Silence fell between Yang Luoya and Wu Zhen after Bai Qian and Bai Zhi left the hall.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The music of the banquet continued in the distance—laughter, clinking cups, murmured conversations—but around their table, an odd stillness lingered.
Wu Zhen finally broke the silence.
"So… all this time, I was wrong to assume you were an alpha."
He spoke casually, though his eyes remained fixed on the cup in his hand instead of looking at Yang Luoya.
Yang Luoya calmly lifted his wine cup and took a slow sip. The crimson liquid reflected the lantern light like blood.
"I was afraid," he said evenly, "that if people learned about my secondary gender, they would look down on me."
His tone was calm, but his gaze was distant.
"All the reputation I built… the image of someone untouchable, someone strong enough that others dare not approach… it would all collapse the moment that truth spread."
Wu Zhen turned to look at him now, brows slightly furrowed.
"Then why reveal it now?"
Yang Luoya set his wine cup down. The soft sound of porcelain touching the table seemed unusually loud.
"Because of the rebellion."
His eyes sharpened as he stared ahead.
Wu Zhen's expression stiffened.
"…What do you mean?"
"There is an organization trying to turn me and Yang Wei against each other," Yang Luoya replied calmly. "They keep bringing up the matter of succession—of the imperial heir."
The lantern light flickered across his face.
"I decided this was the only way to stop them."
Wu Zhen frowned.
"You know this puts you in danger, right? You could become a target."
Yang Luoya smiled faintly.
"My reputation as someone strong and untouchable wasn't built without reason."
His eyes glinted.
"I am strong."
Then, as if remembering something trivial, Yang Luoya reached into the sleeve of his robe.
"Speaking of which… this is for you."
He placed two red pearls on the table.
The pearls gleamed softly under the lantern light.
Wu Zhen stared at them for a moment before recognition dawned in his eyes.
"These are…?"
"The pearls you gave me three years ago," Yang Luoya said casually. "I don't think they'll be of much use to me. So I'm returning them."
Wu Zhen sighed helplessly and picked them up.
"Yang Luo… I gave these to you as a gift."
He smiled wryly.
"But fine."
Yang Wei had not managed to speak with Yang Luoya even once after the ceremony.
Guests constantly surrounded him.
Some nobles came to congratulate him. Others wished to curry favor with the future heir. A few even introduced their omega sons and daughters with overly eager smiles.
Yang Wei's irritation grew by the minute.
Yet he could not show it.
Not here. Not now.
By the time the ceremony finally ended and the guests began returning to their resting pavilions, Yang Wei hurriedly searched for his older brother.
But when he reached the courtyard, he saw the distant lanterns of the lakeside pavilion already lit.
Yang Luoya had returned.
Yang Wei stopped walking.
"…Maybe big brother is tired."
His voice was quiet.
"I'll see him tomorrow."
With that, he turned away and returned to his own chamber.
The full moon had climbed high into the night sky.
The palace grounds were silent, disturbed only by the gentle splash of water from the lake and the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Inside the lakeside pavilion, Yang Luoya loosened the tie holding his long hair and prepared for sleep.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Moments after he closed his eyes, a faint sound reached his ears.
Footsteps.
Light.
Careful.
On the roof.
Without opening his eyes, Yang Luoya's hand slowly slipped beneath his pillow and wrapped around the handle of a hidden dagger.
He continued breathing evenly, pretending to sleep.
Then—
CRASH.
A figure dressed entirely in black burst down from above.
The masked intruder lunged straight for him.
Yang Luoya's eyes snapped open.
In one fluid movement, he twisted his body and flipped the attacker beneath him. His knee slammed down onto the man's back, pinning him against the bed.
The assassin struggled violently and attempted to stab him.
Yang Luoya's eyes turned cold.
Before the blade could reach him, his own dagger flashed.
A single clean slash across the back of the assassin's neck.
Blood sprayed across Yang Luoya's face.
But his expression did not change.
Not even slightly.
He stepped off the bed, leaving the corpse behind.
But before he could take another step—
Two more figures crashed through the roof.
