Female Protagonist Assistance System

Chapter 44 : . The Nalan Family

For some reason, after staying at the hotel for one night, Gu Xun'er clearly felt a subtle distancing from Xiao Han.

The young miss Gu couldn't understand why, but faced with Xiao Han's expressionless face, she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Xiao Han had originally planned to go directly to Cloud Mist Sect, but she inadvertently learned that due to the approaching Alchemist Grand Meeting, the number of alchemists in the Holy City had increased. The Nalan family was searching everywhere for alchemists, hoping to help Nalan Jie remove the poison in his body. Nalan Yanran had also returned from Cloud Mist Sect to the Nalan family to accompany the elder Nalan Jie.

Upon learning of this situation, Xiao Han pondered for a moment and then decided to take Gu Xun'er to the Nalan family.

As they approached the imposing mansion, the two discovered that there was a crowd gathered at the entrance. All of these people were wearing alchemists' robes, with several dazzling silver wave patterns on their chests proudly displaying their identity and rank.

The Nalan family clearly didn't dare to treat these alchemists casually. At the entrance, some servants were respectfully saying something to the waiting alchemists. Only after confirming that they indeed had the required abilities were they allowed to enter.

Some alchemists whose abilities were truly questionable were politely refused. Although this action made those who were blocked somewhat dissatisfied, considering the influence of the Nalan family and Nalan Yanran's relationship with Cloud Mist Sect, they could only leave with slight displeasure.

After observing for a while, the two found that those allowed to enter were all third-grade alchemists, while those of second grade or first grade who came to watch the excitement were all blocked.

"Let's go," Xiao Han withdrew her gaze and said calmly to Gu Xun'er, taking the lead in walking towards the grand and imposing mansion.

There it was again.

Gu Xun'er felt somewhat troubled. What exactly had happened last night? Why had Senior Sister reverted to her cold and distant demeanor after waking up?

As soon as the two arrived at the entrance, an elderly man who seemed to be the butler hurriedly came to greet them. However, when he saw their youthful appearances and the second-grade alchemist badge on Gu Xun'er's chest, a barely perceptible disappointment flashed in his cloudy old eyes. Although their age somewhat surprised him, their rank didn't meet the requirements.

Xiao Han spoke to him calmly: "Could you please inform Nalan Yanran? Tell her a friend is visiting."

Hearing this, the old man was slightly shocked: "Is this young friend an acquaintance of our young miss? May I ask your esteemed name?"

"Xiao Han of the Xiao family from Wutan City."

The old man became even more surprised. The Xiao family from Wutan City? If he remembered correctly, that was the family where the young miss went to break off her engagement three years ago.

The young miss actually had a friend from the Xiao family?

Thinking of the approaching three-year agreement, the old man became somewhat suspicious of Xiao Han and Gu Xun'er's intentions, but he wasn't sure.

"Please wait a moment, I will go inform the young miss immediately."

Forget it, better tell the young miss. If they are truly friends, they should be welcomed and treated kindly. If they're here to cause trouble, they can be driven out.

After speaking, the old man cupped his hands and turned to enter.

Not long after, a white figure happily ran out. Who else could it be but Nalan Yanran, whom they hadn't seen for so long?

"Xiao Han, why are you here?" As soon as she saw Xiao Han, Nalan Yanran's eyes instantly lit up. "Just now, Grandpa Butler told me that someone from the Xiao family named Xiao Han was here to see me. I thought you had sent someone to seek refuge here again. I didn't expect it to really be you."

Hearing her words, Xiao Han understood that Xiao Yi Xian had already been betrayed and had come to Cloud Mist Sect with the cloud token.

After rapidly firing off a bunch of words expressing her surprise and joy, Nalan Yanran finally noticed Gu Xun'er behind Xiao Han. She was surprised for a moment, then slapped her forehead: "Oh, this must be the disciple Xiao Yi Xian mentioned, right? Hello, I'm Nalan Yanran."

Looking at the lively and cheerful young woman before her, Gu Xun'er curved her lips slightly and said: "Hello, I'm Xiao Xun'er."

"Don't just stand at the door talking, come in quickly," Nalan Yanran said with a smile. "Xiao Yi Xian is waiting for us."

Xiao Han nodded: "It seems you and Xiao Yi Xian get along well."

Nalan Yanran paused slightly, thinking of something that made her cheeks turn slightly red: "Who-who gets along well with her?"

There she goes, being tsundere again.

Seeing Nalan Yanran's lovestruck appearance, Xiao Han knew that these two likely had some unspoken relationship.

Following Nalan Yanran along the small path paved with green gravel, Xiao Han's eyes suddenly narrowed slightly. In her perception, after entering the Nalan family compound, subtle gazes and soul perception forces shot out from some hidden corners, observing their every move.

Casually raising her head and glancing at a roof eave, she saw some black shadows hidden in the darkness. A series of sharp arrowheads, painted black to avoid reflecting sunlight, were slowly moving within the compound. Any slight movement would cause them to instantly launch their attack.

Xiao Han greatly disliked this feeling of being watched. This kind of surveillance could definitely be considered offensive to a powerhouse.

But there was nothing she could do. After all, this was her friend's residence. Xiao Han could only endure it; she really couldn't say anything.

"The invited alchemists are all gathered in the front hall over there," Nalan Yanran explained, pointing to a building not far away as they walked. "You don't need to go there, right?"

Xiao Han nodded slightly and asked: "What happened to Nalan Jie?"

"A few years ago, Grandfather fought with an extremely poisonous fifth-grade magical beast, the Branding Venom Python. Although he eventually killed it, he was unfortunately injected with a type of poison, the Branding Venom... You're proficient in alchemy, so you probably know how formidable this poison is."

