--- Chapter 23 ---
Three days have passed after the magical beast's attack.
After further investigation, people discovered the evildoer who ordered the magical beast to attack Wu Tan City was someone from Xiao Clan named Xiao San. He's the biological brother of the Xiao Clan's Leader.
This man disappeared four years ago after getting shunned by Xiao Clan for being a talentless Dou Qi Warrior, who's far inferior to his nephew Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was a rising star at the time, which grew the Xiao Clan's superiority complex like no tomorrow and turned blind eyes to talentless people in their clan.
Leaving no words, Xiao San returned four years later and caused bloody terror in Wu Tan City. He slaughtered over 9000 people or could be more if a hero didn't appear to save the day.
That hero is a young man named Baek Ain.
He's an orphan. Everyone knows that after Jie Lia Clan exposed some of his information. It was portrayed in a better light because some people from the Auction House spread how diligent he was in training.
He trained every day, releasing blood, sweat, and tears.
His existence becomes such a motivation enough for kids to play around as if they are him.
Unfortunately, this young hero is underappreciated and humiliated on the verge of death. Because of the so-called misunderstanding, the Xiao Clan's Young Master, Xiao Yan, attacked Baek Ain despite being in bad condition and spewed a mouthful of blood when moving a single step.
It's a shameful tale that makes everyone in Wu Tan City feel secondhand embarrassment from Xiao Yan's reckless actions. The ridicule Xiao Yan got in the last three days was so bad Gu Xun'er had to be his emotional support.
And what's worse is the fact that Xiao Clan and Xiao Yan's deeds spread to the entire Jia Ma Empire in just three days. Do not underestimate the power of the Miteer Family/Primer Clan's influence over this empire.
When Yafei said she wouldn't let this matter slide, She meant it.
She could have destroyed Xiao Clan, but someone protected this clan from the shadow. Baek Ain has warned her about Gu Xun'er existence, so Yafei hasn't made any extreme move yet.
Though, Xiao Clan still has to pay back all the support she has given in the past. And Not to mention the compensation for Baek Ain's injuries.
Xiao Clan literally have to sell most of their Dou Techniques to pay all these back, making them poorer than the small clan on the edge of the Jia Ma Empire.
"Don't mess with my fiance." Yafei's passive-aggressive warning echoed throughout the Jia Ma Empire.
...
...
In the recuperation room, Baek Ain lay on the bed and was fed a sliced apple by Yafei. His injuries healed quickly thanks to the extreme amount of recovery pills he consumed when fighting Xiao Yan and his Healing Factor. Even the hole in his chest and lost fingers regenerated back.
"Life is good." Baek Ain smiled while seeing Yafei's care for him.
Yafei smiled back and commented, "Of course, life is good. You're lucky to have this beautiful, noble lady on your side."
"I am." He nodded while pecking her cheek.
"So, what do you think of this young hero?"
"Am I worthy enough, my lady?"
"Fufu, 200%."
As they flirted, Lan Rou entered the room with a bang and announced something important, "Lady Fei. The Elder has responded to your request."
"Oh? Thank you, Rou. You must be tired after sprinting back and forth from here to the capital." Yafei responded calmly. "Why don't you take a breather here with us?"
Lan Rou rolled her eyes and returned, "That's the plan."
"I'll convey the Elder's replies while enjoying my time, Ain."
Even though Yafei doesn't have a problem with Baek Ain having a harem, she'd like to tease Lan Rou because she is adorable sometimes. The stoic shadow guard always showed her warm side to Baek Ain.
Lan Rou sat on the seat next to Baek Ain, pulling a precious spring water that could heal one's internal injuries from her spatial ring. "Here, it would help with your recovery."
"Thanks." Baek Ain kissed Lan Rou's right cheek and took a sip from bamboo's cup, feeling a gentle energy running through his body.
Lan Rou blushed a little and faked a cough, telling them about the news from Primer Clan. The elders summoned Yafei to bring Baek Ain with her back to the capital city, where they could nurture him better than in a small place like Wu Tan City.
"Finally~!" Yafei couldn't hide her excitement and jumped on Baek Ain, hugging him tightly.
Baek Ain's face is squeezed between her creamy mountain, pushing him to a near-death experience again. He tapped the bed and said, "Fei, you suffocated me."
"Ah... My bad." She released him, sticking her tongue out clumsily.
"Did the elder say anything about the time limit, Rou?"
Lan Rou shook her head and answered, "They said none, but it's better to get out of this cursed city as soon as possible after Ain fully recovered."
"Haha, Cursed city..." Baek Ain laughed in defeat. Wu Tan City's demise has nothing to do with the city itself. It's all because of Xiao Yan's protagonist halo alongside Baek Ain's presence.
And since the world is an alternative universe, Baek Ain doesn't know how much random shit would happen in the future.
He rubbed his chin and said, "I should be healthy enough in two days."
"I'll finish my business in two days then." Yafei shrugged her shoulders.
"Same." Lan Rou nodded her head.
...
...
A day later, Baek Ain could finally move around the compound and stretch his body. He jumped to the tallest building nearby and watched over Wu Tan City from above, overseeing everything.
After the magical beast's attack, Wu Tan City is recovering quickly. The home was "freely." repaired with Miteer Family's money, and the walls were "strictly." fortified in case something similar happened again.
He probably won't see this city again tomorrow.
A tall-robed person suddenly appeared before Baek Ain and said, "Lady Xun'er would like to have a small talk with you."
Baek Ain smiled wryly because his Sixth Sense couldn't detect this guy's presence. He's too strong for the current him.
However, he could still sense another presence nearby.
"Sure, you can go out. Xiao Xun'er." Baek Ain replied casually.
"How did you... Nevermind." A surprise response came from Gu Xun'er, who stepped out from the shadow. "Ling Yin, leave us alone."
Gu Xun'er and Baek Ain stared at each other silently, creating an awkward mood. The young lady of Gu Clan suddenly bowed her head down and said, "I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have let Big Brother Xiao Yan attack you like that."
"You have opened my eyes, but I'm still hesitating."
"Ok." Baek Ain replied with a deadpan look.
"I don't care about it anymore. Though, I'd be lying if I said about Xiao Yan not being an annoyance in my life."
"Why does such a person like you want to be on his side?"
"Before you ask a ridiculous question, I don't know anything about your background and only guess with some clue like that tall man. His strength is beyond the status of a little genius girl from small Wu Tan City."
"So, peace?" Gu Xun'er tilted her head.
Baek Ain nodded and replied, "Peace."
"Try to bring Xiao Yan far away from me, though."
Gu Xun'er chuckles in amusement and grabs something from her spatial storage. It was a jade token with "Gu Clan." characters carved into it.
"You're such an interesting person, Baek Ain."
"We might not meet again, but please take this as another compensation for Xiao Yan's mistake. If you had any problem, you could go to Gu Clan and ask for help from my father."
She disappeared from the rooftop alongside her bodyguard, leaving Baek Ain alone with the jade token.
He threw the jade token into his inventory and lay on the rooftop, gazing at the starless night sky.
Baek Ain smiled and said, "No, thanks."
'Heroine is such a hassle. I'd rather become old while enjoying my life with Yafei and Lan Rou.'