Xun'er... Is Leaving

In just a few short months, the Xiao Clan Apothecary's business had grown bigger and bigger, like a snowball rolling downhill.

Under Ya Fei's management, the Xiao Clan Apothecary had opened three branches in succession in the bustling eastern, western, and southern districts of Wutan City.

For a time, the Xiao Clan Apothecary's signs could be seen throughout every street and alley in Wutan City. Business boomed, and customers filled the doors.

"The Xiao Clan's apothecary has really struck it rich!"

"I heard their pills are high quality and fairly priced. Even the Mittel Auction House has a long-term partnership with them!"

"Tsk, tsk. The Xiao Clan is about to soar!"

"Miss Ya Fei's methods are truly impressive," Xiao Chen said with a smile to Ya Fei beside him.

"It is Mr. Xiao's pill formulas that are good."

Ya Fei covered her lips and smiled, her eyes gleaming.

"If not for those improved pill formulas of yours as a foundation, no matter how capable Ya Fei was, she could not have supported such an enterprise."

"It is all our own business. There is no need for us to flatter each other."

Xiao Chen waved his hand, though a meaningful glint flashed through his eyes.

"However... the more prominent we become, the less certain people will be able to sit still."

At those words, Ya Fei's smile faded slightly. "Mr. Xiao means... the Jia Lie Clan?"

"Just wait and see."

Xiao Chen said indifferently, "A cornered dog will jump over a wall."

The Jia Lie Clan was already nearly driven mad.

Ever since the Xiao Clan's three improved pill formulas had appeared out of nowhere, the Jia Lie Family's apothecary business had plummeted.

Now that the Xiao Clan had opened three more branches, they had practically snatched away all of the Jia Lie Family's customers.

Galle Bi, the Jia Lie Clan's patriarch, had smashed who knew how many tables in rage before finally jumping the wall and coming up with a vicious scheme.

"Go. Deliver a generous gift to Manager Wang of the City Lord's Mansion."

With a gloomy expression, Galle Bi ordered, "Tell him that the Xiao Clan Apothecary's qualifications are not compliant and ask the City Lord's Mansion... to investigate."

On this day.

A squad of armored soldiers dressed in City Lord's Mansion uniforms suddenly arrived at the entrance of the Xiao Clan Apothecary's eastern branch.

The official leading them swept a cold glance over the apothecary's signboard and said sternly, "By order of the City Lord's Mansion, the Xiao Clan Apothecary is suspected of having noncompliant qualifications. From today onward, business is suspended pending inspection!"

The entire street erupted in an uproar.

"Noncompliant qualifications? Hasn't the Xiao Clan Apothecary always been doing fine?"

"This is clearly someone trying to sabotage them!"

"I bought pills from the eastern branch just yesterday. How can they suddenly be noncompliant?"

The surrounding citizens discussed the matter heatedly. Some spoke up for the Xiao Clan, while others delighted in the spectacle.

Among the crowd, several Jia Lie Clan scouts dressed in plain clothes hid in a corner. They had watched with their own eyes as that squad of armored soldiers headed straight for the Xiao Clan Apothecary!

The apothecary manager was sweating profusely as he hurried forward with a placating smile. "Sir, the Xiao Clan Apothecary has all of its qualifications in order! Could there have been some mistake?"

"Enough nonsense!"

The official snorted coldly.

"Who are you to bargain over an order from the City Lord's Mansion? Seal it up!"

Just as the armored soldiers were about to act.

"Wait."

Everyone turned toward the voice and saw Xiao Chen strolling over at an unhurried pace.

"Sir, may I ask which of the Xiao Clan Apothecary's qualifications is noncompliant?"

Xiao Chen smiled and cupped his hands. "If there is anything the Xiao Clan has done improperly, please point it out, and we will correct it immediately. But if someone is fabricating accusations out of thin air..."

He paused, and his tone suddenly turned cold. "Then the Xiao Clan will have to visit the City Lord's Mansion and demand an explanation."

The official's expression changed slightly, and he was about to fly into a rage.

But Xiao Chen calmly took a gilded calling card from his robes and handed it over.

"This is a personal calling card from Miss Ya Fei of the Mittel Auction House. Please deliver it to the City Lord."

With a smiling expression, Xiao Chen said, "The Xiao Clan and the Mittel Auction House are long-term partners. If there is truly anything improper about the Xiao Clan, Miss Ya Fei will surely be happy to explain it personally to the City Lord."

The official took the calling card, and his expression instantly became extremely ugly.

The Mittel Auction House.

It was a colossal force within the Jia Ma Empire, one that even the City Lord's Mansion had to treat with considerable deference!

If Mittel truly intervened, this matter would not be so simple.

"This, this..."

"If you do not believe it, sir, you may ask Miss Ya Fei in person."

