Drag Him Away and Burn Him

"Not bad, Xun'er, but compared to the two of us, you're still a little behind!"

Xiao Yuan said with a grin.

"You're my brothers. Isn't it only natural that you're better than me?"

Xiao Xun'er replied with a faint smile, her voice carrying a young girl's particular sweetness.

"Alright, alright. But your two brothers are relying on you to protect them now, so you need to work even harder! Become a Dou Zhe tomorrow and a Dou Shi the day after!"

Xiao Yuan continued to tease her.

Xiao Yan, standing nearby, felt a little embarrassed when he heard that. He had no desire to rely on a girl for protection.

"Ah? That might be a little difficult!"

A troubled look appeared on Xiao Xun'er's delicate face.

"Haha, I won't tease you anymore. You two should head back first. I need to return to the market to handle some matters. Father said guests will be visiting tomorrow, but when I asked what was going on, he started acting all mysterious and refused to tell me the details."

After giving those instructions with a smile, Xiao Yuan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, winked at Xun'er, and then turned to leave.

Watching Xiao Yuan's retreating figure, Xiao Xun'er seemed thoughtful, though she smiled as she said, "Let's go, Brother Xiao Yan!"

"Mm. Xun'er, was I a little too impulsive just now?"

Xiao Yan began walking beside the girl and cautiously asked.

"Yes, you were far too impulsive!"

Seeing the girl nod with a serious expression, Xiao Yan's heart sank.

"But it was attractive too! Xun'er believes Brother Xiao Yan will return to his peak. When that happens, if anyone dares speak badly of Brother Yuan again, we'll tear their mouths apart together!"

Xiao Xun'er raised her dainty fist as she spoke, putting on a ferocious expression.

"You little girl, don't always learn vulgar language from me and Third Brother! Still, thank you. For the past three years, you've both always believed in me like this."

Seeing the girl's adorably guileless appearance, Xiao Yan shook his head between laughter and tears. Then his expression grew serious as he spoke earnestly.

"Hmph, hmph!"

Xiao Xun'er put on a haughty expression, tilting her little head. That word of thanks filled her heart with delight.

On the second floor of a shop bearing the character "Xiao," deep within the Xiao Clan Market, Xiao Yuan had just returned and sat down to handle some business when a knock sounded at the door.

"Third Young Master!"

"Come in!"

As Xiao Yuan spoke, the door was pushed open. A burly man dressed in the Xiao Clan's standard uniform entered respectfully.

He appeared to be around thirty years old. A badge was pinned to his chest, marked with six golden stars, signifying that he was a six-star Dou Zhe.

"Uncle Peien, what happened in the market this time?"

At Xiao Yuan's question, the man gave an honest smile and respectfully replied, "Third Young Master, when the brothers under my command changed shifts, they caught someone. They said he had previously spoken disrespectfully toward you and the Young Master."

"Huh?"

Xiao Yuan froze for a moment. It couldn't be that much of a coincidence, could it?

"Bring him in!"

Seeing the confusion in Xiao Yuan's eyes, Peien called out toward the door.

The next moment, two Xiao Clan guards dragged in a man whose hands and feet were bound, his face swollen and bruised. They kicked him behind the knees, forcing him to kneel on the ground.

"Third Young Master, the two of us happened to be changing shifts around this time. We planned to come to the market together after your test ended, but we heard this brat speaking disrespectfully about you, so we tied him up!"

One of the guards respectfully bowed and reported.

The other grabbed the kneeling man's hair and yanked his head back, exposing his face.

Xiao Yuan stared for quite some time before recognizing a trace of familiarity in that badly misshapen face, its mouth stuffed with a smelly sock. It really was the man his younger brother had fiercely berated!

"Why did you tie him up? Am I really that petty?"

Xiao Yuan helplessly shook his head and sighed.

"That is because Third Young Master is broad-minded and cannot be bothered to lower yourself to his level. But we already questioned him just now. This brat has stolen plenty of things from our market before! If not for the Young Master's reluctance to cut off the livelihoods of those thieves, turning a blind eye to them, how could they survive here? The brothers hate these ungrateful beasts who bite the hand that feeds them most of all! Besides, you've always treated the brothers well. If he dares insult you, he's slapping all of us in the face!"

Peien stepped forward, speaking indignantly.

Thanks to Xiao Yuan, although this was merely a mid-level market, the monthly wages of their guard squad could rival those of an Advanced Market.

Furthermore, these men were trusted subordinates personally appointed by Xiao Yuan's father, Xiao Zhan. Thus, although Xiao Yuan was a useless cripple incapable of cultivation, he was still dearly respected by them.

"Oh, then drag him away."

Seeing the angry expressions on Peien and the two guards behind him, Xiao Yuan waved his hand casually.

"Yes!"

The two guards answered in unison, then dragged the fool kneeling on the ground away like a dead dog.

"Young Master, how should we deal with him?"

Peien asked with his mouth, but his hand was already drawing a line across his throat.

"Stealing and insulting me aren't crimes worthy of death. With you guards around, I'm not worried about him holding a grudge. But he might have dangerous thoughts toward Xiao Yan, so burn him."

Xiao Yuan pondered for a moment before speaking in a tone as calm as if he were ordering the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Yes, Young Master!"

Peien nodded. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly slapped his forehead and returned. Leaning close, he whispered to Xiao Yuan, "I nearly forgot about your important matter, Young Master. The task you ordered is almost done. The goods can be delivered tonight!"

"Mm. I'll give you some more gold coins later. Don't let everyone work for nothing."

At last, a flicker of joy appeared in Xiao Yuan's eyes. Still, he kept his emotions under control and spoke with his usual calm.

"Mm, don't worry, Young Master!"

Peien immediately nodded with a simple smile. He no longer disturbed Xiao Yuan's work, quietly withdrawing and closing the door behind him.

"Phew!"

As the footsteps gradually faded into the distance, Xiao Yuan let out a long breath, joy appearing on his face as well.

Damn it! Fifteen years at last. The problem of being unable to cultivate is finally about to be solved!

As Xiao Yan's twin brother, Xiao Yuan's soul likewise did not belong to this world.

To be honest, when he discovered at the age of three that he could not cultivate like everyone else, Xiao Yuan had been desperate. After all, he did not have Yao Lao absorbing his Dou Qi, nor did he have a system. He was most likely truly crippled.

Fortunately, as a transmigrator, he knew that his younger brother possessed Dou Emperor potential.

Thus, as his older brother, Xiao Yuan began taking extra care of Xiao Yan. Even if he truly could not cultivate in this life, with Xiao Yan around, his future days would not be too difficult.

At the same time, however, Xiao Yuan was unwilling to give up his chance at cultivation. Yet after trying for two and a half years, he still found no results.

Until, at the age of five, Xiao Yuan saw an ancient box in his father Xiao Zhan's room.

Driven by curiosity, he opened it and discovered two emerald-green jade pieces inside. Each jade piece bore a point of light that slowly moved about, as though it possessed sentience.

That was...!