Chapter 121: The Girls of the Mittel Clan Are Better Than the Nalan's
Nalan Manor.
"Father! How is Grandpa?"
Wearing a light moon-white robe, Nalan Yanran burst through the door, her voice practically overflowing with worry.
Inside the room, the atmosphere was suffocating, thick with unease and dread.
"He's been unconscious for two days! I've already summoned several alchemists... Let's hope we're lucky enough to find one who possesses a Heavenly Flame."
The middle-aged man in the room gave a bitter smile and spoke helplessly.
"Mm."
Nalan Yanran quickly walked to Nalan Jie's bedside. As she looked at the old man's ashen face and frail breathing, her eyes shimmered with tears.
Moments later, the two exited the somber room into the courtyard, where the crisp air felt like a breath of relief.
"Father, on my way in, I saw someone cleaning the estate across the street. Has someone moved in?"
Nalan Yanran asked, slightly frowning in confusion.
"I'm not too sure either. But I heard it might be connected to the Mittel family. Real estate in the capital is priceless—only they would have the means to act so boldly."
Nalan Su replied with a shake of his head, clearly too worried about his father to care about anything else.
"Patriarch, the alchemists have started arriving."
At that moment, an old steward walked in from the corridor, bowed, and reported.
"Mm. I understand."
Nalan Su nodded and turned to head toward the main hall.
"I'll come too."
Nalan Yanran quickly followed. Her love for her grandfather ran deep.
"Alright."
Together, they walked to the reception hall.
Upon entering, they saw several robed figures with alchemist insignias on their chests—each a third-tier alchemist!
"My apologies for keeping you all waiting."
Nalan Su greeted the group with a respectful smile.
Meanwhile, out on the street, Xiao Yuan and Hai Bodong strolled at a leisurely pace—drawing nearly everyone's attention along the way.
Xiao Yuan was dressed in a silver-lined white robe, cloud-patterned white boots on his feet, and his black hair tied in a silk crown. His already handsome features were elevated to an almost ethereal beauty—he looked like a deity descended from the heavens.
Even the jaded citizens of the capital couldn't help but admire him.
"Whose young master is this? He's so beautiful!"
"Probably not local. With the Alchemist Grand Meeting coming soon, he might be from another empire."
"So handsome!"
"And the elder beside him looks charming too..."
"Pfft, someone's thirsty!"
Using Listening Wind Chant, Xiao Yuan filtered the chatter. He turned to look at Hai Bodong with a teasing smile.
"Elder Hai, looks like the capital's developed well these past twenty years!"
Hai Bodong, dressed in his icy blue robe, white-haired and sharp-eyed, looked back without expression.
He was indeed slightly offended.
"Honestly, I really don't want to help that old man Nalan Jie. If I really do end up saving him, I won't even feel right asking for payment."
Xiao Yuan sighed.
He wanted the Seven Illusion Green Spirit Saliva from the Nalan family, no doubt.
But annulling the engagement was one thing—asking for compensation while saving someone's life was another. That wasn't how Xiao Yuan did things.
Before he left home, his father Xiao Zhan had told him that his uncle Xiao Lin and Nalan Jie had been close friends, and Xiao Zhan and Nalan Su were childhood companions.
Xiao family members valued relationships. Regardless of the Nalan family's attitude, the Xiao family would always show proper courtesy.
But after today, whatever ties remained between the families would be severed. Any future dealings would be purely transactional.
He hadn't understood it back then, but after everything he'd experienced recently, Xiao Yuan now knew exactly what his father meant.
With the strength he had now, and the powerful allies behind him, the Nalan family was no longer some untouchable force worth fearing.
As a strong individual—and someone with the mindset of a true powerhouse—he had no reason to make a huge fuss over a childish girl's decisions.
Just because others lacked grace didn't mean he had to follow suit.
But restoring their previous relationship? That was impossible. At least not in Xiao Yuan's generation.
And he certainly didn't want any private interactions with Nalan Yanran anymore. He was worried Yun Yun might get the wrong idea.
"Heh, no need to ask for anything. If it were me in my younger days, and someone had treated me like that, their entire family would already be frozen into ice sculptures."
Hai Bodong said coldly.
"Don't you think that's a bit extreme?"
Xiao Yuan chuckled.
But Hai Bodong shook his head. "I asked Tengshan for your file before we left. Want to hear what I learned?"
"Go on, Elder Hai. You're not one to keep things bottled up anyway."
Xiao Yuan grinned.
"Tch, you brat..."
Hai Bodong gave a helpless smile, then explained, "At first, the Mittel family's intel came through Ya Fei. I must say, your business instincts were better than I expected.
