"Are you cold?"
Those three words shook Irene Zhu to her core. A look of confusion flashed in her eyes—how could her Maiden-Devouring Mystique fail to work on him?
She reached out and grabbed a nearby robe, pulling it over her alluring body.
"Looks like you really are cold!"
Song Yan spoke again, his voice thick with playful mockery: "I was always curious why someone at Innate Sixth Layer like you would hold a martial tournament to pick a husband. Now I get it. Picking a husband was just a front—you really wanted to absorb their life essence, right?"
As he spoke, Song Yan glanced at a nearby screen. Behind it lay four dead bodies, all completely naked and shriveled, as if their flesh and blood had been sucked away. He could still recognize them—they were four of the ten men who'd drunk with him last night.
If he were just an ordinary Postnatal Great-Perfection martial artist, he’d have ended up just like them.
Feeling Song Yan’s gaze, Irene Zhu’s expression turned icy. "Who are you?" she demanded.
"I’m Song Yan. Doesn’t Miss Irene know that?"
"Courting death!"
A wisp of residual shadow flickered past, and in an instant, a slightly warm fingertip had already touched his brow.
Thud!
Pink true qi surged from her finger, crashing heavily against Song Yan's brow.
But in the next moment, Irene Drew's expression changed dramatically, and she abruptly retreated.
She had to step back—her strike, strong enough to kill an Innate Seventh Layer expert, had failed to pierce Song Yan's brow.
"Miss Drew, are you planning to kill me to keep your secret?"
Song Yan asked with a smile.
A smile returned to Irene Drew's face. "You must be joking, Young Master. I only wanted to test your cultivation, but I didn't expect it to be so profound. I must have underestimated you. Surely you're a top disciple of the Diamond Body Sect?"
Song Yan chuckled. "I've heard people mention Diamond Body Sect several times these past days, but I honestly don't know much about it. Could you tell me more, Miss Drew?"
"You really don't know Diamond Body Sect?" Irene Drew couldn't help showing a trace of surprise.
"That's right, I really don't know."
Irene Drew continued, as if offering a favor: "Then let me tell you. Diamond Body Sect is the largest martial sect in the Tang Dynasty. Though it's 'just' a martial sect, even some of the smaller Immortal Gates avoid offending them."
"Why is that?" Song Yan asked, curiosity showing on his face.
Irene Drew went on, "Because Diamond Body Sect is backed by Jade Heaven Sect. It's said that the Diamond Body Sect Master was once a disciple of the previous Jade Heaven Sect leader, and the current Jade Heaven Sect master is his senior brother. The Sect Master himself is incredibly powerful—rumor has it he's already half a step into the Golden Core Realm."
"I see."
Song Yan nodded to himself. No wonder the city gate guards had been so respectful when they thought he was a Diamond Body Sect disciple.
Irene Drew added, with a hint of goodwill, "By the way, let me remind you—if you're not really from Diamond Body Sect, you'd better not keep your hair short. If a real disciple sees you impersonating them, it could spell trouble."
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Drew."
After thanking Irene Drew, Song Yan turned and left the pavilion. This surprised Irene—was he really just going to let her off after discovering her secret?
When the maid who'd led Song Yan to the pavilion saw him walk out unharmed, her eyes flashed with surprise.
She hesitated, but ultimately didn't try to stop him. Instead, she hurried up to the second floor of the pavilion.
"Miss, why did you let him go?"
"What else could I do? His cultivation is unfathomable—I'm afraid even Father couldn't handle him," Irene replied darkly.
"Will he expose what happened here?" The maid asked, worry on her face.
Irene Drew shook her head. "Probably not. He saw through what I was doing, but didn't kill me. I doubt he'll spread the word. Still, I can't harvest the remaining six men's essence—find an excuse to send them all away from the estate."
"Yes, Miss. I'll see to it right away."
Why did Song Yan let Irene Drew off?
It's simple: he wants to keep a low profile. After all, this isn't his familiar world, and there are far too many hidden powerhouses here. Plus, his identity couldn't stand up to any real scrutiny.
Song Yan walked all the way to the Drew Estate gates without encountering any obstacles.
It was already his third day away from the base—time to check in with Logan Long and the others, so they wouldn't worry.
"Wait up, Brother Song!"
Just as Song Yan walked a short distance from the Drew Estate, Liam Lee's voice rang out behind him.
"How did you get out so quickly, Brother Lee?" Song Yan asked with a smile.
"Just now, Miss Drew's personal maid came and announced that she's already chosen a suitable husband. Since that's the case, of course I couldn't stay any longer at the estate."
"I see!"
"So, where are you headed next, Brother Song?" Liam Lee asked.
"I'm planning to go home for a bit," Song Yan replied.
Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Liam Lee's eyes. "I was hoping we could travel the world together, but it looks like that's not possible for now."
"There will be other chances," Song Yan said.
After a brief silence, Song Yan continued, "Brother Lee, I'm heading out of the city now. What about you?"
Liam Lee thought for a moment. "I've been in North River City for a while. I plan to leave too—let's go together!"
Naturally, Song Yan had no reason to refuse, so the two of them headed for the city gate side by side.
Half a quarter-hour later.
Song Yan cupped his hands to Liam Lee. "Brother Lee, until we meet again."
"Until we meet again!" Liam Lee replied, also cupping his hands.
Suddenly, several figures shot toward them at high speed, scattering around to form a loose encirclement, trapping Song Yan and Liam Lee inside.
There were five newcomers. The leader was a sixty-something steward in ornate brocade, the other four wore matching black outfits—clearly guards.
"Old Wei pays his respects to the Eldest Young Master," the steward said perfunctorily.
"Steward Wei, I didn't expect you to find me so quickly," Liam Lee said bitterly.
Steward Wei continued, "The Second Young Master misses you—come home with us."
Hearing 'Second Young Master,' Liam Lee's expression grew complicated. "I pose no threat to him—why go to such lengths?"
A faint sneer appeared on Steward Wei's lips. "You misunderstand, Eldest Young Master. The second young master simply doesn't want you wandering outside, so he ordered me to bring you home."
Liam Lee's face fell. "There's no point in arguing. I'll go with you. But Mr. Song has nothing to do with this—please don't make things difficult for him."
"I'm afraid I can't agree to that, Eldest Young Master." Steward Wei refused without hesitation.
Anger flashed in Liam Lee's eyes, quickly replaced by pleading. "Steward Wei, Mr. Song and I are just acquaintances, and he doesn't know my identity. Please let him go—I'm begging you!"
"I wouldn't dare, Eldest Young Master!" Steward Wei sneered, then turned to Song Yan. "Kill him, and take the young master away!"
"Yes, sir!"
One of the guards drew his sword and slashed out, sending a flash of cold steel streaking toward Song Yan like lightning.