What Do You Call a Benevolent and Reasonable Person in Xianxia? An Impossibility!

After making a round in this high-level gathering, Xiao Yan indeed saw many rare items, but unfortunately, none of them were what he needed at the moment.

Well, that’s good too.

Xiao Yan shrugged lightly.

At least he didn’t have to worry about where to get money.

“Brother Yun.” Xiao Yan looked at Yun Ying and invited with a smile, “If you have nothing else to do next, would you like to join me for a drink at the tavern?”

In response, Yun Ying immediately replied.

“Of course, I was just thinking the same.”

Hearing Yun Ying’s response, a smile appeared on Xiao Yan’s face.

But before that, he needed to bid farewell to Fu Lan Ke and his group. After all, Fu Lan Ke was his guarantor, and it would be impolite to leave without saying goodbye.

With this in mind, Xiao Yan led the three of them toward Fu Lan Ke.

A few minutes later, they saw Fu Lan Ke and his group from a distance.

However, the scene seemed a bit off.

“Chairman Fu, it’s one thing to bring your disciple here, but to privately guarantee an outsider’s entry, aren’t you afraid of causing trouble?”

A middle-aged man with an unfriendly expression stood in front of Fu Lan Ke.

Fu Lan Ke remained calm, and although Ao Tuo seemed displeased, he managed to keep his composure.

But Lin Fei behind Ao Tuo wasn’t as patient.

Regardless of the other person’s identity, she directly pointed at the middle-aged man and cursed.

“Bah! Chairman Fu can vouch for whoever he wants, it’s none of your business!”

“Lin Fei! Be respectful!”

Ao Tuo turned his head slightly and reprimanded in a low voice.

Although he sounded angry, it was clear he wasn’t truly blaming her, merely scolding his disciple for appearance’s sake.

Obviously, Ao Tuo wasn’t genuinely upset with his disciple’s outburst against the middle-aged man.

“Lin Fei, no matter what, he is still the Chairman of a guild. Mind your manners.”

Xue Mei, standing beside Lin Fei, gently reminded her, but her cold eyes also revealed her displeasure as she looked at the middle-aged man.

Fu Lan Ke, maintaining his composure, spoke softly to the middle-aged man.

“Chairman Ku, my friend’s disciple spoke out of turn. I hope you won’t mind.” Fu Lan Ke’s voice was gentle, then he continued, “Although her tone was disrespectful, what she said was true. Who I vouch for is my own business and has nothing to do with you, Chairman Ku.”

“If you are genuinely concerned for my sake, I appreciate your kindness.”

“But if it’s for other reasons, I must tell you, you are overthinking it.”

Fu Lan Ke’s words were calm but full of firm resistance, clearly implying:

I do my business; you don’t need to interfere!

“Haha~ Fu Lan Ke, I was just kindly reminding you as a colleague, but you don’t seem to appreciate it.”

The middle-aged man, called Ku Lo, laughed coldly, clearly not getting along with Fu Lan Ke’s group.

Xiao Yan, observing this, frowned slightly, took a step forward, and saluted Fu Lan Ke.

“Chairman Fu.”

“Oh, Xiao Yan.” Fu Lan Ke came back to his senses, slightly turned his head to look at Xiao Yan, his expression softened, “Have you finished your round?”

“Yes, but unfortunately, I didn’t find what I needed. However, I ran into a friend and was about to go to the tavern. I came to say goodbye to you first.”

Hearing this, Fu Lan Ke nodded in satisfaction.

He understood why Xiao Yan came to say goodbye before leaving, to reassure his guarantor.

Honestly, even though their interaction was brief, Fu Lan Ke, with his many years of experience, couldn’t find any faults in this young man, Xiao Yan, which was very rare.

However, at this moment, a very discordant and sarcastic voice reached Xiao Yan’s ears.

“Hmph, probably didn’t find what he needed because he couldn’t find the right opportunity to steal. After all, this place isn’t like those low-level gatherings outside, with strict measures against thieves.”

This remark made everyone present frown, and Xiao Yan glanced sideways at Ku Lo, who had a cold smile on his lips.

