Seeing Xiao Yan nod in agreement, Galley’s mouth twitched, his fists creaking as he clenched them tightly, and his eyes stared fiercely at the calm-faced young man before him. The group of subordinates behind Galley, noticing their master’s ugly expression, cleverly stepped forward, subtly surrounding the two, their glances mixed with ill intentions.
In the depths of the market, the flow of people was also substantial, and upon seeing the commotion, they couldn’t help but look over curiously. Xiao Yan and Galley were somewhat well-known in Wu Tan City—Xiao Yan for his reputation as a wastrel, and Galley for his infamous promiscuous ways. Although these reputations weren’t particularly flattering, they were still considered local celebrities.
Noticing the actions of the opposing group, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile appearing on his youthful face. He turned slightly, and whistled softly towards a certain spot in the market.
Curious, everyone turned to look, only to see the market’s guard team, led by Captain Payne, charging over aggressively.
Payne, leading a large group of guards, quickly ran over, waving his hand. The guards immediately surrounded Galley’s group, and for a moment, the atmosphere grew tense.
“Third Young Master, is there something wrong?” Coming up behind Xiao Yan, Payne first glanced at Galley and the others, then asked respectfully with a smile.
Xiao Yan smiled slightly, turning to look at Galley, whose face was grim, and said casually, “Young Master Galley, this market is my Xiao Family’s territory. Do you think it’s a good idea to start trouble here?”
Galley gave Payne a wary glance, then turned to Xiao Yan and sneered, “Do you only know how to rely on your family’s power? If you are a man…”
“Are you trying to tell me that if I am a man, I should have a fair duel with you?” Xiao Yan suddenly waved his hand, interrupting Galley with a smile.
Galley sneered, “That’s right, do you dare?”
Looking at the provocatively smirking Galley, Xiao Yan sighed with a hint of helplessness, rubbing his forehead. After a moment, he looked up, shrugged, and said with an innocent expression, “Young Master Galley, may I ask, how old are you this year?”
Galley’s mouth twisted, his face dark as he remained silent.
“Big Brother, you’re twenty-one, and I’m fifteen! You want me, a child who hasn’t even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, to fight you? Don’t you think your request is a bit embarrassing?” Xiao Yan sighed, his helpless expression making Xuner, who was standing next to him, unable to hold back her laughter.
“Ha ha,” some mercenaries and merchants in the market laughed out loud, finding the boy’s innocent words amusing. Indeed, at Xiao Yan’s current age, he was merely a young, inexperienced youth, while Galley was already an adult. This challenge made everyone feel a bit disdainful.
The mocking glances around him were like a bucket of cold water, bringing Galley to his senses. Xiao Yan’s displayed maturity and composure always made people forget his age. Reminded, Galley remembered that the boy before him was only fifteen.
Gritting his teeth, Galley looked at the group of Xiao Family guards standing behind Xiao Yan, realizing he had no chance to teach the boy a lesson today. He shook his head in frustration, saying coldly, “In another year, you’ll have your coming-of-age ceremony, right? Hmph, I bet after your ceremony, you’ll be sent to some poor, remote area, and won’t even have the right to enter Wu Tan City. How pitiful.”
Xiao Yan smiled and shrugged noncommittally.
His eyelids twitching, Galley felt inexplicable anger every time he saw the calm and composed face of the young man. You’re just a waste, why do you pretend to be so profound…?
Forcing down his anger, Galley huffed and waved his hand, leading his subordinates to push through the crowd.
“Oh, by the way…” Galley stopped, as if remembering something, turned, and sneered, “Young Master Xiao Yan, I heard that Nalan Yanran from the Nalan Family forcibly broke off your engagement? Hmph, it doesn’t matter. With your cultivation talent, you really don’t match Miss Nalan, ha ha…”
After saying this, Galley left with a big laugh.
Xiao Yan’s eyes glared coldly at Galley as he left, then reached out and grabbed Xuner, saying indifferently, “He’s just a mad dog. If he bites you, do you want to bite back?”
“But… he’s too much. Should we just let him go?” Xuner frowned, feeling quite indignant.
“Ha ha, there will be a chance…” Xiao Yan smiled, his eyes narrowed, the coldness in his smile making Payne feel a chill. A biting lion is not scary, but a lion that knows how to bide its time is.
“Uncle Payne, thank you for your help.” Xiao Yan turned to smile warmly at Payne and the others, the earlier coldness instantly replaced by the vitality and frankness of a young man.
Impressed by Xiao Yan’s emotional control, Payne’s smile now carried a touch of genuine respect. Regardless of Xiao Yan’s cultivation talent, his mental fortitude alone suggested he would achieve great things in the future.
“Ha ha, Third Young Master is joking. This is our Xiao Family’s territory, how can we allow the Galley Family to run wild?” Payne smiled, looking at Xiao Yan’s casual manner. After a brief farewell, he led his men away.
Watching Payne and the others leave, Xiao Yan turned and rubbed Xuner’s long hair roughly, saying sternly, “You silly girl, a low-grade demonic crystal tempted you? Don’t you know what kind of person he is? By accepting his gift, you gave him a chance to take advantage.”
Xuner pouted, straightening her messy hair, and shrugged helplessly, “If it’s given, why not take it?”
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, half amused and half exasperated, “It’s not anything valuable, and you’re the Xiao Family’s prodigy girl…”
Xuner wrinkled her cute nose, lifting her wrist, and said teasingly, “So, Xiao Yan Big Brother has been paying attention to Xuner all along.”
Glaring at Xuner, Xiao Yan took her hand and headed towards more stalls in the market…
After passing several shops, Xiao Yan finally stopped, bending down to look at a green crystal with bloodstains on it. He sighed in relief, “Finally found it.”
As his hand moved over the stall, just about to grab the demonic crystal, Xiao Yan’s hand suddenly froze, a strange feeling surging in his heart…
Licking his lips, Xiao Yan still grabbed the demonic crystal, then scanned the stall as if he didn’t care…
A moment later, Xiao Yan’s gaze landed on a black metal plate beside the crystal.
The black metal plate was very old, covered in rust and mud, as if it had just been dug out of the ground.
“Heh, Xiao Yan, buy that black metal plate, it’s a good thing…” Just as Xiao Yan was puzzled by his own sense, the Pharmacist Elder’s voice echoed in his mind.
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