Chapter 58 Protection

  Outside the entrance of Jufu Building, a slightly dark alleyway had three men in green clothes sneaking around and staring at the front door.

  One of them was the sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked man who had just been selling water with Xia Yan and Li Yuan Chun by the well on Long Street. He hid in a shaded area, his eyes gleaming with greed as he savagely licked his dry, cracked lips.

  "Old Two, you said that fat sheep entered the Jufu Building. Why is it that more than an hour has passed and he still hasn't come out?" The burliest man among them glared with a fierce gaze, his voice coarse.

  The man called Lao Er, the water seller, chuckled and said: "I saw them enter Jufu Building with my own eyes, there's no mistake. Big brother, they will definitely come out of Jufu Building in a while."

  "Second brother, you said that fat sheep has a bulging money bag on its body, didn't you?" The third person's eyes sparkled, with the tallest stature and protruding teeth and forehead.

  "Hmph, of course it's not wrong, I saw it with my own eyes. The fat sheep had at least several tens of gold coins on its body." Old Second puffed out his cheeks and narrowed his eyes.

  These three men were not from the Yuanshui City, but were fugitives. After looting a city, they would run to another city. They had done this many times before and had rich experience with cunning means. Although they robbed, they did not take people's lives.

  "Second brother, beside that fat sheep, are you certain there's no guard?" The eldest was the most cautious by nature, and although second brother had said it multiple times, he still asked again and again.

  Generally, the rich have bodyguards with them, and if they do, their risk of being robbed increases. The reason these three people were able to commit crimes for many years without getting caught is that they were extremely cautious, and as long as the situation wasn't right, they would rather not rob than take a risk.

  "Hey, big brother, that kid looks like a weak scholar, no guards around him. Although there's another guy with him, I don't think he'll be a threat. If that guy had any real power, why would he go to the street corner to drink water? He's so poor he can't even afford to enter a teahouse, no way he has any great abilities. Big brother, we just need to wait for that kid to walk down a deserted street, then make one move and snatch his money pouch, and quickly leave Yushui City." Old Two's eyes flashed, and with a loud whoop, he punched the air excitedly.

  The other person he mentioned was Li Yuan Chun.

  Normally, a powerful cultivator would not be so poor that they couldn't even afford water. Yet Li Yuanchun was forced to drink from the street well, clearly he didn't have any real skills.

  It was precisely because of this that Lao Er harbored evil intentions after Xia Yan's wealth was revealed. He called over his two brothers, planning to rob Xia Yan and then leave Yushui City together.

  "Hehe, Second Brother is in charge, I'm at ease! Hehe, if we can grab a few dozen gold coins this time, my three brothers and I will be able to live comfortably for a while." The Third Brother said with a sly smile.

  "Uh-huh, when you see the fat sheep, I'll give a signal to take action, then you can move." The boss's voice sank, his eyes scanning Lao Er and Lao San.

  Old Second and Old Third nodded in unison.

  ……………………

  Summer family residence!

  Xia Changhe had been busy for many days and hadn't visited Xia Yan's small courtyard. Today, just after noon, Xia Changhe took advantage of a brief break to arrive at Xia Yan's small courtyard.

  However, Xia Yan was not there, and the only one in the courtyard was a young maid named Xiao Qing. Xiao Qing had never seen Xia Changhe before, but seeing his extraordinary demeanor, she thought he must be an elder of the Xia family, so she responded with caution.

  "You said Xia Yan left at noon, do you know where he went?" Xia Changhe asked casually without seeing Xia Yan.

  He came this time to ask if Xia Yan had any difficulties in his cultivation. In the past, when Xia Yan's cultivation didn't make any progress at all, Xia Changhe would often come and chat with him. Now that Xia Yan's cultivation speed was rapid, Xia Changhe naturally wanted to chat with him even more.

  Xiao Qing poured tea for Xia Changhe and then said with her head down, "Young Master was invited by Miss Wang's family. When he left, he said he was going to eat."

  Xiao Qing stood by obediently as Xia Yan left, reminding her specifically that she wouldn't be back for lunch.

  Xia Changhe furrowed his brow and stood up from his seat, saying in a deep voice: "The young lady of the Wang family, which young lady of the Wang family?"

  Xiao Qing replied in a soft voice: "I heard Young Master say that the young lady's name is Wang Yu Yan."

  When Xiaoying said this name, Xia Changhe's face suddenly changed. Yu Shui City's Wang family, Wang Yuyan, who else? Must be the young lady of the Wang family, which is also known as one of the three major families along with the Xia family.

  Wang Yu Yan, for no reason at all, invited Xia Yan to dinner. Is there a hidden plot behind this?

  In an instant, Xia Changhe thought of several possibilities. The current Xia Yan is extremely important to the Xia family, directly related to the future status of the Xia family and even the hope of the Xia family. Xia Yan's safety is paramount. Especially since the recent Elder Council has already made Xia Yan a key cultivation object for the Xia family.

  What's even more worrying is that in another half month, it will be the battle for the three major families' quotas. At this moment, Wang Yuyan invites Xia Yan to dinner, but will there be any conspiracy?

  As the elder of the Xia family, Xia Changhe couldn't help but think more and consider Xia Yan's safety. Even if the possibility of the Wang family having ulterior motives was small, Xia Changhe still had to react as quickly as possible.

  Seeing Xia Changhe's intense reaction, Xiao Qing was startled and her face also turned somewhat pale, thinking that something big had happened.

  "The Wang Family..."

  Xia Changhe only said two words before quickly leaving Xia Yan's courtyard, leaving Xiao Qing looking stunned and bewildered. Xiao Qing gazed at the teacup still emitting steam, unsure of what had just happened. These family matters were not something a young maid like her could understand, nor did she think to delve deeper.

  "It won't be a big deal if I'm just a little late, right? Absolutely don't..." Xia Qing's new home suddenly became tense.

  ……

  "What? Xia Yan was invited by Wang Yu Yan?" The patriarch, Xia Fei Long, also changed his face color upon hearing the news, with a hint of ferocity flashing in his eyes.

  If the Wang family really had some other purpose, then...

  "Yes, Xia Yan's maid said that Xia Yan left at noon. It has been a good hour since then. Clan leader, Wang Yu Xian invited Xia Yan to dinner, it must be in the Aggregation Hall of the Wang family. Why don't I take people to pick up Xia Yan now?" Xia Chang He said urgently with his chest heaving violently.

  No matter what other purposes the Wang family has, the Xia family must bring Xia Yan back as soon as possible. Now is a critical moment, and in another half month, it will be the Three Families' Competition. The Three Families' Competition is of great importance to the three families, and even the Holy Temple of Yushui City will pay attention to this competition. At that time, many temple officials will go to watch the battle. If Xia Yan encounters an accident before the competition and cannot participate in the competition, it would be a disaster for the Xia family.

  Xia Fei Long hesitated for a moment, the fierce glint in his eyes receding, and said: "Third Elder, I think it's better if the Great Elder goes personally. This way is more appropriate."

  Xia Fei Long's meaning is that the Great Elder's strength is second only to the Spiritual Master, and if they really encounter a special situation, they also have a grasp on how to respond.

  Xia Changhe thought for a moment, then nodded and said: "The patriarch is right! Then please ask the great elder to take the trouble, hurry up and lead people to Ju Fu Building. Xia Yan is having dinner at Ju Fu Building, as our Xia family's key cultivation object, sending someone to protect him is also necessary, even if the Wang family is uncomfortable, they can't say anything."

  Xia Feilong smiled and said: "Exactly!"