The Unparalleled Sword Emperor Chapter 2670 - 2645: Tang Yang’s Audacity Knows No Bounds!

"It appears the warriors of the Tang family hold Tang Yang in deep apprehension? Even Tang Long hesitates to provoke him?" Lin Bai inquired of Ban Ye, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Though Tang Yang was undoubtedly a pampered scion, he remained a junior within the esteemed Tang family.

Tang Long, his uncle by relation, why did it seem he too found Tang Yang a difficult individual to confront?

Ban Ye elaborated, "Indeed, Tang Yang is currently counted among the most indulged disciples within the Tang family. He wastes his days carelessly and possesses a penchant for causing mischief!"

"Last summer, Tang Yang committed an act that sent shockwaves throughout Black Water City."

Lin Bai, intrigued, pressed, "And what was this deed?"

Ban Ye confided in a hushed tone, "He became involved with the legitimate wife of the Zhao family patriarch..."

"What!" Lin Bai exclaimed, stunned, his gaze fixed on Ban Ye, disbelief etched across his features.

Ban Ye wore a complex expression, a mixture of amusement and distress.

Despite Lin Bai's recent arrival in Black Water City, he understood that among the Eight Great Clans, the Zhao family stood at the forefront, their influence supreme within the city's confines.

Conversely, the Tang family's power occupied the lower rungs of these prominent clans.

The sheer audacity of Tang Yang, to have an affair with the Zhao family patriarch's wife, and moreover, the legitimate one!

Ban Ye sighed, a wry smile gracing his lips. "Upon the revelation of this affair, the Zhao family erupted in fury, and even the City Lord himself issued a stern reprimand to the Tang family. Consequently, Tang Yang was placed under house arrest for an entire year!"

"Only a few months ago was he finally released!"

Lin Bai offered a rueful smile. "Such a grave transgression, yet resolved by confinement for a mere year? Is Tang Yang truly beyond the Tang family's control?"

"Why is this the case? Could it be that the Tang family is incapable of restraining Tang Yang?"

Ban Ye explained, "Precisely so, for Tang Yang is the sole remaining descendant of a specific ancestor within the Tang family!"

Lin Bai's brow furrowed as he studied Ban Ye.

Ban Ye elucidated with a detached air, "Currently, only one ancestor from the Tang family remains alive, but he is in deep seclusion!"

"This particular ancestor hails from a collateral branch of the Tang family!"

"In a significant conflict with Houtu City some years prior, nearly all the descendants of this branch were annihilated, leaving Tang Yang as the solitary survivor!"

"In essence, this branch's lineage consists solely of that elder ancestor, nearing the twilight of his life, and Tang Yang, the notorious prodigal son!"

"Therefore, regardless of the transgressions Tang Yang commits, the Tang family patriarch, acknowledging the immense sacrifices made by this branch and the elder ancestor's unique position, ensures Tang Yang avoids severe retribution!"

Lin Bai nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "So, that is the reason!"

"It is no wonder he is protected by an immensely powerful ancestor, and that this branch fought valiantly for the Tang family, leaving only Tang Yang. Naturally, he holds a status akin to royalty!"

Ban Ye concurred, "Indeed!"

"Had that ancestor not emerged from seclusion last year due to the gravity of the situation, Tang Yang might have faced a far grim fate at the hands of the Zhao family!"

"Subsequently, the Tang family ancestor brokered a settlement, imposed the year-long confinement on Tang Yang, and the matter was concluded," Ban Ye stated matter-of-factly.

Lin Bai and Ban Ye continued their unhurried stroll and conversation.

Ban Ye let out a soft sigh. "Reflecting now, among the younger generation within the Tang family, only two individuals command significant attention!"

"One is Tang Yuezhi, held in high esteem by the Tang family's senior leadership!"

"The other is this infamous prodigal, Tang Yang!"

"One is a paragon of talent, the other a notorious troublemaker," Ban Ye remarked with a trace of bitterness.

Lin Bai inquired, his interest piqued, "Tang Yuezhi?"

Ban Ye replied, "Tang Yuezhi is the sole daughter of the current Patriarch and stands as the foremost genius among the Tang family's younger generation. She is a young woman of exceptional beauty!"

"I had the chance to see her once several years ago; though she was young then, her striking beauty was already apparent!"

"At that time, she awakened her Martial Soul, a Quasi-Divine Martial Soul, an event that caused a stir among all the patriarchs and powers in Black Water City, even drawing congratulatory gifts from the City Lord himself!"

"Furthermore, she is a sword cultivator; rumor has it she aspires to join the Sword God Family. Brother Lin Bai, as you too are a sword cultivator, perhaps one day you might have the opportunity to spar with her," Ban Ye suggested with a smile.

"Oh." Lin Bai offered a noncommittal response, his attention not particularly focused on Tang Yuezhi!

According to Ban Ye's account, he had resided with the Tang family for over a decade, yet he had encountered Tang Yuezhi only once during that entire period.

Although Lin Bai had recently joined the Tang family, the prospect of seeing Tang Yuezhi in the future remained uncertain. Consequently, Lin Bai did not dwell on it much.

As their conversation continued, they moved away from the Guest Quarters, soon spotting a series of houses ahead. Each dwelling boasted a small, enclosed courtyard filled with various blooming flowers and plants, emitting a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

"We have arrived; this is the lodging area for our guest officials!"

"These individual courtyards are designated for senior guest officials. Brother Lin Bai, you are welcome to select any one of them to reside in!"

"This one here is mine..." Ban Ye declared with a grin, indicating the small yard he currently occupied.

Lin Bai’s gaze fell upon the vacant yard situated directly beside Ban Ye’s. With a smile, Lin Bai inquired, "Since Uncle Ban Ye resides here and the adjacent yard is unoccupied, I wonder if my dwelling next door would cause any disturbance?"

Ban Ye's face lit up with a broad smile. "If Brother Lin Bai is amenable to living next door, that would be most ideal. I only worried that you might prefer solitude and thus hesitated to ask you to stay beside me!"

Lin Bai nodded in agreement. "Having just arrived at the Tang family and knowing few people, it would be most welcome to live near Uncle Ban Ye!"

"In that case, I shall choose this one!" Lin Bai announced with a cheerful smile.

Ban Ye instructed, "Very well. To finalize your move-in, you will need to present your identity token from Black Water City. Additionally, Brother Lin Bai, this token is inscribed with your earned merits; ensure you do not misplace it."

"Should the token be lost, even with the issuance of a replacement, the merits recorded upon it will vanish completely."

Lin Bai produced his identity token. A quick glance revealed the inscription "Black Water City, Lin Bai!" on the front. The reverse side displayed a '0', signifying Lin Bai’s current lack of merits.

Lin Bai gave a solemn nod, carefully secured the identity token, and proceeded into his chosen small yard. He deactivated the Magic Circle within, undertook a brief tidying, and settled into his new abode.

"Then, Brother Lin Bai, please take this opportunity to acquaint yourself with your surroundings. I shall return to my own quarters to rest. Should any questions arise, do not hesitate to seek me out," Ban Ye said, a smile on his face.

Lin Bai responded with a smile, "My sincerest gratitude, Uncle Ban Ye!"

"Brother Lin Bai needs no such courtesies; we must support each other moving forward," Ban Ye replied amiably before turning and heading back to his own small yard, clearly fatigued from their recent excursion to the Earth Snake Forest.

Seating himself in the small courtyard, Lin Bai took a deep, steadying breath. "I must find a method to acquire the 'Black Water Divine Thunder Skill' as swiftly as possible; thereafter, my destination shall be the Sword God Family!"