I hope you won't make the wrong choice next time

Morning came, and the sun rose.

"Father?" Xiao Yu had just been about to leave when he saw Xiao Zhan approaching, worry written across his face.

"Yu'er, there's something I need to tell you." Xiao Zhan's expression was tinged with gravity.

Xiao Yu looked at him.

Xiao Zhan said, "Yesterday, someone from the Xiao Clan saw Jia Lie Nu leave Wutan City. He just came back, and there was someone with him—a man dressed as an alchemist. He may be that Liu Xi's teacher."

"I understand, Father." Xiao Yu showed little reaction.

As he remembered it, Liu Xi's teacher had appeared after Xiao Yan's first return from the Misty Cloud Sect. Back then, he'd been a Six-Star Da Dou Shi.

In Wutan City, a Da Dou Shi was more than enough to support an entire clan.

Xiao Yu, however, didn't take him seriously.

To be precise, someone like that was nothing but a fart in front of Yao Lao.

Seeing his son remain unfazed, Xiao Zhan calmed down too. Then, curiosity getting the better of him, he asked, "Yu'er, where are you headed so early?"

"The Mittal Auction House." Xiao Yu smiled, waved, and walked past his father.

Elsewhere.

The Jia Lie Family.

"Teacher, I want revenge!" After taking a pill, Liu Xi's complexion gradually improved, and his voice grew stronger as he lay in bed.

A man in an alchemist's robe sat beside the bed. He looked to be around fifty.

"Get some rest. The Xiao Clan dared to lay a hand on my disciple. I'll make the entire clan kneel and apologize to you." The third-grade alchemist spoke with a cold expression.

Then he rose and left the room.

Jia Lie Bi, the head of the Jia Lie Clan, stood outside the door.

"Lord Liu." When he saw the alchemist, Jia Lie Bi bowed respectfully, his face apologetic. "We failed in our duty to protect Master Liu."

Lord Liu's expression darkened. With his hands behind his back, he walked toward the main hall and said, "Clan Head Jia Lie, tell me about the Xiao Clan."

"Yes, Lord Liu..." Jia Lie Bi followed at his side, carefully explaining the situation.

By the time they reached the main hall, Lord Liu had a general understanding.

"A sixteen-year-old Nine-Star Dou Zhe. Tsk, I never expected a tiny place like Wutan City to produce such a genius." Seated in a chair, he drew in a quiet breath.

Jia Lie Bi stood to one side and stole a glance at him, wondering if he'd get cold feet.

But the very next moment, the third-grade alchemist said icily, "We have to pull them out by the roots, or they'll become a threat!"

Jia Lie Bi's eyes lit up. He hurriedly said, "Lord Liu, is there anything I can do for you? The entire Jia Lie Clan is at your disposal, as long as we can wipe out the Xiao Clan."

"Not so fast. Killing them outright would be no fun. I want to make them despair, little by little." Lord Liu waved a hand. "Jia Lie Bi, is it true that the Xiao Clan gets all its medicinal ingredients from the Mittal Auction House?"

"Absolutely. It's the truth." Jia Lie Bi didn't understand why he was asking, but answered quickly.

Lord Liu declared, "Good. I'll cut off the Xiao Clan's supply of medicinal ingredients first, then refine pills and take over every last bit of business in the Xiao Family Market. I want to make them despair!"

With that, he rose and headed outside.

Jia Lie Bi watched him disappear through the door. Coming back to himself, he muttered in bewilderment, "Are alchemists all this strange? Wouldn't it be better to just attack them?"

When Ya Fei heard Xiao Yu had come to the auction house, she hurried over to receive him.

She didn't know why, but she was looking forward to seeing Xiao Yu. Though every time they met, the little rascal's eyes practically begged to crawl all over her.

But women dressed to please those who admired them.

Besides, Xiao Yu was handsome, too.

When a good-looking person stared at you, it was called admiration. When an ugly one did, it was called...

"Master Xiao Yu, what brings you here today?" Ya Fei's red lips parted, her voice gentle and alluring.

Xiao Yu quickly explained what he wanted.

After listening, Ya Fei paused in surprise. "Master Xiao Yu, is this your decision, or the Xiao Clan's?"

