Inside the Elder Hall, Yang Zhen lectured Yang Kai at length, appealing to reason.
"Elder, does the fact that the Blood Guards chose to follow me not prove my capability and personal charm?" Yang Kai regarded him coldly.
"That's..." Yang Zhen paused, then quickly countered, "That only proves your foresight exceeds that of others — you've been scheming from the start!"
He was naturally referring to Yang Kai's gambit of recruiting Qu Gaoyi and Ying Jiu, which had earned him the respect of every expert in the Blood Guard Hall.
Back then, Yang Zhen had been alarmed by Yang Kai's audacity. But looking at it now, the brat clearly possessed the means to heal both Qu Gaoyi and Ying Jiu — that was why he'd made such a bold move in the first place.
Of course, only he had the ability to do it. None of the other Yang family scions could have pulled it off.
"Isn't that my capability?" Yang Kai's expression darkened.
"I suppose it is." Yang Zhen mulled it over, then nodded in concession. "Let me raise another point, then. The Blood Guards' participation in the Battle for Succession — the clan's original intent was to protect your safety and preserve your command flags during the early stages. That purpose has never changed throughout history. If you were to lead a large force of Blood Guards on the offensive against the remaining competitors, that would directly contradict the clan's reason for deploying them in the first place."
"That's the clan's miscalculation — how is that my fault?" Yang Kai scoffed, his face full of indignation.
He had painstakingly assembled a force that surpassed all his brothers, and he was on the verge of sweeping aside the rest of his rivals with overwhelming momentum to claim victory. Yet at this critical juncture, the Elder Hall had summoned him back and imposed such a stringent demand. How could Yang Kai possibly accept that?
"It truly was the clan's miscalculation. No one anticipated that a single Yang family scion could rally so many Blood Guards." Yang Zhen sighed. "Over countless generations of succession battles, the Blood Guard Hall has occasionally been involved. But never before has anyone achieved what you've accomplished. On that point, you have earned everyone's admiration — and mine as well."
"Elder, spare me the flattery. This disciple is unworthy." Yang Kai gave a cold snort.
Yang Zhen's face flushed with anger, but he forced it down. The other Elders seated in the hall were privately delighted, enjoying Yang Zhen's discomfort — especially when it was a junior who'd caused it.
"I've already told you the reason. The majority of the Blood Guards at your side must be recalled to the clan," Yang Zhen reiterated.
"This is plainly the clan's suppression of me!" Yang Kai shot back, arguing forcefully. "No matter how many Blood Guards I've gathered, I obtained them through my own methods. On what grounds does the clan recall them? How I choose to deploy the Blood Guards is my own business! If the clan goes through with this, I'm afraid the whole world will laugh. I'd urge the Elders to show some self-respect! The Battle for Succession has been waged for many generations — it is not some children's game. The rules are not for you to change on a whim!"
"Insolent!" Yang Zhen had held his tongue long enough. With a furious roar, he slammed his palm down and pulverized the table beside him into dust. "You dare shout at this old man? Are you trying to rebel?"
"When the Elders are in the wrong, must this disciple stay silent? Since when is that reasonable?" Yang Kai sneered, meeting Yang Zhen's gaze with haughty composure, not the slightest hint of fear.
Yang Zhen's lips moved several times, but no words came out.
The other Elders, sensing the mounting tension, stepped in. One rose and said, "Yang Kai, don't be too angry. The clan was indeed at fault this time — none of us anticipated you would gather every single Blood Guard. But Yang Zhen has a point too. Think about it carefully: if you win the Battle for Succession by relying on the Blood Guards, is that truly honorable? However, I believe that after this experience, the clan will give the Blood Guard issue far more thought in future successions."
"I only care about the outcome. The process is irrelevant," Yang Kai said, slowly shaking his head. "Whether it's honorable or not — that's the Elder Hall's concern. As for the next succession battle, it has nothing to do with me. I did not gather the Blood Guards through underhanded means, nor did I coerce or threaten them. They came of their own free will. In short — the clan recalling the Blood Guards at my side is out of the question!"
He paused, then added, "If the clan insists on doing so, then I simply won't participate in the Battle for Succession at all!"
"Are you threatening us?" Yang Zhen narrowed his eyes, his aura growing ever more dangerous.
"If the Elder chooses to see it that way, so be it. But if the rules keep shifting like this — a game no different from children playing house — I can't be bothered to participate." Yang Kai smirked, cupping his fists. "Excuse me."
"You've completely lost your mind!" Yang Zhen roared.
Yang Kai's expression didn't change. But after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped. A figure was approaching from ahead — tall and upright, hands clasped behind his back, strolling over with easy composure.
The man's expression was calm, yet Yang Kai felt an overwhelming sensation, as though an enormous mountain were bearing down on him. His features turned grave, and his aura scattered in disarray.
The crushing pressure vanished as quickly as it had come.
Yang Kai took a deep breath and cupped his fists. "Greetings, Uncle!"
The newcomer was none other than the current head of the Yang family — Yang Yinghao.
Yang Yinghao gave a slight nod, walked to his side, and said, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Let me have a word with you."