"Why has every head of the Yang family been above the Divine Wanderer realm?" Yang Yinghao smiled with an air of deep mystery. "Because the master of the Yang family enjoys special treatment—and this treatment can only be enjoyed by the Yang family's master. As long as you accept the position of family head, you will learn this secret."
At his words, Yang Kai showed little reaction, but the other seven men drew sharp, heavy breaths. Clearly, they had heard rumors of the Yang family's secret, though none knew what it actually was.
"So, Uncle, you're trying to lure me with benefits?" Yang Kai chuckled.
"Something like that." Yang Yinghao didn't bother denying it. Yang Kai was not the type to suffer losses—he was, simply put, a pragmatist who wouldn't lift a finger without seeing the prize. Yang Yinghao was confident that the Yang family's secret would be enough to tempt him.
"Care to give me a hint?" Yang Kai's interest was clearly piqued.
Yang Yinghao smiled faintly and opened his mouth.
Yang Kai's expression shifted, and a look of unconcealed delight surfaced on his face.
The seven family heads were scratching their ears and cheeks in frustration, staring wide-eyed at the silent exchange between Yang Kai and Yang Yinghao, yet unable to catch a single word. The suspense was driving them mad.
"Although I'm tempted by this secret, Uncle, I truly don't want to be any family head," Yang Kai said, furrowing his brow once more with a serious expression.
"The future of the Yang family will be forged by you," Yang Yinghao replied, equally grave. "The Eight Great Families of Zhongdu have struggled for generations, year after year, yet they've only reached their current level. When the Cangyun Evil Land attacked, even united, the eight families couldn't hold them back—half of Zhongdu fell. It was an unprecedented humiliation. But you—barely two years after returning to the Yang family, you've already built a domain more prosperous than any of the eight families. Your manor is now the undisputed overlord of the land! I have to say, you are more fit to lead the Yang family than anyone else. If that weren't the case, do you think these old men would feel at ease passing the patriarch's position to boys who haven't even grown whiskers yet? It's not their own children they trust—it's you."
All seven nodded gravely, gazing at Yang Kai with genuine expectation, the earlier contempt entirely gone.
Yang Kai smiled bitterly. When he had been at odds with the Eight Great Families, he hadn't cared about their fates or wishes. But now that they were seeking reconciliation and had taken concrete steps to show it, he found it difficult to keep antagonizing them.
You don't strike a man who comes smiling. The eight families had gone to considerable lengths to resist the Cangyun Evil Land.
"Uncle, I'm afraid I must disappoint you," Yang Kai said sincerely. "However, given the current circumstances, I'll take charge of the Yang family for a time. Once this crisis has passed, I'll hand the position over to either Elder Brother or Second Brother. My future lies elsewhere—not in the Yang family, not in Zhongdu. This is merely a chapter in my life, not the destination."
A look of yearning and anticipation appeared in Yang Kai's eyes. "Perhaps you won't believe me, but I've always felt that somewhere in this world, there are stronger warriors, more powerful sects, more formidable families... Compared to them, the Eight Great Families may be nothing at all."
At the very least, Yang Kai knew of the Water God Palace, which could produce experts on par with Shui Ling!
All eight looked stunned, exchanging glances, unable to grasp the full implication of Yang Kai's words.
What force in this world could possibly be stronger than the Eight Great Families? The Cangyun Evil Land was formidable, yes—but that was only because six regions had combined their strength.
"That can work," Yang Yinghao mused, giving a soft nod. "If you have greater ambitions, I certainly won't stand in your way. For the time being, you'll serve as acting head of the Yang family."
Yang Kai inclined his head slightly. "Acting head is fine. No need for any inauguration ceremony."
Yang Yinghao sighed but didn't press the matter, accepting the compromise.
All eight Great Families of Zhongdu changing their heads at the same time—the news sent shockwaves through the world. Those still remaining in Zhongdu were practically stunned senseless by the announcement.
The seven great clans held proper inauguration ceremonies, formally passing down the position of family head. As for the Yang family, they merely issued a public statement: in this hour of life and death, Yang Kai would serve as acting family head.
Such a momentous event should have been treated as the grandest occasion by every clan, but with the Cangyun Evil Land's experts watching like tigers from the shadows, the seven families decided to hold all seven young successors' ceremonies together. That way, they could better guard against any moves from the enemy.
Fortunately, the warriors of the Cangyun Evil Land had been quite well-behaved during this period. Each family scrambled to arrange the myriad details of the ceremony, too busy to catch their breath.
As for the defensive duties during this time, those were entrusted to the many experts of Yang Kai's Manor.
Only with Yang Kai's forces standing guard could the proceedings continue in orderly fashion.
Time flowed on. Three days later, Yang Yingfeng and his wife arrived together at Yang Kai's Manor.
Upon receiving word, Yang Kai hurried out to greet them and pay his respects to his parents.
Su Yan trailed behind Yang Kai, flushed crimson, and shyly greeted them with a quiet "Uncle, Auntie." Yang Yingfeng and Dong Suzhu were experienced people—one look at Su Yan's bashful demeanor, and they immediately grasped the nature of her relationship with Yang Kai.
Dong Suzhu promptly took Su Yan by the hand and fell into easy chatter, quite pleased with this future daughter-in-law—so pristine, so exquisitely beautiful, like an ice sculpture come to life.
Fourth Master Yang discreetly gave Yang Kai a thumbs-up, his expression one of pure envy.
"Auntie, actually, he has another one," Su Yan suddenly said softly to Dong Suzhu.
"Another one?" Dong Suzhu was secretly delighted to hear this, though she pulled her face into a stern look and said to Su Yan, "Don't worry—I'll give that scoundrel a good scolding. That brat, his wings have grown and now he thinks he can keep women on both arms."
She assumed Su Yan had come to complain out of jealousy.
"That's not it," Su Yan quickly waved her hands. "It's just that the junior sister is rather thin-skinned and too embarrassed to come out. And Junior Brother has never made his feelings clear to her—letting her life hang in limbo like this wouldn't be right... So I thought..."
Dong Suzhu regarded Su Yan with puzzlement. "Girl, what exactly are you saying..."
"I'd like her to come meet Uncle and Auntie as well," Su Yan said earnestly.