Elder Qin's Clever Plan, the Young Flame Emperor's Unwitting Debt of Conscience

Elder Qin's Clever Plan, the Young Flame Emperor's Unwitting Debt of Conscience

The head of the Xiao clan was named Xiao Zhan. He looked imposing and heroic, clearly a capable man. He was Xiao Yan's father.

In the reception hall, Nalan Su took the initiative to greet him.

"Brother Xiao, it has been many years. Your bearing surpasses even that of the past."

"You are... Brother Nalan?" Xiao Zhan was somewhat surprised.

"It is I. This is my daughter, Nalan Yanran, and this is Elder Qin of the Misty Cloud Sect."

Qin Sheng nodded to Xiao Zhan in greeting.

The patriarch of one of the ancient eight clans—not bad.

Among the eight imperial clans, there were plenty of patriarchs at the Dou Saint level, but a patriarch at the Great Dou Master level? That truly was one of a kind.

Far ahead of the rest!

Gu Yuan had taken care of the Xiao clan to such an extent. Xiao Xuan was surely quite gratified in the Heavenly Tomb.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Nalan Su explained his purpose.

"We have come this time regarding the marriage between the two children. Brother Xiao, please call Xiao Yan here as well."

Nalan Su said, "However, this is a private matter, so there is no need to involve the rest of the Xiao clan. We can discuss it among ourselves."

Xiao Zhan nodded, feeling that this was reasonable. He personally went to find Xiao Yan, and before long, father and son arrived together.

"Hello, my name is Nalan Yanran. I am your fiancée," Nalan Yanran said openly.

On the way over, Xiao Zhan had already explained some things to Xiao Yan, but he still felt inexplicably bewildered.

He knew he had a fiancée, but after not seeing her for so many years, he had practically forgotten about it. Who would have thought that this fiancée would suddenly come looking for him?

"My name is Xiao Yan."

"Very good." Qin Sheng spoke, praising him.

"Handsome and distinguished, truly outstanding among men. Your future is limitless."

"You flatter me."

"Child, we have come this time regarding your marriage to Yanran."

Nalan Su said, "Yanran has been accepted as a disciple by the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect, and her status as the young sect master has already been established. If nothing unexpected happens, she will succeed to the position of sect master in the future."

Qin Sheng nodded. He had permitted this.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan became somewhat worried. They had a young sect master, while his own son only had three stages of Dou Qi... Could they be here to break off the engagement?

At that thought, his hand holding the teacup unconsciously tightened.

"Therefore, the marriage between the two children may have to be postponed for several more years. For now, Yanran must focus on cultivation."

Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief. "We understand."

Nalan Su continued, "There is one more matter, Brother Xiao. Yanran will become the sect master in the future, so after the two children marry, she may be unable to remain with the Xiao family."

"What do you think...?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan understood what Nalan Su meant and became troubled as well.

Asking the sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect to abandon her sect and marry into Wu Tan City to serve her husband and raise children—forget everyone else, even Xiao Zhan himself thought that was absurd.

The Dou Qi Continent was, after all, a world of cultivation.

Xiao Yan had been listening quietly, but upon hearing this, he was dumbfounded.

If Nalan Yanran could not stay with the Xiao family after marriage, would that not mean he had to go to the Misty Cloud Sect?

Wait, would that not make me a live-in son-in-law?

This feudal relic of arranged marriage really was detestable!

"This truly is a problem." Xiao Zhan pondered, unsure what to do.

Nalan Su said, "Also, I think the two children should spend more time together in the future to get to know one another better."

"We cannot possibly have two complete strangers directly bow in marriage, can we?"

Qin Sheng quietly sipped his tea, leaving Nalan Su to handle the matter.

He had already explained what should be said and done.

"They should spend more time together..."

Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran and fell silent.

Have the young sect master come to Wu Tan City to keep Xiao Yan company? He was too embarrassed to say such a thing.

Xiao Zhan looked at his precious son. "Yan'er, why not go to the imperial capital and spend some time with Yanran?"

Xiao Yan could not endure it any longer. "Father, why was I not informed when the engagement was arranged? Why did no one ask for the opinion of the person involved?"

Qin Sheng shook his head inwardly. He was still full of youthful impetuosity, not steady enough.

It was inappropriate for Xiao Yan to say that. It made him seem dissatisfied with Nalan Yanran. Yet considering the original story, it was in keeping with his temperament.

"You had only just been born then. There was no way to ask for your opinion."

Xiao Yan: "..."

"Father, I think marriage is no trifling matter. You cannot make such a decision so carelessly."

"Xiao Yan, do you look down on me?" Nalan Yanran's brows rose sharply.

Qin Sheng found it amusing. What a complete reversal of the natural order.

