"If it was an ambush, then why didn't you wait for a better opportunity, Brother Yang? Say, the moment Old Dog Li killed me and let his guard down—you could have struck then. It would have saved you a fair bit of trouble," Gu Jianxin said.
"A bit more trouble doesn't mean I couldn't kill him," Yang Kai replied with a confident smile. "The Young Alliance Master is really asking why I chose to save you, aren't you?"
Gu Jianxin nodded.
"A man who would risk his life for his woman—it'd be a shame for him to die just like that," Yang Kai answered.
Earlier, Gu Jianxin had personally taken a blow from Li Minghai to protect the Right Sword Maiden. Yang Kai had witnessed the whole thing. That was genuinely putting himself in mortal danger—one slip, and both he and the Right Sword Maiden would have been sent straight to the afterlife.
Yang Kai had risked his life for Su Yan as well, even clashing head-on with a powerhouse like Luo Hai. Gu Jianxin's actions resonated with him deeply.
A man who could throw himself into death for the woman he loved certainly wasn't the scheming, treacherous sort.
Gu Jianxin froze.
The Left and Right Sword Maidens, however, flushed slightly. They cast a tender glance at Gu Jianxin, their beautiful eyes brimming with sweet affection.
Gu Jianxin let out a hearty laugh, the last traces of wariness finally leaving his eyes. With heroic abandon, he declared, "It seems Brother Yang is a man of feeling too! For Gu to have met you here is truly the fortune of three lifetimes!"
Yang Kai rubbed his nose. "There's another reason—I know some people from your Sword Alliance."
"Oh? Brother Yang knows someone in our Sword Alliance?" Gu Jianxin asked, delighted.
Setting aside the fact that Yang Kai had saved his life, Yang Kai himself had already won Gu Jianxin's goodwill and inspired a desire to build a friendship. Hearing now that Yang Kai knew people in the Sword Alliance only made him happier.
"Who does Brother Yang know?"
"They're here." Yang Kai gestured to the side.
Gu Jianxin turned to look and was surprised to see Yue Xi and her two disciples—the trio that had performed so brilliantly in the earlier battle.
"So it's them!" Gu Jianxin was genuinely taken aback.
He had assumed that anyone Yang Kai knew would surely be one of their side's top powerhouses, not this seemingly unremarkable master and disciples.
Moments later, Yue Xi and He Zao flew over to a position not far ahead. The three of them first bowed to Gu Jianxin and inquired about his condition. Only after learning that the Young Alliance Master was fine did they finally let out a breath of relief.
"Big Brother Yang." He Zao and He Miao had more contact with Yang Kai, and it was thanks to his help that they'd survived their ordeal, so they didn't stand on ceremony. The moment they returned, they called out to him in sweet voices.
Yang Kai gave a slight nod and reached out with a wave of his hand. A streak of red light shot out from within He Zao's body and was drawn into his palm.
"Thank you, Yang Kai. If it weren't for you on this trip, we would surely not have escaped. My two disciples and I are endlessly grateful!" Yue Xi said with sincere gratitude.
Yang Kai said nothing, simply accepting her thanks with equanimity.
"So Brother Yang actually knows Madam Yue Xi and her disciples—what a wonderful coincidence!" Gu Jianxin laughed heartily. "If Brother Yang is willing, why not come rest aboard my warship for a while? It would give me the chance to play proper host."
Yang Kai pondered and did not agree immediately.
The reason he'd stayed in the area was mainly to ambush Li Minghai. Now that the man was dealt with, there wasn't anything in particular he needed to do.
Seeing his silence, Gu Jianxin didn't press him. But He Zao and He Miao gazed at Yang Kai hopefully, clearly wishing he would stay.
"I wonder—where is the Young Alliance Master headed on this journey?" After a long moment, Yang Kai raised his head and asked.
"Just call me Brother Gu—'Young Alliance Master' sounds rather distant," Gu Jianxin said with a smile. "To be honest with you, Brother Yang, I'm bound for Green Wood Star."
"Green Wood Star?"
"Yes. It's a cultivation star under the Sword Alliance's jurisdiction. The journey from here is only about a month."
"I see..." Yang Kai considered for a moment. As if recalling something, he nodded. "Very well. I'll accept Brother Gu's kind invitation and impose on you."
Hearing Yang Kai agree, Gu Jianxin's eyes lit up. He seemed genuinely overjoyed, and without any ceremony, he stepped forward, took Yang Kai by the arm, and pulled him along toward the warship—as though the two of them were old acquaintances.
Of the three warships, one had been directly obliterated and another crippled in the attack by Li Minghai and his forces. Only Gu Jianxin's largest warship remained operational. It had sustained some damage, but a round of repairs would have it back in shape.
Once aboard the warship, Gu Jianxin had someone arrange quarters for Yang Kai, then went off to tend to his wounds. His battle with Li Minghai had been harrowing. Though he hadn't suffered any fatal injuries, he had taken considerable damage—wounds that couldn't be cured by simply swallowing a healing pill. He needed quiet meditation and careful recuperation.
Yang Kai understood this well and naturally didn't mind.
After a full day of repairs and inspection, the warship set sail once more.
Yang Kai had been given a sumptuously furnished cabin. The room was enormous, its floor covered with a thick, plush carpet, and a hundred luminous pearls were set into the walls, bathing the interior in a soft, warm glow.
An incense burner sat in the room, releasing a fragrant smoke that put the mind at ease.
There was, of course, more to Yang Kai's decision to accept Gu Jianxin's invitation than met the eye.