Most of the people left the room soon after. With Tang Xinyunâs mother still feeling quite weak from all her ordeals, most thought it best to leave her in peace.Â
Tang Jing and his brother were one of the last ones to leave after speaking a bit with Bai Yunfei. Left with nothing else to do, Tang Xinyun and Bai Yunfei decided to take a small walk shoulder-to-shoulder outside in the courtyards.
Things were looking much better for Tang Xinyun now that her mother was on the road to recovery. Smiling widely so that the dimples on her face would show, she spoke excitedly with Bai Yunfei. Every so often, Bai Yunfei would find it hard to restrain himself at the sight of her and stole away a few kisses.
âNow that I think about it, why havenât I seen that kid Tang Ming?â
Bai Yunfei had been in Tang Manor for a while now, but he had yet to see the youngest son of the Tang.
âXiao Ming? He went with my third aunt back to their home to pay a visit.â
âAhâŚhow strong is he now? I remember he was a genius, has he become a Soul Exalt yet?â
âHeâs a Mid-stage Soul Exalt now. Heâs changed since that trip three years ago. Father has high hopes for him and his hard work. Xiao Mingâs talent is something father says is the best out of our generationâŚâ Tang Xinyun spoke. âOh, but with third brother back and reaching the Soul King realm faster than eldest brother, heâs most likely the strongest if Xiao Ming doesnât become a Soul King soon.â
âYour third brother is amazing. Itâs all because of him that we managed to save you.â Bai Yunfei nodded.Â
It was true. If not for Tang Wei, Tang Xinyun truly wouldâve been kidnapped by Mo Ni and his group. And even if Bai Yunfei got there faster than he did, the enemy wouldâve had the advantage. The rescue operation would therefore be a great deal worse than what it was.
Bai Yunfei had heard what Tang Wei managed to do. Not only did he manage to wrestle Tang Xinyun away from their hands, he killed two other Soul Kings equal in strength to him, and then managed to escape the encirclement around him. None of that wouldâve been possible if Tang Wei wasnât as amazing as he was.
The courtyard was primarily silent barring the conversation between Bai Yunfei and Tang Xinyun. Enjoying each otherâs company, the two were only disturbed when a servant came running into the courtyard to relay a message.Â
âFourth miss, master Bai, lord Xuanyuan Jie is requesting an audience with master Bai.â
âXuanyuan Jie? What does he want with me?âÂ
Surprised, Bai Yunfei quirked an eyebrow. He hadnât really talked with Xuanyuan Jie since the auction house the last time he was in Mo City.
âWhat else?â Tang Xinyun laughed, âTo make friends with you! Youâre a Mid-stage Soul King now. At your age, youâre the person most people want to get to know! People all over Mo City will definitely come to pay a visit sooner or later.â
âOh? Am I like a steamed bun on a winter day now?â He wrinkled his nose, âWell, since we know each other, letâs go meet him. Heâs an outstanding figure himself, itâs not a half-bad idea to meet up.â
  âŚâŚ
Tang Xinyunâs prediction came to be true. Not even half a day after Bai Yunfeiâs chat with Xuanyuan Jie, more and more people began to visit Tang Manor to meet him. Most of them were somebodies in Mo City, but even Soul Kings came forward to greet him.
It was a first for Bai Yunfei to see the mighty Soul Kings treated himâsomeone clearly very young in comparisonâwith an equal amount of respect they had for any other Soul King. People talked about being able to âstand at the topâ, but it was only now that Bai Yunfei really knew what that was like.
That didnât mean to say Bai Yunfei felt drunk off this feeling. He knew better than to grow arrogant over this. These people were being polite in their arrival and gift-offering to him. To those, Bai Yunfei wished to be humble and chose to refuse the gifts. Owing favors to others wouldnât do well for him, after all.
He refused even those offering generous payments for a soul armament of his crafting, though politely and tacitly. He wasnât so free now he could craft a soul armament here and there as he pleased.
