It Was Me

Holding Xiao Xun Er's hand, Xiao Yan walked home laden with spoils, listening to Old Yao's amazed clicking of the tongue by his ear.

"Those punches and kicks were impressive. Did you already learn what that girl taught you?"

"Of course, I have Miss Wan to thank for that."

A faint smile colored Xiao Yan's voice.

"You brat, look at you."

Though he said that, Old Yao could not help nodding as he looked at Xiao Yan.

Viewing a person from an absolutely detached and objective perspective might provide a comprehensive understanding, but if one wished to know that person more deeply, one had to stand in the same place as them.

Xiao Yan was indeed becoming more and more satisfactory in his eyes.

Afterward, Xiao Yan escorted Xiao Xun Er back to her residence.

"Did Xun Er have fun today?"

Although the Xiao Family stood alongside the other two great families in Wutan City, they were still considered local powers. If they did not even know what happened within their own territory, then the Xiao Family might as well stop trying to survive in Wutan City.

"As for whether the Jia Lie Family will come here to demand an explanation... probably not. They cannot afford that humiliation."

Xiao Xun Er, who had been rather happy, immediately deflated—this blockhead really did not understand anything at all—

From the moment Xiao Yan entered, the discussions in the hall gradually subsided. Xiao Zhan, who was normally suppressed by the elders due to being outnumbered and often argued until his face turned red, had completely shed his disadvantaged manner this time. There was even a hint of pride and exultation on his face.

"Of course it counts, silly girl."

Having gained a new goal for the road ahead was a good thing for a spirited youth like Xiao Yan.

But before Xiao Yan could make any more grand declarations, the old servant's voice came from outside the door.

As Xiao Zhan spoke, the three elders turned their doubtful gazes toward Xiao Yan as well.

Xiao Xun Er clasped her hands behind her back, leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yan, and asked,

Xiao Yan gently stroked Xun Er's waterfall-like hair. A captivating smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and his gaze was exceedingly gentle.

"Hm? You're back?"

"So urgent—"

The flames were completely different from the Dou Qi flames Miss Wan had used on the few occasions Xiao Yan had seen them before. Though they were clearly flames, what Xiao Yan felt was bone-piercing cold.

When Xiao Zhan saw Xiao Yan appear before him, he smiled from the bottom of his heart.

"Yes, today's actions were indeed somewhat reckless, but they also proved that over the past half year, with that girl's help, your physical strength has improved greatly. In my view, even an ordinary Dou Zhe's physique cannot compare to yours."

Old Yao looked at him in silence for a moment before saying, "Naturally, as long as you have the courage to do so in the future."

"Father, you sent for me?"

Xun Er's smile was like an epiphyllum bloom—rare and dazzling.

"Xiao Yan, did you insist on fighting Jia Lie Ao... because of Xun Er?"

"It was most likely because they wanted to ask about your fight with Jia Lie Ao."

Although his father was the Clan Leader, the Xiao Family had never been ruled by one person alone.

"Hurry along. This can be considered your first battle after shaking off the name of worthless trash. Let those people see that even a fallen young eagle can soar into the heavens once more."

Old Yao stroked his beard. As he used his spiritual power to lift the medicinal ingredients, pale flames surged from his palm.

"Yan'er is here."

"Teacher, will I be able to possess my own Heavenly Flames someday?"

Xiao Yan asked eagerly.

After seeing off Xun Er, who seemed somewhat unhappy at the end, Xiao Yan immediately returned to his room and handed the magic cores and medicinal ingredients he had bought to Old Yao to refine Spiritual Medicine.

"Your father has already heard about what happened in Wutan City today."

The incident had caused an enormous uproar in Wutan City, and rumors spread far and wide. After verifying the matter from many sources, no matter how unwilling the elders were to admit it, there seemed to be no exaggeration in the claim that Xiao Yan had beaten Jia Lie Ao.

"I was happy, but not as happy as when I watched Xiao Yan beat up Jia Lie Ao."

A trace of urgency—or perhaps nervousness—weighed on Xiao Zhan's heart. He hoped that his long-silent son could truly soar into the heavens again, unstoppable and irresistible, yet an adult's rationality left him uneasy.

"Since Father has heard about it, and the elders are here as well, Xiao Yan will not hide it from the family elders. I was the one who beat Jia Lie Ao. Three stages of Dou Qi against eight stages of Dou Qi—I decided the victor in a single exchange. Father, I did not bring shame upon the Xiao Family."

So this matter definitely was not false.

"Teacher, this is..."

"Young Master, the Clan Leader and the elders have summoned you."

"...Heavenly Flames."

Xiao Yan subconsciously glanced at the First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder seated on either side.

Xiao Yan subconsciously glanced at Old Yao, who raised a hand to signal his disciple to remain calm.

"Yes, I definitely won't have any problems!"

"Please hurry, Third Young Master. The Clan Leader and elders have important matters to discuss with you."

"Yes, all right. I'll be there at once."

As he spoke, Old Yao explained to Xiao Yan about the flames used by alchemists and about Heavenly Flames.

Thus, the Clan Leader and elders learned about the conflict between Xiao Yan and Jia Lie Ao as soon as it happened.

Yet that was not the answer Xun Er wanted. Or rather, Xiao Yan had misunderstood her meaning.

Moved by Old Yao's words, Xiao Yan nodded. "All right."

With that, he walked out of his room. After locking the door, he followed the servant who had come with the old servant toward the reception hall.

But whether it was true or not... that would have to be confirmed by the person involved.

There were no guests in the hall today. Only his father Xiao Zhan, the Clan Leader, and the elders of the Xiao Family were present.

Seeing the anticipation on his disciple's face, Old Yao finally saw the curiosity and expectation a youth ought to have.

At last feeling something akin to admiration in Xiao Yan's gaze, Old Yao felt exceptionally pleased. Brat, otherwise why would you think becoming my disciple was somehow a loss for you—

Old Yao analyzed the situation, then put away the medicinal liquid he had already refined during their conversation. It turned into mist and slipped back into Xiao Yan's ring.

There had been far too many witnesses at the scene. This was not something that could have been fabricated by rumors spread by just one or two people.

The three elders looked at one another, unable to say a word.

Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, seemed as though a huge stone had finally fallen from his heart. He let out a long breath, then laughed. "Good, good, good! That is what a son of my Xiao Family should be!"

Though that was what he said, everyone present could hear Xiao Zhan's true meaning.