Clearly, Ku Lo wasn’t targeting Xiao Yan but was trying to provoke Fu Lan Ke.

“You!”

Before Ku Lo finished speaking, Lin Fei’s temper flared up, and she was about to start cursing when Xiao Yan stepped forward, saluted Ku Lo, and asked seriously.

“My name is Xiao Yan. May I ask your name, sir?”

“My name? You don’t deserve to know!”

Despite Xiao Yan’s polite inquiry, Ku Lo’s eyes were full of disdain, and he sneered coldly, making Xiao Yan’s expression harden and Fu Lan Ke’s previously calm face turn particularly ugly.

This guy, really not giving any face!

Ku Lo’s disdainful behavior towards Xiao Yan was undoubtedly a slap in Fu Lan Ke’s face!

But no matter what, Ku Lo had already said those harsh words, and to avoid further embarrassment, Fu Lan Ke immediately introduced Ku Lo to Xiao Yan.

“Xiao Yan, this is Ku Lo, Chairman of the Alchemist Association in Chisha City. He, Old Ao Tuo, and I studied under the same teacher.”

Hearing Fu Lan Ke’s introduction, Xiao Yan nodded in understanding.

So, they’re old classmates… But it seems Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo don’t have a good relationship with this old classmate, Ku Lo?

Understanding the relationship between Ku Lo and Fu Lan Ke’s group, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, looked at Ku Lo again, and spoke seriously.

“Indeed, I have no right to be here, all thanks to Chairman Fu’s guarantee. As his classmate, it is natural for you to worry about him, and I understand.”

Xiao Yan’s words left everyone stunned, including Ku Lo.

Wait… isn’t it obvious what kind of relationship I have with Fu Lan Ke? Do you really think I’m worried about him?

Fu Lan Ke’s eyes deepened with surprise as he looked at Xiao Yan, soon revealing a strong sense of approval.

Despite being so openly disrespected and having his character questioned, Xiao Yan remained unangered, choosing instead to explain Ku Lo’s rude behavior in a way that sounded quite reasonable.

It seemed that Xiao Yan’s temperament was not only more stable than his own and Ao Tuo’s disciples but also admirable.

Amid everyone’s astonishment, Xiao Yan continued.

“However, Chairman Ku, please rest assured. Regardless of my thoughts, I can at least assure you that I have not committed any theft during this time. If you still have doubts, you can ask the vendors in this gathering one by one. Until you get a clear result, I will not leave without permission.”

“Xiao Yan, this…”

Fu Lan Ke’s face changed as Xiao Yan finished speaking.

He reached out as if to say something.

His words made it sound as though Xiao Yan might indeed have had the intention to steal but simply hadn’t had the opportunity.

Didn’t Xiao Yan fear his reputation being damaged?

Before Fu Lan Ke could speak, Xiao Yan, still smiling, looked at him and said,

“Chairman Fu, since I was able to enter here thanks to your guarantee, it is only right that I accept your classmate’s reasonable suspicion and prove my innocence through action before leaving.” As he spoke, Xiao Yan’s tone suddenly turned serious, “Please rest assured, Chairman Fu. I guarantee that I have done nothing dishonorable in this gathering.”

With that, Xiao Yan turned to Ku Lo and spread his hands towards the gathering.

“Please, Chairman Ku, feel free to ask each vendor. I will wait here and not leave until you get a result.”

“Given your sincere concern for Chairman Fu’s reputation, I believe you will certainly want to verify this, right?”

Xiao Yan said with a smile, looking at Ku Lo’s fluctuating expression.

Good heavens! I really underestimated him!

Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo’s eyes lit up, full of admiration for Xiao Yan.

After saying so much, Xiao Yan had justified Ku Lo’s baseless suspicion in a way that seemed legitimate, all to set up this final statement.

It forced Ku Lo, in the name of concern for Fu Lan Ke’s reputation, to check each stall for any missing items.

But such a task was easier said than done.

Who in this high-level gathering wasn’t a notable figure in the Jia Ma Empire’s alchemist community?

For Ku Lo to disturb each vendor without buying anything, just to ask if they had been stolen from, what kind of behavior was that?

These vendors were respectable figures.

