The Dragon Transformation Pond, a legendary place where one could leap over the dragon gate and be reborn as a dragon.
This was a wondrous sacred ground, an ultimate treasure of the Yang Family!
The waters in the Dragon Transformation Pond were mysterious and had could provide a huge benefit to any cultivator who soaked in them. It was said that it could purify the body and even wash one’s marrow. If one could cultivate within it for even a few days, their strength would definitely increase as their aptitude would also improve.
The aptitude of a cultivator was the foundation of their growth and the cornerstone of their strength. One’s aptitude determined the height to which a cultivator could grow. It was generally very difficult to change after birth unless one could acquire some particularly rare Precious Treasures.
However, the waters of the Yang Family’s Dragon Transformation Pond carried such an effect.
All the members of the Yang Family would scramble to obtain the chance to enter it.
But even the Yang Family’s direct descendants couldn’t easily enter the Dragon Transformation Pond. Any request would be reviewed by the family’s Elder Hall and only if the Elders felt that this disciple’s merits and potential warranted such an opportunity would he or she be granted permission.
Those who weren’t surnamed Yang had an even more difficult time trying to obtain time in the Dragon Transformation Pond; in fact, unless they made a substantial contribution to the family, it was all but impossible.
“Little Lord, Yu Xian and I have been to the Dragon Transformation Pond before, and it is a good place.” Tu Feng heard these words and couldn’t help whispering excitedly.
“En, when I was charged with protecting Young Lady Mei, I was seriously injured and almost died. Fortunately, Young Lady Mei begged the Fifth Master to speak on my behalf and I was fortunately granted permission to enter the Dragon Transformation Pond. Afterwards, not only did my injuries stabilize, but my strength also improved.” Tang Yu Xian also nodded.
How could Yang Kai not be familiar with the effectiveness of the Dragon Transformation Pond? When he had heard the fat man Yin Tian You mention it, he almost couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
Before he had gone to High Heaven Pavilion, his father Yang Ying Feng had applied to the Elder Hall for a chance to use the Dragon Transformation Pond many times because of his congenital defect, wanting to allow Yang Kai to soak within its waters to see if it could improve his aptitude.
But no matter how many times Yang Ying Feng applied, he was always rejected by the Elder Assembly!
Why squander the power of the Dragon Transformation Pond for a waste?
This had led to Yang Ying Feng always having a bleak and guilty expression every time he saw him, it seemed he blamed his own illness for Yang Kai’s congenitally defect. Each time his request was rejected, Dong Su Zhu, Yang Kai’s mother, would also become depressed and shed bitter tears.
As a result, Yang Kai’s parents would often go take on tasks for the family, working themselves to death in order to earn enough merits to allow Yang Kai to have a chance to enter the Dragon Transformation Pond.
However, regardless of how diligently they strove, they were still met with rejection.
“Next time, there will definitely be an opportunity next time.” Each time he came back from the Elder Hall Yang Ying Feng would speak similar words, seemingly trying to comfort Yang Kai.
The guilty and forlorn look in his eyes was something Yang Kai could still picture clearly to this day.
Yet now, the goal that his parents had striven so hard to obtain had actually been offered to him freely today.
This sudden change couldn’t help making Yang Kai wonder what all the pain and effort his parents had endured was for.
Thinking so, Yang Kai’s thoughts fluctuated for a moment before he slowly closed his eyes and nodded lightly.
Obviously oblivious to Yang Kai’s mood, Yin Tian You smiled greatly as he cupped his fists before his chest and said, “Little Lord, it’s best to handle such matters immediately, would Little Lord be willing to visit the Dragon Transformation Pond now?”
A bitterness in Yang Kai’s heart made him feel like rejecting this offer suddenly, causing his brow to furrow, but before he had time to think things over, a clear eagle cry rang out above his head.
Hearing this cry, everyone present unconsciously looked up, their expressions becoming light.
The Golden Feather Eagle perched atop Yang Kai’s shoulders also flapped its wings and soared up into the sky.
“Another Young Lord has arrived! It seems we will have a double celebration today!” Yin Tian You laughed happily, he had been waiting here for many days without result but now two of the Young Lords had appeared in quick succession.
Just as his voice faded, a new group of people came into view.
At the head of this group was a youth who appeared to be around twenty five or twenty six years of age. He had sharp facial features that gave a bold impression and rode an impressive Cloud Treading Colt, slowly approaching Yang Kai’s group.
Behind him were two staunch Blood Warriors, and behind these warriors were, unexpectedly, several more powerful experts.
As they drew closer, this youth and Yang Kai’s eyes met, a surprised expression flashing across the former’s face as he quickly examined the latter.
Immediately after though, he smiled and nodded lightly to Yang Kai.
Yang Kai nodded back, obviously recognizing this youth’s identity after seeing his facial features.
Yang Zhao, the second oldest amongst this generation’s Yang Family direct descendants, and the son of Yang Kai’s Great Uncle Yang Ying Hao.
Great Uncle Yang Ying Hao was the current Patriarch of the Yang Family! It was also because he was injured in the battle with the Ash-Grey Cloud Evil Land that the Yang Family children had been recalled in advance.
Unlike Yang Kai’s obscurity, although Yang Zhao had never been publicly presented before, most of the family members knew about his existence and even his face because of his relationship with Yang Ying Hao.
Yang Kai had also met him a few times, so naturally he was familiar with him.
After seeing Yang Zhao, the fat man Yin Tian You’s expression immediately became more dignified, even the people standing behind him also sucked in a cold breath.
Regardless of Yang Zhao’s strength or his performance in the upcoming Inheritance War, just the fact that he was the son of the current Patriarch meant he couldn’t be neglected.
“Little Lord…” Yin Tian You was a sharp person so he first turned to Yang Kai respectfully.
“Attend to your responsibilities.” Yang Kai nodded lightly.
“Many thanks, Little Lord!” After bowing politely, Yin Tian You quickly smoothed his clothes and stepped towards Yang Zhao, repeating his welcome speech nearly word for word.
Yang Zhao sat upon the Cloud Treading Colt from start to finish and after listening to Yin Tian You’s report, he simply replied, “Understood.”
After that, his sight shifted towards Yang Kai again as he wore a smile, “Little Brother Kai?”
“Second Brother!” Yang Kai cupping his fists and grinning lightly.
“Sure enough, it’s Little Brother Kai! Hahaha!” Yang Zhao laughed loudly as he looked over Yang Kai with great interest, “It is says a girl changes eighteen times between childhood and womanhood, but it seems the same is true for boys! After not seeing you for only a few years, second brother here almost couldn’t recognize you! When we last met you were just a weak little brat yet now it seems you’ve been reborn as a great talent, truly worthy of a member of my Yang Family!”
Whether intentional or not, his words seemed to hint at him being the next head of the Yang Family.
“Second Brother overpraises.” Yang Kai simply brushed over Yang Zhao’s comment, instead just smiling back at him confidently.
As the two talked, the few experts behind Yang Zhao also seemed to be examining Yang Kai, a moment later many of them showing some disdainful expressions, seemingly looking down on Yang Kai.
Only the two Blood Warriors didn’t show any change in expression.
Similar to Tu Feng and Tang Yu Xian, these two Blood Warriors were only loyal to the Yang Family. Yang Zhao and Yang Kai were both Yang Family Young Lords so they naturally wouldn’t show any impolite expressions.
However, after noticing the disdainful glances of these strangers, both Tu Feng and Tang Yu Xian couldn’t help but frown, turning a cold gaze towards these outsiders.
Suddenly feeling this icy glare, these few experts immediately went pale and quickly fixed their expressions.
Noticing this, Yang Zhao’s eyes flashed as he glanced towards Tu Feng and Tang Yu Xian, slightly surprised. He hadn’t imagined that these two would act to support Yang Kai so decisively.
Over the course of his journey home, even Yang Zhao himself hadn’t been able to win the approval of his two Blood Warrior escorts, the entire time they had only given thought to completing their duty of escorting him, barely even speaking with him.
The difference in treatment was obvious, causing Yang Zhao to immediately realize that something was unusual.
Yang Kai seemed to be quite favoured by these two Blood Warriors! But why was that?
Suppressing his doubts, Yang Zhao didn’t show any outward signs of curiosity, just faintly asking, “Did you fly all the way back?”
He saw that Yang Kai and his two Blood Warriors didn’t even have mounts, so naturally he would think so.
Yang Kai nodded offhandedly.
“The road home must have been hard.” Yang Zhao said casually before jumping off his Cloud Treading Colt, walking over towards Yang Kai and saying, “If you don’t mind, why don’t we go to the Dragon Transformation Pond together? On the way there you can let Second Brother listen to your adventures over the past few years.”
“Good.” Yang Kai smiled.
“En, let’s go!” Yang Zhao also let out a laugh, walking a few steps before suddenly turning back and saying, “Right, you all should go to the house and wait for me, I’ll return within three to five days.”
The group of strangers nodded in acknowledgment.
The two Blood Warriors didn’t react, though. They were only responsible for escorting Yang Zhao back to the family safely, so once they had arrived here, their mission was already finished. From here, they would simply return to the Blood Warrior Hall.
“Thank you for your hard work.” Yang Kai also signaled to Tu Feng and Tang Yu Xian with a smile.
The two of them responding, “Little Lord, take care!”
This kind of affectionate attitude could help drawing surprised looks from Yang Zhao and the other two Blood Warriors.
After Yang Kai and Yang Zhao left, the four Blood Warriors glanced at each other silently before flying off towards the Blood Warrior Hall.
Halfway there, one of the two Blood Warriors turned and asked, “Tu Feng, how come you and Yu Xian seem quite friendly with the Little Lord? Did he display some impressive abilities on the way back? If so, please tell us about it.”
The Blood Warriors were all very familiar with each other, so while they wouldn’t show it in front of outsiders, they naturally didn’t act so stoic when no one else was around.
Tu Feng just slowly shook his head, “No, it’s just that the Little Lord was quite kind with us along the journey.”
Although no one here was an outsider, Tu Feng wouldn’t be stupid enough to divulge Yang Kai’s secret because the people here may soon become his opponents, extolling his good point and methods here would only bring harm to him.
This man obviously didn’t believe Tu Feng’s words but only grinned fiercely in response.
“What about you, what was your trip with the Second Young Lord like?” Tu Feng quickly reciprocated.
The men looked indifferent, the one who had spoken previously replying flatly, “Nothing special.”
The four suddenly looked at each other and simultaneously sneered.
Everyone knew that the other party was simply talking nonsense! But even if they knew, none of them would say so out loud. At this time, no matter which Blood Warrior it was, they wouldn’t divulge information about the Young Lord which was under their charge. Even if the one who asked was the Patriarch or an Elder, they still wouldn’t talk.
The Blood Warriors truly were synonymous with loyalty!
At the same time, Yang Kai and Yang Zhao were casually walking in the direction of the Dragon Transformation Pond. The two brothers only spoke with one another about the various trivial things they had experienced over the past few years. As for which Sect they had joined and what people they had met, nothing was discussed.
Both of them knew that this brother of theirs was actually a rival! Neither of them knew what schemes the other might try to use in order to knock them down and beat them into submission!
The Inheritance War was nothing less than a civil war between brothers, a contest of both strength and wits!
The two brothers traveled along the road side by side; to an observer, they would appear to be a happy and harmonious family.
After a short time, they had arrived at the Dragon Transformation Pond’s location.
Surrounding it was a countless number of cultivators on guard, there were also many masters secretly paying close attention to this place, their Divine Senses constantly sweeping over the area.
Once there was an outsider attempting to get close to it, no questions would be asked, they would be ruthlessly executed immediately!
One time, a first-class family’s steward had come to deliver the Yang Family a tribute. After finishing his mission, he had somehow lost his way and strayed into the Dragon Transformation Pond’s region. Before he could breathe a word, the Yang Family masters and guards had killed him.
After this matter was passed out, that first-class family not only didn’t dare ask for an explanation, they instead sent another envoy bearing twice as many gifts to apologize for this infraction.
This treasured land of the Yang Family had always been one of its most tightly guarded positions.
Although this place was inside the Central Capital, with the Dragon Transformation Pond as its center, for several kilometers around the land retained its most primitive state. If someone were to see this place without knowing where they were, they’d likely mistaken think they had strayed into the wilderness.
A thick fog back lingered here, so dense one couldn’t see the fingers of their outstretched hand. Surrounding the fog bank was a lush and verdant forest, with a number of shadows seemingly appearing and disappearing at random.
It was in this region’s deepest place that one could enter the Dragon Transformation Pond and cleans their physique!
When Yang Zhao and Yang Kai arrived here, they quickly stopped talking. Yang Zhao stepped forward and cupped his fists, “Junior Yang Zhao, by order of the Elder Assembly, has come to visit the Dragon Transformation Pond. Junior dares to ask which Senior stands guard here?”
A moment later, from within the fog bank, a strange voice floated, “This old master is called Xiao Zheng Qing. So it is Young Lord Zhao, the Young Lord beside you is who?”
Before Yang Kai could answer, Yang Zhao had quickly stepped forward and replied, “This is little brother Kai!”
The voice in the fog was silent for a while, seemingly contemplating who this little brother Kai Yang Zhao spoke of was, eventually saying, “Since you have arrived here, the two Young Lords should come in.”
As this voice spoke, the fog bank in front of the two brothers parted ways, like two invisible giant hands had pulled it apart, revealing a clear passage into the interior.
It wasn’t until now that Yang Kai and Yang Zhao discovered to their shock that both sides of this channel were actually lined by a number of Yang Family masters.
The closest one to them was actually less than five meters away.
When these people were engulfed by the fog, the two brothers hadn’t even noticed them, nor had they detect any signs of energy within the fog itself.
These Yang Family guards were obviously different from those who stood around outside. Each of them was calm and steady, most of them having reached the True Element Boundary, while the remaining few were Immortal Ascension Boundary masters. All of these guards possessed a dignified aura as they turned their gazes towards the two youths.
Yang Zhao and Yang Kai both glanced at each other, unable to hide a slight trace of excitement before facing forward and walking towards the open channel.
