No Next Time
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Chapter 24: No Next Time
In Wutan City, Xiao Family.
At this moment, Xiao Zhan and the three elders stood with stunned expressions, dazedly looking at the group of over twenty Xiao family disciples, dressed in ragged clothes, who had just returned from the back mountain. Their already aged minds were unable to process what was happening.
What's going on? What happened?
Xiao Yan took these young disciples to the back mountain for three months, and now they've all become Practitioners???
Am I dreaming? Or have I not woken up yet?
"Father, the three-month period has passed. I have safely brought all the Xiao family disciples back."
Xiao Yan clasped his hands and reported to Xiao Zhan solemnly.
"Huh? Huh!"
Only now did Xiao Zhan come to his senses, realizing his loss of composure. His broad palm clenched into a fist and he placed it near his mouth.
"Cough, cough. Three months of training, you've all worked hard. Everyone, go rest for now."
"Yes!"
The Xiao family disciples responded loudly, then each returned to their homes. Even Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, the two young girls, didn't stay to pester Xiao Yan.
The three months of training on the back mountain had caused them to lose a lot of things that were extremely important to girls, so they decided to do nothing for the next few days and focus entirely on maintaining their skin, determined to restore their former radiant beauty!
"Yan'er, you should go change clothes first, then come to the council hall. I have something to discuss with you."
"Mm."
Xiao Yan nodded, turned, and walked toward his room.
Looking at Xiao Yan's back, Xiao Zhan and the three elders exchanged glances. None of them spoke, but their eyes clearly conveyed a silent understanding.
That is, they would not ask too much about how Xiao Yan managed to make the Xiao family disciples all advance to Practitioners in just three months.
They believed in Xiao Yan.
Meanwhile, after Xiao Yan returned to his room, he took off his torn clothes and began rummaging through his wardrobe. At that moment, Yao Chen appeared, looking helplessly at her disciple.
If it were just Xiao Yan, he could have come down from the mountain within a month.
But for the sake of these Xiao family disciples, Yao Chen had accompanied them for the full three months.
Xiao Yan's training wasn't just harsh on the Xiao family disciples; he didn't let himself off either.
In fact, compared to the training of the Xiao family disciples, Xiao Yan's training intensity was undoubtedly even greater.
As the leader, he had to lead by example, or it would be difficult to gain the respect of others.
That being said, everyone understood this reasoning.
But how many people can actually train to the extent Xiao Yan does?
Xiao Yan is highly respected by the Xiao family disciples, even revered as their leader. This is fully deserved—he earned it.
While Yao Chen was thinking this, Xiao Yan finished dressing and adjusted his collar. He glanced at Yao Chen and said, "Senior Yao, didn't you say before that you wanted me to cultivate a certain skill once I became a Practitioner?"
"Huh? Oh, Did I say that?"
Yao Chen was slightly taken aback. In her ruby-red eyes, hesitation overflowed.
Looking at Xiao Yan, whose face still held some youthfulness, Yao Chen's heart slowly sank.
Was Yao Chen really going to risk the future of this child for her own selfish desires?
The time spent together had made Yao Chen deeply realize that even without her help, Xiao Yan's future would certainly be far-reaching—he might even surpass her.
What was more important, Xiao Yan followed a righteous path, a righteous path he wanted to spread. Yao Chen couldn't bear to destroy it.
Yao Chen knew that although she wasn't an evil person, her path was still far from Xiao Yan's righteous way.
To put it bluntly, even if she disappeared from this continent, it wouldn't cause any changes.
She was merely a person with a certain reputation in alchemy.
But Xiao Yan was different.
His righteous path could truly change this continent!
Yao Chen wanted to see that day, the day Xiao Yan fulfilled his dream! She hoped this continent could be changed by Xiao Yan's righteousness!
But could she truly accept it?
Yao Chen lowered her head, looking at her illusory figure. A hint of sadness appeared in her eyes as she softly spoke, "Let's talk about that later."