"For these years, relying on his powerful Dou Qi, Grandfather has been suppressing the poison. However, as he's aged, the poison's rebound has become increasingly strong. Half a month ago, the Branding Venom hidden in his body finally erupted completely. Under this outbreak, even Grandfather, who was at the Dou Wang level, completely collapsed. Now, the entire Nalan family is in chaos, searching everywhere for alchemists to help."

Nalan Yanran explained as they walked: "Even Pill King Gu He couldn't do anything."

Xiao Han made a sound of acknowledgment: "Wasn't it said that Gu He was in seclusion, so he wasn't invited to help?"

Nalan Yanran sneered: "What seclusion? How come I don't know about Gu He being in any seclusion? Master Gu He has already tried but couldn't remove the Branding Venom. That kind of poison, just like its name, is deeply branded into your bones and even bone marrow. Any pill would find it difficult to remove."

As for why the news outside said Gu He was in seclusion... Tch, probably because Gu He was worried about damaging his reputation.

"Speaking of this Pill King makes me angry! This person came to Cloud Mist Sect making a big fuss, proposing to Teacher, and acting as if he would pester her endlessly if she didn't agree. If it weren't for Grand Teacher intervening, this person would probably still be shamelessly lingering at Cloud Mist Sect!"

Speaking of this, Nalan Yanran became puffed up with anger, clearly having been greatly irritated by that shameless alchemist.

Xiao Han remained noncommittal.

As they spoke, the three arrived at a spacious courtyard. Nalan Yanran pushed open the courtyard gate, and Xiao Han immediately saw a white-robed young woman sitting in the center of the garden, lowering her head to read a book.

Hearing the movement, the young woman instinctively raised her head. Upon seeing Nalan Yanran, she closed her book and revealed a gentle smile: "You're back?"

Nalan Yanran walked in: "Let me introduce you. This is my friend, Xiao Han, and beside her is..."

"Xun'er?"

Nalan Yanran was interrupted by the young woman's surprised exclamation.

Gu Xun'er also smiled slightly: "Long time no see, Xiao Yi Xian."

Nalan Yanran pouted: "Oh, I almost forgot you two know each other."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled gently, then turned her gaze to Xiao Han beside Gu Xun'er, her beautiful eyes showing some confusion: "May I ask who this is..."

Nalan Yanran laughed heartily: "This is my friend, Xiao Han of the Xiao family, and also Miss Xun'er's teacher."

Before Xiao Han could stop her, she heard Nalan Yanran very frankly selling her out.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian covered her mouth in surprise: "Xun'er's teacher... Isn't it that elderly gentleman?"

"Uh..." Realizing she had let something slip, Nalan Yanran suddenly froze. She raised her hand to scratch her cheek, smiling sheepishly.

Xiao Han couldn't help but want to facepalm. She really regretted it. If she had known this would happen, she should have made this girl accidentally lose her memory when she lifted her hood.

Nalan Yanran, whose gaze was wandering around the courtyard, not daring to look at Xiao Han, suddenly felt a chill down her spine, making her involuntarily shrink her neck. She felt as if she had been targeted by some dangerous entity.

There was no help for it. Xiao Han sighed inwardly. Anyway, by the looks of it, Xiao Yi Xian would eventually find out her identity... How had she been so bewitched as to believe that this Nalan Yanran girl could keep her mouth shut??

"Long time no see." This time, Xiao Han used the hoarse voice she had used when pretending to be Han Xiao.

Hearing this voice, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes widened suddenly. She quickly stood up, her face showing some nervousness: "Sir..."

Xiao Han waved her hand and switched back to her original voice: "You can just call me by my name."

"Don't just stand there talking, come sit down. I've had some plum wine sent over, would everyone like to try some?" As the host, Nalan Yanran naturally needed to take the initiative in entertaining the guests.

Hearing her words, Xiao Han swept her gaze around and, sure enough, saw two bottles of wine on the table in the courtyard, along with four small, exquisite wine cups.

Responding with a sound of acknowledgment, the group sat down around the stone table.

Pouring a cup of wine, Xiao Han first habitually smelled it. A fresh aroma of plums wafted up, accompanied by a slight alcoholic scent. It smelled quite nice.

She took a sip. This plum wine had almost no alcoholic taste, only the sweetness of plums with a slight tartness. It was more like a beverage than wine.

Gu Xun'er also liked this plum wine very much. Her eyes curved in a smile, showing that she was in a good mood.

"By the way, Xiao Han, you still haven't told me why you came to the Holy City this time?" Nalan Yanran raised her chin slightly, watching Xiao Yi Xian elegantly pour her another cup of wine, then asked.

Xiao Han took a sip of wine and said: "The Alchemist Grand Meeting. Moreover, the three-year agreement is approaching."

Nalan Yanran was stunned for a moment, then became somewhat agitated: "What? Do you think I'll lose?"

"That Xiao Yan has some secrets," Xiao Han said calmly, ignoring the agitated tsundere young sect master. "He's very likely to cheat, and no one will be able to discover it."

"Cheat..." Hearing Xiao Han's explanation, Nalan Yanran was slightly stunned, then showed a disdainful expression: "Is he even a man? Cheating? Does he have no shame?"

The cheating Xiao Han mentioned actually referred to asking Yao Lao for help. The system had said that in the original story, Yao Lao had promised that during the three-year agreement, if Xiao Yan couldn't win, he would step in to assist. She wasn't sure if Yao Lao, who was now disappointed in Xiao Yan, would still help, but it was always better to be cautious.