Chapter 260: Justice Served

"Ding-dong!"

"The system has issued a new task: Help Gu Xun'er obtain the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade fragment held by the Xiao Clan."

"Help Xun'er obtain the fragment?" Mu Chen read the task details and chuckled.

With or without the system's task, he would have helped Gu Xun'er get the fragment anyway.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's injury had alarmed the Xiao Clan's core members. In Xiao Zhan's room, the Xiao Clan's physician was treating Xiao Yan's wounds.

Gu Xun'er, still shaken by the events earlier, struggled to calm her mind. After all, it was the first time she had injured someone.

Suddenly, someone took her hand gently. Gu Xun'er turned to see Mu Chen holding it.

"Don't be afraid," Mu Chen said with a reassuring smile.

Looking into his eyes, Gu Xun'er felt her anxiety melt away.

---

In the Xiao Clan's discussion hall, Xiao Zhan entered with a stormy expression, his face dark as he looked at the three elders seated there.

"How is Xiao Yan?" the first elder asked.

"He'll live," Xiao Zhan replied coldly, taking his seat. He continued, "One of his testicles was irreparably damaged and rendered useless. The physician has treated the wound in time, so his life is no longer in danger. However, it may affect his future… abilities."

The three elders fell silent.

For a man, nothing was more important than continuing the family line. If Xiao Yan was rendered infertile, how would Xiao Zhan handle the situation with Gu Xun'er?

"What do you plan to do?" the first elder asked.

"She injured my son. This cannot be forgiven. She must be held accountable," Xiao Zhan growled.

"Have you forgotten who her father is?" the first elder reminded.

"But she hurt a member of the Xiao Clan. She must be punished," Xiao Zhan argued.

"If you punish her, her father alone could wipe out the Xiao Clan. You are the clan leader; you cannot act selfishly. You must prioritize the clan's interests," the first elder warned.

"If it were your precious grandson, Xiao Ning, instead of Xiao Yan, would you still say the same?" Xiao Zhan countered angrily.

"My precious grandson would not sneak into someone else's room in the dead of night," the first elder retorted.

"You…" Xiao Zhan's anger flared, his Dou Qi surging around him like a lion ready to pounce.

"Clan Leader, First Elder, please calm yourselves," the second elder, Xiao Ying, interjected. Turning to both men, he added, "Before we make any decisions, shouldn't we first understand what exactly happened?"

"The second elder is right. Let's hear what Xun'er has to say about the incident. If it's her fault, we'll notify her father to take her back. Her father is a Dou Wang-level powerhouse—someone we cannot afford to offend. If Xiao Yan was in the wrong, then it's a different matter," the third elder agreed.

"Fine. Let's hear what Xun'er has to say," Xiao Zhan said. Despite his anger, he was curious as to why his son had been in Xun'er's room.

Soon, a Xiao Clan disciple brought Gu Xun'er to the hall, with Mu Chen accompanying her.

Xiao Zhan restrained his anger, mindful of Gu Xun'er's formidable background. However, his sharp, hostile gaze made his feelings clear.

Gu Xun'er, being just a young girl, was visibly unsettled by the situation. During the incident, she had acted on instinct, but afterward, her fear grew. Facing Xiao Zhan's piercing glare only heightened her unease.

She glanced at Mu Chen, who smiled warmly at her. His reassuring presence eased her nervousness, planting a seed of reliance in her heart.

"Miss Xun'er, we mean you no harm. Since the incident occurred in your room, we'd like to understand what happened. I'll ask some questions, and you can answer them honestly. Is that alright?" the first elder asked kindly.

Gu Xun'er looked at Mu Chen again. Seeing him nod, she nodded as well.

"Miss Xun'er, did you injure Xiao Yan?" the first elder asked.

"Yes," Gu Xun'er replied.

A ripple of tension filled the hall as Xiao Zhan's Dou Qi flared uncontrollably, forming a lion-like apparition. If not for Gu Xun'er's extraordinary background, Xiao Zhan might have struck her down on the spot.

"Shouldn't we first ask about the events that led to this before blaming my lady?" A hoarse, aged voice echoed as the surrounding space rippled. An elderly man with white hair and beard seemingly emerged from the void itself.

The sudden appearance of the elder shocked Xiao Zhan and the three elders. Though the elder appeared unassuming, the Dou Grandmaster-level experts in the room recognized the profound danger he represented.

Upon seeing Ling Ying, Xiao Zhan's expression turned wary.

"Miss Xun'er, could you tell us what happened and why you had to injure Xiao Yan?" the first elder asked, his tone gentle and non-confrontational.

"I was sleeping when he suddenly entered my room. At first, I thought he had mistakenly entered the wrong room and ignored him. But he didn't leave. Instead, he lifted my blanket and tried to touch me," Gu Xun'er explained calmly.

"What?" The first elder's eyes widened, and he glanced at Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan froze, clearly not expecting such a revelation.

"Now, do you still wish to blame my lady?" Ling Ying asked coldly.

"Ha, senior, you jest. We only invited Miss Xun'er here to clarify the situation, not to place blame," the first elder quickly clarified. Turning to Xun'er, he added, "Miss Xun'er, I deeply apologize for disturbing your rest at this late hour. The fault lies entirely with Xiao Yan, and we were negligent in preventing this. From now on, your courtyard will be off-limits to all Xiao Clan members. Anyone who dares trespass will face your judgment."

"And what about Xiao Yan?" Mu Chen interjected.

"A young man sneaking into a girl's room in the middle of the night deserves his fate. He brought this upon himself," the first elder replied solemnly.