eurekapd Chapter 73 Chaoyang visits the Lan family
Chapter 73 Chaoyang visits the Lan family
Lan Xichen led the team back to the Cloud Recesses first. Chaoyang, Xuanyuan Yue (Wei Ying) and others strolled around Caiyi Town before flying towards the Cloud Recesses.
At the entrance of the Cloud Recesses.
Lan Xichen: "Senior, please come in. Uncle heard you were coming and has been waiting in the elegant room."
Chaoyang smiled faintly and said apologetically, "Excuse me, Young Sect Master Lan, please lead the way and take me to visit Lan... Lan." He suddenly found himself at a loss for words about how to address Lan Qiren, and a wave of hesitation gripped him. Calling him "Brother Lan" seemed too intimate, given their lack of rapport, and he worried Lan Qiren would find it intrusive. But calling him "Dear Brother" didn't quite fit the bill, as Chaoyang realized that while he was older than Lan Qiren, he didn't look older, rather youthful. Such a term of address was clearly inappropriate.
Lan Xichen had evidently pondered this question, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind, making him realize that his uncle's position within the Lan Clan seemed somewhat ambiguous. What position did his uncle hold within the Lan Clan? Acting Sect Leader? But the Sect Leader was clearly still in place, and there was no indication that his uncle had officially assumed the position. Deputy Sect Leader? There didn't seem to be a clear statement either. In charge of punishment? That position was currently held by Lan Wangji. According to normal aristocratic family etiquette, his uncle should now be an elder of the Lan Clan, but in reality, he had been inexplicably addressed as Mr. Lan. Hadn't the rest of the Lan Clan noticed this? Why hadn't anyone else mentioned it? Lan Xichen frowned slightly, a sense of unease welling up within him. He didn't dare dwell on it further, fearing it would uncover a truth he wasn't willing to face.
Chaoyang thought about it and finally came up with a suitable name: Fellow Daoist Lan. A name that was both polite and intimate.
He said to Lan Xichen, "Please allow Young Sect Master Lan to lead the way to meet Fellow Daoist Lan."
Chaoyang's words suddenly echoed, like the clear chime of a bell, instantly shattering the chaotic thoughts and fluctuations within Lan Xichen's mind. Lan Xichen had been lost in his own thoughts, unable to extricate himself, but Chaoyang's words forced him to temporarily put those distractions aside. Lan Xichen felt a sense of relief, as if he had found an excuse to avoid the current topic. With that, Lan Xichen, Chaoyang, and the others, headed towards the elegant room.
"Uncle, Senior Xuanyuan is here."
Inside the elegant room, Lan Qiren had already prepared tea and waited for his guests. Hearing Lan Xichen's voice, he rose from his seat and glanced toward the door. Lan Xichen ushered in a slender, elegant guest wearing a cyan-blue mask. He wore a garment woven from turquoise and bamboo, the hem and cuffs embroidered with delicate motifs of jasmine and birch. A beautiful jade dangled from his waist, swaying gently with his steps. Lan Qiren scrutinized the visitor's face once more, marveling at his extraordinary beauty, even through the mask.
Lan Qiren was the host and bowed first: "Fellow Daoist Xuanyuan has come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you in person. I hope you will forgive me!"
Chaoyang returned the greeting and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for bothering you."
After some polite greetings, everyone took their seats. Lan Qiren then revealed the true purpose of inviting Chaoyang to the Lan Clan: "Master Xuanyuan, Xuanyuan Yue may have attracted the attention of the Wen Clan during her purification of the Water Abyss. Does Master Xuanyuan have a plan to deal with this?"
Lan Qiren's words revealed a hint of worry, but it was also a helpless move. After all, the Wen family was so arrogant and domineering that no one dared to provoke them easily.
Due to Wen Ruohan's long period of seclusion, the daily affairs of the Wen family have always been managed by the Great Elder. However, because Wen Xu and Wen Chao are Wen Ruohan's children, they ignore the Great Elder's authority, making the Wen family's behavior under their leadership even more arrogant and domineering than in the original book.
Upon hearing this, Chaoyang's eyes darkened slightly. He gently stroked the teacup in his hand, as if thinking about something. After a moment, he slowly spoke in a steady and firm voice, "Fellow Daoist Lan, don't worry about it. We, the Xuanyuan clan, don't take the Wen clan seriously yet."
As soon as these words were spoken, Lan Qiren's pupils suddenly constricted, as if gripped by an invisible force. An indescribable look of shock and doubt flashed across his deep eyes. His expression instantly hardened, the corners of his mouth drooping slightly, revealing his inner unease and contemplation. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, watching quietly from the side, were also drawn to these words, their gaze fixed on the speaker as if drawn by a magnet, their eyes filled with shock.
They probably never expected that Chaoyang would be so bold and outspoken, not afraid of the Wen family.
When Xuanyuan Yue (Wei Ying), Xuanyuan Jing (Meng Yao), Xuanyuan Yin (Xue Yang), and Xuanyuan Fen (Fen Hua) heard these words, they were leisurely sipping tea when they saw the three Lan clan members' faces suddenly change. If they weren't in Lan clan territory, Xuanyuan Yue (Wei Ying) and Xuanyuan Yin (Xue Yang) might have burst into laughter.
Chaoyang paused, his gaze sweeping over every member of the Lan clan before continuing, "Since ancient times, our Xuanyuan clan has taken it as our duty to protect the common people of the world. Facing an evil like Shui Xingyuan, who threatens the world, we have no choice but to do our part. As for the Wen clan, if they dare to attack, the Xuanyuan clan will give their all."
Lan Qiren posed this question to test the Xuanyuan clan, attempting to understand its true nature. After all, the Xuanyuan clan's origins were mysterious, never revealed to the public. The Lan clan knew nothing of the Xuanyuan clan's true strength and heritage, including its location. Naturally, Lan Qiren harbored a sense of caution.
Why didn't the children of the aristocratic families, including Lan Qiren, suspect that the Xuanyuan clan didn't exist?
Looking at the demeanor of Xuanyuan Yue (Wei Ying), Xuanyuan Jing (Meng Yao), Xuanyuan Yin (Xue Yang) and Xuanyuan Fen (Fen Hua), one can understand that such demeanor cannot be cultivated without a profound foundation.
When Lan Qiren heard this, he knew it was directed at him and understood the underlying meaning. He took a deep breath, calming his inner turmoil. He focused his gaze on Chaoyang again and said in a deep voice, "I'm worrying too much."
Upon hearing this, Chaoyang simply smiled, picked up the teacup on the coffee table and took a sip. Then he said leisurely, "I've heard the Lan family's treasure map is rich in content. I wonder if I'd be lucky enough to take a look at it?"
Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen's faces showed embarrassment. Although the library was open to students during the study period, this access was limited to the first and second floors; the other floors were not open to the public.
A subtle hint of hesitation and apology crossed Chaoyang's face. He knew his request might be abrupt, even a bit unreasonable. He slowly pulled an exquisite storage bag from his sleeve. Woven from an unknown material, it emanated a faint aura, clearly no ordinary item. Chaoyang gently placed it on the table, his gesture revealing an indescribable solemnity and reverence. He gestured to Xuanyuan Jing (Meng Yao) on his right to hand it to Lan Qiren, then apologized, "This storage bag contains part of the Xuanyuan clan's collection of books and the Marrow Cleansing Pill. This is my apology. I hope Fellow Daoist Lan and Young Sect Master Lan will grant this."