NOVEL NEXT Chapter 231: Speaking Without Restraint
Following Xue Mei, they arrived at a large gate deep within the market.
The guards at the entrance stopped them as per protocol.
“Sorry, unauthorized access is not allowed,” the guard said calmly.
Xue Mei then showed the waist token her teacher had given her.
Upon seeing the token, the guards’ attitudes shifted immediately.
“So you’re Chairman Fu’s disciple! Please, come in!”
The two guards respectfully opened the heavy gate. Xue Mei nodded slightly, put away the token, and entered.
Xiao Yan also bowed to the guards in thanks before entering with Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin.
As soon as he entered, Xiao Yan felt the difference.
If the outer market was like a noisy bazaar, the atmosphere inside was particularly serene.
Although it was still a market, both buyers and sellers spoke in hushed tones, and even transactions were conducted quietly.
Immediately, Xiao Yan understood that this was indeed a place for the so-called high-end individuals.
No wonder only Tier 4 alchemists and above were allowed to enter.
The atmosphere here was vastly different from the bustling market outside.
Naturally, the items sold here were far more expensive than those outside.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter.
Buying things here would probably cost far more than his remaining 30,000 gold coins.
Even if he borrowed Xiao Yixian’s 100,000-plus, it wouldn’t be enough.
He decided to just browse for now.
If he found something he really needed, he would think of a way to get it.
But before that, Xiao Yan needed to follow Xue Mei to meet her teacher.
After all, it was thanks to him that they could enter. He had to express his gratitude and show that he wasn’t a troublemaker.
Following Xue Mei, they walked to a stall after a few minutes, where two elderly men were chatting.
Beside them stood a fiery-tempered girl in red.
“Teacher,” Xue Mei called softly.
One of the elders turned to look.
“Oh, Xue Mei, you’re back.” He then looked at Xiao Yan and his companions, raising an eyebrow. “And these are?”
“Teacher, this is Xiao Yan. It’s like this…” Xue Mei began to recount the events at the outer market.
The elder seemed ready to explode when he heard that Xue Mei was about to trade a Tier 4 Medicinal Formula for a Peach Blossom Flame.
Only when he heard that Xiao Yan had intervened did he relax, his eyes showing a hint of surprise as they turned to Xiao Yan.
“We’ll talk about your matter later,” the elder scolded Xue Mei lightly, feeling somewhat annoyed with his disciple who almost got swindled.
Trading a Tier 4 Medicinal Formula for a Peach Blossom Flame was already foolish, and it turned out to be a damaged Peach Blossom Flame? Had the deal gone through, he would have been furious.
Xue Mei just lowered her head silently, fully accepting the scolding.
After all, it was indeed her lack of worldly experience.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan stepped in to prevent her loss, or else her teacher would have been scolding her much more severely.
This deepened Xue Mei’s gratitude towards Xiao Yan.
The elder stepped past Xue Mei to stand in front of Xiao Yan and bowed slightly.
“Young man, thank you. Otherwise, my disciple might have given me a heart attack.”
“It was the right thing to do. No need to thank me, but rather, I must thank you for allowing me in here under your name,” Xiao Yan responded respectfully, pleasing the elder.
It was rare for someone so young to step in and help a stranger, and even rarer to remain humble when thanked.
Many would have become arrogant.
“My name is Fu Lan Ke, Chairman of the Black Rock City Alchemist Association..” Fu Lan Ke then gestured to the other elder, “This is my friend, Ao Tuo, also part of the Black Rock City Alchemist Association.”
“Nice to meet you, Master Ao Tuo,” Xiao Yan greeted, bowing slightly.
Ao Tuo studied Xiao Yan for a moment before asking softly.
“Are you an alchemist as well?”
“Yes, I just passed the Tier 3 alchemist examination yesterday,” Xiao Yan replied.
Hearing this, both Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo were visibly surprised.
A Tier 3 alchemist at his age?
“Looks like we’re really getting old,” Fu Lan Ke said with a bitter smile.
They had spent decades to reach near Rank 5.
They already felt overshadowed by the Tier 6 alchemist Gu He, but now Xiao Yan, who seemed even younger, had reached the third tier.
Living so long, they no longer had the drive of youth, so their attitude towards Xiao Yan was one of appreciation.
Meanwhile, the girl in red next to Xue Mei teased her friend.
“See, Xue Mei? I told you, you’d get swindled without help. If it weren’t for this guy, Master Fu would have scolded you to death. Why don’t you consider thanking him with your hand in marriage?”
The girl teased with a playful tone, causing Xue Mei to glare at her, but she remained silent.
After all, the situation was indeed embarrassing.
Seeing Xue Mei’s glare, the red-clothed girl shrugged and didn’t tease her further, knowing Xue Mei’s temper.
Then, the girl walked up to Xiao Yan, studying him closely, making Xiao Yixian’s eyes grow wary and Xiao Yan step back uncomfortably.
“Miss, do you need something?” Xiao Yan asked.
The girl didn’t respond immediately, continuing to scrutinize him before shrugging.
“You are not very handsome, not my type.”
“……”
Hearing her blunt comment, Xiao Yan’s face twitched slightly.
It was true that he never thought of himself as particularly handsome, but being openly critiqued was still irritating.
“Lin Fei! Show some respect!” Ao Tuo scolded his disciple, who nonchalantly folded her arms and retorted.
“I was just stating the truth. Why scold me? Do you think he’s handsome, Teacher?”
