"The Palace Master wants us to move out?" Ye Hen's heart jolted. After the catastrophe all those years ago, the Thousand Leaf Sect had dwindled from thousands of disciples to fewer than two or three hundred, and their strength was uneven at best. If not for Yang Kai's care all these years, they probably would have collapsed long ago—let alone the fact that their cultivation had surged to such remarkable heights, with even Ye Hen himself breaking through to the Emperor Realm.
"You still have a choice, Sect Master Ye." Yang Kai held up a finger. "The first option is for the Thousand Leaf Sect to be fully absorbed into my Ling Xiao Palace. After that, the Thousand Leaf Sect ceases to exist—there would only be Thousand Leaf Peak. You'd serve as Peak Master. We've discussed this before, but circumstances were different then. This way, none of the other Peak Masters would have any objections."
Ye Hen's expression shifted slightly. If that happened, the Thousand Leaf Sect would truly cease to be. He hesitated before asking, "And the second option?"
Yang Kai said, "I send you back to the original site of the Thousand Leaf Sect. Chief Steward Hua passes through there every time she travels to the Southern Domain, and I've heard it remains unoccupied, though somewhat dilapidated. As long as you have the disciples do some repairs, it should be livable. As for safety, there's no need to worry—you've already reached the Emperor Realm yourself, so you have some means of self-defense. With those Heaven Puppets, I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to cause trouble. Besides, I'm still a Guest Elder of the Green Sun Temple. I'll put in a word with them to look after the Thousand Leaf Sect, which will naturally give you the space and time to grow."
Ye Hen's expression softened with emotion. "The Palace Master's kindness is greatly appreciated."
He knew Yang Kai had already gone as far as he could. There were no complaints in his heart. The fact that Yang Kai would discuss this matter with him so openly was itself the greatest sign of respect. Otherwise, with Yang Kai's current strength, he could have simply thrown them out.
But if they truly left and returned to the Thousand Leaf Sect, would there ever be a chance to avenge their fallen?
All these years, the disciples' cultivation had advanced rapidly—even he had broken through to the Emperor Realm—all thanks to Ling Xiao Palace's superior cultivation environment and its inexhaustible supply of resources. The moment they returned to the Southern Domain, everything would have to start from scratch. Even if the Green Sun Temple could guarantee their safety, where would they get cultivation resources? The Thousand Leaf Sect was skilled in crafting puppets, but crafting required vast quantities of materials.
Moreover, were the disciples really willing to follow him back to the Southern Domain?
They had been here for twenty or thirty years. The several hundred disciples of the Thousand Leaf Sect had long grown accustomed to life here. Frankly speaking, this place was practically paradise. It was easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go back—who would willingly return to that barren wasteland?
"Sect Master Ye, take your time to think it over. There's no rush for an answer." Seeing the struggle on his face, Yang Kai sighed, patted his shoulder, and stood up.
"No need to think it over." Ye Hen suddenly spoke.
Yang Kai turned to look at him.
Ye Hen rose and clasped his fists respectfully. "Ye Hen is willing to lead the disciples of the Thousand Leaf Sect into the service of Ling Xiao Palace. However, I have one condition."
Yang Kai grinned. "Let's hear it."
"When the time comes, please grant me permission to lead the several hundred disciples of Thousand Leaf Peak to the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect to seek justice!"
The Flowing Shadow Sword Sect—the very sect that had destroyed the Thousand Leaf Sect all those years ago. They had been acting on someone else's orders, but it was undeniably their doing. Ye Hen had devoted himself to cultivation all these years for the sole purpose of one day stepping into the Flowing Shadow Sword Sect and avenging his fallen disciples.
"If the Palace Master can agree to this condition, this subordinate is willing to serve Ling Xiao Palace with everything he has."
"Agreed. How could I not agree?" Yang Kai chuckled. "We discussed this back then, and my answer is the same now—if you want to take your revenge personally, then cultivate with everything you have. The Flowing Shadow Sword Sect is no pushover either."
Ye Hen nodded and swept his sleeves, then bowed formally with clasped fists. "Ye Hen, Peak Master of Thousand Leaf Peak, greets the Palace Master!"
He had called Yang Kai "Palace Master" before as well, but the weight behind it was entirely different now. From this day forward, the former members of the Thousand Leaf Sect truly belonged to Ling Xiao Palace, and all their puppet-crafting and puppet-commanding techniques would become part of Ling Xiao Palace's assets.
Truth be told, Yang Kai hadn't been entirely willing to let Ye Hen leave either, but what he'd said was valid. Two or three hundred disciples of the Thousand Leaf Sect occupying one of the finest main peaks had drawn considerable grumbling from the other Peak Masters. If they had been family, that would be one thing—but at the end of the day, Ye Hen and his people were outsiders who had simply arrived early enough to claim prime real estate.
Now there would be no such concern.
He informed Ye Hen that in a few days, personnel would be arranged to station at Thousand Leaf Peak. Having such a massive main peak with fewer than three thousand residents was simply a waste.
Leaving Ye Hen, Yang Kai's expression was light and relaxed.
When he entered the main hall of Ling Xiao Peak, a maidservant immediately approached. "Palace Master, Lord Ji is here."
"Ji Ying? Is something wrong?" Yang Kai was startled.
The maidservant covered her mouth with a giggle. "Not Lord Ji Ying—it's Lord Ji Yao."
Yang Kai's footsteps toward the interior faltered, and he said with a guilty air, "What's she here for?"
After what had happened last time in the Scripture Pavilion of Ice Heart Valley—though the memory had left him savoring it ever since—he still couldn't quite figure out Ji Yao's attitude. They had already shared such an intimate moment, yet afterward she acted as if nothing had happened. The whole thing was deeply strange.
Fortunately, she had warned Yang Kai not to let Su Yan find out, which meant he didn't have to worry about her using it against him. Since she'd asked him to keep quiet, he certainly wouldn't be the one to let the secret slip.
He'd been so busy these past few days upon returning that he'd more or less put that day out of his mind. Now, hearing that Ji Yao had come, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension.
That day, Ji Yao's emotions had seemed somewhat out of control. Could she have regrets now, coming to settle the score?
If that was the case, he'd lose face spectacularly.
The maidservant said, "I don't know. After Lady Ji Yao arrived, she went straight inside and told me to pass along a message—if you're back, go see her."
Yang Kai scratched his neck, his expression deeply uncomfortable. He looked at the maidservant again. "What was her expression when she arrived? Was she angry?"
The maidservant looked puzzled. "Not really. Lady Ji Yao was her usual cold self. I couldn't tell if she was angry or not."
"You can't tell if someone's angry or not?" Yang Kai glared.