"Hello, young lady. Are you still feeling unwell? Would you like our doctor to examine you?" Xiao Biao approached with a smile of concern, just like the cunning old fox he was purported to be.

"That won't be necessary. My body is just fine." Yao Tanghad already learned about the two masters fromCheng Yan, and she easily distinguished them from each other at first glance.

Xiao Biao laughed. "I see, you must be okay, then. In that case, won't you give us back our good-for-nothing grandchildren, so that we can give them their appropriate punishments?"

"Please forgive me. I was desperate at the time and felt I had no choice but to detain them. I hope you understand my position." Cheng Yanwaved a hand atQin Hao.

"What do you mean, you had no choice? I think we all know that you—" Yu Shustarted to berateCheng Yan, convinced that the young man was simply putting up airs, butXiao Biaoimmediately gestured at a nearby disciple to cover his mouth.

"Excuse us, young man," Xiao Biaosaid, his smile still in place. "Master Yu is just too eager to have his grandson back."

But Cheng Yandidn't care at all.Xiao Biao continued without missing a beat. "We all have our fair share of mistakes regarding this matter, but since the young lady is alive and well, we should be friends rather than enemies.Why don't we sit down and clear up the misunderstandings over tea?" As cunning as he was, he instantly recognized the mysterious powers surroundingCheng YanandYao Tang. There was no way he was letting these kids go so easily.

Cheng Yan andYao Tangexchanged a meaningful glance.

"Well," Yao Tangsaid, looking uncharacteristically docile. "This young lady has some questions to ask, so I gladly accept your invitation to tea."

Meng Yang, Lin Xin, andQin Jing felt a chill run down their spines.Yao Tang's tone was exactly like the one she had used when she had tricked them into doing their homework at school.

They were ushered into the Xiao family living room, where they took their seats while the servants served the tea.

The room was decorated in an ancient style, and all the furniture was made of quality pear wood.

"Master Xiao," Qin Jingspoke up. "I noticed that your home's interior and even your practices mimic the ancient ways. May I ask if your family is a reclusive one?" Thanks to her own family, she had some understanding of the underworld clans.

"Well, you were able to pass through our formation and enter this place, so I'm sure you're no ordinary people. There is no point in me hiding the truth.

"The ancestors of both the Xiao and Yu families were illusionists from the Tang Dynasty. At one point, they somehow offended the nobles, so they moved here and lived in seclusion ever since."Meng Yang exclaimed in surprise. "Does that mean that you guys never had any contact with the outside world all these years?" A reclusive clan dating back from the Tang Dynasty… Their techniques and customs were definitely one of a kind.

"Of course, we have," Yu Cheninterjected. "We go to class like normal students, but we keep to our family's rules. The most important of which is that we never mention anything about our family background to anyone from the outside."

"I see," Lin Xin mused aloud. "It's no wonder that I've never heard of illusions and such before." She couldn't quite believe that something right out of a fiction book actually existed in real life.

Meng Yang leaned over with a furtive glint in his eye. "You know, it's the modern age. If you go out there and perform one of your illusions to the public, you will be totally famous!"

"Who cares about fame?" Xiao Bingsnorted and looked him up and down. "Our family's teachings are not for entertainment."

"But weren't illusions used to show off to the dignitaries back in the Tang Dynasty? Just like in the movies."

"That's where you're wrong, little brother. Illusions have a wide range of uses. They are not simply for amusement, they can be handy in protecting yourself and killing your enemies on the battlefield.

"Our ancestors originally wanted to serve the country, but they were killed by evil, power-hungry warmongers. They had been exiled to this place because of an illusion competition, which was probably why they had forbidden their predecessors from using the teachings as a performance for the entertainment of others."

To his credit, Meng Yanglooked contrite. "I apologize for being thoughtless and rude. It's such a pity, though. Who would have thought that something incredible still exists in this day and age?"

"There's no need to apologize," Xiao Biaoshook his head. "The rules say that members of the Xiao and Yu families are forbidden to perform illusions, but we also have outer sect disciples. Once the techniques are passed on to them, there is bound to be a few who would choose the path of entertainment."

Meng Yang's interest was piqued. "That's good to know. I'll keep an eye out, then."

"Then I'll be sure to urge them to cultivate their skills well," Xiao Biaochuckled. He was having a great conversation with the young man. "But you haven't told us where you kids are from yet."

Meng Yang opened his mouth to respond, butCheng Yancut him off before he could introduce himself. "My name isCheng Yan. My friends here are students fromNo. 1 High SchoolinCity A."