Xiao Chen added with a smile, "Rest assured, the Xiao Clan conducts itself uprightly and has nothing to fear from any investigation. It is certain people, however..."

"Those who secretly trip others up may not be able to withstand an investigation."

After weighing the matter again and again, the official ultimately withdrew in disgrace with the armored soldiers.

Before leaving, he did not forget to say in a low, ingratiating voice, "Elder Xiao, please calm your anger. This matter... this matter must be some sort of misunderstanding!"

"A misunderstanding?"

Xiao Chen watched the official's panicked retreating figure and sneered.

"Whether it is a misunderstanding, the City Lord's Mansion knows perfectly well."

Three days later.

The City Lord's Mansion actually sent people in person to apologize to the Xiao Clan, and even took the opportunity to warn the Jia Lie Clan.

The meaning could not have been clearer: whoever dared touch the Xiao Clan's business again would be making an enemy of the City Lord's Mansion.

The Jia Lie Clan had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it. Instead, they were reprimanded by the City Lord's Mansion, leaving them humiliated and disheveled. Galle Bi was so furious that he smashed another table on the spot.

"Damn it! Xiao Clan! Xiao Clan!!"

"Patriarch, please calm your anger..."

Jia Lie Ang said cautiously, "How about... we think of another method?"

"What method?!"

Galle Bi roared with bloodshot eyes, "Even Mittel is standing with the Xiao Clan now. What else can you do?!"

Jia Lie Ang shrank his neck and did not dare say another word.

He vaguely had a feeling that Elder Xiao Chen was far more terrifying than they had imagined.

Meanwhile, after this incident, everyone in the Xiao Clan admired Xiao Chen even more deeply.

"Elder Xiao Chen truly sees everything!"

"With this move of borrowing strength to strike, even the City Lord's Mansion owes us a favor!"

Xiao Zhan even came to visit in person. Holding Xiao Chen's hand, he sighed with deep emotion.

"Elder Xiao Chen, if not for you, the Jia Lie Family would have bullied the Xiao Clan to the brink long ago! From now on, all of the Xiao Clan's businesses will be entirely entrusted to your management!"

"You overstate it, Clan Leader."

On this day.

Unlike her usual calm demeanor, Xun'er arrived quietly at the entrance of Xiao Chen's small courtyard, a strange emotion between her brows.

She stood before the courtyard gate, looking at the half-closed wooden door. After hesitating for a moment, she lightly knocked.

"Grandpa Xiao, Xun'er... is leaving."

Xiao Chen set down the book in his hands and looked up at her. After a moment of silence, he asked softly, "Returning... to the clan?"

"Mm."

Xun'er nodded and said softly, "The clan has summoned Xun'er back. This trip... may take some time."

As she spoke, her gaze fell upon Xiao Chen. A trace of reluctance was hidden in her eyes. She seemed to have a thousand words to say, yet in the end, she said none of them.

Since childhood, she had been accustomed to keeping her thoughts hidden deep in her heart. Only before Xiao Chen did those emotions she had suppressed for so long dare to quietly reveal themselves.

Over these days, she had already grown accustomed to the atmosphere of this courtyard. Now that she was leaving, she realized that she was somewhat reluctant to part with it.

"Come in and sit for a while."

Xiao Chen seemed to see through her emotions and smiled as he stepped aside.

"Grandpa Xiao will make you a pot of tea."

"Mm."

Xun'er followed him inside, took the warm cup of tea, and sipped it little by little.

The two sat facing each other like that. Neither spoke first, yet the atmosphere was unexpectedly peaceful.

After a long while, Xun'er spoke softly.

"Grandpa Xiao, after Xun'er leaves, the Xiao Clan... will need you to look after it. Especially Brother Xiao Yan... he is stubborn by nature. Once he sets his mind on something, not even nine oxen can pull him back."

"Do not worry."

Xiao Chen said with a smile, "As long as Grandpa Xiao is here, nothing will go wrong with the Xiao Clan."

Upon hearing that, Xun'er broke into a smile, as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

She set down her teacup, stood up, and solemnly bowed to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen saw this and understood.

This Gu Clan Saintess had concealed herself within the Xiao Clan for many years. Now that her mission was nearing its end, she would naturally return to her clan.

He did not ask further. Instead, he slowly took a jade bottle from his robes and handed it to her.

"A Meridian-Protecting Pill."

Xiao Chen said softly, "This pill can protect your bloodline. Even over a long journey, it will keep your aura stable. Remember to take it on the road."

Xun'er stared blankly at the pill and reached out to accept it.

She had been accustomed to shouldering everything alone since childhood. When had she ever received such meticulous care?

"Grandpa Xiao..."

She raised her head, her eyes slightly red.

"Why... are you so good to Xun'er?"