Battle Through the Heavens: Emperor Yan, please restrain yourself; your elder brother is truly hones

"uncle."

As Xiao Zhan saw Gu Ni and Ya Fei out of the hall, Zhang Yuan returned with Xun'er, who had a calm and serene smile on her face.

To Ya Fei, that smile was the smile of a victor, and she felt inexplicably angry. She took the initiative to move closer to Zhang Yuan and said, "Little brother Zhang Yuan, I've chosen to suffer a great loss for you. Don't you want to show your appreciation?"

The woman was very close, and a scent that was hard to tell if it was her body fragrance or perfume wafted over. Zhang Yuan could also see her delicate collarbone at a glance, and he guessed that if he lowered his head, he could see a stunning view, but with Xun'er next to him, he wouldn't do that.

“Okay.” Zhang Yuan met Ya Fei’s eyes and said, “Next time I run into Mu Zhan, I’ll beat him up and tell him that you’re the older sister I’ve taken in, so he can’t bother you anymore, how about that?”

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes lit up, and she said with a charming smile, "Little brother, Mu Zhan is your brother, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

"It's all because you sacrificed so much, sister," Zhang Yuan said earnestly. "It's worth it, sister."

Ya Fei glanced at Xun'er with a hint of pride and smiled, "Little brother, you're so kind."

"Pfft!" Xun'er covered her mouth and let out a silvery laugh.

"What are you laughing at?!" Ya Fei narrowed her peach blossom eyes.

"It's nothing, I just remembered a joke that Brother Yuan once told me," Xun'er said seriously.

"Are you sure you're not laughing at me?" Ya Fei asked suspiciously.

"No," Xun'er said with a sweet smile. "As a young lady of the Xiao family, I have received rigorous training and would not be so rude."

Unless you can't help it?

Zhang Yuan's expression immediately turned strange.

Xun'er also has a talent for comedy.

Seeing that Xun'er didn't seem to be lying, Ya Fei didn't investigate further. After teasing Zhang Yuan a few more times, she left satisfied.

Watching her retreating figure, Xun'er smiled and asked, "Brother Yuan, if she finds out later that you and Mu Zhan don't actually get along, will she want to kill you?"

Zhang Yuan remained silent for a few moments, then smiled and said, "We'll have to wait and see. Let her bite if she wants; I can handle it."

Hearing this, Xun'er scolded, "I know that Brother Yuan's body is no weaker than some third-tier magical beasts, and it's even stronger with the addition of his battle qi armor. He's obviously fast enough, so don't try to withstand his attacks next time. What if he has a trump card?"

Zhang Yuan did not argue, but immediately said that he would remember it.

It's foolish to waste your breath on a woman who cares about you.

Xiao Zhan and the Grand Elder: "."

Why do I feel full even though I didn't eat breakfast?

"Elder, please arrange for someone to contact the people from the Mittel Auction House," Xiao Zhan said to the Elder, who nodded and took his leave.

Once only three people remained, Xiao Zhan asked, "Yuan'er, where's Yan'er?"

"Spurred on by my strength, I've set out to work harder," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

Although the pressure of the three-year agreement is not as great as in the original story, with his cousin as a comparison, Xiao Yan will probably work even harder.

"It's been tough for this child, but thankfully things are finally looking up. Uncle wants to thank you on Yan'er's behalf, Yuan'er." Xiao Zhan said, and even started to bow.

Zhang Yuan immediately reached out to stop him, saying with a hint of anger, "Uncle, are you perhaps planning to sever ties with me and start speaking differently from family members?"

Xiao Zhan's nose tingled at these words, and he looked up at the sky to stop his eyes from getting wet.

Every time he saw Zhang Yuan's face, he thought of his deceased wife, and his younger sister and brother-in-law who sacrificed themselves for the Xiao family.

By now, Zhang Yuan's true combat strength has probably surpassed his. Even if he were to die immediately, he could proudly tell them that he raised Yuan'er well.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Zhan put his hand on Zhang Yuan's shoulder and said, "Uncle is being too polite. Yuan'er, just take it as Uncle talking nonsense. Don't take it to heart."

A smile appeared on Zhang Yuan's face as he asked Xun'er, "Did Uncle say anything just now?"

Xun'er smiled and shook her head.

