Chapter 15

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Jian had not yet returned to the courtyard when they were intercepted by Zhan Wan'er, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. She first thoroughly examined Xiao Zhan's body to ensure he was not injured, then, with a face full of anger, she grabbed Xiao Jian's ear, causing him to let out a miserable cry, his already bruised and swollen face turning even worse.

Before long, the two brothers were dragged into the study by the furious Zhan Wan'er. Xiao Jian, the main culprit, was forcibly ordered to kneel and receive punishment, while Xiao Zhan, the accomplice, stood obediently behind Zhan Wan'er, not daring to make a sound.

The study was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Zhan Wan'er, sitting in the main seat, had a dark expression, her eyes filled with anger as she stared at Xiao Jian. Beside her sat a dignified and graceful woman, her eyes also filled with fury, glaring fiercely at Xiao Jian.

Her name was Liu Ruyan, a woman of noble birth, the second wife of Xiao Bie Li and the biological mother of Xiao Jian.

Zhan Wan'er's anger surged, making her body tremble. She pointed at Xiao Jian and said in a trembling voice, "You are really something! I clearly instructed you to take your brother out for a walk, but you actually led him into a fight! Even if it were just a fight, you went and fought a group of people by yourself. What if they had injured your brother? Have you thought about the consequences?"

Upon hearing Zhan Wan'er's rebuke, Xiao Jian's already grim expression turned even worse. At the time, he had been completely blinded by anger, and now, just thinking about it made him shudder.

Zhan Wan'er suddenly stood up and said coldly, "Do you think you are so capable that you can take on the world? You even ignored your mother's words. Today, I will make sure you learn a lesson."

Zhan Wan'er, who had never physically punished anyone, was now thoroughly enraged. She had to teach this rascal a lesson to quell her anger.

Seeing her son, whose handsome face was now almost unrecognizable from the bruises, Liu Ruyan felt both angry and heartbroken. This boy was becoming more and more unruly. Normally, when he fought, she would think he had spirit and was a true man, but today, he had gone too far! Even if Zhan Wan'er did not punish him, she, as his mother, would have to give him a severe lesson. But as her eyes fell on his bruised face, she felt a pang of pain. Damn! Those boys had really hit hard, aiming for his face. Next time, if she caught them, she would make them pay.

"Tell me, why did you fight this time?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jian knew his mother was giving him a chance to explain. But just as he was about to speak, his face throbbed with pain, making him grit his teeth in anger. Those bastards had really hit hard, aiming for his face. He would have to take revenge when he got the chance. After a while, he said in a muffled voice, "Of course I remember Mother's teachings, but those bastards insulted my brother and said many vile things. I couldn't bear it, and in a moment of anger, I rushed forward."

"What!"

Her son was Zhan Wan'er's Achilles' heel. Seeing that someone had dared to insult her son, she was instantly enraged. A cold and fierce aura filled the study, and Zhan Wan'er's eyes, like swords, pierced through Xiao Jian, as if trying to see through him. This made Xiao Jian feel suffocated, and he stumbled back several steps before falling to the ground, staring at Zhan Wan'er in horror.

Seeing his pitiful state, Liu Ruyan coldly snorted and said, "Stay there and behave yourself. You are not allowed to go anywhere for the next few days. Stay in the back courtyard and reflect on your actions. Practice your martial arts well and don't go out and embarrass yourself again."

Xiao Jian,不服气地说道：“谁叫他们人多欺负人少，不然……哼！”

Liu Ruyan's eyebrows shot up, and her eyes glared, immediately scaring Xiao Jian into shrinking his head and standing obediently to the side. She snorted and turned to comfort Zhan Wan'er, secretly gloating: "Ah! Insulting the child of the eldest sister, this is the eldest sister's taboo. Those boys are really asking for it. Heh heh! Prepare to face the eldest sister's wrath."

Sure enough, Zhan Wan'er's face was cold, and she said with a chilling voice, "When the tiger doesn't show its might, they really think I'm a sick cat!"

Liu Ruyan shivered and thought, "It looks like someone is going to be in trouble."

In the evening, in the study of the head of the Xiao family.

Xiao Zhengqiu was alone, reviewing documents. Since becoming the head of the family, he had to do this every day, and over the years, he had become immersed in it, enjoying the feeling of power and control.

After finishing the last document, Xiao Zhengqiu sighed with relief and sipped the tea that a servant had just brought. He squinted his eyes and picked up a confidential report on his desk. As he scanned it, his brows furrowed.

