The Xiao Family

Chapter 295: The Xiao Family

This handsome young prince, of course, had no idea what was going through Han Li’s mind at that moment. He was politely and gracefully chatting with several of the Qin clan youths he knew, causing two of the young ladies to blush, their hearts clearly fluttering.

Seeing this, Han Li sneered coldly to himself.

This young prince was a very problematic figure. If these Qin girls actually threw themselves at him, they definitely wouldn’t come out of it well.

He wouldn’t be surprised in the least if they were swallowed up, bones and all, by this young prince.

A short while later, Prince Xin excused himself to Yan and the others, then led the young prince to the next table to continue his social rounds. This disappointed the Qin youths and the grandchildren of the old man named Hua, who had been enjoying their conversation with the young prince.

Han Li, however, took the opportunity to gaze at the young prince’s retreating back, a contemplative look flashing in his eyes.

The banquet finally ended a little over an hour later.

The satisfied guests began taking their leave of Prince Xin and his son one after another.

Qin Yan led Han Li and the others in their own farewells, mixing in with the crowd, and they directly exited the Prince Xin residence.

But just as old master Qin was about to climb into the carriage they had arrived in, Han Li suddenly spoke, asking a question that left Qin Yan stunned.

“Uncle Qin, who are those two? Could you tell me?”

Although Han Li’s tone was polite, old master Qin dared not be negligent. He hurriedly turned his head to look, saying:

“Which two is Wise Nephew Han referring to? Eh, isn’t that old master Xiao! He’s the owner of the well-known Xianyun Restaurant here in the capital. He keeps a very low profile; I’m not very familiar with him. As for the young man beside him, his face is unfamiliar—it’s probably one of his grandsons!”

After seeing the old man and the young one Han Li was staring at, a look of surprise appeared on Qin Yan’s face. He couldn’t understand why Han Li was interested in these two.

“Oh, is that so? Uncle Qin, go on ahead. I’ll take a stroll and return to the residence a little later.” Han Li nodded absently, saying this casually.

Then, without waiting for Qin Yan to say anything more, he slowly turned and walked down a small path that ran along the side of the residence wall.

Qin Yan stared blankly at Han Li’s back for a moment, then looked again at the distant old master Xiao, who was furtively glancing in their direction. He felt a bit puzzled.

But after a moment of thought, he decisively climbed into the carriage and ordered his trusted driver to leave.

And so, the Qin family’s several carriages departed from the front gate of the Prince Xin residence, heading towards the Qin mansion in the eastern district.

The young masters and ladies of the Qin family, completely unaware of Han Li’s disappearance, were still chattering in the last two carriages about what they had seen and heard at the Prince Xin residence today.

They were extremely excited! Although they hadn’t formed an immortal connection, they felt this was definitely something to brag about to their other companions back home.

At this moment, after walking for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Han Li finally arrived at the back gate of the Prince Xin residence, following the tall surrounding wall.

The tall back gate was tightly shut, with not a soul in sight.

Han Li smiled, thinking this was just as well, saving him the trouble of using any concealment spells.

He stood boldly in front of the back gate, idly staring up at the sky.

After a short while, he seemed to drift off, lost in thought.

Suddenly, Han Li sensed someone approaching hesitantly from a distance. He lowered his head and gave a cold glance.

Old master Xiao and the young woman in men’s clothing were coming around from the other side of the residence. Seeing Han Li, the old man’s figure stiffened, a hesitant expression on his face. The young woman, however, looked purely curious, without a trace of fear.

Perhaps the old man had come to some decision. His expression immediately calmed, and he strode forward, the young woman following behind.

“This junior, Xiao Zhen, thanks Senior for showing mercy back in the residence! If I have committed any offense, I am willing to apologize to Senior.”

After reaching Han Li, this old master Xiao still couldn’t discern Han Li’s cultivation level. Shocked, he grew even more fearful and respectful. So, before speaking, he bowed first, respectfully apologizing.

Han Li’s expression remained unchanged as he accepted the bow. Only then did he speak flatly:

“Instead of secluding yourself in a place abundant with spiritual qi, why are you here in the capital? Or have you grown attached to the glory and wealth of the mortal world and no longer wish to cultivate?”

Han Li, regardless of the facts, first pinned this high-sounding accusation on the old man. This would easily dominate him in authority and make things easier later.

