Chapter 272: Xiao Family's Crisis

Three days later, Wu Tan City, Xiao Family.

"Damn it! The Oba family is too outrageous. They're blatantly stealing our market business, just like the Jia Lie family did before!"

"And now they have Rejuvenation Powder and a Grade-3 pill, Windwalk Elixir! Where on earth did they get so many pills?"

"Exactly! A Grade-3 pill like Windwalk Elixir means there's a Grade-3 alchemist backing the Oba family. What do we do now?"

In the Xiao Family's hall, tensions were running high. While their previous partnership with Mu Chen had alleviated their immediate crisis, the family now faced a new threat. Using the pills provided by Mu Chen, the Xiao Family had gained temporary relief, though without much profit.

But before they could stabilize, the Oba family, previously on the brink of bankruptcy, suddenly announced the availability of Coagulation Powder, a low-tier healing pill. In a bid to recover lost customers and attract new ones, the Oba family offered three days of promotional discounts, selling Coagulation Powder for just nine gold coins per pill.

Although Yafei had sold the pills to the Oba family at ten gold coins each, the Oba family was willing to take a loss to regain their foothold in the market. To limit their losses, they imposed daily purchase limits and aggressively promoted their premium offering, the Windwalk Elixir. This strategic approach not only allowed the Oba family to recover but even helped them turn a modest profit while reviving foot traffic in their market.

The Oba family's success came at the expense of the Xiao and Jia Lie families, whose market traffic dwindled drastically in just a few days. Merchants in their markets grew restless, and loyal customers quietly began migrating to the Oba family. If this trend continued, both the Xiao and Jia Lie families would face bankruptcy within half a month.

"Stop standing around! Someone needs to come up with a solution!" the second elder said, his face dark with frustration.

"What else can we do? We have no choice but to ask Master Mu Chen for help again," the third elder said with a sigh.

"To counter the Oba family, we must have a Grade-3 pill of our own. But Master Mu Chen is so young—can he even refine a Grade-3 pill?" the second elder asked skeptically.

"Regardless, we have to try. We can't just sit and wait to die," Xiao Zhan, the family head, said. He turned his gaze to Xiao Yu. "Xiao Yu, why don't you go and plead with Master Mu Chen again?"

"Me?" Xiao Yu froze, visibly conflicted and resistant.

She had not forgotten how Mu Chen had touched her leg—and seen far more. The thought of pleading with him again filled her with reluctance.

"Yu'er, for the sake of the Xiao Family, you have to ask him," her grandfather, the first elder, urged.

"But Grandpa…" Xiao Yu stammered, her tone full of resistance. "I don't even know where he's been these days."

"Xiao Yu, I saw Master Mu Chen just now. He's resting in the courtyard," a Xiao family disciple reported.

"Yu'er, for the family's sake, please go," the first elder pressed.

"This…" Xiao Yu hesitated but, under the intense gazes of everyone in the hall, reluctantly nodded.

When Xiao Yu arrived at the courtyard where Gu Xun'er resided, she found herself hesitating. She had no idea how to start the conversation.

"If you've come, you might as well come in," Mu Chen's voice called from inside the room.

Moments later, the door opened on its own, revealing Mu Chen seated on a chair inside.

With no other choice, Xiao Yu steeled herself and entered the room. She gripped her silver sword tightly as she approached Mu Chen, who gazed at her with a faint smile.

"Speak. What brings you here?" Mu Chen asked, though he already knew the answer.

"It wasn't my idea to come," Xiao Yu said curtly.

"Oh? Your legs walked you here, didn't they? How is it not your idea?" Mu Chen teased.

"I mean it. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the Xiao Family's current crisis. We're asking for your help," Xiao Yu admitted reluctantly.

"I see." Mu Chen responded flatly.

"In return, we're willing to meet any of your conditions. Just name them," Xiao Yu added.

"Let's go."

"Go?"

"Come with me to the family hall. They're probably waiting for us," Mu Chen said with a smile as he stood and headed out.

"You like me, don't you?" Mu Chen suddenly asked, causing Xiao Yu to stumble in shock.

"What did you say?" she asked, her face flushing.

"I said, you like me," Mu Chen repeated with a teasing grin.

"You're spouting nonsense! Why would I like you?" Xiao Yu shot back defensively.

"Xun'er told me you've been coming here often these past few days to check if I was around. Admit it—you've fallen for me," Mu Chen said with a laugh.

"Rubbish! I only came to find you so I could kill you!" Xiao Yu retorted, though her flushed cheeks betrayed her.

Mu Chen's expression froze briefly before breaking into a knowing smile. In the original story, Xiao Yu had borne a grudge against Xiao Yan after he touched her leg, but over time, her feelings turned into affection.

Now, thanks to Mu Chen's intervention, he wondered if history was repeating itself—but with him as the object of her conflicted emotions.

"You're blushing. Still think you don't like me?" Mu Chen teased.

"Shut up! If not for the family's crisis, I'd kill you right now to avenge my humiliation!" Xiao Yu snapped.

"Xiao Yu, ever heard the saying, The deeper the hate, the deeper the love?" Mu Chen asked slyly.

"What are you implying?" Xiao Yu demanded.

"I'm saying you might not even realize it yet, but maybe your resentment is just your way of expressing feelings you don't know how to handle. Perhaps you're just finding excuses to stay near me," Mu Chen replied.

Xiao Yu froze, staring at Mu

Chen's back in a daze.

Could it be? Have I really started to… like him?

(End of Chapter)