Yang Yi and the others had been staying here for roughly three days since their arrival on the first day. Three days prior, he had already called Feng Shi to drive over and pick him up, needing to return to A City within two days to find that mysterious masked woman.

With these matters arranged, Yang Yi's primary current concern was Xiu’er. Xiu’er was from the Zhuge family; according to Zhuge Wuming, she was proficient in the art of Heaven and Earth's meridians, understood the mysteries of astronomy and geography, and had deciphered the affairs of the mundane world. Yet, why could she not see through the matter of their arranged marriage?

During these three days, Xiu’er’s meticulous care had undeniably made Yang Yi feel something. However, always considering himself a scoundrel with a certain taste, incapable of indiscriminate romance, he remained somewhat stiff in his dealings with Xiu’er. Precisely because of this stiffness, he was too embarrassed to ask her certain things, resulting in their time in the Peach Blossom Spring being spent in a leisurely, yet uneventful, manner.

Yet, from their interactions, Yang Yi did manage to learn one thing: that his parents had passed away long ago. Having always believed he was parentless, the realization still brought a pang of sorrow; they were, after all, his parents. Though he had never met them, nor had they raised him, filial piety remained paramount above all virtues.

“Senior Zhuge, before I leave, may I ask you one final question?” Yang Yi asked Zhuge Wuming, who stood before the beaded curtain.

“Speak your mind.”

“Do my parents have a grave?”

Zhuge Wuming paused, immediately grasping the underlying meaning behind Yang Yi’s inquiry. He offered a knowing smile. “Rest assured, your parents’ graves are swept daily. Especially recently!”

“Thank you, Senior. Then this junior shall take his leave,” Yang Yi replied, bowing with cupped hands.

“Go then! Take good care of Xiu’er.”

“Grandfather, Xiu’er…” Seeing Zhuge Wuming wave his hand, Xiu’er said no more and followed quietly behind Yang Yi.

After the four departed, Zhuge Wuming murmured to himself, “The wish is fulfilled. My son, you may finally rest in peace.”

Descending Taizhou Mountain, Yang Yi turned to Mu Qingfeng. “Once we return to the Xuanmen, follow my instructions precisely. Remember, pay close attention to the movements of the Four Great Sects. If anything seems amiss, notify me immediately.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll take the lead then!” Mu Qingfeng nodded and turned to leave.

Only Yang Yi, Murong Lianxue, and Xiu’er—whose full name was Zhuge Xiu—remained waiting. Before they could walk down the mountain, Feng Shi had already called Yang Yi, reporting she was moments away. Indeed, less than a short while later, a black sedan pulled up before them.

Feng Shi leaned her head out of the car window, about to call out to Yang Yi, but spotted the celestial beauty standing beside him. She called out with a hint of confusion, “Young… Young Master?”

“Yes. We’ll discuss it on the way back!” Yang Yi nodded, opened the car door, and smiled back at Xiu’er. “Get in!”

“Yes, Husband!” Xiu’er curtsied slightly. It seemed she recognized the black contraption as a vehicle. She settled inside. It must be said, although Xiu’er had lived in seclusion in the deep mountain peach orchard for many years, she had accompanied Zhuge Wuming to various places, so she certainly knew what a car was. Moreover, she was not entirely a traditionalist clinging to antiquity.

Feng Shi, sitting in the driver’s seat, glanced in the rearview mirror. While perplexed why Xiu’er called Yang Yi ‘Husband,’ she also recalled Yang Yi claiming he would become Zhuge Wuming’s disciple to learn the art of Heaven and Earth’s meridians. But only eight days had passed; it was impossible to master it fully, and time spent searching for people was already consuming their schedule, let alone…

Recalling something else, Feng Shi said while driving, “Young Master, that masked woman sent someone to deliver a letter for you!”

“Oh? What letter?” Yang Yi frowned and asked.

“Lianxue, could you help Sister Feng get that… from the…”

“I know,” Lianxue, seated in the passenger seat, retrieved a letter from the small compartment near the dashboard and handed it back to Yang Yi. She glanced at Xiu’er, noticing the girl sitting silently next to Yang Yi, displaying no overly intimate gestures, and even smiling at her—which caused the young woman a moment of surprise.

Yang Yi took the envelope and opened it, scanning the contents: ‘I know you will handle the first matter quickly. I hope you treat that girl well; she is indeed your fiancée. Also, my people will find you before your school term begins, and at the appropriate time, I will answer all the questions in your heart. For the remaining time, you are free to control your own agenda. Of course, you should also prepare; Ye Han is not someone to be underestimated. Take care of yourself!’

“Husband, this letter…” Xiu’er inquired.

“It’s nothing. It’s from the person who told me to come find you all,” Yang Yi said with a faint smile.

