Deep Night Qi Deviation

Late at night, Xiao Clan.

The meeting hall was brightly lit. Clan Chief Xiao Zhan and the three elders sat in their seats, with an opened small jade bottle placed at the center of the table.

Inside the bottle was a mass of pure liquid, its faint medicinal fragrance continuously wafting out.

The scent was pure and clean, refreshing the mind.

However, the faces of the three elders present were filled with worry and anxiety.

"Clan Chief, why hasn't Third Young Master returned yet?" The Third Elder was the most impatient by nature, and this was the fifth time he had asked.

Xiao Zhan frowned. "Yan'er went to see his teacher. It's normal for him to take longer. Third Elder, calm down. The Xiao Clan hasn't collapsed yet."

"What if—just what if—Third Young Master's teacher is unwilling to act? What then?" The Second Elder looked at the others.

The First Elder said, "Probably not. He even dealt with Jia Lie Nu. Killing one more alchemist should be an easy matter."

Tap, tap, tap!

Footsteps sounded outside, and all four turned their gazes toward the door.

A youth appeared outside and entered the room.

"Father, Elders." Xiao Yan saluted them.

"Yan'er, sit down and tell us." Xiao Zhan smiled and waved him over.

Xiao Yan nodded and sat on the Third Elder's side.

"Third Young Master, what did your teacher say? Did he agree to act?" the Third Elder asked impatiently.

Xiao Yan shook his head. "Teacher is unwilling."

"Why? He killed Jia Lie Nu, so why can't he kill one more alchemist?" the Third Elder asked in confusion.

The Second Elder said, "Third Young Master, did your teacher state any conditions? As long as the Xiao Clan can fulfill them, we will certainly do our utmost."

Xiao Yan's face was full of confusion as he answered truthfully, "Teacher didn't say why he refused. He also asked me to advise you not to kill that Wang Teng."

"Could it be because Wang Teng is in the Jia Lie Clan, and he's afraid?" The Third Elder spoke bluntly. "Us old fellows can help as well."

"Watch your words, Third Elder." Xiao Yan was startled and hurriedly warned him.

The Third Elder did not care. "What are you afraid of? Could your teacher be nearby? Then that's perfect. Invite him out so we can meet him. The Xiao Clan's business has benefited greatly from his help these past two months."

"Third Elder!"

"Third!"

Clan Chief Xiao Zhan and the First Elder glared at him at the same time.

The Third Elder immediately behaved himself.

"Clan Chief, First Elder, what do you think of Third Young Master's teacher's advice?" The Second Elder changed the subject.

Xiao Zhan glanced at Xiao Yan and pondered for a moment. "Yan'er's teacher certainly would not speak carelessly. Since he advised us otherwise, we should give up on making a move against Wang Teng."

As soon as he finished speaking, the First Elder objected.

"I disagree." The First Elder stared straight at Xiao Zhan. "Third Young Master will be leaving soon. If we don't deal with Wang Teng, then once Third Young Master leaves and the Xiao Clan has no healing medicine, how can our business continue?"

Xiao Zhan said nothing. Over the years, he had come to understand the First Elder's habits all too well. He knew the man definitely had more to say.

Sure enough, the First Elder said in a deep voice, "Since Third Young Master's teacher is unwilling to participate, we will act ourselves."

Xiao Zhan's brows knitted tightly as he weighed the matter.

"Clan Chief, now is the best opportunity." The First Elder's words carried a deeper meaning.

The Second and Third Elders had always been in league with the First Elder. After a brief moment of thought, they understood what he meant.

Third Young Master's teacher was unwilling to take action on his own, right? Fine, then they would force him to act.

If the Xiao Clan acted first and succeeded, everyone would be happy.

If something went wrong, there was no need to fear. Xiao Yan's teacher would be there to cover for them.

There was no question about the strength of someone who could easily deal with Jia Lie Nu.

"I agree. We should act tonight!" The Second Elder began taking sides.

The Third Elder said nothing, but he raised his hand, his eyes fixed in the First Elder's direction.

Xiao Zhan's expression darkened. I was too careless these past few days. I thought these three old fellows had changed, but they hadn't. They had merely hidden it.

Whenever something important happens, they will always stand together.

Fine! Since you refuse to show me, the clan chief, any respect, I'll indulge you this once. If you make fools of yourselves, just see how I deal with you.

Xiao Zhan had made up his mind. While Yan'er had yet to leave, and with Yan'er's teacher backing him, he had to firmly put these three in their place.

"Since all three elders have decided, I, as clan chief, will respect your decision." Xiao Zhan smiled.

Hearing Yao Lao curse "Idiots" in his heart, Xiao Yan hurriedly tried to persuade them. "Three Elders, please calm down."

"Rest assured, Third Young Master. The Jia Lie Clan was originally evenly matched with us. Now that Jia Lie Nu is gone, their strength has fallen considerably. There is nothing to worry about." The Third Elder chuckled.

The Second Elder nodded. "Third Young Master, stay home tonight and wait for our good news."

"Do not be careless. Remember, our ultimate goal is to kill the alchemist named Wang Teng. Do not get entangled with the Jia Lie Clan's people," the First Elder said steadily.

And so, a solemn assassination plan was hastily settled.

Everyone left the meeting hall and prepared to return to change into night clothes.

There was no moon that night, and the sky was pitch-black.

Not long after.

Dressed in a black robe, Xiao Yan quietly left his room and made his way toward the edge of the Xiao Clan.

"Teacher, if things go wrong, please help them," Xiao Yan said helplessly.

Yao Lao did not respond.

But Xiao Yan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, because he could feel that familiar power taking over his body.

"Fire!"

In the dead of night, a startled cry suddenly rang out from one corner of the Jia Lie Clan.

In an instant, servants rushed back and forth.

Around one of the houses, guards were about to rush toward the source of the cry.

"No one is allowed to go anywhere!" a voice shouted.

Jia Lie Bi, fully dressed, emerged from a nearby house. His eyes were wide as he swept his gaze over the shadowy corners around him.

"Stay alert! Listen carefully, every one of you has only one task: protect Master Wang Teng's safety!" Jia Lie Bi said sternly.

On a distant rooftop.

Several figures wrapped head to toe in black cloth, with only their eyes exposed, stared in astonishment at the heavily guarded room.

"That old dog Jia Lie Bi didn't fall for it. What do we do?" the Third Elder asked anxiously.

They had only just begun, yet events had already failed to follow their expectations. An inauspicious start indeed!

A flash of anxiety crossed the First Elder's eyes.

During this period, the Xiao Clan had risen to prominence in Wu Tan City thanks to Xiao Yan, becoming the subject of everyone's discussion.

As clan chief, Xiao Zhan's standing within the clan had risen accordingly.

Many clan members had grown increasingly approving of Xiao Zhan.

This had greatly provoked the First Elder. That was why he had been so eager to act personally, kill Wang Teng, and use it to demonstrate their contributions to the clan.

"If the soft approach doesn't work, we'll use force!" the First Elder said viciously. "The three of us will hold the others back. Clan Chief, you charge in and kill that alchemist."

Xiao Zhan questioned, "Can you manage it?"

"Xiao Zhan, do you have a better plan?" The First Elder had been questioned, and he no longer even addressed him as Clan Chief.

"Fine, we'll do as the First Elder says." Though displeased, Xiao Zhan restrained himself. "Even without Jia Lie Nu, the Jia Lie Clan still has capable fighters. Be careful."

He did his best to display the bearing expected of a clan chief.

Unfortunately, the three elders did not appreciate it at all.