Two updates today, resting for half a day, no need to wait for tonight's update.
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A moment later, the form of the Golden Feather Eagle came into view. Yang Kai reached out a hand, and the eagle happily landed on his shoulder, using its beak to preen Yang Kai's hair with utmost affection.
"Your sense of smell really is sharper!" Yang Kai patted its head.
He hadn't expected that upon returning to Zhongdu, the first one to welcome him would actually be this little eagle.
Following the eagle's trail came a stunning figure.
Qiu Yimeng had pushed her speed to the absolute limit, arriving before Yang Kai almost simultaneously with the eagle.
"Long time no see!" Yang Kai greeted her cheerfully.
Qiu Yimeng's expression was a flurry of excitement, joy, fear, and worry. She stopped ten zhang in front of Yang Kai, shimmering tears glistening in her beautiful eyes as she stared blankly at him.
She didn't dare approach, as if afraid this was just an illusion that would shatter the moment she got too close.
"What's wrong?" Yang Kai smiled.
Qiu Yimeng took a deep breath, suddenly stepped towards him, and when she was close, a flash of fierce determination crossed her delicate face. She grabbed Yang Kai's arm and bit down hard.
She looked up at Yang Kai, her tear-filled eyes brimming with grievance. Gradually, her teeth relaxed their grip, and she began to sob softly.
Yang Kai sighed. "Starting off so somber and dramatic right off the bat... I haven't bullied you."
"I... I thought... I thought you really died... died... Where have you been these past half a year... where did you go?" Qiu Yimeng finally broke down, bursting into loud tears. Through her crying, she vented the worries that had accumulated in her heart over the past six months. Her delicate body slowly crouched down, her fragrant shoulders trembling, looking pitifully helpless.
Yang Kai's mood became somewhat complicated. He waited for a while, and once she had finished venting, he reached out and pulled her up.
Qiu Yimeng wiped the corners of her eyes with her small hand. She kept choking back sobs, her pretty face slightly flushed, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"This is the first time I've seen you cry," Yang Kai couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You're a completely different person from usual. Looks quite interesting."
"Pervert!" Qiu Yimeng glared fiercely at Yang Kai, breaking into a smile through her tears.
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Qiu Yimeng resumed her usual composed demeanor. However, seeing Yang Kai's smiling, teasing expression still on his face, her irritation flared. She kicked him lightly, snorted coldly, and turned towards Zhongdu.
Yet, a happy smile lingered at the corner of her lips.
Yang Kai scratched his head, thinking that no matter how outstanding or clever a woman was, at certain times she could still be incredibly fragile.
It seemed the Golden Feather Eagle's commotion had alerted the people busy in Zhongdu. Before Yang Kai even reached the city, a large group of people came speeding towards them from the distance.
From afar, Huo Xingchen was already shouting through snot and tears: "Young Master! Young Master! You really didn't die after all! I always said good people don't live long, but a scourge lives for a thousand years!"
Yang Kai's face darkened.
Behind Huo Xingchen were Dong Qinghan and his sister, the four young women from Wan Hua Palace, Luo Xiaoman from Ziwei Valley, Chen Xueshu and Shu Xiaoyu from Yingyue Gate, Zuo Fang from Wenxin Palace, Chu Jingshan from Feiyu Pavilion, the Hu sisters from the Blood Battle Gang, Fang Ziqi from Wind and Rain Tower, Tao Yang from Baoqi Sect...
Practically all the young generation leaders from the manor had arrived. Each one was visibly excited, greeting him with smiles.
They flew swiftly to Yang Kai's front. Huo Xingchen, without a word, gave Yang Kai a bear hug, his excitement overwhelming.
"Young Master, you've finally returned. We've missed you like crazy." Huo Xingchen let out a heavy sigh, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.
Yang Kai felt a touch of emotion in his heart. He pushed Huo Xingchen away and nodded earnestly. "I missed you all too. Come, everyone, let me give you a hug. Let's see if you've grown any during this time."
"Shameless!" Han Xiaoqi from Wan Hua Palace blushed and couldn't help but spit out.
A burst of laughter erupted. Yang Kai glanced sideways at Luo Xiaoman, nodding with a lecherous grin. "Hmm, Xiaoman has definitely grown. Your chest has gotten bigger again."
"No such thing..." Luo Xiaoman's face flushed crimson, feeling utterly wronged.
"Stop being a pervert! We'll talk when we get back." Qiu Yimeng glared at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai's sudden return to Zhongdu after being missing for half a year sent shockwaves through the manor. The thirteen Blood Servants and the other young family heads and elders of the Eight Great Families were all deeply stirred, rushing over to the Yang residence to meet him.
In the Yang Family's main hall, the fourth master of the Yang family and his wife were streaming tears. Dong Suzhu clung tightly to Yang Kai's hand, seemingly afraid he would suddenly vanish again.
The hall was packed to the brim, filled with heads, gathering over a hundred people from the Eight Great Families and Yang Kai's manor.
All of them looked curiously at Yang Kai, wanting to know where he had been these past six months, why he hadn't appeared at all, and what exactly had happened underground in Zhongdu half a year ago.
Why had so many people vanished? Why, even now, was only Yang Kai back?
Various doubts and confusions tangled in everyone's minds, demanding answers.
"Old Nine." Yang Zhao suddenly stood up. "Since you have returned safely, the position of Yang Family Head..."