“Hand it over to whom?”

Xiao Che suddenly spoke, meeting Xiao Zhan Xuan’s gaze head-on.

“To Third Uncle?” he continued calmly. “Or to… Cousin Li?”

Xiao Li let out a snort, folding his arms as he strolled in, chin lifted.

“Hand it to me would still be better than handing it to a trash like you at the first layer of Qi Refining. At least I’ve already reached Foundation Establishment!”

“And this young clan lord position of yours is about to be discussed anyway. Why are you still putting on airs?”

Several clan elders close to Xiao Zhan Xuan shifted their gazes slightly but remained silent.

Xiao Che looked at him—and suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, yet it made Xiao Li’s heart inexplicably jolt.

“The discussion isn’t over yet,” Xiao Che said slowly. “And the result isn’t out either.”

His gaze sharpened like a blade, each word deliberate.

“At this moment, I, Xiao Che, am still the rightful young clan lord. Speaking disrespectfully and provoking the young clan lord at will—Xiao Li, do you still have any regard for clan rules?”

“You—” Xiao Li’s expression changed.

“According to clan rules, twenty slaps. Will you do it yourself, or shall I have someone help you?”

“Hiss—!”

A collective intake of breath echoed through the hall.

Xiao Li’s face flushed crimson, fury blazing in his eyes. “Xiao Che! Don’t go too far—”

“Che’er, is this really necessary?”

A voice interjected at just the right moment.

Xiao Zhan Xuan forced a smooth smile onto his face.

“Li’er is young and hot-headed, careless with his words. As his elder brother, a verbal reprimand would suffice. We’re family—using clan punishment will only hurt harmony.”

Xiao Che turned to him, the faint smile on his face vanishing completely.

“Third Uncle.”

His tone was respectful, but his eyes were cold and clear.

“Are you trying to interfere in a matter between juniors? Or do you believe the clan rules exist in name only, unable to restrain your eldest son?”

Xiao Zhan Xuan’s smile stiffened.

“Xiao An,” Xiao Che said, no longer looking at him.

Xiao An jolted and hurried inside.

“Y-young master?”

“Xiao Li has shown blatant disrespect and violated clan rules.”

“If he can’t bear to slap himself, you’ll help him. Twenty times. Miss even one, and you’ll take it in his place.”

Xiao An’s scalp went numb.

He clenched his teeth and replied, “Yes! Young Clan Lord!”

Summoning his courage, he walked up to Xiao Li.

“C-Cousin Li… forgive me…”

“How dare you!” Xiao Li roared, the spiritual pressure of the first layer of Foundation Establishment surging—

“Xiao Li.”

Xiao Che’s voice cut in, icy and warning.

“If you dare resist even once today, I’ll invoke the charge of ‘rebellion against clan rules and assaulting the young clan lord’ and have clan law cripple you.”

“Do you think Third Uncle can protect you? Or do you think these clan elders will recognize me—the young clan lord—or you, an idiot openly defying the law?”

Even Xiao Zhan Xuan fell silent, teeth grinding audibly as a flash of cold light passed through his eyes.

Enjoy this while it lasts. Once the council reaches a decision, you’ll be the one crying.

The color drained from Xiao Li’s face.

Smack!

The crisp sound of a slap rang sharply through the hall.

Xiao An put all his strength into it.

“One!” he called out, voice trembling.

Xiao Li’s head snapped to the side, his cheek burning with pain.

More than the pain, it was the overwhelming humiliation. He stared viciously at the floor, as though trying to bore through the stone.

The elders on the seats above wore varied expressions.

Some lowered their eyes in discomfort; others showed faint satisfaction.

This long-silent young clan lord… seemed different now.

Smack!

“Two!”

…

Smack!

“Twenty!”

The final slap landed. Xiao Li’s cheeks were swollen high, red and glossy, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

He lowered his head, eyes bloodshot, chest heaving violently, fists clenched so tightly his whole body trembled with barely contained humiliation and resentment.