Xiao Yan hurriedly explained, "Miss Nalan, I do not mean that. I only think we should be cautious about this."

"If we are to marry, we should at least get to know each other and both approve of one another, right?"

"That is why I asked you to go to the imperial capital. Your Uncle Nalan and the others came precisely to discuss these matters," Xiao Zhan cut in.

You really are my father.

Xiao Yan did not want to go to the imperial capital at all. With merely three stages of Dou Qi, he was already subjected to endless mockery within the Xiao clan.

He could imagine with his toes what he would experience in the imperial capital as the fiancé of the Misty Cloud Sect's young sect master.

Nalan Yanran pursed her lips and said, "If you are unwilling to go to the imperial capital, then I shall come to Wu Tan City."

Looking at the girl, Xiao Yan sighed.

"Miss Nalan, you are a good person, but you are the young sect master of the Misty Cloud Sect. You have your own mission."

"A marriage follows the orders of one's parents and the words of a matchmaker." Nalan Yanran indicated that she was very obedient.

Do you even understand free love? People who never received nine years of compulsory education are impossible to communicate with!

Xiao Yan roared inwardly.

"Yan'er, shut up!" Xiao Zhan rebuked his son.

He was being far too insensitive!

Nalan Su read the room and said to Xiao Yan:

"Child, you seem quite resistant to Yanran?"

"I am not resistant to her. I only think this is too sudden," Xiao Yan answered honestly.

"Is there a girl you like?" Qin Sheng suddenly asked, striking at the heart of the matter.

Xiao Yan froze. He wanted to say no, but Xun'er inexplicably came to mind, and he could not speak. He could only rub his nose and reveal a bitter smile.

With that reaction, how could anyone present fail to understand?

"Brother Nalan, I am very sorry. Please wait a moment. I need to say a few words to Yan'er."

With a dark expression, Xiao Zhan dragged Xiao Yan outside. Xiao Yan's pained cries faintly drifted in from beyond the room.

A mid-tier Xuan-class technique, Furious Lion's Roaring Force!

After a while, father and son came back in. Xiao Yan rubbed his shoulder, his face full of misery.

"Brother Nalan, please forgive the spectacle." Xiao Zhan sighed.

"It is my Xiao family that has wronged the Nalan family."

Nalan Su lost his smile instead. Seeing this, Xiao Zhan knew the other party had objections. Feeling helpless, he said:

"Yan'er has some words he wishes to say to Yanran."

"Miss Nalan, you are a wonderful girl. Your talent is exceptional, you are cultured and sensible, and you respect your elders..." Xiao Yan said sincerely.

Nalan Yanran interrupted him. "You do not need to continue. I understand what you mean."

"Let us dissolve the engagement. This engagement will no longer stand in the way of you being with the one you love. As for me... I will consider this the resolution of a lingering burden and regain my freedom. From now on, I will devote my entire life to the Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed drastically, while Xiao Yan fell silent.

"Yanran, what nonsense are you talking about?!" Nalan Su shouted.

"My mind is made up. If my teacher wishes to punish me or my grandfather wishes to scold me, I will accept it all."

Nalan Yanran appeared utterly resolute. She raised her head and looked at no one, like a phoenix.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath. He truly did not want this marriage, but he had never intended to dissolve the engagement because he feared offending the Misty Cloud Sect.

What his father had intended was to drag things out slowly. Once Nalan Yanran became a Dou King or Dou Emperor in the future while his son still possessed only three stages of Dou Qi, then that engagement would naturally never be mentioned again.

But with things ending like this...

That was fine too. A piece of trash like me should never have delayed such a wonderful girl's life.

"Miss Nalan, I am sorry." Xiao Yan apologized sincerely.

"You are very good. I am the one unworthy of you."

"You do not need to say that."

Nalan Yanran said, "The Nalan family will not spread word of today's events. Your Xiao family need not worry about anything."

Xiao Zhan sighed. What a sensible child. It was a pity that the Xiao family had missed out on her.

Xiao Yan felt even more guilty.

Even now, Miss Nalan was considering the Xiao family's dignity. My behavior just now was truly too excessive!

"This is my martial uncle."

Nalan Yanran solemnly introduced Qin Sheng. "He is the grand elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, a Dou Emperor powerhouse, and also a sixth-tier alchemist."

"I heard that something has gone wrong with your body, Xiao Yan. That is why I specifically invited Martial Uncle to examine you this time, to see whether he can cure you."

Xiao Zhan was stunned. A Dou Emperor powerhouse? A sixth-tier alchemist?

This was a great figure the Xiao family could not have encountered even in its prime!

Xiao Yan felt a tightness in his chest. Miss Nalan had specifically invited a sixth-tier alchemist to treat a worthless person like him, yet he had hurt her so badly...

I am guilty. I am not human!

(End of Chapter)