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"Eagle Masked Expert," she began, her voice hesitant, "Your presence has been invaluable to the Song Family. You\'ve restored order, secured resources, and instilled a sense of purpose within our ranks."

Wang Li, seated across from her, remained silent, his gaze unwavering as he listened intently.

Gathering her courage, Song Jingyan continued, "I realize this might seem out of place, but… I would be honored if you would consider joining the Song Family permanently."

A smirk, well-hidden beneath the mask, played on Wang Li\'s lips. This was the moment he had been waiting for. He had subtly woven himself into the fabric of the Song Family, becoming an indispensable asset. Now, it was time to reap the rewards.

"Joining the Song Family," he drawled, his voice laced with amusement, "An interesting proposition, Madam Song. But every service rendered comes with a price. What would the benefits of such an arrangement be?"

Song Jingyan knew she had to make this offer enticing. "The Song Family possesses vast resources," she began, laying out her strategy. "You would have access to any cultivation materials or techniques you desire from our treasury and storage facilities. Moreover, I would grant you a certain degree of control and authority within the family."

Her words struck a chord with Wang Li. The Xia Family treated him like a valued weapon, but ultimately, he was still just a pawn in their games. Authority, true power within a family… it was something he craved.

"Authority, you say?" He leaned forward, his eyes glinting through the mask. "And what about your husband, Song Weiguang? When he returns, along with his delegate members, will this authority remain in place?"

Song Jingyan\'s smile faltered. Here was the crux of the issue.

Her husband, Song Weiguang, was a man of tradition, ingrained in the ways of nepotism. He would never allow an outsider, no matter how skilled, to wield any power within the Song Family.

In fact, his sole focus would be on grooming their son, Song Yichen, as his successor – a prospect that filled Song Jingyan with dread.

Song Yichen, despite being her son, possessed none of the qualities needed for leadership.

He was arrogant, inexperienced, and lacked the focus required to handle the complexities of the family. Yet, tradition dictated that the mantle of power would eventually fall upon him.

Song Jingyan hesitated, a dilemma brewing within her. How could she offer the Eagle Masked Expert a position of authority knowing it would be revoked upon her husband\'s return? Yet, the alternative – losing him – was equally unthinkable.

"That…" she began, her voice trailing off. Honesty was her only option.

"The… the situation with my husband is… complicated. While I hold the leadership position now, the final say lies with Song Weiguang once he returns. However," she continued, her voice gaining conviction, "I can offer you a position of immense influence. You would be my confidante, my right hand in running the Song Family.

With your skills, I have no doubt we can steer the family towards a prosperous future, even after my husband\'s return. We can create a system where your contributions are valued, and your voice is heard."

Wang Li steepled his fingers, a thoughtful look behind the mask.

Song Jingyan held her breath, waiting for Wang Li\'s response. The air crackled with unspoken tension.

"Your offer," Wang Li finally spoke, his voice devoid of its usual amusement, "doesn\'t inspire confidence, Madam Song. You can\'t guarantee a position by my side, can you? From what I\'ve gathered, gleaned from whispers of servants and maids, your husband, Song Weiguang, is a fiercely protective man. The mere notion of a male confidante, no matter how instrumental, wouldn\'t sit well with him.

He might misinterpret such a close relationship, especially upon his return."

His words struck a raw nerve. Shame washed over Song Jingyan. Wang Li was right. Her husband, though often absent, kept a tight grip on the household. Any indication of familiarity with another man would likely spark his wrath. Visions of Song Weiguang\'s volatile temper flashed in her mind, the possibility of him lashing out at the Eagle Masked Expert a chilling prospect.

"And secondly," Wang Li continued, his voice low, "within the Xia Family, I already enjoy a certain degree of authority. There\'s no need for me to seek refuge under another banner."

Song Jingyan slumped in her chair, a defeated sigh escaping her lips. Her naiveté was astounding. It hadn\'t taken her two weeks to recognize the Eagle Masked Expert\'s exceptional talent. The Xia Family undoubtedly saw it too, and their offer must have been substantial to command such unwavering loyalty. Her proposition, by comparison, seemed paltry.

Mentally conceding defeat, Song Jingyan pushed her plate away, her appetite vanishing. "I understand," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you for considering my… misguided offer."

A flicker of surprise crossed the masked face, a hint of something akin to amusement playing in Wang Li\'s eyes. He leaned back, the silence stretching between them.

"However," he finally spoke, his voice a low murmur, "there might be a way I could consider integrating myself into the Song Family… under a specific condition."

Song Jingyan\'s head snapped up, a sliver of hope flickering within her. "A condition?" she echoed, her voice trembling slightly.

Wang Li\'s gaze, the only visible part of his face visible beneath the mask, seemed to pierce through her. His lips, hidden behind the white mask, curved into a suggestive smile. "Indeed," he murmured, his voice laced with a hint of something unsettling. "A condition that would make it worthwhile to ignore the very real concerns I\'ve raised."

As he spoke, Song Jingyan\'s breath hitched. His emerald eyes, gleaming faintly through the mask\'s eyeholes, seemed to rake over her body, the raw desire simmering within them impossible to ignore. Understanding dawned on her like a bolt of lightning. The \'condition\' wasn\'t a title or authority – it was her.

Shame burned in her cheeks. She was a married woman, yet she couldn\'t deny the alluring thrill that ran through her at his unspoken desires.

She bit her lip, torn between her obligations and the forbidden temptation that sparked within her. To utter the words that hung heavy in the air would be a betrayal of her vows, yet to remain silent was to lose the chance to secure this powerful ally.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken desires and a looming decision. Song Jingyan knew she had a choice to make – cling to her dwindling morals or explore this uncharted territory with the enigmatic Eagle Masked Expert.

A flicker of surprise crossed Song Jingyan\'s face as Wang Li spoke. "There\'s no need to rush into a decision tonight, Madam Song," he said casually. "Consider my offer, take your time. I\'ll remain here for another week, offering whatever assistance I can."

He finished his meal with a flourish and rose from the table, his white robes seeming to shimmer in the candlelight. Without another word, he bowed his head slightly and strode out of the dining hall, leaving Song Jingyan speechless.

The impact of his words hit her with the force of a collapsing mountain. He was leaving. After just a fortnight, after becoming an indispensable part of the Song Family\'s resurgence, the Eagle Masked Expert was about to walk away. Panic clawed at her throat. There was so much left to do, so many problems only his skill and insight could solve!

She scrambled to her feet, the urge to chase after him warring with a crippling sense of propriety. She was the leader of the Song Family, and chasing after a masked warrior through the corridors wouldn\'t project an image of strength.

The rest of the night was a blur. Song Jingyan tossed and turned in her bed, her mind churning with the implications of his impending departure. By dawn, her anxiety had morphed into a steely resolve. She would find a way to keep him here.

The morning brought news that sent chills down Song Jingyan\'s spine. A scouting team, sent to investigate the route leading to the Xia Family, had returned with a disturbing report. They had stumbled upon a battle site, the air thick with remnant demonic energy. And the timing, relayed using a voice-recording talisman, coincided with the departure of Song Weiguang, Song Yichen, and the delegation.

The news spread like wildfire through the Song Family, leaving a trail of fear and uncertainty in its wake. The potential loss of her husband, son, and the most powerful cultivators sent the family teetering on the brink of chaos. Without strong leadership, the Song Family could fracture, ripe pickings for opportunistic rivals.

Song Jingyan knew what she had to do. The Eagle Masked Expert\'s unwavering strength and strategic mind were the only things that could prevent the Song Family from unraveling. She wasted no time, sending a message requesting an urgent audience.

He arrived a short while later, his masked face giving away nothing of his thoughts.

"Eagle Masked Expert," Song Jingyan began, her voice betraying the urgency she felt, "I have grave news. My scouting team encountered signs of a battle on their way to the Xia Family territory. The demonic energy… it… it coincides with the timing of my husband\'s departure."

Wang Li remained silent, his gaze unwavering as he absorbed her words. The implications were clear – a powerful demonic force had attacked the delegation. Whether Song Weiguang and the others survived was a chilling unknown.