Xiao Zhan was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "You two are still so in sync, but you're becoming more and more compatible."

A blush immediately appeared on Xun'er's fair face, and she thought to herself that she had finally gained the approval of her elders.

Unfortunately, if Brother Yuan wants to gain his father's approval, he still has a long way to go.

"Uncle has good taste," Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

The implication is that if you think they're not a good match, you have a problem with your judgment.

Xun'er looked at him reproachfully, but felt very sweet inside.

Xiao Zhan chuckled, "You're still as cheeky as ever."

"Why are you being so polite with your maternal uncle?" Zhang Yuan asked matter-of-factly.

“Yes, don’t be so polite. I’m not only your maternal uncle, but also your paternal uncle.” Xiao Zhan patted Zhang Yuan on the shoulder, then asked, “So, Yuan’er, what exactly is your plan in deliberately provoking the Jia Lie family? Can you tell your uncle about it?”

Zhang Yuan's dark eyes flickered, and he asked with slight surprise, "Uncle noticed?"

Chapter 23 The First Signs of Conspiracy and Mutual Schemes

Zhang Yuan has many things planned to do upon returning to Wutan City this time.

First, properly handle Nalan Yanran's annulment of the engagement and try to avoid the worst-case scenario.

Second, make an appointment with the old medicine master in advance. If the process goes smoothly, ask him for some cultivation techniques and ask him to refine pills.

Third, enhance the Xiao family's strength in multiple ways, whether for future self-preservation or for building up their influence.

He completed all three plans perfectly, which also deepened Xiao Yan's feelings for him and solidified his relationship with Xun'er.

But behind these three plans, he harbors an even deeper scheme, but everything is being carried out in secret and may not even be executed.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Zhan was able to discover in advance which part he had slipped up.

Seemingly seeing through Zhang Yuan's thoughts, Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "Yuan'er, your uncle didn't discover your plan, but guessed it. As the saying goes, nephews and nieces are closer to their uncles. You and Yan'er were both raised by me, how could I not understand you?"

“You have always been humble and unassuming since childhood, and you are calm and methodical in your work, unlike a typical young man. But this time, after you returned to your family, you have been very high-profile in your every move, as if you are trying to attract someone’s attention.”

“I originally thought you had changed after your experience in the military, but in this matter of cooperating with Yafeiguni, I found that you are still as shrewd as before, which makes me suspect that your actions have other purposes.”

"But I didn't intend to investigate the matter further until this morning when Galebi brought people to cause trouble."

"Given your personality, even if you were confident in dealing with Galebi, you wouldn't have said something like that."

"You deliberately lured Galeb to come to you."

After this analysis, Zhang Yuan secretly praised Xiao Zhan's abilities.

As expected of a clan leader who was able to lead his family to a new foothold in Wutan City when the Xiao family was on the verge of destruction, he is indeed not to be underestimated.

He also understood that his seemingly insignificant move hadn't been exposed; it was only because Xiao Zhan knew him too well that he noticed something amiss from other angles.

"Uncle, let's go inside and talk."

Zhang Yuan turned and walked into the council hall, proceeding to the back hall.

Xiao Zhan quickly followed, and Xun'er hesitated slightly before following behind.

Meanwhile, in the backyard of the Garrett family.

After taking a Grade 3 healing pill and meditating for half a day, Jialiebi finally suppressed his injuries. With another half month of recuperation, he would be fully recovered with his strength as a Great Battle Master.

But for some reason, he still had a premonition that something terrible was about to happen.

"It must be because of that kid's talent. We must get rid of him as soon as possible, otherwise my Jialie family will be doomed one day." Thinking of the contemptuous look in Zhang Yuan's eyes when he hit him, Jialiebi felt a faint pain in his dantian again.

He left the room, intending to discuss with Jia Lieqing how to get rid of Zhang Yuan, but instead encountered someone in the council hall who was not too unexpected.

“Obapa, are you here in my Jialie family to laugh at me, the clan chief?” Jialiebi said coldly.

“I’m not that free.” Obapa put down his teacup and said with a serious expression, “Last night you took down the Xuan-rank high-level fighting skill Wind Sweep Technique, and I was thinking of being wary of your Jialie family, but now Zhang Yuan is our biggest threat.”

