Chapter 119: Tengshan, I'm Not Happy
As several figures surged in from the doorway, the three people inside the room remained calm and unbothered.
At the front was an elder in ornate robes, his face somewhat shadowed by gloom. Behind him stood the pale-faced youth from earlier, along with several guards. The youth's eyes burned with hatred as he stared daggers at Xiao Yuan, who remained seated.
"Senior Elder Leo, your blatant abuse of power for personal revenge will be formally challenged at the next council meeting," Ya Fei said coldly, her pretty face composed and undisturbed.
"Heh, and who are you to challenge me? Just a mere acting elder?" Leo sneered before turning his gaze to Xiao Yuan. "Brat from the Xiao Clan, don't think you can act like you own the place just because the Grand Elder favors you! Bringing an outsider here is already a serious breach of the Mittel Clan's rules!"
The implication was clear—Leo recognized Xiao Yuan and was aware of his identity.
"Pfft. Outsider? Elder Hai, would you say someone's getting too bold?"
Xiao Yuan chuckled, glancing sideways.
"Maybe he's talking about me?" Hai Bodong said as he gently sipped his tea. The steaming cup suddenly froze solid in his hands, enveloped by a swirl of chilling mist.
Earlier, when Leo's men had reported the incident, he assumed his grandson had provoked someone he couldn't afford to mess with. But when they described Xiao Yuan's appearance, he realized this was the same young genius that the Grand Elder had championed from Wutan City.
To Leo, the Xiao Clan was small fry compared to the Mittel Clan. He believed Xiao Yuan's strength came solely from the Clan's investment—Dou Techniques and cultivation methods—which led to his arrogant assumption that the youth was fair game.
What Leo didn't realize was who exactly Hai Bodong was.
Upon entering, Leo had observed Hai Bodong and, seeing no discernible Dou Qi fluctuations, concluded he must be a weakling. Either that, or…
Either the man was a Dou Huang whose aura was too powerful to detect—or he was too weak to be sensed at all. Leo quickly settled on the latter.
As Leo's expression grew more smug, Xiao Yuan sighed and shook his head.
"Elder Leo, I know you don't speak for the Mittel Clan or how they feel about me or the Xiao Clan, but I am deeply disappointed. If I could go from Dou Qi to Da Dou Shi in just two years, how do you know I won't reach Dou Wang in another two? You want to strike while the iron is hot, assuming I won't live long enough to retaliate?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Fine planning. But I don't like to hold grudges—not when I can settle them on the spot. As for your idiotic grandson with the filthy mouth, freezing him was mercy. Why insist on dragging him back here to die?"
"Hah! Talented, sure—but arrogant. Without the Mittel Clan's help, where would you be? Want to threaten me? Come back when you're a real Dou Wang. Right now, you're not worth my time!"
Leo sneered and then lunged forward.
Ya Fei twitched slightly but didn't panic—she knew Hai Bodong was a Dou Huang. Xiao Yuan remained relaxed, sipping his tea.
Boom!
A wave of freezing air surged from Hai Bodong, forming into a massive block of ice around Leo—trapping him mid-air, frozen in terror.
A Dou Huang…? Leo realized with horror. But how? Why would the Xiao Clan have a Dou Huang guarding this boy?
"Go fetch Mittel Tengshan," Hai Bodong said calmly as he placed his now-frosted teacup down.
He hadn't named who should go, but the guards didn't need prompting. One immediately ran off to summon the Grand Elder.
Hai Bodong's disdainful use of "that useless old coot" didn't even offend the guards—after what they'd just seen, the old man had every right to say what he pleased.
Everyone else in the room—including the frozen Rayle and the guards—were ghostly pale with fear. The freezing aura was overwhelming, even in the middle of summer.
Ya Fei, as a mere Dou Zhe, wouldn't have fared any better if not for Xiao Yuan quietly shielding her with his own ice-type Dou Qi.
She even sighed softly, enjoying the soothing chill.
As for Hai Bodong's harsh words—she didn't take offense. In the Mittel Clan, he was the real patriarch. Everyone else, no matter their rank, was his junior.
Even Tengshan.