“Welcome two Young Lords!”
“Two Young Lords, please!”
All the way, these Yang Family guards nodded slightly and respectfully towards the two brothers.
Yang Zhao wore a light smile on his face, striding forward with great confidence.
Yang Kai beside him didn’t say a word, instead quietly releasing his Divine Sense to explore his surroundings, his heart secretly surprised by what he found.
Although he was also a Yang Family member, Yang Kai wasn’t familiar with the depths of the Yang Family’s heritage and capital.
However, after this simple probe, he was surprised to find that the cultivators here, compared to the common disciples of a second-class Sect with equal cultivation realms, were undoubtedly a lot stronger, their combat strength also much greater.
Whether it was their Spiritual Energy, physique strength, Blood Force, or True Qi, they were all more vigorous and pure.
Yang Kai investigated the two men standing before him and found out that each one of them was most likely capable of emerging victorious over three opponents of the same realm at the same time.
Of course, this was only when comparing to other common disciples.
But even this was amazing enough.
Moreover, the fog back here was also rather strange, when Yang Kai tried to penetrate it with his Divine Sense it was like he had dove into a pool of stagnant water, unable to sense the slightest things inside it.
Clearly this place had a very profound Spirit Array in operation.
After a stick of incense worth of time, the view in front of them suddenly became clear, the fog bang dissipating, giving people a feeling of emerging from a dark forest into a bright village.
Before them, at the edge of a huge pool, three old men with white beards sat cross-legged, staring towards the two brothers.
After seeing the two youths emerge from the fog bank, the old man in the middle smiled and spoke, “Yang Zhao?”
Yang Zhao wore a respectful expression and quickly cupped his fists, “Junior Yang Zhao greets three Seniors!”
Anyone who could stand guard beside the Dragon Transformation Pond, regardless of whether they were surnamed Yang, would obviously have great status inside the Yang Family, at least comparable to the family’s Elders.
Obviously Yang Zhao wouldn’t dare show any disrespect.
Xiao Zheng Qing and the other two old men smiled lightly, seemingly very satisfied with Yang Zhao’s attitude. Turning his eyes towards Yang Kai, Xiao Zheng Qing couldn’t help feeling slightly suspicious, “Are you Yang Ying Feng’s son?”
“Yes, Junior Yang Kai greets three Seniors.” Yang Kai nodded lightly.
He was far less calm on the inside.
These three people were all Peak Immortal Ascension Boundary masters. In other words, none of them was worse than Ling Tai Xu before his latest breakthrough, yet all three of them had actually been tasked with guarding the Dragon Transformation Pond. It was obviously how much value the Yang Family placed on this place.
With these three, the mysterious Spirit Array, and the myriad of expert guards stationed in the area, it was likely that only an Above Immortal Ascension Boundary master had any chance of breaking into this place.
After learning about Yang Kai’s lineage, Xiao Zheng Qing only slightly nodded, the other two old men also not saying a word. It seemed like for them, Yang Zhao was more worthy of their attention.
These old masters attitude didn’t surprise Yang Kai much so he paid it no mind.
“Senior, why did the family arrange for us to enter the Dragon Transformation Pond this time?” Yang Zhao saw that Xiao Zheng Qing was quite optimistic about himself and was also quite curious about this point so he hurriedly asked this question.
Xiao Zheng Qing smiled lightly and replied, “Naturally it is because the family wants to improve your future prospects. Over the past few years, you have been practicing in first-class forces, but how can the resources there compare with our Yang Family? Whether it be the practice of Martial Skills or the the absorption of pill efficacies, both will leave behind traces of damage and impurities in the body, the Dragon Transformation Pond can cleanse these impurities from your physiques!”
Yang Zhao smiled happily and nodded, “Junior will certainly live up to the family’s expectations!”
Xiao Zheng Qing laughed, “Good, worthy of the Patriarch’s son, truly different from others. The centre of the Dragon Transformation Pond has the greatest efficacies, you should enter there to cultivate.”
Yang Kai’s brow couldn’t help but wrinkle, although he didn’t expect Xiao Zheng Qing to be optimistic about himself, such blatant favouritism was still uncomfortable to his ears.
However, he knew well enough to hold his tongue here. Right now he really had no power or achievements so anything he said would only bring more disdain upon himself.
If he wanted to change other’s opinions of him, there was only one way.
That was to rise to the top of the Yang Family, by that time, everyone would have no choice but to respect and obey him.
Yang Zhao nodded slightly before he and Yang Kai glanced towards the centre of the Dragon Transformation Pond.
Only a vague outline of the pond was visible because a strange layer of mist hovered above the water’s surface.
However, Yang Kai was keenly aware that this mist was different from the fog bank they had just passed through.
The outer fog was only used to shield this place while this mist above the Dragon Transformation Pond was actually a gathering of pure energy. It seemed like the water in the entire Dragon Transformation Pond was a crystallization of this energy, condensed into a liquid form, while mist above it was a residual leakage.
“The Dragon Transformation Pond is a place to purify one’s physique, this is a rare opportunity so you must cherish it.” Xiao Zheng Qing said lightly.
Another of the old men interjected at this point, “The Dragon Transformation Pond is also a place to test a person’s aptitude. The longer one can cultivate within it, the higher their aptitude is. Yang Zhao, you must strive hard here, you are different from the other Young Lords, you are the son of the Patriarch, many people are optimistic about you.”
There was a clear look of excitement on Yang Zhao’s face, as if he couldn’t wait to prove himself, quickly cupping his fists and shouting, “Yes!”
“Go!” Xiao Zheng Qing waved his hand and an invisible force wrapped both Yang Zhao and Yang Kai, gently sending them into the Dragon Transformation Pond.
As the mist rolled, the two youths disappeared into the pool at the same time.
Surrounded by a chilly feeling, the water in the Dragon Transformation Pond seemed to have some effect as Yang Kai clearly felt some of its energy flow into his body’s acupuncture points and pores, causing him a sharp stinging pain.
But immediately after, the pain disappeared and the energy which seeped into his meridians, under the smelting of Yang Kai’s True Yang Yuan Qi, was quickly stored into his Unyielding Golden Skeleton.
Yang Kai looked blank, suddenly feeling that this Dragon Transformation Pond… seemed quite different from what he had expected.
It didn’t appear to have any of the rumoured magical effects.
Turning to look at Yang Zhao, Yang Kai’s expression became even odder.
He found that his second brother seemed to be enduring tremendous pain at the moment, his entire face blood red, his True Qi circulating madly as he pulled the energy in the Dragon Transformation Pond into his body.
Immediately, some impurities were discharged from Yang Zhao and the crystal clear water in the pool seemed to become contaminated.
Yang Kai quickly swam a distance away, in somewhat of a trance.
Looking at Yang Zhao’s current appearance, the Dragon Transformation Pond was clearly useful and could really help one cleanse their body, so why couldn’t he feel any of its effects?
After contemplating for a long time, Yang Kai suddenly realized something, his expression cramping up.
If his guess was correct, then the reason for all this was the Myriad Drug Liquid.
If one took the Myriad Drug Liquid for a long time, it would purify the body and fundamentally improve that person’s aptitude.
Since he had obtained the Myriad Drug Liquid, as long as he wasn’t incapable of doing so, Yang Kai had taken a drop every day.
After following this regimen for such a long time, all of the impurities in his body had been eliminated and his aptitude had also been significantly improved.
So even if he entered the Dragon Transformation Pond now, what benefit could it give him?
The effects of the Dragon Transformation Pond were definitely not as good as those of the Myriad Drug Liquid.
Realizing all this, Yang Kai’s face sank.
Affected by his childhood pre-conceptions, he hadn’t held great expectations of entering the Dragon Transformation Pond, so now seeing it have basically no use to him, naturally Yang Kai felt disappointed.
The Dragon Transformation Pond couldn’t providing any help to him, but since he had just come it, leaving right away was somewhat inappropriate, so Yang Kai simply sat there bored, silently circulated his True Yang Secret Art, absorbing and refining some of the energy in the Dragon Transformation Pond.
Yang Family Home.
The news that the two Young Lords had returned had quickly spread, the two Golden Feather Eagles circling above the family’s compound were the best evidence.
At this time, a man and a woman were racing towards the Dragon Transformation Pond.
Both of their expressions were a mix of nervousness and anticipation, as well as some awkwardness.
The middle-aged man was better, somehow forcing himself to remain calm, but he still couldn’t restrain himself from trembling slightly, his face occasionally showing a joyful expression.
On the other hand, the woman, while flying, was constantly wiping her red puffy eyes, silently crying, her tears spilling out over the ground.
After a while, the middle-aged man couldn’t stand it anymore, sighing lightly, “Su Zhu, why are you crying? Our son returning home is a happy occasion!”
Dong Su Zhu continued to wipe her tears as she choked on the words she tried to say, “I… I just can’t help it… tou… you think I want to cry… these tears… they just came out… oh… I… I…”
Yang Ying Feng was dumbstruck, “If our son were to see you now, he would probably think I’ve been bullying you at home.”
Dong Su Zhu suddenly flew into a rage, “Haven’t you been bullying me!? Tell me what happened last time with that damn fox? Why was she shouting “Big Brother Yang” so intimately! Hmm?”
Her words were extremely sharp and articulate, no longer crying in the slightest, where did her incoherent appearance disappear to all of a sudden?
The Yang Family’s Fourth Master staggered, his face turning beat red, his expression becoming somewhat sullen, “That, that was just a misunderstanding…”
“Misunderstanding?” Dong Su Zhu replied indignantly, suddenly wearing a pitiful expression, “When I married into the Yang Family I was only eighteen years old. I’ve been by your side now for over twenty years, yet I haven’t experience much joy in my time here! Instead, it has been constant toiling and hardship but now, even at this age, I still have to worry about my husband being seduced by some vixen… Had I only know so… I never would have agreed to come to the Central Capital to participate in that Inheritance War, making me meet such an unconscionable man again… wu wu…”
As she spoke, Dong Su Zhu rubbed the corners of her eyes again as she quietly observed Yang Ying Feng’s reaction.
“I swear to you it was just an accident!” Yang Ying Feng’s forehead suddenly oozed cold sweat. Although Dong Su Zhu was not young now, her age classifying her as middle-aged, but through some strange natural coincidence, until now she still appeared no different than a young woman in her mid-twenties. The long years seemed to have left no trace on her at all.
And although Dong Su Zhu wasn’t young, she was still very lively, often saying things and acting in a manner more appropriate for a young girl, making those who knew her not know whether to laugh or cry.
In fact, various anecdotes often occurred when this husband and wife pair went out together.
When people who weren’t familiar with the pair came up to them, they would respectfully say, “Greetings Yang Family Fourth Master, greetings Young Lady Yang…”
Each time Yang Ying Feng would feel like holding his head and ask, “Who is this Young Lady Yang?”
To his question they would politely reply, “Isn’t this the Fourth Master’s daughter? Truly a Dragon father and Phoenix mother will not give birth to a chicken daughter. The Forth Master must be incredibly proud of this Young Lady Yang.”
Facing this unbridled praise, Yang Ying Feng’s face would change from purple to blue.
Dong Su Zhu on the other hand, instead of correcting these newcomers would instead grab hold of Yang Ying Feng’s arm with a smile, nodding lightly as she enjoyed their misunderstanding, seemingly hoping these people would say even a few more sweet words.
As the number of such experiences increased, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master also grew experience in handling such affairs. Whenever an unfamiliar person walked up to him at a gathering and wanted to exchange greetings, Yang Ying Feng would take the initiative to say, “Greetings, I am Yang Ying Feng, this is my wife Dong Su Zhu!”
This would precipitate an odd reaction from these strangers, many of them thinking that the Yang Family’s Fourth Master was a weird person, seemingly afraid that the world wouldn’t know he was an old cow chewing on tender grass, therefore actively introducing himself so.
Maybe it was the Yang Family’s temperament… was just weird.
How these great family direct descendants acted was really not easy to comprehend.
This latest issue brought up by Dong Su Zhu had actually happened three years ago. The woman who had a good impression of Yang Ying Feng had long since disappeared from his mind, but Dong Su Zhu was still holding on to that incident, and every time she felt depressed she would invariably bring it up.
What’s more, because of the Yang Family’s Fourth Master’s mild temperament, he would always suffer a loss!
It was clear that he wasn’t in the wrong, it was that other woman’s one sided attraction to him, but as long as Dong Su Zhu mentioned it, Yang Ying Feng immediately became as obedient as a grandson, apologizing so profusely it was almost embarrassing to watch.
“It’s nothing more than a misunderstanding, you don’t have anything to worry about, all that happened was I helped her when she was in trouble. In fact, I didn’t say more than three sentences to her!” Yang Ying Feng continued to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, nervously explaining himself over and over again.
By this point, he had actually lost track of how many times he had apologized for this…
“…really?” Dong Su Zhu sniffled, her expression looking like it was on the verge of breaking out into tears again at any moment, “You aren’t lying to me?”
“I’m not lying, from the moment I met you till the moment I die I have and never will lie to you!” Yang Ying Feng pounded his chest and declared in a heroic manner.
“Fourth Brother is really good to me!” Dong Su Zhu extolled, suddenly bursting into laughter.
The Yang Family’s Fourth Master nodded and grinned, his smile quite similar to Yang Kai’s, just lacking a certain demonic quality.
“…you won’t tell our son about this, right?” Yang Ying Feng suddenly thought of something, hurriedly asking.
“Hmm… That all depends on how you behave in the future. If one day I’m not happy, maybe I’ll have to have a chat with our son, you know, when you chat, some things come up unexpectedly.”
*Cough, cough, cough…* The Yang Family’s Fourth Master suddenly felt uncomfortable, thinking about the grand image of him in his son’s heart crumbling into dust… that would certainly be terrible day.
As she spoke about her son, Dong Su Zhu’s face became a little more proper, muttering lightly, “Over the past few years, I wonder if my son has brought home a wife with him.”
“No, I heard from Tu Feng that he came back alone, but Tu Feng told me that there seems to be a woman who has a crush on him.”
