I Really Do Have a Dou Huang Big Brother

"Probably not."

After a few seconds of silence, Ling Ying answered.

Clearly, he was somewhat hesitant. After all, the Xiao Family's situation could not possibly be hidden from him.

And the Xiao Family truly did not have a Dou Huang...

Xiao Xun'er nodded slightly, a flicker of confusion and worry passing through her beautiful eyes.

Since there was no Dou Huang, why had Brother Xiao Yan said such things?

Had he really gone mad?

She immediately shook her head. Xiao Xun'er did not believe that.

"Xiao Yan, you said your Xiao Family also has a Dou Huang? Fine, then invite this great Dou Huang out." Coming back to her senses, Nalan Yanran sneered.

Ge Ye looked at Xiao Yan and chimed in, "That's right."

Countless gazes filled with anticipation, suspicion, and other emotions focused on the calm-faced youth.

"Not now." Xiao Yan shook his head. "My big brother has matters to attend to. He'll have to come in a couple of days. If you want to see him, wait a few more days."

"Haha..." The young man from the Misty Cloud Sect burst into unrestrained laughter and pointed at Xiao Yan. "Big brother? Did I hear that right? You became sworn brothers with a Dou Huang powerhouse and call him big brother?"

Xiao Yan nodded seriously. "What? Is there a problem?"

The youth's eyes filled with intense contempt as he mocked him without restraint. "Why don't you take a piss and look at yourself? A piece of trash at the Third Stage of Dou Qi—why would a Dou Huang powerhouse ever think highly of you?"

The moment those words came out, they immediately sparked a wave of discussion.

"Yeah, how did I not think of that just now?"

"Xiao Yan has really lost his mind. He's been useless for three years, and now he's fantasizing about having a Dou Huang big brother."

"At least he didn't claim to have a Dou Emperor big brother. That's already good enough."

"Damn, you're vicious. A Dou Emperor? There hasn't been one in tens of thousands of years."

The Xiao Family disciples and several elders all cast disdainful looks at Xiao Yan, the disgust on their faces utterly undisguised.

It was as though having someone like Xiao Yan in their family was an exceptionally shameful matter.

The three elders had originally been somewhat intimidated by Xiao Yan's words.

They had even frowned and reflected on whether the Xiao Family might truly have a Dou Huang ancestor whom Xiao Yan had encountered.

But upon learning that it was Xiao Yan's big brother—

The three of them could no longer hold it in.

Third Elder shook his head regretfully. "A child is still a child. He doesn't even know how to boast properly. Why say big brother? At the very least, he should have said it was a Xiao Family ancestor. That would have been somewhat believable."

"Hmph, how humiliating. Once word of this gets out, all of Wutan City will laugh at our Xiao Family. Xiao Yan is simply the disgrace of the family." Second Elder's expression was cold as he snorted.

First Elder nodded in agreement. "Once today's matter is settled, drive Xiao Yan out of the family immediately and have him manage the shops. We absolutely cannot let him remain in the Xiao Family. Otherwise, the other juniors may be influenced by him."

At this moment, the three of them said such things right in front of Xiao Zhan, utterly disregarding him as the clan leader.

Xiao Zhan felt deeply troubled, but he did not refute them.

His gaze at Xiao Yan was filled with grief. So Yan'er had been driven to this point by all those harsh words over the past three years?

I have failed in my duty as his father...

Guilt and self-reproach surged through Xiao Zhan's heart. He let out a heavy sigh and walked over to Xiao Yan.

"Yan'er, it's Father's fault. I'm useless. I failed to take care of you. Don't concern yourself with today's matter for now. Go back." Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, his tone full of self-blame.

Xiao Yan was stunned. His confused gaze swept across the faces around him, each bearing a different expression.

There was doubt, mockery, sneering, and contempt...

But not a single person believed him.

He stared at Xiao Zhan blankly. "Father, don't even you believe me? What I said is true. I'm not lying. I really do have a Dou Huang big brother..."

