Chapter 50: Elder Qin Uses Her Wit to Devise a Scheme; The Young Flame Emperor Accidentally Incurs a Debt of Conscience

The head of the Xiao family was named Xiao Zhan. He possessed a majestic and heroic bearing, appearing to be a man of great capability. He was Xiao Yan's father.

In the reception hall, Nalan Su took the initiative to greet him.

"Brother Xiao, it has been many years. Your elegance has surpassed even your former glory."

"You are... Brother Nalan?" Xiao Zhan was somewhat surprised.

"It is I. This is my daughter, Nalan Yanran, and this is Elder Qin of the Misty Cloud Sect."

Qin Sheng gave a nod of acknowledgment to Xiao Zhan.

A patriarch of one of the eight ancient clans—not to be trifled with.

Among the eight great emperor clans, there were plenty of patriarchs at the Dou Sheng level, but a patriarch at the Da Dou Shi level was truly a rarity.

A league ahead of the rest!

If Gu Yuan had taken care of the Xiao clan to this extent, Xiao Xuan would surely be greatly comforted in the Heavenly Tomb.

After some brief pleasantries, Nalan Su stated his purpose for coming.

"We have come this time regarding the marriage of the two children. Brother Xiao, please call Xiao Yan here as well."

Nalan Su added, "However, this is our private matter, so there is no need to involve the rest of the Xiao family. We can just chat privately."

Xiao Zhan nodded, feeling it was reasonable. He went personally to find Xiao Yan, and before long, the father and son arrived together.

"Hello, my name is Nalan Yanran. I am your fiancée," Nalan Yanran said quite openly.

On the way here, Xiao Zhan had already instructed Xiao Yan on a few things, but he still felt bewildered at this moment.

He knew he had a fiancée, but having not seen her for so many years, he had actually forgotten about it. Who would have thought this fiancée would suddenly show up at his door?

"My name is Xiao Yan."

"Very good." Qin Sheng spoke up, praising him

"A man of talent, truly a dragon among men. Your future is limitless."

"You flatter me."

"Child, we are here this time for your marriage to Yanran."

Nalan Su said, "Yanran has been taken in as a disciple by the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect and has already been established as the Young Sect Leader. If nothing unexpected happens, she will succeed to the position of Sect Leader in the future."

Qin Sheng nodded; this was something he had permitted.

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan felt a sense of worry. The other party was a Young Sect Leader, while his son only had three stages of Dou Qi... could they be here to break the engagement?

At this thought, his hand tightened instinctively around his teacup.

"Therefore, the marriage of the two children may have to be postponed for a few years. Currently, Yanran must prioritize her cultivation."

Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief. "We understand."

Nalan Su continued, "There is one more thing, Brother Xiao. Since Yanran will succeed as Sect Leader in the future, after the two children marry, she may not be able to stay with the Xiao family."

"What do you think..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan understood Nalan Su's meaning, and he also began to feel troubled.

Asking the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect to abandon her sect to marry into Wu Tan City to support a husband and raise children—never mind anyone else, even Xiao Zhan himself felt it was too absurd.

The Dou Qi Continent was, after all, a world of cultivation.

Xiao Yan had been listening quietly, but upon hearing this, he was stunned.

*If Nalan Yanran can't stay at the Xiao family after marriage, doesn't that mean I have to go to the Misty Cloud Sect?*

*Wait, wouldn't that make me a live-in son-in-law?*

*Arranged marriages are truly such despicable feudal customs!*

"This is indeed a problem," Xiao Zhan mused, unsure of what to do.

Nalan Su suggested, "Additionally, I think the two children should have more contact in the future to increase their understanding of one another."

"We cannot simply have two complete strangers go straight to the wedding ceremony."

Qin Sheng sipped his tea quietly, leaving Nalan Su to handle the matter.

He had already instructed them on what to say and what to do.

"It is true that they should have more contact..."

Xiao Zhan looked at Nalan Yanran, speechless.

Asking the Young Sect Leader to come to Wu Tan City to accompany Xiao Yan? He didn't have the courage to say such words.

Xiao Zhan looked at his dear son, "Yan'er, why don't you go to the Imperial Capital and spend some time with Yanran?"

Xiao Yan couldn't take it anymore. "Dad, why wasn't I notified when the engagement was made? Why wasn't my opinion as the person involved sought?"

Qin Sheng shook his head inwardly; he still had the temperament of a youth and lacked composure.

It was inappropriate for Xiao Yan to say such things, as it would make him seem dissatisfied with Nalan Yanran, but considering the original story, it actually fit his personality.

"You had just been born at that time; there was no way to seek your opinion."

Xiao Yan: "..."

"Dad, I feel that marriage is no laughing matter. Decisions shouldn't be made so hastily."

"Xiao Yan, do you look down on me?" Nalan Yanran's brows furrowed.