“How many women?” Dong Su Zhu asked interestedly.
“How many?” Yang Ying Feng’s brow twitched, suddenly loudly declaring, “Of course there is only one, if he dares mess around, I’ll break his legs!”
Dong Su Zhu’s smiling face quickly became cold, saying to her husband with deep meaning, “If you dare do so I’ll twist off your… leg.”
Yang Ying Feng’s neck shrank unconsciously, suddenly dumbstruck.
Why was it that him speaking a mere three sentences to another woman had let her hold a grudge for three years, but when it came to their son, she had no problem if he brought home more than one wife?
Wasn’t that too much of a double standard?
As they approached the Dragon Transformation Pond’s restricted area, Dong Su Zhu said in a fluster, “Husband, quickly tell me, are my clothes in order? How about me hair, it’s not a mess is it? Is there anything out of place?”
The Yang Family’s Fourth Master nearly choked, “Why are you worrying so much about your appearance? This isn’t a blind date or something.”
Dong Su Zhu spat disdainfully, “Seeing my son after so long is far more important than some blind date.”
After thinking for a while, Yang Ying Feng felt that what his wife said was somewhat justified and helped her arrange her clothes, half nervously asking, “How about me, do I have any problems?”
“Your beard is a little thick, but that’s alright.”
“En.” Yang Ying Feng gave a satisfied nod.
Both husband and wife stopped at the edge of the Dragon Transformation Pond’s restricted area, each of them holding their breath as the stared towards the thick fog bank, standing up straight, waiting awkwardly.
It was as if they were here to receive some great master!
After waiting for a while, Yang Ying Feng suddenly said, “Su Zhu, our son should now be cleansing himself in the Dragon Transformation Pond, the process should take at least one or two days before he comes out, what should we do in the meantime?”
“Do you want to go back?” Dong Su Zhu seemingly casually suggested.
“Good, there are some things I should attend to, when I finish, I’ll come meet with you!” Yang Ying Feng nodded and turned around to leave.
However, after only making it a few steps, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master suddenly felt a cold murderous glare piercing his back, sending a cold shiver up his spine.
Yang Ying Feng couldn’t help freezing in place, hurriedly turning back, his expression quite dignified as he walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with Dong Su Zhu, gently holding her hand as he stared forward.
“What’s the matter?” Dong Su Zhu smiled blankly at him, her tone as soft as water.
The Yang Family’s Fourth Master snorted once and said, “I suddenly thought that it’s better for me to wait here with you. In any case, those other matters aren’t that important; I can handle them some other time.”
“It’s alright, I can wait alone.” Dong Su Zhu looked at Yang Ying Feng gently and spoke incomparably sweetly, her face filled with tender affection, “If you’re busy, you don’t need to worry about our mother and child, when my son comes out I can simple take him with me to the Dong Family, there’s no need for him to take part in this nonsense Inheritance War.”
“No need.” Yang Ying Feng shook his head like a rattle, “I’ll wait here with you.”
……
Inside the Dragon Transformation Pond, half a day later.
Yang Kai couldn’t stand it any longer.
The Dragon Transformation Pond had no effect on him, so all he could do was quietly cultivate by circulating his True Yang Secret Art. Although cultivating here was faster than normal, but it wasn’t anything significant. If it were any other time, after discovering this place didn’t provide him any benefits, Yang Kai would have simply left.
However, when he remembered the dismissive look on the faces of the three old men outside, Yang Kai couldn’t help feeling a little stubborn.
Glancing across the way, he was surprised to find that Yang Zhao’s condition hadn’t changed much, still desperately struggling to clean his body of impurities. Shaking his head helplessly, Yang Kai quietly jumped out from the Dragon Transformation Pond.
Mid-air, after circulating his True Qi, steam gently rose from Yang Kai’s body, his clothes drying before he touched down next to the water.
Xiao Zheng Qing and the other two men looked towards Yang Kai blankly.
As they had said, the Dragon Transformation Pond was a place to test a person’s aptitude. The better their aptitude, the longer they could stay in the Dragon Transformation Pond and the greater the benefits they would obtain.
The three old men had been guarding this place for many years and had seen many Yang Family disciples entered the Dragon Transformation Pond, but even those with the worst of aptitudes would insist for at least a full day and night before coming out.
But now, incredibly, someone had actually only managed to last less than half a day before jumping out on his own.
This kind of performance was really too unsightly.
Xiao Zheng Qing and the other two old men had very high positions in the Yang Family so naturally there was no need for them to give Yang Kai any face. What’s more, the three of them weren’t very optimistic about Yang Kai from the start.
“Already coming out?” One of them snorted coldly, their expression quite disdainful.
Yang Ka’s brow wrinkled, but although he was unhappy, he didn’t talk back, simply saying, “Three Seniors, what instructions do you have?”
“None! You may leave.” Xiao Zheng Qing said casually.
Yang Kai nodded and quickly cupped his fists to the three masters before turning and striding away.
As for the slight chuckling sounds behind him, Yang Kai simply turned a deaf ear to them.
[When I left the Yang Family all those years ago, I was still just an ordinary mortal, unable to cultivate, now I’m returning as a True Element Boundary Seventh Stage cultivator.]
[It’s like that was a lifetime ago!]
Yang Kai’s heart was also very concerned about his parents back home. Due to the family rules, it was impossible for him to come back to visit them. Some time ago, Dong Qing Han had told him that his mother had secretly snuck out to see him, the result being that she was discovered by the family. In her place, his father Yang Ying Feng had suffered thirty lashes as punishment, causing Yang Kai no small worry.
He really wanted to know how his parents had faired these past few years.
Yang Kai’s heart pounded all the way as he walked towards the outside from the Dragon Transformation Pond’s restricted area, and just as he stepped out of the fog bank, he saw two straight figures quietly standing there, looking expectantly towards the pond.
When their eyes met, all of them were stunned.
Yang Kai had never thought his mother and father would be waiting here for him, after all, it had only been half a day since he had returned to the family. If someone hadn’t deliberately informed them, they might not have even known he was back yet.
Yang Ying Feng and Dong Su Zhu also didn’t expect that their soon would appear in front of them so soon.
This unexpected development left all of them temporarily dumbstruck.
When Yang Ying Feng had said that Yang Kai would spend at least one or two days cultivating in the Dragon Transformation Pond, he had already overestimated Yang Kai’s aptitude as much as possible.
He had already heard about Kai’s current cultivation realm from Tu Feng and knew that he had already solved his congenital problem, but as for Yang Kai’s true aptitude, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master was still clueless.
Estimating that Yang Kai could stay in the Dragon Transformation Pond for a day or two would mean his aptitude was certainly not fantastic, but at least better than normal.
Unexpectedly, after only half a day, Yang Kai came out from the Dragon Transformation Pond. Only being able to insist for such a short time, Yang Kai’s aptitude was apparently very problematic.
After the three of them started at each other blankly for a moment, Yang Kai smiled gently; for all these years outside he had never revealed such a warm, happy smile.
Dong Su Zhu’s expression completely collapsed, her tears once again streaming down, unable to say anything, instead just stepping forward and holding her son in her arms.
But today’s Yang Kai was obviously not the same one who had left so long ago, after all these years outside, he was now a head taller than her. As a result, Dong Su Zhu could only stand on her tip toes and loop her small hand over Yang Kai’s neck, pulling his head onto her slender shoulder as she gently combed his hair while her other hand wrapped around his broad back.
Dong Su Zhu opened her mouth several times to speak, but all that came out was a quiet weeping.
As her tears fell like raindrops on his shoulder, Yang Kai felt a long absent sense of warmth overcome him, gently sniffing the familiar fragrance that had comforted him so when he was a child. At that moment, Yang Kai’s heart became peaceful as all his tension and nervousness seemed to melt away.
The ship which had been sailing for so long had finally returned to familiar harbours.
Yang Kai’s eyes wet slightly.
Even the Yang Family’s Fourth Master who tried to portray the image of an iron blooded man, at this moment, also had blurry eyes as he kept his head up, desperately squeezing back his tears.
“Mother, I’m home!” Yang Kai whispered softly.
Dong Su Zhu finally managed to calm herself and gently patted Yang Kai’s back while nodding her head again and again, “Good good, you coming home is good!”
After more than a dozen breaths, Dong Su Zhu’s voice gradually became steady, finally able to speak without bursting into tears. Reluctantly, she separated herself from Yang Kai and placed both her hands on his shoulders, carefully examining him from head to toe, with an expression filled with joy.
He had grown taller and stronger, no longer the thin child who appeared so weak in the past. Her son who now stood in front of her gave off a courageous and dependable aura.
Thinking about all he must have gone through in order to grow to such an extent, Dong Su Zhu felt her tears welling up again.
One’s growth was always accompanied by hardships. For Yang Kai to have become like this in such a short time, the number of trials and tribulations he must have suffered outside was definitely not small.
Yang Kai tried signaling his father with his eyes, hoping he could comfort his mother, but what he saw was his old man’s head staring away, up in to the sky at a forty-five degree angle, seemingly watching the birds fly by as he crossed his arms in front of him.
With the corners of his eyes moist!
Helplessly sighing to himself, Yang Kai could only do his best to comfort Dong Su Zhu himself, “It’s alright, don’t cry!”
*Sniff…* “En, I’ve let you see something disgraceful.” Dong Su Zhu gently nodded as she tried to dry her tears, her eyes swollen like ripe peaches.
Yang Kai smiled and looked towards Yang Ying Feng.
However, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master still maintained his stance. Even the eight winds would be unable to move him.
“Haa…” Yang Kai sighed softly.
In a slight flurry of confusion, Yang Ying Feng took a deep breath, quickly turned his head and actually held out his hands to cup his fists towards Yang Kai, opening his mouth to say something when he suddenly felt something was wrong.
[I’m seeing my son, not greeting my elders, why am I cupping my fists to him? Isn’t this backwards?]
His old face suddenly blushing rose red, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master casually extended his arms and brushed some invisible dust off his sleeves before crossing his arms behind his back and nodding slightly, doing his best to portray a calm demeanor, “Ahem, you’ve returned?”
Yang Kai’s nose twitched slightly, feeling half joyful and half helpless, doing his best to ignore his father’s gaff and simply nodding his head, “En, I’ve returned.”
“Good… then we should head back!” The Yang Family’s Fourth Master spoke decisively, waving his hand exaggeratedly before turning around, walking away quickly, his ears still slightly red.
Yang Kai and Dong Su Zhu glanced at each other before quickly following, both of them grinning knowingly.
Although Yang Ying Feng didn’t have much to say when he saw Yang Kai, anyone who saw him at that moment would be able to tell how happy he was, even his footsteps seemed to have become much lighter than before.
The Fourth Master’s house.
The group of three walked up to the entrance and returned home.
Yang Ying Feng’s courtyard was neither big nor small; after all, he only had one son and a dozen or so servants, so the house seemed a fair bit quieter than other nearby residences.
Inside the gates, the family’s servants had all lined up along the entranceway, respectfully bowing to welcome Yang Kai home.
Yang Ying Feng quickly made the servants prepare a number of dishes while also drawing a bath for his son to wash himself. Meanwhile, Dong Su Zhu took Yang Kai’s hand and led him straight to his former bedroom.
Pushing open the familiar door, Yang Kai slowly walked in and saw a nostalgic sight. There was basically no difference between what he saw before him and his childhood memories. No matter the layout or the decorations inside, there was absolutely no change. The bed was neatly made with fresh sheets and there was not a speck of dust in sight, obviously someone had meticulously maintained this place while he had been away.
Yang Ying Feng’s eyes flashed as he quietly whispered, “After you left, your mother would often come here, as if you were still at home.”
Dong Su Zhu maliciously twisted Yang Ying Feng waist, silently rebuking her thick skinned husband who simply endured it as he glanced back at her and smiled.
“Don’t listen to his nonsense; I only came here to look around occasionally.” Dong Su Zhu quickly said.
Yang Kai nodded slightly, knowing better than anyone that his old room was likely not only frequented by his mother, but even his father as well.
The whole house was filled with familiar warmth of family.
He could almost picture Yang Ying Feng standing here, sighing repeatedly while Dong Su Zhu would sit on his bed while wiping the tears from her face.
More than six years, over a thousand days and nights…
If one wasn’t a parent, they would never be able to comprehend the hardship of this period.
Yang Kai’s heart beat slightly faster, his breathing becoming a bit disordered, not knowing what to say.
“I’m going to open my best wine! Let’s have our meal here today.” Yang Ying Feng fumbled over his words, feeling like he was about to show an unsightly performance, quickly turning around and dashing off.
“I’m going to help out in the kitchen! Son, rest here for a while.”
Not long after, a group of servants carried over a number of dishes, each one having been cooked by Dong Su Zhu herself, while Yang Ying Feng brought over a bottle of good wine, one he had cherished for many years and had before now been unwilling to drink.
The family of three, who sat together at the same table for the first time in many years, shared a jubilant meal.
As the night went on, the Fourth Master drank generously, seemingly having determined that he would not stop tonight until he was completely drunk.
Dong Su Zhu also joined her husband in his revelry so soon, only Yang Kai remained sober.
“Rest here for today, tomorrow we can talk again.” Despite all the questions he had, Yang Ying Feng didn’t ask anything on this first day of Yang Kai’s return home, standing up swiftly as he prepared to leave.
Dong Su Zhu, who was clearly drunk, turned her slightly glossy eyes to her husband and nodded, “You go back yourself, tonight I’ll sleep here with my son, I haven’t slept together with him for so long.”
Yang Kai immediately choked on his wine.
The Yang Family’s Fourth Master stared dully for a moment before nodding firmly, turning around and walking towards the door unsteadily.
“Wait…” Yang Kai quickly called out to his father.
“Hm, what’s wrong?” Yang Ying Feng asked casually.
“Father, you don’t think there’s anything wrong here?” Yang Kai’s brow furrowed as he felt a slight headache coming on.
Yang Ying Feng paused and thought seriously for a while before frowning, “What’s the problem?”