"Although our two families have disagreements, they are just disagreements. But we have a deep-seated hatred for the Xiao family. If the Xiao family rises again, I'm afraid we won't have a good time."

Jialiebi snorted coldly and said, "I understand what you're saying, but suppressing the Xiao family isn't something that can be done overnight. That kid Zhang Yuan is a Black Armor Guard. Once he returns to the army, we'll have even less way to target him. And when he becomes a Dou Ling one day, hehe..."

“Then don’t let him return to the army!” Obapa’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he said in a cold tone, “I have received information that he will stay in Utan City for a maximum of four more days before he has to return to the army. We can take action on the way.”

Jia Liebi's eyes lit up, but he immediately frowned and said, "Zhang Yuan is a one-star Grand Dou Master, whose strength is above yours and mine. He also has dozens of black-armored guards by his side. If we want to kill him, our two families will have to send at least half of their elite forces together."

"Such an action cannot be kept secret from the Xiao family. The City Lord's Mansion and Mitel will definitely break off relations. Neither of us can bear the crime of intercepting the Imperial Black Armor Guards."

Upon hearing this, Obapa narrowed his eyes and said, "Why should we take action ourselves?"

"The Black Armor Guards will be rotating with the Valiant Dragon Guards, which means they will be stationed in the important town of Qingyun."

"There's a necessary route from Wutan City to Qingyun Town, which we can easily take."

Obapa didn't finish his sentence, but Galebi understood after a moment's thought, his eyes brightening as he said, "Brother Obapa, you mean..."

“That’s right, that’s the one I want.” Obapa and Galebi exchanged glances.

The two of them let out a "hehehe" laugh.

Meanwhile, inside the Xiao family's main hall.

Zhang Yuan invited the two to sit down at the small round table, took out a tea set from his storage ring and handed it to Xun'er. He didn't care about the eye roll he received in return, and smiled and said, "Uncle, you said there was a conflict among the younger generation, so why did Jia Liebi bring so many people here, and why did he have to attack me?"

"You still want to test your uncle?" Xiao Zhan chuckled and shook his head, replying, "Naturally, it's because I've noticed your talent and want to personally assess your potential. If I have the chance, I'll destroy your Dao heart or seriously injure you; if not, I'll secretly kill you."

Between any two factions, as long as there is a competitive relationship, suppressing the other's talented disciples has always been a common tactic and is not new.

Of course, there are also some forces that may place their bets and attach themselves to the other side in advance, waiting for the other side to rise so that they can rise along with it.

However, due to historical issues, this situation will not occur among the three major families of Wutan City. If the Jialie family and the Aoba family produced a genius like Zhang Yuan, Xiao Zhan would probably be restless and secretly plotting against them.

The Xiao family was once powerful, and the Jialie and Aoba families were small families that relied on the Xiao family in important towns near Wutan City. However, after the Xiao family suffered a great change, they chose to betray the Xiao family, joined forces to divide up many of the Xiao family's resources, and took over Wutan City.

Fortunately, these two families had disliked each other since they were the younger brothers of the Xiao family, and had a long-standing feud (the Xiao family's balancing act meant that the younger brothers could not be monolithic). Therefore, they were unable to unite to destroy the Xiao family, which ultimately led to the three-way balance of power in Wutan City.

Because of their past betrayal, neither family wants the Xiao family to rise to power. If one of these families were to rise, the Xiao family and the other would join forces to suppress it.

Zhang Yuan's current strength and potential are enough to break the balance, and the two races are very likely to put aside their differences and join forces to suppress him.

“What I want is for them to kill.” Zhang Yuan’s gaze was restrained, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. “Uncle, what you guessed earlier wasn’t entirely correct. I attacked Galeo just to get rid of an annoying fly for Xun’er. As for asking Galeo to find me, it was just a sudden idea. I’m not sure if he will come.”

"If he comes, I'll take it all at once. If he doesn't come, I'll plan to make a high-profile move over the next few days, just to get the attention of the Galley family and the Oba family, until I'm sure they'll try to kill me!"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er remained unmoved and focused on brewing tea.

No matter what Zhang Yuan's schemes were, she supported him unconditionally.

With Ling Ying protecting her in the shadows, she didn't need to worry about Zhang Yuan's safety.