pertwk Chapter 35 Lin City, the Xiao Family!
Chapter 35 Lin City, the Xiao Family!
Today is destined to be an unforgettable day for the Xiao family.
Today is the day they officially take over Lin City, the day Xiao Zhan officially becomes an outer sect steward of the Yunlan Sect, and the day Xiao Yan obtains the fourth-grade alchemist badge.
Such a joyous occasion naturally deserves a grand celebration, and even the usually stingy Elder of the Xiao family has become unusually generous this time.
So the Xiao family patriarch waved his hand, and the entire Xiao family mobilized to book banquets, rent venues, and purchase supplies, spending gold coins like water.
Under Yun Congxin's instructions, everyone knew that the Xiao family possessed a fourth-grade alchemist, and that the Xiao family's appointment as outer sect stewards of the Yunlan Sect was personally granted by the sect leader. Therefore, whether they were forces vying for Lin City's favor or local residents, they all abandoned their thoughts of confrontation and instead sent people to Lin City to offer their congratulations, hoping to forge a good relationship with the Xiao family.
Even the brothers Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, who were far away in the desert, traveled thousands of miles back and went to Yunlan Sect and the capital respectively with invitations from the Xiao family.
As for Xiao Yan, he once again became a hands-off manager, casually finding an excuse to avoid these trivial matters.
In short, Lin City was exceptionally lively today. Inside the Xiao family's new mansion, Xiao Zhan, dressed in a brand-new custom-made suit, was welcoming every guest.
"The Mittel family, Patriarch Fujiyama has arrived!" The boy at the door glanced at the invitation and called out loudly.
Xiao Zhan hurriedly stepped forward and greeted him with a cupped-hand salute. Teng Shan smiled and returned the salute, saying, "Congratulations, Clan Chief Xiao! Today is a double celebration for the Xiao family. I am truly honored."
"Not at all, Chief Tengshan, please come in quickly." Xiao Zhan is now enjoying immense prestige and looks like he has become ten years younger.
"Even the patriarch of the Mittel family is here. Does the Xiao family have that much influence?" someone exclaimed in surprise.
"You wouldn't know this, would you? This young patriarch of the Xiao family is the champion of this year's Alchemist Competition. I heard he has quite a few romantic entanglements in the capital, including with a notorious courtesan from the Mittel family..."
"Champion? Isn't Champion someone named Rock Owl?"
"Foolish, Yan Xiao and Xiao Yan, wouldn't Nian Nian understand?"
Before the gasps of surprise from the crowd could subside, the boy shouted again, "Master Fa Ma has arrived!"
As a fifth-grade alchemist, Fa Ma was practically a living advertisement. He didn't need any prefixes or introductions; his name alone could elicit even more intense exclamations than that of Teng Shan, a Dou Wang powerhouse.
"Good heavens! Even Master Fa Ma has come! I heard that the Nalan family didn't even invite Master Fa Ma when they celebrated their patriarch's recovery last time!"
"The Nalan family is nothing! Xiao Yan defeated the people of the Chuyun Empire that time, which greatly enhanced the reputation of our Jia Ma Empire! In fact, even Master Fa Ma owes him a favor!"
"Master Otto and Master Frank have arrived at the Blackrock City Alchemists' Guild!"
Distinguished guests filled the hall, and the doormen's calls never ceased. The names they called out were either leaders of powerful factions, Dou Wang-level experts, or alchemists of rank four or higher. The onlookers grew somewhat numb to it, all wondering the same thing: When did the Jia Ma Empire produce a family with such extensive connections?
"Clan Head Nalan, Nalan Su has arrived!"
Looking at Xiao Zhan who came to greet him, Nalan Su's smile was rather bitter.
Originally, the Nalan family and the Xiao family had a very close relationship. If the engagement hadn't been called off, and the two families had married, the Nalan family would not only have gained a promising fourth-grade alchemist as a son-in-law, but also a powerful in-law like the Xiao family, the rulers of Lin City...
But now, not only is the engagement null and void, but the relationship between the Xiao and Nalan families has also become awkward because of the annulment. All those beautiful hopes have naturally turned to ashes...
Looking at Nalan Su's somewhat stiff smile, Xiao Zhan felt a little embarrassed.
After he invited Nalan Su to the VIP seat, before he could even exchange a few pleasantries to ease the awkward atmosphere, he heard the voice of the boy at the door tremble.
"Yun...Yunlan Sect Master, Yunshan has arrived!"
"Brother Xiao, how have you been?" From afar, Yun Congxin saw the embarrassed Xiao Zhan and the wry smile on Nalan Su's face, and he greeted them loudly with a cupped hand.
For a moment, the Xiao family home and its surroundings fell silent. Whether they were seated guests or spectators watching from outside, everyone was speechless with astonishment.
All eyes were drawn to Yun Congxin, who looked dashing in her formal attire, and everyone involuntarily stood up from their seats.
Xiao Zhan gave a wry smile. After apologizing to Nalan Su, he quickly stepped forward to greet Yun Congxin.
Nalan Su knew that for Xiao Zhan to apologize to him before greeting the Yunlan Sect Master in person was already a great honor for the Nalan family. However, he still felt somewhat dejected. Given the past relationship between the two families, Xiao Zhan would never have used such a distant form of address as "Clan Chief Nalan"...
"You...you are..." Upon seeing Yun Congxin's appearance, Xiao Zhan was so shocked that he stammered.
"What, Clan Chief Xiao, don't you recognize me?" Yun Congxin grasped Xiao Zhan's outstretched hand and said, "I came uninvited, please forgive me, Clan Chief Xiao."
"No, no, no, how could that be... but..." Xiao Zhan's mind still couldn't process it.
He couldn't understand why the dignified Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect would personally rush to Wutan City to help the Xiao family out of their predicament, and he couldn't understand how Xiao Yan became friends with the Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect.
Recalling Yun Congxin's amiable demeanor in Blackflame City, Xiao Zhan smiled wryly and said in a low voice, "This... I was blind to your greatness and failed to recognize Sect Master Yun. Please forgive me if I have offended you..."
"Clan Chief Xiao, what are you saying? We're all friends, aren't we?" Yun Congxin patted Xiao Zhan's arm with her other hand to show her friendliness, then released her grip and gestured to the guests who had stood up, "Please sit down, everyone. This isn't the Yunlan Sect, there aren't so many rules here. Make yourselves at home, please make yourselves at home."
Although that's what he said, Yun Congxin didn't sit down, so who among the crowd dared to sit down?
"Sect Leader Yun's presence is an honor to the Xiao family. Please." Xiao Zhan, whose brain was still reeling from the shock, repeated his prepared remarks and invited Yun Congxin to the most honored seat among the guests.
"Brother Xiao, you don't need to worry about me so much. There are some important people coming later."
Seeing the uncle so nervous that he didn't know where to put his hands, Yun Congxin almost burst out laughing. Based on his principle of enjoying the show, he reminded him.
That's right. Seeing Yun Congxin take his seat, everyone else has barely even warmed their seats. If another important figure were to arrive, wouldn't we all be practicing squatting in this new Xiao family mansion?
"Master Furukawa has arrived!"