Yang Kai grabbed his forehead and rubbed his temples, wondering just how drunk his old man was, did he still see him as a child or something?
However, no matter what he said right now, Yang Kai knew that his parents wouldn’t listen so in desperation, he could only call the maidservants outside to help Dong Su Zhu return to her room to rest.
As her footsteps gradually drifted away, Dong Su Zhu’s muttering drifted into Yang Kai’s ears, “Let go of me, I have to sleep with my son tonight! Anyone who pulls me away I’ll hit mercilessly!”
[In the future, I must never allow these two to get drunk!] Yang Kai decided secretly to himself.
Dawn the next day.
Yang Kai got up early as always to practice his Tempered Body Record under the morning sun. The True Qi in his meridians flowed with great vigor, some faint signs of breakthrough apparent.
At the Lu Family home, Yang Kai had absorbed a large piece of Yang Crystal Jade, coupled with his daily Myriad Drug Liquid regiment to cleanse his body, it was only natural for him to show signs of promotion.
Calming his mood, showing neither sadness nor joy, he let himself enter a serene state.
Half an hour later, covered in perspiration, Yang Kai ended his morning routine.
After breakfast, one of the servants came to inform him of the Fourth Master’s summons!
Yang Kai knows that his father must have a lot of things to say to and ask of him, so he didn’t show any signs of surprise. After tidying himself up a bit, he quickly rushed to his father’s study.
Unsurprisingly, not only was Yang Ying Feng waiting for him, Dong Su Zhu also sat nearby and stared towards the door.
When Yang Kai entered the room, Dong Su Zhu quickly stood up and pulled him to sit next to her.
When all three were seated, the Yang Family’s Fourth Master coughed and looked at Dong Su Zhu. “Do you want to go first or should I?”
“You start, I only have some trivial things I want to ask.”
Yang Ying Feng nodded, his expression becoming slight more dignified as he spoke, “My relationship with High Heaven Pavilion, your Grand Master should have told you, right?”
“Yes, Grand Master has spoken to me about it.” Yang Kai nodded.
“Then you should also know why I told you to go to High Heaven Pavilion.” Yang Ying Feng paused before letting out a sigh, “Son, I ask you, how is High Heaven Pavilion now?”
Yang Ying Feng only knew that High Heaven Pavilion had been razed by the angered Qiu Family’s masters and that High Heaven Pavilion’s thousands of disciples had been disbanded while the Sect Elders had gone missing.
High Heaven Pavilion was not only Yang Kai’s Sect, but also The Yang Family Fourth Master’s Sect, how could he not be concerned about its fate
Yang Kai gathered his thoughts for a moment before briefly describing the series of events that had led to the Sect’s destruction. As he spoke, Yang Ying Feng’s expression became more and more sullen.
“But now, Qiu Yi Meng helped re-establish High Heaven Pavilion, and it is now under my jurisdiction. Until the Sect’s name can be cleared, it will be considered a force attached to me!” Yang Kai’s gloomy expression gradually relaxed.
“Qiu Yi Meng?” Yang Ying Feng and Dong Su Zhu both stared blankly at Yang Kai, “The Qiu Family’s First Young Lady?”
“En.”
“How could she be helping to rebuild High Heaven Pavilion? The Sect was burned down by her own family’s masters, strange…” Yang Ying Feng frowned, unable to understand, slowly shaking his head and asking, “Is there any special reason for this?”
“I helped her with a small matter so she’s just reciprocating. Rebuilding High Heaven Pavilion isn’t a big deal for her.” Yang Kai said casually.
“You helped her with something?” The Yang Family Fourth Master’s expression became more and more confused, staring curiously at his son, seemingly trying to understand his relationship with the Qiu Family’s eldest daughter.
Dong Su Zhu on the other hand wore a brilliant smile as she looked towards Yang Kai, “Kai’er, are you friends with her?”
“We’re not friends, but not strangers either.” Yang Kai nodded.
Dong Su Zhu licked her small red lips lightly and laughed, “That Qiu Family girl is truly a good match. They say that any man who can become her husband will become the next Qiu Family Patriarch. Son, you’ll have to work hard to take her away.”
Yang Kai slowly shook his head.
Towards Qiu Yi Meng, he really had no stray thoughts. It was undeniable that as a woman she was very attractive even without considering her background. If he could win her favor, she would also be a big boost to him in the upcoming Inheritance War, but Yang Kai still somewhat instinctively rejected her.
To put it simply, she was too shrewd. Her sharp wits and insightfulness always made him feel on edge. Such traits appearing on a daughter was no doubt a headache for any big family.
If it was just cooperation Yang Kai would happily welcome her, but it was absolutely impossible for him to seek any kind of intimate relationship with her.
“Re-establishing the Sect…” Yang Ying Feng muttered to himself. “Qiu Yi Meng isn’t the master of the Qiu Family so this is not something she can do alone.”
If any of the Central Capital Eight Great Families were to speak on behalf of High Heaven Pavilion, the stigma surrounding it could be easily removed.
Although it was declared an evil Sect, in reality, it wasn’t difficult problem to solve.
What was actually important was that High Heaven Pavilion was the Demon Lord’s original Sect! It was only because of this that it had received such unanimous condemnation.
“Has there been any word from Grand Master?” Yang Kai asked quietly.
Yang Ying Feng shook his head bitterly, “I’ve sent people to investigate, but after that battle, your Grand Master and the other Sect Elders all disappeared without a trace.”
Suddenly, Yang Ying Feng remembered something and asked with expectation, “Is it true that Master has really broken through to the Above Immortal Ascension Boundary?”
When the Qiu Family masters returned from their initial expedition, Yang Ying Feng also received such news, but that was only the words of the Qiu Family’s masters. Perhaps they had made up a story in order to shirk responsibility and save face, so the Yang Family Fourth Master didn’t dare believe them easily.
Not to mention Yang Ying Feng, many others who had heard this news until now still held some skepticism!
How could a trivial second-class Sect posses such an incredible master?
“Grand Master really broke through.” Yang Kai smiled and nodded firmly.
With Yang Kai’s acknowledgment, Yang Ying Feng grinned, standing up and pacing back and forth in the study, suddenly stopping a moment later and letting out a burst of laughter, “Good good! I knew that Master could definitely break through, I just didn’t expect it would actually take so long!”
As he spoke, the Yang Family Fourth Master’s face relaxed, seemingly putting down a big stone in his heart.
Ling Tai Xu had fallen into depression because of his two disciples, causing his cultivation to stagnate for more than a decade. But now that he had broken through, it must mean that he had overcome the worries which had fettered him; naturally Yang Ying Feng was happy for him.
“This disaster was a blessing in disguise for Grand Master.” Yang Kai spoke earnestly, slowly recanting, “The Demon Lord escaped from the Coiling Dragon Stream, fought with the Sect’s masters, even killing an Elder on the spot, he also severely wounded Grand Master.”
“That ungrateful little bastard!” Yang Ying Feng couldn’t help but scream and curse.
The Demon Lord was Yang Ying Feng’s Junior Brother but his revolt against his Sect and the murder of an elder had displayed the Demon Lord’s motive to cut their ties. It was only natural for Yang Ying Feng to feel enraged.
“One day I’ll break his dog legs and force him to kneel in front of Master to apologize!” Yang Ying Feng was annoyed for a while before collecting himself, hurriedly asking, “What happened after?”
“Grand Master was contaminated by Demonic Qi and lying on his deathbed, but fortunately I arrived back at the Sect in time and gave him something that allowed him to recover.”
“You gave him ‘something’?” Yang Ying Feng’s eyes became bigger than pigeon eggs, Dong Su Zhu also covered her small mouth in surprise, the husband and wife pair couldn’t help holding his breath as they waited in suspense.
“En, my own concocted medicinal liquid, I didn’t expect it to have such miraculous results. Not only did it pull Grand Master back from the gates of hell, it also helped him to dispel the Demonic Qi corroding his body.” Yang Kai eloquently spun his half true half fabricated story, “When Grand Master fully recovered, he also broke through.”
“Your own concocted medicinal liquid?” Yang Ying Feng’s expression went pale with shock.
Dong Su Zhu patted her chest with his delicate hand, greatly relieved that things had turned out alright. If it hadn’t, the responsibility of the death of Ling Tai Xu would not have fallen onto the Demon Lord but rather, Yang Kai.
If this was really the case, her husband would have suffered a devastating blow.
Yang Kai rubbed his nose lightly and explained, “Actually, I studied a little bit about medicine when I stayed on Medicine King’s Valley Hidden Cloud Peak.”
“That’s right!” Yang Ying Feng suddenly understood.
“Did you already know?” This time it was Yang Kai’s turn to be surprised, it seemed like this matter was already known to his parents.
“En, Han’er secretly told us.” Dong Su Zhu nodded.
[So that’s how it is,] Yang Kai thought to himself, Dong Qing Han was his cousin on his mother’s side, so it wasn’t strange for him to have passed along such news.
“Grandmaster Xiao is truly worthy of his reputation.” Yang Ying Feng proclaimed, “Even if he doesn’t act personally, just something he taught you can have such a wondrous effect.”
Nodding his head firmly, Yang Ying Feng’s expression became dignified as he said, “Remember, one day, you must thank Grandmaster Xiao personally for his benevolence.”
Yang Kai smiled and nodded, “Naturally.”
“Hmm, rather, I should go to Hidden Cloud Peak myself, rescuing the life of my Master is equal to rescuing my own, I should express my gratitude to Grandmaster Xiao personally,” Yang Ying Feng suddenly said, his words filled with a sincere gratitude.
However, Yang Kai suddenly felt awkward.
If his father went to Hidden Cloud Peak, it wouldn’t take long for him to unravel his story, so Yang Kai quickly interjected, “Father, it’s best if you don’t go, Grandmaster’s temper is a bit odd, even if you arrive at Hidden Cloud Peak personally there’s not guarantee he’ll see you, it’s best if you leave this to me.”
Yang Ying Feng paused and thought about it for a moment before nodding, thinking that what Yang Kai said was right. Many masters from the Eight Great Families would visit Hidden Cloud Peak to ask Xiao Fu Sheng to refine pills for them, but only a few of them ever had their request answered, many of them had even come back without once seeing Grandmaster Xiao’s shadow. Thinking so, Yang Ying Feng nodded, “Good, when you go, I will prepare an appropriate gift for you to take.”
“En, understood.” Yang Kai secretly wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
Dong Su Zhu was suddenly thought of something and excitedly asked, “Kai’er, do you remember the way to refine that medicinal liquid?”
Yang Kai smiled and said, “Of course.”
“Then…” Dong Su Zhu’s heartbeat could not help but accelerate, he eyes filling with expectation and nervousness as she looked towards Yang Kai.
As her son, how could Yang Kai not know what she was hoping for?
The Yang Family Fourth Master was also injured in the past by the Demon Lord and to this day still had some residual Demonic Qi corroding his body.
If not for this reason, how could Yang Ying Feng still only have stay as an Immortal Ascension Boundary Third Stage cultivator? Even Dong Su Zhu was now an Immortal Ascension Boundary Seventh Stage master!
The Yang Family Fourth Master was Ling Tai Xu’s First Disciple while the Demon Lord was his Second Disciple. With the Demon Lord’s aptitude, along with a number of chances, he had now reached the Above Immortal Ascension Boundary, Yang Ying Feng was his Senior Brother and was obviously thought highly of by Ling Tai Xu, so his aptitude was obviously no worse than the Demon Lord. If not for the injury he had suffered all those years ago, how could Yang Ying Feng only have reached the Immortal Ascension Boundary Third Stage, at the very least he should have an Immortal Ascension Boundary Eighth Stage cultivation.
The Demonic Qi which troubled Yang Ying Feng and Ling Tai Xu shared a common source, while the latter’s was actually more concentrated.
Since that medicinal liquid could dissolve the Demonic Qi inside Ling Tai Xu, it should have no trouble resolving the Demonic Qi infecting Yang Ying Feng. If he could rid himself of this dark injury, Yang Ying Feng’s future prospects would instantly become brighter, even possibly having an opportunity to reach the Above Immortal Ascension Boundary!
Yang Ying Feng’s aptitude was top-notch, at least no worse than the Yang Family’s current Patriarch Yang Ying Hao.
“I can concoct the liquid myself and the materials required aren’t too precious.” Yang Kai nodded slightly.
Hearing his son’s words, the Yang Family Fourth Master’s breathing also quickened slightly.
“En, I should examine your body’s condition first though.”
“Good!” Yang Ying Feng nodded before hastily sitting down in front of Yang Kai, extending out his arm.
Yang Kai quickly placed two fingers upon the outstretched wrist, circulating his True Qi slightly as he examined his father’s meridians and physique.
When this True Qi entered his body, Yang Ying Feng showed a shocked expression, his eyes quickly sizing up his son in amazement. He hadn’t expected that Yang Kai’s True Qi would be so dense and pure.
Although it was only a wisp of True Qi, the Yang Family Fourth Master could infer from it the quality of True Qi in his son’s body. Even compared to his own, the potency of Yang Kai’s True Qi didn’t differ much.
He was only a True Element Boundary Seventh Stage cultivator. If given enough time to accumulate and refine his strength, once he reached the same realm as himself, just how astonishing would his True Qi be?
[This child… he’s filled with surprises…]
Was this really his son? The Yang Family Fourth Master suddenly had a strange thought.
After a long time, Yang Kai let out a breath and removed his grip.
“Well?” Dong Su Zhu asked anxiously.
“Far better than Grand Master’s condition, but because it’s been so many years, the Demonic Qi has made its way into the dantian, so in order to fully purify it, Father will need to take the my elixir for roughly a year.”
“So he can be cured!?” Dong Su Zhu couldn’t help shouting when Yang Kai gave his diagnosis, quickly sharing a glance with Yang Ying Feng, both of them clearly seeing the joy in the other’s eyes.
For many years, the husband and wife pair had seen many famous healers and Alchemists, trying various methods to remove the Demonic Qi from Yang Ying Feng’s body to no avail, even the Yang Family’s Dragon Transformation Pond proved ineffective.
