---
Yang Bai's Council of War
Amidst the smoldering remains of the Central Capital, Yang Bai gathered his most trusted lieutenants in a dark, cavernous hall deep within the heart of the city. His forces had already overrun much of the Central Capital, but the sudden appearance of Meng Wuya's sanctuary had frustrated his plans for a swift victory. The golden barrier protected the remaining members of the Eight Great Families and had given them time to regroup.
Yang Bai (displeased but calculating): "That barrier will fall. They're only delaying the inevitable."
Surrounding Yang Bai were his most fearsome subordinates, the Six Evil Kings, each of them a master of dark cultivation and commanders of his vast army. Among them was Shen Qing Luo, known as the Spider Empress, her beauty as deadly as her power. She watched the meeting unfold with careful eyes, biding her time as Yang Bai laid out his plans.
One of the Evil Kings, a hulking figure with jagged scars, spoke up. "Their defenses are strong for now. That artifact is shielding them, but it won't last forever. We should strike directly and break through."
But Yang Bai, ever the strategist, shook his head. He knew that brute force would not be enough to shatter Meng Wuya's sanctuary—not without sustaining significant losses. His gaze turned cold as he began to devise a more subtle approach.
Yang Bai (with a sinister smile): "We don't need to break the barrier. Let them destroy themselves from within."*
---
The Plan to Sow Conflict
Yang Bai's eyes gleamed as he outlined his plan to the Six Evil Kings. He knew that, despite Yang Kai's efforts, the Eight Great Families still harbored distrust and resentment toward each other. The sanctuary might have united them for now, but that unity was fragile—too fragile to withstand the right kind of pressure.
Yang Bai (leaning forward): "We'll offer them a chance to surrender. Tell them that anyone who surrenders will be spared, that their lives will be protected. It will seem like an offer of mercy."
His voice dripped with malice as he continued.
Yang Bai: "But we know they won't all agree. Pride, fear, and greed will take hold. They'll turn on each other. And when they do, their sanctuary will collapse."
The Evil Kings listened intently, knowing that Yang Bai's plan was designed to exploit the families' weaknesses. By sowing the seeds of distrust, he would force the families to fracture from within.
One of the Evil Kings: "Who will deliver this proposal, then?"
Before anyone could respond, Shen Qing Luo stepped forward, her eyes glittering with a hidden determination.
Shen Qing Luo (calmly): "I will. I can convince them to listen. But I will need to enter their sanctuary."
Her voice was smooth, and though she played her part well, her true intentions remained hidden. She had no loyalty to Yang Bai's plan—her heart belonged elsewhere. Shen Qing Luo had long harbored a secret admiration for Yang Kai, and though she was one of the Evil Kings, she knew that Yang Bai's ambitions would only lead to destruction. Her loyalty to Yang Bai was a mere disguise, one that she had maintained to survive.
Yang Bai (nodding with approval): "Good. Go to them. Offer them this deal of mercy. Watch them tear themselves apart."
---
Shen Qing Luo's Secret Intentions
As Shen Qing Luo left Yang Bai's council, her mind raced. She had volunteered for the task not to carry out Yang Bai's cruel plan, but to warn Yang Kai of the impending betrayal. She knew that the offer of surrender was nothing more than a trap to break the families from within, and if she didn't act, the sanctuary would fall into chaos.
Disguised as an emissary of Yang Bai, she approached the glowing barrier surrounding the sanctuary. Her heart pounded as she neared the entrance, knowing that this was her chance to repay the debt she owed to Yang Kai. She had once tried to seduce him in the past but had grown to admire his strength and resolve. Now, she had a chance to help him survive.
Shen Qing Luo (softly, to herself): "I hope he understands what I'm risking."
She was allowed into the sanctuary under the guise of delivering Yang Bai's proposal. The heads of the Eight Great Families gathered, wary and suspicious of her presence. They knew her reputation as the Spider Empress, one of the most dangerous of the Evil Sect's leaders.
---
The False Proposal
Once inside, Shen Qing Luo addressed the families, keeping her tone neutral and professional.
Shen Qing Luo: "Yang Bai offers you all a chance to surrender. Lay down your arms, and you will be spared. Those who choose to fight will face certain death. You have little time to decide."
As she spoke, she could see the seeds of doubt and fear beginning to take root among the elders. Whispers broke out among them, and the tension in the room grew palpable.
Elder of the Gao Family (whispering to another): "If we surrender, we could save our lives…"
Elder of the Xie Family (gritting his teeth): "We cannot trust her. This is a trick."
The families were already on edge, their fragile unity wavering. Shen Qing Luo could feel the discord spreading, just as Yang Bai had planned. But her real task was yet to come.
As she turned to leave, she made brief eye contact with Yang Kai, who stood at the back of the room, watching her closely. She had only a moment to act, but it was enough. With a subtle gesture, she signaled for him to follow her outside.
---
The Warning to Yang Kai
Outside the sanctuary, where no one else could hear, Shen Qing Luo quickly approached Yang Kai, her voice low but urgent.
Shen Qing Luo (in a hushed tone): "Yang Bai's offer is a lie. He wants to tear the families apart from the inside. You cannot trust this proposal—it's meant to make them destroy each other."
Yang Kai listened intently, his expression calm but thoughtful. He had suspected that Yang Bai would try something like this, but hearing it confirmed by Shen Qing Luo gave him the clarity he needed. She had risked her position and her life to deliver this warning, and he knew she was telling the truth.
Yang Kai (his voice steady): "I knew he'd try something underhanded. Thank you for the warning. But I can't let the families fall into his trap."
For a brief moment, Shen Qing Luo hesitated, unsure if she should say more. But she had already risked enough, and she knew that Yang Kai would now have to act.
Shen Qing Luo (softly): "Be careful, Yang Kai. He won't stop until he's destroyed everything."
With that, she left, retreating back to Yang Bai's camp. But her warning had been delivered, and now it was up to Yang Kai to use the information wisely.
---
Yang Kai's Resolve
Returning to the sanctuary, Yang Kai knew he had little time. Yang Bai's plan had been set in motion, and the families were already on the verge of falling apart. He needed to act quickly, to rally them before the seeds of discord took root.
But even as the elders whispered among themselves, uncertain of their next move, Yang Kai felt a sense of resolve. He had faced impossible odds before, and he knew how to lead in a crisis.
Yang Kai (thinking to himself): "I won't let him win. Not like this."
---