"Clan Leader Xiao, congratulations, congratulations!"
"Your Xiao Clan has produced a true qilin."
Wu Tan City's City Lord, Lin Zhengqing, stepped before Xiao Zhan, his tone warmer than it had ever been.
Although he was a Dou Ling, he was already advanced in age. His achievements in this lifetime had essentially reached their limit. Coming to Wu Tan City to serve as City Lord was nothing more than a way to find a place to retire peacefully, while also accumulating some benefits for his descendants. For that reason, he had always stayed out of the overt and covert struggles between the three major clans of Wu Tan City.
However, Zhang Yuan's appearance stirred his thoughts.
As long as Zhang Yuan did not fall, becoming a Dou Huang was practically guaranteed. Moreover, as a member of the Black Armored Guards, he would surely hold status and achievements within the military. Lin Zhengqing intended to form goodwill early, perhaps securing a favorable connection for his descendants in the future.
"Thank you, City Lord," Xiao Zhan replied.
Before Lin Zhengqing, Xiao Zhan did not dare put on airs, but the smile on his face was impossible to hide.
After exchanging a few words, Lin Zhengqing turned to Zhang Yuan with a gentle smile. "I heard that young friend serves within the Empire's Black Armored Guards. I happen to have some past acquaintance with a Commandant. If young friend has time, you are welcome to visit the City Lord's Residence."
Zhang Yuan's eyes flickered. This was an unexpected gain. He smiled and said, "Senior is too kind. This junior will certainly come and pay a visit."
"Good. Then this old man will take his leave and await you with swept halls," Lin Zhengqing said with a smile.
He did not linger long at the Xiao Clan. After setting a time with Zhang Yuan, he led his people away.
The only outsiders remaining were Gu Ni and Ya Fei from the Miteer Auction House.
The two walked toward Zhang Yuan. Ya Fei's every movement exuded the charm of a mature elder sister. Each glance and smile carried an alluring air, causing several hot-blooded Xiao Clan youths to blush and avert their eyes, not daring to look directly at her.
Led by Xiao Mei, the Xiao Clan girls cursed "vixen" in their hearts, yet their eyes were extremely honest as they stared intently, clearly eager to learn.
"Little brother Zhang Yuan, does our agreement from last night still count?" Ya Fei's voice carried a hint of ambiguity as her peach blossom eyes looked at Zhang Yuan with admiration.
Most men would find it difficult to reject such admiration from a woman like her.
But Zhang Yuan was not most men. He looked as if he had not noticed anything at all and said calmly, "That depends on Sister Ya Fei's sincerity."
"Isn't sister sincere enough already?" Ya Fei hugged her chest tightly and tilted slightly to the side, revealing a corner of a deep and tempting view only Zhang Yuan could see. A long, slender leg without black stockings appeared faintly beneath the slit of her cheongsam.
Zhang Yuan ignored it once again. He turned to Xiao Zhan and said, "Uncle, take the Grand Elder and Sister Ya Fei to discuss the cooperation in detail. I still have something to handle."
Xiao Zhan naturally had no objections and nodded in agreement.
In truth, the Xiao Clan's business affairs were all handled by the Grand Elder. Being the oldest, his heart was calm like still water. Other than hoping for the clan's younger generation to succeed, he had few remaining desires.
"Sister Ya Fei, farewell."
Zhang Yuan nodded to her, then walked straight to Xun'er's side. Taking her small hand, he headed toward the clan's rear courtyard.
After cultivating all night, he needed something to eat, and having a beauty accompany him was even better.
"…" Ya Fei clenched her silver teeth.
A sixteen-year-old boy rejecting her charm would normally make her think something was wrong with him. Yet seeing him openly show affection toward a young girl filled her with an unprecedented sense of frustration.
'He must be pretending. I will make you reveal yourself,' Ya Fei thought, a fighting spirit she had never experienced before rising within her.
However, much of that emotion was quickly worn down while negotiating with Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan's Grand Elder.
Those two were extremely skilled in business talks, one playing the stern role, the other the gentle one. With her teammate Gu Ni not cooperating at all, Ya Fei failed to seize any initiative in the partnership and could only passively accept a share of the profits.
Still, with enormous benefits to gain, this was far better than gaining nothing at all.
More importantly, with this relationship established, she could form ties with Zhang Yuan and the alchemist behind Xiao Yan.
"Uncle."
As Xiao Zhan escorted Gu Ni and Ya Fei out of the hall, Zhang Yuan returned with Xun'er, the latter wearing a calm, serene smile.
