Lin Xiao naturally understood Tang Yan's intent. Since the Liu Family had sent Liu Jing to assassinate his daughter, he had long since marked them for destruction.

Moreover, a youth like Tang Yan possessed limitless potential. Although he was only at the Black Rank Third Grade now, his future achievements were destined to be immeasurable.

If he could bind the Tang Family and the City Lord's Manor together, it would certainly be a good thing.

Nodding, Lin Xiao said, "Once we return, my City Lord's Manor will dispatch two-thirds of its elite forces to support the Tang Family."

Tang Yan was overjoyed. Two-thirds of the City Lord's Manor's elite forces were fully capable of contending with the Liu Family. "Thank you, City Lord. My Tang Family will mobilize our entire clan's strength to annihilate the Liu Family."

Their Third Grade fine steeds galloped relentlessly. Apart from the time spent conversing with Lin Xiao, Tang Yan spent most of his journey digesting the Mountain-Shattering Wave-Treading Sword, constantly deducing the martial technique in his mind. Over two days, he had already comprehended the vast majority of its intricacies.

The Eastern Region Grand Competition had just ended, and the three of them had ridden back at full speed. The news of Yun City taking the crown in the Eastern Region had yet to arrive, but Lin Xiao and the other two had already returned.

Because no advance notice had been sent, Yun City lacked the festive lanterns and decorations of a celebration. It remained as calm as the day they had left.

"Return quietly. We make our move at the fourth quarter of the Xu hour tonight!" A fierce glint flashed through Lin Xiao's eyes.

Tang Yan nodded. His figure flickered and vanished into the city, rushing straight toward the Tang Family.

"Who goes there?!" With a loud shout, Old Master Tang, who had been reading in his study, released an aura that surged upward like a towering mountain.

Tang Yan had not bothered to knock, barging right into the study. Sensing this majestic aura, Tang Yan was startled at first, but his shock quickly gave way to joy. "Grandfather, your strength has advanced again!"

Grandfather?

Tang Ling stared wide-eyed at the youth standing before him. That tall, handsome figure was none other than Tang Yan!

"Didn't the Eastern Region Grand Competition just end the day before yesterday? Why are you back so soon?" Suddenly remembering that Yun City had always ranked dead last in the Eastern Region, Old Master Tang assumed Tang Yan had failed to place. His eyes dimmed slightly. "Did you fail to enter the Azure Dragon Academy? It's fine. You are still young and will have other opportunities. Treat this trip as a chance to broaden your horizons and realize that there is always someone stronger!"

Tang Yan did not know whether to laugh or cry. However, the situation was urgent. Rather than explaining and disrupting his grandfather's focus, he lowered his voice. "Grandfather, tonight we strike like thunder and annihilate the Liu Family!"

"Tonight?" Old Master Tang's eyes bulged. "You brat, you just got back and haven't even exchanged three words with me! What's the rush?"

"Of course I'm in a rush. This is the City Lord's order," Tang Yan explained. "Tonight, the City Lord's Manor is dispatching two-thirds of its elite forces to help the Tang Family wipe out the Liu Family!"

"Ordered by City Lord Lin? Doesn't the City Lord's Manor strictly avoid interfering with the various families?" Old Master Tang was shocked.

"Before heading to the Azure Dragon Academy, Lin Dongxue and I traveled through Cangyun Mountain to gain some experience. But Liu Zhi exposed our whereabouts to the Liu Family, and they sent Liu Jing to assassinate us. City Lord Lin is furious and has decided to eliminate the Liu-"

Smash!

Before Tang Yan could finish, Old Master Tang, who was standing by the door, slammed his palm against the doorframe.

Under the force of the strike, the solid wood shattered into pieces!

"The Liu Family! They deserve death!" Old Master Tang's eyes turned bloodshot, his gaze practically splitting with fury. Tang Yan carried all of his hopes. If anything had happened to his grandson, Tang Ling truly would have had nothing left to live for.

"Grandfather, where are you going?!" Tang Yan quickly asked, seeing Tang Ling storming out in a blind rage.

"Where else? To butcher those bastards from the Liu Family!"

