Uninvited Guest

Back at the Xiao Clan's rear mountain, Xiao Yan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep after returning.

Early the next morning, he went straight to find Xiao Zhan.

"Father, I know who is behind the Jialie Clan incident."

Xiao Zhan was reviewing account books; his hand trembled at these words, and he looked up: "Who?"

"A senior who looks about my age." Xiao Yan lowered his voice, "I ran into that senior at the rear mountain last night. He is a nine-star Da Dou Shi, and he admitted it himself."

The account book in Xiao Zhan's hand dropped onto the table.

"Are you certain?"

"There is no mistake." Xiao Yan recounted the events of the previous night in detail. "This senior said he has no interest in the Xiao Clan and was just passing through. But I keep thinking, if we could befriend someone like that..."

Xiao Zhan was silent for a long time.

"Do you know where he is staying?"

Xiao Yan shook his head: "I didn't dare to follow him. But since the senior is in Wutan City, he must have a place to stay."

Xiao Zhan thought for a moment and called the steward in: "Go and check if any strangers have rented a house in the city over the last two days. Be quick."

The steward took the order and left.

Less than two hours later, the information returned.

"Clan Leader, there is a detached mansion in the east of the city that was rented out the day before yesterday. The one who rented it is a youth, about fourteen or fifteen years old, wearing a black robe. He paid a deposit of one hundred gold coins on the spot."

Xiao Zhan nodded.

Finding him so quickly meant he hadn't hidden his tracks at all.

What did that imply? It meant the person didn't care about being found in the slightest.

"Prepare yourself, I will pay a visit personally." Xiao Zhan stood up.

Ye Xiu truly hadn't intended to hide.

As a nine-star Da Dou Shi, what was there to hide from? In a place as small as Wutan City, almost no one could do anything to him.

The mansion he rented was quite large, with two courtyards and a decent-sized garden. The landlord hadn't wanted to rent to a half-grown kid at first, but the moment Ye Xiu pulled out a bag of gold coins and slapped it on the table, the man's attitude changed instantly, and he delivered the keys that very afternoon.

Right now, Ye Xiu was lying on a rattan chair in the courtyard, soaking up the sun.

Beside him sat a freshly brewed pot of tea, and under the tea table lay several medicinal herbs he had picked up at the auction house. Life was quite comfortable.

Footsteps suddenly sounded outside the gate.

It wasn't just one person.

Ye Xiu opened his eyes, his soul perception sweeping outward. There were two men: one was a five-star Da Dou Shi, the other a three-star Dou Zhe.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan.

He wasn't surprised that these two had come.

There was another one?

Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow.

A woman was also standing outside the gate, wearing a red dress, with not a trace of Dou Qi fluctuation on her.

Just as he thought this, a knock sounded at the door.

"Is Senior Ye Xiu in? Xiao Zhan of the Xiao Clan, here to pay a visit."

The voice was very polite.

Ye Xiu didn't move: "The door isn't locked, come in."

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan walked in.

As soon as he entered, Xiao Zhan cupped his hands in a salute: "Please forgive my presumptuous visit, Senior."

Ye Xiu waved a hand: "Clan Leader Xiao is too polite. What brings you here?"

Xiao Zhan kept his posture very humble: "My son encountered you at the rear mountain last night and told me about it upon his return. That is how I learned that the matter regarding the Jialie Clan was your handiwork, Senior."

He paused, then continued: "The Jialie Clan has always been at odds with the Xiao Clan. Your actions, Senior, are equivalent to removing a great threat for us. I have come today for two reasons: first, to thank you in person, and second, to tell you that the Xiao Clan has not touched a single bit of the Jialie Clan's assets; they are entirely at your disposal."

Ye Xiu looked at him and smiled.

This old fox, he certainly knew how to talk.

What did "entirely at your disposal" mean? It was clearly a probe to see if he had any intention of swallowing up the Jialie Clan. If he said he didn't want them, the Xiao Clan could then take them over with a clear conscience.

