by <unknown>
The one speaking was a Xiao Family elder with a rather high position, an exalted Quasi-Alchemy King too. His name was Xiao Changhong.
Ever since the Xiao Family seized back the medicinal pill market, these elders' confidence all swelled up one by one.
They had immense faith that the Xiao Family could rely on these ten years to rise up once more.
In the past, they felt a head shorter than others when they went out. But now, their heads all raised to the skies when they went outside.
Hearing Xiao Changhong said so, Xiao Changfeng frowned but did not speak.
The more Xiao Changhong talked, the angrier he got. He even pointed the spearhead at Xiao Ruyan and said recalcitrantly, "Ruyan this lass is seriously. . . The Xiao Family raised her up so big and even nurtured her to become a high-rank Alchemy Grandmaster. How many resources were expended? Now, when the Xiao Family needs her, she did something like this. It really chills our hearts greatly! Her death doesn't matter, but how are you going to give an account to the Huang and Xue families?"
"That's right! Ruyan this lass is seriously outrageous!" With Xiao Changhong saying so, many elders immediately concurred.
When Xiao Changhong saw that everyone stood on his side, he became even more zealous and continued, "As I said, Ruyan this lass doesn't know what's good for her! Isn't it just marrying someone? Which girl doesn't marry? Also, those two young masters from the Huang Family and Xue Family are dragons among men. Could it be that they are still undeserving of Ruyan?"
Right at this moment, a piercingly cold killing intent suddenly attacked!
Xiao Changhong had yet to figure out what was going on when his throat was already tightly grasped by a hand, unable to speak.
Ye Yuan pinned Xiao Changhong onto the wall and said icily, "You just try saying another cynical word!"
"Cough . . . Cough, cough! L-Let go of me!" Xiao Changhong's two feet were straight but did not dare to resist.
At this time, Ye Yuan just had to spit essence energy, and he could claim this old life of this.
Seeing Ye Yuan overflowing with killing intent, the Xiao Family elders all felt chills.
This boy . . . was only a Crystal Formation Realm martial artists. How could he be so strong?
Although Xiao Changhong was an alchemist, he was, at any rate, a Seventh Level Sea Transformation Realm martial artist. He did not even get to react and was pinned on the wall by Ye Yuan?
"You bunch of fools! As elders, you don't have any capabilities at all, and still need the juniors to sacrifice their own marital happiness to help achieve your selfish gains! Truly laughable! You all nurtured Ruyan. She has already done sufficiently well. These years, how much pressure was she, a little girl, shouldering? You these old fellows, other than gesticulating behind backs, what have you done? A bunch of opinionated things!" Ye Yuan words were filled with rage, making everyone feel a chill unceasingly.
"Ji Qing! Here is the Xiao Family! How can we allow you to be so insolent! What we do is the Xiao Family's own affairs! It's not your turn to come and bother! Quickly let go of Elder Changhong!" another elder said grimly.
Ye Yuan turned around and looked at that elder coldly. He suddenly smiled and said, "Is that so?"
The elders were taken by Ye Yuan's aura and could not resist backing away.
"You . . . What are you trying to do?!"
Ye Yuan said with a smile, "If I recall correctly, my Xiao Family's guest retainer identity doesn't seem to have been removed yet, right? Since I'm a Xiao Family guest retainer, why can't I interfere with Xiao Family's affairs?"
As Ye Yuan said, his face suddenly darkened as he said, "I can't be bothered with the Xiao Family's matters either. But Ruyan's matters are my matters. If you all dare to coerce her again in the future, your outcome will be like this rock!"
As he said, Ye Yuan casually fired out a blast of essence energy. A fake mountain not far in the distant instantly turned into dust.
The elders' faces all changed. They were frightened by Ye Yuan's aura.
To be able to instantly defeat Xiao Changhong, Ye Yuan's strength could be seen at a glance.
The Xiao Family naturally had Soul Sea Realm martial artists too. But Ye Yuan was not alone by himself!
Behind Ye Yuan stood Sovereign Star Abyss!
To be able to make His Highness, the Seventh Prince, kowtowed and apologized for his mistake, who in the capital dare to provoke this malefic star?
"Now, all scram far away from me, in case this Little Lord, I, get vexed when I see you!" Ye Yuan said with a cold snort.
