Before long, the news that Xiao Chen had killed two Dou Shi spread throughout Wutan City.
After hearing about it, Xiao Zhan hurried over at once. Only after confirming that Xiao Chen was unharmed did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.
"A One-Star Dou Zhe killed two Dou Shi? Chen'er, that's an outrageous level of strength!"
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Chen with open admiration. "Looks like I can retire in less than two years! These old bones of mine can finally rest."
"Uncle, you're joking. You're still in your prime. The future of the Xiao Family will still depend on your leadership!"
At that, Xiao Chen hurriedly shook his head, trying to talk Xiao Zhan out of the idea. Have him become clan head? Give me a break. Didn't he know his own limits?
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes and said crossly, "Prime, my foot! I'll never be anything more than a Da Dou Shi, but you're different, Chen'er. Your future will far surpass mine!"
Xiao Chen didn't answer. He only smiled without a word, privately grumbling, A Da Dou Shi? No, no. Don't worry. In less than ten years, you'll become a Dou Emperor!
Seeing the smile on Xiao Chen's face, Xiao Zhan couldn't help shivering. He didn't know why, but he felt that smile concealed something terrifying.
Still, he could tell that Xiao Chen truly had no desire to become clan head, and he had no intention of forcing him. Given his current condition, he could hold on for another twenty or thirty years without a problem.
Whenever Xiao Chen finally came around, he would hand the position of clan head over to him. For now, though, they should discuss the matter at hand.
Having made up his mind, Xiao Zhan turned the conversation to what had happened at the Xiao Family Market that day. "Chen'er, how did you figure out who those two were?"
Seeing that Xiao Zhan had dropped the subject of clan leadership, Xiao Chen breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain. "Actually, I didn't notice anything wrong at first. I was about to leave when that man suddenly stopped me. That was when I felt something was off."
"There was a manager at the market, but instead of going to him, the man stopped me and demanded that I hear his case. And the market had no trouble earlier or later—it just happened to occur when I was there. That was far too much of a coincidence!"
The Xiao Family's market was known throughout Wutan City for its strict management. Major incidents there had been few and far between over the past ten years.
Under those circumstances, a patient had somehow died at the Xiao Clinic, and it happened while Xiao Chen was taking Xiao Xun'er out for a stroll. With so many coincidences piling up, Xiao Chen couldn't help being suspicious.
But what had truly convinced Xiao Chen that the two men were up to no good was the middle-aged man who had blocked his path and knelt before him.
The fellow had been crying the whole time, but Xiao Chen hadn't sensed even a trace of grief from him. Instead, he'd felt the same unease as when facing a savage beast. That was why he'd struck first without hesitation.
After listening, Xiao Zhan nodded, his admiration growing stronger. "You did the right thing. When you sense danger, you must strike first!"
"Chen'er, remember this: no matter what happens, you must protect yourself first. Even if you're wrong, the family will bear the consequences for you!"
Xiao Zhan's meaning was clear. If Xiao Chen thought someone might threaten him, he should kill them first and ask questions later. Even if he killed the wrong person, the Xiao Family would stand behind him and deal with the trouble.
Xiao Chen was a little moved. What was a family? What did it mean to have loved ones? This was what a family was, what loved ones were—not being shoved out to take the blame when danger came, right... some certain third-rate guy?
"Uncle, have they found out who those two Dou Shi were? Which family did they belong to?"
In Xiao Chen's view, the only people in all of Wutan City who could send Dou Shi to attack him were the Jialie Family and the Aoba Family.
A flicker of anger crossed Xiao Zhan's face. The Battle Qi in his body spilled out of control, forming streaks of razor-sharp energy around him.
It took four or five breaths before Xiao Zhan managed to regain control of his emotions. He slowly said, "It was the Jialie Family. Of course, it could have been a frame-up. I don't think Jialie Bi would be that stupid!"
"Those two families may be on friendly terms on the surface, but in secret, each would love to swallow the other whole. It's common for them to play little tricks and frame each other."
Xiao Zhan knew all about the mess between the Jialie Family and the Aoba Family. The two families joined forces on the surface, but they fought fiercely behind the scenes. The two old foxes, Jialie Bi and Oba Pa, were always scheming against each other.
"Uncle, is it possible that the Jialie Family did the opposite of what we'd expect, hoping to make us misjudge the situation?"
After hearing Xiao Zhan's analysis, Xiao Chen thought for a moment before voicing his own idea.
Xiao Zhan paused, considering the possibility. But soon he gave up on trying to work it out. "Whoever did this, the Xiao Family will make them pay what they're owed!"
Xiao Zhan didn't care to overthink it. Since there was no proof that the Jialie Family had sent the men, he would retaliate against both families in turn.
This time, Xiao Zhan was truly furious. He could put up with petty squabbles, but anyone who laid a hand on Xiao Chen had crossed his bottom line.
While Xiao Zhan was still considering how to retaliate and teach the two families a lesson, Xun'er had already taken action.
"Elder Ling, I'm leaving this to you. Before sunset, I want to see their heads hanging from the city gate!"
Xun'er was truly angry. She knew Ling Ying was secretly protecting Xiao Chen, so he would never have been in danger, no matter what. But that didn't mean she would forgive anyone who tried to hurt him.
Ling Ying opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he swallowed his words. He could tell that his young lady was furious right now, and nothing he said would help. He'd better just carry out the task.
Meanwhile, inside the Jialie Family's estate—
"Ao'er, no matter what happens during this time, don't leave—!"
Jialie Bi had not finished speaking when his vision blurred. A figure shrouded in black robes appeared before them. "Who are you?!" Jialie Bi shouted in anger and alarm, drawing on the Battle Qi in his body and striking toward the black-robed figure.
The black-robed figure merely flicked a sleeve with casual ease, sending Jialie Bi flying. Then, with a sweep of his hand, the figure cut off Jialie Ao's head before he even had a chance to react.
"My son! Ah! I'll kill you!"
Jialie Bi's eyes nearly burst with rage as he saw this. He sprang up and charged at the black-robed figure, but before he could reach him, the figure vanished without a trace.
Looking at Jialie Ao's headless corpse sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from its neck like a fountain, Jialie Bi felt his blood surge. His head spun, the world whirled around him, and he spat out a mouthful of blood before collapsing to the ground.
Before long, the same thing happened inside the Aoba Family's estate. After watching his two sons and grandson have their heads chopped off with his own eyes, Oba Pa nearly died on the spot when he couldn't catch his breath.
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