That smile looked like a victor's smile to Ya Fei. For no reason at all, irritation flared in her heart. She deliberately moved close to Zhang Yuan and said, "Little brother Zhang Yuan, sister chose to suffer quite a loss for your sake. Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
She stood extremely close, a faint fragrance drifting over. Zhang Yuan could even see her delicate collarbone clearly. If he lowered his head, a breathtaking view would surely appear, but with Xun'er beside him, he had no intention of doing so.
"I can," Zhang Yuan met Ya Fei's gaze and said, "Next time I meet Mu Zhan, I will beat him up and tell him that you are a sister I acknowledge. I will tell him not to pester you again. How about that?"
Ya Fei's beautiful eyes lit up, and she laughed softly. "Little brother, Mu Zhan is your brother. Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
"Since sister has sacrificed so much," Zhang Yuan replied seriously, "you deserve it."
Ya Fei cast a triumphant glance at Xun'er and smiled. "Little brother, you are really good."
"Pfft!" Xun'er covered her mouth and let out a clear, bell-like laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Ya Fei narrowed her peach blossom eyes.
"Nothing," Xun'er said solemnly. "I just remembered a joke Brother Yuan once told me."
"You're not laughing at me, are you?" Ya Fei asked suspiciously.
"No," Xun'er smiled sweetly. "As a young miss of the Xiao Clan, I have undergone strict training. I would not be so rude."
Unless she could not hold it back.
Zhang Yuan's expression immediately turned strange.
'Xun'er actually has comedic talent.'
Seeing that Xun'er did not seem to be lying, Ya Fei did not pursue the matter further. After teasing Zhang Yuan a few more times, she left, satisfied.
Watching her back, Xun'er smiled and asked, "Brother Yuan, if she finds out in the future that you and Mu Zhan are actually not on good terms, do you think she will want to bite you to death?"
Zhang Yuan fell silent for a few breaths, then smiled. "That will have to wait until the future. If she wants to bite, let her bite. I can take it."
Hearing this, Xun'er scolded softly, "I know your body is stronger than some 3rd Rank Magical Beasts, and with Dou Qi Armor, it's even stronger. Your speed is clearly fast enough. Next time, don't hard-block attacks like that. What if the other party has hidden cards?"
Zhang Yuan did not argue and immediately agreed.
Arguing too much with a woman who cared about him would be foolish.
Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder: "…"
Why did they feel full despite not having eaten breakfast?
"Grand Elder, arrange for people to coordinate with the Miteer Auction House," Xiao Zhan instructed. The Grand Elder nodded and took his leave.
Once only the three of them remained, Xiao Zhan asked, "Yuan'er, where is Yan'er?"
"He was stimulated by my strength and went off to work harder," Zhang Yuan replied with a smile.
Although the pressure of the three-year agreement was not as great as in the original timeline, having him as a comparison would likely push Xiao Yan to work even harder.
"That child has suffered enough, but at least hardship will turn into sweetness," Xiao Zhan said emotionally. "This matter, uncle must thank you on Yan'er's behalf."
As he spoke, Xiao Zhan was about to bow.
Zhang Yuan immediately reached out to stop him, a hint of anger on his face. "Uncle, are you planning to draw a line between us and start speaking as strangers?"
Xiao Zhan's nose stung. He looked up at the sky so that his eyes would not redden.
Every time he saw Zhang Yuan's face, he thought of his deceased wife, of his biological younger sister and brother-in-law who sacrificed themselves for the Xiao Clan.
At this point, Zhang Yuan's true combat strength likely already surpassed his own. Even if he were to enter the underworld immediately, he could proudly tell them that he had raised Yuan'er well.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Zhan placed a hand on Zhang Yuan's shoulder. "Uncle was being distant. Just treat what I said as nonsense."
Zhang Yuan smiled and asked Xun'er, "Did uncle say anything just now?"
Xun'er smiled and shook her head.
Xiao Zhan froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "You two are still as in sync as ever, and you're becoming more and more well-matched."
A faint blush spread across Xun'er's fair face. She secretly thought that this could be considered gaining approval from an elder.
Unfortunately, if her Brother Yuan wanted her father's approval, there was still a long road ahead.
"Uncle has good judgment," Zhang Yuan said with a grin.
In other words, if you thought otherwise, your eyesight would be the problem.
Xun'er shot him a reproachful glance, but her heart felt sweet.
Xiao Zhan chuckled. "You're still as glib as ever."
"Why should a nephew be polite with his maternal uncle?" Zhang Yuan replied matter-of-factly.
"Right, no need for politeness. I'm not only your uncle, but I'm also your aunt's husband," Xiao Zhan said as he patted Zhang Yuan's shoulder, then asked, "So, Yuan'er, you deliberately provoked the Jia Lie Clan. What exactly is your plan? Can you tell uncle?"
Zhang Yuan's dark eyes flickered, and he said with slight surprise, "Uncle saw through it?"
(End of Chapter)
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