Tang Yan had not expected Old Master Tang to react this way either. Having never known familial affection in his previous life, he felt the softest part of his heart tremble violently. Looking at the old man with graying temples, Tang Yan sighed inwardly. How deeply parents everywhere care for their children.
"I hope none of you will reveal my strength to the public," Tang Yan said, sweeping his gaze around the room.
"Tang Yan's strength is now subject to the Tang Family First-Level Gag Order. Anyone who leaks it today will be punished under family law!" Tang Ling thundered.
"Understood!" Everyone immediately voiced their agreement.
"At the hour of the Rooster tonight, we will head to Bright Moon Lake together for the Mid-Autumn Gathering!" Old Master Tang declared, brimming with spirit.
"Report!" Just as everyone was eagerly anticipating that evening's Mid-Autumn Gathering, a Tang Family guard rushed inside.
Old Master Tang's face darkened, and Tang Yan's eyes narrowed. Unless something major had happened, no one was allowed to interrupt a meeting of the Tang Family's senior members.
"What happened?" Old Master Tang asked gravely.
"Master, every shop belonging to the Liu Family in the north of the city has been smashed, and many of their guards have been killed. Our Tang Family men have also suffered casualties," the guard hurriedly replied.
Tang Yan knew that the Liu Family in the north of the city was a lineage affiliated with the Tang Family. He only knew this because some of their businesses were restaurants, where he had often gone to mooch food and drink.
"Have you found out who did it?"
"The Four Seas Gang. However, further investigation suggests that other lineages were pulling strings behind this attack on the Liu Family! The Liu Family is the prime suspect, while the Wu Family and Qin Family are also strongly suspected of involvement," the scout reported truthfully.
Tang Yan had heard of the Four Seas Gang, Cloud City's largest underground force. They normally avoided provoking the major lineages and primarily ran gambling houses, brothels, and other entertainment establishments. They had accumulated considerable wealth over the years, but an underground force like them should not have dared challenge the Tang Family's tiger-like might. Tang Yan was certain other lineages had a hand in this incident.
"The Liu Family, the Four Seas Gang..." Old Master Tang murmured their names, then turned to Tang Yan, who was likewise deep in thought. Curious about his grandson's opinion, he asked, "Yan'er, what do you think?"
Tang Yan had not expected his grandfather to ask him directly, but he did not stand on ceremony. He analyzed the situation seriously. "Although our Tang Family's standing has declined in recent years, we remain powerful in Cloud City. A mere Four Seas Gang is no match for us. Other lineages must be backing them."
"The timing of their attack on the Liu Family is also an extremely cunning trap." Tang Yan rose and paced through the hall. "The Mid-Autumn Gathering is tonight. Although the Four Seas Gang is weaker than the Tang Family, they have amassed considerable wealth in Cloud City over the years. Their strength cannot be underestimated."
"They will probably plant some experts within the Four Seas Gang. If the Tang Family goes to seek justice for the Liu Family, we will face their counterattack. If we do nothing, they will spread the news far and wide at the Mid-Autumn Gathering, chilling the hearts of every lineage affiliated with us."
"As usual, our Tang Family would not dare attend the Mid-Autumn Gathering. They would also loudly proclaim that our family has no worthy successors, that a rocky road lies ahead, and that we have no future.
"With these two prongs striking together, they could easily shake people's loyalty. Then they would seize the chance to win those lineages over, leaving our Tang Family badly wounded."
Tang Yan's well-reasoned analysis left everyone breaking into a cold sweat. Their opponents' move was truly vicious. If they succeeded, the Tang Family would lose at least a quarter of its strength.
"Then couldn't we just attend?" Mo Yanjun asked, puzzled.
"In outsiders' eyes, I'm nothing but a wastrel, and Brother Mo is only at the fifth rank of the Yellow Tier. When the other three major lineages send their young experts to challenge us, the Tang Family will still lose every shred of face! As far as they're concerned, we're already turtles trapped in a jar."
Everyone was now impressed by Tang Yan's meticulous insight. Even Li Hua, who had initially held him in some contempt, hurriedly asked, "Young Master, what should we do?"
Feeling everyone's gazes converge on him, Tang Yan said firmly, "We cannot let our people's loyalty crumble, and time is short. If this matter isn't resolved perfectly before tonight's Mid-Autumn Gathering, they can use it to undermine our Tang Family's reputation.
"So this time, the Tang Family must not only strike, but strike hard. We must wipe out the Four Seas Gang in one blow, raise our family's morale, and proclaim our might!"
Hearing the murderous resolve in Tang Yan's words, Zi Yun's expression turned solemn.
The confidence and decisiveness this wastrel young master displayed were qualities that even some scions of great lineages lacked.
His words quickly won everyone's approval.
"How many men should we send this time?" Old Master Tang asked.
"The Tang Family Guards aren't ornaments. Only by enduring trials of blood can they truly grow. Send all one hundred and twenty soldiers who have just entered the Yellow Tier. In addition, dispatch ten of our elite men under Uncle Mo's command to kill the experts lurking in the shadows." At that moment, Tang Yan resembled a general directing the realm, devising his strategies from the command tent.
"Good. Brother Mo, thank you for your efforts on this!" Old Master Tang said solemnly.
"No problem. I'll muster the Tang Family soldiers right away!" Uncle Mo wasted no words. Giving Tang Yan a look filled with admiration, he prepared to leave and carry out his orders.
"Wait, Uncle Mo!" Tang Yan suddenly called.
"What are your instructions, Young Master?" Tang Yan's recent, astonishing behavior had already earned Uncle Mo's heartfelt respect.
"Over a hundred guards would draw too much attention. Uncle Mo, openly lead twenty men along the main road straight to the Four Seas Gang. Have the others take side roads in groups of ten and converge in the north of the city. Assemble near the Four Seas Gang's headquarters. Once you meet them, don't waste words. Attack immediately. Remember, the Four Seas Gang provoked the Tang Family first. We have right on our side," Tang Yan instructed earnestly.
Uncle Mo's eyes lit up. This would greatly lower the Four Seas Gang's guard. By the time they discovered that over a hundred Tang Family men had arrived, it would be too late to prepare.
"Before wiping out the Four Seas Gang, tell the guards that every enemy they kill earns them a hundred taels of silver. There's no upper limit!" Tang Yan said.
"That much?" Uncle Mo glanced at Old Master Tang in surprise. Who knew how many members the Four Seas Gang had? If they followed the young master's plan, the Tang Family would probably have to bleed money again.
Old Master Tang was about to object, but Tang Yan cut him off. "Just go ahead, Uncle Mo. The Four Seas Gang may run a filthy trade in flesh, but it has earned them plenty of money. We'll seize it all afterward, and our Tang Family will actually turn a hefty profit."
Everyone's eyes lit up. What a brilliant move!
"Brother Mo, do as Yan'er says!" Old Master Tang ordered with a wave.
"Yes!" Uncle Mo answered, then turned and strode outside.
Old Master Tang looked at Tang Yan, his eyes filled with wonder. His grandson's recent performance had truly defied all expectations.
Take the instructions he had just given Uncle Mo, for instance. With money spurring them on, the guards' fighting strength would surely rise another thirty percent.
He found this grandson of his increasingly impossible to fathom!
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