The implications of asking the Mittal Auction House to supply every bit of medicinal material in Wutan City exclusively to the Xiao Clan were enormous.

Put simply, with an alchemist in the Xiao Clan, they could eventually monopolize the entire market for healing medicine in Wutan City.

The Jia Lie Clan and the other major power, the Aoba Clan, wouldn't agree easily.

Unless the Xiao Clan didn't need to consider either family's opinion.

Ya Fei didn't dare make such a decision lightly. One misstep could put this Wutan City branch in an awkward position.

"It's my decision, and the Xiao Clan's." Xiao Yu replied coolly, "I might as well tell you: from now on, there'll be only one clan in Wutan City—the Xiao Clan!"

Ya Fei covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Master Xiao Yu, are you sure you can pull that off?"

Xiao Yu looked completely calm. "I'm being serious."

"If I agree, what does the Mittal Auction House get out of it?" Ya Fei's expression turned serious.

Xiao Yu thought for a moment. "If you want to return to the Imperial Capital, you can do it within half a year."

He wasn't joking. In the original story, Ya Fei had been transferred back to the Imperial Capital fairly quickly, and the few Qi Gathering Powders Yao Lao had provided had a lot to do with it.

And if Xiao Yu wanted to, he could ask Yao Chen to refine those.

A flicker of surprise crossed Ya Fei's eyes. She was sure she hadn't told anyone about wanting to return—not even Xue Li knew.

She couldn't help reassessing Xiao Yu. Yet the boy showed none of the composure of a sixteen-year-old: his expression was serene, and he revealed nothing.

"Fine, I agree. I hope you won't disappoint me." Ya Fei decided to take a gamble. She wanted to return to the Imperial Capital and prove herself.

"Here's to a pleasant partnership." Xiao Yu held out his hand.

Just as Ya Fei was about to shake it, Xue Li rushed in, flustered, and said a distinguished guest had arrived at the auction house. Elder Gu Ni wanted Ya Fei to come over.

A hint of apology crossed Ya Fei's face as she asked Xiao Yu to wait.

Seated in place, Xiao Yu wondered, Who could this distinguished guest be, coming to Wutan City at a time like this?

Not long after,

Ya Fei returned, looking troubled.

"Master Xiao Yu, I'm afraid the Mittal Auction House can't accept your terms," Ya Fei said.

Xiao Yu asked, "Does it have something to do with the person who just arrived?"

Ya Fei thought it over, then nodded. "Yes. He's a third-grade alchemist, and he has connections to the person in charge of the Mittal Auction House in another city. He outranks me. I did my best. That alchemist wants us to stop supplying the Xiao Clan with medicinal ingredients."

Ya Fei had tried to argue for him, but her opinion alone couldn't sway the auction house.

Especially when it came to a third-grade alchemist!

Gu Ni didn't want to offend one, so he'd agreed to the man's request on the spot.

In his view, the Xiao Clan might not be able to withstand the revenge of a third-grade alchemist.

After all, the alchemist backing the Xiao Clan had never shown himself. Nobody knew how powerful he really was.

Given a moment to weigh things up, most people would know what to choose.

Ya Fei had prepared herself for Xiao Yu's anger. As far as she was concerned, she'd broken her word.

Yet

Xiao Yu remained calm. As he passed her, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Do you think the Xiao Clan will win or lose?"

Ya Fei considered it for a moment, then said, "I hope you win."

"You want to have the final say, right?" Xiao Yu knew that she'd said this because she'd just been arguing with someone.

If the Xiao Clan ultimately won its contest with the Jia Lie Family, that would prove Ya Fei had been right. Her influence at the Wutan City auction house would undoubtedly grow.

Facing Xiao Yu's gaze, Ya Fei nodded without trying to hide it.

That had always been her goal and ambition.

"I can tell you with certainty: this time, you failed to make a firm choice, and that was a mistake. But I hope you won't make the wrong choice next time. Life doesn't give you many chances." With that, Xiao Yu left.

Ya Fei stood where she was, questions bubbling up one after another. In her mind, Xiao Yu's smile resurfaced—the one he'd worn as he said those final words to her.