Restoring the Xiao Clan's Reputation

Only then would the Xiao Clan have the room and ability to compete with the Jia Lie Family Market.

The next day, they introduced two medicines at their own market.

The first Rejuvenation Powder looked unremarkable and tasted unbearably bitter, but its effects were somewhat stronger than the version sold at the Jia Lie Family Market.

Most importantly, the two were priced exactly the same. Naturally, customers immediately turned their attention to the Xiao Clan's Rejuvenation Powder.

The second Rejuvenation Powder was expensive, but everyone who had received pills from Xiao Yan and Xiao Mo that day treasured them.

Those who had already used their pills were especially filled with regret.

"I should never have used that right away. What a criminal waste of a heavenly treasure!"

Although this red-and-blue Rejuvenation Powder was rather expensive, plenty of people could still afford it.

As a result, both medicines were snapped up on their very first day at the market.

Soon, word of the Xiao Family Market spread once again.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mo, who was cultivating in the sect, watched delightedly as his main quest was completed just like that.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host on completing the main quest.]

[Congratulations to the host on helping Xiao Yan restore his clan's reputation and revitalize the Xiao Clan's shops. Rewards: 20,000 Shop Points, 5 good brother affection points.]

Xiao Mo noticed that after the main quest ended, a new one did not immediately appear.

He carefully thought back over the original plot. Most of what came next would probably take place at Jia Nan Academy.

There was still some time before the academy began recruiting, so it seemed he would have to wait a while for the main storyline to refresh.

He sighed and dismissed the system screen.

Still, that final side quest left him rather dejected.

Although he had already taken Xiao Yan along to slap the Jia Lie Family Market in the face twice, the quest required them to do it ten times.

"That's way too many. Where am I supposed to find so many chances to settle the score on their turf?"

He immediately sank into gloom, and his mood remained poor for several days.

Over the past two days in particular, he had frequently gone for a stroll around the Jia Lie Family Market.

But perhaps because the two of them had given away pills that day, quite a few people now recognized their faces.

Often, someone would greet him the moment he appeared.

"You're a disciple of the Xiao Clan, aren't you?"

Twice, he had barely reached the entrance to the Jia Lie Family Market before several customers stopped him.

"When will you be giving away pills again?"

Those customers caused quite a commotion, and the people at the Jia Lie Family Market immediately eyed him warily.

They were clearly afraid he would cause trouble again.

After all, once the Xiao Clan's business picked up, business at the Jia Lie Family Market plummeted.

And this brat kept wandering around their entrance, seemingly harboring ill intentions.

Thus, he became a priority target for surveillance at the Jia Lie Family Market.

Whenever he appeared, word would immediately pass from person to person, swiftly reaching the boss.

Before he even reached a shop entrance, more than a dozen members of the Jia Lie Family would already have their eyes on him.

With defenses this tight, where could he find another chance to slap them in the face?

Looking at his quest progress of just 2/10, he could only sigh silently, thinking he might never be able to finish it.

His inability to complete the quest had put him in a poor mood lately, leaving him distracted even during cultivation.

Granted, most of the time, Xiao Yan was the one cultivating diligently, while all he had to do was slack off nearby.

After all, he had system quests.

As long as Xiao Yan cultivated, he could receive heaps of rewards.

But over the past two days, his slacking had become so excessive that even the usually insensitive Xiao Yan noticed something was wrong.

In the lounge, Xiao Yan could not help stepping up to Xiao Mo to ask what was going on.

"Senior Brother, what's been wrong with you lately?"

Xiao Mo merely waved him off.

"Don't worry about it. It has nothing to do with you."

With that, he let out another long sigh.

Seeing him like this made Xiao Yan even more anxious.

"Senior Brother, tell me about it. Maybe I can find a way to help you."

He did not believe Xiao Yan could come up with anything, but he might as well treat a dead horse as though it were still alive, so he casually mentioned it.

"I just can't stand those people at the Jia Lie Family Market, and I want to show them a thing or two. Unfortunately, I don't have any chances left."

"Their family declined way too fast. All we did was put Rejuvenation Powder on sale, and they already couldn't hold out."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. This family doesn't seem all that impressive."

Xiao Zhan, who had just reached the door, heard those words, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

How had he never noticed how arrogant this brat Xiao Mo was? He really dared to say anything.

The Jia Lie Family was hardly some ordinary family, and he had not even considered the grade of the Rejuvenation Powder he had produced.

With such a low price on top of that, crushing the competition was the least it could do.

Still, Xiao Zhan had also happened to overhear what was troubling Xiao Mo, and he shook his head.

"Youngsters will be youngsters, hot-blooded and full of fire. Once someone offends them badly enough, they simply have to get revenge."

As he looked at the door before him, his thoughts drifted back to his own youth.

He had been the same back then, unable to take a roundabout path, always repaying vengeance with vengeance and resentment with resentment.

But those days had truly been exhilarating. Avenging a great wrong in particular had filled him with supreme satisfaction.

"Since you two brats have done so much for the Xiao Clan, consider these your reward."

With that thought, Xiao Zhan gently knocked on the door.

"Are you two in there?"

Footsteps immediately sounded inside, and Xiao Yan hurriedly opened the door.

"Father, what brings you here?"

Chuckling, Xiao Zhan drew Xiao Yan along into the room, then sat down directly in front of the two young men, who sat straight-backed and solemn.

"I came to discuss something with you two today."

With that, he waved a wad of money in his hand, then placed a stack of papers on the table.

"I hear you've had quite an unpleasant falling-out with the Jia Lie Family. Is that right?"

At those words, both their expressions stiffened.

Xiao Mo was particularly alarmed. He had not expected Xiao Zhan to bring this up so suddenly during his visit.

Had someone told Xiao Zhan about the times I slapped the Jia Lie Family in the face?

Then he might have come today to hold me accountable.

After a moment's thought, he pulled Xiao Yan directly behind him.

"I took the lead in everything that happened before. It had nothing to do with him. If you want to punish someone, Xiao Clan Leader, then punish me."

Xiao Zhan could tell at a glance that he had gotten the wrong idea.

Still, he admired the brat's willingness to take responsibility. He truly deserved his place among the strongest disciples in his sect.