Xiao Yan felt as though he was hearing things.
The proud daughter of heaven of the Jia Ma Empire, the young sect mistress of the Misty Cloud Sect.
He knew perfectly well just how arrogant Nalan Yanran was at heart.
Yet now, she was actually asking to become his maid?
So, the girl who had adamantly insisted on breaking off the engagement—if she merely changed identities, he could see her being so humble and submissive?
Xiao Yan inexplicably wanted to laugh.
He put his mask back on and opened the door.
Outside, Nalan Yanran was still dressed in a blue-and-white robe. Her slender waist was bent slightly, and a faint blush born of shame stood out on her delicate, gorgeous face, which was no less beautiful than Xun Er's.
"Master Yan, please allow me to serve by your side as a maid." Nalan Yanran's expression was stiff as she spoke. Yan Xiao's appraising gaze made her uncomfortable.
"Hmph." Xiao Yan snorted, his voice calm. "The young sect mistress of the Misty Cloud Sect is actually lowering herself so much as to volunteer to become my maid?"
Nalan Yanran pressed her lips together. "Master Yan, I am willing to serve as your maid for half a year, but I ask that you agree to one request."
Xiao Yan was intrigued. The faint mischievous amusement in his heart suddenly made him want to hear more.
"Speak."
Having received permission, Nalan Yanran hurriedly said, "Master Yan, my grandfather, Nalan Jie, has been afflicted by Brand Poison. He has suppressed it with his cultivation for years, but he is nearly unable to hold on any longer."
"My request is that, if my grandfather's Brand Poison truly erupts, please give the Nalan Clan one chance to make a deal with you."
Xiao Yan was rather surprised. "Just one chance to make a deal?"
Nalan Yanran nodded. "Yes, only one chance. At that time, the Nalan Clan will present every reward we can offer. You may decide then whether you are willing to treat my grandfather. We absolutely will not force you."
Since Nalan Yanran had put it that way, Xiao Yan could not help curling his lips. He did not refuse again. "In that case, you had better be a qualified maid over the next half year."
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Above Black Rock City.
On a small Flying Boat carried by a flying magical beast.
Xiao Yan stood on the deck, dressed in the Sixth-Rank Alchemist robe that had only recently been delivered.
The howling wind swept past, yet it did not stir even a corner of his clothing.
"Master Yan, please have some fruit." Nalan Yanran stood beside him with a tray of fruit, plucked one up, and brought it to Xiao Yan's mouth.
Xiao Yan did not stand on ceremony and opened his mouth.
Juice splashed onto the corner of his lips, and Nalan Yanran hurriedly wiped it away with a handkerchief.
Xiao Yan glanced at her and said blandly, "Do not let it happen again."
Nalan Yanran hurriedly nodded. "Yes."
"Go wait inside. I want to enjoy the wind." Xiao Yan dismissed her.
Nalan Yanran obeyed and consciously left.
After returning to her room, she recalled Xiao Yan's back and became curious.
Over these past few days as a maid, she had naturally come into some contact with Xiao Yan.
Since Xiao Yan did not conceal himself, and because she was observant.
Nalan Yanran had noticed that his occasionally exposed hands and certain other parts indicated that he possessed no more than a young man's body.
Combined with Xiao Yan's youthful voice, Nalan Yanran guessed that he must have taken some pill that preserved his appearance or restored his body to youth.
As for whether Xiao Yan might have originally been just a young man?
Nalan Yanran had never considered that possibility.
How could there possibly be such a young Sixth-Rank Alchemist in this world? It was far too unbelievable.
If such a monstrous figure truly existed.
How could someone like that remain in the tiny Jia Ma Empire, and how could he be so approachable?
Yes, approachable.
That was the conclusion Nalan Yanran had drawn over the past few days.
She discovered that although Xiao Yan was sharp-tongued and cold on the surface, he was nowhere near as high-handed in his actions as a Sixth-Rank Alchemist ought to be.
He had told her to properly fulfill her duties as a maid, yet he rarely ordered her around in daily life.
Even their meals were prepared by this alchemy master himself, who roasted wild game with flames. He looked entirely self-sufficient.
Take just now, for instance. He said it was not to happen again, but in truth, he probably just did not want her standing out in the wind with him, which was why he told her to return to her room.
Thinking of this, Nalan Yanran inexplicably found Xiao Yan somewhat adorable, and the corners of her lips unconsciously rose.
On the deck of the Flying Boat.
After watching Nalan Yanran return to her room, Xiao Yan summoned Yao Lao.
"Kid Yan, does it feel good having your former fiancée serve as your maid?" Yao Lao wore a lecherous grin.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes. "Have some shame, old man."
"Tsk, is that how you speak of your teacher? You disrespectful little brat." Yao Lao feigned anger.
Xiao Yan ignored him completely and launched into a string of complaints. "Teacher, I truly regret it now. I regret agreeing to let her be my maid just for that little bit of malicious amusement!"
"As a maid, she cannot even cook. The moment I tasted the food she made, I nearly threw up, you know?"
"And just now, she could not even feed me fruit properly. She got juice all over my mouth. Is she even human?"
Yao Lao snickered. "Heh heh, you brought this upon yourself."
"Once you get off the Flying Boat, find a way to send her away."
Xiao Yan nodded helplessly. "That is all I can do."
The little mischievous amusement in his heart had basically vanished.
Originally, he had planned to enjoy Nalan Yanran's service, then reveal his true identity in the future and see what kind of expression she would make.
Yet after only a few days, he had already begun to feel uncomfortable.
The days aboard the Flying Boat passed in a flash.
Three days went by.
With Nalan Yanran watching him, Xiao Yan did nothing.
When the Flying Boat stopped at Desert City, the great city on the easternmost edge of the Jia Ma Empire, he quickly disembarked.
Nalan Yanran followed closely behind.
Desert City was where Hai Bodong, the angel investor from the original story, had opened his map shop.
"Master Yan, where are we going next?" It was also Nalan Yanran's first time in an outlying city like Desert City, and she looked around curiously.
Ever since discovering that Yan Xiao was not as stern and unapproachable as he seemed, she had gradually stopped being so restrained around him.
Xiao Yan adjusted his mask and said, "Not we. Me!"
"I am going to look for something next. If you follow me, you will only be a burden."
Nalan Yanran froze. "Master Yan, you mean...?"
Xiao Yan said bluntly, "I no longer need you as my maid. You may leave my side now."
Nalan Yanran lowered her head, her voice subdued. "Master Yan, was there something I did not do well enough?"
Xiao Yan's lips twitched behind his mask. Right now, he really wanted to curse, There is nothing about you that qualifies as a maid.
But that would ruin his bearing, so he did not say it.
"You did well, but I already made it very clear in my previous words. What I am about to do, you would only be a burden."
Nalan Yanran pressed her lips together and asked, "Then the request from before..."
"I agreed to it. In a few months, I will go to the capital of the Jia Ma Empire for the Alchemist Conference. At that time, I will help remove your grandfather's poison. Have your Nalan Clan prepare the payment." Xiao Yan spoke indifferently.
Nalan Yanran's eyes lit up. She had not expected Xiao Yan to agree.
"Sure enough, you are someone with a hard mouth and a soft heart." Nalan Yanran raised the corners of her lips and muttered softly.
Xiao Yan could not be bothered to listen to her muttering and directly sent her away. "Go find somewhere to stay on your own now. Do not follow me, understand?"
Nalan Yanran nodded repeatedly. "Understood!"
Then, gathering her courage, she wanted to satisfy her curiosity.
"Master Yan, can you take off your mask and let me see what your face looks like?"
Before you continue