Chapter 824 — A Visit from the Xiao Family
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
The martial families of the jianghu naturally had their own jianghu ways of settling things. People at the level of Li Cihua and Gu Pengzhan already handled a great many matters outside the normal channels—to say nothing of conflicts between the great families themselves!
Thus the way the great families resolved their disputes was often quite simple: whoever's fist was harder held the upper hand. Uncle Pi, as a top-tier external-school expert of the Mystic rank, was naturally not to be taken lightly.
"Well said, well said!" Divine Physician Kang, all smiles, greeted Uncle Pi again. "Elder Pi's presence brings great luster to the humble Kang household!"
"Divine Physician Kang's name is thunder in the ears as well." Uncle Pi glanced at Divine Physician Kang but did not even rise from his chair—he merely looked at him and spoke in an indifferent tone, his expression suggesting not the least bit of thunderstruck awe.
Divine Physician Kang was somewhat embarrassed, yet he dared not say anything; he gave a laugh, sat back down in his own seat, and fell to exchanging pleasantries with the Xiao brothers. "Xiao Ji, what brings you to Donghai City this time? Is there anything the Kang family can help you with?"
"Heh heh, as a matter of fact, Divine Physician Kang, you know as well as we do that since our father passed away, the Xiao family's business in Yanjing has become a hopeless mess. In his final days our father did a few muddled things and threw the family enterprises into complete disarray!" Xiao Ben made no attempt to conceal it—such matters were surely known to the Kang family as well. "Holding to the notion of breaking before building, we sold off everything in Yanjing and intend to go to Songshan City and rebuild the Xiao family's foundation from the ground up!"
"That is quite right! A new place, a new environment—and closer to our Kang family." Divine Physician Kang nodded, sneering inwardly. Were it not for Uncle Pi's presence, what would be left of your Xiao family at all?
"Mm, and secondly, I wished to ask about the betrothal between our Xinyan and Zhaolong..." Xiao Ben laid out the purpose of his visit.
He was eager for a local ally. Though the Xiao family had the prestige of an established clan and Elder Pi to hold the fort, surely he could not send Elder Pi to handle every last matter? In this way, a marriage alliance with the Kang family would make many of the local people give him face.
"I don't think there's any hurry about this, is there? Xinyan is only in her third year of high school. Isn't it a bit early to be discussing marriage?" Doctor Kang said. "Of course, I personally am very willing to bring about this match, but Xinyan is too young. She hasn't even reached the legal age for marriage, has she?"
"Haha, Doctor Kang, you jest. In the eyes of clans like ours, these regulations hardly count for much. But even without marrying, they can still get engaged, no? At the very least, let's settle the relationship first?" Xiao Ji chimed in with a laugh.
"Mm, that's true enough!" Doctor Kang nodded. "Very well. I'll go speak with Zhaolong about this matter and put the engagement on the agenda first."
As for the engagement, Doctor Kang was indifferent. After all, an engagement was not a marriage; it could be broken off at any time. So long as the Kang family found a more formidable patron or acquired greater strength of its own, they could cast the Xiao family aside.
Xiao Ji and Xiao Ben had also sensed the shift in Doctor Kang's attitude, and they understood in their hearts that were it not for Elder Pi's presence, this marriage would likely be in trouble.
Taking their leave of Doctor Kang, Xiao Ji and Xiao Ben exited the Kang family villa somewhat dejected. Truly, a tiger fallen to the flatlands is bullied by dogs! Yet news of the Xiao family's decline could not be kept sealed forever; sooner or later Doctor Kang would learn of it.