Following behind the Fourth Elder, Qin Yang entered the Qin Family compound with ease. The entire journey saw no inquiries or security checks, only an atmosphere of joyous celebration.
Qin Yang gazed at the large red lanterns lining both sides of the street, his eyes reflecting an unusual light.
If these lanterns were stained with blood, he mused, they might glow even more brilliantly.
"The patriarch's courtyard is hosting a banquet! It's been years since such a grand feast!"
"The courtyard can't accommodate everyone - tables spill out onto both streets!"
"The bride, Lou Mengyu, is as beautiful as a celestial being. You haven't seen her in her phoenix crown and wedding robes... it's breathtaking!"
"They're currently preparing ancestral rites at the ancestral hall. The wedding will be presided over by Martial Heaven himself from Central Province's Celestial Academy..."
As snippets of conversation washed over Qin Yang, the Fourth Elder's group continued straight toward the ancestral hall.
I'll see Lou Mengyu soon. I'm sorry for making you wait so long... Qin Yang sighed inwardly. Yet his heart remained unsettled.
Feeling the weight of the panda on his shoulder, he patted the Demon Realm Ring containing three demonic beasts. Despite all this, a sense of restlessness still lingered in his chest.
"What's with that serious, ugly face? Smile! Don't you know how?" a Qin family member demanded, glaring at Qin Yang.
Another spoke with a mysterious air, "You're now with us. Those who adapt to circumstances are considered wise. Later..."
"Hm?" The white-haired middle-aged man shot a glare. The Qin family member quickly lowered his head, remaining silent.
Qin Yang frowned. He couldn't care less about these trivial matters - these people wouldn't last long anyway!
At the Qin Ancestral Hall, only one Qin family member remained by the Fourth Elder's side. The others had tactfully withdrawn.
Yet Qin Yang stayed, and no one bothered to chase him away.
Everyone knew the ancestral hall's rules: ordinary members had no right to enter such gatherings. Only those qualified could participate.
This was common knowledge, needing no reminders. Thus, Qin Yang brazenly waltzed in unchallenged.
"Who is he? What's that pet on his shoulder?"
"Don't know. Could he be the Fourth Elder's personal assistant?"
The Qin family member standing beside the Fourth Elder felt a surge of curiosity. "This boy looks unfamiliar. How could he qualify to enter the Ancestral Hall? Could he be someone the Fourth Elder secretly recruited?"
The Fourth Elder observed Qin Yang with furrowed brows. "Could this brat be a trusted subordinate of another elder? Good thing I didn't reveal my plans to him earlier..."
In that moment, no one moved to question Qin Yang's identity.
Within the Ancestral Hall, only members of the Qin family were present.
The family head stood before the ancestral tablets, his expression solemn. Other elders lined up on both sides, while at the center of the gathering stood Qin Wuyi, his face glowing with red light. Beside him was...
Lou Mengyu, adorned in a phoenix crown and wedding robes.
Qin Yang nearly couldn't contain himself. He was about to step forward and tell Lou Mengyu he was here when the family head suddenly spoke:
"Fourth Elder, why are you so late? Missing the appointed time is a grave disrespect!" The family head's tone was severe as he addressed the Fourth Elder.
The Fourth Elder offered a forced smile. "Isn't the timing perfect? Besides, aren't many other elders still to arrive?"
The family head's face darkened, and the atmosphere grew tense.
"They won't be coming," the Qin Family Patriarch said gravely. "According to Nangong Ling, five elders led dozens of elite members to hunt down Qin Yang. Just as they arrived at the beast hunting grounds, spatial collapse occurred, and all perished."
"This is truly a tragic event," the Fourth Elder said, though his face showed no trace of sorrow. "What about that boy Qin Yang? Dead too?"
The Patriarch replied, "Nangong Ling said his death was certain."
Qin Yang stood quietly behind the Fourth Elder, a cold smile playing on his lips. He saw Lou Mengyu's delicate frame tremble, her legs wobbling slightly.
His heart ached. Hearing my death must be devastating for her.
"Very well. Since all elders are present, let us inscribe Lou Mengyu into the Qin Family registry." The Patriarch turned toward the ancestral tablets, murmuring words of ritual.
Qin Yang followed his gaze and suddenly burst into laughter.
At the very top of the Qin Family tablets stood the name of their founding ancestor. The reason for his mirth was clear:
"Qin Anu?" Qin Yang shook his head repeatedly. Just the name alone proves these Qin Family elders are nothing but old slaves!
"Who dares to laugh in the Ancestral Hall?" The Qin Family Patriarch's gaze snapped toward the sound.
The Patriarch glanced at Qin Yang, then fixed a meaningful stare on the Fourth Elder standing before him. He clearly blamed the elder for the disturbance.
The Fourth Elder seethed with frustration. What impudent brat! If he's someone's disciple, he should stand behind that elder—why did he position himself here?
Yet within the sacred Ancestral Hall, he couldn't voice his anger and swallowed the bitter pill.
Lou Mengyu's eyes widened abruptly. That voice... Could it be Qin Yang?
Turning her head, she shuddered as her suspicions were confirmed. It was indeed Qin Yang! How had he managed to infiltrate this gathering?
She opened her mouth to speak but quickly suppressed the urge, fearing to expose him. Instead, she shot urgent glances at Qin Yang, signaling him to leave.
How could Qin Yang possibly leave? He stepped forward decisively, placing himself directly in front of the Fourth Elder.
The Fourth Elder froze. The Patriarch, all elders, and the core Qin Family members stood stunned.
How dare this boy! What is he doing?
"Tsk tsk, Qin Anu, Qin Anu!" Qin Yang burst into laughter. "How unfortunate. Since you're pretending to be our Qin family, why not change your ancestors' names? Anyone seeing these names would know you're slaves, wouldn't they?"
"Insolence!" the Qin family patriarch roared. "Who are you? How dare you infiltrate our Qin Ancestral Hall?"
To suggest changing their ancestors' names—this was the height of filial impiety! Such words were blatant provocation and insult!
"Fourth Elder!" The patriarch's eyes blazed with murderous intent.
The Fourth Elder seethed with anger. "He's not mine!" he retorted.
"If he's not yours, why did he come with you and stand behind you?" another elder demanded. "Don't think your strength gives you license to act so recklessly! Are you trying to usurp the patriarch's position?"
Another elder chimed in, "Fourth Elder, so you've finally decided to make your move. You've been advocating we leave the secret realm without the ancestral tablets. Do you really think we can't see through your wolfish ambitions?"
The atmosphere instantly tensed, swords unsheathing and bows drawn. The Fourth Elder's plan had been completely disrupted. He had intended to strike during the banquet when his people would be in position. But here, he only had one useless lackey...
"Heh, since you all know yet haven't moved, you must realize your strength pales compared to mine! What reason would I have to worry?" The Fourth Elder sneered, pulling out a magical artifact and hurling it forward.
Qin Yang watched the signal flare rise, its explosion painting the sky with crimson clouds. Black lines of frustration creased his forehead.
"Shouldn't I be the protagonist here?" Qin Yang frowned.
In the entire ancestral hall, only Qin Wuyi glared at him, each word measured with venom. "So you've come after all! Truly, when Heaven offers a path..."
"...you refuse to walk it!" Qin Yang interrupted, eyes darkening with murderous intent. "And when Hell's gates stand open, you charge in! Don't be impatient—I'll make this place Hell itself!"