Chapter 130: The Rookie Tournament

Wanqi Yi looked up at him. "I would like to know why as well."

The relationship between the Wanqi and Bai families had been quite good over a decade ago, even involving a marriage alliance; Wanqi Lianjun’s wife, Bai Ruwan, was a member of the Bai family. However, after Bai Ruwan went missing more than ten years ago, the relationship between the two families reached a stalemate. The Wanqi family felt a deep sense of guilt toward the Bai family, while the Bai family rarely mentioned the incident, leaving the two sides with seemingly no further interaction.

Yet, if the Bai family harbored resentment toward the Wanqi, why not speak directly to the Wanqi family to demand an explanation? Why target a child like Xuan Xuan? Wanqi Yi could not fathom it.

"What did Bai Ruchen want with you?" Wanqi Yi asked again, seeing that Wanqi Lianjun remained silent.

Wanqi Lianjun’s brow furrowed even deeper. "He asked about the medicinal formulas. I don’t know what he was after, so I gave him a perfunctory response and came straight to you."

Wanqi Lianhao and Xuan Xuan stood by in silence.

Wanqi Yi tapped on the table, trying to sort out the situation with the Bai family, but ultimately arrived at no conclusion. He turned to Xuan Xuan. "What is the matter with this?"

Realizing she finally had a moment of relevance, Xuan Xuan shook the object in her hand and said, "This item is rare. It has a faint, elegant fragrance and can seem to aid sleep if used in small amounts. However, long-term, high-dosage use is toxic. Furthermore, when Wuhua grass is combined with another specific substance, it can trigger sudden death."

At the word "toxic," everyone’s expressions shifted, and the words "sudden death" caused the faces of everyone present to pale drastically.

Xuan Xuan observed their reactions before continuing, "That other substance is quite rare; normally, one wouldn't come into contact with it."

"The dosage Uncle was exposed to previously wasn't high, which is why I didn't say anything, and it had been discontinued for several years, causing no harm to his health. But now, it's present again, and in a high concentration." Only then did Xuan Xuan ask Wanqi Lianjun, "What did you come into contact with? What did you eat or drink?"

"What did Bai Ruchen give you?" Wanqi Yi’s eyes were sharp. He could have let go of the Bai family’s past actions for the sake of Bai Ruwan, but he would not tolerate repeated threats to the health of his family members.

Wanqi Lianjun’s brow remained tightly knit, his throat feeling dry. "It was something of A-Wan’s from the past."

The others were confused. Could it really be unintentional? The scent was so faint, it was hard to detect. Bai Ruwan had always carried this fragrance; could her disappearance be linked to this as well?

Xuan Xuan asked Wanqi Lianjun to produce the item. Wanqi Lianjun took out a necklace. Clearly, he cherished it deeply and carried it with him at all times; it was precisely this that allowed the toxicity of the Wuhua grass to enter his system.

After examining the necklace—the craftsmanship was incredibly fine—Xuan Xuan dismantled it. The pendant was hollow, filled entirely with concentrated Wuhua grass extract.

Handing the item back to Wanqi Lianjun, Xuan Xuan remarked, "The necklace is old, but the substance inside was freshly prepared."

The reason she had wanted to see what Wanqi Lianjun was holding was that she knew a volatile substance like this could not have maintained such high potency for over a decade.

The three men’s expressions were grim; it was clearly a premeditated act.

Xuan Xuan continued her questioning—she had wanted to ask this for ten years. "Uncle, in your bedroom, there is a box containing a ring. The box smells strongly of Wuhua grass. Who gave you that?"

Wanqi Lianjun’s face turned deathly pale. Xuan Xuan felt a pang of regret for asking, but Wanqi Lianjun murmured, "A-Wan gave it to me. It was something she left for me."

Xuan Xuan fell silent. This "A-Wan" was clearly the mother of Wanqi Weihao and Wanqi Weihan. Why would she give this poisonous item to Wanqi Lianjun? Was she unaware, or was it intentional? And if it was intentional, why?

Xuan Xuan handed a bottle of high-grade antidote to Wanqi Lianjun. Because so much time had passed, the primary antidote would be ineffective, and the high-grade version was something even Old Ji and his team had not yet managed to synthesize.

Wanqi Lianjun took the medicine, clutching it tightly. His expression steadied slightly, though he still looked unwell. "Bai Ruchen used to send things to me and the boys, which I never used. But yesterday, he said the servants were cleaning A-Wan’s old bedroom and found things she had left behind, so he asked me to come out."

"After I arrived, he gave me this—it is indeed A-Wan’s. Then, he asked about the medicinal formulas our family is developing in cooperation with the Kuang family and Zhan Yu. I used my mood as an excuse, said we could discuss it another time, and left early. Later, I felt it wasn't that simple. If he truly wanted to cooperate, he wouldn't have asked me out privately, especially using A-Wan’s belongings as a pretext, so I came back to find you." After speaking, Wanqi Lianjun patted Xuan Xuan’s head.

If not for Xuan Xuan, he feared he wouldn't have known he’d been targeted for so long. But who was behind this, and for what purpose?

Wanqi Yi sighed. "This must be investigated thoroughly. I hope it’s just someone acting on their own, rather than the Bai family itself." If it were just one person, it would be easier to handle; if it were the entire Bai family, the problem was severe.

"Xuan Xuan, go get some rest. This afternoon, accompany your uncle to look into the people from Tianshui Star." Wanqi Yi sent Xuan Xuan away.

