Chapter 19: Even the Grand Elder Knows How to Save the Day at the Last Moment
Wu Tan City, Central Plaza.
Two nearly beaten-to-death shopkeepers from the weapon store were tied up and pressed to the ground.
A crowd of onlookers had already gathered and were whispering among themselves.
"Whoa, isn't that the 'beauty among beauties'—the Xiao family's Third Young Master? He really is quite good-looking!"
"Wow, he's so handsome!"
"Eh? Isn't that guy on the ground from one of Jacks' weapon shops?"
"The one next to him seems to be under Huang Jing. Is the Third Young Master planning to turn on both of them?"
"I don't know what this brat is thinking… Jacks is Wu Tan City's weapon tycoon. Unless the Xiao family plans to never buy weapons from him again, this is crazy!"
"Yeah, and Huang Jing is the biggest medicinal herb supplier in town. If they anger him, the Xiao family's marketplace might run into serious supply issues."
Hearing the various opinions around him, Xiao Yuan remained unmoved, his expression calm and indifferent.
He dared to act like this because he had already made all the necessary preparations.
Given his cultivation speed, he'd definitely break through to Dou Zhe by year's end. By the time of his coming-of-age ceremony, his combat power might already rival a Dou Shi. He wasn't afraid of either Huang Jing or Jacks retaliating.
Besides, this whole situation had been stirred up by the foolish lackeys of those two.
Not long after, two powerful auras appeared within the range of Xiao Yuan's soul perception.
An old man in yellow and a bald middle-aged man appeared, walking side by side.
Before either could speak, Xiao Yuan coldly cut in first.
"Huang Jing, Jacks—your lackeys have been selling fake medicine and substandard weapons in my marketplace. If I don't get a proper explanation today, then Wu Tan City's title of Weapon Tycoon and Top Medicinal Merchant is getting reassigned."
Hearing Xiao Yuan's words, the two men's reactions couldn't have been more different.
"Hmph! You dare talk down to me, brat? Leave this to your father. Today, you owe me an explanation!"
The old man in yellow snorted with disdain.
Jacks, however, frowned, then calmly stepped aside and smiled with a friendly tone:
"Master Xiao Yuan, you know me—I'm just a blacksmith. I never get involved in matters between the three great families. This was my mistake. I didn't manage my people well. How about this: we'll compensate you triple the damages.
"And if there's a weapon you like, I'll personally forge it for you—as an apology."
Hearing this, the old man in yellow gave Jacks a scornful glare. This matter was already humiliating enough, yet Jacks had the nerve to lower himself like this. So much for being a Dou Shi—might as well be a dog!
"Very well. I'll take you up on that later, Uncle Jacks. But your man over there…"
Xiao Yuan smiled and looked at the battered weapon shopkeeper lying nearby.
"This idiot nearly got me killed. If you don't mind, Uncle Jacks, may I hand him over to you?"
Jacks' expression immediately darkened. He turned to glare coldly at the shopkeeper.
"Sure. I'll handle it."
With a wave of Xiao Yuan's hand, the guards lifted the man off the ground and handed him over.
Crack!
Jacks broke his neck without hesitation—clean and swift.
"Hmph. Useless coward. A brat like that scared you this badly?"
The old man in yellow sneered.
Jacks merely glanced at him and said nothing. He dragged the corpse away without another word.
Idiot. You think I became the weapon tycoon of Wu Tan City by not knowing who to mess with and who to avoid?
No self-awareness—how do you expect to survive in this city?
Jacks' gaze at Huang Jing was filled with pure contempt.
"Hmph, traitorous dogs! Let's see how you manage in Wu Tan City after this!"
Huang Jing sneered, noticing the two former guards of his among Xiao Yuan's team.
"Old man Huang, with the pennies you pay, I'd be crazy to die for you. Working for Master Xiao Yuan? That's called walking out of the shadows and into the light!"
One of the former guards snapped back.
"Hmph! Such arrogance!"
Huang Jing erupted with Dou Shi-level pressure, slamming his aura down on Xiao Yuan and his team.
The guards' Dou Qi staggered under the weight, and they instinctively stepped back.
Xiao Yuan also couldn't withstand the pressure for long, but he still activated his Dou Qi and stomped down hard—exploding the herb shopkeeper's head like a watermelon.
Blood splattered over his white boots and robe, staining them bright red.
"How dare you, brat!"
Huang Jing's face twisted with rage.
"Today, I'll teach you a lesson your elders failed to!"
With that, Huang Jing really did launch an attack at Xiao Yuan.
"Idiot."
Jacks, watching from a distance, couldn't help but mutter.
A Dou Shi attacking the son of a Da Dou Shi? Was he brain-damaged?
Jacks readied himself to intervene. If anything happened to Xiao Yuan, the entire balance of Wu Tan City would shift.
Xiao Yuan, however, remained calm. He had seen this coming.
He continued circulating his remaining Dou Qi and activated both Wind Hawk Kick and Drifting Dragon Steps.
Wind Hawk Kick didn't just increase power—it boosted speed.
Drifting Dragon Steps enhanced agility.
Though he couldn't completely evade Huang Jing's attack, dodging the first strike would be enough.
Because—
"You dare?!"
An aged voice thundered as Huang Jing's blow was blocked and he was sent flying by a sudden figure.
"Grand Elder, that was some last-second rescue."
Xiao Yuan grinned as the elder stood protectively before him.
"Hmph. You're usually so mild. What made you act so recklessly today—provoking a Dou Shi?"
The Grand Elder turned and scolded.
"Well, I sensed your aura nearby. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to act so boldly."
Xiao Yuan smiled shamelessly.
He had indeed sensed the Grand Elder's presence earlier, which was why he had acted so confidently.
"Fine. We'll deal with your nonsense later. But that old fool dared to lay hands on someone from the Xiao family. This won't be over easily."
The Grand Elder glared at Xiao Yuan, then marched toward Huang Jing.
(END CHAPTER)
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