If they had truly been stolen from, it would be one thing, but to ask when it was evident they hadn’t been stolen from was an insult, implying they were oblivious to theft under their noses.

It was tantamount to publicly slapping their faces, suggesting they were blind or intellectually deficient.

Xiao Yan’s words put Ku Lo in a difficult position.

Ku Lo had to either go around asking each vendor, offending everyone, and ultimately admitting Xiao Yan hadn’t stolen anything, or leave in disgrace, implicitly acknowledging his pettiness and losing face before his rivals, Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo, who might mock him for it later.

This was truly a clever trap!

Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo could understand this, and naturally, so could Ku Lo. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Xiao Yan, full of resentment.

Damn kid! How dare you force me to lose face?!

Seeing Ku Lo’s resentful look, Xiao Yan felt a mix of anger and helplessness.

Such people were far too common.

They start disputes but never reflect on their faults, always thinking the other party made them lose face.

As the Chairman of an Alchemist Association, Ku Lo’s narrow-mindedness reaffirmed something for Xiao Yan.

A person’s character isn’t determined by their status or power.

No matter how high their status or strong their power, a base character remains base.

“Hmph!”

Finally, Ku Lo gave Xiao Yan a vicious glare, then abruptly turned and left.

Clearly, Ku Lo had chosen the latter option from Xiao Yan’s two choices.

While losing face before Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo filled him with resentment, offending everyone at the gathering was undoubtedly worse.

Considering his interests, Ku Lo had no choice but to leave.

“Kid, just you wait!”

Ku Lo threw out a cold remark and quickly left, fearing Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo might say something to further embarrass him.

Watching Ku Lo’s embarrassed retreat, Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo felt extremely pleased.

Every time they met, Ku Lo liked to find faults with them under various pretexts.

Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo weren’t the confrontational types, so they usually responded calmly.

But unexpectedly, today, Ku Lo, who came looking for trouble, had his face thoroughly wiped clean by Xiao Yan’s few words!

Not only were Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo full of admiration for Xiao Yan, but even Senior Yao in the ring nodded approvingly.

(Well done, Xiao Yan. I thought you would unconditionally tolerate such a person.)

It’s no wonder Yao Chen had such a pessimistic view.

Xiao Yan’s previous approach was always to act with a clear conscience and avoid excessive argument, believing that those who trust him will trust him regardless, and those who don’t will see his words as excuses.

(Senior Yao praises me too much,) Xiao Yan replied softly in his heart, with a slightly heavy tone, (After the incident with the Snake-People Tribe, I realized that unconditional tolerance only fuels such people’s arrogance.)

(Sometimes, silence is the greatest sin.)

Xiao Yan’s inner response made Yao Chen nod in satisfaction.

Very good, very good indeed~

The Snake-People Tribe incident had a profound impact on Xiao Yan, changing his views on power and how to deal with people like Ku Lo.

A person’s innocence can’t rely solely on a clear conscience.

Even if you have a clear conscience, others may not see it that way.

As Xiao Yan said, sometimes silence is the greatest sin.

“Chairman Fu,” Xiao Yan turned to face Fu Lan Ke, clasping his hands and bowing slightly, with a hint of apology in his eyes, “I apologize for causing you trouble due to vouching for me.”

“Oh, not at all. That guy is always like this. Even without vouching for you, he would have found another reason to cause trouble.”

Fu Lan Ke waved his hand lightly, not thinking Xiao Yan needed to apologize, as he knew Ku Lo’s nature well and didn’t blame Xiao Yan.

But Xiao Yan still insisted on his apology.

“His actions are his responsibility. In my understanding, your guarantee for me became his pretext for trouble, so I must apologize for that. Please accept my apology; otherwise, I won’t have peace of mind.”

No matter how base Ku Lo was, the fact that he used Xiao Yan’s guarantee to trouble Fu Lan Ke was undeniable.

Faced with Xiao Yan’s insistence, Fu Lan Ke was momentarily speechless and eventually nodded lightly.

“Alright, since you insist, I’ll accept your apology.”

Then, Fu Lan Ke and Ao Tuo exchanged a glance, seeing the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

This kid is really stubborn.