Late at night, inside the Zhang family estate, within a grand hall.
The Zhang family matriarch hosted a banquet to honor Yang Kai, expressing her gratitude for his help that day. Only three people were present at the feast — Yang Kai, a beautiful middle-aged woman, and the elderly woman.
The young girl, Zhang Ruoxi, stood attentively to the side, serving them by pouring wine from a pitcher. Her beautiful eyes drifted toward Yang Kai from time to time, filled with gratitude and admiration.
The girl was still young, only sixteen or seventeen — right at the age of blossoming youth, when one begins to look up to heroes. That day, Yang Kai had single-handedly annihilated the Lu family, avenging her Zhang family. How could she not admire him?
Among all the people she had known in her life, her grandfather Zhang Gaoxuan had likely been the strongest — but sadly, he had perished in the Five-Colored Pagoda.
Yang Kai, who didn't look much older than her, possessed strength even greater than her grandfather's. Naturally, she couldn't help stealing glances at him. Perhaps the aroma of the wine had also gone to her head, because her delicate face now glowed rosy under the candlelight. She kept her head lowered the whole time, only moving when she needed to pour wine, the very picture of a well-mannered girl.
"The Zhang family has little to offer in terms of hospitality, so please, benefactor, do not stand on ceremony." Though the elderly woman's injuries had yet to heal, her complexion still looked ruddy as she warmly urged Yang Kai to eat and drink.
The beautiful middle-aged woman was equally attentive from the other side.
"Madam, you're too kind. Please, there's no need to call me benefactor — it's truly more than I deserve. If you don't mind, just call me by my name." Yang Kai felt extremely awkward being addressed as "benefactor" over and over.
After the Zhang family's sole survivors had slain Lu Baichuan, Yang Kai had already been ready to leave. Had it not been for Zhang Ruoxi and the Ethereal Jade Wall, he never would have agreed to stay.
The trouble was, he didn't know how to broach the subject. He instinctively sensed that the Ethereal Jade Wall concealed some significant secret — and one that likely had ties to the Zhang family. Bringing it up rashly would only backfire, so he had to wait for the right opportunity.
At that thought, he glanced up at Zhang Ruoxi. Just then, the girl was stealing a bright-eyed look at him.
The moment she caught Yang Kai's gaze, Zhang Ruoxi flinched in fright and hurriedly lowered her pretty head. Her cheeks flushed scarlet in an instant.
Yang Kai chuckled and casually looked away.
The beautiful woman seated to his left caught the entire exchange. Something seemed to cross her mind, and she pressed her lips together with a smile.
"Madam, the matter with the Lu family has been resolved. By our earlier agreement, I consider my promise to Brother Zhang fulfilled." Yang Kai's expression turned serious as he spoke.
"Of course." The elderly woman nodded.
"As for that Dao Source Pill, once I find an alchemist to refine it, I'll deliver it to the Zhang family. You have my word on that, Madam."
The elderly woman chuckled warmly. "I trust your character, benefactor. Besides, the Zhang family is in no rush. With our family so diminished, what good would even having a Dao Source Pill do us right now? So please, don't trouble yourself over this — just find someone when you have the time."
"That's for the best." Yang Kai nodded.
Just then, the beautiful middle-aged woman — who had been relatively quiet until now — suddenly spoke up. "Brother Yang is so young, yet possesses such astonishing cultivation and an impressive bearing. I imagine there must be quite a few women who have fallen for you?"
Yang Kai was taken aback. He hadn't expected the woman to bring up such a topic.
The elderly woman furrowed her brows slightly as well. While she felt it was somewhat improper for a married woman to be chatting with Yang Kai about such matters, she knew her daughter-in-law well enough to understand she never spoke without reason. So she said nothing and simply sipped her wine with a neutral expression.
The beautiful woman was watching him carefully. When she noticed the faraway look that flickered across Yang Kai's eyes — a hint of reminiscence — and saw his expression soften, her heart skipped a beat. She knew then that Yang Kai's experience in matters of the heart was far from a blank slate.
But thinking about it more carefully, that was hardly surprising. Yang Kai might not look old, but anyone who had cultivated to the Void King Realm — Stage Three — must have lived a remarkable life. Along that path, one was bound to meet unforgettable women.
If Yang Kai truly knew nothing of such things, that would be the strange part.
The banquet seemed to sink into an odd, contemplative silence brought on by Yang Kai's recollections.
After a long while, Yang Kai let out a deep sigh and rose to his feet. "Madam, it's getting late. I'll head back and rest now. You were injured in the battle earlier today — please take care and retire early as well, so your wounds don't worsen."
The elderly woman smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your concern, benefactor. In that case — Ruoxi, escort our benefactor to the guest quarters and see to his needs."
"Yes." Zhang Ruoxi set down the wine pitcher and offered Yang Kai a graceful bow. "Please follow me, sir."
Yang Kai excused himself and departed with Zhang Ruoxi.
Once he had left, the elderly woman fixed her daughter-in-law with a sharp glare.
The beautiful woman looked sheepish. "Mother, I know I spoke out of turn."
"Hmph! It's fortunate you didn't earn the benefactor's displeasure, or I wouldn't have let you off." The elderly woman snorted coldly.
The beautiful woman nodded repeatedly in agreement.