Chapter 79: Attainment

The Yuan family had been annihilated, and Yuan Yongfeng had ended his own life. Yet Long Yin noticed that His Highness had grown silent, as tranquil as a deep, still pool—calm, cold, without a trace of warmth or life.

Standing behind the throne, Long Yin pressed his lips together, a hint of confusion crossing his face before he released a long, lingering sigh. His Highness was no longer the child he once knew; now, he could not understand him at all. The boy had become a man, a true man whom Long Yin could no longer read.

Perhaps Long Yin’s sigh was too prolonged; Yuan Shaolin turned around, their gazes met, and Long Yin instinctively looked away. Yuan Shaolin felt a pang in his heart but masked it by shifting his gaze elsewhere.

“Is there something you need?” he asked.

Long Yin nodded. “Your Highness, as I mentioned, I came to the academy to find the location where our ancestor was sealed. Now, I have discovered it.”

Yuan Shaolin’s expression grew serious. Long Yin’s words meant he was about to take action. Yuan Shaolin approached, brow furrowed. “Is it time to begin?”

Long Yin’s face was grave as well. “We must act now. My uncle has sent word—the Third Emperor is stirring, and the Counter Card Forces have been unusually active lately, evidently plotting something. Their target is clearly Texas. Our power is insufficient to withstand the Dragon Emperor and the Counter Card Forces. We have the foundation, but it is not strong enough. If we can unseal our ancestor, his formidable strength will suppress any turbulence. Whatever they attempt, it will be erased before it begins.”

“When will you act?” Yuan Shaolin knew this was the truth. The Card House, with its alliance to the Federation’s network, had reached its limit. They could not break through in the short term. The Zuo family, under Uncle Sasaki’s leadership, had also reached a peak, with little room for further growth. Both had reached a bottleneck. Even combined, the Zuo family and the Card House could not withstand a life-or-death assault from the Three Emperors and the Counter Card Forces.

“On the night of next month’s full moon. My uncle is preparing, and members of the Long family are gradually being called back. That night, my uncle will use the power of the Sacred Lake and gather the bloodlines of the Long family to help me forcibly break the ancestor’s seal,” Long Yin replied.

Yuan Shaolin tightened his grip on his sword, his face solemn. “What do you need from me?”

Long Yin nodded. “Your Highness, I’ve already asked Uncle to send men. The card masters trained by the Card House are working at full capacity to create new system cards, especially stealth cards. I want your people to mobilize, use the stealth cards, and monitor every move of the Counter Card Forces, reporting instantly. Also, I need you to return to Texas and bring Jian Ming and Jian Zhen to the Federation. The battlefield is not Texas this time; the key lies in the Federation. If we can unseal the ancestor, even if we lose Texas, it would only be temporary—we will take it back immediately. Bringing the siblings here will allow them to assist you with reports in the Federation, and they are also crucial to breaking the seal.”

When discussing business, Long Yin became calm, almost emotionless. Yuan Shaolin, too, was a man of few feelings. Together, they formed a serious, methodical pair—one issuing strict plans, the other executing them rigorously.

Speaking of the Jian siblings, when they were rescued years ago, no one expected their hidden secret was connected to the ancestor’s seal. As Long Yin’s identity became clearer, and their loyalty to the Card House deepened, the siblings eventually revealed their secret. Over the years, they not only managed Card House affairs but also constantly awakened their bloodline, preparing for this critical moment. Now, it was time for them to repay their debt.

As Long Yin gave instructions, Yuan Shaolin nodded at each point.

When the discussion ended, Long Yin instantly returned to his languid demeanor. Yuan Shaolin watched him, unable to resist asking, “This month, you…”

“I’m going with Bai Ze to the Blood Clan,” Long Yin replied, knowing what Yuan Shaolin wanted to ask. He leaned back on the sofa, his long lashes trembling gently.

A faint, uncertain smile crossed Yuan Shaolin’s face. “Have you decided?”

Long Yin nodded, his voice soft. “I have.”

Yuan Shaolin smiled, stood up, his gaze distant. “Then I wish you happiness.”

Long Yin rose as well, watching Yuan Shaolin’s retreating figure, his brows furrowed. Hesitant, he called out, “Lin…”

Yuan Shaolin’s lips were pressed tightly together, his expression tense, fingers clutching the sword hilt until his knuckles turned white. Long Yin looked at Yuan Shaolin’s stubborn back and sighed quietly—hesitation only brought more pain to Yuan Shaolin.

Just as Long Yin was about to speak, Yuan Shaolin turned around with the wounded look of a beast, and before Long Yin could react, he quietly pulled him into his arms, burying his head in Long Yin’s neck. Scalding tears fell, burning Long Yin’s cold, hard heart.

“Ning…” Yuan Shaolin whispered.

Long Yin closed his eyes in pain, letting Yuan Shaolin hold him without protest.

