After all, Sikong Yanguang was an insider of the Sikong family, so he naturally knew more about the family's affairs than Yun Di.
"Transaction? What transaction?" Sikong Yanguang asked in confusion. The reason he could face death with peace of mind was that he was no stranger to the world. When Ying Huarong and Yan Hu appeared, he recognized them as contracted beasts. Considering someone who could contract divine beasts, combined with the alchemy furnace that surpassed divine artifacts, and the person's demeanor and calmness, he deduced that this person must come from a powerful, reclusive family. Since someone from a reclusive family wouldn't fear Sikong Cheng, what kind of deal could be made with him?
"Naturally, it's to help me overthrow Sikong Cheng and put Yun Di in the position of family head." Ye Lanshan's eyes glinted with determination, her tone resolute.
"You, you, what did you say?" Sikong Yanguang hadn't expected Ye Lanshan to harbor such ambition, aiming to swallow the Sikong family whole. Although the Medicine Valley had some connection to the Sikong family, they were fundamentally different. In the Medicine Valley, alchemy reigned supreme, with all alchemists revering higher-ranked ones. Ye Lanshan had refined a divine pill, and with her background, taking control of the Medicine Valley would be easy. But the Sikong family was different—it was a powerful clan, independent of the three kingdoms, and though not as strong as the three sects, its strength was not to be underestimated. How could it be taken so easily?
"Just say whether you'll make this deal or not." Ye Lanshan toyed with the dagger in her hand, the threat in her eyes unmistakable.
"Fine, I agree." Sikong Yanguang let out a deep breath. How could he refuse? Besides, he couldn't bear to see Ye Lanshan and Yun Di vanish in the struggle for the Sikong family. If they died in this battle, Sikong Kuang might be captured by Sikong Cheng again.
Truly, Sikong Yanguang was overthinking. Even if he refused, Ye Lanshan had other ways, though it would take a bit more time, be more troublesome, and might expose Shangguan Xin.
Cang Zhu's tears hadn't dried, yet new ones flowed. "Grandpa Sikong..."
"Enough, no need to say more. My mind is made up. Since you want to take over the Sikong family, what harm is there in me helping you? That place has already been ruined by Sikong Cheng anyway." Sikong Yanguang's words were bold, expressing his resolve.
"Then I'm relieved. But since guests come from afar, shouldn't you offer a warm welcome?" Ye Lanshan put away her dagger after his declaration, her attitude softening, though she didn't seem to notice it herself.
"Huh?" Sikong Yanguang paused, then looked around and understood. "Cang Zhu, go tell the kitchen to prepare a lavish feast."
"Okay." Yun Di had already released his hold on Cang Zhu when he decided to let them go, so Cang Zhu dashed outside and vanished in the blink of an eye.
"That kid." Sikong Yanguang shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
Ye Lanshan casually observed the room but didn't see a dining table. Only when Sikong Yanguang knocked and fiddled with a wall for a while, revealing another room, did she exclaim, "I didn't expect this house to have hidden depths."
The inner room's walls were painted entirely black, with dim, flickering light. The furnishings were sparse: a bed, a cabinet, a table, two stools, and nothing more.
"It's a bit crude here; I hope you don't mind." Sikong Yanguang assumed Ye Lanshan came from a grand family and might find this place uncomfortable. But Ye Lanshan had never belonged to a grand family. Though the Ye family had once been powerful, it had since declined. Even in her past life, everything she won was earned through her own efforts. She had endured even harsher conditions, so why would she be uncomfortable here?
What intrigued her, however, was what Sikong Yanguang had gone through to turn the entire room into such a dark, gloomy space.
"Grandpa Sikong, the food is here." Little Cang Zhu carried a large food basket, struggling visibly. Yun Di rushed over and lifted it—indeed, it was quite heavy. When opened, most of it was vegetarian, with only two meat dishes. Ye Lanshan raised an eyebrow; the meat was likely added for the guests. She hadn't expected Sikong Yanguang's life to be so simple.
She took a small bite of the food. Though not as good as restaurant fare, it was still acceptable.
"It's getting late. Why don't you sleep here tonight, and we'll discuss how to take over the Sikong family tomorrow?" After they had eaten their fill, Sikong Yanguang tentatively suggested.
"Mm." Ye Lanshan responded lightly. There was no rush for this matter, and it gave her time to familiarize herself with the Medicine Valley's terrain. More importantly, it seemed Cang Zhu had something to say, and she could use this time to hear him out.
"Then, Cang Zhu, take them to the Medicine Madness Courtyard."
"Yes." Cang Zhu jumped off the stool, acting wise beyond his years. "Follow me."
The tranquility of everything in the valley allowed Ye Lanshan's restless mind, always filled with various matters, to find rest.
"If you have something to say, say it." Yun Di's eyes, once tinged with hatred, had also calmed.
"Grandpa Sikong's family has been controlled by that villain Sikong Cheng. If he helps you, his family will be killed. So, can you please be merciful and not drag Grandpa Sikong into this?" Cang Zhu's eyes glistened with tears, his voice trembling as he pleaded cautiously.
"You mean Sikong Cheng has taken control of your grandfather's family?" Ye Lanshan narrowed her eyes.
"Yes, yes." Cang Zhu nodded vigorously.
"Then why weren't you controlled?" Ye Lanshan remembered clearly that Sikong Yanguang's gaze toward him held only the bond between family.
"Because I was adopted. I'm not Grandpa Sikong's real family. I used to be a beggar, and Grandpa Sikong picked me up and brought me to the valley." His voice carried loneliness, deep inferiority, and a faint trace of longing.
Ye Lanshan fell silent. In her past life, she too had been an orphan, so she understood how much an orphan craved family. Perhaps Sikong Yanguang was his only warmth.
But she wasn't one to be swayed by sympathy, nor would she abandon her plan because of this.
"Brother, I beg you." Cang Zhu gritted his teeth and fell to his knees before them with a thud.
"What are you doing? Get up first." Yun Di was startled and quickly pulled him up, feeling a pang of pity. He knew how hard life was for an orphan without parents, but the Sikong family's influence was immense, and they truly needed Sikong Yanguang's help now.