"Two conditions," Huang Sheng said, putting on an attitude as if he was determined to save Huang Qi. "And I can act as a mediator for a reconciliation between the Huang and Wang Families."

"Yes, I can also agree to one of your conditions," Huang Zhenyang added, standing up.

Seeing this, Chen Xiong, seated at the head of the table, was startled. How is this so similar to the situation just now with Wong Qifu and Wang Wu? But Wang Wu is a peak expert; his words naturally carry significant weight. You, Huang Zhenyang… you have no right to say such things.

As expected, Xu Ke looked at Huang Zhenyang with a smirk. "What use is your condition?"

Huang Zhenyang's face turned ashen.

Xu Ke then turned to Huang Sheng. "I'll come for your life later. For now, just stay quiet and watch your brother die."

At his words, Huang Sheng's face also turned ashen. "Do you truly intend to be irreconcilable with my Huang Family?"

"Still pretending?" Xu Ke shook his head. "Everyone here can see the truth. You're desperate for your brother to die. Otherwise, why haven't you organized a single rescue attempt in the last four days? This whole act is meaningless."

The ashen look on Huang Sheng's face vanished, replaced by a dark glower. He was angry. "I don't like what you just said," he said slowly.

"I get it. You upper-class types don't like hearing the truth," Xu Ke replied with a slight smile.

At that moment, Huang Qi suddenly roared at Huang Sheng, "You'll die a miserable death! Huang Sheng, you'll die a miserable death! I was caught, I was kidnapped, and it's all your damn fault!"

The moment Xu Ke exposed the truth, Huang Qi knew his family had already abandoned him. He had suspected as much before but had forcibly suppressed his rage. Now, on the brink of death, his shattered mind could no longer bear it.

Huang Sheng and Huang Zhenyang completely ignored Huang Qi as he continued to bellow furiously. Everyone else silently watched Xu Ke walk down from the arena.

"Alright, enough nonsense." Xu Ke walked up to Huang Qi, drew his knife, and smiled. "Goodbye."

Huang Qi stopped shouting and turned his head to look at Xu Ke. "I beg—"

SHHNK.

Blood sprayed across the ground.

Huang Qi was dead before he could even finish his plea.

Xu Ke hadn't wanted to waste time; he just wanted to see Huang Qi dead.

Huang Qi collapsed. Blood seeped from his clothes, staining the ground red. The faces of the Huang family members turned grim. Ye Fan's expression wasn't much better—his brother's death had been far more tragic than Huang Qi's.

"Done."

Xu Ke put away his knife. It was all over.

He paused, then turned and walked toward Wong Qifu, looking up at her. "We can go home now."

He looked at Wong Qifu, a smile breaking through his blood-covered face.

Wong Qifu looked at the weakened Xu Ke and slowly nodded. "Let's go home."

THUD.

Xu Ke smiled one last time before collapsing.

...

Xu Ke's consciousness was hazy. He didn't know how long he had been asleep. In his blurred dreams, he saw the figures of many people: Wong Qifu, his parents, his master... They took turns calling his name.

Am I dead? Xu Ke murmured, his eyes fluttering open. He saw bright lights on a ceiling above him. He was in a well-appointed hospital room. Looks like I survived.

He smiled, but the simple act sent a searing pain through his body, as if his muscles and bones were being torn apart.

Ouyang Shuang's strike really did a number on me, he thought, shaking his head. The silver lining, however, was that his cultivation was still intact. His internal injuries would heal, so long as he gave them time.

Just then, a female voice—one he didn't recognize—sounded from beside him. "You're awake?"

"Who?" Xu Ke's expression changed, and he snapped his head to the side.

A woman in a black bodycon dress was staring at him coldly. She bore a slight resemblance to Wong Qifu but looked several years younger. Her demeanor lacked Wong Qifu's domineering aura, making her seem more like a proud peacock.

"Who am I?" the woman sneered. "I am Wang Qiya."

"You're Sister Wang's sister?" Xu Ke asked, taken aback. This name, this face… If she weren't Wong Qifu's sister, I'd think I was still dreaming.

"Sister Wang?" Wang Qiya repeated his words with a disdainful laugh. "Calling her so affectionately. I really don't know what my sister sees in you."

"Aren't you supposed to be studying abroad?" Xu Ke asked, ignoring her comment. Just a couple of days ago, Wong Qifu had mentioned she had a sister studying overseas. So why has Wang Qiya returned and why is she waiting by my bedside?

"Isn't it because of you?" Wang Qiya shot back, clenching her teeth. If this huge incident hadn't happened back home—an incident she, the younger sister, only learned about from the media—she wouldn't have been so angry that she flew back without telling a soul.

"Because of me?" Xu Ke looked utterly baffled. What does this have to do with me?

"If your affair with my sister hadn't been exposed, would I have needed to come back and clean up this mess?" Seeing Xu Ke's innocent expression, Wang Qiya grew even more infuriated. What on earth does my sister see in a man like this?

Just then, a cool female voice sounded from behind Wang Qiya. "Since when have I ever needed you to clean up my mess, Wang Qiya?"

The rage on Wang Qiya's face instantly froze. She turned her head with difficulty. "S-Sister…"

Wong Qifu entered the ward, her face expressionless. "When did you get back?"

"I… I just got back!"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Wong Qifu glanced at her.

Wang Qiya immediately felt a pang of guilt.

Since their mother had passed away, Wong Qifu had raised Wang Qiya, who was seven years her junior. In Wang Qiya's heart, her older sister was also a mother figure. That, combined with Wong Qifu's often domineering nature, meant that even though Wang Qiya had returned to confront her, she couldn't help but feel instinctively afraid.

Wong Qifu walked further into the room, placed a report on the table, and turned to Xu Ke. "You're awake?"

"I am," Xu Ke nodded.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

Xu Ke managed a smile. "Not bad. I'll be fully recovered soon."

"Good." Wong Qifu nodded, then paused before adding, "When you're better, you and I will settle our accounts."

Xu Ke fell silent. I'm doomed.

The guilt-ridden Wang Qiya suddenly bristled. "How dare you blame me?" she demanded, jumping to her feet. "Why don't you explain why you didn't tell me you were getting engaged to this man?"

That's right! I came back to call her out! How can I let her shut me down with just a couple of words?

Wong Qifu's expression remained unchanged. "You know now, don't you?"

"Yes, but—"

"Then that's all that matters," Wong Qifu interrupted smoothly. "You can go back to your studies now."

Wang Qiya's face fell, all hope draining from it.

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