How could the elders dare to stay? Each one of them ran faster than rabbits. In the big courtyard, only Xiao Changfeng and Ye Yuan were left currently.
Xiao Changfeng's expression changed again, very astonished by Ye Yuan's strength.
He remembered that when Ye Yuan left the Xiao Family a month ago, he was still just Second Level Crystal Formation Realm strength. How long had it been only and he was already at the Seventh Level Crystal Formation Realm?
But now was clearly not the time to be asking this. Xiao Changfeng asked rather awkwardly, "Young Master Ji, Ruyan she . . ."
Ye Yuan looked at him nonchalantly and responded with a question instead, "Are the medicinal herbs all prepared?"
Xiao Changfeng hurried nodded and said, "All prepared. All inside my pill refinement room. Tong Suan is right outside. He'll bring you in."
Ye Yuan nodded his head and said, "You go inside then. Ruyan still has some time before she'll wake up. I'll go and prepare the Detoxification Pill right now. You look after her well!"
Although he was long prepared, Xiao Changfeng's entire body still trembled as he asked disbelievingly, "You . . . You really brought her back to life?"
Ye Yuan shot him a glance and said coolly, "Could it be that you wanted to see your own daughter die?"
Chapter 410. Xiao Changfeng's Scheme |
On the jade bed, the beauty opened both eyes weakly.
Xiao Changfeng was overjoyed as he said, "Ruyan, you're awake!"
"F-Father?"
Xiao Ruyan saw Xiao Changfeng when she opened her eyes, but she stubbornly turned her head over and was unwilling to take another look.
Xiao Changfeng felt a heartache as he let out a feeble sigh and said, "Ruyan, Father knows that you have a grudge in your heart, but . . . Father is helpless too!"
Xiao Ruyan still had her head turned and refused to say a word.
Xiao Changfeng's heart was like it was being sliced by blades. He knew that his daughter was already extremely disappointed in him.
"Fine then. You aren't willing to listen to father's words, but you're willing to listen to Ji Qing's words, right?" Xiao Changfeng sighed heavily and said.
Xiao Ruyan's body quivered when she heard that and could not resist turning her head around, her eyes filled with doubt.
Xiao Changfeng knew his daughter's thoughts and explained, "Father is incapable. When I discovered that you were poisoned, Father was already powerless to do anything. It was Ji Qing's miraculous skills that could revive the dead that actually brought you back to life miraculously!"
Xiao Ruyan's eyes were filled with astoundment. She was clearly than anyone else about the toxicity of the Nine Nether Soul Shattering Powder. It could be said to kill upon infliction.
After being poisoned for several hours, it was basically beyond redemption. Ji Qing could actually bring her back. How brilliant medical skills were needed for this?!
"W-Where is he?" Xiao Ruyan asked with a slight tremor.
Xiao Changfeng sighed again and said, "Ruyan, I know that you might not like to hear some words, but the spouse finding martial competition is already unavoidable. Otherwise, it will be very hard for our Xiao Family to keep a foothold in the capital in the future if we offend the two Huang and Xue families at the same time."
Seeing his daughter's emotions becoming agitated, Xiao Changfeng hurriedly said, "You don't get agitated first! Listen to me finish talking first! Perhap
s, this unsolvable situation now has an opportunity to reverse!"
Xiao Ruyan's beautiful eyes swirled slightly, and she said in surprise, "Father's meaning is . . ."
Xiao Changfeng nodded and said, "That's right! If you're really unwilling to marry into the two Huang and Xue families, maybe you can land this matter on Ji Qing! I think . . . if it was Ji Qing, you . . . wouldn't reject, right?"
Hearing Xiao Changfeng's words, Xiao Ruyan's initially pallid and wan face because of weakness became flushed red.
Seeing Xiao Ruyan putting on a posture to refute but blushed instad, Xiao Changfeng sighed faintly and said, "Actually, during the Grand Pill Assembly, I already saw through your thoughts. After Ji Qing was taken in by Sovereign Star Abyss as a disciple, his status was also sufficient to be mentioned in the same breath as the Huang and Xue families. If the two of you were brought together, it isn't prohibited either. It's just . . ."
