Chapter 26 – Huh? Where's My Big Brother Xiao Chen?
Inside the Xiao family's council hall.
"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"
With a single palm strike, Xiao Yuanshan shattered the desk made from thousand-year ironwood, sending wood splinters flying. Several kneeling shadow guards below the dais trembled in silence. The leader of the shadow guards pressed his forehead to the ground, cold sweat soaking the back of his clothes.
"Please forgive us, Patriarch! That old man at the valley entrance possesses unfathomable cultivation. We truly could not…"
"Unfathomable?" Xiao Yuanshan gave a cold laugh, a glint of icy light flashing in his eyes. "An old man guarding a gate has you this terrified? What use is the Xiao family raising you?"
The leader gritted his teeth and forced himself to speak. "That old man is at least half a step into the Longevity Realm, perhaps even—"
"Nonsense!" Xiao Yuanshan roared, cutting him off. "Would a Longevity Realm expert stoop to guarding a gate? You clearly failed in your task and still dare to make excuses!"
Third Elder Xiao Yuanhe coughed lightly, stroking his graying beard. "Patriarch, calm yourself. In my opinion, since Xiao Chen has managed to become a disciple of such a master, it may not be a bad thing for our Xiao family."
"A good thing?" Xiao Yuanshan's anger only grew. "He made a ten-year pact with Tianyun Sect on his own, wagering our family's treasured Xuan Heaven Cauldron! If he loses…"
"If he loses, his master will bear the responsibility," Second Elder Xiao Yuanhai said with a sinister smile. "A figure of that level would hardly watch his own disciple die, would he?"
The people in the hall reacted differently—some looked worried, others gloating. Over the years, Xiao Chen had endured cold treatment in the Xiao family, and now that he suddenly had a powerful backer, many found it hard to accept.
At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the hall.
"Brother Xiao Chen! Brother Xiao Chen, where are you?"
A crisp, bell-like voice drew closer, filled with barely concealed joy. The council hall doors were flung open, and a young girl in a pale yellow dress burst in like a whirlwind.
She looked about sixteen or seventeen, her features delicate as a painting, almond eyes bright and clear, with slightly upturned corners that added a lively charm. Her gaze seemed to shimmer with starlight, her expression radiant and spirited.
Her hair was simply pinned with a wooden hairpin, yet it made her appear all the more pure and refined.
"Ling'er?" Xiao Yuanshan's brows furrowed. "Why have you come back?"
Xiao Ling'er looked around, the smile on her face gradually fading. "Grandfather, where is Brother Xiao Chen? I searched the entire Xiao family and didn't see him."
The atmosphere in the hall instantly stiffened. Xiao Yuanshan's expression darkened, and he gave no reply.
The Third Elder sighed. "Ling'er girl, Xiao Chen… has already left the Xiao family."
"Left?" Xiao Ling'er's eyes widened. "Where did he go? When will he return?"
"This…" The Third Elder hesitated, glancing toward the patriarch.
Xiao Yuanshan snorted coldly. "That wretch left the family without permission and went to rely on outsiders. Ling'er, you are not to associate with him again!"
Xiao Ling'er trembled as if struck by lightning. "Impossible! Brother Xiao Chen values loyalty above all. How could he…"
She suddenly sensed something wrong in the air, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling shadow guards, then to the patriarch's grim face. A foreboding feeling rose in her heart.
"What exactly happened?" Her voice shook. "Brother Xiao Chen… what happened to him?"
No one answered.
Xiao Ling'er spun around and grabbed a familiar maid. "Cui'er, tell me!"
The maid lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Miss… Young Master Xiao Chen was forced by Tianyun Sect to annul his engagement and was then shunned by the family. Three days ago… he left home."
"What?!" Xiao Ling'er's face turned deathly pale, as if struck by a thunderbolt.
She had been away from the Xiao family for only two years. When she left, although Xiao Chen's cultivation had stagnated, he was still the legitimate son, and the family held great hopes for him. How had it come to this?
"Tianyun Sect… annulled engagement…" she muttered, then suddenly lifted her head, eyes blazing with fury. "Was it that wench Lin Qingyue?"
"Presumptuous!" Xiao Yuanshan barked. "Miss Lin is now an inner disciple of Tianyun Sect. How dare you insult her!"
