321 He’s Not Xiao Mingyan
Ye Xuan couldn’t understand what he had gone through to abandon his identity and even say that Xiao Mingyan was dead.

Ye Xuan declared, “The Xiao Mingyan I knew back then wasn’t such a person. He stood up for his friends and helped them. Although we’ve only known each other for a short time, I don’t think he’s someone who would give up easily.”

Xiao Mingyan was unmoved. He appeared calm, but the blue veins on his hands were popping and there was a pained look in his eyes.

All sorts of images appeared in his mind. He used to be so high-spirited, but all the praises and experiences he had were fleeting. They were all shattered by Xiao Wuyou.

In his daze, he felt that the first half of his life was a joke. His spine was still in pain, but no matter how painful it was, it couldn’t compare to the pain and bitterness in his heart.

It was as if he was living in hell. He could only rely on alcohol to numb himself so that he could barely feel human.

“I already said I’m not Xiao Mingyan!”

The hoarseness in his voice betrayed his reluctance and struggle. Even if he was unwilling to bow his head to reality, so what? He was now a cripple. Let alone taking revenge, he could barely survive. Even living was difficult.

Seeing Xiao Mingyan continuously deny himself, Ye Xuan was a little disappointed. He took out the remaining Monkey Wine that he had and threw it over.

“Last time, we said that we would drink and chat merrily when we meet again. It seems that I was mistaken.”

Smelling the familiar scent, Xiao Mingyan was stunned. He mumbled, “You don’t know anything…The current Xiao Mingyan has nothing. He’s a cripple, unable to do anything.”

Seeing that he had admitted that he was Xiao Mingyan, A’tian’s eyes widened and his gaping mouth could almost fit an egg. He stuttered, “He, he really is…”

Xiao Mingyan took a big gulp of wine. The originally sweet wine was now extremely bitter.

“I’m very happy that you came to see me.”

Ever since his life changed drastically and his supreme dragon bone was extracted, his parents remained indifferent. They didn’t even visit him or give him an explanation.

He received such cold treatment from his close relatives and clan members, not to mention those people who had been close to him before. They had never come to visit him. Moreover, Xiao Mingyan did not want others to see him in this sorry state.

He never thought that Ye Xuan would come to his door. This person he had only met once was simply beyond Xiao Mingyan’s expectations.

“It seems that I didn’t befriend you in vain.”

Initially, Xiao Mingyan was the proud son of the Xiao clan of Jade City, while Ye Xuan was just an itinerant cultivator who was troubled by Zhao Huaifeng. The former helped him out because he couldn’t stand injustice. Now, their positions were reversed.

“What happened?”

Since his identity had been exposed, Xiao Mingyan had no need to hide it anymore. This matter was a secret of the Xiao clan.

Outsiders believed that he had gone berserk while cultivating. Those who were well-informed, such as Zhao Huaifeng and the other great clans, knew that his supreme dragon bone had been extracted, but they didn’t know the reason behind it.

“My mother drugged me and extracted my supreme dragon bone. She then gave it to Xiao Wuyou,” Xiao Mingyan explained.

When he recalled Xiao Wuyou’s attitude towards him, the latter treated him as though he was his enemy. Xiao Mingyan still couldn’t understand why. Their brotherhood had ended, and he didn’t want to call this person his little brother.

The only reason why he had held on until now was to ask his father and mother why they were treating him like this.

Xiao Mingyan gave a one-line explanation, but it was enough to reveal the suffering he had been through.

Even Ye Xuan was stunned, let alone A’tian. He couldn’t help but ask, “How could this happen? Young Master Xiao, are you and Xiao Wuyou actual brothers by birth?”

Xiao Mingyan revealed a bitter smile, and his throat was extremely dry. Even outsiders were shocked by what Xiao Wuyou had done. One could only imagine how much more in shock he was.

“I’d like to know the answer too, but I’ve been chased out and can’t go back to the Xiao clan. No one would believe me even if I said I was the young master of the Xiao clan.”

It was rumored that Xiao Mingyan was recuperating in Xiao Manor after going berserk, but who would have imagined that he was living on the streets, living worse than a beggar?

He had been thrown into the gutter, but even so, Xiao Mingyan still had his pride, and it was impossible for him to go out into the streets and reveal his identity.

There were still many people waiting to add insult to injury. If he really did so, his end would probably be even more miserable than now.

A’tian initially thought that his own life was miserable enough. He didn’t expect to see someone even more miserable than him. He commented, “Young Master Xiao, you’re really too miserable.”

People like A’tian were already at the bottom rung of society, but Xiao Mingyan was different. The proud son of heaven had fallen from his high status. He had been betrayed by his closest family members. Now, he was even worse off than a beggar. One could imagine how he felt.

Xiao Mingyan smiled sarcastically as he said, “Why are you still calling me Young Master Xiao? I’m just a cripple.”

Ye Xuan couldn’t help but reveal a look of sympathy. He scanned Xiao Mingyan with his divine sense. Xiao Mingyan was in terrible condition.

On top of the broken meridians in his body, his breathing was extremely erratic. The wound on the back of his spine was appalling. It left such a huge scar after his supreme dragon bone had been extracted from his body.

It was a miracle that Xiao Mingyan was still alive.

Ye Xuan looked at Xiao Mingyan with a serious look in his eyes. He assured the latter, “I can help you.”

Xiao Mingyan’s eyes had long lost their sparkle. They were no longer as clear and bright as before. He said, “Even divine physicians wouldn’t be able to help me. My root bone has been extracted. I am a cripple. Just leave me to my fate.”

He didn’t want to drag Ye Xuan down with him. Even if Ye Xuan was really capable of helping him, so what? This mess was not something ordinary people should get involved in. If Ye Xuan helped him, the former would be dragged into this mess.

“I’m already very content that you came to see me. As for the rest of my journey…”

Xiao Mingyan did not finish his sentence, but the meaning between the lines was obvious. The only thing he could do now was await death.