Using a single drop of golden blood, he had managed to severely wound both of them, then followed up by severing an arm and a leg from each. This trade had cost him dearly, and Yang Kai was filled with regret.
A single drop of golden blood was equivalent to three months of painstaking cultivation—not something that simply fell from the sky.
Hong Zhen and his martial brother should have had little fighting strength left by now. Even a random Saint Realm cultivator could have finished them off with ease. But Qian Tong was already here, and Yang Kai certainly couldn't kill these Shadow Moon Hall Void Return Realm experts right in front of him. If he did, Qian Tong would definitely take issue with it.
With a lingering sense of regret, Yang Kai glanced at Hong Zhen and his martial brother one final time, then strode toward Qian Tong.
"Nephew Yang, forgive me for arriving late and putting you through such a fright. This old man is truly ashamed." Qian Tong hurried over, his face full of lingering fear.
As he spoke, he quietly peered into the cave, terrified that the non-existent Void-grade Artifact Refiner behind Yang Kai might be displeased with his attitude. He was also seething inside—here he was trying every way possible to cultivate a relationship with Yang Kai and secure the future of the entire Shadow Moon Hall, while that brat Xie Hongwen was actually dragging him down. The sheer stupidity was beyond belief.
Fortunately, Yang Kai appeared to be in no mortal danger and wasn't even seriously injured. Moreover, that Artifact Refining master still hadn't shown his face, which put Qian Tong's mind slightly at ease. If that master truly intended to vent his anger on the Shadow Moon Hall, he would have appeared long ago. The fact that he still hadn't showed up clearly meant he had great confidence in Yang Kai.
The more Qian Tong thought about it, the more convinced he became that his reasoning was correct, and his demeanor grew even more deferential.
It was hardly Qian Tong's fault for not seeing the truth of the matter. Yang Yan's existence was simply too heaven-defying, and Qian Tong could never have guessed that she was the very Void-grade Artifact Refiner he was trying to win over.
"Elder Qian is too kind. I'm perfectly fine," Yang Kai said with a cupped-fist salute. Qian Tong had left a decent impression on him. Even if Qian Tong's goodwill was motivated by self-interest, that was only human nature—Qian Tong harbored no intention of scheming against him, and forming a bond with a Shadow Moon Hall elder would only benefit his standing on the Dark Star. So Yang Kai lowered his posture considerably, referring to himself as "junior" at every turn, which greatly reassured Qian Tong.
"That's good, that's good," Qian Tong exhaled with relief.
"Elder Qian, please take back this Rose Pill. I still have some healing pills on me and won't need it for now. I appreciate your kind intentions." As he spoke, Yang Kai handed the Rose Pill back.
Qian Tong's eyes flickered briefly. He immediately understood—Yang Kai didn't want to owe him any favors. He didn't insist, laughing heartily as he accepted the Rose Pill. He thought to himself: of course. With an Artifact Refining master backing the boy, even if that master didn't practice alchemy, Yang Kai certainly wouldn't be short of good things. Why would he care about a single healing pill?
"Nephew Yang, I've already given orders regarding the Xu family—Luo Qing will take care of it, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied. As for the Haik family, I can see they still have some connection to you, so I'll leave them for you to handle as you see fit." Qian Tong was old and experienced enough to know how things should be handled. The reason he hadn't overstepped earlier was because he'd noticed many Haik family warriors standing on Yang Kai's side. He didn't recognize most of them, but he knew Wu Yi—she was the Haik family's most gifted disciple.
Yang Kai nodded in thanks, then cast an indifferent glance at Ian. Ian's face went pale, and he stepped forward, trembling. He stood with his head bowed, his voice shaking: "We were blind and foolish. When your distinguished self graced us with your presence, the Haik family not only failed to provide proper hospitality but even committed offenses against you. We humbly beg for your punishment!"
Yang Kai let out a cold snort. He privately thought that Ian was a textbook case of cleverness backfiring. If the man had honestly begged for mercy right now, taking into account Wu Yi and the others, he might actually have let the matter drop. But instead, Ian had claimed they'd failed at hospitality—clearly treating Yang Kai as a guest who had come to visit Dragon Cave Mountain. Since when did a guest cause trouble for their hosts? It didn't hold up morally at all.
Qian Tong also caught the hidden meaning in the old man's words and couldn't help but scoff coldly. He simply closed his eyes, not wanting to watch the pathetic display.
"None of you in the Haik family have laid a hand on me directly," Yang Kai said, fixing Ian with a chilling stare, "but I have never shown mercy to anyone who dared provoke me."
Ian's legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
"However..." Yang Kai's tone shifted. "Whether you live or die is none of my concern. If you want to survive, go beg Wu Yi yourselves."
Ian froze for a moment, then went from terror to joy. He dropped to his knees with a thud: "Thank you for your mercy in sparing our lives!"
He knew the Haik family would survive. No one understood Wu Yi's nature better than he did—if he went to her and pleaded, she would never allow the family to be slaughtered. After all, she was still one of them.
"Get lost!" Yang Kai barked.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ian scrambled to his feet and hurried over to Wu Yi, already calculating in his mind how best to plead his case.
"Nephew Yang is truly magnanimous—this old man is filled with admiration. If it were me, I would have simply killed them all and been done with it," Qian Tong laughed.