Young Master Tang

Biodata

Power Progression

Appearance

• Appears to be a boy of fourteen or fifteen and speaks with a youthful voice 16.

Personality

Tang Yan is demanding about his training arrangements and accustomed to deference. Dissatisfied with previous Human Stakes, he threatens to complain to Hall Master Mo if Zhang Yu supplies another unsuitable replacement. Other disciples later remark that he has broken numerous Human Stakes’ arms and legs 16 38.

He rewards useful assistance generously. After Lin Fan withstands his attacks, Tang Yan treats him to a lavish meal, pays him silver, and arranges instruction in two martial techniques. His enthusiasm for improvement leads him to extend training sessions when breakthroughs are close 17 22 35.

Although knowledgeable about advanced martial arts, he regards legendary divine abilities as beyond their reach. He is also willing to learn alongside Lin Fan rather than lose their association when Lin Fan stops serving as his Human Stake 22 41.

Abilities & Skills

Gang-Breaking Fist

A fist technique that Tang Yan develops to major accomplishment through sparring with Lin Fan 35.

• His early punches carry an estimated force exceeding five hundred jin; Lin Fan judges that lesser mastery in Iron Cloth Shirt would not withstand them 16.
• Uses sustained combinations and pursues opponents with direct, forceful punches 16 21.
• Can correct another practitioner’s movements. Under his guidance, Lin Fan gains thirty progress points per practice round rather than his usual ten 20.

Gale Leg

A kicking technique used in combination with Gang-Breaking Fist, reaching major accomplishment during the same session as his fist technique 35.

• Employs sweeping kicks, pursuit, and whip-like leg strikes 17 21.
• His kicks stagger Lin Fan and can sweep him off his feet 17 21.
• Initially struggles to overcome a plateau through stationary-target practice, prompting his switch to live sparring 21.

Martial Arts Knowledge

Tang Yan explains martial arts classifications, intent, and Gang Qi to Lin Fan 22.

• Distinguishes unranked arts, intent martial arts, and legendary divine abilities 22.
• Explains how intent percentages correspond to the number of Gang Qi strands a technique can condense 22.
• Identifies Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg as barely qualifying as ranked techniques, each capable of condensing only one strand of Gang Qi at its peak. This describes their potential, not an achievement he demonstrates 22.

History

Taking Lin Fan as a Human Stake

Zhang Yu assigns Lin Fan to replace Liu Rui as Tang Yan’s Human Stake, expecting Tang Yan’s blows to cripple him. Instead, Lin Fan withstands repeated punches and kicks, winning Tang Yan’s approval and a three-tael reward 16 17.

Tang Yan then orders Zhang Yu to arrange proper instruction in Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg so Lin Fan can become a live training dummy capable of countering attacks. His warning that he will speak to Hall Master Mo gives Lin Fan leverage over Zhang Yu, though Zhang Yu secretly restricts the instruction to a single demonstration 17 18.

The arrangement becomes crucial to Lin Fan’s early growth. Tang Yan supplies silver, medicinal food, technical guidance, and sparring practice. Waiting in the martial academy for him also gives Lin Fan the opportunity to observe and secretly acquire the Body Tempering Art 17 20 21 22.

Breakthroughs Through Sparring

After Lin Fan returns from the bandit mission, Tang Yan resumes training with him. Lin Fan repeatedly interrupts his attacks at their weak points, attributing his insight to “Instinct.” Tang Yan accepts this explanation and considers him a combat genius, unaware of how much strength Lin Fan is concealing 35.

Their session brings both Gang-Breaking Fist and Gale Leg to major accomplishment. Delighted, Tang Yan rewards Lin Fan with twenty taels in total and continues training until dusk 35.

Studying Body Tempering

When Lin Fan enters the inner courtyard and announces that he must leave his Human Stake duties, Tang Yan congratulates him. Having reached greater mastery in both techniques, he decides to study the Body Tempering Art alongside him 41.

Lin Fan introduces him to Yue Shan, who welcomes him immediately. Tang Yan and Yue Shan already know one another well, and Yue Shan arranges for Yang Kuan to instruct both young men 41 42.

Green Snake Bandit Threat

Tang Yan later visits Lin Fan to announce a temporary farewell: the Green Snake Bandits have targeted his family, and his father has forbidden him from going out until the threat is resolved. He leaves dejected after Lin Fan assures him that he will soon be able to go out again 43 44.

Relationships

• Lin Fan — Initially his paid Human Stake, later his sparring partner and fellow Body Tempering student. Lin Fan regards him as a benefactor and resolves to repay his kindness a hundredfold; Tang Yan eventually addresses him as “Brother Lin” 17 35 41 43.
• Father — An unnamed merchant who restricts Tang Yan’s movements after the Green Snake Bandits target their family 18 43.
• Uncle — An unnamed sect deacon. This connection makes Zhang Yu and Li Feng wary of openly disposing of Lin Fan while he enjoys Tang Yan’s favor 18.
• Yue Shan — A familiar elder whom Tang Yan calls “Uncle Yue.” Yue Shan grants him unrestricted access to his courtyard and arranges his Body Tempering instruction 41 42.
• Yang Kuan — Teaches him the Body Tempering Art alongside Lin Fan at Yue Shan’s request 42.
• Zhang Yu — Handles his Human Stake arrangements and obeys his instructions deferentially. Tang Yan mistakenly credits him for Lin Fan’s progress, unaware of his sabotage 16 17 18 20.
• Liu Rui — His previous Human Stake, replaced by Lin Fan after failing to satisfy his training requirements 16.