Xiao Che slowly walked up to him.

“Does it hurt?”

Xiao Li shuddered but said nothing.

Xiao Che’s voice was clear and steady.

“Remember this, Xiao Li. Even if my dantian is damaged and my cultivation temporarily lost, I am still the Xiao Family’s young clan lord.”

“Next time you speak, think about the rules first.”

Xiao Li raised his head. Those bloodshot eyes glared with venom, but when they met Xiao Che’s calm gaze, the hatred was forcibly suppressed, leaving only flickering humiliation.

His throat made a hoarse sound. At last, he ground out a single word through clenched teeth.

“…Yes.”

“Call me Young Clan Lord,” Xiao Che said, unmoved.

“…Y-young… clan lord.”

Xiao Li’s cheek muscles twitched violently. He nearly bit through his lower lip before finally forcing out the words.

A trace of gloom flashed through Xiao Zhan Xuan’s eyes, but he quickly resumed his elder’s demeanor and spoke leisurely.

“Che, are you satisfied now? A moment of youthful temper should end here.”

He turned to the others, his tone easing.

“Now then, the two pressing matters—rescuing Qing’er and discussing whether the young clan lord should remain—should continue, shouldn’t they?”

Xiao Che smiled.

He didn’t look at Xiao Zhan Xuan again. Instead, he turned directly to the Grand Elder, Xiao Yuan Tu.

“Grand Elder. These may seem like two matters, but in truth, they are one.”

“Oh?” Xiao Yuan Tu’s gaze sharpened slightly. “What insight does Che’er have?”

Xiao Che stepped forward to the center of the hall.

Morning light streamed through the lattice windows, outlining his tall, sword-straight figure.

“The Sun Family abducted my sister because they believe the Xiao Family has no one capable. They believe this crippled young clan lord is powerless to respond.”

“So if we replace the young clan lord first and then go to trade for her, even if we get her back, the Xiao Family’s backbone will be broken. The Sun Family will see us as weak and easy prey. Next time, they’ll come knocking for spirit mines, for ancestral assets!”

Several battle-minded elders nodded unconsciously.

Xiao Zhan Xuan frowned. “Then what do you propose?”

Xiao Che turned, his deep gaze sweeping across the hall.

“Simple. I’ll rescue my sister. I’ll give the slot.”

“We’ll use this rescue mission to decide whether this young clan lord position should be changed.”

“Well?”

Silence filled the hall.

“Che, you mustn’t act recklessly!”

Su Wan stood up anxiously, her eyes instantly reddening.

“That direct-entry slot is your only hope to repair your dantian! Only by going to White Deer Academy might there be a great expert who can heal you… If you use it to trade for someone, what will you do in the future?”

Her emotions surged as she spoke, and at last she couldn’t hold back, bursting into tears.

“But if we don’t trade… my poor daughter… The Sun Family is forcing us into a dead end!”

Xiao Li lowered his head, unable to hide the smile tugging at his swollen lips.

A bunch of fools. Only realizing it now? This was a deadlock from the start!

Xiao Che stepped forward and gently pressed his hands on his mother’s trembling shoulders, his voice steady.

“Who said my injury can only be cured at White Deer Academy?”

He applied a little strength.

“Mom, don’t worry. I will save my sister. And my injury will be healed as well.”

Xiao Li, his face swollen, let out a mocking laugh.

“Cousin, don’t make promises so easily.”

His gaze swept Xiao Che teasingly.

“I’ve heard Sun Tao himself is leading the team. He’s already at the fifth layer of Foundation Establishment. And you? First layer of Qi Refining.”

“If you fail to save her and give away the slot for nothing… can you bear that responsibility?”

He sneered inwardly.

Once I become young clan lord and follow through with the agreement with the Sun Family to trade for that girl, it’ll be a great merit!

“I’m already at Foundation Establishment. Why not let me go? I guarantee I’ll bring Qing’er back safe and sound!”