Chapter 29: Thirty years East, Thirty years West. Don't bully the young and powerless!

Chapter 29: Thirty years East, Thirty years West. Don't bully the young and powerless!

"Xiao Yan, it would be best if you understood this matter."

"Don't worry, I'm not a harsh person. The matter of breaking off the engagement is unavoidable, I hope you understand."

"As for the harm this matter caused you, I will provide corresponding compensation."

Xiao Cang wore a gentle smile.

In truth, he didn't care about Xiao Yan's reaction. Much like an elephant ignoring an ant's thoughts, with his current strength, stepping on Xiao Yan would be as effortless as stepping on an ant.

His willingness to calmly discuss the engagement's termination with Xiao Zhan and offer compensation to Xiao Yan wasn't solely due to their shared clan; there was a more crucial reason —

He coveted the piece of Tuo She Gu Emperor Jade held by the Xiao family!

Xiao Cang knew that with no Dou Di Yuan Qi in the Dou Qi Continent, there were only two paths to advance to Dou Di.

One involved meticulous thousand-year planning akin to the Soul Emperor's method, finally slaughtering millions to refine the Emperor Soul Dan.

The other was inheriting the original legacy of the Tuo She Gu Emperor.

Both paths necessitated entering the cave left by the Tuo She Gu Emperor.

Thus, Xiao Cang planned to obtain the Tuo She Gu Emperor's jade to access the Emperor's cave in the future, aiming to become a Dou Di.

The whereabouts of that piece of Tuo She Gu Emperor Jade within the Xiao family were known only by Xiao Zhan.

Offending Xiao Zhan too much now might mean losing the chance of knowing about the ancient Emperor Jade's whereabouts forever.

"No need!" Xiao Yan refused outright, looking displeased.

He hadn't stood up and agreed to the engagement's dissolution to gain from Xiao Cang. He understood the dire situation he faced.

Xiao Cang, a Dou Wang powerhouse, could easily force him to nod and dissolve the marriage contract. With the three elders swayed by Xiao Cang's Qi Gathering Pills and his father, as the patriarch, likely to favor the Xiao family's decision to end the engagement, he'd endure this humiliation alone.

Instead of waiting to be trampled, he chose to fight for his last shred of dignity.

"Cousin Xiao Yan is decisive. Don't you want to hear how I plan to compensate you?" Xiao Cang chuckled.

He was confident that his offered conditions would be irresistible to Xiao Yan.

"No need!"

"Although Xiao Yan's talent is average, he still has some backbone!" Xiao Yan showed determination in his eyes.

Despite knowing that accepting Xiao Cang's compensation was the wisest choice, his resistance to Xiao Cang made him unwilling.

This resistance stemmed not only from the engagement's breakup but also from Xiao Cang's intimate relationship with Xun'er.

Days ago, when Xiao Cang returned, Xiao Yan hoped he'd discover why he became a waste. Witnessing Xiao Cang and Xun'er's intimacy, jealousy overwhelmed him.

This jealousy, combined with recent humiliation, fueled his refusal to accept Xiao Cang's compensation.

"Yan'er," Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan with an intolerant expression.

His son, once outstanding with talent second only to Xiao Cang, had fallen so far.

"Father, don't blame yourself. This is the child's own choice, it's not your fault!"

"Also, Cousin Xiao Cang. Today isn't about you breaking off my engagement with Nalan Yanran, but I, Xiao Yan, actively proposing to end it and divorcing Nalan Yanran!"

"There's a saying I hope Cousin Xiao Cang remembers: thirty years East, thirty years West. Don't bully the young and powerless!"

[T/L: A saying in Chinese originated from Qin Dynasty ]

Xiao Yan's tone was resolute, neither humble nor overbearing. His words surprised everyone present, even the younger generations of the Xiao family, who had mocked Xiao Yan earlier.

"Well done, worthy of being my Xiao Zhan's son!" Xiao Zhan applauded.

Then, Xiao Yan suddenly knelt down: "Father, forgive the child's recklessness today. But please believe in the child, the lost face today will be reclaimed in the future."

After speaking, he bowed his head to Xiao Zhan.

Observing this spectacle, Xiao Cang nearly applauded.

Such composure, neither humble nor overbearing, revealed a man's true character.

Interesting!

Interesting indeed!

But...

As Xiao Cang watched Xiao Yan bowing to Xiao Zhan, there was a teasing tone in his voice, "Cousin Xiao Yan, what I mentioned was to help you regain your former talent. Do you truly not want this compensation?"

Suddenly, Xiao Yan's body stiffened, halting his bowing motion.

"Re...recover my talent?"

Xiao Yan muttered these words in disbelief, his body trembling involuntarily.

For the past three years, since his abrupt fall from the genius pedestal, he had longed for this moment.

Usually, he would eagerly rise and beg Xiao Cang to restore his talent. But now, retracting his refusal was embarrassing.

Would he regret it within ten breaths? That would be too shameful.

Xiao Yan's stubbornness and self-esteem made him want to ignore Xiao Cang's words, yet his inner desire urged him to accept Xiao Cang's compensation!

"Cousin Xiao Yan, I'll ask you one last time. Do you truly not want it?" Xiao Cang smiled skeptically, doubting Xiao Yan's ability to resist the temptation of regaining his talent.

"Yan'er..."

Xiao Zhan nervously clenched his fists.

Xiao Yan's decision would alter his life's course!

Trembling, torn in a fierce internal struggle, Xiao Yan's heart battled conflicting voices.

One voice told him not to accept Xiao Cang's compensation to save face, avoiding a blow to his dignity.

Another voice argued:

"What's dignity without strength? Only by regaining your talent can you grow stronger and earn respect for yourself. Without talent restoration, the bold words previously said, are meaningless!"

Ultimately, Xiao Yan was persuaded.

He stood up slowly, took a deep breath, and with a flushed face, said, "Cousin Xiao Cang, please restore my talent..."

A curve formed on Xiao Cang's mouth.

Softened so quickly? Weren't you just claiming to have some backbone despite lacking talent?

Where's that backbone now?

Xiao Yan, Oh, Xiao Yan, I enjoyed your rebellious demeanor moments ago.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, I'm glad you've accepted my compensation. However, I didn't appreciate your earlier attitude." Xiao Cang's mouth was smiling, yet he shook his head slowly.

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PS: Xiao Yan is also a transmigrator, a detail some readers might have forgotten, mentioned in the original book.