Heh, we're still young. Some people, though, might die in a gutter tomorrow.
They'll never see our future anyway. Why waste your breath on them?"
Xiao Jian smiled and patted his brother's shoulder, then slung an arm around him, leading him back to the line.
He never once looked at the weasel-faced man who had spoken so arrogantly.
Xiao Yan, obedient to his brother, forced his anger down and followed.
"Hmph!"
The heckler, ignored by the brothers, seethed with fury.
When Xiao Yan had grabbed him, he had been reminded of that once-brilliant boy who became a Dou Zhe at age eleven.
Though he hated to admit it, the youth's fiery spirit had frightened him.
Others quickly forgot the minor outburst. In fact, the deep brotherhood displayed made many look on the pair with newfound respect....one fiery, one steady.
If both had been able to cultivate normally, the Xiao clan would surely have shone across Wu Tan City, even the Jia Ma Empire.
As for the clown who had been ignored, no one cared about his feelings.
The weasel-faced man felt the mocking stares around him and lowered his head, eyes flashing with venom.
But he failed to notice a pair of golden-tinged eyes on the platform, sweeping over him with heat.
The little farce was soon forgotten when Xiao Mei, with seven-stage Dou Qi, stepped forward.
Then came Xiao Xun Er....a true heavyweight. Famous second only to Xiao Jian in looks, and second only to the old Xiao Yan in talent.
At fourteen, she had already reached the ninth stage of Dou Qi....surpassed in the clan only by Xiao Yan in his prime.
As expected, her result sent the crowd into an uproar.
But Xiao Xun Er herself didn't care. Few things or people in this world could stir her heart.
Turning calmly, she walked toward the two brothers standing at the back of the line.
"Brother Xiao Yan, Brother Xiao Jian!"
The crowd gaped as the usually composed Xun Er gave the two boys a slight bow and a respectful smile.
And in that moment, many could only grit their teeth and think:
These two bastards really deserve to die!
"Not bad, Xun Er. But compared to the two of us, you're still a little behind!"
Xiao Jian spoke with a teasing grin.
"You're my older brothers. Of course you're stronger than me," Xun Er replied with a light smile, her girlish tone carrying a playful charm.
"Haha, fair enough.
But now your two brothers are relying entirely on you for protection.
You'd better work harder! Strive to become a Dou Zhe tomorrow, and a Dou Shi the day after!"
Xiao Jian continued to joke.
Even Xiao Yan felt embarrassed at those words. He certainly didn't want to depend on a girl to protect him.
"Eh? That sounds a little difficult…"
Xun Er pulled a troubled face.
"Haha, alright, I won't tease you anymore. You two head back first.
I need to return to the marketplace to handle some matters.
Father mentioned that guests will be arriving tomorrow, but when I asked what it was about, he got all mysterious and refused to explain."
Xiao Jian chuckled, patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, gave Xun Er a playful wink, and then turned to leave.
As she watched his figure retreat, Xun Er seemed thoughtful for a moment.
But soon she smiled brightly and said, "Come on, Brother Xiao Yan!"
"Mm. Xun Er, was I being too impulsive just now?" Xiao Yan asked carefully as he walked alongside her.
"Yes, far too impulsive!"
Hearing her serious nod, Xiao Yan's heart sank.
"But…" she added with a grin, "it was very impressive too! Xun Er believes Brother Xiao Yan will rise to the peak again.
When that day comes, if anyone dares speak ill of Brother Jian, we'll tear their mouths apart together!"
She raised her tiny pink fist, putting on a fierce expression.
"You little rascal! Stop copying the way I talk, or my brother. Still… thank you, both of you, for believing in me all these years."
Xiao Yan looked at her cute, defiant face and shook his head with a wry smile.
But then his expression grew serious, his words sincere.
"Hmph!"
Xun Er tilted her head proudly, but in her heart, his gratitude filled her with joy.
In the depths of the Xiao clan marketplace, inside a shop marked with the "Xiao" character, Xiao Jian had just returned.
Sitting upstairs, ready to handle some matters, he heard a knock at the door.
"Third Young Master!"
"Come in."
At his response, the door opened. A burly man in the Xiao family's guard uniform entered respectfully.
He looked around thirty, a six-star Dou Zhe....evident from the golden six-star badge on his chest.
"Uncle Pein, what's going on in the marketplace now?" Xiao Jian asked.
Pein gave a sheepish smile and replied, "Third Young Master, during a guard shift, the men caught someone.
They said he had spoken disrespectfully of you and the young master earlier."
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