Chapter 167: Blessings And Curses
Anger flashed across Jun Yongrui’s face. "How dare you."
The words came low.
"How dare you speak of that!" He stepped forward, his aura tightening, coiling.. but Shen Taiyu did not even flinch.
"Lan Yunlai spreads demonic qi across the realms," he said evenly, unbothered. "You vanish to the Sky Palace for months, leave the throne empty, while Haoxuan remains in seclusion."
His gaze sharpened. "And now you return... to host a banquet. One that will draw him here."
Jun Yongrui said nothing. But his silence answered enough.
Shen Taiyu studied him carefully. "What are you planning, Yongrui?"
Still... nothing.
Shen Taiyu’s lips curled into a faint, cold smile. "Very well."
He turned slightly, as if already done with the conversation. "I suppose I will see your corpse soon enough."
Jun Yongrui moved. The crack of the slap echoed through the hall, sharp and violent as his hand struck Shen Taiyu across the face.
"How bold of you—"
A rush of harsh blue blast slammed into him from the side.
Jun Yongrui’s body lifted from the ground and crashed back into the throne with a thunderous impact, the entire platform shaking beneath the force.
At that moment, Jun Haoxuan stepped into the throne hall. Blue qi flickered faintly around him, dissipating into the air like dying lightning.
Behind him, Lan Meishan followed, composed and unreadable with Ningyan beside him.
Surprise lingered openly on his face, lips slightly parted, his gaze fixed on Yongrui then to Shen Taiyu. He knew instantly that the beast was an ice dragon. However, he wondered why his hair was black. Had he dyed it?
Shen Taiyu lifted a hand to his cheek, fingers brushing lightly over the fading mark. "A-Xuan." He smiled.
Jun Haoxuan crossed the distance in a few swift steps, catching his hand immediately, his brows drawn tight. "Father... are you hurt?"
It was then Ningyan realized that Shen Taiyu was actually another of Jun Yongrui’s partners and he had just struck him.
Shen Taiyu’s smile didn’t falter. "When am I ever not well?"
His gaze shifted, first to Lan Meishan, then to Ningyan. He looked amused and very much interested.
"Lan Meishan," he said smoothly, "it is a pleasure to finally meet you."
His fingers still rested lightly against his own cheek, as though the earlier strike meant nothing.
Meishan stepped forward without hesitation. "The feeling is mutual, Dragon Lord Shen Taiyu."
His gaze flickered briefly to the faint redness then he raised his hand.
Two fingers pressed lightly to Taiyu’s forehead. An emerald glow spread, soft and precise, sliding down to his cheek, easing the mark until it faded almost completely.
Then he withdrew silently.
"Thank you," Shen Taiyu said.
Meishan only inclined his head.
Taiyu’s attention shifted fully to Ningyan.
Ningyan bowed, slower this time.
Taiyu watched him and smiled. "My... how ethereal."
Ningyan’s composure cracked just slightly, a faint flush rising to his cheeks.
Taiyu’s smile deepened.
Behind them, Jun Yongri rose to his feet.
The air thickened instantly.
His gaze burned, focused on his son. His breathing was heavier now, anger no longer concealed. "How dare you? Haoxuan!"
Jun Haoxuan met his father’s gaze without hesitation. His expression hardened.
"I would not have needed to act," he replied evenly, "if you had not raised your hand against your own husband."
His golden eyes narrowed. "Power is not proven through cruelty. Or perhaps that is the only language you understand. It is no wonder they all abandoned you."
Jun Yongri’s jaw tightened, his gaze shifting to Lan Meishan, then to Su Ningyan. "You dare embarrass me... in front of them."
Shen Taiyu sighed softly, almost bored. "You’re acting like a child again, Yongri. You always do."
He tilted his head, a faint smile on his lips. "Do you want to be coddled? I would have obliged... but you struck me."
His smile thinned. "So... no coddling for you."
The air exploded.
A dense, steel-gray aura surged violently from Jun Yongri, heat and pressure crashing outward as he struck without warning straight at Shen Taiyu.
But before it could land, an ominous purple glow surged into existence.
A barrier. Expanding in a breath, unfolding like a living veil, it spread wide.. shielding all four of them.
The attack collided and vanished into it.
Swallowed whole.
Ningyan stood at its center, his eyes glowing. Even he hadn’t expected it to feel this... effortless.
Jun Yongri hadn’t used his full strength but neither had he.
Silence.
Then the barrier dissolved like mist.
Jun Yongri lowered his hand slowly.
This time, his gaze locked onto Ningyan murderously.
Jun Haoxuan’s golden eyes ignited in response.
Lan Meishan stepped closer to Ningyan, his presence shifting, the slit of his eyes narrowing, focused.
Jun Yongri exhaled sharply and dropped back onto his throne. "What are you all doing here?"
"An introduction, father," Jun Haoxuan replied evenly. "A formal one."
His gaze remained steady. "But you seem particularly intent on bloodshed today."
Jun Yongri let out a low chuckle, rolling his shoulders as if amused. "I am in an excellent mood."
A sharp, unpleasant smile spread across his face. "After all... our family will be reunited at this banquet."
His gaze flicked between them. "You have my blessings, son. And my curses."
Ningyan almost laughed.
The Divine Dragon Beast King was this bitter?
"I reject both." Jun Haoxuan didn’t hesitate. "And I believe this introduction is over. I cannot speak with you for long... without the urge to kill you."
Jun Yongri smirked. "Likewise."
That was enough.
Jun Haoxuan turned without another word.
Lan Meishan reached out, interlocking his fingers with Ningyan’s, steady and grounding, before following after him.
Shen Taiyu lingered a moment longer. His aquamarine gaze rested on Jun Yongri. "Do remember what I said, dear husband."
He waved at him carelessly. Then he turned and left.
Heavy silence returned.
Jun Yongri remained still, his gaze fixed on the empty space long after Shen Taiyu had disappeared from sight.
Slowly, he exhaled, dragging a hand down his face, his fingers trailing up to his horns as he leaned back into the throne. "...I will."