More assassins.
Yang Luoya moved without hesitation.
Though he was an omega, his body moved with frightening speed and strength.
His dagger pierced the throat of the first attacker before the man could even react.
Yang Luoya grabbed the corpse and threw it directly at the second assassin.
The second attacker staggered in shock, pushing the body aside—
Too slow.
Yang Luoya's dagger had already buried itself deep in his chest.
The man collapsed.
Silence returned.
Yang Luoya stood in the center of the room.
Blood covered his clothes. Crimson drops slid slowly down his cheek.
Yet his gaze remained cold and steady.
Servants rushed toward the room after hearing the commotion.
"Young Master—!"
They froze at the doorway.
The sight inside was horrifying.
Three corpses.
Blood everywhere.
And Yang Luoya standing in the middle of it all.
Yang Wei arrived moments later.
"Big brother!"
He stopped in shock.
Yang Luoya casually kicked the third corpse aside.
Yang Wei quickly approached him.
"Brother… are you alright?"
He grabbed Yang Luoya's arm, anxiously checking for injuries.
Yang Wei was taller, broader. Standing so close, it almost looked as though he wanted to pull his older brother into his arms.
But he stopped himself.
Yang Luoya wiped the blood from his face.
"This room needs to be cleaned," he said calmly to the servants. "Prepare another chamber for me."
As if nothing had happened.
"Brother… what if—"
Yang Wei hesitated.
He wanted to say it.
He wanted to ask Yang Luoya to sleep in his room tonight.
For safety.
But the words stuck in his throat.
Because now he knew.
Yang Luoya was an omega.
"I'm fine," Yang Luoya said, lightly patting Yang Wei's shoulder. "Go back to your room. You must be exhausted after the ceremony."
Then he walked away.
Yang Wei watched his back slowly disappear down the corridor.
A strange feeling twisted in his chest.
"…What is this feeling?"
He couldn't understand it.
The next morning, they were scheduled to return to Four Peak Sect.
Yang Luoya waited calmly for the carriage.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached.
"Yang Luo—!"
Wu Zhen, Jing Lei, and Xu Yanran ran toward him with worried expressions.
"I heard assassins broke into your room last night!" Wu Zhen grabbed his arm immediately. "Are you alright?!"
"It's nothing," Yang Luoya replied calmly. "It's already been dealt with."
Wu Zhen's hand still gripped his arm tightly.
Yang Wei, who stood beside him, immediately slapped Wu Zhen's hand away.
"Hands off."
His annoyance was obvious.
Jing Lei stepped forward respectfully.
"Senior Yang Luo, do you need medicine? My parents prepared some medicinal supplies."
He held out a small wooden box.
"I'm not injured," Yang Luoya said.
Xu Yanran spoke next.
"Senior Yang Luo… do you know who tried to assassinate you?"
Yang Luoya's gaze darkened slightly.
"Most likely the same organization attempting rebellion. They're displeased that I ruined their plan with… yesterday's revelation."
Wu Zhen crossed his arms.
"After last night, your safety is compromised. At least until we return to the sect, we should stay alert."
Yang Luoya nodded.
Then he glanced around.
"…Where is Bai Zhi?"
The others exchanged confused looks.
"We haven't seen him since last night," Wu Zhen said. "Honestly, I thought he would be the first to check on you."
At that moment—
Bai Zhi appeared in the distance.
He walked toward them slowly.
His face looked pale and exhausted, as though he had not slept at all.
"Senior Yang Luo… are you alright?"
He sounded worried.
But more than that—
He sounded tired.
"I'm fine," Yang Luoya replied. "We were waiting for you. The carriage will arrive soon."
"Sorry for making you wait… I had something to take care of."
Soon, a large carriage arrived.
It was spacious enough for all of them.
They boarded one by one.
During the journey, Yang Luoya sat beside the window, quietly watching the passing scenery.
The wind stirred his hair gently.
Inside the carriage, the others spoke softly among themselves.
But Yang Luoya remained silent.
His gaze lingered on the distant mountains.
After today…
Everything will change.