But now, the troubles that have bothered the couple for many years had been instantly solved with Yang Kai’s return.
Both of them suddenly felt they had best son in the world!
Over the next ten days, Yang Kai secluded himself, telling his parents that he needed some time to concoct the medicinal liquid.
A variety of precious materials were delivered to his room, which were of course stored by Yang Kai into the Black Book space.
These materials were not procured by the Yang Family, but by Yang Ying Feng and Dong Su Zhu themselves. Although these Precious Treasures weren’t rare and shocking, the highest reached Mysterious Grade Low-Rank.
Yang Kai had to let them gather these in order to maintain the illusion of him refining something, otherwise if he haphazardly threw together some ordinary ingredients, it would be impossible to believe this medicinal liquid of his could be so miraculous.
It wasn’t that Yang Kai intended to hide the Myriad Drug Liquid’s existence from his parents; it was just that the origin of this miracle drug was too sensitive; after all it concerned the legacy of Medicine King’s Valley’s Pill Saint. Let them know about it would do them more harm than good.
Ten days later, Yang Kai gave Yang Ying Feng two bottles of Myriad Drug Liquid, telling him and Dong Su Zhu to only take one drop a day.
He also gave them a large amount of Myriad Drug Milk, which was the actual key to expelling the Demonic Qi from his father, the Myriad Drug Liquid was only to help his parents cleans their bodies.
As for the most potent Myriad Drug Cream, Yang Kai didn’t plan to give them any at this point.
The Myriad Drug Cream could help one understand the Martial Dao, so Yang Kai wanted to wait until his parents had reached the peak of the Immortal Ascension Boundary. Although this would be a while from now, Yang Kai wasn’t impatient.
The Yang Family Fourth Master didn’t know the true preciousness of the Myriad Drug Liquid, so he only examined it briefly before setting it aside, turning a serious gaze towards Yang Kai as he solemnly asked, “The Inheritance War… do you want to participate?”
Yang Kai felt that his father had something more to say than just this so he didn’t immediately reply, instead asking in return, “What does father mean?”
Yang Ying Feng couldn’t help letting out a sigh, “Your mother and I didn’t expected you to have such astonishing growth these past few years, so we originally didn’t expect you to want to participate in the Inheritance War. Your mother… is reluctant to allow you to take part in it!”
Yang Kai stared at his father for a moment before smiling fiercely, his eyes seemingly ablaze.
He had asked what his father meant, but all he was told was what his mother thought, the Yang Family Fourth Master not stating an opinion at all implied that the decision would be his to make alone.
“Of course I’ll participate!” Yang Kai decisively said, “If I become the Patriarch, the Sect can be revived!”
“En, my thoughts exactly.”
The father and son looked at each other for a moment before bursting out into laughter, Yang Ying Feng’s expression loosening as he muttered, “This is partly your father’s selfishness. I owe a great deal to your Grand Master, but now the only way I can repay him is through you. High Heaven Pavilion’s inheritance cannot end in your Grand Master’s generation!”
“En, but mother…”
“I’ll tell her, so don’t worry.” Yang Ying Feng waved his hand and declared with pride.
“Good,” Yang Kai nodded, letting go of his worries. Although it always seemed like Yang Ying Feng was being tossed around by his wife, but when it came to important affairs, the Fourth Master was still exhibited the demeanor of a family head, Dong Su Zhu would only tease him about some irrelevant things but wouldn’t truly oppose him when it counted.
“Right,” Yang Kai suddenly remembered, “I want to recruit someone who is well-informed, flexible but loyal, do you know of anyone appropriate?”
“Is there something you need to handle?” Yang Ying Feng’s brow rose slightly.
“En.”
The Yang Family Fourth Master pondered for a while before throwing something to Yang Kai, telling him, “Go to Clear Sky Tavern in the North City District and find a man named Pang Chi, he should be of use to you.”
“Who is he?” Yang Kai fiddled with the object in his hands, quickly discovering that it was blue-colored bamboo knot approximately one finger in length, slightly resembling a tiny flute. If one were to gently blow on it, a high pitched sound would result.
However, though it resembled bamboo, Yang Kai couldn’t actually recognize what material it was, it was neither metal, wood, nor jade, but clearly it wasn’t ordinary.
“Bamboo Knot Gang’s Leader!” Yang Ying Feng smiled slightly, “It’s a small force I cultivated myself, although the strength of its members isn’t very high, but their information collection is first-class. If you can make them submit to you, they’ll be a good boost for you in the Inheritance War!”
“Understood.” Yang Kai nodded.
The Yang Family Fourth Master suddenly wore a guilty expression as he muttered under his breath, “Although I have some influence inside the family, I can’t give any of it to you, because in the Inheritance War, no one else from the family can participate except for those approved of by the Elder Assembly. Even if I were to give something to you, you’d be unable to use it.”
Yang Kai nodded lightly, he was already well aware of these rules so obviously he had no objections.
“There’s still some time left before the Inheritance War begins.You can use this time to familiarize yourself with them.” Yang Ying Feng smiled meaningfully.
Yang Kai also grinned and laughed menacingly.
Yang Ying Feng’s brow couldn’t help twitching when he saw this; he had never seen such a dark and conniving side of his son.
At that moment, a loud eagle cry suddenly sounded outside the house, causing Yang Ying Feng to frown curiously, “A Golden Feather Eagle?”
On the other than, Yang Kai just smiled when he heard this cry. After a while, another eagle call rang out, confirming it was really a Golden Feather Eagle.
Yang Ying Feng was suddenly confused, “Why would a Golden Feather Eagle come to our house?”
The Golden Feather Eagles had always been synonymous with the Yang Family. Long ago, when the family was still very small, no more than a few people, the Yang Family’s ancestors had used a special method to tame these Monster Beasts. Now, a few dozen of these majestic beasts were raised inside the Yang Family.
After Yang Kai returned to the Yang Family, the Golden Feather Eagle that had accompanied him had obviously returned to its roost. Now, after being separated for only ten short days, it had taken the initiative to come look for him.
Although Yang Ying Feng didn’t know why this Golden Feather Eagle came here, but how could Yang Kai not understand.
This eagle clearly missed the taste of the Myriad Drug Liquid, so it had come to find Yang Kai on its own.
The father and son quickly went out and saw several people standing around under a big tree, holding out some meat in their hands towards the Golden Feather Eagle perched above.
These pieces of meat were all fresh with a thick bloody appearance, the favourite food of the Golden Feather Eagles, but at the moment, this particular eagle didn’t even glance at it, instead staring dedicatedly towards Yang Kai’s home.
Seeing Yang Kai appear, the Golden Feather Eagle actually spread his wings and jumped down, instantly flying to Yang Kai’s shoulder and landing, using its hook-like beak to comb Yang Kai’s hair intimately.
The group of people below the tree could only star in amazement; even Yang Ying Feng stared at Yang Kai dumbstruck.
The Golden Feather Eagles all had high intelligence and arrogant temperaments. Even for those responsible for breeding and rising them within the family had difficulty comforting them when they became irritated, but this Golden Feather Eagle had actually perched atop Yang Kai’s shoulders of its own volition, treating him as closely as family.
This was something that had never happened before!
The Golden Feather Eagle still let out the occasional cry; it’s crisp voice easily heard a few kilometers away, it seemed to be urgently requesting something.
“Settle down!” Yang Kai snorted.
To everyone’s surprise, upon hearing these words, the Golden Feather Eagle immediately closed its beak and stood on Yang Kai’s shoulder, motionless.
“Young Master’s methods are truly amazing!” A maidservant called out as her eyes narrowed slightly, her beautiful face staring towards Yang Kai with clear signs of excitement and worship in her expression.
Another old servant also smiled and added, “This old man has have served the Yang Family for many years, yet I’ve never seen anyone who could make the Golden Feather Eagle act so obediently, astonishing.”
“What did you do?” Yang Ying Feng’s brow wrinkled as he asked directly.
“It probably grew attached to me as we exchanged feelings on the road home.” Yang Kai smiled, casually talking nonsense.
Yang Ying Feng gawked for a moment, obviously not convinced.
The difficulty of surrendering a Golden Feather Eagle was naturally famous; otherwise they wouldn’t have been handed over to non-family disciples to train. The previous generation of Yang Family children, Yang Ying Feng among them, had also been found by Golden Feather Eagle when their outside experience came to an end. At that time, although the Yang Family Fourth Master had invested a great deal of time and effort into appealing to the eagle, its attitude towards him had been at best, lukewarm. When had such an intimate scene like the one taking place in front of him ever happened?
Soon after, one of the servants quickly walked over and said, “Master, Young Master, there is a man outside named Du Cheng Bai who wishes to meet with you.”
The Yang Family Fourth Master thought for a moment before nodding, “Invite him in.”
“Yes.”
Du Cheng Bai, Yang Ying Feng didn’t recognize this name but he knew that the family which was in charge of raising the Yang Family’s Golden Feather Eagles was surnamed Du.
This Du Cheng Bai was probably chasing after the Golden Feather Eagle and had arrived here, otherwise there was no way an outsider would dare casually arrive at a Yang Family Master’s home.
Not long after, the servant led an elderly man over. Walking up to Yang Ying Feng and Yang Kai, Du Cheng Bai respectfully cupped his fists and wore a warm smile on his face, “Du Family eagle custodian greets Yang Family Fourth Master, and greets Little Lord!”
Yang Ying Feng nodded in return, calmly asking, “Are you here looking for this Golden Feather Eagle?”
“Indeed,” Du Cheng Bai replied hastily, his demeanor slightly nervous, “These eagles are quite difficult to train and has mistakenly entered into the Fourth Master’s residence, disturbing the Fourth Master and the Little Lord, this Du humbly asks Fourth Master to forgive its trespass!”
“It’s fine, that year, these Monster Beasts also brought me home.” Yang Ying Feng shook his head lightly, “If that is all, then bring this eagle back and tend to it carefully.”
“Yes.” Du Cheng Bai nodded repeatedly, “Many thanks for Fourth Master’s consideration!”
Finished apologizing, Du Cheng Bai smiled awkwardly at the Golden Feather Eagle, bringing his fingers to his lips and whistling a crisp but unintelligible melody.
This was the way the Du Family would communicate with the Golden Feather Eagles. In the past, whenever Du Cheng Bai blew this tune, the Golden Feather Eagle would obey his instructions, but this time things obviously didn’t go according to plan.
This particular eagle seemed more sentient than before, turning its head to look at Du Cheng Bai, a tinge of mockery apparent in its sharp gaze.
Everyone stood around watching, wanting to observe the mysterious methods used to control these Golden Feather Eagles, even Yang Ying Feng watched seriously, causing Du Cheng Bai’s expression to grow nervous and distraught as time passed.
After whistling for quite some time, the Golden Feather Eagle remained completely aloof while Du Cheng Bai’s mouth filled with a bitter taste.
Du Cheng Bai stopped, awkwardly coughed and then said to Yang Kai, “Little Lord, pardon my offence.”
Saying so, he took a few steps forward and tried to grab hold of the Golden Feather Eagle standing on Yang Kai’s shoulders.
“Be careful, it’s dangerous.” Yang Kai said with a grin.
Du Cheng Bai was confused by this warning, but before he could collect himself, the Golden Feather Eagle suddenly made a screech and sent a ray of golden light towards him.
Du Cheng Bai’s strength wasn’t high, only possessing True Element Seventh Stage cultivation, but to block this kind of offhanded attack from the Golden Feather Eagle that was enough.
Hastily erecting a True Qi barrier in front of him, Du Cheng Bai managed to block the golden light, quickly jumping back a few steps and staring dumbfound towards the Golden Feather Eagle.
Du Cheng Bai had been raising these eagles for many years, but he had never once been attacked like this. He couldn’t understand why The Heavens had decided to punish him so today.
Staring at the Golden Feather Eagle for a long time, Du Cheng Bai only saw a thick hostility from its eyes.
As one of the Yang Family’s eagle trainers who had been serving for several decades, if news of him being attacked like this were to spread, wouldn’t he become a laughing stock? Du Cheng Bai was very embarrassed at this moment and at a loss about what he should do next.
Seeing his embarrassment, Yang Kai grinned helplessly, stealthily extracting a drop of Myriad Drug Liquid from the Black Book space before gently feeding it to the Golden Feather Eagle under the guise of petting its head, lightly reprimanding it, “You shouldn’t cause trouble!”
The eagle cried out and flapped its wings for a while, seemingly a little reluctant to comply.
“Behave!” Yang Kai scolded as his brow furrowed.
Upon hearing Yang Kai’s forceful tone, the Golden Feather Eagle immediately stopped objecting and settled down.
Du Cheng Bai couldn’t help staring at Yang Kai, his eyes filled with shock and awe, stuttering as he asked, “Little Lord, can you communicate with this eagle?”
“Somewhat.” Yang Kai readily acknowledged.
Du Cheng Bai’s expression quickly changed from surprise to unbridled worship. His Du Family had relied on a set of profound beast taming techniques and skills passed down from his ancestors to enter the Yang Family’s service. As a tamer who specialized in the training of Golden Feather Eagles, he had once thought that his family’s methods were unrivaled in this world.
But now, the techniques he was so proud of compared with Yang Kai’s extraordinary means were as different as clouds and mud.
Du Cheng Bai silently thought that even if he cultivated his beast taming techniques to their peak it would still be impossible to replicate what Yang Kai had just shown him.
For a long time, Du Cheng Bai simply stood there shocked, his expression extremely awkward.
[There’s actually someone in this world who can communicate with Monster Beasts to such a point!]
Yang Ying Feng’s eyes shone brightly, a thick sense of pride welling up inside his chest; Yang Kai was his son. The more outstanding Yang Kai’s performance was, the happier he would be. Although communicating with Monster Beasts wasn’t something Heaven shaking, it was still a valuable skill.
“Tamer Du!” Yang Kai stared at Du Cheng Bai and called out.
Called out to like this, Du Cheng Bai blinked a few times before quickly waving his hands, “Old Du doesn’t dare pull rank, please call this old man by name Little Lord.”
