"Would you consider coming back to the Qiu family with me?" Qiu Yimeng suddenly proposed in all seriousness, her eyes brimming with sincerity.
This was absolutely an opportunity. Qiu Yimeng could see the rift between Yang Kai and Biluo — their outward harmony masking inner discord. If she could offer the right terms to win him over at this moment, she would undoubtedly be recruiting a formidable asset for the Qiu family. Then the suffering of being imprisoned wouldn't have been entirely in vain.
Qiu Yimeng was a decisive woman, and she naturally knew what to do in a situation like this.
"Miss Qiu, you must be joking," Yang Kai said, regarding her with an indifferent expression and a faint, cold laugh.
"I'm perfectly serious." Qiu Yimeng brushed a strand of hair from her ear. "I can offer you better treatment than what you have here. Anything you want — Cultivation resources, beautiful attendants — you name it!"
"Sister Qiu…" Luo Xiaoman gasped softly, never expecting Qiu Yimeng to offer such generous terms just to recruit Yang Kai.
As one of the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu, the Qiu family was vast in influence and deep in resources. Countless people across the land fought tooth and nail just to get their foot in the door, yet the Qiu family set their standards impossibly high. They would rather have gaps than accept mediocrity, only ever admitting outsiders who were elites or powerhouses.
But… surely recruiting even a Shenyou Realm cultivator wouldn't require such a steep price?
Was this fellow really that valuable?
Though Luo Xiaoman's instincts weren't as sharp as Qiu Yimeng's, she'd spent enough time around her to know that Qiu Yimeng always had a keen eye for people. If she was willing to go this far, then maybe the man sitting before them really was worth winning over!
With that thought, Luo Xiaoman no longer dared look down on Yang Kai. Even her expression as she gazed at him became a touch more respectful.
"What do you say? I'm talking to you in all earnestness," Qiu Yimeng pressed, her expression solemn as she fixed her eyes on Yang Kai.
Yang Kai furrowed his brow. He hadn't expected this woman to be not only formidable in talent and strength, but also remarkably resolute in temperament. Based on everything she'd shown over this past period, if this woman didn't meet an early end, she was destined to become someone of great consequence.
"Even what I mentioned before — if you wished to take a wife from one of the Qiu family's branch lines, I could arrange that as well. I happen to have a cousin who's quite lovely. Whether you want her as a wife or a concubine, that's entirely up to you."
Yang Kai regarded her with an amused look. "Feminine wiles don't work on me."
Qiu Yimeng let out a light laugh, her beautiful eyes rippling with a watery gleam. "Then just now…"
"That was simply an accident," Yang Kai replied, perfectly composed and not the slightest bit embarrassed.
"So are you going to agree or not?" Finding Yang Kai's defenses impenetrable, Qiu Yimeng only found him more frustrating to deal with. A hint of irritation crept into her voice.
If it had been any other young man, she would have had him groveling at her feet with those kinds of offers. Yet here he sat, the picture of indifference, without so much as a flicker of temptation in his eyes.
How deep did this scoundrel's appetite run?
"No need. I'm doing just fine as I am." Yang Kai had no intention of continuing this meaningless back-and-forth and flatly refused.
Qiu Yimeng was momentarily stunned, then smiled faintly. "Take your time to think it over. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. The doors of the Qiu family will always be open to you!"
She understood that a man like this couldn't be pressured. He needed the freedom to choose for himself — otherwise, not only would the attempt fail, it might even backfire. Silently, she cursed her own impatience moments ago.
But watching him sit there so maddeningly nonchalant, Qiu Yimeng couldn't help feeling a surge of frustration, which was why she had pushed him too quickly.
"Let's talk about something else then. Could you help me and Xiaoman deliver a message to the Enchantress Queen?"
"If I get the chance to see her, sure," Yang Kai said with a frown, shrugging. "As you can see, I'm something of a prisoner myself right now. I just happen to have far better treatment than you two."
"Fair enough." Qiu Yimeng smiled. "Regardless, thank you. If we make it out of this alive, when I return to the Qiu family, I'll make sure the Lingxiao Pavilion's name is cleared!"
Yang Kai's eyes lit up, shining with a bright gleam as he looked at her. After a long moment, he gave a slight nod.
Qiu Yimeng's words had finally earned her a measure of Yang Kai's good will.
"Make yourselves comfortable!" Yang Kai said, then closed his eyes and settled into a meditative posture, beginning his Cultivation.
Qiu Yimeng watched for a while and realized he had genuinely begun training right in front of her and Luo Xiaoman. She couldn't help but smile at the absurdity, understanding that he was politely showing them the door. Without lingering any further, she pulled Luo Xiaoman toward the exit. "Let's go."
"Oh, right." Just before they stepped out the door, Yang Kai suddenly called after them. "If you'd like to bathe, have Yun Li, Ruoyu, and Ruoqing prepare some warm water. The bathing pool is on the first floor. I won't be leaving this room for the time being."
Qiu Yimeng's face flushed red. She realized that everything she and Luo Xiaoman had discussed on their way upstairs had been heard by him — every single word.
"Thank you. I hope we won't be enemies in the future!" Qiu Yimeng gazed deeply at Yang Kai and spoke in a low, solemn voice.
Down on the first floor, Luo Xiaoman couldn't help but ask quietly, "Sister Qiu, do you really think that much of him?"
Qiu Yimeng's expression was grave. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded. "Yes. Of everyone I've ever crossed paths with, he's the most powerful. And it's only been half a month since we last met, yet he seems to have grown stronger again. His realm is lower than mine, but when I stand before him, I always feel an invisible pressure bearing down on me."
"That might just be because our true energy is sealed. If we actually recovered our full strength, I doubt we'd need to fear him!"
"No…" Qiu Yimeng shook her head slowly. "I trust my instincts. Even Liu Qingyao of the Liu family might not be his match!"
"What? The First Young Master among the Eight Great Families can't compare to him?" Luo Xiaoman's eyes were wide with astonishment.
"Seven Great Families. The Yang family's young masters are all off roaming the world — they don't count." Qiu Yimeng smiled wryly, and thinking of the way the Yang family raised their direct-line heirs, a trace of disdain flickered across her face.
As her thoughts wandered, a sudden sense of alarm struck her. Yang Kai's surname was also Yang — could it possibly be…