Battle Through the Heavens: I Am the Righteous Path

"Well!"

Young Xiao Yan suddenly opened his eyes and sat up. Immediately afterward, a sharp pain shot through his body, causing him to grit his teeth.

Then Xiao Yan looked around and found himself in a completely unfamiliar room.

At that moment, the door was pushed open, and a woman dressed as a doctor walked in. She exclaimed in surprise when she saw Xiao Yan sitting up.

"Little brother! Your injury hasn't healed yet, lie down quickly!"

The woman was about to reach out and press down on Xiao Yan's shoulder, but Xiao Yan raised his hand to stop her. Chen Sheng asked.

"Sister, where is this?"

"This is the clinic in the holy city of Gama. A man just brought you here and left, leaving behind a large sum of money."

"Is it."

Xiao Yan nodded knowingly, recalling the men he had seen in the last moments before he lost consciousness.

It was obvious that he didn't know them, so they were probably only after the little foodie and rescuing him was just a side thing.

(Looks like this little foodie isn't so simple after all.)

Thinking this, Xiao Yan turned over and was about to get out of bed, which made the woman's face show anxiety.

"Little brother, you..."

"Thank you for taking care of me. I'm almost fully recovered," Xiao Yan said politely, picking up his backpack from the bedside and waving goodbye. "Goodbye."

Before the woman could stop him, Xiao Yan had already vanished from the clinic in a few flashes. The woman hurriedly chased after him, but could no longer find any trace of him.

As Xiao Yan walked down the bustling street, looking at this city that was several times more prosperous than Wutan City, his heart, which should have been filled with excitement, was instead unusually depressed, his mind filled with memories of the life-and-death moments before.

If I had to do it all over again, would I still stand in front of this little foodie?

Xiao Yan asked himself these questions, but he couldn't find the answer. However, one thing was certain.

He didn't want to hide behind others, just like he didn't want to hide behind a foodie.

Thinking this, Xiao Yan pictured the little foodie's protective back as she stood before him, and for the first time in his life, he felt a flutter in his heart for a girl.

That girl was really brave.

Xiao Yan pondered for a long time, then raised his head, his eyes suddenly becoming resolute.

I want to be like her!
No matter what happens, always stand firmly and bravely at the forefront to protect those around you!
Xun'er felt a mix of emotions when she saw the change in Xiao Yan's eyes.

She knew that only from this moment on did Xiao Yan truly begin to resemble the Xiao Yan brother she remembered.

This change did not originate from himself, but from Nalan Yanran.

On the other side, at the Nalan family mansion, Nalan Jie was standing at the door with his butler, while President Fa Ma slightly raised his shoulders and bowed.

"Marshal Nalan, your beloved grandson is well, please do not worry."

"Thank you for your help, Chairman Fama."

Nalan Jie breathed a sigh of relief, cupped his hands to see Fa Ma off, and after Fa Ma had gone far away, Nalan Jie turned to look at the steward.

"What was the outcome of the interrogation of the thief who kidnapped Yanran?"

"Reporting to Master, we have found out that they were sent by the Izumo Empire. If it weren't for that young man's intervention, Miss would probably have already been taken away from the country."

The steward answered respectfully, to which Nalan Jie immediately snorted coldly.

"Izumo Empire. Hmph! You want to use Yanran to blackmail me, is that it!"

Nalan Jie's eyes flashed with anger, but he also felt insulted.

Even if it had succeeded, Nalan Jie would never betray the Jia Ma Empire for Yanran's life.

Yes, Nalan Jie dotes on his granddaughter Yanran, but when it comes to national issues, even if Nalan Jie is reluctant, he would never betray his country for the sake of his granddaughter's life.

Since Yanran was born into the Nalan family, she has the obligation to sacrifice herself for the country!

"By the way, what happened to the child who saved Yanran?"

Nalan Jie seemed to remember something and asked again, to which the steward immediately gave a reply.

"Because the soldiers were in a hurry to send the young lady back, they arranged for the child to stay at a famous clinic in the holy city of Jiama. I will go to offer my condolences on behalf of the Nalan family later. What do you think?"

“Alright, he’s just a child, and he almost risked his life to save Yanran. We must express our deepest gratitude on behalf of the Nalan family.” Nalan Jie paused, then waved his hand. “No, you don’t need to. I’ll go by myself.”

"My lord, you are the marshal, how can you go in person?"

"What's wrong with the Marshal? In this matter, I'm just a grandfather who loves his granddaughter. Someone risked their life to save my granddaughter, so what's wrong with me, as her grandfather, personally going to thank them?"

Nalan Jie interrupted the steward sharply, and the steward remained silent, saying nothing more.

