The Xiao Clan's reception hall.
After learning that this mother and daughter were indeed the people Chen Cang had been waiting for, Xiao Zhan received them in person. He could not help wondering about their relationship, but seeing how ill at ease they were, he felt it would be presumptuous to ask outright. He could only bury himself in his tea, drinking cup after cup.
Xiao Yi Xian and her mother had never expected the leader of such a great clan to receive them personally. They immediately grew nervous, not daring to speak first.
With both sides holding back, the atmosphere in the hall became rather awkward.
"Clan Leader."
At last, Chen Cang arrived.
His gaze fell on Xiao Yi Xian and her mother, and he could not help marveling at how girls changed from year to year. In just two years, Xiao Yi Xian's appearance had changed considerably.
Xiao Yi Xian was still a little short of eight, but her figure had already begun to develop. Even seated in her chair, she was visibly taller-at least half a head taller than before.
"Well, now that you're here, Chen Cang, I'll leave this to you. No need for me to sit around here any longer."
With a hearty laugh, Xiao Zhan rose of his own accord to give them some privacy.
The mother and daughter's arrival was a signal. Recalling what Chen Cang had said back then, he suspected that the Xiao Clan's Guest Elder might soon be leaving.
He would have to make preparations in advance.
After all, the Xiao Clan with Chen Cang and the Xiao Clan without him were as far apart as heaven and earth. Even though Chen Cang had never once taken action for the clan over the past two years, it was the same as the difference between having no nuclear bomb and having one without using it.
Once Chen Cang left, the other two great clans in the city, which had lain quiet for so long, would surely begin making moves.
At that thought, Xiao Zhan felt a long-unfamiliar pressure gradually settle onto his shoulders.
After watching Xiao Zhan leave the reception hall, Xiao Yi Xian and her mother immediately rose, looking ready to bow deeply.
Chen Cang hurriedly held them up. "There's no need for that. All I did two years ago was give you a warning. Ultimately, you came through that ordeal safely because you were willing to listen."
As the saying went, even sound advice could not dissuade a ghost bent on dying. Had they remained unmoved after hearing his warning, even heaven-defying abilities would have been of no use to Chen Cang.
"You truly saved our lives, young master. Xian'er and I will remember that kindness for the rest of our days. From this day forward, both our lives belong to you."
The girl's mother shook her head, refusing to accept Chen Cang's words. Her voice was earnest, as though she were making a solemn oath.
She knew perfectly well what their situation would have been now had they not met Chen Cang back then.
He had saved their lives. That debt was real.
"As you wish. First, tell me how little... I'll call her Xian'er too. Tell me how Xian'er has been these past two years."
"Yes. After hearing your warning two years ago, young master, I realized we had to leave beforehand, or we would bring disaster upon everyone. The gold coins you left us also freed me of any worries, so I took Xian'er straight into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Only there could an accident happen without causing too much harm."
"We were lucky. Following the mercenaries' tracks, we encountered almost no danger. Before long, Xian'er and I found a secluded valley with an extremely narrow entrance. Ordinary magical beasts couldn't get inside, so it was just the place for us to withdraw from the world."
"From then on, Xian'er and I lived in the valley, doing our best to support ourselves and going out as little as possible. We spent more than two peaceful months there before the danger lurking within her finally erupted. Even though I was far away from her at the time, I was still frightened out of my wits. I watched the flowers, grass, and trees around Xian'er wither in an instant, turning the area into a realm of death. She lost all reason, screaming wildly in the valley as though she had gone mad..."
Although nearly two years had passed, tears still streamed down the woman's face as she recalled that scene.
"I wanted to risk my life to stop Xian'er, but then I remembered your warning, young master. I gritted my teeth and retreated from the valley, and only that saved me. After about an hour, Xian'er returned to normal, but the valley was filled with deadly poison. We couldn't stay there for the time being. With no other choice, we left the Magical Beast Mountain Range and found a deserted village west of Blackflame City. We stayed there until a few days ago."
"Throughout that time, Xian'er was perfectly normal and never had another outbreak. Only then did we dare set out to find you, young master."
As she spoke, the woman could no longer restrain herself. She left her chair and knelt. Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian quickly followed her mother to her knees.
This time, Chen Cang did not stop them.
"You said back then that Xian'er's condition wasn't entirely hopeless, that there was still a thread of hope. Please, young master, help her. I know it must be terribly difficult, and we have nothing worthy to offer in return. But as her mother, I truly have nowhere else to turn. I've never asked that Xian'er become some powerful expert. I only hope she can live safely and peacefully, without suffering other people's strange looks. Xian'er and I will serve as your slaves and maids to repay you."
Watching her mother humble herself, Xiao Yi Xian could no longer hold back her tears.
In just two short years, she had grown far too much.
She had already experienced all the bitter consequences of that cursed constitution, which had turned her into a monster who could bring disaster at any moment.
To avoid tragedy, they did not dare have much contact with anyone else, living like outcasts.
Chen Cang rose from the seat of honor. "I certainly know more about her woeful poison body than either of you. There is indeed a way to resolve it, but it's difficult. Extremely difficult. To be honest, even I can't make any guarantees."
"A woeful poison body that can be controlled is a passport to becoming a powerful expert. I'd very much like to have someone like that at my side, too. So I'll do my best to resolve the danger within her. I'll do everything I can and leave the rest to heaven's will."
With the debt of their lives already owed to him, they were utterly devoted.
Thus, Chen Cang spoke frankly. There was no need to hide anything.
I'll do everything in my power, and you'll give me your loyalty.
It was that simple.
As for who gained and who lost, each already had an answer in their heart.
"We understand. Your promise is enough, young master. From now on, Xian'er will be your maid. It's just that she's still young..."
"Ahem. No need to say it. I do have that much self-control."
Chen Cang hurriedly interrupted her.
There were certain things he would naturally think about, but he would never stoop so low. That was simply the moral outlook of a normal person.
The arrival of Xiao Yi Xian and her mother made little difference to Chen Cang. He merely settled them in his courtyard and now had two more people attending to his daily needs.
Xiao Xun'er next door, however, spent every day fuming.
It could hardly be called jealousy. At her tender age, she had no concept of such things.
All she knew was that, ever since Xiao Yi Xian arrived, many things that had once been hers alone were no longer exclusive to her. That was enough to make her angry.
Chen Cang saw it all but said nothing.
Resolving something like this required the right opportunity.
And he could create that opportunity himself.
On the third day after Xiao Yi Xian and her mother arrived, Chen Cang invited Xiao Yan and his two brothers, Xiao Zhan, and Xiao Xun'er from next door into his courtyard.
"I called everyone here today to say just one thing. I'm planning to set out."
Before you continue