After stabilizing his cultivation, Yang Kai left High Heaven Pavilion and made his way toward Black Wind Trade.
Though this was only his second visit, he walked through the bustling marketplace with ease. Even after half a month, Black Wind Trade remained as lively as ever. Martial practitioners came and went, each searching for rare treasures. Stalls were lined with exotic items, creating a dazzling display of wealth and opportunity.
As Yang Kai wandered through the marketplace, his sharp eyes scanned the stalls lined with shimmering treasures, rare herbs, and powerful artifacts. The chatter of merchants haggling and martial practitioners boasting of their conquests filled the air, yet he remained unfazed, his focus singular.
He had come here to acquire materials, but fate had other plans.
"Yang Kai," a soft, teasing voice called out from behind him.
His body tensed ever so slightly before he turned. Hu Mei Er stood there, her arms crossed, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. Dressed in a flowing violet robe that accentuated her curves, she looked as enchanting as ever.
"You seem surprised to see me," she said, stepping closer. "Did you think I wouldn't find you here?"
Yang Kai studied her, his gaze unreadable. "I wasn't expecting you, but I'm not exactly hiding either."
She chuckled, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, it seems Storm House hasn't moved against you. That means you owe me, don't you?"
His eyes narrowed. "So you did interfere?"
Hu Mei Er tilted her head, feigning innocence. "I may have… persuaded certain people to turn a blind eye. Of course, I expect to be repaid in some way."
Yang Kai smirked. "And what exactly do you want?"
She leaned in slightly, her voice a whisper. "That depends… what are you willing to give?"
The air between them thickened with tension. Hu Mei Er was dangerous in her own way—not through brute force, but through her cunning and charm. Yet, Yang Kai wasn't one to be easily swayed.
Instead of replying immediately, he stepped closer, deliberately invading her space. His hand lifted, fingers tracing the loose strand of hair she had just tucked away. "You talk a lot about debts, Hu Mei Er," he murmured, his voice deep. "Are you sure you're not just looking for an excuse to get closer to me?"
Her breath hitched slightly, but she quickly recovered, her smirk never faltering. "And if I am?" she challenged, tilting her head in amusement.
Yang Kai didn't answer with words. His fingers trailed lower, brushing the side of her cheek before tilting her chin up ever so slightly. For a moment, their eyes locked—his filled with intent, hers shimmering with unspoken desire.
Hu Mei Er let out a soft laugh, but there was a slight tremor beneath her composed exterior. "Bold, aren't you?"
Yang Kai smirked. "I don't hesitate when I see something I want."
She exhaled softly, her amusement shifting into something more dangerous. Then, in an unexpected move, she closed the remaining distance between them, pressing her body against his. "Then maybe you should prove it," she whispered, her lips dangerously close to his.
The playful tease in her tone was gone—replaced by a sultry challenge.
Yang Kai's grip tightened slightly on her chin, his thumb grazing her lower lip. "Tempting," he murmured, his breath mingling with hers. "But I have a feeling you enjoy the chase more than the catch."
Hu Mei Er's eyes gleamed, her smile deepening. "Perhaps. But what if I decide to let myself be caught?"
His smirk widened. "Then I'd have no choice but to see if you're worth keeping."
She laughed, a rich and knowing sound, before pulling away just enough to create anticipation. "My elder sister wishes to meet you," she said, changing the subject, though the heat between them remained.
Yang Kai raised a brow. "Your elder sister?"
Hu Mei Er nodded. "She's… interested in you. She wants to see for herself whether you're truly as extraordinary as I say you are."
Yang Kai remained silent for a moment, weighing the implications. A meeting with the elder sister of Hu Mei Er—who was likely an important figure within Storm House—could be either an opportunity or a trap.
Sensing his hesitation, Hu Mei Er smiled. "Don't worry. If I meant you harm, I wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to protect you."
Yang Kai exhaled lightly and met her gaze. "Fine. I'll meet her."