Qin Sheng watched with secret amusement; this was truly a reversal of the natural order.

Xiao Yan hurriedly explained, "Miss Nalan, I didn't mean it that way. I just feel that such matters must be handled with caution."

"To get married, we should at least be familiar with each other and both accept one another, don't you agree?"

"That is why I suggested you go to the Imperial Capital. Your Uncle Nalan and the others came here specifically to discuss these matters," Xiao Zhan interjected.

*You really are my biological father.*

Xiao Yan had no desire to go to the Imperial Capital. With only three stages of Dou Qi, he was already the subject of ridicule within the Xiao family.

He could imagine with his toes what it would be like to go to the Imperial Capital as the fiancé of the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.

Nalan Yanran pursed her lips and said, "If you are unwilling to go to the Imperial Capital, then I shall come to Wu Tan City."

Looking at the girl, Xiao Yan sighed.

"Miss Nalan, you are a good person, but you are the Young Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect. You have your own mission."

"The command of parents and the words of matchmakers," Nalan Yanran stated, showing that she was very obedient.

*Don't you understand free love? It's so hard to communicate with someone who hasn't received a compulsory nine-year education!*

Xiao Yan was roaring inwardly.

"Yan'er, shut up!" Xiao Zhan rebuked his son.

Too much of a brat!

Nalan Su observed the situation and said to Xiao Yan, "Child, do you seem to be very repelled by Yanran?"

"It's not that I'm repelled by her, I just feel this is too sudden," Xiao Yan said truthfully.

"Do you already have a girl you like?" Qin Sheng suddenly asked, hitting the nail on the head.

Xiao Yan froze. He wanted to say no, but he inexplicably thought of Xun'er and found himself unable to speak. He could only rub his nose and let out a bitter smile.

Given his reaction, everyone present knew exactly what it meant.

"Brother Nalan, my apologies. Please wait a moment; I need to have a few words with Yan'er."

With a dark expression, Xiao Zhan dragged Xiao Yan outside. Faint cries of pain from Xiao Yan could be heard from outside.

The mid-level Xuan-tier cultivation method: Roaring Lion's Furious Aura!

After a while, the father and son walked back in. Xiao Yan was rubbing his shoulders, looking miserable.

"Brother Nalan, please excuse this embarrassment," Xiao Zhan sighed.

"It is our Xiao family that has failed the Nalan family."

Nalan Su's smile vanished. Seeing this, Xiao Zhan knew the other party was displeased. Feeling helpless, he said

"Yan'er has some things he wishes to say to Yanran."

"Miss Nalan, you are a wonderful girl. You have extraordinary talent, you are well-educated, and you are filial to your elders..." Xiao Yan said sincerely.

Nalan Yanran interrupted him. "You don't need to say more. I understand what you mean."

"Let us break the engagement. This engagement will no longer stand in the way of you being with the person you love. As for me... I can consider it as resolving a knot in my heart and regaining my freedom. In the future, I will devote my entire life to the Misty Cloud Sect."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed drastically; Xiao Yan remained silent.

"Yanran, what nonsense are you talking about!" Nalan Su barked.

"My mind is made up. If my teacher punishes me or my grandfather scolds me, I will accept it all."

Nalan Yanran appeared very determined. She held her head high, refusing to look at anyone, like a phoenix.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath. He indeed did not want this marriage, but he also had no intention of breaking the engagement because he feared offending the Misty Cloud Sect.

His father's plan was to drag things out slowly. Once Nalan Yanran became a Dou Wang or a Dou Huang while his son remained at only three stages of Dou Qi, the engagement would naturally never be mentioned again.

But this outcome...

*It's for the best. A waste like me shouldn't have delayed the life of such a wonderful girl.*

"Miss Nalan, I am sorry," Xiao Yan apologized sincerely.

"You are wonderful; I am simply not worthy of you."

"You don't need to say that."

Nalan Yanran said, "The Nalan family will not spread word of today's events. Your Xiao family need not worry about anything."

Xiao Zhan sighed. What a sensible child, it was a pity the Xiao family had missed out.

Xiao Yan felt increasingly guilty.

*Miss Nalan is still considering the reputation of the Xiao family at a time like this. My behavior just now was truly too much!*

"This is my Martial Uncle."

Nalan Yanran solemnly introduced Qin Sheng. "The Great Elder of our Misty Cloud Sect, a Dou Huang expert, and also a Tier 6 Alchemist."

"I heard that there is a problem with your body, Xiao Yan, so I specifically invited my Martial Uncle this time to examine you and see if you can be cured."

Xiao Zhan was shocked. A Dou Huang expert? A Tier 6 Alchemist?

This was a figure that even the Xiao family could not have reached during its peak!

Xiao Yan felt a tightness in his chest. Miss Nalan had specifically invited a Tier 6 Alchemist to treat a useless person like him, yet he had treated her so poorly...

*I am guilty; I am not human!*