The report detailed the conflict between Xiao Jian and Xiao Ce. After reading the last word, Xiao Zhengqiu threw the report aside, a cold laugh followed by a deep worry on his face. The Xiao family was truly in decline, with each generation worse than the last. Over a dozen people could not defeat one person.

Xiao Ce, whom he had placed great hopes in, had performed terribly today. He was defeated in one move, and by a younger brother who was only at the Sixth Level of the Later Heaven stage.

Waste! This guy is a complete waste!

Xiao Jian? He is probably the eldest son of Bie Li. Thinking of Bie Li, Xiao Zhengqiu sighed. Recalling the past, he felt a sense of regret. Perhaps he had been wrong. If he had not treated Bie Li's mother so harshly, Bie Li would surely have been a pillar of the Xiao family, and the family's revival would not be just talk.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps approached, interrupting Xiao Zhengqiu's thoughts. The look of melancholy on his face disappeared, and his eagle-like eyes flashed with a cold light.

"Bang!"

A loud noise, and the door was kicked open, a furious figure bursting in.

Seeing the intruder, Xiao Zhengqiu's face was cold. The only person in the entire Xiao family who dared to kick his door was his younger brother, Xiao Zhengji. The reason for his anger was likely because his worthless grandson had been defeated in one move, and he had come to vent his frustration.

Before Xiao Zhengqiu could speak, Xiao Zhengji angrily said, "Brother, you have to give me an explanation!"

Without waiting for Xiao Zhengqiu to respond, Xiao Zhengji continued, "Do you know, my grandson was beaten so badly that even his mother couldn't recognize him. He is now lying in bed, and his handsome face has been completely ruined. Although I often say that handsome men are all pretty boys," he glanced at Xiao Zhengqiu and added, "of course, this does not include you, Brother."

Xiao Zhengqiu replied with a cold laugh, "That's your grandson, what does it have to do with me? You, the first martial arts expert of the Xiao family, can go and take revenge on the person who beat your grandson."

Go and take revenge? Xiao Zhengji thought of the woman with the sword. Despite his usual fearlessness, he felt a hint of fear.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Zhengqiu laughed coldly and threw the report on his desk to him.

"Take a look at how brave your precious grandson was."

Confused, Xiao Zhengji picked up the report and read it.

"Bang!"

Almost instantly, Xiao Zhengji slammed his palm onto the desk, leaving a clear imprint. He roared, "That little brat, how dare he lie to me! Damn it, why didn't he just die? Over a dozen people couldn't defeat one, and he actually wanted me to seek justice for him. Ah, what a disgrace he has brought to me!"

After saying this, Xiao Zhengji's massive body slumped into the chair beside the desk.

Seeing the clear imprint on the desk, Xiao Zhengqiu felt a pang of pain. After a while, he said lightly, "Zhengji, you need to be careful this time."

"I'm fine, you need to be careful," Xiao Zhengji retorted.

Xiao Zhengqiu said calmly, "Your grandson spoke very rudely. If the woman hears about it, heh heh, you will have to face her wrath."

Xiao Zhengji shivered and said uneasily, "She wouldn't get angry over such a small matter, right?"

As he spoke, a sharp voice rang out from outside the study.

"The two old men inside, get out here!"

Xiao Zhengqiu, who had been gloating, was startled. He wanted to slap himself for his bad luck. And Xiao Zhengji was even worse, sitting on the ground in shock.

In the midst of the brothers' panic, Zhan Wan'er, with her graceful and alluring figure, suddenly appeared in the study. Her face was cold, her eyes filled with fury, and her purple dress fluttered as if dancing in the wind.

Xiao Zhengqiu opened his mouth to say something, but Zhan Wan'er's cold snort made the air in the study suddenly freeze, and the two men felt as if their necks were being choked, making it hard to breathe.

Looking at the two brothers struggling, Zhan Wan'er said coldly, "I don't want to hear any gossip in the Xiao family. If anyone dares to speak ill of my child, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xiao Zhengqiu struggled to say, "Daughter-in-law, that... that..."

"Hum! I don't want to hear any excuses. You must give me an explanation tomorrow, or else..."

With a cold snort, Zhan Wan'er disappeared, as if she had never been there.

Seeing the female demon leave, Xiao Zhengji finally breathed a sigh of relief. Recalling the suffocating feeling, he felt a chill. This was even more terrifying than it had been over a decade ago. Could she have already broken through to...

Thinking of the possibility, Xiao Zhengji shivered and turned to look at Xiao Zhengqiu, who was also staring at him in shock. Xiao Zhengji swallowed hard and said, "She... has she already broken through to the Immortal Martial Realm?"

Xiao Zhengqiu's face was filled with complex emotions.

Page break for AD

Page break for AD end