Hu Mei Er's smirk returned, but this time, her eyes held something deeper—satisfaction, anticipation, and something else he couldn't quite place. "Good. Then follow me."
Without another word, she turned and walked deeper into the market, her hips swaying with a deliberate rhythm that made Yang Kai's gaze linger. The curve of her back, the teasing glimpse of her silhouette beneath the flowing violet robe—it was an unspoken challenge, a silent provocation. His lips curled slightly as his mind wandered, imagining just what lay beneath that enticing fabric, the soft skin hidden from sight. For a moment, he allowed himself to indulge in the thought, before exhaling sharply and following after her.
As they moved through the crowded market, Hu Mei Er glanced over her shoulder, catching his gaze exactly where she had intended. A knowing smile played on her lips. "Enjoying the view?"
Yang Kai, unfazed, met her eyes with a smirk. "It would be a shame not to."
She hummed, pleased by his boldness. "Then I suppose you'll like what's waiting for you even more."
Her words carried an air of mystery, laced with promise, and for the first time in a long while, Yang Kai found himself genuinely intrigued.
Flashback-30 minutes earlier
Inside a quiet, dimly lit room, two identical figures sat facing each other. At a glance, it was as if a mirror reflected the same appearance—one real, the other a perfect duplicate. One was Hu Mei Er; the other, her elder sister, Hu Jiao Er.
The air between them was thick with tension when a soft knock came at the door. A servant entered, bowing respectfully. "Miss, the person you requested us to monitor has entered Black Wind Trade."
Hu Mei Er's expression flickered with excitement, though she quickly masked it. Hu Jiao Er, however, arched an elegant brow, her lips curving into an amused smile. "Little sister, is this the man you've been speaking of? Yang Kai?"
Hu Mei Er nodded, her hands unconsciously tightening around her sleeves.
Hu Jiao Er chuckled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Some men pretend to be noble and virtuous, yet they are masters of seduction. They bait women like you, capture both your body and mind, and chain you to an eternal fate."
Hu Mei Er's cheeks flushed. "Older sister, he isn't like that."
Hu Jiao Er tilted her head playfully. "If he isn't, then why is he here searching for you?"
"You always think so negatively of others," Hu Mei Er shot back. "If he had such intentions, then he would have already taken advantage of me back at the lakeside."
Hu Jiao Er sighed, her gaze softening momentarily. "You trust too easily. But fine, let's make a bet. If he can remain composed, I'll acknowledge your judgment. But if he falters... don't blame me for being merciless."
A cold glint flashed in her eyes, sending a shiver down Hu Mei Er's spine.
"Older sister, what do you plan?"
Hu Jiao Er merely smiled. With a wave of her hand, a misty veil encased Hu Mei Er, sealing her movements. "You'll watch and learn, little sister."
Hu Mei Er pounded against the invisible barrier, frustration mounting as her sister stepped toward the door. "Don't act recklessly!"
Hu Jiao Er only laughed. "Let's see what your Yang Kai is really made of."
..................................................
Author's Note:
In this chapter, we reveal a crucial twist—Yang Kai initially believes he is meeting Hu Mei Er, but in reality, the woman he encounters is her elder sister, Hu Jiao Er. The two sisters share an almost identical appearance, making it difficult for others to distinguish between them at first glance.
Hu Mei Er, having developed an interest in Yang Kai, had previously instructed her servants to notify her whenever he appeared in the Black Wind Trade Market. However, before she could act, her elder sister intervened. Hu Jiao Er, wary of Yang Kai's true intentions, devised a test to see whether he was truly as honorable as Hu Mei Er believed.
This adds an extra layer of intrigue—Yang Kai is unknowingly stepping into a situation far more complex than he anticipated, with both sisters now involved in his fate. Will he pass Hu Jiao Er's test, or will he fall into a carefully laid trap?
Stay tuned to see how this encounter unfolds!