"The Jialie Clan's business has nothing to do with me anymore." Ye Xiu said indifferently, "I simply repaid a grudge, and once that was done, it was over. As for those assets, divide them however you like; I have no interest in them."

Xiao Zhan felt relieved, and the smile on his face became a bit more sincere: "Senior is truly magnanimous."

As he spoke, he took a jade box from his robes: "This is a small token of my appreciation—a five-hundred-year-old Blood Lingzhi. It is beneficial for both healing and cultivation. I hope you will accept it, Senior."

Ye Xiu took the jade box and opened it to take a look; it was indeed a good item.

He didn't decline and tucked it straight into his Storage Ring: "Fine, I'll take it."

Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief.

Being able to accept the gift meant that, at the very least, he wasn't repulsed.

Just then, a woman's voice drifted in from outside the gate: "Excuse me, is Senior Ye Xiu staying here?"

Ye Xiu looked toward the entrance.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan also turned their heads.

Standing outside the courtyard gate was a woman in a red dress. She had a tall figure, delicate features, and a smile playing on her lips.

Ya Fei.

Ye Xiu narrowed his eyes.

When Ya Fei saw Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan in the courtyard, she was visibly stunned for a moment, then smiled: "Clan Leader Xiao? Young Master Xiao Yan? What a coincidence, you are here too."

Xiao Zhan was also taken aback: "Miss Ya Fei, you are here because..."

Ya Fei walked in gracefully and bowed slightly toward Ye Xiu: "I hope Senior will forgive my presumptuous visit."

Ye Xiu leaned back in his rattan chair, saying nothing, just watching her.

The smile on Ya Fei's face nearly faltered.

But she was someone who had made her way up in the auction house, so she quickly steadied her nerves and said with a smile: "Senior, please don't misunderstand. I came today purely out of admiration for you, hoping to make your acquaintance."

"Admiration?" Ye Xiu spoke, his tone indifferent. "What do you admire about me?"

Just as Ya Fei was about to speak, Ye Xiu continued: "Where did you hear about me?"

Ya Fei's smile stiffened for an instant.

Ye Xiu looked at her, his gaze turning cold: "Did Gu Ni tell you? Are you investigating me?"

The moment those words left his lips, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted instantly.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance and silently took half a step back.

Ya Fei's expression flickered, but she quickly adjusted. She lowered her head, her voice softening: "Senior, please calm your anger. I would not dare to investigate you, it's just..."

She looked up at Ye Xiu, a hint of grievance in her eyes: "It's just that at the auction house that day, Master Gu Ni was suddenly so respectful toward you. I have been at the auction house for many years and have never seen him treat anyone like that."

"Later, when the Jialie Clan met with disaster, I heard the rumors. When I heard early this morning that Clan Leader Xiao had sent people to inquire about a young man renting a house, I guessed it might be the same person."

She bit her lip: "I have no ill intentions, I truly just wanted to get to know you, Senior. It was just... just curiosity."

Ye Xiu watched her, remaining silent.

Ya Fei took half a step forward, her voice growing even softer: "If Senior wishes to punish me, I will accept it. But I am just an ordinary person; surely you wouldn't hold a grudge against me, would you?"

Ye Xiu suddenly laughed.

"An ordinary person?" he said. "An ordinary person with the audacity to investigate a nine-star Da Dou Shi?"

Ya Fei's face turned pale.

Xiao Zhan coughed lightly from the side: "Uh... Senior, Miss Ya Fei truly possesses no Dou Qi cultivation. I can vouch for that."

Ye Xiu glanced at him, and Xiao Zhan immediately shut his mouth, giving himself a slap.

The courtyard was silent for a few seconds.

Ya Fei kept her head down, her heart racing. She had met many powerful figures, but this young man before her felt different. He looked only fourteen or fifteen, yet those eyes seemed capable of seeing right through a person's soul.

"Enough," Ye Xiu finally said. "Sit."

Ya Fei was startled and looked up.

Ye Xiu gestured to the stone stool nearby: "Why are you standing? I don't have that many rules here."

