The Villain Snatched the Protagonist’s Master at the Start - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2: Xiao Fan, the Chosen One

A thunderous rumble echoed through the air like rolling thunder. Everyone in the city looked up in fear and awe at the floating palace overhead.

Hei Long stood tall with arrogance on his face. With a cold snort, his fierce aura burst out, enveloping the entire city. In an instant, it felt as if the heavens were collapsing.

Countless people fell to their knees, shivering in terror.

At the Xiao residence, the members of the clan looked around in panic, their eyes filled with unease.

Clan patriarch Xiao An hurried out of the Xiao residence with a group of elders. He had already seen the “Qin” character on the floating palace—proof of their identity.

“Xiao An of the Xiao family greets the esteemed members of the Qin family.”

His heart was full of dread.

Though his son was engaged to someone from the Qin family, the difference in their status was far too great. Besides, the engagement had been arranged by the old master of the Xiao family, who had already passed away.

He wasn’t sure if the engagement still held any weight.

Especially considering his son’s talent…

Sigh. Better not even bring it up.

Qin Jiang looked at Xiao An with a probing gaze. So this was Xiao Fan’s father?

That cultivation level… utterly pathetic.

He couldn’t even fly.

Qin Jiang had no intention of descending. He planned to break off the engagement in front of the whole city.

“Is Xiao Fan present?”

Qin Jiang’s voice echoed, amplified with spiritual power, reaching far and wide.

Xiao An glanced behind him. His son wasn’t there yet. He quickly responded, “My son has been diligent in his cultivation since childhood. He is still training. I will send someone to fetch him right away.”

As a subordinate clan on Qin family territory, Xiao An addressed them with humility, referring to himself as ‘subordinate.’

Upon hearing this, Qin Jiang said nothing. Xiao An immediately sent someone to retrieve Xiao Fan.

At the same time, he cautiously glanced at the floating palace, then gathered his courage and asked, “May I ask, esteemed one, what business do you have with my son?”

Qin Jiang didn’t bother to answer. He didn’t give Xiao An the slightest face, and Xiao An dared not press further.

Soon after, Xiao Fan was brought over.

“Esteemed one, my son has arrived,” Xiao An announced.

Qin Jiang looked down. He was no stranger to Xiao Fan. He had seen him countless times through the system’s spoilers.

At the same time, Qin Lian’er took one glance at him and immediately wrinkled her nose in disgust, “So ugly.”

Xiao Fan was still confused at this moment, unsure why he had been summoned.

“You are Xiao Fan?” Qin Jiang asked, looking straight at him.

Xiao Fan raised his head and replied with a calm yet firm expression, “That’s right.”

Just as he spoke, a tremendous force enveloped him. Hei Long’s cold voice rang out, “You failed to show respect to the Young Master. You must be punished. Kneel and slap yourself!”

Such overwhelming power was far beyond Xiao Fan’s ability to resist. His legs gave out and he crashed to the ground.

Fury flared in his eyes.

Xiao An was also startled, but he didn’t dare defy the Qin family—especially since…

Young Master? This person was the Qin family’s Young Master!

He swallowed nervously. A realization struck him, and anger flashed in his eyes, but he dared not express it.

Taking a deep breath, he bowed slightly and said, “My son is ignorant. He didn’t know the Young Master had graced us with his presence. I apologize on his behalf and beg for your mercy.”

“Fine,” Qin Jiang nodded, but before Xiao An could feel relieved, he continued, “But since he offended me, you will carry out the punishment. No need to be harsh. One slap will do.”

Xiao An stiffened.

Rage boiled inside him. His fists clenched tight. Though Xiao Fan’s talent was ordinary, he cherished his son dearly and had never once raised a hand against him.

“Patriarch, don’t act rashly,” an elder behind him whispered.

Xiao An hung his head, his heart torn. He didn’t dare offend the Qin family for fear that the Xiao family would suffer, but striking his own son…

Smack!

Just as he hesitated, a crisp slap echoed in the air. Startled, he looked up and saw a red handprint on Xiao Fan’s face.

His own hand hadn’t even moved.

Xiao Fan had slapped himself.

He raised his head, expression cold, “Is this enough?”

Qin Jiang narrowed his eyes. This Chosen One was ruthless enough. He chuckled and shook his head, then pointed at Xiao An, “I said he should slap you once. With your pathetic strength, you couldn’t even kill a fly with that slap.”

There was obvious mockery in his voice.

Xiao Fan trembled. His strength had always been his sore spot. Qin Jiang’s words cut deep, and hatred flashed across his eyes.

He struggled to kneel before Xiao An, “Father.”

The message was clear—he was offering himself up for the slap.

“Fan’er…” Xiao An’s voice trembled. Looking into his son’s determined gaze, he slowly raised his hand, gritted his teeth, and struck down hard.

Smack!

The slap landed on Xiao Fan’s face, but the pain pierced Xiao An’s heart.

Gasps rang out around them.

Xiao An opened his eyes to find Xiao Fan collapsed on the ground.

“Fan’er!” He panicked and quickly knelt to check on him.

Qin Jiang twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. This father and son duo were truly savage. Xiao An’s slap had knocked Xiao Fan out cold.

If not for Hei Long’s suppression aura, that slap might’ve sent him flying.

“Tch, is that really his biological son?” Hei Long’s eyes bulged.

“My Fan’er! Fan’er!” Xiao An’s voice trembled as he shook Xiao Fan repeatedly.

Fortunately, Xiao Fan was the Chosen One. A single slap wouldn’t kill him.

After a moment, he groggily opened his eyes.

His face was swollen, one eye couldn’t open, and his words came out distorted, “Fa…ther…”

He hadn’t expected Xiao An to hit him that hard—nearly sent him to the afterlife.

Seeing Xiao Fan awake, Xiao An let out a breath of relief. Cradling his son, he looked up, “Esteemed one, now may I ask for mercy on my son?”

Qin Jiang smiled and nodded, “Not bad. With that slap, I started to wonder if Xiao Fan was a child you were raising for someone else after being cheated on.”

Xiao An: “…”

“Alright, let’s get to the point. I only came here for one thing.”

Qin Jiang declared.

Xiao An stood up, supporting Xiao Fan, “Please speak.”

Qin Jiang looked straight at Xiao Fan, “Xiao Fan, you are engaged to my younger sister. However… my sister is a peerless beauty, a once-in-a-generation prodigy. You are not worthy of this engagement. Today, I declare it void.”

As his voice fell, the Xiao family members froze. Throughout the city, whispers spread.

Countless eyes focused on Xiao Fan and his father, filled with different emotions.

Xiao Fan’s face turned dark. He pushed his father aside, raised his head, and glared at Qin Jiang with twisted fury, “The engagement was arranged by our elders. You have no right to cancel it.”

“Then don’t cancel it,” Qin Jiang replied with a calm smile.

The plotline had already started to shift.

His humiliation had nearly driven Xiao Fan mad.

This engagement annulment almost broke him.

“Would you exchange the lives of everyone in the Xiao family… for a single engagement? Are you willing?”