"Initially, the clan just saw you as a promising partner. Your Xiao Clan wasn't anything big back then. But once your talent was evaluated, they took notice.
"Then came the Nalan Yanran engagement incident. Though you covered it up in Wu Tan City, it was no secret here in the capital. Nalan Jie was furious, kicked her out several times.
"After that, Ya Fei started reporting on your astonishing cultivation speed. That's when Tengshan began to pay real attention.
"You know the rest."
Xiao Yuan nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Ya Fei-jie did mention some of this. Honestly, I wasn't raised in the capital, so I didn't care much about what happened. If she acted childishly, that doesn't mean I had to."
He smiled faintly, but his opinion of Nalan Yanran had clearly dropped another notch.
"What do you think about it, Elder Hai?"
Hai Bodong paused, then replied, "From her point of view, pursuing freedom isn't wrong. I was a bit like her in my youth.
"But when you're raised in a noble clan and enjoy its benefits, you're expected to pay something back. If it weren't for you, Ya Fei would've ended up in a similar situation—married off to some stranger for political gain.
"Still, with the same conditions, I doubt Ya Fei would've caused such a spectacle. You've never been someone to cling to high branches.
"And part of this is upbringing. In the Mittel family, we choose leaders by ability and merit, not blood. Nalan Yanran was likely pampered from birth. It's not surprising she turned out like that.
"The Nalan family is one of the three major clans, but they lack true depth. They just aren't on our level."
His words seemed fair, but they all pointed to one conclusion: the Mittel clan's daughters were superior.
Xiao Yuan chuckled. "So, you don't think I can handle this?"
He straightened. "Elder Hai, I'll need you to act as my elder when we go in. You're not from the Xiao clan, but I've learned your Dou Techniques. I'll treat you with the respect of a teacher."
"Heh, then I'll thicken my skin and accept the role."
"Not just this once. From now on, you'll always be my teacher."
Hai Bodong laughed heartily, stroking his beard with satisfaction.
"We're here."
Xiao Yuan halted, standing before the grand gates of the Nalan Estate. The large plaque above shimmered under the sun.
"But this many low-tier alchemists?"
He raised an eyebrow. Looks like the Nalan family really was desperate to find someone with a Heavenly Flame.
While Xiao Yuan wasn't technically an alchemist yet, he had a Heavenly Flame—and his flame control far exceeded most.
Naturally, his presence drew everyone's attention. There was awe, jealousy, disdain, and curiosity. But all understood one thing: this youth was no ordinary person.
A steward from the Nalan household quickly approached, smiling politely. "Young Master, I'm afraid the Nalan family isn't receiving guests right now. If that's why you're here, I must apologize."
Xiao Yuan smiled. "No worries, Elder Steward. Please inform Miss Nalan, Uncle Nalan Su, and Elder Nalan Jie that Xiao Yuan of the Xiao Clan from Wu Tan City has come to visit."
His words drew gasps. The steward's murky eyes lit up with surprise. He knew exactly who Xiao Yuan was—his name had been at the center of quite a few family arguments.
So this is Xiao Yuan? Such a pretty face. No wonder the girl couldn't forget him.
"Very well, Young Master Xiao. Please wait here a moment while I report."
He turned and walked quickly back through the gate.
Xiao Yuan watched him go, eyes gleaming. Even the old steward's a Da Dou Shi? The Nalan family's not weak.
Compared to the Xiao Clan's steward Mo, who was only a Dou Zhe, they had grown considerably.
"Tch, what a disgrace. I have to stand outside waiting with you now?"
Hai Bodong snorted.
"Sorry, Elder Hai."
"It's normal here. They don't recognize us. But looks like the Nalan family isn't big on sentiment."
"No sentiment is fine," Xiao Yuan shrugged. "If they were sentimental, I'd feel guilty."
"You're Xiao Yuan?"
A sneering voice came from the side. A young alchemist stepped forward, clearly looking for trouble.
Ugh… must be a Nalan Yanran fanboy.
Xiao Yuan noted the badge. A mere second-tier alchemist.
"You need something?"
"Just heard you—"
Before he could finish, a black frost enveloped him, freezing him into an ice statue.
"Stop hearing things. A two-star alchemist thinking too highly of himself."
Xiao Yuan flicked the frozen man off to a sunny spot and turned his gaze elsewhere.
The other alchemists immediately looked away, realizing this youth was not to be trifled with. They didn't want to be next.
Tap tap tap.
Footsteps echoed from inside.
A tall figure strode out and laughed warmly:
"Ah, Nephew Xiao Yuan! You came from so far, and those fools at the door kept you waiting. Please forgive the discourtesy—for your uncle has come to greet you in person!"
(END CHAPTER)
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