Yang Kai stayed in the imperial palace for a full three days. Throughout that time, he remained perfectly content, sitting quietly in his guest quarters with no intention of stepping outside, nor any inclination to press the Human Emperor. This left the Human Emperor — who had been closely monitoring his movements — rather perplexed.
Had Yang Kai been acting impatient, the Human Emperor could have understood. But this composed, almost serene demeanor only deepened his suspicions.
He couldn't fathom what kind of scheme Yang Kai was plotting, but regardless of what it was, there was no way he would agree to leave the Human Emperor City and venture into the outside world with Yang Kai.
Within the Human Emperor City, the royal bloodline enjoyed the blessings of the Sacred Tree, elevating them above all others. They were the rulers of this realm — the very fact that the Human Emperor himself was merely a Second-Order Emperor Realm cultivator yet commanded the obedience of several Third-Order Emperor Realm experts spoke volumes.
He didn't know what conditions were like in the outside world, but he knew well enough that strength reigned supreme everywhere.
The royal lineage had thrived in safety here for over a hundred thousand years. Why would they readily abandon everything to follow Yang Kai into a world they knew nothing about?
Night deepened. All was silent.
Inside the guest quarters, Yang Kai's eyes snapped open. He waved a hand to the side.
The two beautiful handmaids who had been attending him in the room bowed and withdrew. It had to be said that while the Human Emperor City was small — home to only a few hundred thousand people at most — it was a place that produced stunning beauties. These two handmaids had clearly been handpicked by the Third Prince; their looks and figures were both exceptional, and what made them all the more remarkable was the youthful, innocent air about them — untouched maidens.
Sending them to attend Yang Kai was probably meant to put him off his guard. Unfortunately for their patron, though Yang Kai had been pleasant enough with them over the past three days, never once had he entertained any improper thoughts.
Once the two handmaids had withdrawn, Yang Kai flicked a finger and pushed open a window. Then he spoke in a calm voice: "Since you're here, you might as well show yourself."
A dozen or so breaths after his words fell, an elderly man wrapped entirely in black robes shot through the window and into the room. The man appeared to be around fifty, with a ruddy complexion, sharp and spirited eyes, and a ramrod-straight posture. His aura was restrained, but Yang Kai could tell at a glance that this was a Third-Order Emperor Realm powerhouse.
The moment he appeared, the old man cupped his fists in greeting: "Greetings, Lord Yang."
Yang Kai smiled faintly, gesturing toward the seat opposite him while picking up the tea pot and filling the two cups on the table.
The visitor glanced at him, hesitated briefly, then settled into the chair across from Yang Kai. He lifted the tea cup, took a sip, and adopted an expression of savoring something exquisite. Then he asked, "Is this tea something Lord Yang brought from the outside world?"
Yang Kai nodded. "It is. It seems you're a man who appreciates fine tea."
The old man smiled with quiet pride. "A man lives only once — he ought to have one or two passions. Some crave power, others chase after beautiful women. I alone have a passion for tea. Alas, this world doesn't have much in the way of good tea. It can't compare to the treasures Lord Yang has brought out!"
Yang Kai let out a dismissive chuckle. "This hardly counts as anything special. In the outside world, there are teas far finer than this."
The old man's eyes lit up, his expression one of longing.
Yang Kai held his tea cup and said evenly, "If I'm not mistaken, you were one of the people who accompanied the Third Prince that day?"
Three days ago, when Yang Kai had first arrived at the Human Emperor City, the Third Prince had brought several Emperor Realm cultivators along. Among them was this half-aged old man — the only Third-Order Emperor Realm expert in the group. How could Yang Kai not have remembered?
The old man cupped his fists again. "This old man is Zhou Yuchuan. Blessed with the royal family's trust, I serve as the Captain of the Imperial Guards."
"Elder Zhou — a pleasure!" Yang Kai set down his tea cup and returned the courtesy with a slight bow, then asked with a smile, "I wonder what brings Elder Zhou to meet me in secret at this hour?"
Zhou Yuchuan was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze burning as he fixed it on Yang Kai: "There's a saying that it's dangerous to speak too candidly with someone you barely know. But this old man only wishes to ask Lord Yang one question, and I pray you will honor me with an honest answer."
Yang Kai took a sip of tea. "I can lead you out of here, and I truly did just come in from the outside world."
Zhou Yuchuan's eyes blazed with light. "So Lord Yang already knows why this old man has come."
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "When I first arrived a few days ago, I spoke to the Third Prince about this, and you were standing right beside him — naturally, you would have taken note. The royal family has no interest in this matter because they are the royal bloodline. Here, they enjoy the blessings of the Sacred Tree. They hold a position of unmatched advantage — they are above all others. But outside, things would be entirely different. However, those who aren't of the royal bloodline — people like you, Elder Zhou — the situation is different again. When your circumstances differ, so too does your thinking."
Zhou Yuchuan nodded at these words. "Lord Yang speaks truly. The royal family is indeed uninterested in this matter. Not only are they uninterested — Lord Yang's remarks from a few days ago likely made them quite uncomfortable."
Yang Kai said, "Since I came here, and since I said what I said, I naturally anticipated their reaction. But… does it matter?"
Zhou Yuchuan's brow furrowed. "Does Lord Yang intend to force the issue?"
"If they make the wise choice, so be it. If they disappoint me — what's to stop me?"
Zhou Yuchuan's frown deepened into deep furrows between his brows. He spoke in a low voice: "Forgive this old man's bluntness, but although Lord Yang also enjoys the blessings of the Sacred Tree, if the royal family refuses to cooperate, I fear there's little you can do."
"Methods are something people come up with," Yang Kai said with a light laugh, then shifted the topic. "Actually, what I'd really like to know is — how many others share your way of thinking?"