“Senior misunderstands. This junior is too old and has practically no hope of Foundation Establishment. I was appointed by my clan to manage its mortal-world finances. I am not here of my own accord, lingering in the mortal world.” Hearing Han Li’s words, the old man in the green robe actually felt relieved and answered with a slightly calmer expression.

“Which clan are you from?” Han Li did not let up, pressing further.

This grandfather and granddaughter’s background was something Han Li naturally had to probe. If they were from one of the few famous immortal clans, Han Li wouldn’t want to provoke them easily. However, he couldn’t recall any very famous immortal clan named Xiao.

Hearing Han Li’s question, the old man hesitated, glanced back at the young woman behind him, and finally answered honestly:

“This junior is from the Xiao clan of Fenghejian, Yunzhou.”

“The Xiao clan of Fenghejian?” Han Li frowned and thought carefully, finally confirming he had definitely never heard the name before.

“Senior need not think too hard. The Xiao clan I belong to is just a small clan. It is normal that Senior has never heard of it.” Old master Xiao’s face darkened as he said this with self-deprecation.

Hearing this, Han Li was a little surprised. He scrutinized the old man for a few moments, then spoke unhurriedly, his expression unchanged:

“You admit this so readily. Aren’t you afraid I’ll lose all inhibition and immediately turn hostile to eliminate the two of you?”

At Han Li’s words, the old man didn’t react much. But the young woman was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her expression instantly tightened, and she hurriedly reached for her waist, where a bulging pouch was tucked. There was no need to ask; it was obviously a storage pouch.

But then, the young girl saw that neither her grandfather nor Han Li actually seemed ready to fight. She blushed and pulled her hand back, not knowing where to put it, looking utterly adorable in her fluster.

Seeing this, the old man cast another loving glance at the young woman, then smiled bitterly and turned back to Han Li:

“Although I cannot determine the depth of Your Excellency’s cultivation, I am quite certain that you are a Senior who has already achieved Foundation Establishment.”

“This junior does not believe that I have any treasure, such as a magical tool or pill, that would be coveted by a cultivator of your accomplishment, Senior.”

“If Senior truly is that kind of person, then this junior has nothing more to say. Given my meager cultivation and power, trying to flee or resist would be futile. I might as well surrender and let Senior have his way, lest my anger be brought down upon my entire clan! I only beg Senior to show mercy and spare my granddaughter. She is my only remaining blood descendant.”

The old man’s final words were spoken with profound desolation, which shocked and enraged the young woman. She hastily and indignantly spoke in succession:

“Grandfather, don’t be afraid! If he really tries to harm us, we’ll fight him! I’m not scared of him!”

Han Li was stunned for a moment by the old master Xiao and the young girl’s words. But then, after carefully examining the two, he felt equal parts exasperated and amused.

Although this old master spoke with such sorrow and self-sacrifice, Han Li couldn’t see the slightest intention of seeking death in his eyes. The fluctuating mana he emitted was also in a state of readiness, ready to erupt. Where was the slightest sign of surrender?

He was clearly thinking that if Han Li really tried to kill him for his treasures, he would immediately fight to the death.

And the young girl was even more interesting.

Although her words were filled with righteous indignation, her pair of jet-black, jewel-like eyes kept darting around slyly when she thought Han Li wasn’t looking, occasionally revealing a few shrewd glances.

But this young lady didn’t know that Han Li, having reached the first layer of the ‘Great Derivative Art,’ had a divine sense far stronger than most Foundation Establishment cultivators. Her little tricks had all fallen under his observation.

Han Li thought to himself:

“I suspect this ‘Xiao clan of Fenghejian’ they mentioned was just made up on the spot. I seriously doubt such a clan even exists.”

So, with a faint, ambiguous smile on his face, Han Li silently stared at the two without speaking.

He neither said they could leave, nor did he show any sign of immediately turning hostile. He just left the old man and the young girl hanging.

At first, the old man and the young girl managed to maintain their tragic expressions.

But as time passed, bit by bit, and under Han Li’s lazy, indifferent gaze, the old master Xiao and the young girl finally looked at each other with confusion.

“Senior, what exactly do you plan to do?” The young girl finally couldn’t hold it in any longer. Disregarding the disapproving look from her grandfather, she jumped in front of Han Li, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at him as she asked loudly, her face full of indignation.