This left Ao Tuo speechless, his anger evident as he grabbed Lin Fei by the collar, pulling her back, and looked at Xiao Yan with deep apology.
“I’m sorry. My disciple has no filter. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“Heh… It’s fine, it’s fine.”
Xiao Yan forced a smile, feeling awkward. Lin Fei peeked from behind Ao Tuo, grinning.
“Regardless of how you look, thanks for helping Xue Mei. Well done!”
She gave him a thumbs-up, making Xiao Yan’s irritation fade.
Ao Tuo, however, was even more exasperated, yelling at Lin Fei again.
“Behave yourself and stay in the back!”
“Pfft~~”
Faced with Ao Tuo’s fury, Lin Fei was completely unfazed, sticking out her pink tongue before turning away to chat with Xue Mei.
This left Ao Tuo trembling with rage, but unable to lash out in front of so many distinguished people, he could only hold it in.
“This girl! I’ll give her a good lesson when we get back, or she’ll become completely unmanageable!”
Ao Tuo muttered furiously under his breath.
Fu Lan Ke patted his shoulder to calm him down.
“Alright, Ao Tuo, Lin Fei has that kind of personality. Getting angry won’t help.” Fu Lan Ke then turned to Xiao Yan, apologizing sincerely, “I’m sorry, Xiao Yan. Lin Fei means no harm; she just speaks without restraint. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“Master Fu Lan Ke, no need to worry. I didn’t take it to heart,” Xiao Yan replied with a smile.
Honestly, Lin Fei’s initial comment about his appearance did irritate him, but her later gratitude on behalf of Xue Mei dispelled that irritation.
To thank a stranger for helping a friend showed she wasn’t a bad person.
As Fu Lan Ke said, she was just a girl whose words could be annoying.
Xiao Yan’s personality wouldn’t hold a grudge over such a matter.
Seeing Xiao Yan’s magnanimity, Fu Lan Ke smiled and nodded in approval.
He spoke calmly, “From our conversation, I can see you’re not a troublemaker. As thanks, feel free to browse around. This gathering of high-level alchemists is a rare opportunity, usually only seen before the Alchemist Conference.”
“Thank you, Master Fu Lan Ke,” Xiao Yan thanked him again and then turned to Xue Mei, “Miss Xue Mei, if you’ll excuse me.”
“Mm.”
Xue Mei nodded lightly.
Xiao Yan, with Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin, started to wander around the high-end market.
Xue Mei watched Xiao Yan’s departing figure, her cool eyes filled with contemplation.
“Hey, Xue Mei.”
Seeing Xue Mei’s contemplative gaze, Lin Fei sidled up to her, raising her pinky finger teasingly.
“Could it be that you fancy that guy?”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Xue Mei immediately denied, glaring at Lin Fei, “Didn’t you see the girl following him?”
“So what? Just steal him away,” Lin Fei replied, waving her hand nonchalantly, making Xue Mei shake her head in exasperation.
Her friend had many good qualities, but her blunt speech was bound to offend someone someday.
At this moment, Fu Lan Ke furrowed his brow slightly, stroking his beard as he muttered, “Now that I think about it, the name Xiao Yan sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before…”
“I remember now!” Ao Tuo exclaimed, looking at Fu Lan Ke, “Isn’t General Nalan’s granddaughter’s fiancé named Xiao Yan?”
“Oh! Yes, now I remember.”
Fu Lan Ke’s eyes lit up in realization, while Xue Mei and Lin Fei’s expressions turned odd.
Lin Fei raised an eyebrow at Xue Mei.
“The girl with him isn’t Nalan Yanran, is she?”
Lin Fei’s question was filled with doubt, as Xiao Yixian’s temperament didn’t match that of a young lady.
“No,” Xue Mei shook her head slightly, “He introduced her as Xiao Yixian.”
“Huh?”
Lin Fei tilted her head, her mouth curling up.
“Could it be Xiao Yan is secretly meeting his mistress?”
Bang!
Before she could finish, Ao Tuo smacked her on the head, making Lin Fei clutch her head in pain.
Ao Tuo’s angry reprimand followed.
“You silly girl! Watch your mouth! How can you make such wild guesses?”
Ao Tuo was truly exasperated.
How could she gossip about General Nalan’s family affairs like that? Did she know the truth?
“I was just curious. Why so angry?”
Lin Fei pouted, but Ao Tuo glared at her.
“Curiosity has its limits. Don’t speak so recklessly!”
“Yes…”
This time, Lin Fei didn’t retort.
She realized her previous comment was indeed inappropriate.
She was just talkative, but causing unnecessary trouble for others would make her feel guilty.
Xue Mei, watching Lin Fei’s apologetic look, frowned slightly.
From their brief interaction, Xue Mei could tell that Xiao Yixian had feelings for Xiao Yan, but Xiao Yan only saw her as a friend.
Regarding Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran’s relationship, Xue Mei doubted that Xiao Yixian was unaware.
This made Xue Mei’s lips twitch slightly.
Could it be that Xiao Yixian stayed by Xiao Yan’s side despite knowing about Nalan Yanran?
Xue Mei’s curiosity was piqued, but she decided not to meddle. After all, it was their private matter.
At least in this respect, Xue Mei was much more reserved than Lin Fei.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan, Xiao Yixian, and Qing Lin wandered around the market, looking for anything they might need.
Suddenly, a familiar voice reached Xiao Yan’s ears.
“Young Master Xiao.”