Pay respect where it is due, no one understood how difficult it was to teach the Golden Feather Eagles than Du Cheng Bai, so Yang Kai being able to make it so obedient was naturally worthy of his respect.
“If I want this eagle, what should I do? How can I acquire it?” Yang Kai asked Du Cheng Bai.
“Little Lord wants this eagle?” Du Cheng Bai looked Yang Kai in surprise.
“Good, I want personal ownership of it, not as a member of the family!” Yang Kai quickly said.
Du Cheng Bai immediately understood what he meant.
It wasn’t that the Yang Family had any rules forbidding the private ownership of Golden Feather Eagles but that the Golden Feather Eagles were simply too hard to tame. On top of that, in the end, it was just a Fifth-Order Monster Beast, equivalent to a True Element cultivator. Even if it had various useful abilities, due to how much time needed to be invested to train it, basically no one was willing to do so.
But different from the Fourth Master, the Little Lord seemed able to intuitively communicate with this Golden Feather Eagle. If he could gain sole ownership of it; this single eagle would be a big boost to him.
At the very least, it would be an ideal candidate for quickly transmitting orders and information.
After taking a deep breath, Du Cheng Bai replied, “Please forgive this old man, Little Lord, all Golden Feather Eagles belong to the family, this Du cannot arbitrarily gift it to you.”
“En, I understand. Right now, I just want to know how I can take it for myself. You have been raising these eagles for the Yang Family for so many years, hasn’t anyone ever taken away one of them?”
Du Cheng Bai slowly shook his head, “No one has ever successfully obtained one of these eagles. Even when the family allowed someone to take one, the eagle wasn’t willing to follow them.”
Yang Ying Feng’s brow wrinkled, adding on, “If it was any other time, I could use my own contribution merits to help you exchange for this eagle, but right now is a sensitive period, everything you want you must find a way to obtain yourself!”
Yang Kai nodded and understood, it wasn’t long until the Inheritance War would start so the family definitely wouldn’t allow any of the Young Lord’s relatives to help them in disguise.
Du Cheng Bai nodded, “Similar to what Fourth Master has said, you can use your own contribution merits to exchange for this eagle…” Pausing for a moment, he then grinned wryly and shook his head, “But Little Lord, you just returned to the family, so you probably don’t have any stored merits.”
“Merits?” Yang Kai eyebrow slightly lifted, “What kind of merits would I need to exchange for this eagle?”
The Yang Family Fourth Master wouldn’t have a good estimate of this so Yang Kai could only look to Du Cheng Bai.
The latter thought for a moment before replying, “Merits can be gained by giving something to the family that brings obvious benefits, for example, letting an entire force pledge loyalty to Yang Family or donating some powerful artifact, Martial Skill, rare spirit pill or Precious Treasure!”
Yang Kai’s eyes immediately shined, “Would a Mysterious Grade Martial Skill be enough?”
This statement not only caused Du Cheng Bai’s face to change, even Yang Ying Feng showed a shocked expression.
The Yang Family Fourth Master had never imagined that his son had cultivated a Mysterious Grade Martial Skill these past few years. Quickly searching his memory, High Heaven Pavilion only had a few trivial Mysterious Grade Low-Rank Martial Skills, all of which were in the hands of Ling Tai Xu and the other several Elders, ordinary disciples wouldn’t have a chance to even glance at them.
“Kai’er, you wouldn’t be…” Yang Ying Feng frowned.
“No, I haven’t practiced any of the Sect’s Martial Skills!” Yang Kai shook his head, understanding that his father was worried about him revealing the Sect’s secret inheritance.
This time, Yang Ying Feng was even more shocked. If it wasn’t a Martial Skill he learned in the Sect, then where did he obtain it from? What exactly did his son experience over these past few years?
On the other hand, Du Cheng Bai nodded vigorously, “A Mysterious Grade Martial Skill is enough.”
A Mysterious Grade Martial Skills was the core inheritance of any great force, only the most elite of its disciples would have an opportunity to obtain them. Exchanging a Mysterious Grade Martial Skill for a Fifth-Order Golden Feather Eagle, the family had no reason not to accept.
“Little Lord, do you want Old Du to help you with this matter? Most matters regarding the Golden Feather Eagles are handled by this old man.” Du Cheng Bai volunteered readily.
“Good, many thanks in advance for Old Du’s work.”
“Little Lord is too polite,” Du Cheng Bai hurriedly replied, cupping his fists, “Old Du only hopes that Little Lord can spare some time to instruct this old man slightly in the ways of beast taming, if so, Old Du will surely repay Little Lord’s benevolence.”
“With pleasure.” Yang Kai easily agreed, in fact, he also wanted to take a look at the Du family’s beast taming techniques, thinking he might be able to learn something to enhance the power of his Beast Slave Seal.
Since the Du Family could become the Yang Family’s exclusive eagle caretakers, there must be something special about their Monster Beast taming techniques; otherwise the Yang Family would have already stolen it from them.
“Then Old Du will go back right away to handle this matter, in one or two days, at most five or six, I should have news for the Little Lord.” After Du Cheng Bai received Yang Kai’s promise, he was incredibly happy, but looking at the still hostile Golden Feather Eagle, he couldn’t help letting out a sigh, “Little Lord, this eagle must go back with Old Du for the time being, otherwise if the family investigates, this old man will be punished.”
Yang Kai nodded and ordered the Golden Feather Eagle to follow Du Cheng Bai; the Golden Feather Eagle immediately spread its wings and flew into the sky, obediently heading back to its roost.
“Don’t lock it up; it will come to see me once a day.” Yang Kai said.
“Old Du will do so.” Du Cheng Bai nodded and bid Yang Ying Feng and Yang Kai farewell, leaving with a big grin on his face.
“You sure have skills.” Yang Ying Feng smiled broadly, generously praising his son.
Yang Kai grinned wryly and shook his head, “Just a little trick, nothing special, I’ll head to the North City District first and won’t be back for a few days, when I return I’ll tell you about it.”
“Good, you go.” Yang Ying Feng nodded, not stopping him.
The Central Capital was too big, if one wanted to walk, it would take several days to get to the North City District from the Yang Family home. It was also inconvenient to fly over the city without a certain degree of strength, so Yang Kai could only take out a Cloud Treading Colt to ride.
That night, when Dong Su Zhu came back and found that Yang Kai had already left, Yang Ying Feng couldn’t escape from her scolding.
Her son had come back for less than two days before entering secluded retreat for more than ten days, after which he immediately left for the North City District.
Dong Su Zhu was naturally upset.
The Yang Family Fourth Master let his wife complain all she wanted until Dong Su Zhu finally calmed down before casually changing the subject, “Kai’er has already made us this medicinal liquid and said we should take one drop of it every day.”
That being said, Yang Ying Feng took out the bottle of Myriad Drug Liquid which was given to him by Yang Kai and put it on the table.
“A drop?” Dong Su Zhu looked puzzled, “Wasn’t this meant to help you cleanse the Demonic Qi in your meridians? How can I drink it?”
“Kai’er said that if one takes this regularly they can maintain their youth forever…”
“I want this!” Dong Su Zhu was so excited that she didn’t even wait for her husband to finish speaking before she loudly proclaimed, her previously depressed mood already scattered to the wind.
The husband and wife pair obviously didn’t really believe that Yang Kai’s medicinal liquid could really make one retain their youth forever, but regardless, it was something their son had given them, so even if it was a glass of water, nothing could be sweeter!
After taking out a pair of glasses, Yang Ying Feng carefully poured out a drop of this elixir into each before turning to his wife, the two of them frowning as they looked at each other.
One drop at a time… it wasn’t really drinking, after it wet their lips it would be all but gone.
“Why not pour some more? In any case it’s not poison, it also has a sweet fragrance,” Dong Su Zhu proposed, her face eager to try.
“Might as well,” Yang Ying Feng nodded casually, pouring out some more of this medicinal liquid into his wife’s cup before adding to his own.
“Fill your cup, since this can cleanse the Demonic Qi in your body, it shouldn’t be bad for you to drink a little more.”
Following his wife’s suggestion, the Yang Family Fourth Master really filled up his cup.
The two picked up their glasses, Dong Su Zhu laughing naughtily as she wrapped her arm around her husband’s before bringing the glass to her lips.
The Fourth Master also smiled warmly, the husband and wife acting just as they had on their wedding night, draining their glasses in one gulp.
As the Myriad Drug Liquid poured down their throats, both of them licked their lips and carefully savored its taste.
This medicinal liquid was extremely fragrant, and its taste was also exquisite, both of them couldn’t help marveling at their son’s concoction.
The aftertaste was simply marvellous!
Looking at each other, the Yang Family Fourth Master and his wife were just about to give their thoughts on this medicinal liquid when suddenly their expressions changed dramatically. Immediately, both their faces became blood red and in the instant their True Qi swelled madly. At the same time, from their abdomens, a horrifying amount of energy burst forth.
Both of their faces were filled with shock as an intense pressure shot out from their bodies, instantly transforming all the nearby furniture into dust before blowing holes in the surrounding walls, rampant blades of True Qi leaving deep marks on everything remaining in their surroundings.
Without the slightest hesitation, the husband and wife quickly sat down and began circulating their Secret Arts, desperately trying to control the huge amount of raw energy flooding through their meridians.
Central Capital, North City District, Clear Sky Tavern.
Yang Kai, wearing a set of cyan robes, crossed his hands behind his back and stepped inside.
The slightly obese shopkeeper behind the front counter immediately showed a big grin and asked, “Is this Young Lord here to rest or eat?”
Yang Kai’s attire was uncommon and he had ridden here on a Cloud Treading Colt, catching the attention of everyone in the tavern. The shopkeeper’s eyes were naturally not bad so he knew that this youth’s origins were definitely not low so he dared not be inattentive.
“I’m looking for someone!” Yang Kai said indifferent, casually placing a green bamboo knot token on the counter.
When he saw this token, the face of the shopkeeper suddenly became very dignified, quickly running out from behind the counter and whispering, “Young Lord, please follow me.”
Yang Kai put away the token, nodded slightly and then followed the shopkeeper to the back of the store.
Although Clear Sky Tavern also did some ordinary business that was mainly just a cover for the outside world, the true face of Clear Sky Tavern was actually the Bamboo Knot Gang.
In the Central Capital, there was more than just the Eight Great Families!
There were countless forces, some exposed to the light, others lurking in the shadows; however, all of these forces were supported or controlled by one of the Eight Great Families, and were mainly responsible for handling things that the Eight Great Families found ‘inconvenient’ to do themselves. The Bamboo Knot Gang was just one of these forces and compared to other similar forces, it was actually rather small.
After passing through the Clear Sky Tavern, Yang Kai came to a huge courtyard where many cultivators were sparing with one another, either one on one or in groups of three to five.
Yang Kai casually glanced around and found that the strength of the people here really wasn’t that high, the strongest only having Peak True Element cultivations, the majority actually still at the Separation and Reunion Boundary while a few were only at the Qi Transformation Stage.
In the Central Capital, almost all cultivators with slightly good aptitudes were gathered up by the Eight Great Families, those who weren’t were naturally a mixed bag.
Yang Kai didn’t care too much, but the cultivators who were sparring, seeing the fat shopkeeper respectfully leading Yang Kai through the courtyard couldn’t help but show some surprise, some of them quietly whispering to one another, wondering who this youth was.
After passing through the huge courtyard, the two came to a large hall.
There were some cultivators in front of the hall, all of them looking somewhat on edge, staring around vigilantly. When Yang Kai and the fat shopkeeper appeared before them, all of the guards’ eyes inevitably turned to stare at them.
Stopping in front of these guards, the fat shopkeeper hurriedly smiled and said, “Four Master has sent someone, please inform the Sect Master.”
One of those cultivators looked Yang Kai over, his brow wrinkling slightly as he asked, “How come I’ve never seen him before? Are you sure the Fourth Master sent him?”
The fat shopkeeper nodded firmly, “Naturally, he has the Fourth Master’s token on him.”
The man nodded, no longer asking any question, simply saying, “Wait one moment.”
Not saying another word, the guard turned around and walked into the hall. A moment later, the guard returned and said to Yang Kai, “Sect Master said that you should go to the Tavern to rest first, after he’s finished discussing some matters he will come see you.”
Yang Kai’s brow furrowed, not expecting that he would actually be shut out.
This was interesting.
Inside the hall, there seemed to be some kind of quarrel going on, the voices of several people shouting was loud enough to hear even though he was outside.
Yang Kai released his Divine Sense, not only to understand what the people inside were saying, but also to learn about the situation.
Not long after, Yang Kai’s expression grew cold, unable to stop himself from snorted.
“Young Lord, would you like to return to the Tavern first?” The fat shopkeeper carefully proposed.
“No need, I’ll go in!” Yang Kai shook his head and walked towards the hall.
“Please wait!” The guard who had spoken with him just now wanted to stop Yang Kai, but the instant he spoke he suddenly found himself flying through the air, a scorching hot True Qi exploding in front of him, flooding into his meridians, causing him to fall unconscious before he even landed.
With a few muffled sounds, several cultivators in front of the main hall suddenly fell to the ground, and before the fat shopkeeper could recover from his shock, Yang Kai had already arrived at the front door.
With a bang, the closed doors opened and Yang Kai casually strode into the hall.
There were probably a dozen or cultivators inside sitting around a large table, all of them wearing a gloomy expression on their face. It seemed like the argument they were having was quite fierce, some of them even had signs that their True Qi circulation was unstable.
Yang Kai’s gaze turned slightly and fixed on the person at the head of the table.
This person’s expression was amiable and he was dressed in a very scholarly style, he seemed to have the temperament of a calm mature man with refined look. However, his brows were thoroughly furrowed, a faint trace of sorrow and helplessness apparent in his eyes.
Bamboo Knot Gang’s Sect Master, Pang Chi!
It was difficult to connect his name with his refined temperament.
Yang Kai throwing open the doors had naturally disturbed everyone inside, the moment he walked in the fierce quarrels immediately stopping, everyone turning their eyes in amazement to the intruding youth, several of them frowning in displeasure.
