C9 You dare to Kneel down and Beg for Mercy?

"How could this be?" Wang Bao cried out in disbelief, "Tang Yuan must be cheating..."

The onlookers gazed at him with sympathy, and even Ding Qishui wore a look of disappointment. It was clear that this disciple was not ready for the limelight.

"Here's a piece of advice for you," Tang Yuan murmured to Nangong Linger. "Relying on your family's pill refining method is dangerous. It's bound to lead to disaster. I bet your family members don't live long."

"Alright, I'm off!" Tang Yuan declared cheerily. "Remember to call on me if another opportunity like this comes up."

"I'll walk you out," Nangong Linger offered abruptly, quickly catching up to him.

Menng Ya and the rest watched their retreating figures in astonishment. It was quite unexpected for Nangong Linger to personally see Tang Yuan off, given her usual demeanor.

Wang Bao watched them go, his fists clenched tightly. He felt that Tang Yuan didn't deserve such courtesy, believing that everything had been unjustly snatched from him.

"You're not worried about the old man behind you getting upset for walking with me?" Tang Yuan asked as they strolled down the street.

"Young Master Tang is truly formidable," Nangong Linger acknowledged with a nod. "Grandfather Chen has always been my secret guardian."

Tang Yuan chuckled. If the Essence Monarch couldn't detect someone spying on him, he would have perished many times over in his past life.

"The Nangong family's Pill Technique is potent, but it also means ingesting a significant amount of pill toxins. As a result, the more skilled the Pill Master, the shorter their lifespan."

Tang Yuan understood why Nangong Linger had followed him and decided to be candid.

"Is there a way to fix this?" Nangong Linger asked, her gaze fixed on Tang Yuan. "I can pay you. We have plenty of money in my family."

Tang Yuan gave her a gentle smile and a slight shake of his head. "There is a solution, but it requires giving up all your Pill Technique skills. Do you think the elders in your family would agree to that?"

Nangong Linger's expression darkened significantly. To a Pill Master, being asked to abandon their skills was akin to a death sentence.

"You might actually be able to save him," Tang Yuan said, noticing Nangong Linger's crestfallen look. "It'll be a bit of a hassle, but curing him is definitely not out of the question."

"I wouldn't want to lose my Pill Dao abilities," Nangong Linger replied, shaking her head, "but thank you, Mr. Tang Yuan."

"Mr. Tang Yuan..." Tang Yuan echoed softly, his mind wandering for a moment. He remembered another girl who had failed to awaken her spirit, calling him Mr. Tang Yuan with the same look of disappointment.

"Who's talking about crippling your cultivation?" Tang Yuan snapped back to reality, offering Nangong Linger a reassuring smile. "The poison isn't deep, so there's no need to sacrifice your abilities."

"Is that true?" Nangong Linger's face lit up with joy, a smile that Tang Yuan saw for the first time.

As they approached the Tang family's entrance, Tang Hsing, accompanied by Tang Ling and others, emerged from the house, chatting and laughing. Tang Hsing caught sight of Tang Yuan and was about to throw a sarcastic remark his way when his gaze landed on Nangong Linger, and he was instantly transfixed.

Feeling uneasy under such scrutiny, Nangong Linger instinctively clutched at Tang Yuan's sleeve. Her beauty, coupled with her vulnerable demeanor, evoked a sense of compassion.

"Where did this temptress come from, trying to ensnare men with her looks? And to think she'd choose the Tang family's castoff," Tang Ling sneered, feeling a pang of shame and envy as she noticed the attention shifting to Nangong Linger.

"Have you forgotten the last two slaps?" Tang Yuan said coolly, giving Tang Ling a withering look.

"Tang Yuan, you dare to act so brazenly in front of me?" Tang Hsing's eyes narrowed as he stepped in front of Tang Ling, though his attention remained fixed on Nangong Linger. "Little girl, you may not be aware, but this Tang Yuan is a loser who's been thoroughly defeated by me."

