Wu Ta City.
The Xiao Clan's disciples returned in a bustling, mighty procession.
Xiao Chi carried himself with lofty pride, strikingly handsome and refined, drawing countless admiring gazes from the women around him.
"Wow! That guy is so handsome."
"Which family's Young Master is he?"
"I... I..."
"Hmm?"
"Judging by this, the Xiao Clan must have returned victorious from their expedition!"
"The Xiao Clan disciples are so delighted; they must have gained quite a lot."
The uninformed townsfolk began commenting among themselves, all assuming that the Xiao Clan had gone to war against an enemy and returned in triumph.
"That Handsome Young Master truly seems otherworldly."
"Hmph, isn't he just a little fairer, with slightly more regular features, a somewhat taller figure, and exceptionally better bearing? What is so great about that? Once I, Er Niu, grow up, I definitely won't be inferior to him."
"Hey, hey, hey, take a look in the mirror first. Seriously."
The entire road was deafeningly noisy, with conversations endlessly rising and falling, even livelier than a marketplace.
A short while later,
the disciples returned to the Xiao Clan.
Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan's patriarch, hurried out as soon as he received word.
"Chi Er, has Chi Er returned?"
His extremely anxious appearance moved Xiao Chi somewhat.
He looked over the crowd before him, yet failed to find Xiao Chi's figure, and his brows drew tightly together.
"Yan Er, where is your elder brother?" Xiao Zhan asked Xiao Yan.
"Father, Brother... Brother, he..."
"Quick... tell me, what happened to your elder brother?"
Everyone could only shake their heads with bitter smiles.
Xiao Yan stammered so badly that anyone unaware of the situation could easily misunderstand.
"Father... this..."
"What exactly happened? Just say it!"
At that moment, a woman rushed out with tears in