"Sigh..."

Sighs rose one after another from all around.

Xiao Zhan's gaze trembled. There was no reproach in it, only heartache. "Yan'er, Father believes you. Now be good and go back to the rear courtyard first. Once things are settled here, Father will come see you, all right?"

By the end, Xiao Zhan sounded exactly as if he were coaxing a child.

He looked toward the entrance and beckoned to Steward Mo.

Xiao Yan shook off Xiao Zhan's hand from his shoulder and said with utmost seriousness, "Father, I'm telling the truth. Didn't you ask me before how the mystery of my disappearing Dou Qi was resolved? I'll tell you now. My big brother helped me solve it."

Huh? Xiao Zhan froze, a trace of doubt stirring in his heart.

"Still being stubborn and lying. Xiao Yan, you're nearly sixteen already. Can't you accept reality?" First Elder laughed loudly before shouting harshly.

When Xiao Yan's Dou Qi had inexplicably vanished, the entire family had been extremely anxious. First Elder had tried to find the cause back then as well.

Yet he had found no solution at all.

Besides, during the test two days ago, Xiao Yan had still been at the Third Stage of Dou Qi. Now he suddenly claimed that the problem had been solved. Who would believe it?

"Young Master Third, stop talking. Come with this old servant." Steward Mo grabbed one of Xiao Yan's arms and spoke gently.

His eyes were full of anxiety and concern. He had watched Young Master Third grow up. As a child, he had been clever, polite, sensible, and even fairly talented. Yet after becoming a Dou Zhe at eleven, his Dou Qi had begun to disappear continuously, and Young Master Third had seemed to become a different person.

Steward Mo carefully recalled every time he had seen Young Master Third force a smile and say he was fine, yet had failed to take it seriously.

Thinking of it now, he could not help but regret it. If he had noticed in time, perhaps Young Master Third would not have kept it all bottled up until he was driven mad by today's provocation.

Xiao Yan was so anxious that he wanted to curse.

Are these people all sick? I'm clearly telling the truth, so why won't they believe me?

"Wait. Who said Xiao Yan could leave?" the youth shouted.

Xiao Zhan turned toward him angrily. "What do you want?"

My son has nearly been driven mad by you people, and you still won't let him go?

The youth raised his chin arrogantly. "I said it before. Xiao Yan publicly slandered the Misty Cloud Sect and insulted our Sect Leader. He must apologize today. If he does not give us an explanation, don't blame the Misty Cloud Sect for choosing another day to flatten your Xiao Family. If you don't believe me, feel free to try!"

The blatant threat filled everyone in the Xiao Family with righteous indignation.

But when they saw the youth's clothing, they swallowed their anger and turned instead to look at Xiao Yan, who was also a member of the Xiao Family.

Though they said nothing, Xiao Yan could sense that those people wanted nothing more than to kill him.

A wave of inexplicable grievance surged into his heart. Why are they bullying me like this? Is it because I'm weak?

Never before had Xiao Yan yearned for strength so desperately.

"Xiao Yan, apologize now."

"Admit your mistake to them. A man must bear responsibility for his own actions."

"That's right. Don't drag the family down with you."

As the first voice spoke up, more and more people joined in.

First Elder swept his gaze over Xiao Yan. "If you make a mistake, admit it. You don't have that talent, so obediently agree to break off the engagement. Don't cause trouble for the family."

"Did you hear that, Xiao Yan? I'm definitely breaking off this engagement today!" Nalan Yanran sneered coldly, disdain curling at the corner of her lips.

Seeing his father's troubled and helpless expression, as if he wanted to do something but lacked the power to do so, Xiao Yan's heart clenched painfully. He hated it. Why had that damned ring stolen his Dou Qi?

Otherwise, I might have been a Four-star, or even Five-star Dou Zhe today.

Just as Xiao Yan sank into helpless self-blame and pain, a deep, cold voice suddenly came from outside:

"Who is bullying my Second Brother?!!"