Chapter 168: I Was Simply... Lucky
As they moved through the corridor, Ningyan was still reeling from the tension in the throne room.
Jun Yongri’s hand striking Shen Taiyu. The weight of it.
The complete absurdity of it.
Shen Taiyu was such a gorgeous dragon beast. Jun Yongrui surely didn’t deserve him.
"Ningyan." Jun Haoxuan’s voice cut through his thoughts.
There was something off in his expression. It was similar to surprise, edged with disbelief, as though he had just realized something he could not ignore.
Meishan halted as well, his brow lifting slightly, his fingers still loosely interlocked with Ningyan’s.
Ningyan blinked. "What is it?"
"What is it?" Haoxuan echoed, a short scoff escaping him as he stepped closer. "You are aware my father is a Divine Beast."
His gaze sharpened. "And yet... you shielded all four of us from his attack."
Ningyan looked away almost immediately.
"He wasn’t even trying," he said lightly. "I was simply... lucky."
"What stage are you at?" The question came without pause.
"Is there a problem?" Meishan cut in smoothly, drawing Haoxuan’s attention.
Haoxuan exhaled, dragging a hand through his hair.
"There will be," he said quietly, "if I am not constantly stabilizing the crystal."
His gaze flickered back to Ningyan. "You are getting stronger. The crystal is responding. That means you must remain in control at all times."
His voice lowered. "And I must be there."
Ningyan’s lips pressed together. He avoided his gaze.
"...But you are here." The words were soft... Too soft.
Haoxuan froze. Then stepped closer again, gentler this time.
His hand rose, resting lightly against Ningyan’s cheek, guiding his face back toward him.
"I am not interrogating you," he said quietly. "Nor am I ungrateful for what you did."
His thumb brushed faintly against his skin. "I am worried."
Ningyan inhaled sharply. Then... "...Stage seven."
Haoxuan’s eyes widened. "...Saint Beast?"
Meishan did not react. Not outwardly. Only the faint stillness in his posture betrayed that he had already known.
Ningyan had reached it quietly. Within the week. Through the scrolls, through cultivation... through the fusion of his beast core and the dragon crystal.
Now, he stood at the same level... as them.
Jun Haoxuan slowly withdrew his hand, exhaling under his breath. "That’s... impressive. You ascended far too quickly. Less than a year."
Ningyan blinked at him.
"It’s not just the crystal," he replied, a hint of defensiveness slipping through. "It’s my own strength too. So you don’t have to worry."
Haoxuan didn’t answer immediately. He gave him a hesitant look instead.
Ningyan didn’t like it. Not at all.
Despite everything... despite how close they had grown he wasn’t naive.
Jun Haoxuan could still kill him.
"A-Xuan." A smooth, familiar voice came from behind.
All three turned.
Shen Taiyu approached them, robes flowing lightly with his steps, a gentle smile resting on his lips. His aquamarine eyes shimmered faintly under the daylight.
"...I’m sorry about Father," Jun Haoxuan’s expression softened almost instantly. "But you know how he is. Why do you keep provoking him, though?"
Shen Taiyu let out a light, unbothered laugh. "Because I enjoy it."
He tilted his head, amused. "Besides, I should be the one apologizing."
His gaze shifted, first to Lan Meishan, then to Ningyan. "It is our first meeting, and yet... we meet like this."
He let out a faint sigh, though his smile remained. "I came for the banquet. I should have welcomed you earlier, but I have been away."
Haoxuan’s brows drew together. "Away?"
"I returned only recently," Taiyu continued smoothly. "There was... a situation within the Ice Dragon Clan."
His tone shifted, slightly colder. "My estranged sister."
Haoxuan frowned. "What happened? Why was I not informed?"
"She resurfaced," Taiyu said simply. "And wiped out a village."
His gaze darkened faintly. "With a demon tool."
"Oh!" Ningyan’s voice came out surprised.
"She’s practicing demon qi?" Jun Haoxuan’s voice lowered.
Lan Meishan said nothing. He simply looked away, his grip on Ningyan’s hand steady, his thumb brushing lightly across his skin.
"There are so many like her, A-Xuan." Shen Taiyu’s tone was calm. "I did what was necessary."
"You killed her." Ningyan’s voice came quieter this time. He already knew the answer.
"Yes." Shen Taiyu breathed and lifted his gaze, the weight of the moment passing as easily as it came.
"I have already met Shanyuan," he continued smoothly. "But where is Shenzhen?"
"I am sure he will attend the banquet," Jun Haoxuan replied.
"I am truly happy for you." Taiyu smiled. "Do try to enjoy the night."
He inclined his head. They returned the gesture.
And then, he was gone.
Silence settled the moment his presence disappeared.
"There is something going on."
Lan Meishan’s deep whispered voice cut through it.
Ningyan turned to him. "...Something bad?"
Jun Haoxuan exhaled slowly, the tension finally slipping through.
"This banquet..." he said, quieter now. "...is a problem. I don’t like it."
His jaw tightened. "But I cannot stop it."
The air felt heavier.
Ningyan felt it then, low in his stomach. A slow, creeping unease.
He hated it.
This feeling like something was about to be taken from him. Again.
He swallowed. "I need some air."
His fingers tapped lightly against Meishan’s arm.
"I’m coming with you." Meishan didn’t let go. Not even even a little.
Ningyan let out a small laugh. "It’s just a stroll."
"We are coming with you." This time, Jun Haoxuan spoke.
Ningyan paused. But he didn’t argue.
He shrugged. "Very well then."
His face warmed under their gaze.
Ningyan didn’t want this to end.
His fingers curled slightly and his flute appeared in his grasp. He spun it idly between his fingers as they walked, the motion absentminded.
As his eyes shifted, that familiar, ominous violet glow bled into them, brightening with each step. It was uncontrolled, subtle... but there.
Jun Haoxuan noticed but said nothing. He just lifted his hand and let his fingers brush lightly against Ningyan’s cheek.
A gentle touch. Barely there.... Blue qi spilled from his fingertips, smooth and steady, flowing into Ningyan without resistance.
The reaction was immediate.
The violet dimmed, softened and settled completely.
Haoxuan’s hand lingered for a breath longer then withdrew carefully.
No words passed between them. They simply continued walking.
And the silence felt... full.
***
A/N: Ningyan being at peace with the gentle princes. He has almost forgotten about the chaotic duo ^°^