Qin Rong, Qin Moyao's father, looked barely forty despite being fifty years old. Dressed in a white shirt, he maintained a fit physique, unlike the stereotypical pot-bellied tycoons. He exuded a natural air of authority befitting his position.
Currently, Qin Rong held the top position in Jingning City, a prefecture-level city with a population of three million, not far from Binhai. Though not as prosperous as Binhai, Jingning was significant in its own right. At his relatively young age for an official, Qin Rong still had considerable room for career advancement.
"Uncle Qin, Moyao is out of danger now," Chen Yang said, facing Qin Rong with a touch of guilt. After all, Qin Moyao had been seriously injured while with him. He continued, "She's still unconscious, possibly due to hypnosis or something similar. Once we're back in Binhai, I have a way to wake her up."
Qin Rong looked at Chen Yang with a complex expression. His daughter was his pride and joy, and he had always indulged her. She, in turn, had always been obedient, which put him at ease.
Truthfully, Qin Rong was in a foul mood. Seeing his daughter in this state filled him with anger and worry. But as a man of political acumen, he wouldn't vent his frustrations at Chen Yang. After Chen Yang's assurance that his daughter would be fine, Qin Rong asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?" He paused, then added, "I've learned a bit about Li Yang on my way here. He was a Major General, known for his marksmanship and combat skills. I know Moyao couldn't have captured him on her own."
Chen Yang understood Qin Rong's displeasure. If it were his own daughter lying unconscious, he'd probably be throwing punches by now.
Without holding back, Chen Yang started from the beginning, mentioning Bai Yinshuang from the Golden Age bar. He explained to Qin Rong that he and Qin Moyao were friends and that he had intended to take her to dismantle Bai Yinshuang's lair.
Qin Rong had known about the Golden Age incident for some time. He recalled how Moyao had been devastated when her colleague died there. He had looked into the matter but found himself powerless against the establishment, despite his considerable influence.
"How reckless!" Qin Rong couldn't help but scold when he heard about Chen Yang and Qin Moyao's intrusion into Golden Age.
Chen Yang gave a sheepish smile and said, "Uncle Qin, what I'm about to tell you might be hard to believe, but I assure you it's all true."
"Go on," Qin Rong said sternly.
Chen Yang didn't hold back. He recounted the entire series of events, including their capture at Xuanyi Gate. However, he omitted mentions of the Heaven and Earth Tribulation and the Chosen One, only saying that he had been locked in a room containing items left by the sect's founder.
Qin Rong listened with widening eyes. Despite his years in politics and exposure to strange occurrences, Chen Yang's story still seemed incredible to him.
After Chen Yang finished, Qin Rong's expression softened slightly. "So, you saved Moyao. Should I be thanking you?"
Chen Yang, unwilling to take credit, quickly replied, "Uncle Qin, Moyao got involved because of me. It's my responsibility that I didn't protect her well enough."
Qin Rong studied Chen Yang closely, impressed by the young man's sincerity, courage, and sense of responsibility.
In his political career, Qin Rong had encountered plenty of hypocrisy and worldliness. The young people he usually met were either sycophants eager to climb the ladder or spoiled brats basking in their parents' glory. Chen Yang was unlike any young man he had met before.
Qin Rong had always felt his daughter was extraordinary and often worried about her marriage prospects, believing that ordinary men weren't good enough for her. Now, seeing Chen Yang, he thought this young man might actually be a suitable match for his daughter.
These thoughts flashed through Qin Rong's mind, but his face remained impassive.
Chen Yang, oblivious to these musings, felt uneasy in Qin Rong's presence. After all, it was because of him that Qin Rong's daughter was in this state.
He couldn't bring himself to be confident or assertive.
"It's a great relief that Moyao is safe," Qin Rong finally said after a long pause.
Hearing this, Chen Yang realized Qin Rong wasn't blaming him and let out a long sigh of relief.
In the afternoon, Qin Rong, being a busy man, had to leave urgently. Since Qin Moyao's condition had stabilized, he entrusted Chen Yang with her care, asking to be notified immediately if anything changed.
Chen Yang quickly agreed.
Although Qin Rong left, he assigned his secretary to stay and look after Qin Moyao.
Qin Rong's secretary was a calm man in his thirties named Wang Danian.
Wang Danian was very polite to Chen Yang.
Chen Yang and Wang Danian stayed at the Kunming hospital for three days. During this time, Chen Yang called Su Qing to let her know he was safe.
Qin Moyao's injuries had stabilized, but her continued unconsciousness was worrying.
Chen Yang decided to take Qin Moyao back to Binhai City. He discussed this plan with Wang Danian, who immediately reported to Qin Rong. After getting Qin Rong's approval, Wang Danian told Chen Yang they could return to Binhai.
Chen Yang nodded.
Wang Danian then arranged for a private jet.
At 5 PM that day, they boarded the private plane back to Binhai City.
As for Li Yang, he had been taken away by Beijing's National Security agents two days earlier.
Chen Yang didn't know what fate awaited Li Yang, nor did he particularly care.
They arrived in Binhai at 7 PM, just as night was falling.
The private jet landed at Binhai International Airport.