"It's still early! We have another half an hour," Tang Yan immediately stopped him.

"Then I'll gather the men first!" The furious old man charged aggressively toward the lake within the Tang Family estate.

Glancing at a massive drum resting on a high rack, Old Master Tang took great strides forward, snatched up the heavy drumsticks, and smashed them down.

Infused with Old Master Tang's True Qi, a thunderous boom echoed through the skies above the Tang Family.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening drumbeats resounded across the estate. The rhythm was domineering and powerful, making the blood in one's veins surge.

At the very first beat, the spirits of the entire Tang Family were jolted awake. As the rapid succession of strikes followed, everyone began to converge on the lakeside.

The Tang Family Assembly Drum! Without a matter of life and death, striking that drum without authorization was punishable by severe family law.

When they arrived and saw that the drummer was Old Master Tang, his hair and beard bristling with rage, their expressions turned solemn.

In less time than it took to finish a cup of tea, every martial artist in the family had gathered! Tang Ling lowered the drumsticks and swept his gaze over the Tang Family guards. "Our Tang Family has never used its strength to bully the weak in Yun City, but when faced with oppression, we do not swallow our anger in silence. Over the years, the Liu Family has repeatedly offended us, plotting in the shadows and severely challenging the dignity of our family. Now, they have crossed the final line, attempting to uproot our very foundation!

"I have gathered you all here today for one purpose. Tonight, we eradicate the Liu Family!"

The crowd trembled in shock. Eradicate the Liu Family tonight?

"Master, although we do not fear the Liu Family with our current strength, the City Lord's Manor will not permit such a large-scale massacre. If we offend the City Lord's Manor over this, it will bring disaster upon our Tang Family," Uncle Mo voiced his concern from the side.

Uncle Mo's words echoed the worries in the hearts of many guards.

"Tonight's annihilation of the Liu Family is by the direct decree of the City Lord's Manor! At the fourth quarter of the Xu hour, the City Lord's Manor will dispatch its elites to join us in wiping them out!" Tang Ling roared, thick Killing Intent rolling off him.

The City Lord himself had ordered the destruction of the Liu Family, and was even sending troops to assist? A wave of excitement and bloodlust swept through the crowd.

At that moment, Tang Yan stepped out from behind Tang Ling. Seeing him, a stir ran through the ranks.

The Tang Family guards held deep reverence for Tang Yan. It was precisely because of him that their strength had multiplied, and their resources and treatment had vastly improved.

Tang Yan looked out at the crowd and commanded in a deep voice, "Those at the Origin Rank Eighth Grade and above, step forward!"

Thud! A unified sound rang out as every martial artist at the Origin Rank Eighth Grade and above took a heavy step forward.

Sweeping his gaze across the guards, he noted that only forty-odd men remained below the Yellow Rank. The rest were uniformly Yellow Rank martial artists.

Giving a barely perceptible nod, Tang Yan roared, "Same old rules! One hundred taels of silver per head! When we return in triumph, there will be further heavy rewards!"

Roar!

Upon hearing Tang Yan's promise, the guards-who had previously only been alert-suddenly erupted. The atmosphere became intensely feral!

Their breathing turned heavy, and sharp battle intent glinted in their eyes. They were starving for a fight.

Feeling the sudden shift in the guards' momentum, Old Master Tang nearly coughed up blood. He had given a passionate speech for half the day, yet it wasn't as effective as a single sentence from his grandson!

"Your strength has improved rapidly, but a sharp blade must be honed on the whetstone. To become true experts, you need the baptism of blood! Tonight is the time to test the results of your recent training!

"Although our two families have yet to clash head-on, I firmly believe our power far surpasses the Liu Family's! Not only because the City Lord's Manor is joining us, but because Grandfather's strength has already broken through to the Earth Rank! He is unmatched within the borders of Yun City!"

Tang Yan's declaration sent their morale surging to the heavens!

Everyone looked toward Old Master Tang, their eyes filled with absolute awe. An Earth Rank expert! In all of Yun City, only the City Lord had previously reached that realm!

With an expert of that caliber holding the line, combined with the elites of the City Lord's Manor, it would be difficult to lose this battle even if they tried!