Dinner was prepared quite sumptuously. Although there were only Zhou Li and Su Yan, the table was still filled to the brim.
Following his usual habit, Zhou Li first set out the bowls and chopsticks for Su Yan and ladled the soup before preparing his own.
However, as he prepared to eat, Su Yan cautiously took out a silver needle from her Qiankun bag.
"Senior Sister Su, the Kong family wouldn't be so blatant as to poison us, would they?"
Zhou Li looked at her actions with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.
He didn't believe that even if the Kong family didn't care about Su Yan's life or death, they would still care about offending the Zhou family.
"There is no harm in being cautious," Su Yan said very calmly.
She harbored absolutely no goodwill toward the Kong family.
After Su Yan had tested all the dishes, Zhou Li immediately picked up his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
It had been five or six days since they set out, and they hadn't had a proper hot meal yet.
Even so, Su Yan remained unhurried. Only after a few minutes of watching Zhou Li eat without any unusual reaction did she pick up her own utensils.
"Senior Sister Su, I slept in my room all day today and didn't go out to check the situation. Has Clan Leader Kong made an appearance yet?" Zhou Li asked with concern while eating.
"No."
"As the Clan Leader, it is normal for him to be busy. I think once he meets you, Senior Sister Su, he will surely give you a satisfactory explanation." Zhou Li felt that whether it was Kong Shan Kui or his own father, their attitudes toward Su Yan should be completely consistent.
Su Yan possessed such immense power, and the evil spirits sealed underground were constantly stirring. Even if it was for the sake of all living beings in the world, they certainly wouldn't do anything to Su Yan at this time, as that would only weaken their own side's combat effectiveness.
Even if the Kong family truly did something to harm Su Yan and her mother fourteen years ago, they would surely be looking for every possible way to make amends and dissolve the hatred in Su Yan's heart now.
Su Yan had no desire to discuss this issue with him.
Meanwhile, in the secret chamber, Kong Shan Kui had just finished performing a secret technique to place Kong Nian's eyes back into her sockets.
Kong Nian let out a low, painful moan.
Restoring sight was no simple matter; the vessels in her eyes had long since been severed. To recover, she would have to endure a torment a hundred times more painful than before.
Seeing Kong Nian's determined expression despite her suffering, Kong Shan Kui felt a flicker of gratification.
Although this child had too deep an obsession and lacked cunning, her endurance was quite good. Therefore, the upcoming matters could certainly be left for her to bear.
"Clan Leader, the Young Lady is almost ready. From here on, she only needs to complete the vessel reconstruction herself, and there should be no problem," Kong Xiang signaled to Kong Shan Kui.
Kong Shan Kui remained noncommittal. "Stay here and watch over her for the next few days. Report to me immediately if anything happens."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
After giving his instructions, Kong Shan Kui walked out of the secret chamber.
The sky outside had already turned completely dark.
As soon as Kong Shan Kui appeared, disciples of the Kong family immediately came forward to greet him.
"Clan Leader, Su Yan has arrived."
That simple sentence caused a strange emotion to instantly surface on Kong Shan Kui's originally calm and placid face.
"Where is she now?"
His voice was low and agitated, as if he were suppressing something.
"The two Elders have arranged her in the guest rooms."
Upon hearing this, Kong Shan Kui immediately strode forward.
It normally took over ten minutes to get from the secret chamber to the guest rooms, but Kong Shan Kui reached the corridor leading to them in only five minutes.
However, his footsteps suddenly halted.
The disciple following behind him was filled with confusion but did not dare to ask.
It clearly looked as though the Clan Leader wanted to see Su Yan immediately.
Kong Shan Kui's eyes flickered incessantly, and after a dozen seconds, he actually changed direction.
"Return to my room. I need to wash up."
***
"The Kong family's food tends to be light, but the flavor is quite good," Zhou Li said earnestly after eating three bowls of rice in one go.
Having spent over a month with her, Su Yan knew quite a bit about him.
Although this young master of the Zhou family often appeared somewhat proud and mature, he was actually just like her—a youth not yet twenty years old.
"If you like it, you can eat more."
Zhou Li's face flushed. "I'm already full. It's mainly because I haven't eaten all day, so I ate a bit more for dinner."
He didn't want to leave a bad impression on Su Yan.
"Senior Sister Su, have you met the Kong Clan Leader?"
Su Yan replied, "No."
"I heard from my father that the current Kong Clan Leader is not very easy to get along with. Furthermore, the reason he was able to become the Clan Leader was not by relying on the support of the Kong family, but entirely through his record of slaughter and combat."
Zhou Li recounted what he knew about Kong Shan Kui so that Su Yan could be mentally prepared.
As expected, Su Yan's expression darkened.
"Twelve years ago, many people in the Kong family opposed his rise to power. Do you know what happened to those people in the end?" Even though there were only two of them, Zhou Li deliberately lowered his voice.
Su Yan did not respond, so he continued immediately, "He killed them all."
By the end, even Zhou Li couldn't help but feel a chill.
If Kong Shan Kui could be so ruthless even toward his own people, let alone others.
"What are your plans for next?"
By asking in advance, he would know how he could help her.
"I have no plans. No matter what kind of person Kong Shan Kui is, the debts owed must be paid!" Su Yan's speech was extremely slow, each word falling heavily to the ground.
Zhou Li's heart tightened; he roughly understood.
"I will help you."
Su Yan said, "There is no need for you to get involved."
"We are already friends. When a friend is in trouble, of course, I will risk my life for them," Zhou Li said with a face full of sincerity.
He was also afraid of danger, but he understood that only by choosing to stand on Su Yan's side this one time could he truly earn her friendship.
Su Yan gave him a deep look, her expression complicated.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
"Senior Sister Su, are you finished eating? The Clan Leader has returned. Please come over for a chat."
Gan Hua's inquiry drifted in from outside the closed door.
Su Yan stood up from her chair almost instantly, a surge of light swirling in her eyes.
Zhou Li's reaction was even more nervous than hers. "Senior Sister Su, I'll go with you."
The door opened, and Gan Hua was already waiting outside.
"Senior Sister Su, the Clan Leader is already in the main hall. I will lead you there now."
"Alright."
At this moment, Su Yan's face had become so serious that it lacked even the slightest expression.
Kong Shan Kui, the current Clan Leader of the Kong family—they were finally going to meet!
(End of Chapter)