As Yang Kai's personal bodyguard, Xiao He bore enormous responsibility, and these years she had been extraordinarily competent. Countless assassination attempts by the White Lotus Cult targeting Yang Kai had been discovered by her in advance and easily neutralized.
Let alone someone pressing a sword against Yang Kai's chest—even if someone harbored the slightest improper thought, Xiao He would act decisively, pulling out the problem by the roots.
Yet at this very moment, when the White Lotus Holy Maiden's sword pierced three inches into Yang Kai's chest, Xiao He showed not the slightest inclination to intervene. Instead, she watched with keen interest.
The several powerhouses behind Qu Huashang had their muscles tensed to the limit, each breaking into a cold sweat in an instant.
They felt their Holy Maiden was playing with fire—one misstep and they would be reduced to ashes. Tonight's assassination had already failed. The moment their presence was exposed, they had already fallen into an absolute disadvantage.
The Haqi Hall Master and his personal bodyguard possessed strength far beyond what they could contend with. If these two truly harbored killing intent, not one of them would survive.
Especially after seeing the Holy Maiden's sword pierce through Yang Kai's flesh—this was nothing short of insane provocation.
Yet amidst their tension, there was also a sliver of anticipation.
If the Holy Maiden could kill the former Haqi Hall Master here, it would absolutely be a meritorious feat, and none of them would go without rewards.
Only one more inch, and the Holy Maiden could pierce that beating heart. No matter how powerful Yang Kai was, he would perish on the spot.
That one inch stood between life and death, yet it made Qu Huashang hesitate.
In her heart she had the intent to kill. She knew that killing Yang Kai here would bring her enormous prestige, which would be of immense help for her future succession as the White Lotus Cult's leader.
But deep inside, a faint voice kept telling her that if she truly went through with it, she might regret it for the rest of her life!
Her expression shifted several times before she finally gritted her teeth: "Madman!"
As she withdrew the sword, blood sprayed outward.
Qu Huashang couldn't quite bring herself to meet Yang Kai's eyes. She averted her gaze in a fluster, tossed the sword to her bodyguard, and ordered in a low voice: "Let's go!"
As she turned, her arm was grabbed by Yang Kai.
"What are you doing? Let me go!" Qu Huashang snarled.
"Kill them," Yang Kai commanded. Then he swept Qu Huashang up into his arms. She tried to resist, but with a surge of power from his palm, he stripped her of all strength to fight back.
Xiao He's figure blurred like a whirlwind as she charged into the formation of those bodyguards. Sword light flickered several times in rapid succession, and by the time she halted, those guards had already crumpled to the ground like limp dolls.
Held in Yang Kai's arms like a child, Qu Huashang was mortified with shame and fury, kicking and punching for a good while. But without her strength, such movements looked more like petting and pouting.
Xiao He watched with great amusement.
Yang Kai smiled at her: "You stabbed me twice. You can't repay that in one lifetime—you'll have to keep paying it back in the next one!"
Qu Huashang fumed: "Who wants to repay anything? I should have killed you just now!"
"Want me to give you another chance?" Yang Kai winked at her.
Qu Huashang snorted coldly, convinced that Yang Kai was merely testing her. She even suspected that if she had truly attempted to kill him just now, Yang Kai would certainly have counterattacked, and her fate would have been far worse than simple capture.
Unable to fight, unable to flee, Qu Huashang simply resigned herself to her fate. She let Yang Kai carry her without further struggle, even wrapping her arms around his neck of her own accord to steady herself. Wind howled past her ears, and the scenery in her vision retreated at breakneck speed.
"Where are you taking me?" Qu Huashang asked.
"You'll know when we get there," Yang Kai replied casually.
Three days later, deep in the mountains, Yang Kai found a lakeside spot. The area was deserted, with clear waters and lush greenery—perfect for seclusion.
He set Qu Huashang down and instructed Xiao He: "Watch her. Don't let her escape."
Xiao He nodded: "Relax. She won't get away." She glanced at Qu Huashang's legs and asked: "Should I break them?"
Qu Huashang couldn't help but shudder, staring at Xiao He as though she were a demon. "No! I won't run!" she declared firmly.
Xiao He nodded: "Then you'd better behave."
Yang Kai turned and set about his work. He felled some trees and, over the course of several days, built three wooden cabins by the lake—one for each of them.
The difficulty of this ninth cycle of reincarnation was considerable. Yang Kai had lived in this world for several decades before awakening his memories. Awakening Qu Huashang's memories and breaking through her mental barrier would prove even harder.
But now that he had found her, he had a goal. Yang Kai intended to slowly open Qu Huashang's heart. He believed that one day, his unwavering persistence would break through even the hardest stone.
Moreover, Qu Huashang's decision to abandon her intent to kill him at the last moment was an excellent sign.
It showed that even though her memories had been sealed away, she still retained some instinctive intuition.
The mountains and wilderness were devoid of human presence. Each day, Yang Kai went out to hunt, fish, and fell trees, while Xiao He guarded Qu Huashang. No one in the world would have imagined that in such a remote place, three of the realm's most powerful individuals were living in seclusion.
Days passed one by one.
In the beginning, Qu Huashang resisted this life with all her might. The White Lotus Cult had trained her for many years, and the moment she emerged from seclusion, the White Lotus Matriarch had bestowed upon her the title of Holy Maiden. She was also a leading contender to become the next White Lotus Cult leader.
A young woman of high rank and great power, she was at the height of her ambition—how could she accept living as a prisoner?