Receiving no response, Yuan Shaolin seemed to understand and released Long Yin, hands gripping his shoulders. With his head bowed, Yuan Shaolin suddenly laughed quietly. “I understand now…” He turned sharply and strode away.

At the door, Yuan Shaolin saw Bai Ze, head down, arms crossed, legs bent as he leaned against the frame. A complex expression flickered across Yuan Shaolin’s face.

Bai Ze slowly raised his head, his angular face taut, standing straight. His voice was deep and steady. “Yin is mine. No matter what entanglements lie between you, no matter what bonds you share, I won’t let go. Never.”

Hearing such a declaration, Yuan Shaolin suddenly smiled, making Bai Ze frown deeply. Yuan Shaolin, a hint of malice in his smile, thought, since the other was so insecure, he didn’t mind adding to his troubles. Even if he lost, it was to time and fate. If it were Ning, he would never accept Bai Ze.

Yuan Shaolin touched the handkerchief at his chest. The one he loved was Ning of the East.

Bai Ze slammed his fist against the wall, only then noticing that Long Yin was standing at the door, head tilted, a sly smile at his lips as he watched him.

Bai Ze raked his hair, wounded and accusatory. “You promised to go back to the Blood Clan with me!”

“You lack confidence in yourself, and in me as well…” Seeing his sulking boyfriend, Long Yin shook his head and began to close the door.

Bai Ze’s pupils contracted; he reached out to block the door, his voice urgent. “You said you’d go back to the Blood Clan with me!”

“You don’t trust me,” Long Yin said softly.

Bai Ze’s hand trembled, and the door between them splintered into pieces. Bai Ze stepped forward, gripping Long Yin’s shoulders so tightly that he frowned. Bai Ze, wounded, growled low, “What does trust mean? Seeing him hold you and you not resisting, I’m so jealous I could lose my mind. Tell me, what counts as trust?”

A hint of weariness appeared on Long Yin’s face, his voice resigned. “You should have more faith in me. There’s nothing between His Highness and me, not as you imagine.”

“If it’s not what I imagine, then what is it?” Bai Ze’s jealousy only burned hotter at Long Yin’s explanation.

Long Yin’s expression hardened; he brushed aside Bai Ze’s hands, his voice cold. “What explanation do you want?”

“I…” Seeing Long Yin’s face change, Bai Ze clenched his fists, venting his fury on the things around him.

Long Yin watched Bai Ze vent, the room in chaos. Standing amidst the destruction, Long Yin’s heart softened. He slowly removed his mask, unbuttoning his shirt one finger at a time, exuding a sensual, languid charm. Head lowered, focused on the buttons, Long Yin noticed the silence around him, only the sound of swallowing audible. A smile crept onto his lips; once all the buttons were undone, he slipped the shirt off and let it hang from his wrist. Looking up, he saw Bai Ze, momentarily forgetting his anger. Long Yin raised a brow, radiating allure, and brushed Bai Ze’s fringe aside. For Bai Ze, stilled and dumbfounded, Long Yin suddenly burst out laughing.

Stepping back, Long Yin swung the shirt onto his arm, and as his fingers touched the buttons, Bai Ze grabbed his hand, eyes burning as he stared at Long Yin, swallowing repeatedly. “You…”

Long Yin calmly removed Bai Ze’s hand, explaining lightly, “It was a bit hot just now, so I took off my shirt to cool down. Now I’m not hot anymore, so I’m putting it back on.” The jealousy that had raged in Bai Ze’s heart was extinguished by the charm Long Yin had just displayed, his mind filled with that stunning image.

“I…” Bai Ze was at a loss, a surge of restless energy rising in him, making him want to tear apart the tempting sprite before him.

Long Yin sighed inwardly, surprised at how effective this tactic was; men really do think with their lower halves. Freeing himself from Bai Ze’s grip, Long Yin calmly fastened his buttons. Bai Ze watched the exposed flesh, eyes narrowing, and with a low growl, he scooped Long Yin up and rushed upstairs, leaving the wreckage of his fury behind. He pressed Long Yin onto the bed.

“Give yourself to me!” Bai Ze’s eyes were deep and bright, his hands braced beside Long Yin’s ears as he growled low.

Long Yin paused, smiling helplessly. The method worked well, but the drawback was that it easily set the fire ablaze. He and Bai Ze had come this far; Bai Ze always deferred to him, respecting his wishes. But this time, perhaps he had gone too far, his deliberate actions and Bai Ze’s insecurity fueling such intense desire.

So be it. They were both men; there was no need to be shy. Long Yin wrapped his arms around Bai Ze’s neck, tilting his head with a smile. Bai Ze froze, then a wave of wild joy flooded his heart. He hadn’t expected Long Yin to agree; his direct response left Bai Ze momentarily stunned.

“Don’t you want me?” Long Yin said, starting to rise.

“How could I not?” Bai Ze pressed Long Yin back onto the bed, eyes ablaze, biting his lips…