None of these people knew what had actually happened. When they made it outside the mansion and looked ahead under the moonlight, they were immediately dumbstruck.
Not far from the mansion entrance, Qiu Yimeng stood there all alone.
More than twenty zhang behind her, over twenty Shenyou Realm experts of the Qiu family were lined up in formation, their combined pressure terrifying beyond measure.
After a moment of stunned silence, Luo Xiaoman cried out joyfully: "Sister Qiu!"
Even as she shouted, she broke away from the crowd and ran toward Qiu Yimeng, her ample bosom heaving with each stride—a magnificent sight.
Among everyone present, she shared the closest bond with Qiu Yimeng. One was shrewd and capable, the other was ditsy and adorable—their personalities complemented each other. So Qiu Yimeng had always treated her very well, and their relationship was intimate.
That morning when Qiu Yimeng left, Luo Xiaoman had cried for a long time. Even now her eyes were still red, and she hadn't fully recovered her spirits.
Seeing Qiu Yimeng return, Luo Xiaoman was happier than anyone. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with joy, like a lost child who had finally found the way home, and she rushed forward.
A trace of faint sorrow hung on Qiu Yimeng's face, her expression indifferent.
When the distance between them shrank to about five zhang, Qiu Yimeng lightly raised her slender hand.
A streak of brilliant light shot from her hand, striking the ground right in front of Luo Xiaoman's feet.
Dust flew into the air.
Luo Xiaoman froze, staring blankly at Qiu Yimeng.
"Don't come any closer, or don't blame me for not holding back." Qiu Yimeng looked at her coldly, her voice icy, as though they were complete strangers.
"Sister Qiu..." Luo Xiaoman murmured, her eyes swimming with confusion, as if she still hadn't grasped what was happening.
Qiu Yimeng had never laid a hand on her before. But just now, if Luo Xiaoman had taken one step faster, or if Qiu Yimeng had aimed a little further, it could have crippled her legs outright.
Feeling the coldness and rejection radiating from Qiu Yimeng, Luo Xiaoman's heart was instantly flooded with overwhelming pain. Bitterness welled up in her mouth, and she instinctively felt a sharp twinge of panic.
Just as she stood there at a loss, a large hand settled on her slender shoulder. Turning her head, she saw Yang Kai slowly shaking his head at her.
"Go back," Yang Kai said mildly. Without waiting for her to react, he casually tossed her backward.
When Luo Xiaoman landed, she immediately realized the atmosphere had shifted.
Outside the mansion, Yang Kai and Qiu Yimeng stood facing each other—just like the scene that morning when Miss Qiu had departed. Not a word was exchanged between them, everything conveyed without speech.
But anyone could tell that this encounter was entirely different from that morning's parting.
"Forced?" Yang Kai tilted his head, regarding her earnestly.
"No." Qiu Yimeng shook her head lightly.
"No?" Yang Kai smiled, the corner of his lips curving upward. "If nobody forced you, then why bring all these people here? Don't tell me you came to pledge allegiance to me."
"You know perfectly well why I'm here. Why bother asking so much?" Qiu Yimeng's expression remained just as cold.
"If you won't tell me, how would I know?"
"And you're the same—you never tell me anything. Why should I tell you?" Qiu Yimeng shot back.
Yang Kai shrugged, helpless.
"Miss, there's no need to waste words on him." A clear voice suddenly rang out from behind Qiu Yimeng.
As the words were spoken, those Shenyou Realm experts who had been standing over twenty zhang behind her all stepped forward as one, carrying an overwhelming surge of aura. They came to a halt just behind her.
"You are...?" Yang Kai frowned.
"Chen Xuan, Hall Master of the Qiu family's Fallen Leaves Hall!" The man snorted coldly, raising his chin slightly with an arrogant expression. "Miss Qiu, out of respect for old times, wanted to have a few words with you. That should be finished by now."
Yang Kai's expression didn't change. He nodded. "An honor, an honor. The reputation of the Hall Master of Fallen Leaves Hall is indeed like thunder to my ears."
The Qiu family's Fallen Leaves Hall was equivalent to the Yang family's Blood Guard Hall. Such organizations existed in each of the Eight Great Families. The experts cultivated within them were all fiercely loyal to their respective families.
However, because of differences in family foundation, prestige, and training methods, among the Eight Great Families' organizations, the Blood Guard Hall was by far the most renowned. And the experts who emerged from it were a cut above those produced by the other seven families.
This was especially true of the Blood Guard Hall's closely guarded secret—the Tyrant Blood Frenzy. The mere existence of this forbidden martial art was enough to place the Blood Guard Hall above any other organization.