by Feng Yise
Hearing the first half of the sentence, Xiao Ruyan was actually slightly gleeful in her heart.
But when she heard the two words 'it's just,' Xiao Ruyan's heart involuntarily plunged, and she asked weakly, "It's just what?"
"Sigh . . . I never would have thought that you would do something so resolute. I'm afraid . . . afraid that you drop flowers pining for love, while he, a heartless brook, babbles along!" Xiao Changfeng said with a sigh.
Xiao Ruyan's heart involuntarily jolted fiercely as she said unresignedly, "If he doesn't have interest in me, why did he help me repeatedly?"
"Father is somebody who has gone through it all. Ultimately, I can see things clearer than you. Although I don't know why he entered the Xiao Family, Ji Qing definitely came harboring some kind of goal. That was why Father carried out an unwise decision to intentionally let him and Tong Wencahng face off. Who knew that unexpected sowing led to blooming in the garden? Ji Qing actually became the Xiao Family's savior! Honestly, Father actually already completely infuriated him at that time with distrust. If not for you standing up to support him vehemently, he would probably have already flicked his sleeves and left."
Hearing Xiao Changfeng's words, Xiao Ruyan was even more puzzled. "Since that's the case, doesn't that show even more clearly . . ."
Xiao Changfeng shook his head and said, "It's precisely because of this that showed more clearly he doesn't have feelings of man and women towards you but ties of friendship! If he entered the Xiao Family because of you, he definitely wouldn't have gotten so angry because of father's distrust. He also would not have performed so low-key in the Grand Pill Assembly but try to think of ways to make you and Father value him highly. Although I don't know why, something must have happened during the Grand Pill Assembly to have utterly infuriated him, making him destroy Tong Wenchang completely!"
Listening up to here, Xiao Ruyan's complexion immediately became as pale as paper again.
Those closely involved could not see clearly. Only with Xiao Changfeng analyzing like this, did Xiao Ruyan know that maybe it was her wishful thinking. A line of clear tears flowed down uncontrollably again.
"Ruyan, you don't have to be like this. This matter might still have a turnaround!" Xiao Changfeng said.
Xiao Ruyan said in tears, "Father doesn't need to console me . . ."
"I'm not consoling you. Perhaps you can really fight on this matter. Previously, I didn't have assurance. But now . . . I have 70% confidence," Xiao Changfeng said.
"70% confidence?" Xiao Ruyan asked doubtfully.
Xiao Changfeng nodded and said, "That's right! Ji Qing should have his objectives coming to the Xiao Family, so I didn't have any confidence at all. I was afraid of offending a future major figure, so I didn't open my mouth all along. But today, through your affairs, I can conclude that Ji Qing is somebody who values brotherhood immensely! If . . . you're really unwilling to marry into the two Huang and Xue family, maybe you can poke open this layer of windowpane paper 1 to him. With his disposition, I believe that he wouldn't wish to see you jump into a fire pit."
Xiao Ruyan's eyes could not help lighting up but dimmed very quickly.
To a girl, especially a peerless beauty like Xiao Ruyan, asking her to poke a hole through this layer of windowpane paper was too hard.
This need enormous courage!
Furthermore, Xiao Changfeng already made it very clear just now, Ye Yuan only had feelings of friendsh.i.p.s towards her.
What if . . . he rejected?
By not poking a hole, maybe they could still be friends. Once she poked a hole through this windowpane paper, they might not even be friends anymore.
This was not the outcome that Xiao Ruyan wanted!
Despair was the greatest sorrow. At that time, she might feel even worse than dying!
"I . . ." Xiao Ruyan clearly fell into an extreme internal conflict.
"Sigh, I know that this is somewhat cruel to you too. But this is already the best plan that Father can think of. Most importantly, you're in love with Ji Qing, isn't it? Ji Qing has already waited outside for a long time. I'll go call him in now. As for whether you tell him or not, that will have to depend on yourself." Xiao Changfeng sighed lightly and turned around and left.
Xiao Ruyan did not notice that at the moment he turned around, a glimmer of light flashed across Xiao Changfeng's eyes.
It was true that Xiao Changfeng said this for the sake of his daughter. But more importantly, once Ye Yuan and Xiao Ruyan became a pair, it would be equivalent to the Xiao Family getting close to the Alchemist Association, this giant banner.
