The instant Yang Kai finished speaking, a figure darted inside like a bolt of lightning, flicked a hand, and shut the great doors once more.
Seeing who it was, Yang Kai cupped his fists and laughed. "Grand Elder Qin!"
The newcomer was none other than the Qin family patriarch, Qin Chaoyang.
"Brother Yang!" Qin Chaoyang returned the salute, his expression somewhat awkward.
Yang Kai said, "Grand Elder, shouldn't you be recovering from your injuries at home? What brings you here as well?"
Qin Chaoyang's complexion was noticeably poor—clearly his previous injuries had yet to heal completely. What struck Yang Kai as even stranger, however, was that the old man had come alone and in secret rather than arriving with Duan Yuanshan.
A thought flickered through Yang Kai's mind, and he more or less understood what Qin Chaoyang was after.
"My injuries are nothing to worry about." Qin Chaoyang waved a hand dismissively, found himself a seat, and sat down on his own. "The truth is, when I heard that Brother Yang had returned safely, I hurried over immediately. I didn't expect City Lord Duan and the others would still beat me here."
"So you were hiding outside?" Yang Kai chuckled.
"There are some things that aren't convenient to say in front of the City Lord," Qin Chaoyang said with a trace of embarrassment.
"Mm." Yang Kai sighed and looked at Qin Chaoyang with genuine sincerity. "I have a fairly good idea what you're here for, Grand Elder, but… please forgive my bold refusal."
Qin Chaoyang blinked in surprise. "You already know what I'm going to say before I've even said it?"
Yang Kai smiled ruefully. "Isn't Grand Elder here because you'd like me to join the Qin family?"
"Was I that obvious?" Qin Chaoyang was taken aback.
Yang Kai nodded. "You've been hinting at it several times already. If I still couldn't figure it out, I'd have to be a fool. Besides… word has it that the Jiang family's assets will be taken over by the Qin family. That's a vast estate—swallowing it all in one gulp means you'll need more than enough martial deterrence to keep the other restless factions in check."
"Brother Yang understands me perfectly!" Qin Chaoyang's eyes lit up and he nodded eagerly. "That is precisely why I came here in person—I wish to recruit you as our Qin family's Supreme Elder. Your status would be equal to my own. With the two of us standing together, I dare say those old fossils won't dare act out!"
Yang Kai sighed. "I just turned down City Lord Duan's offer of Vice City Lord."
The moment Qin Chaoyang heard that, his face fell. Disappointment filled his voice. "So that's how it is…"
Both men were sharp. Yang Kai didn't need to spell it out—Qin Chaoyang already knew he had no chance.
Yang Kai had just refused Duan Yuanshan's recruitment. If he turned around and immediately accepted Qin Chaoyang's offer, Duan Yuanshan would learn of it sooner or later and take offense. He would assume Yang Kai looked down on him, and could very well hold a grudge.
When that happened, the Qin family wouldn't be able to stay out of it either.
Hiring a Supreme Elder only to offend the City Lord—that was no bargain at all. Qin Chaoyang could see the math as clearly as a polished mirror.
Looking at Qin Chaoyang, Yang Kai said with a touch of guilt, "In truth, after you so kindly passed on the Xuanwu Seven-Segment Array formation method to me, if the Qin family ever needed anything, I would have been duty-bound to help. However, in this case… agreeing would do more harm than good to your family, and I can only ask Grand Elder to forgive my disappointment."
"I understand." Qin Chaoyang nodded.
"But," Yang Kai continued, his tone shifting, "if the Qin family ever needs assistance in the future, I am more than happy to lend a hand as a friend. When that time comes, please don't hesitate to ask!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Chaoyang's brows rose and a grin spread across his face. "With Brother Yang's word on that, I'm at ease."
He looked thoroughly delighted, his good cheer entirely genuine.
Though he hadn't achieved his original goal, Yang Kai's promise meant the trip was far from wasted.
Qin Chaoyang said with deep meaning, "Perhaps, I may soon have reason to call on Brother Yang's help!"
Yang Kai nodded. "I'll be waiting for your word."
That day, Qin Chaoyang had already transmitted the complete Xuanwu Seven-Segment Array formation method to Yang Kai via jade slip. Originally, the exchange had been for a single commitment—that in a moment of crisis, Yang Kai would protect Qin Yu's safety and, should the city fall, take her with him.
But events had unfolded in ways no one had anticipated. The demonic calamity had passed, terrifying yet ultimately uneventful, so that promise had naturally been voided.
Yang Kai had received a great benefit from the man and then turned down his recruitment—he genuinely felt bad about it. He had already been looking for an opportunity to repay the favor.
The two chatted casually for a while longer before Qin Chaoyang rose to take his leave.
He was still injured and in urgent need of rest. Moreover, with the Qin family in the midst of absorbing the Jiang family's sprawling assets, affairs at home were hectic beyond measure. He was stretched thin and his time was precious—he could afford no further delays.
After Qin Chaoyang departed, Yang Kai finally had true peace and quiet and promptly settled into meditation to regulate his breathing.
The demonic transformation had left him somewhat weakened. That power far exceeding his cultivation had manifested through his body, and it had not been without cost.
For several consecutive days, Yang Kai remained inside his quarters.
Then, one day, he opened his eyes once more. Brilliant light shone from them, and his bearing was vibrant and full of vitality—all trace of the earlier exhaustion and weakness had vanished, as though he had fully recovered.
He assessed his body's condition and, confirming that no lingering side effects remained, finally let his heart settle.
He did not go out immediately. Instead, he brought forth the Mysterious Boundary Bead. His figure flickered, and he entered the Minor Mysterious World.
The Minor Mysterious World was as tranquil as ever. Yang Kai extended his senses for a silent moment, then let out a surprised murmur—he had discovered that somewhere within the Minor Mysterious World, a tremendously powerful force was surging and churning without end.
His figure blurred, and he arrived at the location in an instant.