Within five minutes, a powerful aura approached. Xiao Yuan's lips curled slightly—Tengshan had arrived.
Moments later, the richly dressed Grand Elder burst in, tears nearly welling in his eyes.
"Hai Lao… it's really you!"
He looked as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Reaching out, he stopped midway, afraid the vision might shatter like an illusion.
"What? Disappointed I'm not dead?" Hai Bodong teased, though his expression softened.
"Not at all! When you vanished, I did everything in my power to find you—even pinned my hopes on this little rascal here. And somehow… he actually brought you back!"
Tengshan turned to Xiao Yuan, filled with genuine admiration.
This was, without doubt, the best investment of his life.
"Some things happened, so I went into hiding. But thanks to this brat, I'm fine now."
Hai Bodong gave a brief explanation.
"That's all that matters!"
Tengshan didn't pry—he knew Hai Bodong too well. He was just relieved to have him back.
Leo? He didn't even look at him.
"You've become a Dou Wang, I see," Hai Bodong said, his tone shifting. "You've carried the family well—but now I'll need to step in."
"You're still the Clan Patriarch, Hai Lao. Say the word—I'll do as you command."
Tengshan nodded respectfully.
Rayle and the others felt their hearts drop.
They had picked a fight with the patriarch himself?
"In that case, let me make one final executive decision."
Hai Bodong waved, and another burst of ice engulfed Rayle, freezing him on the spot.
"You heard about the Mo Clan, I assume? Mo Cheng—Xiao Yuan handled it."
"He took down Mo Cheng? Alone?"
Tengshan's pupils shrank.
"I saw it with my own eyes," Hai Bodong replied. "And he told me about the promises you made him. Seems you haven't done enough. That girl's competent—make her a full elder.
"She and Xiao Yuan came here to buy herbs. Those two fools interfered. Now imagine if I hadn't come—what if another Dou Huang had?"
Tengshan instantly understood what was at stake.
If they angered Xiao Yuan—a young man capable of killing a Five-Star Dou Ling—with a Dou Huang by his side, it would have pushed him into the arms of another faction.
Ya Fei, clearly aligned with Xiao Yuan, would probably help him cleanse the clan. And if things got ugly…
Xiao Yuan could very well tear the Mittel Clan apart.
Leo and his grandson were as good as dead.
"Grand Elder, I do have something to say," Xiao Yuan said, smiling innocently. "That Leo fellow said I brought an outsider into the clan. I don't think Hai Lao qualifies as an outsider, do you? Or have your elders forgotten who he is?"
Tengshan's face darkened.
"Is that true?"
"See those crystal balls in the corners, Grand Elder?" Ya Fei chimed in. "They recorded everything."
"Heh. So that's how it is," Hai Bodong said with a chilly smile. "Used to be I could walk in anywhere. Now I need permission?"
Tengshan's face turned ashen.
"Leo and his grandson have gravely insulted both Young Master Xiao Yuan and Hai Lao. They deserve death. Hai Lao, may I handle their punishment?"
"Do as you will," Hai Bodong said. Then he added via spiritual transmission, 'The Mittel Clan can survive without me. But it can't afford to lose Xiao Yuan. Understood?'
Tengshan's eyes widened slightly. Then he nodded solemnly. "Yes, Hai Lao!"
"Good. My return won't go unnoticed. That old monster in the palace will hear soon enough. Since you're here, help me gather the herbs—I don't want to get beat up when he comes!"
"Understood. Right away!"
Tengshan scooped up the two ice blocks and left, motioning for the guards to follow.
"Heh. Elder Hai, you're the definition of swagger. Being a Dou Huang sure is enviable."
Xiao Yuan smirked.
"Hmph. Give it three to five years, and you'll be stronger than me."
Hai Bodong chuckled.
"That's only because I had such a good teacher, right?"
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Don't flatter me. You'd have found another technique even without my help. Just don't go joining the Misty Cloud Sect. I'm not joking."
Hai Bodong's expression turned serious.
He had no issue with talent—but after what they'd seen from the Mo Clan, he wouldn't gamble with the Mittel Clan's future.
Especially when it came to people like Leo.
(END CHAPTER)
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