Do Not Bully the Young for Being Poor, Do Not Bully the Middle-Aged for Being Poor

"Insolence!"

Nalan Sheng's pupils abruptly contracted, and his face darkened as he roared, "Xiao Yan, are you declaring war on the Nalan Family on behalf of the Xiao Clan?"

"Yan'er, mind your manners!"

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan hurriedly reprimanded Xiao Yan, then said apologetically, "Please calm down, Young Master Nalan. Yan'er merely acted on impulse and meant no harm. Please forgive him."

[Ding! The host forced the destined male lead's father to reprimand the destined male lead in public. Reward: 10 villain points!]

"Clan Leader Xiao, for the sake of the friendship our families once shared, I can pretend that never happened."

Glancing at Xiao Yan, whose head was slightly lowered and whose fists were clenched as he struggled to suppress his anger, Nalan Sheng snorted. "But please teach your son properly afterward, Clan Leader Xiao. Make sure he understands what he can and cannot say.

"Don't let a moment of impulsiveness bring disaster down on your entire clan."

"Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Nalan. I have learned my lesson!"

Before Xiao Zhan could speak, Xiao Yan raised his head expressionlessly and cupped his hands toward Nalan Sheng.

This brat certainly knows how to endure. If he stays a good-for-nothing forever, that's one thing, but if he ever gains power, he'll definitely become a considerable problem...

Seeing how quickly Xiao Yan had brought his emotions under control, Ge Ye's expression shifted slightly as he muttered inwardly.

"Xiao Yan, although I don't know why you were so angry just now, you should still agree to dissolve the engagement!"

Nalan Yanran's slender brows knitted slightly. "It's true that I came to the Xiao Clan to break off the engagement without my grandfather's permission, but I did obtain my teacher's approval.

"You know how vast the gap between us is. Even if you insist on clinging to this engagement, I won't resign myself to marrying you."

"Heh."

Xiao Yan sneered. "Miss Nalan, you are outstanding, but not so outstanding that I would marry no one but you.

"You should know how humiliating it is on the Dou Qi Continent when the woman comes to the man's home to break off an engagement.

"I have a thick skin, so I don't really care. But my father is the leader of a clan. If he truly agrees to this today, how will he lead the Xiao Clan afterward? How will he hold his head up in Wutan City?"

"..."

Only after hearing Xiao Yan's words did Nalan Yanran notice that Xiao Zhan seemed to have aged several years all at once. A trace of remorse flashed through her eyes. Then she bit her delicate lip and said, "I did act somewhat rashly today. I can temporarily withdraw my demand to dissolve the engagement, but you must agree to one condition."

"What condition?"

"My condition is simple. Three years from now, you will come to the Misty Cloud Sect and challenge me."

Nalan Yanran's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly. "If you lose, you must agree to dissolve our engagement in public.

"By then, you will have undergone your clan's coming-of-age ceremony. Even if you lose, it will only damage your own reputation, not Clan Leader Xiao's."

Bang!

Xiao Zhan slapped the table and rose angrily. "Miss Nalan, you know perfectly well what condition Yan'er is in. How is he supposed to challenge you? Do you find it amusing to humiliate him like this?"

"Do not be angry, Clan Leader Xiao. I see nothing wrong with Yanran's proposal."

Nalan Sheng suddenly spoke. "Just imagine, Clan Leader Xiao. Three years from now, how many suitors will Yanran have? And how many of them will be talented young men whose family backgrounds far surpass the Xiao Clan's?

"If Xiao Yan keeps refusing to dissolve his engagement to Yanran, those suitors will stop at nothing to remove this thorn in their eyes.

"When that happens, losing his standing and reputation would be getting off lightly. Your entire Xiao Clan might even be wiped out along with him."

"..."

At those words, the anger on Xiao Zhan's face instantly froze.

Nalan Sheng's words were unpleasant, but reality was that cruel.

If Xiao Yan's strange affliction could never be cured, even if Nalan Yanran truly married him, he would never be able to keep his beautiful wife.

Even if Nalan Yanran made a cuckold of Xiao Yan right before his eyes, he probably would not have the strength to resist. He could only be an impotent husband who helped spice things up.

"Fine. I accept your condition. Three years from now, I will go to the Misty Cloud Sect and challenge you publicly."

Xiao Yan knew Nalan Sheng was right, so he had no intention of continuing to hold on to this engagement. Instead, he snorted. "But Miss Nalan, out of respect for Old Master Nalan, I still have a few words of advice for you.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Do not bully the young for being poor!"

"Well said! Do not bully the young for being poor!"

Just as Xiao Yan's words began to stir everyone's blood, a voice full of amusement suddenly rang out. "I only hope the Third Young Master won't later start saying things like, 'Do not bully the middle-aged for being poor,' 'Do not bully the elderly for being poor,' or 'Respect the dead.'"

"Pfft... pfft..."

The moment Nalan Sheng finished speaking, several barely suppressed snickers sounded through the hall.

If nothing had gone wrong with Xiao Yan's cultivation talent, his declaration about not bullying the young for being poor would indeed have carried conviction.

But Xiao Yan was now a good-for-nothing known to everyone. After Nalan Sheng's jab, he instead seemed like someone who knew neither the height of heaven nor the depth of the earth.

[Ding! The host interrupted the destined male lead's iconic showing-off scene. Reward: 1,000 villain points!]

Hearing the system notification in his ears, Nalan Sheng's eyes immediately lit up. He had finally struck gold.

"You..."

Looking at the undisguised mockery on Nalan Sheng's face, Xiao Yan wanted nothing more than to rush over and punch him twice.

But Xiao Yan also knew perfectly well that he was no match for Nalan Sheng right now. If he actually attacked, he would only invite humiliation.

"Young Master Nalan, since you have achieved your purpose, please leave!"

Unwilling to let his son suffer further humiliation, Xiao Zhan expressionlessly ordered the guests out.

"Then we shall take our leave, Clan Leader Xiao."

Although Nalan Sheng wanted to squeeze a few more villain points out of Xiao Yan, he was also worried about thoroughly enraging Xiao Xun'er and making the situation impossible to resolve. He therefore decided to quit while he was ahead.

"Miss of the Nalan Family, I hope you will not regret what you did today. And do not think that having the Misty Cloud Sect behind you allows you to run rampant without restraint. The Dou Qi Continent is vast, and there is no shortage of people stronger than Yun Yun..."

Just as Nalan Sheng and the others were about to leave the hall, a clear, melodious voice suddenly rang out.

The three paused and instinctively looked toward the voice, their gazes settling on Xiao Xun'er in a corner of the hall.

Xiao Xun'er met their gazes without the slightest fear. Within her beautiful eyes, clear as autumn waters, a tiny wisp of golden flame appeared out of nowhere.

Seeing this, Ge Ye's pupils abruptly contracted. He pulled Nalan Sheng and Nalan Yanran away, leaving the Xiao Clan without looking back.

With Ge Ye's knowledge, he naturally could not recognize a top-tier heavenly flame like the golden emperor burning heaven flame.