"Brother Tang Hsing, this woman is clearly a fox spirit, a perfect match for a waste like Tang Yuan!" Tang Ling's jealousy flared at Tang Hsing's words, her insults towards Nangong Linger growing even harsher.

With a sharp crack, an elderly man materialized beside Tang Yuan and struck Tang Ling across the face.

"Who are you to dare harm a member of the Tang family?" Tang Hsing demanded, his gaze steely. The old man had appeared too swiftly for him to even catch how it happened.

"You're not worthy of an answer," the old man retorted icily before turning to address Nangong Linger. "Miss, shall I dispose of this wretch for you?"

"You wouldn't dare!" Tang Hsing's face contorted with rage. To commit murder at the doorstep of the Tang family was a blatant disregard for their standing.

"Mr. Tang Yuan, should we end her life?" Nangong Linger inquired, turning her gaze to Tang Yuan.

The situation left Tang Hsing seething; it was clear that neither of them had ever taken him seriously.

"Who might you be, sir? This behavior at the entrance of the Tang residence is surely excessive!" Tang Zong emerged upon receiving the news, only to find Tang Ling with blood at the corner of her mouth and the old man standing there.

"The Nangong family can go to even greater lengths," the old man replied with a frosty edge to his voice.

Tang Zong's eyes narrowed as he regarded the old man, his expression souring. He was well aware that the Nangong family was not an entity the modest Tang family could provoke without consequence.

"If the Tang family has erred in any way, I implore you to overlook it, Elder. Please consider Tang Ling's youth and spare her," Tang Zong pleaded, glancing at Tang Ling on the ground. "Ling'er, apologize to Miss Nangong at once!"

Fear etched into her features, Tang Ling stared at Nangong Linger. The seemingly timid girl had an unexpectedly powerful influence!

"Miss Nangong, I was blind to your stature. I beg your forgiveness," Tang Ling pleaded from her knees, her voice trembling with fear.

"The decision to spare you lies with Mr. Tang Yuan," Nangong Linger stated gently.

Tang Ling's complexion paled. She had once shamed Tang Yuan and even colluded with Tang Hsing to plot against him. Now, with her fate in Tang Yuan's hands, her prospects seemed grim.

Tang Yuan observed Tang Ling with a detached gaze, remaining silent for what felt like an eternity. Tang Ling's anxiety escalated; the dread of an uncertain fate was utterly petrifying.

"Mr. Tang Yuan, I'm not a human being. Please, have mercy on me. You always cared for me the most!" Tang Ling pleaded, kneeling at Tang Yuan's feet and kowtowing frantically. A bloody mark soon appeared on her forehead.

"Did you ever foresee this day?" Tang Yuan finally spoke, his gaze sweeping over Tang Zong, Tang Hsing, and the entire Tang family. "Did any of you ever imagine it would come to this!?"

The members of the Tang family remained silent, not daring to utter a single word at such a moment.

"Leave!" Tang Yuan commanded coldly. "I spared your life so that you could witness just how blind you were before!"

Surprise etched on her face, Tang Ling, as if fearful Tang Yuan might change his mind, hastily made her exit.

"Thank you for your leniency, Senior," Tang Zong said, bowing with a fist in palm salute before giving Tang Yuan a meaningful look. He then led the Tang family away.

"Thanks, Uncle Chen," Nangong Linger cheerfully said, her vivacious nature shining through with those she knew well. She smiled and playfully clung to Chen Yong's arm.

"Miss, it's time to return home," Chen Yong said, gazing at Nangong Linger with affectionate indulgence.

"Okay," Nangong Linger replied, her smile vanishing as she looked back at Tang Yuan with a hint of reluctance. "Mr. Tang Yuan, I'm leaving now. You'll come to the capital to see Linger, won't you?"

"Of course, I still have to treat you," Tang Yuan responded, patting her head with a smile. His tone had softened considerably, influenced by her endearing address of "Mr. Tang Yuan."