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Xiao Ruyan was actually slightly gleeful in her heart.
But when she heard the two words 'it's just,' Xiao Ruyan's heart involuntarily plunged, and she asked weakly, "It's just what?"
"Sigh . . . I never would have thought that you would do something so resolute. I'm afraid . . . afraid that you drop flowers pining for love, while he, a heartless brook, babbles along!" Xiao Changfeng said with a sigh.
Xiao Ruyan's heart involuntarily jolted fiercely as she said unresignedly, "If he doesn't have interest in me, why did he help me repeatedly?"
"Father is somebody who has gone through it all. Ultimately, I can see things clearer than you. Although I don't know why he entered the Xiao Family, Ji Qing definitely came harboring some kind of goal. That was why Father carried out an unwise decision to intentionally let him and Tong Wencahng face off. Who knew that unexpected sowing led to blooming in the garden? Ji Qing actually became the Xiao Family's savior! Honestly, Father actually already completely infuriated him at that time with distrust. If not for you standing up to support him vehemently, he would probably have already flicked his sleeves and left."
Hearing Xiao Changfeng's words, Xiao Ruyan was even more puzzled. "Since that's the case, doesn't that show even more clearly . . ."
Xiao Changfeng shook his head and said, "It's precisely because of this that showed more clearly he doesn't have feelings of man and women towards you but ties of friendship! If he entered the Xiao Family because of you, he definitely wouldn't have gotten so angry because of father's distrust. He also would not have performed so low-key in the Grand Pill Assembly but try to think of ways to make you and Father value him highly. Although I don't know why, something must have happened during the Grand Pill Assembly to have utterly infuriated him, making him destroy Tong Wenchang completely!"
Listening up to here, Xiao Ruyan's complexion immediately became as pale as paper again.
Those closely involved could not see clearly. Only with Xiao Changfeng analyzing like this, did Xiao Ruyan know that maybe it was her wishful thinking. A line of clear tears flowed down uncontrollably again.
"Ruyan, you don't have to be like this. This matter might still have a turnaround!" Xiao Changfeng said.
Xiao Ruyan said in tears, "Father doesn't need to console me . . ."
"I'm not consoling you. Perhaps you can really fight on this matter. Previously, I didn't have assurance. But now . . . I have 70% confidence," Xiao Changfeng said.
"70% confidence?" Xiao Ruyan asked doubtfully.
Xiao Changfeng nodded and said, "That's right! Ji Qing should have his objectives coming to the Xiao Family, so I didn't have any confidence at all. I was afraid of offending a future major figure, so I didn't open my mouth all along. But today, through your affairs, I can conclude that Ji Qing is somebody who values brotherhood immensely! If . . . you're really unwilling to marry into the two Huang and Xue family, maybe you can poke open this layer of windowpane paper to him. With his disposition, I believe that he wouldn't wish to see you jump into a fire pit."
Xiao Ruyan's eyes could not help lighting up but dimmed very quickly.
To a girl, especially a peerless beauty like Xiao Ruyan, asking her to poke a hole through this layer of windowpane paper was too hard.
This need enormous courage!
Furthermore, Xiao Changfeng already made it very clear just now, Ye Yuan only had feelings of friendships towards her.
What if . . . he rejected?
By not poking a hole, maybe they could still be friends. Once she poked a hole through this windowpane paper, they might not even be friends anymore.
This was not the outcome that Xiao Ruyan wanted!
Despair was the greatest sorrow. At that time, she might feel even worse than dying!
"I . . ." Xiao Ruyan clearly fell into an extreme internal conflict.
"Sigh, I know that this is somewhat cruel to you too. But this is already the best plan that Father can think of. Most importantly, you're in love with Ji Qing, isn't it? Ji Qing has already waited outside for a long time. I'll go call him in now. As for whether you tell him or not, that will have to depend on yourself." Xiao Changfeng sighed lightly and turned around and left.
Xiao Ruyan did not notice that at the moment he turned around, a glimmer of light flashed across Xiao Changfeng's eyes.
It was true that Xiao Changfeng said this for the sake of his daughter. But more importantly, once Ye Yuan and Xiao Ruyan became a pair, it would be equivalent to the Xiao Family getting close to the Alchemist Association, this giant banner.