After saying this, a self-mocking bitter smile appeared at the corner of Yao Chen's mouth.
Heh, Yao Chen, Yao Chen.
It seems deep down, you are still selfish, aren't you?
If you truly understood right from wrong, and the importance of things, you wouldn't hesitate between these two choices.
Does your existence really have value?
"I'm tired. Let's rest for a while."
Yao Chen disappeared into the ring, leaving Xiao Yan standing there, stunned.
Just a moment ago, Xiao Yan clearly saw the hesitation, sorrow, and self-blame on Yao Chen's beautiful face.
Hesitation? Why hesitate?
Sorrow? Why be sorrowful?
Self-blame? Why blame herself?
Xiao Yan, confused, left the room and headed toward the council hall. Along the way, he kept replaying the melancholy on Yao Chen's beautiful face.
Xiao Yan's heart couldn't help but ache.
Did I do something wrong?
With these thoughts, Xiao Yan arrived at the council hall. When Xiao Yu, sitting in a chair, saw him come in and was about to greet him, she suddenly noticed his slightly sad expression. She stood up and walked over to his side.
"Xiao Yan, what's wrong?"
"Hmm?"
Xiao Yan came back to his senses and immediately adjusted his emotions. He smiled and waved his hand at Xiao Yu.
"It's nothing, don't worry."
"…"
Seeing this, Xiao Yu didn't ask further, because she knew that even if she asked, Xiao Yan wouldn't answer.
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhan and gently asked, "Father, you just said you had something to discuss with me?"
"Huh?" Xiao Zhan scratched his head and slowly said, "You've been away for a while, so you might not know, but the Xiao family market has been seeing a serious loss of merchants and customers recently. They've all gone to the Jia Lie family's market."
"Why is that?"
Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion, and Xiao Zhan quickly explained.
"The Jia Lie family seems to have found a first-grade alchemist who produced a healing pill called 'Revival Pill,' which has attracted all the mercenaries."
Xiao Zhan sighed deeply, and Xiao Yan nodded, understanding.
Most of the income from the Xiao family's markets came from mercenaries. Once the mercenaries left, merchants wouldn't make any money, and it was natural for them to leave the market.
Just then, Xiao Yu suddenly slammed her hand down.
"Ah! I was planning to tell the clan leader, but I got busy looking for you in the back mountain and forgot!" Xiao Yu said to Xiao Yan, then looked at Xiao Zhan. "Clan leader, is that alchemist from the Jia Lie family named Liu Xi?"
"Huh? You've seen him?"
Xiao Zhan was slightly surprised. Xiao Yu nodded and then told him about what happened when she returned from the Xiao family market.
Bang!!!
"That bastard! Daring to set his sights on my granddaughter?!"
The Grand Elder slammed the table and stood up, his whole body shaking with anger. Xiao Zhan's face also turned grim.
"These Jia Lie family people really have no shame! Not only did they stir up trouble at the Xiao family market, but they also want to snatch people in broad daylight?!"
"Grandpa, you don't need to be so angry," Xiao Yu gently raised her hand, trying to soothe the Grand Elder. "I've already dealt with all the family guards, and of course, I didn't spare Jia Lie Ao. As for that alchemist, before I left, I ordered the Xiao family guards to beat him half to death and toss him out. They shouldn't dare cause any more trouble at the Xiao family market."
Hearing Xiao Yu's words, the Grand Elder's anger subsided a lot, and Xiao Zhan's expression also softened slightly.
"Since you've already taught him a lesson, let him go. If he dares to come again…"
"There won't be a next time."
Before Xiao Zhan could finish, a cold voice from Xiao Yan interrupted him, leaving Xiao Zhan stunned.
His son had never been so rude as to interrupt his elders!
Xiao Yu also noticed the oddity in Xiao Yan's tone and turned her head slightly. Her pupils suddenly constricted.
Xiao Yan?!
(End of this chapter)
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