Stop Him

Xiao Yan proudly introduced the Dou Technique Hall in the distance to Gu Xun'er. After finishing, he did not forget to add, "Cousin Xun Er, you've only just returned to the Xiao Family. Would you like to go inside and have a look?"

Gu Xun'er remained calm. She merely nodded slightly at Xiao Yan, who had been chattering nonstop beside her.

"Then I'll have to trouble Cousin Xiao Yan."

Hearing Gu Xun'er's childish voice, Xiao Yan felt somewhat troubled by her indifferent attitude.

Where did this Cousin Xun Er suddenly come from? That cheap old man actually told me to help her get familiar with the family and even warned me to be careful not to offend her. Isn't she just a little brat?

Years of living as the Young Master had made Xiao Yan somewhat spoiled. He wanted to quit, but recalling Xiao Zhan's stern expression when he had summoned him earlier, he decided to endure it for now. Still, a plan formed in his heart.

"Who's over there?"

"It's me, Xiao Ming."

Xiao Ming had not concealed his tracks at all, and the two people talking easily noticed him.

Seeing Xiao Ming emerge from around the corner, Xiao Yan frowned and shouted, "What are you doing lurking around the corner?"

Xiao Yan had some impression of Xiao Ming. There were quite a few children in the Xiao Family, and among them all, Xiao Ming was the cutest-looking. Yet it was not his appearance that Xiao Yan remembered, but his attitude whenever they met.

Every child of the same age in the Xiao Family treated Xiao Yan with the utmost respect and scrambled to curry favor with him. Only Xiao Ming would simply nod and leave whenever he saw him.

Not just toward him, either. Xiao Ming seemed to always have that same attitude toward everyone in the Xiao Family.

That was why Xiao Yan remembered Xiao Ming so clearly.

But if I remember correctly, weren't Xiao Ming's parents dead? He lives near the outer edge by the Hall of Loyalty and Martyrs. Why did he come all the way here?

"I came to the Dou Technique Hall to see whether there are any Dou Skills suitable for me."

Xiao Yan understood. The Dou Technique Hall was nearby, so no wonder Xiao Ming had appeared here. He said with a faintly amused tone, "You haven't even cultivated Dou Qi yet, have you? Why are you picking a Dou Skill? The guards won't let you in like this. Going there would just be a waste of time, so you might as well go back."

After saying that, he left with Gu Xun'er.

This...

Xiao Ming was left awkwardly standing there. He had never entered the Dou Technique Hall before, nor had he known there were rules like this for getting inside.

Thinking about it, it made sense. You did not even have Dou Qi, so what the hell were you practicing a Dou Skill for? It would be one thing if you were older, but at such a young age, why would they let you in?

Xiao Ming had Dou Qi, but no one else knew that.

It seemed this trip had truly been for nothing.

Xiao Ming sighed and watched the two figures heading toward the Dou Technique Hall, unable to stop himself from muttering inwardly.

This Xiao Zhan really was a little foolish. Gu Xun'er had come to the Xiao Family as an undercover agent to steal the Ancient Jade, yet he had stupidly asked Xiao Yan to show her around the Xiao Family. Was he afraid she would not be able to find her way? What an idiotic move.

If the Ancient Jade had not always been carried on him, it probably would have been stolen within a month.

Thinking such random thoughts, Xiao Ming suddenly chuckled and shook his head.

Perhaps Xiao Zhan was not actually such an idiot.

He was probably making plans of his own.

Going by the original work, letting Xiao Yan interact with Gu Xun'er was absolutely a brilliant move.

Even if Xiao Zhan had not intended to make Gu Xun'er his daughter-in-law, he probably meant for Xiao Yan to befriend her.

The facts proved that Xiao Yan had lived up to expectations even more, using unconventional means to capture Gu Xun'er's heart.

Xiao Ming could of course consider copying Xiao Yan's approach and getting Gu Xun'er for himself.

As the young lady of the Ancient Clan, Gu Xun'er's soft rice was especially good. Once she recognized someone, she would never let go and would remain unwaveringly devoted.

