The Xiao Clan.
Amid the laughter and cheerful chatter, Xiao Yu greeted his father, Xiao Zhan, then left the main hall alone and headed for the rear courtyard.
Xiao Yan watched his younger brother's retreating figure, his mind full of questions he wanted to ask. But the elders kept him talking, and he had no chance to leave.
With Jia Lie Ao knocked down by a single punch from Xiao Yu, there was no surprise in the arena match's outcome: the Xiao Clan had won.
After all, that was according to the rules Jia Lie Bi himself had proposed.
The entire Jia Lie Clan had poured resources into Jia Lie Ao, the clan leader's only son, yet he still hadn't been Xiao Yu's match for even one punch.
Even if they sent out two more clan disciples, they wouldn't make much of a splash.
After watching Xiao Yu win the arena match with three light punches, everyone present felt as if it couldn't be real.
Just a moment before Xiao Yu threw his first punch, this young master of the Xiao Clan had still been, in everyone's minds, the very image of someone stuck at the Third Stage of Dou Qi for four years.
But who could have guessed? Who would have dared imagine that their young master was this incredible?
Three punches!
Just three punches!
And a marketplace was theirs!
They had heard that the Jia Lie and Xiao Clans had clashed many times over that marketplace. If things had continued, the Jia Lie Clan actually had a better chance of claiming it than the Xiao Clan.
Who would have thought the Jia Lie Clan would take the initiative to propose settling the marketplace dispute through an arena match?
The Great Elder beamed. "The rise of our Xiao Clan is unstoppable!"
"Our young master was hiding his abilities so well. If not for today's match, we would all still be kept in the dark." The Second Elder nodded repeatedly.
The Third Elder said, "Clan Leader, the young master is the secret weapon you prepared, isn't he?"
He didn't believe a father could be unaware of his son's capabilities.
As for Xiao Zhan's performance just now, the Third Elder was more inclined to think the clan leader had been putting on an act.
However,
Xiao Zhan shook his head. "I only just learned of Yu'er's strength myself."
The three elders were stunned.
The Third Elder asked in confusion, "The Test Monument couldn't possibly lie. The young master went from the Third Stage of Dou Qi to defeating Jia Lie Ao in less than a year. Clan Leader, are you sure you didn't secretly give him extra lessons?"
Xiao Zhan shot him a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Third Elder, so that's what you think of me as clan leader?"
The Third Elder hurriedly apologized, saying it had been a slip of the tongue.
Just then, the Great Elder's eyes shifted, and he suggested, "Clan Leader, the young master is certainly gifted, but such a drastic change must have come from some opportunity. Why not ask him about it? If we can put it to use for our Xiao Clan disciples, wouldn't that be a good thing? Then every one of our disciples could make rapid progress, and our return to the Imperial Capital would be just around the corner!"
Xiao Zhan snorted and sternly said, "Three elders, you didn't have this attitude before!"
He paused, then his tone turned severe as he looked at the three men. "Whatever opportunities Yu'er has found are his own business! If any of you dares to pry or pressure him in private, don't say I didn't warn you!"
The Great Elder gave an awkward smile.
In truth, he had been thinking of securing benefits for his own grandson.
But,
from the clan leader's attitude, it was obvious he cared deeply for this young master, whom he doted on so much.
If they resorted to underhanded methods to dig for information, the clan leader would surely be furious!
"Three elders, my father's words are my own, too! Ask fewer questions about my younger brother, or don't blame me for what happens!" After hearing Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan also made his position clear.
One was the clan leader.
The other was the most talented prodigy in the clan's history, who was also studying at Jia Nan Academy.
Neither was someone the three elders could afford to provoke.
Though the three of them held the title of elders, they relied on nothing more than their age and seniority!
In this world, where strength reigned supreme, they didn't dare go too far.
Soon, the three men shifted the conversation to the Jia Lie Clan.
Xiao Zhan said gravely, "One good turn deserves another. Jia Lie Bi dared to dig a pit for our Xiao Clan, and we won't let this matter go so easily! First, get that marketplace ready. When it opens, offer the biggest discounts we can. Even if we earn a little less, we must draw the Jia Lie Clan's customers over."
"Yes, Clan Leader!"
The three elders agreed. After discussing some details, they left together.
That marketplace was very close to the Jia Lie Clan's own.
With opening discounts and price cuts, they could definitely draw in customers who had previously gone to the Jia Lie Clan!
Inside the hall,
only the father and son remained.
"Father, my younger brother..." Curiosity showed on Xiao Yan's face.
He hadn't wanted to ask too much in front of outsiders, but now he still had his doubts.
Did Father really not know?
Xiao Zhan smiled wryly. "Yu'er is a lot like you. He started keeping things to himself when he was five or six, and he's always had plenty of secrets. Ask him when you get a chance. I'm curious, too."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan understood that his father truly didn't know how his younger brother had become so powerful.
Xiao Yan nodded. "All right. I'll find a chance to ask him."
"Mm. By the way, Yu'er's child was born yesterday," Xiao Zhan suddenly said.
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, and he grinned. "Really? My younger brother's impressive! Is it a boy or a girl?"
Xiao Zhan smiled. "A boy."
Xiao Yan clapped his hands. "I'll go see him now."
With that, he stood up.
But after taking two steps, he turned and headed out, muttering, "I can't show up empty-handed. I'll buy some gifts first."
"Yan'er, you need to hurry up, too. Your younger brother's already ahead of you!" Xiao Zhan called.
Xiao Yan stumbled in mid-step. Without looking back, he replied, "Father, nagging me won't help with this. Yanran has to agree, too."
Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor in the main hall and sighed softly. "Nalan... one of the three great clans of the Jia Ma Empire. Yan'er, you need to hurry, or this marriage may be delayed for a long time."
The Jia Lie Clan.
In a room, Jia Lie Bi roared, "Where's the doctor? Why hasn't the doctor arrived yet?"
Before him, Jia Lie Ao lay on the bed, his face bloodless and his breathing weak.
Jia Lie Ao's chest was completely caved in, leaving a huge depression.
If he hadn't been a Dou Zhe, with Dou Qi sustaining his body, an ordinary person would already have stopped breathing.
Before long, members of the Jia Lie Clan rushed in with a doctor.
"No need to bow. Hurry and examine my son," Jia Lie Bi said, stopping him.
The doctor nodded and quickly examined Jia Lie Ao. Gradually, his expression grew grave.
A short while later, the doctor stood and said, "Clan Leader Jia Lie, all the bones in Young Master Jia Lie's chest are shattered. He must..."
The doctor listed a series of medicines and then explained the treatment method again.
Given his current condition, he wouldn't be able to get out of bed for at least three months. And even after he recovered, it was still uncertain whether his strength would suffer lasting effects.
With a dark expression, Jia Lie Bi ordered someone to escort the doctor out. Then he used his Dou Qi to stabilize his son's injuries according to the doctor's instructions.
"Cough, cough..." A little color returned to Jia Lie Ao's face. He coughed a few times, then slowly opened his eyes. "Father, I..."
Jia Lie Bi raised a hand. "Son, don't speak yet. Don't worry, I'll avenge you. Master Liu should be here soon!"
Hearing this, Jia Lie Ao's trembling lips closed, and he slowly shut his eyes, filled with bitter hatred.
Humiliation!
An absolutely enormous humiliation!
Xiao Yu!
Just you wait!
Jia Lie Ao had always resented Xiao Yan most, but at this moment, the person he hated most had become Xiao Yu.
Knocked down by a single punch in front of so many people!
Jia Lie Ao could already imagine that for a long time to come, he would be the laughingstock of everyone in Wutan City!
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