Chapter 26: Mediation
Watching Xiao Yu standing in front of Xiao Yan, Jia Lie Bi's expression alternated between cloudy and uncertain.
He naturally recognized Xiao Yu, the granddaughter of the Xiao Clan's Grand Elder. He was also aware of the events that had transpired in the Xiao Clan's market earlier that day.
To put it bluntly, his Jia Lie Clan was clearly at fault. Causing trouble on someone else's territory was bad enough, but attempting to abduct someone in broad daylight? No matter how you looked at it, they were in the wrong.
Therefore, when his son and the Jia Lie Clan's guards were beaten by Xiao Yu, and even Liu Xi was severely injured, Jia Lie Bi was too embarrassed to go to the Xiao Clan to demand justice.
What was more troubling was the claim his son, Jia Lie Ao, had made.
Xiao Yu, a mere three-star Dou Shi, had instantly defeated all the Jia Lie Clan's guards, the weakest of whom were five-star Dou Shi!
If someone else had told Jia Lie Bi this, he would never have believed it.
Nonsense! Ridiculous!
But since it was his own son who said it, Jia Lie Bi couldn't dismiss it.
Now that he had seen Xiao Yu in person, the shock in his heart was even greater.
Xiao Yu was indeed just a three-star Dou Shi. There was no doubt about it.
However, that whip she wielded earlier—Jia Lie Bi, a high-level Da Dou Shi, didn't even dare to take it head-on!
Such power made it entirely plausible that she had wiped out his guards.
What kind of monsters were these Xiao Clan members?!
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu stood protectively in front of Xiao Yan, wary of Jia Lie Bi. She glanced back at Xiao Yan and let out a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it seemed like his life wasn't in danger.
She then focused all her attention on Jia Lie Bi.
She had fought with high-level Da Dou Shi before at the academy. Though she mostly lost, the battles were always close.
But now, losing to Jia Lie Bi could mean a dire fate for both her and Xiao Yan.
This was the Jia Lie Clan's territory, after all. There was no way they'd let the Xiao Clan members off easily.
Thankfully, Xiao Yu had informed Xiao Zhan to bring reinforcements before leaving.
Just as the situation grew tense, reinforcements arrived.
"Jia Lie Bi! To think you'd lay hands on the younger generation! You're just getting worse with age, you old filthy dog!"
With this angry roar, Xiao Zhan appeared and positioned himself between Xiao Yu and Jia Lie Bi. The Grand Elder stood beside him, looking worriedly at his granddaughter.
"Yu'er! Are you okay?"
At this moment, Xiao Yu finally relaxed. She glanced at the Xiao Clan guards confronting the Jia Lie Clan guards outside the courtyard and softly reassured her grandfather.
"Grandfather, I'm fine."
Xiao Yu then turned to check on Xiao Yan. Though his body was covered in blood, his strong physique had prevented any severe injuries. He had only fainted.
Behind her, Jia Lie Bi pointed at Xiao Zhan and angrily shouted,
"Xiao Zhan! Your son trespassed into my Jia Lie Clan, beat up my guards, crippled my son's limbs, and even attacked Mr. Liu Xi! You owe me an explanation today!"
"Hmph! They brought it upon themselves!"
Xiao Zhan coldly retorted, taking the opportunity to survey the situation in the courtyard. His eyes revealed a trace of astonishment.
The injuries on the Jia Lie Clan guards seemed minor; they had merely been knocked unconscious. This matched his son's usual style of showing restraint.
However, Xiao Yan's actions against Jia Lie Ao and Liu Xi were downright brutal. Jia Lie Ao's limbs were completely crippled, while Liu Xi lay in a pool of blood. Judging by his labored breathing, he wouldn't last long.
Was his son truly capable of such ruthless acts?
Xiao Zhan was deeply unsettled. In his mind, Xiao Yan had always been gentle and preferred to avoid violence during disputes.
Even if forced to resort to violence, Xiao Yan would typically show leniency, just as he had during his duel with Jia Lie Ao.
But this level of ruthlessness, which left no room for reconciliation, didn't seem like something Xiao Yan would do.
Regardless, Xiao Yan was his son, and it was not for outsiders to discipline him!
"Jia Lie Bi! Your people were the ones who first caused trouble in our market!"
Xiao Zhan glared at Jia Lie Bi, exuding an undeniable dominance.
"And to make matters worse, they tried to abduct the Xiao Clan's Grand Elder's granddaughter! Do you think our Xiao Clan has no one to stand up to you?!"
