In the side hall, not only was Qiu Yimeng puzzled, but everyone else couldn't understand why Yang Kai wouldn't press his advantage and follow up with another attack.
Right now, he should have the qualification to go after Yang Quan.
"Are you still thinking about brotherly affection at a time like this?" Qiu Yimeng sneered. "Don't forget that just last night you were attacked by two brothers. When did they ever think of you? This whole battle for succession in the Yang family is, plain and simple, survival of the fittest—paving your path to fame with the blood and bones of martial artists from other families."
Yang Kai furrowed his brow. Though he acknowledged that what Qiu Yimeng said was the truth, he still didn't react.
Qiu Yimeng seemed not to notice his expression and pressed on. "Besides, even if you don't go after Yang Quan, sooner or later someone else will. Rather than let someone else claim this juicy prize, you'd be better off seizing it now while it's in your grasp."
"Our junior brother must have his reasons for doing this, right?" Lan Chudie suddenly spoke up, a gentle and understanding light shimmering in her beautiful eyes.
Qiu Yimeng felt an inexplicable discomfort in her chest and gave a soft hum. "What reasons could there be?"
"Figure it out yourself. The brilliant Miss Qiu should be able to work it out on her own," Yang Kai said with a chuckle.
Qiu Yimeng stared at him blankly, and the subtle turbulence in her mood suddenly settled. Earlier, her tone had been so sharp for two reasons: first, because no matter what suggestion she made, Yang Kai had never once accepted it, leaving her with a sense of frustration; and second, because Yang Kai had just glanced at Lan Chudie's chest, which had greatly annoyed her.
I have them too! They're just not as big, that's all!
Qiu Yimeng was an astute and exceptionally intelligent person with her own way of analyzing matters. Once her emotions calmed down, her mind began turning rapidly as she examined Yang Kai's reasons for not attacking and the strategic implications involved.
Dong Qinghan noticed the subtle, tense atmosphere and didn't dare interrupt, silently playing the deaf-mute.
The side hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. After a long while, Qiu Yimeng's eyes suddenly lit up. She lifted her gaze and looked at Yang Kai with an expression of sudden understanding, a smile playing on her lips. "I see."
"Good. Then stop making suggestions," Yang Kai nodded.
"Fine. I won't boss you around anymore. I feel like I've been showing off my skills in front of an expert," Qiu Yimeng said, pursing her lips with a look of frustration.
"There's a good girl! Women should know when to be obedient!" Yang Kai gave her a look that said, "At least you know your place."
Dong Qinghan had just taken a sip of water when he nearly spat it out upon hearing this. He coughed uncontrollably, his admiration for Yang Kai deepening yet another layer.
Who would dare say something like that to Qiu Yimeng? None of the young masters from the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu had the nerve, let alone the right—except for this cousin of his. What audacity! And yet, remarkably, Miss Qiu herself didn't even put up a fight.
Lan Chudie listened on the side in a daze, too embarrassed to ask, unable to grasp the deeper meaning.
As for the two elders Feng and Yun, after a moment of contemplation, they were silently nodding to themselves.
"Um… can I ask?" Dong Qinghan's curiosity got the better of him. "What exactly are you all riddling about?"
Qiu Yimeng chuckled lightly and turned to Feng and Yun. "If the two elders have figured it out, why don't you explain it to Young Master Dong? He looks like he's about to burst from not knowing."
Feng and Yun exchanged a glance. Then Feng Wei cleared his throat and began. "The two of us have only identified one reason. If we're wrong, please correct us, Young Master Kai and Miss Qiu."
He paused, then continued: "Young Master Kai's momentum right now is unparalleled among the remaining seven young masters. On the surface, this does seem like the perfect time to press the attack. The other young masters all suffered heavy losses last night—they neither have the time nor the inclination to concern themselves with others. As for the eldest young master, Yang Wei, since he didn't make a move last night, it's clearly because he's relying on his status as the eldest, giving his brothers some leeway. If Young Master Kai were to attack Yang Quan's estate this time, given Young Master Wei's temperament, he likely wouldn't act in the shadows either. At most, he'd join forces with Young Master Kai and split the spoils."
"But if Young Master Kai truly does that, he will have defeated two Yang family young masters in succession. His name will naturally ring even louder—but that fame will also push him to the very edge of the storm. The other five young masters will surely see him as their greatest threat, and they may very well be driven to… join forces and eliminate him together!"
Feng Wei's face was grim as he spoke in a deep, solemn voice. "A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."
Hearing this, Dong Qinghan and Lan Chudie suddenly understood, finally grasping why Yang Kai had rejected Qiu Yimeng's proposal.
Feng Wei's analysis was airtight—it was not just possible, but virtually certain to happen.
If the other Yang family young masters were truly forced into an alliance, Yang Kai's days would become very difficult.
Making a splash once was enough; doing it a second time would only backfire.
In that moment, Dong Qinghan felt a chill run through him, secretly thanking his luck that he hadn't been born into the old Yang family. If he had, with someone as cunning as Yang Kai for an opponent, he probably wouldn't even have understood how he lost.
Feng and Yun slowly shook their heads again. "We've only identified this one reason, but I'm sure Young Master Kai must have others. Could Young Master Kai enlighten us?"
"Isn't this one reason enough?" Dong Qinghan was stunned. This single reason alone was more than sufficient to keep Yang Kai from making a move.
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "There are indeed other reasons, but I can't really say them now. If I did, people would just think I'm being arrogant. You'll understand in a few days."
Feng Wei nodded gently. "If Young Master Kai has his reasons, we won't press. Let us wait and see."
Qiu Yimeng sighed. "I understand you less and less."
Even she couldn't figure out what Yang Kai's second reason for not attacking was—and for all she knew, he might even have a third.