After she left, Wanqi Yi said, "Lianhao, assist your eldest brother in investigating this. I fear this is not simple. Back then, A-Wan’s disappearance was unclear because of the Bai family, and it was never properly resolved."

Wanqi Lianjun said nothing, while Wanqi Lianhao nodded.

Xuan Xuan did not linger and returned to her room.

Noticing the heavy atmosphere, Wanqi Lianhao recalled what Wanqi Weihao had told him earlier and asked Wanqi Yi, "What are the Kuang and Zhan families up to?"

"Hm?" The Kuang and Zhan families? Wanqi Yi was confused by the abrupt shift. "What about them?"

Wanqi Lianhao said with a dark expression, "After Xuan Xuan went to school, she discovered that Zhan Yu was actually there teaching their 'Body Techniques.' Later, she saw Kuang Shao at the Federal First Military Academy teaching 'Mecha Piloting.' Why would they be there for no reason? I had someone ask Principal Liao Kun, and he said it was out of 'consideration for our Xuan Xuan'."

"Xuan Xuan?" Wanqi Yi asked. "What do they have to do with her? Besides, aren't they too busy for this?"

Wanqi Lianhao’s face grew even darker. "Principal Liao Kun said they both came specifically for Xuan Xuan and insisted on being teachers for her class."

Wanqi Yi slammed the table. "What do the brats from the Zhan and Kuang families want?" The Kuang family clearly wanted to poach her—he had long known that old fox Kuang Hongyi wanted to snatch Xuan Xuan—but what was the Zhan family planning?

"That Kuang Shao is no good, and Zhan Yu has been thick as thieves with him since they were kids; he’s likely no better," Wanqi Lianhao added quickly, determined to keep his grandfather on his side.

Wanqi Yi thought of the rumors about Kuang Shao in the capital. "I’m going to ask Liao Kun why he’s letting just anyone into the school. He dares to let people in who are intentionally approaching our Xuan Xuan!"

Wanqi Lianhao looked pleased; having Wanqi Yi step in to drive Zhan Yu and Kuang Shao away was the best solution.

Tong Wan was knocking on the door when she heard this; her eyes lit up. *Perhaps there’s something going on between Zhan Yu and Xuan Xuan.* Although Kuang Shao had been a bit wild in his younger years, there hadn't been any bad rumors about him in the last decade.

Seeing Wanqi Yi reach for his communication device to contact Liao Kun, Tong Wan stopped knocking and blocked his path. "One is good at body techniques, the other at mecha piloting. What’s wrong with them teaching Xuan Xuan? They aren't just teaching her alone, why are you in such a rush?"

Wanqi Yi stiffened his neck. "I’ll teach the body techniques, and Lianhao will teach the mecha piloting. We don’t need them!" His granddaughter didn't need outsiders teaching her, especially two characters with "ulterior motives."

Tong Wan glared at him. "Do you even have the time? You’re out until dark every day."

Wanqi Lianhao rubbed his forehead. With Tong Wan around, Wanqi Yi would never hold his ground.

Sure enough, Wanqi Yi coughed twice and changed the subject. Once Tong Wan left the study, Wanqi Yi whispered, "Make sure to tell Wanqi Weihao and Wanqi Weihan to keep an eye on Zhan Yu and Kuang Shao. Don't let them get near Xuan Xuan."

Wanqi Lianhao nodded; that went without saying.

"Those two old fools from the Kuang and Zhan families must be bored lately if they dare to target my granddaughter. If they push me too far..." His temper flared, his voice rising, but he stopped abruptly when he heard a noise outside, thinking it was Tong Wan. Once he realized it wasn't, he muttered, "If they push me too far, I’ll see to it that both their lines end."

Wanqi Lianjun looked at the agitated Wanqi Lianhao and Wanqi Yi. Thinking of how Xuan Xuan was growing into a young woman, a trace of a smile finally touched his lips.

That afternoon, Wanqi Lianjun took Xuan Xuan to meet the people from Tianshui Star. The news was bad: there was indeed parasitic mutant insect contamination, though fortunately, it was only a low-level strain.

Xuan Xuan left medicinal formulas for Wanqi Lianjun, gave instructions on how to handle the situation, and promised to go to Tianshui Star over the weekend for a thorough inspection.

Just as she finished and returned to her room, she heard a knock. Opening the door, she found the two brothers, Wanqi Weihao and Wanqi Weihan. She was puzzled; they had been acting strangely that morning, so why were they here now?

"What is it?" She followed them out to the living room. Her father was out investigating her uncle's situation and wasn't home, but it seemed he hadn't told the brothers anything.

After hesitating for a moment, Wanqi Weihao spoke up. "Xuan Xuan, are you busy?"

"Busy." She shot him a sideways glance. *They definitely have an agenda.*

Just as they were waiting for her to say she wasn't busy so they could get to their point, Xuan Xuan’s single word blocked their path.

Seeing the conflicted looks on their faces, Xuan Xuan smiled and kindly let them off the hook. "What’s going on?"

Wanqi Weihao’s face lit up; Xuan Xuan saying that meant they were halfway there. "We want to participate in the Freshman Competition."

"Freshman Competition?" Xuan Xuan thought for a moment, but couldn't recall it. "What is that?"

"It’s a tradition at the Federal First Military Academy," Wanqi Weihao explained. "Every year after military training ends, there’s a competition where first-year students form teams to compete."