With this layer of relation, nobody could shake the position of the Xiao Family in the capital anymore!
Star Abyss actually dared to sanction the royal family for Ye Yuan. It could be seen how highly he valued this disciple.
Once the two people tied the nuptial knot, the arrangement in the capital's alchemy scene would undergo a change again, and the Grand Pill Assembly would not have the need to be carried out anymore!
This was Xiao Changfeng's deeper level scheme!
Xiao Ruyan's thoughts were pure. How could she see through Xiao Changfeng's such deep thoughts?
Speaking of which, even if she saw through it, she would most likely want to hold Ye Yuan's heart without looking back as well, right?Expose the truth
Chapter 411. Take Me in as a Disciple |
Seeing Ye Yuan again, Xiao Ruyan's tears once again flowed down with disappointment.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "How big a matter was it? Was there a need to attempt suicide? Such a beautiful girl; so many people are fighting to have. Such a pity if you died. Putting yourself at home to be a flower vase is also pretty good!"
"Puchi!"
One sentence tickled Xiao Ruyan, turning tears into smiles. Rolling her eyes at Ye Yuan, she pouted and said, "Can't you say something properly for once? Frivolous!"
Her eyes were filled with amorous feelings, mesmerizing people to death. Putting Ye Yuan who was looking into a trace as well.
"Haha, didn't I see that the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and wanted to liven things up?" Ye Yuan said slightly awkwardly.
But Xiao Ruyan's eyes dimmed and she shouted begrudgingly, "You shouldn't have saved me!"
"Mm? Didn't I already save you? Heh heh, you foolish girl, is it worth it to do this?" Ye Yuan said with a smile
Xiao Ruyan sighed and said, "There's no worth it or not, only willing or not. I don't wish to go against Father's intention and also don't wish for myself to become another person's accessory. This was the best option . . . Ah! What are you doing?"
Xiao Ruyan was just bemoaning her fate vacantly when suddenly a face popped up in front of her, making her jump in fright and hastily backing away.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "You're lying!"
That scene earlier made Xiao Ruyan's little heart flutter, only to see her flustered expression, her eyes dodging like she did something guilty.
"I . . . When did I?" Xiao Ruyan said softly.
"Your eyes betrayed out! The eyes of a person whose heart is dead
like ashes are utterly without a lease of life. But you . . . are filled with attachment towards this world!"
"S-So what then? I have no other choice!" Having her thoughts exposed by Ye Yuan, Xiao Ruyan said with hints of embarrassment.
Of course, she was filled with attachments towards this world!
She was attached to her Alchemy Path. She was attached to her parents and her elder brother. She was attached to . . . Ye Yuan.
The Xiao Ruyan at this time was very sensitive. She felt that Ye Yuan was well-disposed towards her, but Ye Yuan completely turned a blind eye to her. He clearly knew that the spouse finding martial competition was about to begin, yet he still entered closed-seclusion to cultivate.
In her despair, she chose this sort of extreme way of doing things.
"Haha, don't wish to die, then don't die," Ye Yuan said with a laugh.
Xiao Ruyan did not know where the courage came from. She suddenly yelled at Ye Yuan, "Easy talk for you! Do you know how powerful first-rate families are? Do you know the Xiao Family's current predicament? Do you know my circumstances? Don't want to die? What about the spouse finding martial competition? Could it be that you're going to go defeat Huang Wenqiu and Xue Zaihe and marry me?"
Saying finish the words in one breath, Xiao Ruyan stared fixedly at Ye Yuan's eyes, looking very furious, but in truth, her heart already leaped up to her throat.
She was worried Ye Yuan would say no, worried that Ye Yuan would turn around and leave.
The two people stared at each other. For a moment, there was only the sound of breathing in the room.
"Fine," after a moment, Ye Yuan suddenly cracked a smile and said.
"What?" Xiao Ruyan did not react right away and instinctively blurted out.
"I'll help you settle those two fellows. But . . . I have no way of marrying you." Ye Yuan felt that regarding this kind of matters, it was better not to do things sloppily.
"You . . . What do you mean?"
Xiao Ruyan was pleasantly surprised earlier, but the second-half of Ye Yuan's sentence splashed down like a basin of cold water.
