Chapter 23: Great Upheaval (Part 2)

"Yes! Tomorrow at dawn, everyone within the Xiao Sect will gather here, and I guarantee not a single person will be missing," Xiao Yuhai pledged.

"Excellent! Our time is precious; we have only tomorrow. I do not wish for any mishaps to occur," Xiao Kuangyun said calmly, then tilted his head. "Since you've come, and you are the esteemed descendants of Xiao Cheng, the respected elder, this visit—well, you should at least bring a gift. Xiao Ba, present the offering."

The one called Xiao Ba stepped forward and placed a wooden box before Xiao Yuhai, his expression blank. Xiao Yuhai trembled as he accepted it, his face rife with anxiety: "T-thank you, Lord Xiao, for your generous gift. Truly, I am deeply grateful."

"The contents are called 'Tongxuan Dan,' capable of unblocking meridians, allowing one to significantly accelerate cultivation within a set period. For meridians damaged by various causes, it also offers excellent restoration. Even within our Xiao Sect, this is a rather fine elixir."

In other words… even among the Xiao Sect, it's a decent elixir. But among you, it would be on the level of a divine pill.

"For meridians damaged by various causes, it also offers excellent restoration"—this sentence caused Xiao Lie, who had been silent all along, to flush with sudden color, his eyes sparking with something wild. But immediately, he let out a sigh, his expression darkening.

Xiao Yuhai carefully tucked the wooden box away, his face glowing with gratitude: "Since it's an elixir from the Xiao Sect, its effects must surpass our wildest expectations. Your kindness, Lord Xiao, has left our Xiao Sect at a loss for how to repay you. Since you need not rest, perhaps we could have someone lead a few of you on a tour through our Xiao Sect or the Liushui City? Though it's just a small town, there are some places that might leave you astounded."

Seeing that Xiao Kuangyun did not decline, Xiao Yuhai hurriedly pulled Xiao Yulu forward: "This is the dog Xiao Yulu. Though his age matches yours, perhaps the dog could lead you through the area?"

Xiao Yuhai's intentions were clear: he wanted to get Xiao Yulu acquainted with Xiao Kuangyun first, increasing his chances of being taken back to the Xiao Sect. If he could earn Xiao Kuangyun's favor, perhaps he might gain favor within the Xiao Sect, and through that, achieve swift advancement…

"I am Xiao Yulu. To be able to see the honored guests of the Xiao Sect is the greatest honor of my life," Xiao Yulu stepped forward, his face humble.

Xiao Kuangyun glanced at him nonchalantly: "Very well. Then let's take a look around. I've been in grand places before, but it's good to see small ones too. You all may disperse. I don't like being followed too closely. When I seek you, you'll naturally find me."

"Yes, yes!" Xiao Yuhai nodded eagerly: "If any of you need anything, do not hesitate to command any of our people. Yulu, be sure to treat the honored guests well."

"Of course, Father."

Xiao Yuhai and the five elders bowed respectfully and departed. The time taken by the Xiao Sect for their arrival was later than they had anticipated, so the matter at hand would naturally be postponed until tomorrow.

Xiao Yulu stood beside Xiao Kuangyun, his posture slightly hunched, displaying a modest bearing, smiling gently: "Lord Xiao, though Liushui City is small, it has the essentials. Do you wish to see the scenery, the cuisine, or… the beauties first?"

Looking at Xiao Yulu's lecherous smile, Xiao Kuangyun's eyes brightened, his face curving into a sly grin: "As a man, what do you think we should see first?"

From Xiao Yulu's perspective, he knew exactly what Xiao Kuangyun was—he laughed softly: "Lord Xiao, you're clearly a true man! Since you're a true man, of course we should go see what a true man likes to see! Though Liushui City is small, our Tianxiang Tower is famous far and wide, drawing people from hundreds of miles away. Let's go there first."

"You're not bad, aren't you?" Xiao Kuangyun fixed his gaze on Xiao Yulu, then shook his head: "Very well, then let's go."

Xiao Yulu moved ahead, leading the way. Just as they were about to set off, a stunning girl appeared in Xiao Kuangyun's peripheral vision.

The girl's figure was exquisite, her proportions perfectly balanced. From afar, her silhouette was almost indescribable. Beneath her sky-blue robe, her legs were slender and graceful. As she walked slowly, her garments fluttered, her form revealed in delicate glimpses—her waist, chest, and hips curved with perfect elegance, radiating an unparalleled allure and a haughty, otherworldly grace.

Xiao Kuangyun's mouth opened wide, his entire being frozen in place, his eyes locked onto the mesmerizing vision. He felt as though he had glimpsed the legendary Luoshui Goddess. Sensing his gaze, the girl turned her head, gave him a cold glance, and walked into the courtyard. Her face, in that fleeting side glance, etched itself into his memory, making his body shudder as if all his bones had gone soft.

It wasn't until she vanished from his sight for a long time that he regained his senses.

When Summer Qingyue suddenly appeared at an inopportune moment, Xiao Yulu felt a "thud" in his heart, praying she wouldn't be seen by Xiao Kuangyun. Unfortunately, Xiao Kuangyun saw her—and revealed the reaction most men would have upon seeing Summer Qingyue's true beauty… no, even more so—his heart lurched violently. In this small Liushui City, the woman he laid eyes on would surely escape his grasp? And once he laid eyes on her, he would never see Summer Qingyue again.