The visits came to a trickle two days later. Had it not been how tall the gates to Tang Manor was, the river of people surely wouldâve continued for even longerâŚÂ
And then late afternoon of the following day, Tang Xinyunâs father returnedâŚ.Â
  âŚâŚ
It was with great shock that Tang Qianlei met with Bai Yunfei. He had heard the rumors of Bai Yunfeiâs power up, but to see it still was another thing entirely. Even now, he could hardly believe his eyes.
How in the world had Bai Yunfei become a Mid-stage Soul King!?
A multitude of people were gathered in the main halls now aside from those who had to get back to their daily jobs of management and overseeing of others. But those who at the very least held a position of power within the Tang were gathered there. And since Tang Qianlei was back, Tang Zhan chose not to interfere with the familial matters and returned to his secluded training once again.
From when Tang Xinyun was kidnapped to now, the entire family expended a great deal of energy towards the investigation of Huang Shan and the others. Investigations, however, ended with a great deal of disappointment for the family. Of every detail they found so far, nothing was linking them back to anything substantial.
Bai Yunfei was for the most part quiet while Tang Qianlei held the discussion. Aside from answering whenever the latter asked a questionâprimarily about the battle between him and Mo Ni during the battle for the pillsâand rarely interjected anytime afterward. He just sat there in silence to allow Tang Qianlei to summarize everything.
When the discussion was reaching an end on what business the Tang had yet to finish, Bai Yunfei started to speak up then.
âLord Tang, this humble junior wishes to discuss a matter.â
âOh?â Tang Qianlei smiled, âSpeak then.â
âLord Tang, did you perchance visit the Swallow Province to cancel Xinyunâs betrothment?â
âOh? So you know about it already?â
Bai Yunfei nodded.
âThere were a few delays on the way. I hadnât even reached Swallow City when I learned of little Yunâs kidnapping and turned back. The betrothment, as it standsâŚhas not yet been concluded.â
The stiff look on Bai Yunfeiâs face sparked a small smile onto Tang Qianleiâs lips, âBai Yunfei, do you have feelings for little Yun?â
âEh?â
Bai Yunfei jerked his head, he had been caught off-guard by the question. He recomposed himself and nodded his head shortly afterward. âI do. Sincerely and completely. Iâve decided that I want no other wife but her in my entire life!â
âYunfeiâŚâ Having been silent the entire time up to this point, Tang Xinyun went immediately scarlet in the face. Even the tip of her ears were burning red as she sat there next to him, and when she saw the amused smirks of her two older brothers, she bent her head down to face the wooden table in front of her out of embarrassment.
The die had been cast, and Bai Yunfei was determined to see things through. Standing upright, he bowed as respectfully as he could towards Tang Qianlei to make his request.
âMy lord, this junior presents himself today in front of the house of Tang with the idea of marriage in mind. Since my lord has asked, then please allow this junior to answer in earnest.Â
âToday, I seek the approval of lord Tang and every gentleman and lady here today for Xinyunâs hand in marriage. For this life and the next, I will live faithfully for her and her alone!â
His proclamation brought about a huge clamor in the halls as everyone began to react to this unexpected piece of news.
Still stooped over the wooden table, Tang Xinyun was starting to tremble now. Her entire face was as red as a tomato, but not a single person could deny seeing the amount of happiness and emotion on her face.
Like the others in the hall, Tang Qianlei held a surprised expression on his face. Though he knew of their relationship, he hadnât figured Bai Yunfei to propose marriage today at this juncture.Â
His eyes drew sharp as if to size up and measure Bai Yunfeiâs entire person.Â
âOh?â He stated. âDo you speak the truth?â
âI do.â Bai Yunfei declared, he himself staring unflinchingly back at the older male.
Tang Qianlei said nothing. Seconds went by as he gazed at Bai Yunfei. The entire hall felt as though a cold gust of wind was blowing through it with how solemn the atmosphere became.
Then all at once, the atmosphere melted when Tang Qianlei broke into laughter.
âHaha!! Very well! How brave of you, how brave indeed!!
âYou wish to marry little Yun? Then so be it!â He smiled.
âBut firstâŚ.â The smile gained a steel edge to them, âyou must do one thing for us.â