A Familiar Script

As one of the Jia Ma Empire's major cities, Wutan City saw no small amount of traffic.

Though the blazing sun hung overhead, the streets remained packed with people, and the occasional strange race could even be seen.

With Xiao Yan accompanying her, Xun Er, usually aloof and calm within the clan, became much livelier. She pulled along Xiao Yan, whose lips held a gentle smile, darting from stall to stall. The girl's clear, delicate laughter made even the streets scorched by the blazing heat seem a little cooler.

Xiao Yan naturally knew that, given Xun Er's standards and status as the young lady of the Ancient Clan, it would be difficult to find a single item in all of Wutan City worthy of catching her eye. Yet what Xun Er cared about was not such ordinary trinkets, but his company.

After taking Xun Er around several turns on the broad streets, Xiao Yan finally slipped into a medium-sized marketplace in the southern part of the city. There were several such marketplaces in Wutan City, each controlled by one of the city's three great families. This particular marketplace belonged to the Xiao Family...

Calling it control was not quite accurate. It would be better to say they maintained the marketplace's order and safety. In return, the mercenaries and merchants who set up stalls there had to pay the family a commission. This had always been the rule across the Dou Qi Continent, so few people dared to cause trouble.

Two Xiao Family guards stood at the entrance to the marketplace. They clearly recognized Xiao Yan and Xun Er, and when they saw them arrive, they both froze before quickly bowing respectfully.

They knew that Young Master Xiao Yan was now a Dou Zhe!

Xiao Yan gave a slight nod and entered the marketplace. Looking at the endless stream of people within, he clicked his tongue in amazement. The marketplace's income could practically be considered one of the Xiao Family's most important pillars, but unfortunately, that money had little to do with him.

Although he could live off Xun Er, he really wanted some money of his own to spend.

He could not exactly use Xun Er's money to buy things for Xun Er, could he?

Xun Er probably would not mind, but Xiao Yan himself could not get over it.

"Third Young Master, Miss Xun Er, have you come to the marketplace to buy something?"

Just as the two were becoming somewhat dazed by the crowd flowing past them, a respectful voice came from behind.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan turned around. Seven or eight burly men dressed in the Xiao Family's uniform stood behind him. The speaker was their leader, a sturdy man nearing thirty. A badge was pinned to his chest, bearing four golden stars. Clearly, he was a four-star Dou Zhe.

Seeing Xiao Yan's puzzled look, the man gave an honest smile and said respectfully:

"Third Young Master, my name is Pei En. I am the captain of the guards personally appointed by the Patriarch, responsible for protecting the marketplace. Hehe, Pei En came to see you at your birthday celebration last year..."

"Oh, so it was you, Uncle Pei En."

Xiao Yan blinked. Though he had little impression of the burly man's face, he was very familiar with that name.

Moreover, Pei En had just said he had been personally appointed captain by his father, so there was certainly no issue with his loyalty.

Though the family was divided into several factions, Xiao Yan did not care.

At most, by the time he turned fifteen, he was confident he could cultivate to at least the Da Dou Shi level. By then, even if several elders attacked together, he would not fear them at all. Thus, such factional struggles were nothing more than childish squabbles in his eyes.

"I've been cultivating in the clan for too long and was getting a little bored, so I came out for a walk. Uncle Pei En, go tend to your work. If anything comes up, I'll call for you."

Xiao Yan nodded with a gentle smile.

That single word, uncle, made the smile on Pei En's face deepen considerably. He bowed respectfully, then said with a smile:

"Then please browse as you please, Third Young Master. Our men are stationed all around the marketplace. If anything happens, just call out."

Xiao Yan nodded politely, took Xun Er's hand, and slipped into the crowd.

"Pa Li, take two men and protect the Third Young Master. Warn those pickpockets in the marketplace. If anyone dares set their sights on the Third Young Master or Miss Xun Er, they can start figuring out how to be reborn into a better life in their next one."

Watching the boy and girl disappear, Pei En turned and barked the order. The honest look on his face instantly became cold and stern.

"Yes, Captain!"

The burly man named Pa Li nodded gravely, waved his hand, and led two guards into the crowd.

"Hehe, the Third Young Master is such an outstanding genius, yet he treats others with such warmth. He is simply like the sun in the sky!"

Watching the three men blend into the crowd, Pei En could not help sighing with emotion, his face filled with loyalty.

Lazily following behind Xiao Yan, Xun Er casually glanced at the crowd behind them and smiled faintly. "Brother Xiao Yan, that Pei En is quite good."

Xiao Yan gave a slight nod and softly murmured in agreement.

His soul perception was far stronger than that of ordinary people, so he was fully aware of the guards following behind them. Retracting his gaze, Xiao Yan slowed down and walked side by side with the girl. The elegant fragrance of the girl, delicate as a Green Lotus, drifted over with the breeze and refreshed his mind.

"With only eight stages of Dou Qi, you can sense three three-star Dou Zhes skilled in concealment. Xun Er, you really know how to hide your abilities."

Although Xiao Yan knew Xun Er's identity, he still had to put on a curious, probing expression at this moment.

Xun Er tilted her head and smiled at his words, remaining silent.

Gazing at the girl as she kept her lips sealed, Xiao Yan's lips curved into a warm smile. He gently rubbed her little head and said softly, "It doesn't matter if you won't tell me. Sooner or later, you'll tell me."

"Brother Xiao Yan really understands Xun Er. Then guess why Xun Er is so happy today?"

Xun Er quickly caught up to him and asked with a bright smile.

"Mm..."

Xiao Yan thought for a moment. His brows rose as he turned back and carefully examined the girl before him, looking somewhat surprised. "You've reached the ninth stage of Dou Qi?"

"Hehe!"

The girl gave an adorably innocent smile, blinked her eyes, and nodded cutely.

Then she smiled somewhat mysteriously and said:

"You got half of it right. As for the other half, Xun Er will tell you after Brother Xiao Yan finishes shopping with me!"

Just as Xiao Yan was about to say something, a clear laugh suddenly came from ahead.

"Oh? Isn't that Miss Xun Er? Hehe, I never expected to run into you here. What a coincidence."

Xun Er's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked toward the voice. She saw a group of people approaching, surrounding a richly dressed youth like stars around the moon.

The youth looked about fifteen and was rather handsome, though his complexion was somewhat pale. His eyes were currently burning as they stared fixedly at the adorable girl in the distance, filled with undisguised affection.