Chapter 44: A Perfect Scheme
Xiao Yuan didn't join the battle. The Jia Lie family's strength was already inferior to the Xiao family's. And with the Xiao family's recent rise in income, they had hired a group of powerful Fighters and above, originally intended as a security team to manage the marketplaces.
Now was the perfect time to deploy them. After all, eliminating the Jia Lie family would bring enormous growth to the Xiao family, and with that growth, everyone under the Xiao family would benefit with more resources and rewards.
In return for the rewards promised by the Xiao family, these warriors naturally had the duty to stand with the family in times of trouble.
With the support of Xiao Yan and Xiao Yu, Xiao Yuan returned to the Xiao residence to rest and recover.
After all, the previous battle had drained him immensely. Even if he joined the raid on the Jia Lie family now, he'd be nothing but a burden. Xiao Zhan's ability to maintain the Xiao family's influence in Wutan City wasn't luck—Xiao Yuan trusted that things would proceed smoothly.
The only possible issue now was that the Aoba family might try to interfere.
"Xiao Yu Jie, I'm a little hungry. Could you go to the kitchen and bring me some porridge?"
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yuan smiled and asked gently.
"Sure!"
Xiao Yu didn't hesitate. She smiled warmly, nodded, and walked out with her long legs.
As her figure disappeared, Xiao Yuan's expression turned serious. He lowered his voice:
"Xiao Yan, just in case, go and ask your teacher to come and protect the Xiao family temporarily. Most of our family's fighting force has left with Father. The guards we have remaining aren't strong enough. If the Aoba family launches a surprise attack, we'll be in trouble."
Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, then his expression changed in realization. What his brother said made perfect sense. With Father, the three elders, and many of the family's warriors all out at the Jia Lie estate, if Aoba Pa attacked now, they wouldn't make it back in time.
The Aoba family had three Da Dou Shi as well, but they wouldn't be foolish enough to cooperate with the remaining Jia Lie elders against Xiao Zhan and company. If Aoba Pa had any brains, he'd come here instead.
"Teacher, what's the current limit of your strength?"
Xiao Yan, while pretending to think deeply, asked inwardly.
"Hehe, that third brother of yours is quite thoughtful. Indeed, there's a large group of presences heading toward your Xiao residence. But don't worry. Even though I'm currently in soul form, with the help of the Heavenly Flame, I can still deal with Da Dou Shi or even Dou Ling level opponents easily."
Hearing Yao Lao's calm reassurance, Xiao Yan let out a sigh of relief.
He looked up at Xiao Yuan and nodded. "I'll go find Teacher now. But first, Brother, take this—it's a medicinal solution I just started refining yesterday. It helps restore and stabilize your core."
As he spoke, he pulled a small green jade bottle from his ring and handed it to Xiao Yuan.
"Thanks. Oh, and bring Xiao Ning back with you."
Xiao Yuan accepted the bottle, opened it, and downed the blue liquid in one go. Smacking his lips, he grinned. "Not bad. Tastes like honey—sweet and smooth."
Xiao Yan laughed as he watched him drink so confidently, then nodded and dashed out the door.
A short while later, Xiao Ning entered the room, looking confused.
Truthfully, he wasn't too fond of being ordered around by someone who was technically his younger cousin.
But after witnessing Xiao Yuan kill Jia Lie Bi with his own eyes, he had to admit his strength. And if Xiao Yuan really became his brother-in-law… maybe it wasn't so bad.
So when he heard that Xiao Yuan had summoned him, his body moved before his brain could even react.
"Xiao Ning, I need you to go to the Jia Lie estate immediately. Tell Father and the three elders that the family's side is fully secured. They can finish off the Jia Lie family cleanly and return without worry."
Seeing Xiao Ning's confusion, Xiao Yuan smiled slightly, gathered a bit of Dou Qi, and spoke with greater authority.
With the circulation of ice-attributed Dou Qi, the air grew slightly colder, snapping Xiao Ning to full attention.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, now more alert.
Xiao Yuan was silent for a moment, then said with a sigh, "You don't need to know. Just deliver the message. This concerns the future of our Xiao family. Just know it's important—and you're the only one I trust to do it. Understood?"
Xiao Ning's eyes lit up at the keywords: "the whole family," "important," and "only you."
He straightened up and saluted. "Leave it to me! I'll deliver the message!"
With that, he turned and ran out.
Xiao Yuan chuckled as he watched him go.
Kids this age… so easy to manipulate.
Soon after, Xiao Yu returned, carrying a bowl of steaming porridge. She sat beside Xiao Yuan, her expression gentle. She scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and tested the temperature before bringing it to his lips.
Xiao Yuan looked at her oddly. To be honest, he'd never seen her this gentle before.
"What's with that look? You're injured, and I don't want you to get burned. Don't you get any ideas!"
Xiao Yu frowned and scolded him softly.
"No, I'm just surprised to see this side of you. It's nice, though," Xiao Yuan said with a smile, swallowing the spoonful and then winking at her.
"You better behave! You're still weak and shouldn't—shouldn't…"
Xiao Yu suddenly remembered what happened that night—how things nearly went too far after he called her beautiful. She quickly backed up, face red, biting her lip shyly.
"???"
Xiao Yuan blinked, bewildered. What the hell was going through this long-legged sister's mind? And what's with that 'resist-but-not-really' attitude?
"Sigh… Xiao Yu Jie, food… hungry…"
Realizing now wasn't the time for teasing, Xiao Yuan let out a sigh and spoke in a pitiful baby voice.
"You've got issues…"
Having grown up with Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yu was used to his weird antics. Rolling her eyes, she fed him again.
"Hehe."
Xiao Yuan laughed lightly.
If you can't be yourself in front of your people, what's the point of living?
Just as the atmosphere turned tender and cozy, a loud, furious voice rang from outside the Xiao family gates.
"You Xiao family dares treat the Jia Lie family so viciously? Today, I, Aoba Pa, will rid Wutan City of this menace once and for all!"
(END CHAPTER)
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