Ya Fei breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly sat down.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan also found places to sit.

"Senior," Xiao Zhan said, choosing his words carefully. "I have one more presumptuous request."

Ye Xiu looked at him: "Speak."

"Although you have no interest in the Jialie Clan's assets, the deed was ultimately yours. If the Xiao Clan takes them over directly, it won't sound good to the public," Xiao Zhan said. "My proposal is that we announce to the outside world that the Jialie Clan offended you and was dealt with by you. The Xiao Clan is merely managing the assets on your behalf, and should you have any instructions in the future, you can reclaim them at any time."

Ye Xiu waved his hand: "Whatever. You handle it as you see fit."

A weight lifted from Xiao Zhan's heart.

Ya Fei, listening from the side, suddenly spoke up: "Senior, you recognized the tier three Ice Profound Pill at the auction house that day. Master Gu Ni said that you are extremely well-versed in the way of alchemy."

Ye Xiu turned to look at her.

Ya Fei said with a beaming smile: "I will be so bold as to guess—not only is your cultivation high, but you are likely an Alchemist as well, aren't you?"

Xiao Zhan was stunned and looked at Ye Xiu.

Ye Xiu neither denied nor confirmed it, simply looking at Ya Fei: "You certainly talk a lot."

Ya Fei smiled and said nothing more.

But Xiao Zhan had already realized the truth.

To be able to recognize a third-tier medicinal pill at a glance, and to make Gu Ni, a second-tier Alchemist, respectfully address him as "Senior."

What the hell tier is he?

Third-tier? Or even higher?

Xiao Zhan felt completely overwhelmed.

A fifteen-year-old nine-star Da Dou Shi was already outrageous enough, but to add a third-tier Alchemist on top of that... is he even human?

He took a deep breath, stood up, and cupped his hands: "Senior, Xiao came here today mainly to express my gratitude and state my position. Now that the matter is settled, I won't disturb your rest any further."

Ye Xiu nodded: "Fine."

Xiao Zhan grabbed Xiao Yan and left.

Reaching the doorway, Xiao Yan looked back and saw that Ya Fei was still sitting there, motionless.

The courtyard fell quiet once again.

Ye Xiu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked at Ya Fei: "Why haven't you left yet?"

Ya Fei smiled and said: "Didn't Senior just ask me to sit? Ya Fei thought Senior still had something to say."

Ye Xiu set down his teacup.

"You don't think that just because you investigated me, it's going to end like this, do you?"

The smile on Ya Fei's face stiffened.

She quickly stood up, walked over to Ye Xiu, and bowed slightly: "Senior, Ya Fei truly knows she was wrong. Tell me how I can make amends, and I will do it."

Ye Xiu leaned back in his rattan chair, looking at her.

From this angle, he could see her fair neck and slightly open collar.

Ya Fei felt his gaze, and her ears turned a little red, but she didn't shy away.

"Make amends?" Ye Xiu said, "What could you possibly offer?"

Ya Fei raised her head, a hint of a smile in her eyes: "Whatever Senior wants, Ya Fei will give. I have saved up some wealth over the years; although it isn't much, it's a few tens of thousands of gold coins. It's just..."

She paused, looking at Ye Xiu cautiously: "It's just that a person of Senior's stature probably wouldn't care for such a small amount of money."

Ye Xiu didn't respond.

He reached out and patted his own thigh: "Ya Fei, come here."

Ya Fei froze.

Ye Xiu looked at her.

One second.

Two seconds.

Ye Xiu let out a cold laugh, "You hesitated."

Ya Fei's expression changed: "Senior, I..."

"Get out." Ye Xiu waved his hand, "If you come uninvited again, don't blame me for being impolite."

Ya Fei opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.

She lowered her head, took a step back, and turned to leave.

When she reached the door, she couldn't help but look back one last time.

The young man was already leaning back in the rattan chair again, eyes closed, basking in the sun, as if she had never appeared at all.

Ya Fei bit her lip and pushed the door open to leave.