Xiao Ling'er gave a cold laugh, showing no fear of the patriarch's authority. "Grandfather, do not forget—my mother's surname is Ji."
Just five simple words made Xiao Yuanshan's face change drastically, as if his throat had been seized.
The others in the hall also turned pale.
Xiao Ling'er's mother, Ji Yunshang, came from the Southern Wilderness, her identity and background shrouded in mystery. It was said she had some connection to the most mysterious Saint of the Southern Wilderness, Ji Wangsheng. When Ji Yunshang married into the Xiao family, she was once seen as a great hope for them. Unfortunately, beauty is often short-lived; not long after giving birth to Xiao Ling'er, she passed away.
But aside from Xiao Ling'er, no one knew that her late mother's ties to Ji Wangsheng were far deeper than mere acquaintance—her mother's true identity was, in fact, Ji Wangsheng's daughter.
"Ling'er…" Xiao Yuanshan's tone softened. "This matter is a long story…"
"Then make it a short one," Xiao Ling'er retorted without backing down. "I want to know what Brother Xiao Chen has gone through these past two years!"
In the end, under the Third Elder's account, Xiao Ling'er finally learned the truth—according to them, Xiao Chen's cultivation had remained stagnant over the past two years. From a genius, he had fallen to the level of a complete failure, enduring endless cold treatment. Two months ago, he suddenly displayed a talent for alchemy, only to be framed by others. Three days ago, he was forced by Tianyun Sect to annul his engagement and left home in anger.
"You…" Xiao Ling'er trembled with rage after hearing it all. "You actually treated Brother Xiao Chen like this…"
"Enough!" Xiao Yuanshan cut her off sharply. "The past need not be mentioned again!"
Xiao Ling'er took a deep breath, forcing down her fury. "Fine, I won't mention it. But I am going to find Brother Xiao Chen."
"Nonsense!" Xiao Yuanshan slammed the table and stood. "That wretch now serves under a Longevity Realm expert, you—"
"Longevity Realm?" Xiao Ling'er suddenly laughed, her smile carrying a hint of pride. "Is that supposed to be impressive?"
She turned and walked toward the door without looking back. "Elder Mo, we're leaving."
A gray shadow appeared silently at her side—a gaunt-faced old man, his clouded eyes concealing a sharp light. He gave Xiao Yuanshan a slight nod before following Xiao Ling'er out of the council hall.
Those in the hall exchanged looks. Xiao Yuanshan sank back into his chair, seeming to age ten years in an instant.
"Lon… Longevity Realm…"
…
Inside Xiao Ling'er's boudoir, the maids bustled about, packing her belongings.
"Miss, you've only just returned, and now you're leaving again?" Her personal maid, Xiao Tao, asked with reddened eyes.
Xiao Ling'er patted her head. "Be good, Xiao Tao. I'll come back as soon as I find Brother Xiao Chen."
From her robes, she took out an exquisite jade box and gently opened it. Inside lay a jade-green pill, its surface marked by seven natural cloud patterns, exuding a refreshing fragrance.
"Life-Creating Fortune Pill…" Xiao Ling'er murmured. "Grandfather said this pill can rebuild meridians and heal all hidden injuries. Brother Xiao Chen, you must wait for me…"
Two years ago, after exhausting every method to help Xiao Chen recover his cultivation and failing, she had left home without hesitation to search for her grandfather Ji Wangsheng in the Southern Wilderness. Vast and boundless, with the Saint's whereabouts elusive, it had taken her two whole years of hardship to find him.
"Miss, everything's ready," Xiao Tao said, holding a bundle in her tearful hands.
Xiao Ling'er put the jade box away and smiled. "Don't cry, I'll be back soon."
As soon as she stepped out of her room, she saw Elder Mo already waiting in the courtyard.
"Miss, this old servant has learned of Young Master Xiao Chen's whereabouts," Elder Mo said with a bow. "He went east and is said to have taken a reclusive master as his teacher."
"The east…" Xiao Ling'er looked toward the rising sun, determination flashing in her eyes. "Brother Xiao Chen, Ling'er is coming to find you."
And that so-called reclusive master…
Thinking of what Xiao Chen had suffered in the Xiao family over these two years, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Ling'er's gaze.
If you treat Brother Xiao Chen well, so be it.
If not… don't blame me, Xiao Ling'er, for being merciless!
Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 8 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 2 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 32 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise