"Father." Sikong Hongyue walked up to the seat of honor, stopped, and bowed slightly.
"Sit." Sikong Yi lifted his chin, indicating the chair beside him.
Sikong Hongyue sat down as instructed, her back straight and her hands resting on her knees. She did not rush to speak, waiting for Sikong Yi to ask first.
Sikong Yi watched her for a moment, then asked, "Last time, I told you to win over that boy named Su Tian. How did it go?"
Sikong Hongyue shook her head. "I asked him yesterday, but he showed no strong desire to join us. He didn't refuse outright, but his attitude was... rather guarded. He said he needed to think about it and wouldn't commit."
Sikong Yi tapped his fingers against the armrest twice more. The taps were neither heavy nor rapid, but each sounded clearly in the quiet hall.
He fell silent for a few breaths, then spoke in a calm, emotionless tone. "Ask him again tomorrow."
Sikong Hongyue said nothing, waiting for him to finish.
Sikong Yi continued, "If he still refuses, there's no need to waste any more effort. Once Lei Zhuo returns, coax the prescription and treatment method out of him, then dispose of the entire group. Lei Zhuo, Su Tian, and the others he brought with him-leave none alive."
After hearing him out, Sikong Hongyue nodded. "Yes, Father."
She paused, then asked, "And if he agrees?"
Sikong Yi leaned back in his chair, his gaze resting on the darkness beyond the hall doors, as though pondering something.
After a while, he spoke slowly, his tone a little more relaxed than before, with a hint of humor. "The boy has both character and talent. Given time, he might well accomplish something. If he's willing to join our Silver Wing Family, he would