Chapter 402: Small Trouble

Wan Caixuan’s brows furrowed slightly, her voice icy, “I told you to lead the way, not to tell me what to do.”

The middle-aged man hadn’t expected Wan Caixuan to be so cold. Her tone didn’t sound like someone here as a guest. It sounded like she’d come to make trouble. He froze for a moment before saying, “But… if your bodyguard comes along, I’m afraid it might be… inconvenient.”

Wan Caixuan’s voice grew even colder. “What inconvenience?”

Her beauty was breathtaking, peerless, with an air of nobility and unmatched grace. Now that she spoke with such cold sharpness, the pressure surged toward the middle-aged man like a wave.

Sweat began to bead on his forehead, his throat dry. He had seen many nobles, but none had ever made him feel such overwhelming pressure as Wan Caixuan.

He opened his mouth but stammered, speechless.

Just then, a low male voice sounded from afar, echoing from a distance, “Butler Wang, Miss Wan is the young master’s honored guest. The young master said that no matter what she requests, it should be granted. She must not be slighted in any way.”

Upon hearing this voice, Lin Xiao—who had remained silent and discreet all along—lifted his head for the first time and looked in the direction of the sound.

His gaze was sharp. Even at over a hundred meters away, he could clearly see the scene in the distance. His eyes narrowed slightly, a strange glint flashing deep within his pupils.

For someone to project their voice clearly over such a distance, with each word perfectly audible and effortless, it was proof not only that he was a martial artist, but one with exceptionally deep cultivation. Otherwise, such a feat would be impossible.

The middle-aged man referred to as Butler Wang breathed a sigh of relief, lowered his head, and no longer dared to look at Wan Caixuan. 

“Miss Wan, I hope you can forgive my earlier offense. Since my master has spoken, please follow me, you and this gentleman.”

With that, Butler Wang turned to lead the way. His previously steady steps now had a hint of haste.

Wan Caixuan deliberately slowed her pace, increasing the distance between them, and whispered into Lin Xiao’s ear, “The owner of this estate is Jiang Shiliu, one of the Jiang family’s heirs. A few days ago, I received his invitation saying he had important matters to discuss. I didn’t believe him, so I brought you along.”

“Jiang family?”

“Yes, that Jiang family. The one said to be wealthy enough to rival a nation.”

Wan Caixuan’s lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper, only she and Lin Xiao could hear. “The Jiang family and the Wan family were allies long ago, often helping each other through tough times. Their relationship is quite strong. This time, he invited me under the family’s name, and as one of the Wan family’s heirs, I had no choice but to come. But I suspect his intentions are not pure.”

“Why?” Lin Xiao asked evenly.

“Because Jiang Shiliu used to be close to Wan Shixuan. The two were like partners in crime, always up to no good. He thinks he can fool me, putting on a façade of righteousness, but every time I see that face of his, I just find it ridiculous.”

At this point, a trace of disgust appeared on Wan Caixuan’s face. “Let’s hear what he has to say. If it’s just useless chatter, there’s no need to play along. We’ll leave immediately.”

“Alright.”

As they spoke, Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan followed Butler Wang through half the estate and arrived at a lively area.

It was a wide, grassy field with pavilions set up. Inside were a variety of fine foods and drinks. A dozen elegantly dressed, refined young men and women stood in small groups, chatting and laughing softly.

Surrounding the pavilions, over twenty black-suited bodyguards stood with hands behind their backs, faces stern, not saying a word, like lifeless statues.

As Lin Xiao and Wan Caixuan appeared, all the guests inside turned to look at once.

When they saw Wan Caixuan, expressions of astonishment bloomed across their faces. They stopped talking and followed her movements with their eyes.

Even Lin Xiao, who walked with her arm in his, drew no small amount of attention.

There were beautiful women among the guests—attractive in both looks and figure—but compared to Wan Caixuan, they were lacking in both appearance and aura.

Wan Caixuan’s beauty wasn’t of this world. It was flawless, like a rare treasure.

At the center of the crowd stood Jiang Shiliu. The moment he saw Wan Caixuan, his gaze burned hot. But when he noticed Lin Xiao walking beside her, a shadow flickered deep in his eyes.

He turned his head slightly and signaled to a burly middle-aged man nearby with his eyes, gesturing subtly toward Lin Xiao with a nod.

That middle-aged man was short but immensely strong. His limbs were thick like iron pillars, his hands calloused with oversized knuckles. His eyes gleamed sharply, and his temples bulged—clearly a martial artist skilled in both internal and external techniques.

Jiang Shiliu hadn’t spoken, but the man understood his meaning. He stepped over to two bodyguards and whispered a few words.

The two bodyguards, built like bears, nodded and immediately strode toward Wan Caixuan and Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao’s senses were sharp. Nothing at the scene escaped his notice. Even the small exchange between Jiang Shiliu and the middle-aged man was seen by him.

He could feel the hostility radiating from the two approaching bodyguards. There was no goodwill in their approach. Lin Xiao’s eyes flashed, and he withdrew his arm from Wan Caixuan’s.

“What’s wrong?” Wan Caixuan looked at Lin Xiao in confusion.

“A bit of trouble. Go on ahead.” Lin Xiao said calmly.

Wan Caixuan now also noticed the two burly bodyguards striding over. Her brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of anger rising in her heart.

She didn’t know why they were coming, but judging by their aggressive demeanor, it was clearly not for anything friendly.

“Lin Xiao, let’s go. We don’t need to stay at this kind of gathering.” Wan Caixuan tugged on Lin Xiao’s arm, trying to leave.

But Lin Xiao didn’t move.

“Since we’re here, let’s stay. There’s no need to get angry. Just watch from the side. I’m curious what they’re planning,” Lin Xiao said softly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

He didn’t like causing trouble, but that didn’t mean he feared it. Walking away without doing anything wasn’t his style.

Wan Caixuan was speechless, letting go of Lin Xiao’s arm. “They’re clearly here to cause you trouble. How could I not be angry? But since you want to stay, fine. I’m curious what Jiang Shiliu wants too.”

Shortly after their conversation ended, the two bodyguards arrived in front of them. They first bowed politely to Wan Caixuan, then stretched out thick arms to block Lin Xiao’s path.

“Apologies, sir. You are not permitted here. Please leave!” one of the bodyguards said expressionlessly.

Before Lin Xiao could respond, Wan Caixuan spoke coldly, “Is there a problem? He’s my companion. Why should he leave?”