As the two were talking at the entrance of the mansion, Xiao Yan, following the map, arrived in front of them. He glanced at the plaque above them bearing the name Nalan, then looked at Nalan Jie and the steward and asked, "Excuse me, is this the residence of Old Master Nalan Jie?"

"Ok?"

Nalan Jie raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at the young boy who was carrying a backpack and whose exposed skin was wrapped in bandages, clearly indicating that he had suffered a serious injury.

Even so, Nalan Jie could still clearly see the unwavering gaze in Xiao Yan's eyes, making Nalan Jie marvel at how a child could possess such a temperament.

The butler, who was standing to the side, was slightly taken aback when he saw Xiao Yan, and whispered in Nalan Jie's ear.

"Master, it was this child who saved Miss."

Nalan Jie's pupils narrowed slightly. He looked at Xiao Yan in silence for a long while before speaking softly.

“That’s right, I am Nalan Jie.”

Based on the inference, the child probably did not know that Yanran was a member of the Nalan family, nor did he know why he had come here.

Upon hearing Nalan Jie introduce himself, Xiao Yan's eyes showed respect, and he raised his hand in a fist salute.

"Grandpa Nalan, I am Xiao Yan, the grandson of Xiao Lin from Wutan City."

Xiao Lin's grandson?
Nalan Jie was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied.

"Oh~ you must be Xiao Yan? He was so doting on you in his letters to your grandfather before, how is he doing now?"

"My grandfather's serious illness relapsed some time ago and he has passed away."

Xiao Yan spoke slowly and deliberately, and Nalan Jie paused, a look of dejection immediately appearing on his face.

After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh.

"Really? He's gone."

Nalan Jie and Xiao Lin were comrades-in-arms in their early years. Later, Xiao Lin was seriously injured on the battlefield, and his family's investment failed, so they moved away from Jia Ma Holy City.

During this period, Nalan Jie frequently corresponded with Xiao Lin, inviting him to Jia Ma Holy City to recuperate on more than one occasion, but Xiao Lin refused each time.

Nalan Jie knew that his old comrade-in-arms simply didn't like owing favors. Sigh.

As Nalan Jie was feeling sorrowful, Xiao Yan took out a letter from his bag and respectfully handed it to Nalan Jie with both hands.

"Grandpa Nalan, this is the last letter my grandfather left before his death. He passed away suddenly and was unable to send it to you. Please accept it."

Nalan Jie reached out and took the letter, looking at Xiao Yan with some surprise.

"You're just here to deliver a message?"

“Yes, my grandfather cared deeply for you as a friend. This was his last wish, and I believe it should be delivered to you personally.” Xiao Yan cupped his hands in farewell and said softly, “I left home in haste, and my father must be very worried. I must take my leave now.”

After saying that, Xiao Yan left without looking back. Nalan Jie couldn't stop him and watched as Xiao Yan's small figure disappeared into the crowd.

Recalling Xiao Yan's resolute demeanor earlier, and how he had traveled alone from Wutan City to Jiama Holy City just to deliver a message, Nalan Jie couldn't help but admire him.

"He truly deserves to be called Xiao Lin's grandson; he is indeed outstanding."

Then Nalan Jie opened the envelope and silently read its contents.

Basically, Xiao Lin realized that his days were numbered and wanted to say a final goodbye to his old friend, while also hoping to dissolve the engagement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Lin has always been a very clear-headed person. If the Xiao family and the Nalan family were on the same level, or even just slightly inferior, he wouldn't care so much about this marriage.

However, the Xiao family and the Nalan family are now far apart in terms of social standing. If the marriage contract is continued, it will not be good for either Xiao Yan or Nalan Yanran.

After reading the letter, Nalan Jie carefully put it back into the envelope and murmured to himself.

“Old friend, I know what you’re worried about.” Nalan Jie gazed in the direction Xiao Yan had left, his eyes slightly narrowed. “But these two children probably don’t need your concern.”

The scene shifts, and Xiao Yan, who has left the Nalan family, is walking down the street, pondering how to get back, when two familiar figures enter his field of vision.

"Yan'er!"

"Little Yanzi!"

Seeing Xiao Ting and Xiao Li running towards him, Xiao Yan was suddenly stunned.

"Sister, Second Sister, what brings you here?"

"Why did you run off without saying goodbye, child?" Xiao Ting squatted down in front of Xiao Yan, his eyes full of reproach. Noticing the injuries on Xiao Yan's body, worry immediately appeared in his eyes. "Are you hurt?"

"Oh, it's okay, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Xiao Yan said softly, while Xiao Li beside him said anxiously.

"Come back with us quickly! Mother is seriously ill!"

"Huh?!" (End of Chapter)