When Li Rong appeared, Wan'er hurriedly bowed in greeting.
The beautiful woman waved her hand slightly, signaling that formalities were unnecessary. She walked up to Yang Kai and gazed at him, her expression one of helplessness.
Yang Kai grinned and said, "Seeking revenge for grievances and settling old scores — that's the natural order of things. It's only reasonable that your clansmen would be so worked up."
"You're not afraid at all?" Li Rong was surprised. She couldn't find the slightest trace of fear on Yang Kai's face.
"Of what?" Yang Kai replied calmly. "If Lady Li didn't intend to intervene, you wouldn't have shown yourself to me. Since you're here, that means you'll handle it. So naturally I'm not afraid — especially since Lady Li seems to treat me rather specially!"
Li Rong's expression turned somewhat unnatural, and even Wan'er couldn't help covering her mouth, staring at Yang Kai in a daze.
No one had ever dared to say something so forward — practically flirtatious — in front of Lady Li. But this reckless human boy had said it, and not only had it failed to anger Lady Li, she actually seemed to tacitly accept it.
"May I ask why? Is there something special about me that makes Lady Li so attentive?" Yang Kai tilted his head, looking at the beautiful woman before him with a leisurely air.
Li Rong gave a light cough. "Anyone who is sent in by Senior Coffin Slave, I will not treat poorly. Because one day, that person might help my clan break free from its predicament."
This explanation was somewhat self-deceiving — even Wan'er could tell. How could Yang Kai not see through it?
But since Li Rong didn't wish to elaborate, Yang Kai didn't press the matter. Thinking carefully, her attitude toward him had changed after that time she had seen the Golden Single Eye within his spiritual sea.
Before, she had been friendly enough, but their relationship had been purely transactional. Now it was different — the way she looked after him in every respect made it clear that Li Rong truly cared about his wellbeing.
Yang Kai wasn't foolish enough to believe that such a dignified and graceful noblewoman had fallen for him. She was a Saint Realm expert who had lived for untold years. Romance was probably nothing more than passing clouds in her eyes. As for any other reason, Yang Kai could only attribute it to the effect of the Golden Single Eye.
He just couldn't figure out why the Golden Single Eye would make her change her attitude.
"But you're right. Since I've appeared, I'll handle this matter. Don't worry too much — I've already had my people rein in the clansmen, and they won't cause you trouble. But remember, don't provoke conflicts with my people for no reason from now on. I can protect you once, but that doesn't mean I'll tolerate your recklessness!"
"I never start trouble on my own." Yang Kai chuckled. The beautiful woman seemed intent on covering up her earlier lapse, and her tone had grown considerably colder.
"Good." Li Rong nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned, and walked toward the exit, opening the stone door.
A moment later, Yang Kai heard Li Rong's voice berating the Ancient Demon Clan members. Soon, the demon clansmen who had gathered outside the stone chamber scattered like startled birds, retreating in all directions.
Wan'er stuck out her tongue at Yang Kai, looking at him with admiration. "You've really got some nerve. But your arrogance doesn't match your current strength. Wait until you've reached the Extraordinary Realm before getting this bold — then it won't be too late. Hee hee..."
Amid her giggling, Wan'er also departed.
Yang Kai slowly shook his head. Being under someone else's roof, even he felt somewhat lost.
He knew that in this godforsaken place, apart from the very few among the Ancient Demon Clan who treated him decently, everyone else regarded him as an alien. Without someone to shelter him, sooner or later he would die.
This time it had been Pan Lang coming after him, and he could still handle it. But what if next time it was an Extraordinary Realm expert? And the time after that, a Saint Realm powerhouse?
That was why Yang Kai had been so blunt — making Li Rong's favorable attitude toward him known openly. He wanted to secure a guarantee, and also to confirm whether his observations were correct.
Fortunately, his guesses had all been right. Despite Li Rong's best efforts to hide it, Yang Kai could still see that she truly looked after him.
Regardless of whether she had some hidden scheme, Yang Kai had to leverage her status and position to ensure his own safety.
After thinking for a while, Yang Kai scratched his head and suddenly realized he had forgotten to ask about those demon marks.
This matter had been weighing on his mind for months. Ever since he first saw the markings on the bodies of the Ancient Demon Clan members, he had been curious. But being unfamiliar with the place and knowing no one, he hadn't wanted to inquire, afraid it might bring trouble.
Now that he had confirmed Li Rong was genuinely looking out for him, it might be worth exploring.
Yang Kai was very interested in the Ancient Demon Clan's demon marks, because when he himself entered the demonic state, similar changes occurred — though even more extreme than Pan Lang and the others.
He would have to wait until Wan'er came again and find an opportunity to ask.
Having made up his mind, Yang Kai put the matter aside, turned, and walked back to the alchemy furnaces to continue honing his pill-refining skills.
…………
After leaving the stone chamber and driving off the clansmen who had been looking to trouble Yang Kai, a look of bewilderment also surfaced on Li Rong's lovely face.
That day when she had seen the Golden Single Eye and its golden light had shone upon her, the blood of Li Rong's Ancient Demon Clan lineage had seemed to resonate. Afterward, she had specifically searched through the archives and discovered that certain records closely matched what she had observed.
It was precisely because of this that Li Rong had changed her attitude toward Yang Kai.