People kept pouring out of Yang Zhao's mansion, confronting Yang Kai from a distance with hostile expressions. But the moment they saw the Earth Demon standing guard beside Yang Kai, their faces filled with terror, and they didn't dare make any rash moves.
The brutal, bloody methods the Earth Demon had displayed that night had left too deep an impression of fear on them.
Not long after the Earth Demon hurriedly arrived, Qiu Yimeng also appeared with a group of people from the estate beside Yang Kai.
When she saw Yang Kai's current state, Young Lady Qiu couldn't help but jump in alarm and rushed over to ask, "Yang Kai, what happened to you?"
Huo Xingchen's eyes also widened as he sensed the sinister, malevolent aura radiating from Yang Kai, a chill spreading through his heart.
The surrounding crowd was similarly pointing at Yang Kai, whispering among themselves and discussing whether this youngest young master of the Yang family had truly reached the brink of Qi Deviation, about to lose his reason and be driven by evil.
If that were really the case, it would be a massive joke.
The Eight Great Families of Zhongdu and the Cangyun Evil Lands had always been oil and water; the martial artists of the Eight Great Families considered eradicating evil their duty. The rising star of the Yang family, who had hope of inheriting the patriarch position in the future, was actually about to become an evil demon. If word got out, it would become nothing more than gossip for the masses.
Tang Yuxian, the Hu sisters, Dong Qinghan, the four young women from the Myriad Flower Palace, Luo Xiaoman... Pairs of concerned eyes turned towards him, filled with worry.
"Are you still sane?" Qiu Yimeng asked in a trembling voice, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yang Kai's, trying to find a trace of humanity. Unfortunately, she was disappointed. Although Yang Kai's eyes were clear at the moment, they only held overwhelming killing intent, seemingly consumed by hatred and murderous thoughts, his nature extinguished.
Her heart couldn't help but tremble, leaving her at a loss. In the succession battle, although Qiu Yimeng had performed impressively and always acted as Yang Kai's deputy, coordinating the movements of the estate's many martial artists, she still considered Yang Kai her pillar. All actions and command had revolved around him.
If anything happened to Yang Kai, all her efforts would become meaningless.
Yang Kai turned his head to glance at her and shook his head, saying, "I'm fine."
Qiu Yimeng was stunned, seemingly unable to believe that in such a state, Yang Kai could still suppress the evil within him and maintain his clarity of mind.
Could any other martial artist do the same?
The Earth Demon, standing aside, curled his lips and let out a sinister chuckle. "Young Master, your aura right now is quite to this old servant's liking! Hahaha, we master and servant are truly fated!"
Qiu Yimeng couldn't help but glare at him before anxiously asking, "If you've come back, why didn't you go to the estate? What are you doing here?"
"To kill!"
"Who are you going to kill?"
"Xiang Chu and Nan Sheng!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed.
Xiang Chu and Nan Sheng, though their status didn't compare to the young masters and ladies of the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu, were still future heads of first-rate families. Such people weren't just killed on a whim.
Even someone as despicable as Lu Song, Yang Kai hadn't intended to take his life. Why would he suddenly want to kill Xiang Chu and Nan Sheng now?
Having just calmed down, Qiu Yimeng now thought Yang Kai might be going mad.
"Yang Kai, let's go back first, okay?" Qiu Yimeng stepped forward and took Yang Kai's arm, pleading softly. "Let's go back and discuss it first. See if there's a suitable method to kill Nan Sheng and Xiang Chu without too much effort, to vent your anger."
Yang Kai turned his head and gave her a strange look.
"I'm serious. You can't kill anyone by just blocking the way here. Yang Zhao's mansion has plenty of martial artists. Even if all of us charged in, we might not necessarily be able to kill them," Qiu Yimeng continued. "Let's go back first, okay?"
Huo Xingchen's eyes widened in shock.
He had never seen such a gentle side of Qiu Yimeng before. Young Lady Qiu had always been intellectual and shrewd, giving off an air of capability that made everyone overlook her femininity.
Once such a woman became gentle, she was a fatal temptation for any man, irresistible.
Huo Xingchen believed that if Qiu Yimeng treated him this gently, his bones would probably turn to mush, and he would agree to whatever she said.
"That's right, Yang Kai, let's go back first. We'll discuss it with you. We can talk for days and nights if needed," Luo Xiaoman said, finding courage from somewhere unexpected to speak to Yang Kai.
The four young women from the Myriad Flower Palace, each with their own distinct air, nodded in agreement and began to persuade Yang Kai one by one.
Though their words differed, without exception, every single one was achingly gentle, their faces radiating a motherly glow.
The remaining people looked at each other, their expressions becoming peculiar.
Yang Kai frowned slightly, sweeping his gaze across the crowd before it settled on Qiu Yimeng's face. He spoke up, "You think I'm a child?"
Though he said this, Yang Kai still felt a warmth in his heart. Regardless, these people were all concerned about his state.
The young women all flushed, finally realizing that his mind was indeed clear, showing no signs of confusion.