The old City Lord fell silent. He admitted Xiao Man had boundless potential, but Xiao Man was not yet grown and could be stifled in the cradle at any moment. If they pledged allegiance to Xiao Man and Xiao Man was then eliminated, their situation would be awkward.
Yet, his son’s words held merit. If they waited until Xiao Man achieved fame and success, many powerful individuals would flock to her, and their City Lord’s mansion would hold no advantage. This was a gamble!
“Father, the City Lord’s mansion is already walking on a razor’s edge, one misstep away from utter ruin. If Xiao Qin alone dares to challenge the authority of the Seven Great Sects, do we lack the courage?” The mere thought of Xiao Man killing the disciples of the Canglang Sect sent a surge of excitement through Yan Yu, a feeling he hadn't experienced in many years.
“It’s not that we lack courage, but that we need both courage and wisdom,” the old City Lord said unhurriedly. “That brat Xiao Qin probably has his own plans. It’s not impossible for you to want to pledge allegiance to Xiao Qin, but it cannot be known to others. Firstly, it’s safer for Xiao Qin, as the Wuji Land is blessed by nature, and many covet it. Secondly, the Seven Great Sects will not allow Wuji City to take sides. Once they discover Wuji City has aligned itself, they will show no mercy.”
“Father, you agreed?” Yan Yu had been preparing for how he would persuade his father if he refused, never expecting the old City Lord to agree so readily. It was as if he had launched a tentative punch and the opponent had fallen to the ground and surrendered.
“A pharmacist who can repair a shattered Golden Core will undoubtedly become an extraordinary figure in the future,” the old City Lord said softly. “In all my years, I have never known anyone capable of repairing a shattered Golden Core.”
“Father, if outsiders knew that Xiao Qin could repair a shattered Golden Core…”
“Absolutely not!” the old City Lord interrupted Yan Yu immediately. He knew what Yan Yu intended, but he could not allow it. Xiao Qin did not yet possess the ability to protect herself.
“Father, why can’t outsiders know? If everyone knew Xiao Qin could repair a shattered Golden Core, then the major sects would find ways to recruit Xiao Qin.”
“That is one possibility, but more likely, those who fail to recruit her will choose to kill her. After all, the ability to repair a shattered Golden Core is too heaven-defying.” The old City Lord considered things more deeply. They needed to conceal as much as possible about Xiao Man’s affairs, preferably so that no one knew anything about her. Only then could Xiao Man quietly grow strong.
“Father, you mean we should protect Xiao Qin?”
“Not just that,” the old City Lord said calmly. “You need to erase all traces of Xiao Qin, ensuring she is not associated with anything that could expose her abilities. We must not allow her to be eliminated during her growth.”
“Son understands.” Yan Yu immediately replied, “Father, what do you think about marrying Yan’er to Xiao Qin?”
The old City Lord raised his eyebrows and looked at Yan Yu, then sighed. “I know you are doing this for Yan’er’s sake, and Xiao Qin indeed has a bright future. However, she is someone who responds to kindness, not coercion, and is extremely principled. If you were to trouble Xiao Qin because of Yan’er, Xiao Qin would not hesitate to abandon everything and flee.”
Yan Yu fell silent. The best way he could think of to bind himself to Xiao Qin was to make Xiao Qin his son-in-law. This way, Xiao Qin would not abandon his daughter, nor would she ignore them. Wherever Xiao Qin went, she would remember them.
“Father, this is the best way to link us.”
“Foolish!” the old City Lord rebuked. “How many men would go to any lengths for a woman?”
“Xiao Qin is willing to go to any lengths for a subordinate, so surely she would do the same for the one she loves.”
“Yes, she can go to any lengths for the one she loves, provided that person is indeed the one she loves,” the old City Lord said calmly. Xiao Man had no romantic interest in Yan Yan, that was certain. Furthermore, as far as he knew, Xiao Man was already married.
“Father, Yan’er is very outstanding.”
“Xiao Qin is already married,” the old City Lord reminded Yan Yu. “Child, if you wish to maintain a positive relationship with Xiao Qin, it is best not to have any familial ties. Being a loyal attendant is enough.”
“Father, I think…”
“Listen to me, there is no mistake. Moreover, Yan Yan is your daughter. After finally escaping that heartless young man from the Zhang family, you should give her freedom to find someone she fancies, rather than arranging it yourself.” The old City Lord, having experienced a shattered Golden Core and severe poisoning, had a much more philosophical outlook now.
“Father, Yan’er is my daughter. I would not harm her.”
“I know.” The old City Lord’s voice was exceptionally gentle. “As parents, we always want to give our children the best, but we never ask what they need, or what they want. We simply force what we deem important upon them, believing it to be love. Have you ever considered that this is not love, but a burden?”
“Father, how can this be a burden? We have eaten more salt than they have eaten rice. We have seen more of the human heart and its dangers than the roads they have walked. The choices we make are always the most beneficial for them!”
“Do you eat as much salt as a salted fish? Yet a salted fish remains a salted fish and can never become a great fish, because its wings were broken by the very parents who doted on it, leaving it forever to be a salted fish. It was the same with me and you back then, believing that staying in Wuji City was best for you. As for Yan’er, she must leave this place. We don’t need to do much; we just need to stand by her side.”
“That’s all?” Yan Yu hesitated. In his opinion, Xiao Man was not one to suffer a loss.
“When I say stand by her side, I mean always stand by her side. This is no simple matter. If you can do this well, then no matter where Xiao Qin goes in the future, she will owe us this favor.”
Ze Fang looked at the empty room and sighed with helplessness. It seemed Xiao Qin was quite angry, and he hoped she wouldn’t do anything rash.
Xiao Man moved rapidly through Wuji City. Although she didn’t know how Fang He marked his companions, such a method was very useful. She needed to learn it so she could find the people she wanted to find in a timely manner.
“Brother, let’s go for a drink.” A figure appeared, and Xiao Man felt a sense of familiarity. She immediately stopped and moved in the direction of the voice.
The Hou brothers, having reformed and now earning money honestly, were preparing to have a few drinks when they ran headlong into Xiao Man. The brothers were so terrified that their legs went weak, and they both dropped to their knees.