As he finished speaking, Xiao Zhan's aura as a high-level Da Dou Shi erupted, causing the atmosphere in the courtyard to become oppressive.
His stance was clear: the Jia Lie Clan was at fault, and they deserved their fate!
"Xiao Zhan, you scoundrel!"
Jia Lie Bi, enraged by Xiao Zhan's assertiveness, glared at him with a twisted expression.
"Fine! If that's how it is!"
Seething with fury, Jia Lie Bi momentarily forgot his pain and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Jia Lie Clan members, listen to me! Prepare for battle!"
Seeing Jia Lie Bi lose his composure, Xiao Zhan's expression darkened.
It seemed a fight was inevitable.
Clap!
Suddenly, a crisp clapping sound echoed through the courtyard, halting both sides in their tracks. A seductive voice followed,
"Let's keep the peace, shall we? Why must the two clan leaders get so worked up?"
Everyone turned to see a woman in a red dress gracefully stepping into the courtyard. Her alluring figure swayed as she elegantly positioned herself between Xiao Zhan and Jia Lie Bi.
It was Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House's Wutan City branch!
"Miss Ya Fei, this is a private matter between the Xiao and Jia Lie Clans. It has nothing to do with the Miteer Auction House."
Even Jia Lie Bi, as furious as he was, restrained himself in front of Ya Fei, choosing his words carefully.
Xiao Zhan remained silent, observing the woman who shared a close relationship with his son.
"How could you say that, Clan Leader Jia Lie? Do you take me as an outsider?" Ya Fei chuckled, covering her mouth.
"We all coexist in Wutan City. If a major conflict breaks out between the Xiao and Jia Lie Clans, the Miteer Auction House will undoubtedly be affected. How could I possibly stay out of this?"
Her reasoning left Jia Lie Bi speechless.
Seeing his silence, Ya Fei continued, her tone soft yet firm.
"I've already learned the gist of what happened."
She looked at Jia Lie Bi and said, "Your son caused trouble in the Xiao Clan's market and even attempted to abduct their Grand Elder's granddaughter. Do you deny this?"
Jia Lie Bi's face darkened, but he couldn't refute the truth.
Satisfied with his silence, Ya Fei turned to Xiao Zhan.
"Clan Leader Xiao, although the Jia Lie Clan was at fault, your son trespassed into their territory, injured several guards, crippled Jia Lie Ao's limbs, and left Liu Xi on the verge of death. You cannot deny this either, can you?"
"My son's actions were due to my poor oversight as his father. I will take responsibility," Xiao Zhan declared solemnly.
Ya Fei clasped her hands and smiled.
"Then it's simple," she said, turning to Jia Lie Bi. "Clan Leader Jia Lie, I guarantee that the Miteer Auction House will fully assist in sourcing the medicinal ingredients your clan recently purchased. Additionally, we'll offer a 30% discount."
Jia Lie Bi was taken aback. A 30% discount was a substantial saving, especially for large quantities.
Seeing his interest, Ya Fei turned to Xiao Zhan.
"Clan Leader Xiao, your Xiao Clan will cover the 30% discount as punishment. What do you think?"
Both Xiao Zhan and Jia Lie Bi inwardly cursed Ya Fei's cunning. The Miteer Auction House stood to gain goodwill while losing nothing.
Still, this resolution was the most favorable for both clans.
"I accept this punishment," Xiao Zhan agreed.
With Ya Fei's mediation, the Xiao and Jia Lie Clans avoided an all-out conflict.
Xiao Yu carried the unconscious Xiao Yan out of the courtyard, accompanied by the Grand Elder and Xiao Zhan.
As they passed Jia Lie Bi, his cold voice reached Xiao Zhan's ears.
"Xiao Zhan, I'll let this slide for Miss Ya Fei's sake, but this isn't over."
"Heh, likewise," Xiao Zhan replied, leading the Xiao Clan members away.
Once everyone had left, Jia Lie Bi gazed at his crippled son, his expression conflicted.
No matter how useless Jia Lie Ao was, he was still his son.
However, his attention soon shifted to Liu Xi's lifeless body.
"That fool! If not for his status as an alchemist, he'd have been dead long ago!" Jia Lie Bi muttered, disgusted.
Still, Liu Xi's death posed a significant problem. Without him, their plans to produce alchemy pills were disrupted.
"Second Elder," Jia Lie Bi turned to Jia Lie Nu. "Take men and invite Liu Xi's teacher here. Tell him his beloved disciple was killed by the Xiao Clan. Offer our full support in avenging him."
"Understood!"
(Chapter End)
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