Xiu’er nodded, her brow furrowing slightly in thought, then asked, “Husband, Ye Han is the Sect Master of the Heavenly Ghost lineage. However, according to what Xiu’er knows, apart from the Sect Master, the Heavenly Ghost lineage has ten Heavenly Ghost Elders. If Ye Han intended to move against Husband, he certainly wouldn't dare mobilize the general members of the Heavenly Ghost lineage.”

“Oh? Can you elaborate?” Yang Yi asked.

“If Husband wishes to know, and if Xiu’er deems it appropriate for Husband to know now, then I shall tell all!” Xiu’er smiled, her captivating beauty momentarily forgotten in favor of an expression of radiant comprehension.

Yang Yi looked at Xiu’er, who seemed poised to become his somewhat easily-won wife, and felt a twinge of guilt. “Alright, Xiu’er, tell me.”

“The Heavenly Dragon and Heavenly Ghost lineages were originally one. Therefore, Xiu’er will speak only concerning those opposing Husband. The Heavenly Ghost lineage possesses ten Enforcement Elders, the Heavenly Ghost Elders. They are not restrained by the Heavenly Ghost Sect Master but are governed entirely by the Law.”

“Because a clan rule shared by the Heavenly Ghost and Heavenly Dragon lineages forbids them from engaging with anyone outside the Dragon or Ghost lineages, Xiu’er said the Heavenly Ghost Sect Master would not dare use his own people against you. Even if he did move, the ten Heavenly Ghost Elders would be the first obstacle, followed by the Heavenly Dragon lineage!” Xiu’er explained.

“I see. If he intends to act against me, it must be through…!”

“Yes, Husband, your assessment is correct.” Xiu’er seemed to read Yang Yi’s thoughts, ignoring his look of astonishment. “Ye Han, the Heavenly Ghost Sect Master, would use the forces from the South African, Tibetan, Vietnamese, and the three major European assassin organizations to act against you.”

“Furthermore, he has been frequently repositioning his forces lately. The North is now basically under Ye Han’s control. Due to the tight secrecy and population control measures, even if an expert from the Huaxia Dragon Ranking, Tian Er, whom you sent out to investigate, or even your personal guard, Six Paths of Reincarnation, couldn't uncover anything.”

“That woman is astonishing!” Feng Shi muttered under her breath upon hearing this. She truly could not believe that such a beautiful woman could possess such profound insight into all matters. Moreover, judging by her ancient attire, she must have been in seclusion for a long time. To possess such foresight—this woman was simply too formidable.

Murong Lianxue, standing nearby, smiled faintly. “A woman surpassing Zhuge Liang, do you still doubt her capabilities?”

“Lianxue, can you tell me who exactly she is?”

Murong Lianxue glanced at Yang Yi. Seeing him nod, she calmly began to explain the situation to Feng Shi.

Meanwhile, Yang Yi smiled at Xiu’er. “Then, Xiu’er, what do you think Husband should do?”

“Husband, if you wish to amass the strength to contend with Ye Han, you must first take down two key figures to sever his limbs. This way, Husband can directly assume control of the Vietnamese and European factions. Of course, this would only be a cooperative relationship,” Xiu’er advised.

“Take down two people? Sever his limbs?” A cold glint flashed in Yang Yi’s eyes as he asked, “Who might those two be?”

“A woman capable of wiping out the entire Runan family in a single night, and a man considered the wealthiest person in Europe.”

“Tian Yi?” Yang Yi immediately thought of the first name, but the second remained a mystery.

“Precisely!”

“But that woman, I haven't even…”

“Husband, do not worry. I will handle Tian Yi. However, the second person must be dealt with by Husband personally. Whether he lives or dies is up to you!”

“You have a plan for Tian Yi?” Yang Yi felt a rising admiration for her. For a delicate woman to possess such confidence made Yang Yi realize he was starting to take a genuine interest in her.

“Yes, Husband, rest assured, nothing will happen to Xiu’er.” Xiu’er gave a charming smile; she seemed to sense Yang Yi’s concern, her eyes filled with genuine affection.

Yang Yi laughed softly. “Since Xiu’er says so, I am relieved. However, should we deal with the second person first?”

“Correct. Las Vegas. He is there. If Husband can secure his allegiance, he will surely be of great contribution to you!”

“Las Vegas, you say?” Yang Yi murmured the name, then spoke to Feng Shi ahead of him. “Yanran, take us back to A City first, and then book me a flight to Las Vegas!”

“Yes, Young Master.”

The car slowly pulled away. Traveling from the Taizhou Mountain region back to A City would undeniably take considerable time. However, Yang Yi was now following Xiu’er’s counsel: secure those two first, then arrange a few things before heading north.

He glanced at Xiu’er and managed a foolish smile. He felt he owed her a great deal. Setting aside the absurd arranged marriage concerning his parents, here was a beautiful, secluded girl who should naturally be seeking someone she loved to marry and start a family, yet she had instead attached herself to a rogue like him—a future that remained utterly uncertain.