But soon, he bit his lip, stepped beside Xiao Kuangyun, and gently shook his sleeve: "Lord Xiao?"

"That girl… that girl, who is she? Who is she?" Xiao Kuangyun's expression wavered, his voice trembling with excitement: "In this world… there are women even more beautiful than her! My wives and concubines… all the women I've ever been with… combined, they don't compare to her! A goddess… truly a goddess…"

Overwhelmed with excitement, Xiao Kuangyun spoke incoherently, his gaze burning intensely. Xiao Yulu adjusted his demeanor, smiling: "She is named Summer Qingyue. She is the first beauty of Liushui City, truly a goddess-like figure."

"Summer… Qingyue. Summer? So she isn't from the Xiao Sect?"

"Indeed!" Xiao Yulu nodded, his eyes slightly narrowed, speaking clearly: "She is not from our Xiao Sect. She is the daughter of the richest merchant in Liushui City. She was married to us just three days ago, to the grandson of Elder Xiao, Xiao Che."

"What? She was married?" Xiao Kuangyun's face flushed with disappointment, then instantly erupted into a fierce, burning envy: "She was married! To someone in the Xiao Sect? This is outrageous! Such a goddess-like woman, how could she be matched by a mere grandson of a Xiao Sect elder?!"

"Indeed! Lord Xiao, you're absolutely right!" Xiao Yulu immediately agreed: "Such a woman belongs only to someone like you, a true dragon among men. You may not know, the man she married, though he is the elder's grandson, is in fact the greatest failure of our Xiao Sect… he was born with a damaged meridian, and even this year, he has only reached the initial Profound Realm. He is a disgrace to our Xiao Sect."

"What…?!" Xiao Kuangyun's face turned ashen, his hands trembling: "Such a woman was married to such a waste! This is unforgivable… unforgivable!"

"Such a woman should belong to me, Xiao Kuangyun! How could a waste from the Xiao Sect deserve her?!" Xiao Kuangyun's jealousy flared, letting out a low growl, and charged straight toward the courtyard where Summer Qingyue had just entered.

He had only taken two steps when an old, authoritative voice echoed behind him: "Young master, the Patriarch sent me to introduce you. This is a lesson for you. The Patriarch specifically instructed me not to let you do anything that would bring disgrace to our Xiao Sect's reputation! Especially not to forcibly take other people's wives or daughters."

Xiao Kuangyun halted mid-stride, his face a mix of desire and resentment, yet he stood still, obedient.

Xiao Yulu looked at the elder named Xiao Mao Shan, his expression uncertain—apparently, he wasn't just accompanying and protecting Xiao Kuangyun, but also serving as his monitor. One sentence had stunned Xiao Kuangyun. Moreover, from his words, it was clear that Xiao Kuangyun had already done this sort of thing before.

Xiao Yulu's eyes shifted, quickly catching up to Xiao Kuangyun, whispering softly: "Lord Xiao… if you're interested in that Summer Qingyue, there are other methods besides force."

"Methods? What methods?" Xiao Kuangyun turned his head, his gaze burning intensely.

Xiao Yulu leaned in and whispered rapidly in his ear. When he finished, Xiao Kuangyun's eyes lit up, his mouth curling into an eager, lecherous grin.

"These are the pieces of information I just obtained, never shared with anyone, and I hadn't thought they'd come in handy for Lord Xiao. Truly, how fitting!" Looking at Xiao Kuangyun's lecherous grin, Xiao Yulu felt disgust in his heart, yet smiled on his face.

"Very good, very good. It seems Lord Xiao has quite a fondness for beauties. In our Xiao Sect, beauties aren't just Summer Qingyue." Xiao Yulu lowered his voice: "Elder Xiao Lie has a daughter, only fifteen this year, already renowned for her beauty, surpassing even Summer Qingyue. I wonder if Lord Xiao has any interest?"

"Fifteen… about the same as that goddess?" Xiao Kuangyun's eyes widened, glowing with a wolfish light.

Seeing Xiao Kuangyun's gaze, Xiao Yulu knew exactly what to do next. He leaned closer, whispering again: "If Lord Xiao is interested, this one is even easier to obtain, the methods even simpler… just need to…"

Xiao Yulu leaned in and whispered once more.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!…" Xiao Kuangyun burst into maniacal laughter, his eyes blazing with lust: "After returning to the Xiao Sect, I truly must thank my father for letting me encounter two celestial beauties in one lifetime… I truly haven't run all this way for nothing."

His gaze turned to Xiao Yulu, nodding slowly: "You're… Xiao Yulu, right?"

"Yes, yes! I am Xiao Yulu!" Xiao Yulu was overjoyed, as if being remembered by Lord Xiao was the greatest honor of his life.

"You're a good man, very good. If you can accomplish these two tasks, when you return to the Xiao Sect, stay by my side." Xiao Kuangyun blinked slowly.

"Ah!" Xiao Yulu's entire body trembled, his eyes widening in excitement. Upon realizing what was said, he bowed loudly at Xiao Kuangyun's feet: "Yulu thanks Lord Xiao for your kindness! If I may stay by your side, I will serve you wholeheartedly, dedicating myself entirely to attending to Lord Xiao!"

This outcome sent Xiao Yulu's heart into a frenzy… being brought into the Xiao Sect was a momentous occasion, a leap to the top. And being by the side of the Patriarch's son? That was an entirely different matter, a concept he had never even dared to dream of.