Chen Yang hadn't notified anyone because his first priority was to take Qin Moyao to the Golden Age bar.
He hadn't mentioned this to Wang Danian; only Qin Rong and he knew about it.
"I need to take Moyao to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor," Chen Yang explained to Wang Danian. "Why don't you find a place to settle in? I'll let you know as soon as Moyao wakes up. How does that sound?"
Wang Danian, having received private instructions from Qin Rong to trust Chen Yang completely, simply smiled and nodded, "Alright."
Outside the airport, Wang Danian had already arranged a car for Chen Yang. After placing Qin Moyao in the car, Chen Yang got into the driver's seat. He said goodbye to Wang Danian, rolled up the windows, and drove off.
At 7:30 PM, Chen Yang stopped the car in front of the Golden Age bar. He carried Qin Moyao to the entrance and kicked open the roll-up door.
The aura of Golden Age's domain had changed!
Chen Yang sensed it immediately.
What had changed? It no longer felt as dark and resentful as before.
This was a positive development.
The bar was still shrouded in darkness. After Chen Yang entered with Qin Moyao, the roll-up door closed automatically behind them. He gently laid Qin Moyao on an open space on the floor. Then he called out, "Bai Yinshuang, come out."
As soon as he spoke, the magnetic field in front of him coalesced, and Bai Yinshuang appeared.
Seeing the scene before her, Bai Yinshuang's expression changed slightly. "What happened to her?" she asked.
Chen Yang replied, "I'm not entirely sure, but I think Cheng Jianhua might have hypnotized her consciousness. I can't wake her up, so I came to see if you could help."
A strange light flashed in Bai Yinshuang's eyes. "You've met Cheng Jianhua?" she asked.
Chen Yang said gravely, "Not only did I meet him, I almost died at his hands. It's a long story, but first, please take a look at her and see what's wrong."
Bai Yinshuang nodded. She wasn't an unreasonable person.
Then, her body transformed into a wisp of blue smoke and entered Qin Moyao's head.
The scene looked like something out of "Journey to the West," with Sun Wukong making an appearance.
Chen Yang watched intently, feeling nervous, afraid that Qin Moyao might never wake up.
Fortunately, after a short while, Bai Yinshuang emerged. At the same time, Qin Moyao coughed once, her eyelids fluttered, and then opened.
Chen Yang was overjoyed and quickly called out, "Moyao!"
It took Qin Moyao a moment to regain her senses. She looked at Chen Yang with a hint of confusion and asked, "Are we dead?"
Chen Yang rolled his eyes and retorted, "Dead my foot!"
Qin Moyao tried to sit up but lacked the strength. Chen Yang helped her into a sitting position.
As soon as she sat up, Qin Moyao saw Bai Yinshuang and then looked around. She exclaimed excitedly, "We escaped? What happened?" As soon as she finished speaking, she began coughing violently.
The internal injuries and blood stasis hadn't been fully cleared. Though no longer life-threatening, they still severely affected her health.
Seeing Qin Moyao awake, Chen Yang let out a long sigh of relief. He sat down cross-legged and said, "What do you mean 'escaped'? Your big brother here walked you out of there fair and square."
"Huh?" Qin Moyao said in surprise. "But I remember we were both captured. What really happened?"
Chen Yang then addressed both Qin Moyao and Bai Yinshuang, "Alright, since you're both here, let me fill you in on what's been going on."
This time, Chen Yang held nothing back.
He told them everything about being a Chosen One, the Heaven and Earth Tribulation, how Cheng Jianhua had thrown him into the alchemy furnace to strip away his luck, and the appearance of the sect's founder.
Qin Moyao listened with her mouth agape, finding it all hard to believe. It was all too mystical for her.
When Bai Yinshuang heard that the sect's founder still cared deeply for her, she couldn't help but shed tears.
"That's how it all went down," Chen Yang said. "I didn't expect Cheng Jianhua to escape in the end. It seems his fate isn't sealed yet, and he probably survived the fall off the cliff."
Bai Yinshuang now fully believed Chen Yang. She could smell the essence of the Supreme Golden Pill on him. Besides, this story was far beyond what Chen Yang could have fabricated.
Chen Yang and Qin Moyao had gone to hell and back for her, Bai Yinshuang. She wasn't heartless, and at this moment, she was filled with gratitude towards both of them.
"Thank you both," Bai Yinshuang said sincerely.
Seeing Bai Yinshuang's attitude, Chen Yang and Qin Moyao felt a sense of relief and satisfaction. They felt that all their hardships and sacrifices had been worthwhile.
Qin Moyao started coughing violently again.
Chen Yang quickly patted her back gently to help her breathe.
"What are your plans now?" Chen Yang then asked Bai Yinshuang.
Bai Yinshuang looked at Chen Yang and said, "I want to return to Xuanyi Gate. Can you help me?"
Chen Yang grinned and said, "Of course! That's why I came here—to ask you to leave. Of course I'll help you." He was being completely honest.
Bai Yinshuang couldn't help but smile, saying, "Thank you." She knew Chen Yang was just speaking his mind, but he was truly a kind-hearted and brave person.