It was good, but Xiao Ming had no such intentions.

What the hell am I thinking?

Did Xiao Ming look like someone who liked little girls?!!

No normal person could do that sort of thing.

"Judging by Xiao Yan's gaze just now, he'll probably sneak into Gu Xun'er's Room tonight, right?" Xiao Ming stroked his chin in thought.

The version of himself in the Simulator had noticed something off about the way Xiao Yan looked at Gu Xun'er tomorrow.

But that did not mean Xiao Yan would only sneak into Gu Xun'er's Room tomorrow.

"I should keep watch tonight, just in case that guy Xiao Yan disgraces our Transmigrator Army. Don't Know what there is to experiment with in Dou Qi anyway."

Xiao Ming shook his head and headed toward the Xiao Family's Back Mountain.

There was still time. He could go to the Back Mountain and bathe in a hot spring.

The moon hung like a silver disk, and the sky was filled with stars.

Xiao Ming emerged from the Back Mountain, filled with the cries of unknown insects, and stepped into the back courtyard under the pale moonlight.

The back courtyard was where only relatively important members of the Xiao Family could live. It contained many independent courtyards. After his mother died, Xiao Yan had been given a small courtyard of his own, attended by a dedicated maid.

Xiao Ming hurried through courtyard after courtyard and soon arrived at Xiao Yan's Small Courtyard.

He found a hidden corner and did his best to conceal his aura, feeling a little awkward inside.

"This is really troublesome. I actually fell asleep while bathing in the hot spring. Looks like I've been too tired these past few days. Don't Know what time it is now. I hope Xiao Yan hasn't come out yet."

Fortunately, Xiao Yan did not make him wait long. Xiao Ming had only just arrived when he saw the carved wooden door of the small courtyard slowly open and a dark figure quietly slip out.

Using the bright moonlight, Xiao Ming, hidden in the darkness, clearly saw that face.

"I was right. Xiao Yan really is going to Gu Xun'er's Room tonight."

Xiao Ming did not immediately go out to stop him. If he was going to catch someone, he had to catch him red-handed. If he showed himself now, Xiao Yan would have an excuse to deny it.

Trailing behind the sneaky Xiao Yan, the two soon arrived at another small courtyard.

The moment Xiao Yan climbed onto the wall, Xiao Ming knew it was time to act. He immediately leaped out from the shadows and roared, "Who's there, sneaking around like that?!"

"Ah!"

Xiao Yan had been focused on climbing the wall when he suddenly heard a voice. He immediately lost his balance and fell from the wall, landing on the ground with a pained cry.

The commotion was not small, and it had clearly disturbed the people inside the small courtyard. Lights came on within.

Xiao Ming walked up to Xiao Yan. Seeing him sprawled on the ground, covered in dust and dirt, Xiao Ming held back his laughter and asked with feigned confusion, "Cousin Xiao Yan, why is it you? Why are you climbing over someone's wall in the middle of the night? Could It Be you're trying to do something bad?"

"Th-this..." Xiao Yan recognized him and had initially breathed a sigh of relief. But upon hearing Xiao Ming's question, he immediately panicked and did not know how to answer.

He had come to experiment with Dou Qi on Xun Er, who had only recently arrived at the Xiao Family. The other Xiao Family children mostly lived with their parents, while the orphans lived several to a room and were not even in the back courtyard.

Only the newly arrived Xun Er, like him, lived alone in a small courtyard. Their courtyards were not far apart either, making her the perfect target.

But could he tell anyone that? Of course not! If Xiao Ming told others, then even if his father was the Clan Leader, he would not escape punishment.

Just as Xiao Yan stammered wordlessly, an idea suddenly flashed through his mind.

"You're asking me? I should be asking you! Why did you come to the back courtyard in the middle of the night? Could It Be you're trying to steal something?"

The issue with the female leads of Battle Through the Heavens had always existed. Gu Xun'er and Xiao Yan were definitely going to end up together. After all, without Xiao Yan sneaking into her room, it would be impossible for her to fall for him.