However, the majority of the cultivators inside wore dignified expression, all of them clearly understanding that Yang Kai was the person Yang Ying Feng had sent.
Pang Chi quickly got up, waving to the fat shopkeeper, signalling him to draw back before he himself wore a forced smile, cupped his fists, and asked, “May this humble one ask Young Lord’s name?”
“Yang Family’s Yang Kai!”
When these words came out, everyone couldn’t help trembling in shock!
They had thought that this youth was at most a messenger Yang Ying Feng had sent. In the past, the Bamboo Knot Gang was contacted by Yang Ying Feng in a similar fashion whenever he had instructions for them.
But once Yang Kai reported his name, everyone realized that the situation was different from what they had thought.
This youth was obviously one of the Young Lords who had just returned to Yang Family!
In all likelihood, he was the Yang Family Fourth Master’s son.
Recognizing the Yang Kai’s extraordinary identity, all of them hastily stood up, Pang Chi scrambling forward and bowing respectfully, “Bamboo Knot Gang’s Pang Chi didn’t know it was the Young Lord who had come to visit and failed to prepare an appropriate greeting! Many apologise Young Lord!”
“Many apologise Young Lord!” everyone else shouted in unison.
“Nevermind that!” Yang Kai waved his hand casually, obviously not caring about such matters.
Pang Chi couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief. Previously, when he was unaware of his identity, he had let Yang Kai go back to the tavern to rest and wait for him. If this Young Lord had been upset and blamed him, Pang Chi probably would be able to see tomorrow’s sunrise.
For a time, Pang Chi felt cold sweat drip down his back as he secretly thanked the Heavens for being merciful.
“Young Lord, please sit down!” Pang Chi quickly motioned.
Yang Kai nodded lightly then went straight to the head position and sat down without the slightest hesitation. Pang Chi smiled and stood aside, unable to help feeling slightly tense, everyone else who was still standing in place also awkwardly shifting their eyes back and forth.
They had never been in contact with any of the Yang Family’s children so at this moment they naturally felt some psychological pressure, on top of that, none of them knew what purpose Yang Kai had come here for.
Thinking about the quarrel they were having just now, several of them couldn’t help cold sweat from pouring down their foreheads.
Yang Kai grabbed a fragrant fruit, leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the table, assuming a comfortable position to eat.
It was as if he didn’t understand the slightest bit of etiquette, his performance no different from a local ruffian. Seeing his behaviour, everyone in the hall suddenly felt slightly more relaxed.
Their origins were very low, so seeing Yang Kai act so casually, naturally the invisible pressure they felt reduced slightly.
“Not bad.” Yang Kai took a few bites before throwing the half eaten piece of fruit back onto the table, finally looking up at everyone and waving, “Sit down.”
All eyes turned towards Pang Chi instinctively, the latter nodding slightly, silently telling all of them to take a seat.
Gently coughing twice, Pang Chi cautiously asked, “This humble servant dares ask, Young Lord coming to visit my Bamboo Knot Gang at this time, is it possibly at the request of the Fourth Master?”
“No.” Yang Kai shook his head, “I’ve just come here to play, and you don’t need to care about me. It seems that you all were discussing something important. Continue, I’ll just sit here and listen!”
After that, Yang Kai grinned fiercely as he swept his eyes over the crowd.
Everyone in the room couldn’t help lowering their eyes, keeping silent.
Pang Chi smiled awkwardly and said, “Just some trivial disagreements, this one fears that if Young Lord remains, he will only be bored. Perhaps Young Lord would like to return to the Tavern first?”
“Nonsense, continue.” Yang Kai casually dismissed Pang Chi’s suggestion.
Pang Chi expression became bitter, not having expected this Yang Family Young Lord to be so difficult to handle.
Yang Kai sat up straight suddenly and smiled again, “Right right, when I was outside the hall just now, I thought I heard someone calling out Huo Family, Huo Family… what exactly were to discussing? By all means, speak up, I’ve been away from the Central Capital for so many years so I’m not that well-informed about current events, I’m very interested in this Huo Family!”
Hearing Yang Kai’s word, everyone inside the hall paled in panic.
“No one dares to speak?” Yang Kai’s tone dropped sharply, his eyes suddenly becoming cold.
“Young Lord, actually, what happened is…” Pang Chi quickly spoke. He knew that from the start, this Yang Family Young Lord had already heard something, otherwise he wouldn’t be acting so aggressive.
However, Pang Chi hadn’t had time to finish explaining before Yang Kai took action, his True Qi surging as the hall was suddenly filled with blood-red flower petals. These sharp petals gave off a cold and murderous aura, instantly crashing towards four people in the room.
Three of these four couldn’t even respond before they were enveloped by the Thousand Blossoming Blood Begonia, immediately suffering hundreds of cuts to their bodies, each of them letting out pitiful screams.
Only one Immortal Ascension Boundary First Stage expert managed to dodge this attack but before he could escape from the hall, a blood red Sword Qi had already arrived in front of him.
*Hong…* With a bang, the whole hall was suddenly filled with a torrent of swirling True Qi, quickly falling into disorder.
The man took the Sword Qi strike full on, his face draining of all colour, apparently hurt quite seriously. Immediately he realized the horrifying strength and ruthlessness of Yang Kai, not daring to stick around, turning to the door and fleeing with all his might.
But before he could reach the hall’s entrance, countless blood red petals blocked his way, the next moment shooting towards him like a thousand arrows, the Thousand Blossoming Blood Begonia displaying its full might once again.
The man’s expression cramped up as he hurriedly backtracked.
Suddenly, a purple ray of light shot through the air and arrived at the man’s forehead, instantly sending an unbearable pain through his Knowledge Sea, causing him to fall to the ground not far from Yang Kais.
Yang Kai stood there motionless, lifting the crimson sword in his hand and thrusting forward unemotionally.
*Pu…*
The man was run through directly, his Immortal Ascension body no better than a thin piece of paper before this strike.
When Yang Kai drew his sword out, copious amounts of blood spurt from the wound, the Immortal Ascension Boundary First Stage master falling softly to the ground a moment later.
Sweeping his eyes across the rest of the people in the hall, Yang Kai said in a cold voice, “Accept bribes from the Huo Family? You’ll have to pay for that money with your life!”
Hearing this naked threat, everyone in the room paled.
Pang Chi stared at Yang Kai with horror, his eyes trembled fiercely, a cold chill shooting up his spine.
Of the four who were killed, except for the one Immortal Ascension First Stage expert, the rest were at least True Element Boundary Eighth Stage cultivators.
This level of cultivation wasn’t anything significant in terms of the entire Central Capital, but it was already an apex master for the Bamboo Knot Gang. The people who gathered here were of humble origins and lacked good Secret Arts and Martial Skills so it wasn’t easy for any of them to reach such a realm.
But in an instant, these four people had been killed!
The cold, decisive ruthlessness of the Yang Family Fourth Master’s son was obvious to all.
The expressions of everyone else inside the hall all underwent a massive change, each of them now staring at Yang Kai in horror, their hearts filled with fear. It wasn’t until this point that all of them truly realized the tyranny of the Eight Great Families.
Among the people inside, Pang Chi had the highest cultivation at the Immortal Ascension Second Stage, but he knew that it was impossible for him to kill these four people in such a short period of time like Yang Kai just did.
Didn’t that mean if the two of them were to fight right now, he wasn’t even worthy of being his opponent?
[Such a terrifying young man! How can a True Element Seventh Stage youth have such horrifying combat power?]
“Who else wants to submit to the Huo Family? I don’t mind sending him off!” Yang Kai’s eyes narrowed as he calmly swept his eyes over everyone in the hall.
“Yo… Young Lord… thi… this humble servant asks you to show mercy!” Pang Chi’s voice trembled as he fumbled over his words. The four people who had wanted to submit to the Huo Family had all been killed, the rest of the people remaining all strongly opposed them and were only here to discuss the current state of the Central Capital. Pang Chi was really afraid that in anger, Yang Kai would slaughter the innocent along with the guilty.
However… just now this Young Lord had clearly been outside the hall, so how could he instantly know that these four people were the ones with traitorous thoughts? This Young Lord’s methods were really incomprehensible.
Yang Kai nodded gently, withdrawing his killing intent as he took back his two artifacts and sat down slowly. Seeing this, everyone else couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief.
Pang Chi wiped the cold sweat on his forehead before rushing outside and shouting.
After a short time, a guard rushed over, cupped his fists and ask, “What does Sect Master require?”
“Take these ungrateful bastards out and bury them.” Pang Chi pointed at the four bodies.
The guard glimpsed inside but after seeing the bloody scene, his face instantly paled, hurriedly running out and summoning some helpers over, all of them trembling slightly as they dragged the still warm bodies out.
With the thick bloody smell still lingering about, everyone inside the hall breathed somewhat awkwardly, all of them waiting for Yang Kai to speak.
“From today onward, the Bamboo Knot Gang will submit to me!” Yang Kai spoke offhandedly, his tone light and casual, “Does anyone have any objections?”
“None! Bamboo Knot Gang is the Fourth Master’s attached force, Young Lord is the Fourth Master’s son, and this humble servant is willing to follow the commands of the Young Master!” Pang Chi quickly said.
“Good, tell me about the Huo Family situation.”
When he was outside the hall, Yang Kai had only heard a few words and didn’t understand the whole picture.
Pang Chi paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before truthfully recanting the contents of the quarrel.
The Huo Family was also one of the Central Capital’s Eight Great Families and naturally supported a number of hanger-on forces.
Right now, it wasn’t the Huo Family who wanted the Bamboo Knot Gang to submit to them but just another of these subordinate forces. This force had already promised a lot of benefits and most likely bribed a few of the core members of the Bamboo Knot Gang, so just now, those members had been the ones stirring up trouble.
The majority, headed by Pang Chi, didn’t want to betray Yang Ying Feng, but four of the gang’s core members disagreed. People seek higher heights just like water flows down to the sea. Although the Bamboo Knot Gang was supported by the Yang Family Fourth Master, but for many years they hadn’t even seen Yang Ying Feng’s face, so they were naturally not that loyal. With some external forces interfering, some of them would inevitably be tempted.
Moreover, even if they betrayed Yang Ying Feng, with the personality of the Yang Family Fourth Master, it was likely he wouldn’t pursue it, but if they were to refuse the olive branch offered by the Huo Family, it would likely lead to trouble.
So obviously, those four members didn’t have much resistance to the Huo Family, only thinking about seeking better prospects.
But now, those four had all been killed, naturally no one made any noise about this issue again.
After listening to Pang Chi’s remarks, Yang Kai nodded lightly, confident that he wasn’t concealing anything or trying to deceive him.
Finish explaining, Pang Chi quietly sat, no longer speaking, everyone in the room staring towards Yang Kai hesitantly, seemingly waiting for instructions.
Remaining silent for a long time, Yang Kai finally said, “Before I arrived, I had meant to show you some sincerity and slowly win you over, but now I have neither the time nor intention to do so.”
“I will participate in Inheritance War soon. If you follow me, you will also participate in the Inheritance War. This is an opportunity as well as a gamble, no one here is a child, you should all understand this.”
Everyone nodded, no on sitting in the hall was younger than thirty. If anyone could be considered a child here, only Yang Kai would qualify, so hearing him speak to them so inevitably made them feel somewhat awkward.
“I’ll offer you a choice, if you don’t want to participate in this Inheritance War, you may leave now and I won’t pursue it, but this opportunity will only be available to you once, if you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to again.”
Closing his mouth, Yang Kai waited quietly.
Everyone glanced around at each other. Hearing Yang Kai speak so candidly was beyond their expectations, coupled with him decisively killing four people just now; everyone couldn’t help but realize that this Yang Family Young Lord seemed to be an extremely resolute person that disdained wasting his breath.
For a while, no one dared to get up and leave.
Pang Chi eventually cracked a smile and said, “Those of us here, though many have never had the honour of meeting the Fourth Master, have for many years taken shelter in the shade of his figure, only obtaining all we have now thanks to him. Now that the Young Lord has need of us, we are naturally willing to serve.”
His words were neither hot nor cold; obviously he hadn’t whole heartedly recognized Yang Kai.
About this point, Yang Kai was also clear; however, just as he had said, he had neither the time nor the intent to thoroughly win over the Bamboo Knot Gang as he had with the two Blood Warriors.
Nodding, Yang Kai grinned fiercely, “I can tell you clearly, if you follow me, it won’t necessarily be good for you, but if you don’t follow me, there will definitely be bad things in your future!”
Seeing his barely hidden demonic smile, everyone in the room felt a slight chill shoot up their back.
Everyone in the hall immediately stood up and said with one voice, “We are willing to serve the Young Lord!”
With Yang Kai saying things so straightforwardly, if they didn’t know what to do at this point, they would be no better than fools.
“Good, everyone sit.” Yang Kai smiled dangerously, “Pang Chi, you sit too!”
“Yes!” Pang Chi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead again, thinking that the Young Lord and the Fourth Master were complete opposites in terms of character.
“How many members are there in the Bamboo Knot Gang?” Yang Kai asked.
“Young Lord, there are probably around six hundred members currently.”
“Six hundred people…” Yang Kai frowned. Although this number wasn’t that high, it wasn’t too shabby either, “How about everyone’s strength?”
Pang Chi smiled awkwardly and replied, “Most of them are Separation and Reunion cultivators, while about thirty percent have reached the True Element Boundary. As for Immortal Ascension Boundary masters, there are only three of us, but just now… one person already…”
One of the three Immortal Ascension masters had just been killed by Yang Kai, so now there were only two remaining. One of them was an Immortal Ascension Boundary First Stage, the other a Second Stage, this kind of high end strength was really quite pitiful.
However, Yang Kai didn’t show any signs of disappointment. He didn’t want to control the Bamboo Knot Gang in order to add to his fighting strength.
“Are all six hundred people in the Central Capital now?”
“Yes, if the Young Lord needs it, I can have them mobilize at once.” Pang Chi nodded.