With this layer of relation, nobody could shake the position of the Xiao Family in the capital anymore!
Star Abyss actually dared to sanction the royal family for Ye Yuan. It could be seen how highly he valued this disciple.
Once the two people tied the nuptial knot, the arrangement in the capital's alchemy scene would undergo a change again, and the Grand Pill Assembly would not have the need to be carried out anymore!
This was Xiao Changfeng's deeper level scheme!
Xiao Ruyan's thoughts were pure. How could she see through Xiao Changfeng's such deep thoughts?
Speaking of which, even if she saw through it, she would most likely want to hold Ye Yuan's heart without looking back as well, right? Expose the truth
Chapter 411 - Take Me in as a Disciple
Seeing Ye Yuan again, Xiao Ruyan's tears once again flowed down with disappointment.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "How big a matter was it? Was there a need to attempt suicide? Such a beautiful girl; so many people are fighting to have. Such a pity if you died. Putting yourself at home to be a flower vase is also pretty good!"
"Puchi!"
One sentence tickled Xiao Ruyan, turning tears into smiles. Rolling her eyes at Ye Yuan, she pouted and said, "Can't you say something properly for once? Frivolous!"
Her eyes were filled with amorous feelings, mesmerizing people to death. Putting Ye Yuan who was looking into a trace as well.
"Haha, didn't I see that the atmosphere was somewhat awkward and wanted to liven things up?" Ye Yuan said slightly awkwardly.
But Xiao Ruyan's eyes dimmed and she shouted begrudgingly, "You shouldn't have saved me!"
"Mm? Didn't I already save you? Heh heh, you foolish girl, is it worth it to do this?" Ye Yuan said with a smile
Xiao Ruyan sighed and said, "There's no worth it or not, only willing or not. I don't wish to go against Father's intention and also don't wish for myself to become another person's accessory. This was the best option . . . Ah! What are you doing?"
Xiao Ruyan was just bem.o.a.ning her fate vacantly when suddenly a face popped up in front of her, making her jump in fright and hastily backing away.
Ye Yuan chuckled and said, "You're lying!"
That scene earlier made Xiao Ruyan's little heart flutter, only to see her fl.u.s.tered expression, her eyes dodging like she did something guilty.
"I . . . When did I?" Xiao Ruyan said softly.
"Your eyes betrayed out! The eyes of a person whose heart is dead like ashes are utterly without a lease of life. But you . . . are filled with attachment towards this world!"
"S-So what then? I have no other choice!" Having her thoughts exposed by Ye Yuan, Xiao Ruyan said with hints of embarrassment.
Of course, she was filled with attachments towards this world!
She was attached to her Alchemy Path. She was attached to her parents and her elder brother. She was attached to . . . Ye Yuan.
The Xiao Ruyan at this time was very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e. She felt that Ye Yuan was well-disposed towards her, but Ye Yuan completely turned a blind eye to her. He clearly knew that the spouse finding martial competition was about to begin, yet he still entered closed-seclusion to cultivate.
In her despair, she chose this sort of extreme way of doing things.
"Haha, don't wish to die, then don't die," Ye Yuan said with a laugh.
Xiao Ruyan did not know
where the courage came from. She suddenly yelled at Ye Yuan, "Easy talk for you! Do you know how powerful first-rate families are? Do you know the Xiao Family's current predicament? Do you know my circ.u.mstances? Don't want to die? What about the spouse finding martial competition? Could it be that you're going to go defeat Huang Wenqiu and Xue Zaihe and marry me?"
Saying finish the words in one breath, Xiao Ruyan stared fixedly at Ye Yuan's eyes, looking very furious, but in truth, her heart already leaped up to her throat.
She was worried Ye Yuan would say no, worried that Ye Yuan would turn around and leave.
The two people stared at each other. For a moment, there was only the sound of breathing in the room.
"Fine," after a moment, Ye Yuan suddenly cracked a smile and said.
"What?" Xiao Ruyan did not react right away and instinctively blurted out.
"I'll help you settle those two fellows. But . . . I have no way of marrying you." Ye Yuan felt that regarding this kind of matters, it was better not to do things sloppily.
