The Grand Elder Was Acting Far Too Strange!

Inside the Xiao Clan's main hall, several elders were seated. At this hour on ordinary days, everyone would be busy with their own affairs, but today, they had all gathered because of a single piece of news.

A Xiao Clan disciple came rushing back from the marketplace, panting as he burst into the hall, his face filled with panic.

"Clan Leader! Elders! Something's happened!"

Xiao Zhan frowned. "What has you so flustered?"

"Young Master Xiao Yun injured Jia Lie Clan's young master, Jia Lie Ao, at the marketplace! He broke both his arms and legs!"

"Jia Lie Clan Leader Jia Lie Bi has already gone there with his men. He says he's going to settle the score with Young Master Xiao Yun!"

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall changed instantly.

The Second Elder abruptly rose to his feet, his face full of shock and worry. "What? He injured Jia Lie Ao? Broke both his arms and legs?"

"How could Xiao Yun be so impulsive? The Jia Lie Clan is as strong as our Xiao Clan. He recklessly injured their young master—how could they possibly let this go?"

The Third Elder also shook his head. "This is trouble. The three great clans have always maintained a superficial balance. Now that Xiao Yun has done this, the Jia Lie Clan definitely won't let us off easily."

"Clan Leader, you need to make a decision quickly. If Jia Lie Bi brings his men to make trouble at our Xiao Clan, things will be hard to settle."

The Second and Third Elders spoke one after another, their voices carrying both anxiety and reproach.

Only the Grand Elder sat there without saying a word.

The Second Elder found the Grand Elder's silence strange. After all, Xiao Yun had badly injured the Grand Elder's grandson just two days ago. By all rights, the Grand Elder should have been the angriest one.

Yet now that Xiao Yun had caused such enormous trouble, why was the Grand Elder acting as though nothing had happened?

"Grand Elder, why aren't you saying anything?" the Second Elder could not help asking.

"That brat Xiao Yun beat your grandson into that state. Say something already! Now he's provoked the Jia Lie Clan—how should our Xiao Clan handle this?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder revealed an awkward expression. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, he did not know how to respond.

What could he even say?

Should he say that Xiao Yun was a Dou Wang expert, and that Jia Lie Bi going to cause him trouble was practically suicide?

Even he found that ridiculous to say aloud, but the truth was right there. Whenever he recalled the aura Xiao Yun had released at the Xiao Clan's gates that day, lingering fear still filled his heart.

"Well... I think that although Xiao Yun can be somewhat unruly at times, he should still know his limits when doing things," the Grand Elder said reluctantly.

"Since he struck and injured Jia Lie Ao, the other side must have provoked him first. Otherwise, he would not have hit so heavily for no reason."

The moment those words came out, the Second and Third Elders were both dumbfounded. They looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief.

The Grand Elder was actually speaking up for Xiao Yun?

His grandson was still lying in bed after Xiao Yun had beaten him severely, yet as his grandfather, he was actually defending the person who had injured his own grandson?

What was going on?

The Second Elder thought he had misheard. "Grand Elder, what did you say? Are you saying Xiao Yun isn't to blame for this?"

"What I mean is... we should investigate the matter clearly before saying anything." The Grand Elder wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking even more awkward.

"The Jia Lie Clan has never gotten along with our Xiao Clan. Jia Lie Ao is usually arrogant and overbearing. Perhaps he was the one who took the initiative to provoke Xiao Yun."

"Besides, Xiao Yun's strength has improved quite a bit lately. If Jia Lie Ao provoked him and got injured, then he brought it upon himself."

The elders were completely stunned. Every one of them looked at the Grand Elder as if he were a stranger.

Did the sun rise in the west?

Who would have thought that the Grand Elder would actually take the initiative to excuse Xiao Yun?

Even Xiao Zhan was taken aback. He had already risen and was preparing to bring people to the marketplace to see what was happening, but upon hearing the Grand Elder's words, he stopped.

Still, he did not think much of it. The most important thing now was to get to the marketplace before Jia Lie Bi hurt his son.

"Enough arguing. I'll take some men over to have a look first," Xiao Zhan said.

"Jia Lie Bi has a violent temper. If he gets desperate and attacks Xiao Yun, that will be troublesome."

Then Xiao Zhan added, "But let me make this clear first: Jia Lie Ao must have provoked him first. Otherwise, my son would never have hit that hard for no reason."

"This can't all be blamed on Xiao Yun."

The Second Elder was somewhat unconvinced. "Clan Leader, you can't put it that way. No matter who provoked whom first, injuring the Jia Lie Clan's young master is still—"

"Shut up." Xiao Zhan directly cut him off.

"I know my son's temperament. He has never been one to stir up trouble. Jia Lie Ao must have pushed him too far before he fought back."

After being rebuked, the Second Elder's expression turned ugly. But he did not dare argue with Xiao Zhan, so he could only turn his gaze toward the Grand Elder.

"Grand Elder, say something."

"Your grandson was beaten into that state by Xiao Yun, yet you won't pursue it. Now Xiao Yun has provoked the Jia Lie Clan, and you still won't say anything. What exactly are you thinking?"

The Grand Elder had been pushed into a corner and could only force himself to say a few more words. "I think the Clan Leader's judgment makes sense. Jia Lie Ao truly isn't someone easy to deal with. There's a strong chance that he took the initiative to provoke Xiao Yun."

"Besides, Xiao Yun really has been somewhat different lately. Perhaps he truly suffered a loss before fighting back."

"As for this matter, I think we should ask Xiao Yun himself first. We cannot simply declare him guilty."

The Second and Third Elders were utterly dumbfounded. They looked at each other, both wearing expressions of shock and confusion.

What had gotten into the Grand Elder today?

His own grandson had been beaten into that state, yet he said nothing. Instead, he was speaking well of Xiao Yun?

This was far too abnormal!

Xiao Zhan gave the Grand Elder a thoughtful look upon seeing his attitude, but he did not ask further. He merely said, "Fine. I'll go to the marketplace and see what's happening. You all wait here."

After saying that, Xiao Zhan turned and left the hall, leading several guards swiftly toward the marketplace.

The Grand Elder sat in his chair and let out a sigh of relief, though his thoughts continued to churn.

He hoped Jia Lie Bi had enough sense not to actually attack Xiao Yun.

Otherwise... recalling the aura Xiao Yun had released that day, the Grand Elder shuddered.

Jia Lie Bi was about to be in serious trouble!

Before long, Xiao Zhan arrived at the Xiao Clan's marketplace and saw the scene before him!

A corpse lay right in front of him!