“Call up two hundred people, I need them to inquire about the whereabouts of a group of people.”
“Yes, Young Lord!”
Yang Kai had Pang Chi quickly write down the appearance and characteristics of Su Yan and several of High Heaven Pavilion’s core members.
“Also, find another fifty nimble members to act as messengers, have them stand by as soon as possible!”
“Yes!” Pang Chi didn’t know what Yang Kai wanted so many messengers for, but since he was told to prepare them, all he had to do was obey.
“Right, what is the main business of the Bamboo Knot Gang?” Yang Kai asked.
Pang Chi awkwardly smiled, “The gang’s main business is to run some taverns, inns, teahouses, and restaurants. The gang’s disciples also will often pick up some odd jobs in the city.”
“How much do you have in your reserves?”
Pang Chi’s expression became even more embarrassed at this question, after a long time finally saying, “Right now, the gang has about 500,000 silvers in storage.”
“So poor?” Yang Kai was stunned.
Everyone in the hall had a red face, Pang Chi reluctantly replying, “It’s not easy to make a living in the Central Capital.”
The influence of the Eight Great Families was simply too strong. Those secret forces who had powerful backers would often get better jobs and even some rewards from their back forces. Although the Bamboo Knot Gang was supported by Yang Ying Feng, the Yang Family Fourth Master didn’t have much status inside the Yang Family and for these past many years, in order to cure his dark injuries, he had also constantly been searching for famous Alchemists and healers which was no small expense. As a result, he couldn’t offer too much in terms of resources or money to assist the Bamboo Knot Gang.
It was no wonder that four core members had been won over by the Huo Family.
After understanding all this, Yang Kai took out a stack of silver coins and handed it to Pang Chi, “For now, use this money.”
Looking at the big stack of silver coins, everyone couldn’t help but breathe a little harder.
With so many silver coins, they had to be worth at least a few million silvers, this Young Master of theirs was really generous.
Pang Chi froze up for a moment but didn’t reject, instead just thanking Yang Kai.
Seeing his performance, Yang Kai smiled lightly.
“For now, do what I’ve asked, I’ll come again soon with more instructions.” Saying so, Yang Kai stood up and walked out.
Everyone in the hall quickly stood up and respectfully bid him farewell.
After Yang Kai left, all the Bamboo Knot Gang’s core members glanced around at each other.
“Sect Master, how much money did the Young Lord give us?” Someone eventually couldn’t help but ask.
Counting carefully, Pang Chi said after a moment, “Three million!”
Three million, naturally these were the silvers Lu Liang had given Yang Kai, and now they had been transferred to the Bamboo Knot Gang.
Several sharp breaths were heard as everyone in the hall clamoured, “The Fourth Master’s son is much more up front than the Fourth Master.”
“Yeah. Although this Young Master is ruthless, blunt and direct, he is by no means an evil man. From what I can tell, he is actually quite generous.”
Pang Chi calmly said, “Now that we’ve accepted other’s money, no of us can have any traitorous thoughts, don’t forget, this new Young Lord of ours doesn’t hesitate to kill!”
Everyone suddenly trembled and nodded solemnly, all of them remembering the sight of their four former companions dying before them.
From the Bamboo Knot Gang, Yang Kai didn’t expect too much, only asking them to inquire about intelligence and pass on information.
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the gang was a loose collection of rabble, any decent master could easily destroy them. If it weren’t for their other utility value, Yang Kai wouldn’t have paid them a second glance.
Pang Chi accepting the huge sum of money he had presented without hesitation was a type of statement expressing his loyalty, Yang Kai naturally understood this.
Walking out from the Bamboo Knot Gang, Yang Kai mounted his colt and started heading back.
Halfway home, he suddenly heard someone call out to him from above.
Looking towards where the voice came from, Yang Kai’s eyes eventually fixed on a window of the second floor of a nearby restaurant where his brother Yang Zhao was smiling and waving, “Little Brother Kai, come up here.”
Yang Kai frowned, not having expected to meet his brother here; however, he had no reason to refuse so he leapt off his Cloud Treading Colt and strode over to the restaurant.
When Yang Kai stepped onto the second floor and entered a private room where Yang Zhao sat, he was immediately greeted by several sharp glances.
“Second Brother,” Yang Kai politely greeted him, quickly sweeping his eyes around, a little startled by what he saw.
Although most of the people present were unfamiliar to him, but from the dress and temperament of these Young Lords and Young Ladies, Yang Kai could immediately judge that their backgrounds weren’t small.
“Come come come,” Yang Zhao enthusiastically pulled Yang Kai over, pointing towards a youth sitting at the other end of the table, touching the chin with one hand and smiling, “Do you remember who this is?”
Yang Kai glanced over before smiling slightly, “Fifth Brother!”
The Yang Family’s younger generation fifth eldest, Yang Kang, was Yang Zhao’s blood related brother, Yang Kai naturally recognized him but he didn’t expect that he had already returned to the Central Capital.
Yang Kang looked over at Yang Kai but didn’t say a word, only nodding his head lightly, his expression neither warm nor cold.
When brothers meet, their interactions should not be this dull. Of course, Yang Kai did not say anything in return to the obvious contempt he was thrown with.
Everyone else in the room stared at Yang Kai with a playful look, seemingly wanted to observe his flustered and embarrassed look, but seeing his completely indifferent expression, all of them couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
Yang Zhao on the other hand didn’t seem to notice the awkward atmosphere at all, still very enthusiastically introducing Yang Kai to everyone.
Sure enough, the youths here were all children of the Eight Great Families.
Kang Family Kang Zhan, Gao Family Gao Rang Feng, Ye Family Ye Xin Rou. These three were all leaders of the younger generation of their respective families. At this moment, they were meeting with a Yang Family Young Lord, so it was obvious they were intending to participate in the Inheritance War.
The only uncertainty was whose side they would take.
When the introductions were completed, and everyone was seated, Yang Kang suddenly smiled and stared at Yang Kai, “Brother Kai, I heard that you only spent half a day in the Dragon Transformation Pond.”
Yang Kai nodded, “Yes, I had a problem with my aptitude, there was no benefit in staying.”
Yang Kang chuckled and said dismissively, “For you that’s already quite good, no?”
“Little Five!” Yang Zhao snorted and glowered at him, immediately patting Yang Kai’s shoulder and said comfortingly, “Your Fifth Brother has always been straightforward like this, don’t mind him. The Dragon Transformation Pond also isn’t as magical as rumors make it out to be, I stayed there for four days but didn’t gain much benefit from it.”
“Second Brother is amazing!” Yang Kang looked shocked, “I couldn’t stand it after only three days.”
“I heard that your Yang Family’s Dragon Transformation Pond could not only cleanse one’s body but was also a good place to test one’s aptitude, right?” Ye Xin Rou pursed her lips smiled elegantly.
Kang Zhan and Gao Rang Feng also showed interest in this topic, Kang Zhan even interjecting, “I also heard that the longer you stay in it, the better your aptitude is.”
Yang Zhao looked at Yang Kai a bit awkwardly before nodding slightly, “What you say isn’t wrong, but in fact, it’s not that simple. No one can know for certain what a person’s aptitude is, so how could a trivial Dragon Transformation Pond really test it?”
“But the shorter one can insist, the worse their aptitude is, that much is true.” Yang Kang’s face smiled broadly as he stared at Yang Kai. “Little Brother Kai shouldn’t worry too much. When we last met I recall you couldn’t cultivate at all, yet now I hear you’ve entered the True Element Boundary. This is already a great fortune for you; one should know how to be content with what they’ve been given.”
“You should also have some discretion, right, Fifth Brother?” Yang Kai shot back. Yang Kang shaming him was obvious, how could he not see it? Towards this cousin of his, Yang Kai was neither close nor hostile, but Yang Kang’s harsh words and thinly veiled contempt were still quite uncomfortable to listen to.
Facing such provocation, Yang Kai didn’t bother giving his cousin any face.
It seemed like Yang Kai daring to talk back to him had stunned Yang Kang quite a bit, the three young children from the Eight Great Families were even more surprised, none of them having expected the Yang Family’s youngest to be so overbearing.
Yang Zhao staggered for a moment before letting out a laugh, “Now now, don’t fight, the Dragon Transformation Pond is just a puddle of water, the future of my Yang Family can’t be decided by something so simple.”
“Indeed,” Kang Zhan nodded slightly before grinning wryly, “All you Yang Family children are savage tigers. For these past few years the Central Capital’s younger generation has been dominated by our seven families, but now that all of you are back, it seems we’ll have to surrender the stage.”
“Brother Kang is far too modest, the Central Capital is so big, and my Yang Family can’t possibly swallow it all. The future here will be shared between all of us.”
Gao Rang Feng’s brow wrinkled suddenly and asked, “How many of your Yang Family’s direct descendants have returned already?”
“Four,” Yang Zhao’s expression quickly became solemn, “In addition to the three of us, Fourth Brother Yang Xinwu has also returned, but Fourth Brother was seriously injured on the way back, almost killed. Right now the Elders are trying to heal his wounds but I’m not sure what the situation is right now…”
Yang Kai’s expression also became cold while Yang Kang’s face became very ugly.
On the way back, all of them had been ambushed by a number of masters, but their luck wasn’t bad and they had all managed to return safely, but Yang Xin Wu didn’t manage to escape unharmed.
“The tallest tree must face the wind,” Yang Zhao smiled helplessly, shaking his head slowly, “But now, the family has sent out more masters to rendezvous with the others so I believe that everyone else shouldn’t encounter too much trouble. There was also news that big brother Yang Wei will soon arrive.”
“Big brother is back?” Yang Kang asked anxiously.
Yang Zhao glanced at him with a grin, “It’ll still be about two to six days before he arrives at the Central Capital.”
Yang Kang’s look suddenly turned bitter, obviously somewhat worried about Yang Wei’s return.
“It seems the Central Capital is going to be lively again,” Ye Xin Rou smiled coyly, “Liu Qing Yao won’t be lonely anymore, hehe.”
When Ye Xin Rou mentioned Liu Qing Yao, everyone, including Yang Zhao, suddenly wore a dignified expression.
The Liu Family’s Liu Qing Yao was the Central Capital’s first Young Lord. Although he was still a member of the younger generation, it was rumoured that he had already reached the Immortal Ascension Boundary Third Stage. Such aptitude was difficult to encounter even once in a hundred years. Liu Qing Yao would certainly have an unparalleled influence on the Central Capital for decades to come. For this time’s Inheritance War, whoever could win him over would secure themselves a big boost.
“I really hope the Inheritance War will start as soon as possible so we can witness the methods of your Yang Family’s descendants!” Kang Zhan smiled sharply, his expression filled with enthusiasm.
“Haha, brothers and sisters…” Yang Zhao smiled heartily, “I’ll do my best to not let you down.”
Gao Rang Feng nodded, “I only hope when the time comes, if we happen to be on opposite sides, you’ll show us some mercy!”
“Likewise!”
Not long after the discussion ended, Yang Kai got up and left.
Looking at his disappearing back, the Young Lords and Young Lady from the three families felt slightly surprised. Yang Zhao and Yang Kang hadn’t made any overt overtures, nor did they show any obvious intentions, but all three of them knew that since the two of them sat here, they clearly had some thoughts about winning them over.
They also at least spoke some flattery.
But Yang Kai was different. From beginning to end, he said nothing about the Inheritance War or anything else for that matter; didn’t he have any ideas about them?
Was his display arrogance or confidence? Or perhaps he had already given up from the start?
The three youths all had slightly wrinkled brows as they pondered over this mystery.
Perceiving the three youth’s moods from their expressions, Yang Kang snorted disdainfully, “Second Brother, it’s not that I’m intentionally aiming at Ninth Brother, I just don’t believe people like him should participate in the Inheritance War so he won’t embarrass himself.”
Yang Zhao couldn’t help chuckling at these words, “Fifth Brother, you shouldn’t underestimate our youngest brother, he definitely has some means.”
“Means? What means? I can’t see anything worth mentioning.”
Yang Zhao’s expression suddenly became awkward as he muttered, “Let me ask you, the two Blood Warriors who escorted you home, how did they act towards you?”
Yang Kang wore a disgruntled look as he bitterly said, “Don’t mention them. I actually feel like it’s a relief to be away from them. Those two were like stone statues the whole time, all but ignoring me entirely, no matter what I said to or asked them. It really makes me wonder if they see me as a Young Lord or not.”
Yang Zhao showed a meaningful smile after a while and said, “The two who came with me acted similarly right up until the end, but the two Blood Warriors who came back with Ninth Brother were actually respectful and polite to him. Well, surprised?”
“What? Impossible! The Blood Warriors all have eyes on top of their heads, how could they possibly act respectfully towards him? Brother, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”
Yang Kang obviously didn’t believe what Yang Zhao had said, shaking his head almost unconsciously.
“That’s why I said our little brother has his means.” Yang Zhao quickly affirmed.
Yang Kang expression was stunned, his brow suddenly furrowing, not knowing what to say or think. It was only after a long silence that he muttered, “Second Brother, you think too highly of him, with such terrible aptitude, no matter his means, he’s still destined for mediocrity at best.”
As the two brothers spoke, the other three juniors in the room all smiled lightly and listened, showing no intention to interject. They too thought that Yang Kai’s performance today was too bland, unlike how a Yang Family Young Lord who would participate in Inheritance War should act.
But thinking so, they also felt somewhat suspicious, wondering just how the Yang Family’s youngest lord was intending to contend during the Inheritance War.
The Yang Family Fourth Master’s residence.
When Yang Kai arrived back home, it was already dark, but upon entering the main house, the head servant came over to him in a flurry and anxiously said, “Thank goodness you’re back Little Lord.”
Yang Kai was surprised and curiously asked, “What happened?”
“Master and mistress had some kind of accident,” The servant said as he hurriedly pulled Yang Kai towards the dining hall, “Please come quickly.”
“An accident? What exactly happened?” Yang Kai’s expression suddenly became anxious, quickly releasing his Divine Sense to quietly observe the entire mansion, immediately locating his father and mother’s position.