"You . . . What do you mean?"
Xiao Ruyan was pleasantly surprised earlier, but the second-half of Ye Yuan's sentence splashed down like a basin of cold water.
"My meaning is that I'll participate in the spouse finding martial competition and help you take care of those two punks. But . . . I have no way of marrying you . . ." Ye Yuan said.
Although he knew that these words were rather hurtful, he had no choice but to say it.
Ye Yuan only entered the Fierce Gale World in order to save people. Whether he could return to the Endless World alive was another matter altogether.
Even if he returned to the Endless World, their two sides were also destined to be enemies.
Could enemy and enemy be together?
Ye Yuan naturally liked beauties. But he did not have the qualifications to enjoy beautiful women right now. He could only treat Xiao Ruyan as a friend.
Since he treated Xiao Ruyan as a friend, he could not bring great harm to her.
This was Ye Yuan's principle!
He did not agree to Nanfeng Ruoqing and Nanfeng Zhirou back then also because of this reason.
"Can you tell me why?"
Not knowing why, Xiao Ruyan calmed down at this time instead.
Ye Yuan shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "I have my own difficulties. Sorry."
Xiao Ruyan nodded and actually smiled sweetly, saying, "As long as you don't let me marry those two fellows, that will do! Thank you, Ji Qing!"
Seeing Xiao Ruyan like so, Ye Yuan's heart eased up slightly. Honestly speaking, dealing with matters of the heart was really not his strong suit.
Ye Yuan smiled awkwardly and said, "What's to thank? Being of service to Miss Ruyan is something that many men in the capital dream to have! Other people can't even beg for it, but I gained a huge advantage! H-Haha."
Ye Yuan himself felt that this joke was not funny at all, but Xiao Ruyan giggled non-stop.
No matter how one looked at it, this laugh carried some misery and bitterness inside. But Ye Yuan did not know how to resolve it either.
"Ah! Ji Qing, you . . . you're actually Seventh Level Crystal Formation Realm already?" Xiao Ruyan suddenly noticed something and the laughter stopped.
"En. My closed-seclusion this one month was in order to break through realms," Ye Yuan said nonchalantly.
"I . . . I really can't see through you more and more! Your strength in the Alchemy Path is powerful until it makes people despair. You actually have such peerless talent in the Martial Path too! Just what kind of existence are you?"
In Xiao Ruyan's viewpoint, Ye Yuan was an enigmatic man. Or perhaps it was precisely this point which attracted her deeply.
"Haha, I am me, a different colored firework."
"Frivolous! But . . . even if you broke through to the Seventh Level Crystal Formation Realm, you're still a lot worse than them. You . . . If you can't do it, don't force it!" Xiao Ruyan said worriedly.
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Relax. Just two middle-stage Sea Transformation Realms. I think nothing of them!"
"Really?" Xiao Ruyan said doubtfully.
"Of course it's true!" Ye Yuan said confidently.
"Alright then. But I still have one matter to request of you. You mustn't reject me!" Xiao Ruyan suddenly said seriously.
"You say it first. I'll definitely agree what I can promise!" Ye Yuan did not fall for it and decided to hear the contents first before deciding.
Xiao Ruyan looked at Ye Yuan with a begrudging face and said, "You, this fellow, really don't have the thoughts of being tender towards women!"
"H-Haha." Ye Yuan gave a laugh.
"If you can really defeat Huang Wenqiu and Xue Zaihe, you don't have to marry me, but . . . I want to follow you in the future!" Xiao Ruyan said.
"Ah? Follow me?" Ye Yuan had an astonished look.
"Yeah! You defeat them in front of the entire capital but refuse to marry me. How will I marry in the future? So . . . I'm going to stick to you in the future. I want to follow you! If you don't agree, I'll just die another round. Either way, I'm already somebody who died once!" Xiao Ruyan threatened.
Ye Yuan felt his head swell and he waved his hands, saying, "What's the deal with you following me? I already said that I have my own difficulties!"
"That's simple. You just take me in as a disciple, and that will do!" A hint of cunning flickered across Xiao Ruyan's eyes.
