rush, let him go home. I want to kill Tang Yan in front of the Tang family!"

"Understood!"

"Remember, don't let Tang Yan die easily. Torture him severely!"

"Milady, would you like to watch?"

"Of course!"

...

"Master, Tang Yan has entered the city and is under close surveillance."

"Has the Ling王府 taken action?"

"Not yet, it seems they are waiting for him to reach the Tang residence before making a move."

"Hmm, this lady is ruthless. We should go and watch too. We can bring the young masters and misses; such a good show isn't easy to come by."

"Uh... the young masters and misses... have already gone..."

...

"Yan, you've entered the city. The Ling王府 has been quiet, it seems they want to act in front of us." Tang Jun came to the secret room of the Tang residence and bowed respectfully to Tang Yan Shan.

Tang Yan Shan's face was expressionless: "Is Ailinda still around?"

"She just parted ways with the second young master, possibly heading back to the academy. Should we... send someone to intercept her?"

"The Ling王府 is likely prepared. We shouldn't act rashly and give them an excuse."

"I just noticed Chang Tianzhu and others are active outside."

"Don't worry about it. They won't do anything. They just want to see if we are resolute. As long as we don't act, they won't move. With me here, the Ling王府 won't go too far!"

"Are we really going to abandon the second young master? Isn't that a bit unfair to him?" Tang Jun was puzzled. Having accompanied his adoptive father for so many years, he knew his temperament well. Despite his eccentricity, he was very protective. Tang Yan was especially favored, so why would he so easily give him up and let the Ling王府 act in front of the family?

Tang Yan Shan said coldly: "I can be unfair to one person, but I cannot be unfair to the entire family."

...

Ailinda bid farewell to Tang Yan shortly after entering the city and returned directly to the academy. On the way, she silently considered how to explain her absence to the dean. It had been about seven or eight months since she left the academy, and as a mentor, being away for so long without a proper reason could lead to her dismissal.

However, she believed that her Third Rank Martial Master strength would make the academy lenient. Even in large families, such a level would be treated with respect, and the same would apply to Juxiang Academy.

"Mentor Ailinda, you're back. The vice-dean has been waiting for a long time." When Ailinda arrived at the academy gate, mentors Rachel and Liu Weihua were already waiting.

"Vice-dean? He arranged for you to wait for me?" Ailinda was surprised. She had never received such treatment before. The vice-dean had even arranged for mentors Rachel and Liu Weihua to greet her. Was this an interrogation?

Rachel smiled: "We're not sure what it's about, but we'll find out once we get there."

Ailinda didn't think too much about it and followed the two into the academy. Along the way, many students greeted them, and upon seeing Ailinda, many were very excited.

Ailinda had only recently become a mentor, but her stunning beauty, cold demeanor, and responsible attitude made her well-known among the students. Many secretly harbored feelings for her. Recently, rumors spread that Ailinda had been taken by the playboy Tang Yan and would never return to Juxiang Academy. Many senior students were heartbroken and even called for a 'Defend the Goddess' campaign.

After a six-month absence, seeing Ailinda return, they were overjoyed and almost spread the news.

Rachel and Liu Weihua walked ahead with expressionless faces, indifferent to the students' enthusiasm and not speaking to Ailinda. Both were Third and Second Rank Martial Masters, with Rachel specializing in flying knives and Liu Weihua in water and earth techniques. They were powerful and held high positions in the academy, and both were young mentors who had long admired Ailinda. They had either openly or secretly pursued her, always being extra attentive whenever they saw her. Today, however, they seemed different.

Ailinda sensed that something was off. Though not vain and not fond of men's attention, Rachel and Liu Weihua's behavior was clearly unusual. She felt puzzled but didn't pay too much attention.

They walked in silence, and Rachel and Liu Weihua led Ailinda deep into the academy, taking many turns until they reached an ancient building in the deepest part of the forest.

The ancient building stood in a quiet, dense forest, no more than sixty meters tall with a base diameter of twenty meters. Its shape was unique, resembling an ancient pagoda but without any corners or carvings, smooth like a chimney with few windows. It was entirely brownish-red, and due to its age, it had a dark and eerie feel.

This was a restricted area of the academy, said to be where the elders meditated and where certain rare treasures were stored. Only those with the rank of elder could approach. All others were strictly forbidden.

"Is the vice-dean here?" Ailinda stood in front of the ancient building, which she had only seen from a distance before. Now, up close, she felt a chill.

"Go in, don't keep the vice-dean waiting." The two gestured for her to enter.

"Is