Battle Through the Heavens: The Rock King Emperor's Leisurely Wanderings in the Mortal World

Chapter 61 Nalan Yanran: "So what!"

Gama Holy City, Nalan Family.

In that somewhat somber room, Nalan Su's fist slammed heavily onto the solid table like a hammer.

In an instant, a muffled sound echoed in the silent space, as if it were an explosion of long-suppressed emotions. He slightly raised his head, his eyes revealing an uncontrollable resentment, and stared directly at Nalan Yanran opposite him, coldly saying, "Hmph, even now, you're still indulging in that so-called dream of becoming the sect master of the Yunlan Sect? Don't be so naive as to think that you became the young sect master of the Yunlan Sect through your own efforts."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Yanran's brows furrowed instantly, a flash of anger crossing her eyes. She straightened up slightly, her voice unconsciously rising a few decibels, as she retorted with a hint of stubbornness and resentment, "Father, what you're saying is a bit excessive. Isn't it true? I am the personal disciple of Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect! Not long ago, I even received a personal reward from the Sect Master, becoming the Young Sect Master. Isn't all of this the result of my diligent cultivation and tireless efforts?"

"Hehe..." Nalan Su chuckled coldly, his laughter seemingly mixed with endless mockery and helplessness.

He shook his head slightly, seemingly quite disappointed by Nalan Yanran's words. He couldn't bear to look at Nalan Yanran's face, which was now somewhat stiff from excitement, so he slowly turned away from her, his voice tinged with barely perceptible weariness and helplessness, and said softly:

"Yanran, you're still too naive. You've oversimplified things..."

"ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh, Yanran, when will you finally grow up? Have you ever thought about why you were able to enter the Yunlan Sect at the tender age of ten, and even have direct contact with the Sect Master Yun Yun, and be accepted as her personal disciple?"

"Hmph, is that even a question? I possess extraordinary talent, a cultivation prodigy rarely seen even in the last hundred years, so naturally I have this opportunity." Nalan Yanran raised her chin slightly, responding with a face full of confidence.

"Haha, you really think you can attribute all of this to yourself? Fine, let me ask you this: If it weren't for our family's prominent status as one of the three great families in the capital, how would you have had the opportunity to enter the Yunlan Sect? If your grandfather hadn't held the important position of Lionheart Marshal of the Empire, how would you have been able to come into contact with Yun Yun, a high-ranking member of the Yunlan Sect? How would she have directly accepted you as her personal disciple? Do you really think your talent is that extraordinary? You should know that without Yun Yun's meticulous guidance, without the Yunlan Sect's strong support in terms of resources, and without the pills provided by Gu He, do you think you could have achieved what you have today on your own?"

"So what? I am a member of the Nalan family, and my grandfather was the Lionheart Marshal of the Empire. Even though I have this status and strength in the Yunlan Sect now, it is because of their support. How is that shameful? Yes, I may have overemphasized my own efforts and neglected the support of my family and grandfather, but these are what I have. Since I have them, it is only right and proper. How can it be shameful?"

"Heh." Nalan Su slowly shook his head, as if all his strength had been drained, his voice full of weakness. "Sigh, what if I told you that the Xiao family you've always looked down on, and that Xiao Yan you despise, twenty or thirty years ago, in the empire, the Xiao family and the Nalan family, Xiao Yan and you, were actually on the same level?"

"What? You mean that good-for-nothing? What makes him think he's on the same level as me?!"

Now, the name "Xiao Yan" echoes frequently in Nalan Yanran's ears, which annoys her. She simply cannot understand why someone considered a good-for-nothing, and his equally incompetent family, would receive such attention from her father and grandfather.

"There's nothing impossible about it," Nalan Su explained. "That 'good-for-nothing' Xiao Yan you keep mentioning, his grandfather Xiao Lin was even stronger than your grandfather. The Xiao family's assets and influence in the capital were no less than the Nalan family's. Moreover, our two families had a deep friendship, and your grandfather and Xiao Lin were close friends. However, during one of their outings, they were suddenly attacked by a sixth-tier magical beast. At that critical moment, it was Xiao Yan's grandfather who stepped forward and saved your grandfather at the cost of his own life. After that, Xiao Lin succumbed to his injuries and passed away soon after."

Nalan Yanran's eyes gleamed with disbelief; she simply couldn't accept the old stories her father was recounting.

After all, those events that occurred before she was born were all new to her. In her memory, from the moment she was born, the power structure of the capital was dominated by the three major families: the Nalan family, the Mu family, and the Mittel family. How could a so-called fourth major family—the Xiao family—appear out of nowhere? Moreover, it was the Xiao family that she had once ridiculed and regarded as utterly worthless.

Nalan Su slowly turned around, his body seemingly drained of all strength, and slumped back into the chair.

He sighed softly and continued, "Your engagement with Xiao Yan was actually arranged by your grandfather and Xiao Lin, the two family heads, after that harrowing ordeal. Xiao Lin's main hope was that after his passing, the Nalan family would remember their past relationship and provide support to the Xiao family, which had lost the protection of a Dou Wang. But what about our Nalan family? To be honest, we merely mechanically remembered this engagement. Perhaps the Xiao family already looked down on us for our betrayal; or perhaps they were wary of your grandfather's formidable strength as a Dou Wang. When the Xiao family was ruthlessly expelled from Jia Ma Holy City, our Nalan family chose to remain silent, and the Xiao family offered no resistance or reproach. Such actions have already made us indebted to the Xiao family. Yet, you personally severed this only remaining, delicate bond in such a cruel and resolute way."

"Father, things have come to this, the facts are set, what's the use of dwelling on it? Did Grandpa force Xiao Lin to help? That was his own choice. Besides, Xiao Lin didn't ask our Nalan family for help after he left. Since they didn't ask, why should we rush to help? Aren't you just adding to our troubles by saying all this? Now the Xiao family is nothing but a declining family in a third-rate city. You yourself said that the last ties have been broken. Once the three-year agreement is up, the entanglement between our Nalan family and the Xiao family will be completely over. What else do you have to worry about?"

"Hmph, what if I told you that our Nalan family is about to become a destitute household in that third-rate city you mentioned? What would you do then?" Nalan Su really didn't want to look at Nalan Yanran's appearance anymore. He never expected that his daughter would be so short-sighted, arrogant, and rude.

……

(End of this chapter)

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