Chapter 412 - Return a Favor with a Favor
Ye Yuan looked at Xiao Ruyan rather surprisedly and blurted out, "Take you in as a disciple?"
"Yeah! I'm not forcing you to become Dao companions with me either. It's just taking me in as a disciple. Not overboard, right?" Xiao Ruyan said.
"This . . ."
Ye Yuan could not help hesitating. He did not even officially take in disciples in his previous life. He really did not have the d.e.s.i.r.e to be a teacher.
Xiao Ruyan suddenly raising this condition made him unable to make a choice for a moment.
Not that Ye Yuan was averse to take a disciple, it was just that he was not willing to waste time on something like teaching disciples in his previous life. So, he could not be bothered to take any disciples.
People like Li Daohang belonged to those with better luck; they were people who were able to learn alchemy by his side.
Even if he did not deliberately go and teach, Li Daohang also used just a hundred years to cultivate from Alchemy Ancestor to Alchemy Venerable Realm; only a step away from stepping into Alchemy Emperor.
One could say that being beside Ye Yuan, even if it was just being a little medicine boy, it would also be endlessly beneficial.
Xiao Ruyan could not help being anxious when she saw Ye Yuan hesitate and said, "Don't say anything like you're young and can't teach me. I know the disparity between us! Your strength is more than enough to be my master! If you don't even agree to this, I don't need you to get on the stage either. At most, I'll consume another portion of Nine Nether Soul Shattering Powder."
One had to acknowledge that when a woman like Xiao Ruyan acted like a spoiled girl, all men would find it hard to resist.
First, cry; second, make a fuss; and third, hang oneself. Even knowing all these, Ye Yuan was just weak to this tactic. He instantly said helplessly, "Fine then. Be my disciple then. But I'll say the nasty things first. I will leave the capital in the future!"
Ye Yuan naturally would not stay here for a long time. As long as he rescued his fellow apprentices, he would leave immediately.
Who knew that Xiao Ruyan became overjoyed and said, "Doesn't matter. Wherever you are, I'll be there! I have a feeling that by following you, I'll get even closer to the magnificent Dao of Alchemy!"
"En? If you go, what about your parents and brother?"
Xiao Ruyan's eyes dimmed as she said, "The Xiao Family has seized back management rights. My mission is already completed. The Xiao Family doesn't need me anymore. As for Father and Mother . . . they still have Big Brother
and other children. One less person is fine."
Ye Yuan's eyes flickered, but he did not speak.
He could sense the blow that this incident had on Xiao Ruyan was tremendous. The heartlessness of the Xiao Family elders already made Xiao Ruyan lose complete faith in the Xiao Family.
Continuing to stay in the Xiao Family, as long as she could be the bargaining chip for their exchange of benefits, they would not care about Xiao Ruyan's feelings.
To the Xiao Ruyan who had already died once, she had already come to accept many things.
These past 20 years, she lived for the Xiao Family.
From today onwards, she would live for herself. She wanted to pursue her own path; her own happiness!
It was just that Ye Yuan did not know if he told her that he was an Endless World native, would she leave with him or not?"
. . . . . .
Following Shi Haoran out of the Xiao Family, Ye Yuan kept feeling very odd in his heart.
This female disciple was accepted somewhat awkwardly no matter how one looked at it.
Other people took in disciples in order to continue their legacy, but why did it have the feeling that he took in Xiao Ruyan because of some ulterior motives?
To Shi Haoran, Ye Yuan did not have much to hide and directly told him the agreement with Xiao Ruyan for him to hear.
After Shi Haoran heard it, he first sized Ye Yuan up with a peculiar look in his eyes, and he finally raised a big thumbs up as he exclaimed with admiration, "Little Junior Brother is indeed extraordinary! Other people are all fighting to take the two absolutes back home to be Dao companions, but you actually blazed a new trail and started playing with teacher-student love affair!"
Ye Yuan had an impulse to collapse. He said huffily, "What teacher-student love affair?! I didn't want to take her in as a disciple. But she threatened to die. What can I do?"
"Ha! Little Junior Brother doesn't need to have any qualms. There's nothing bad about teacher-student relationship either. Instead, it has another flavor! Little Junior Brother just has to be yourself. With Master and me backing you, what's there to fear?" Shi Haoran said with a laugh.