"Father, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Xiao Yan was a little drunk now, too, his eyes hazy.
Upon hearing Xiao Zhan's words, he couldn't help turning to glance at the drunken Xiao Xun'er beside him, his gaze somewhat unfocused.
Smack!
Xiao Zhan slapped Xiao Yan straight on the head.
"What are you thinking, you brat?"
"I told you to help her to bed, not to sleep with her."
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan with contempt.
This brat was dreaming far too sweetly.
Did he think Xiao Zhan had gotten Xun'er drunk so he could do something improper?
What kind of person does he take me for?
"Father, I... that's not what I meant..."
At those words, Xiao Yan looked mortified. He sobered up considerably, his ears turning red.
It's over. Father must look down on me now.
"All right, enough nonsense. Hurry up and help Xun'er get some rest."
Xiao Zhan waved a hand, unwilling to listen to Xiao Yan's babbling.
"Oh..."
Looking chagrined, Xiao Yan had no choice but to support Xiao Xun'er's delicate body and slowly head outside.
Behind them, Xiao Zhan watched the pair leave, then sensed the figure lurking outside the courtyard. A sly grin curled his lips.
Yan'er, your father isn't setting you up. I'm helping you...
System, wouldn't you agree?
Arranging my son's marriage shouldn't count as breaking the rules, should it?
System: "..."
"It's so late already. Why hasn't the young lady come out yet?"
Outside the courtyard, Ling Ying lurked in the shadows, his attention fixed on the door.
After yesterday's painful lesson, Ling Ying no longer dared approach. He could only obediently remain outside the courtyard and quietly wait for Xiao Xun'er to emerge.
But as time passed and Xiao Xun'er still hadn't appeared despite the late hour, Ling Ying couldn't help growing anxious.
Weren't they just having dinner?
How could a meal take this long?
He wanted to sneak over and take a look.
But remembering that Xiao Clan expert from yesterday, he hesitated, then obediently stayed where he was and waited.
Yesterday had only been a warning. Today might be another matter.
If he thoroughly enraged that expert and got killed with a single palm strike...
That would be a truly unjust death.
Just as Ling Ying was growing restless with anxiety, the door to Xiao Zhan's room finally opened.
Ling Ying's heart jolted, and he hurriedly looked over.
He saw Xiao Yan walk out of the room, supporting Xiao Xun'er.
"What's wrong with the young lady?"
Ling Ying could tell at a glance that something was off about Xiao Xun'er's condition.
She was leaning against Xiao Yan, seemingly unconscious.
Could it be...
At this sight, an ominous thought immediately flashed through Ling Ying's mind.
Is that brat Xiao Yan planning to take advantage of the young lady?
At that thought, Ling Ying's heart tightened. He stared fixedly at Xiao Yan, anger showing on his face.
So this is who you are, Xiao Yan! My young lady's sincere affection for you was wasted.
To think you're such a scoundrel!
Ling Ying readied himself to act at any moment.
If Xiao Yan made the slightest improper move, he would immediately intervene and snatch the young lady back.
"No! This brat really is up to no good!"
Just then, Ling Ying saw Xiao Yan helping Xiao Xun'er toward a nearby guest room, and anger flashed in his eyes.
The next instant, Ling Ying became a blur and appeared in Xiao Yan's path.
"Xiao Yan, what are you trying to do?"
Ling Ying glared at Xiao Yan and demanded loudly.
Seeing Ling Ying suddenly block his path, Xiao Yan froze, then grew wary. "Who are you?"
He had never seen this black-clad man before.
The aura radiating from the man filled him with dread.
He's an expert!
"My disciple, this man is in the Dou Huang Realm. You're no match for him."
Just then, Yao Chen's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind, carrying a hint of apprehension.
"What? A Dou Huang expert!"
Shocked, Xiao Yan instantly snapped out of his half-drunken state.
Wait, what am I afraid of?
Xiao Yan suddenly realized that this was his father's courtyard.
With my Immortal Emperor father here, how could a mere Dou Emperor hurt me?
At that thought, Xiao Yan immediately regained his confidence. He looked Ling Ying straight in the eye. "Who are you? How dare you intrude upon our Xiao Clan?"
Naturally, Ling Ying wouldn't reveal his identity. He merely looked coldly at Xiao Yan. "Hand her over, or don't blame me for showing no mercy."
This man came for little sister Xun'er?
Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Xun'er in his arms and said loudly, "Why should I hand little sister Xun'er over to you?"
The black-clad man didn't even dare reveal his identity. Naturally, Xiao Yan couldn't trust him with Xiao Xun'er.
"Hmph. In that case, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Hearing this, Ling Ying became even more certain that Xiao Yan intended to take advantage of his young lady. With a cold snort, he charged straight at Xiao Yan.
"Ding! Detected that your son Xiao Yan has provoked an enemy in the Nine-Star Dou Emperor realm. Fatherly Love Like a Mountain has been triggered. Your strength has been raised to Peak Nine-Star Dou Emperor."
Inside the room, the system's notification suddenly rang out in Xiao Zhan's mind.
In an instant, Xiao Zhan's cultivation soared, rising directly to the Nine-Star Dou Emperor realm.
"Nicely done, Little Yanzi!"
Feeling the power within him, Xiao Zhan's lips curved slightly upward.
Then he activated his family domain, and his figure instantly vanished.
"So fast!"
As he watched Ling Ying charge toward him, horror filled Xiao Yan's eyes.
So this is a Dou Huang expert?
Truly terrifying beyond belief!
He was about to turn and run when his vision suddenly blurred.
A tall figure abruptly appeared before him, blocking Ling Ying's attack.
"Attacking someone on our Xiao Clan's territory? Your Gu Clan really has no manners."
Xiao Zhan's expression was calm. He slowly extended his right hand, then swept it sharply at the charging Ling Ying.
Smack!
The next instant, Ling Ying was blasted away like a shooting star.
With one mighty slap, Xiao Zhan sent Ling Ying flying clean out of the Xiao Residence.
"Go back and tell Gu Yuan that I'm very pleased with that girl Xun'er. From now on, she's the Xiao Clan's daughter-in-law."
Still airborne, Ling Ying was filled with horror when Xiao Zhan's domineering voice reached his ears.
Thud!
A while later, Ling Ying landed safely, only to discover that he was already outside the Xiao Residence.
"Impossible!"
"How could Xiao Zhan possess such immense power?"
Ling Ying stared at the gates of the Xiao Residence, horror in his eyes.
He had met Xiao Zhan many times and knew full well that he was merely a lowly Da Dou Shi.
How could he unleash such tremendous power?
"Could the man last night have been Xiao Zhan?"
Ling Ying suddenly recalled being blasted away the previous night, and uncertainty flashed in his eyes.
"Young lady!"
Remembering what Xiao Zhan had just said, Ling Ying's expression tightened, and he prepared to rush back into the Xiao Clan.
But the moment he approached the Xiao Clan's gates, an invisible force blasted him away.
Before you continue