"Oh right, what about that Chai Hu?" Yang Kai suddenly remembered another person.
Chai Hu hadn't come from the Heng Luo Star Field—he was a native of the Star Realm.
But he had been extremely close with the Ghost Ancestor, Chi Yue, Aiu, and the others. Close enough to become sworn brothers.
Back when they'd first arrived in the Star Realm from the Heng Luo Star Field, there had been five of them: Wu Dao, the Ghost Ancestor, Aiu, Chi Yue, and Gu Cangyun.
Among them, Wu Dao had been the foremost cultivator of the Star Field back in the day. Unfortunately, the Heavenly Dao was fickle—he ultimately perished during the heavenly tribulation of energy required to advance to the Dao Source Realm. The remaining four, led by the Ghost Ancestor, had scraped by in Heavenly Crane City, their circumstances grim.
It was during that time that the four of them had met Chai Hu and received considerable help from him. As their bond deepened, they swore brotherhood: the Ghost Ancestor as the eldest, Aiu as the second, Gu Cangyun as the third, and Chai Hu as the fourth. As for Chi Yue, she became their little fifth sister.
When Yang Kai had passed through Heavenly Crane City back then, he'd stumbled upon the city lord Luo Jin pressuring Chi Yue into marriage. At that time, Chai Hu had taken Luo Jin's daughter Luo Bing hostage in an attempt to rescue Chi Yue, but the plan had nearly ended in failure. Had Yang Kai not been present, Chai Hu would likely have gotten himself killed along with the rest.
After that, Yang Kai had caused a massive scene at the city lord's mansion, killed quite a few people, and spirited the group out, settling them in the Thousand Leaf Sect.
He'd only just remembered Chai Hu's existence now.
When Yang Kai asked about him, the Ghost Ancestor cackled with a raspy laugh: "The fourth brother has a love tribulation!"
"With whom?" Yang Kai asked, taken aback.
Aiu wore a peculiar expression as he said, "That Luo Bing—remember her?"
"Her?" Yang Kai froze, unable to believe it.
Chai Hu had once taken Luo Bing hostage. Logically speaking, even if they weren't enemies, they certainly shouldn't have been making eyes at each other. He truly had no idea how the two of them had taken a liking to one another.
Aiu explained, "Back when the fourth brother took that girl hostage, he apparently stumbled upon her being in some danger. So even though he'd kidnapped her, it also amounted to saving her life. That girl is someone who understands debts and grudges—she developed some feelings for the fourth brother. Sadly, her father ended up dying at your hands, Young Master Yang. And the fourth brother being our sworn brother, the girl could never get past that. Even if she harbored some affection, she kept it locked away. A couple of years ago, she left, and the fourth brother couldn't rest easy. He followed after her, and we've heard nothing since. No idea where they went."
Gu Cangyun said, "A blessing in disguise—it's precisely because of this that the fourth brother avoided this ordeal."
Yang Kai nodded slightly. Since Chai Hu had never been at the Thousand Leaf Sect, there was no need to worry about him. He'd only asked out of consideration for the Ghost Ancestor and the others—he himself had no real bond with Chai Hu.
"The fifth sister is still in that old bastard's hands," Aiu said darkly. "I don't know if she'll be sent out for auction."
"Let's hope so," Gu Cangyun replied, turning his gaze toward the high platform. The rest of them had all been released. In theory, Chi Yue should be brought out as well.
Yang Kai said flatly, "If I were that man, I'd keep at least one hostage in hand."
The group was startled.
Just then, Hua Qingsi's voice rang out from the high platform: "Honored guests. This auction has now concluded. However, I humbly ask that you remain patient a while longer. My master has prepared a generous gift for all who have traveled so far to attend, and I hope you won't find it lacking."
"He really did keep her," Aiu said, his face sinking into a grim expression.
The auction was already over, yet Chi Yue was nowhere to be seen. It was exactly as Yang Kai had predicted—she'd been held back as a hostage.
The four of them had been detained by that old man this entire time, their cultivation sealed, yet they had never understood what he truly intended.
"Demon King—watch over them!" Yang Kai ordered. His figure flickered, and he suddenly appeared from Room One, hovering in midair above the auction hall. His gaze swept toward the backstage area.
It was empty. Wu Ming had long since vanished.
He flashed Hua Qingsi a look and transmitted his voice: "Sister Hua, get to Room One."
Ying Fei was there. If anything happened, at least there would be someone to look after them.
Hua Qingsi nodded. She stamped her foot and shot toward Room One, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
In the hall and private boxes, countless pairs of eyes turned toward Yang Kai, wondering what this brash young man intended to do.
Yang Kai's spiritual sense poured outward like a tide, and he called out in a booming voice: "Old dog, you used this auction to lure this Young Master out, and I came. You used my friends to stall for time while you set up your little scheme, and I indulged you. So now that the moment has arrived, you still dare to skulk in the shadows? Too afraid to show your face?"
His words echoed through the hall, but there was not the slightest response.
The warriors in the hall exchanged bewildered glances, whispering among themselves, looking at Yang Kai as though he'd gone mad.
"Creeping around in the dark, making a fool of yourself—you're an Elder of the Star God Palace, for heaven's sake. Have you really sunk this low?" Yang Kai sneered, unleashing the full force of his mockery.
"What? Elder of the Star God Palace?"
"Where is this Star God Palace Elder?"
"What's he talking about?"
Everyone was stunned. Yang Kai's words sent a shockwave rippling through the crowd like a stone cast into still water.