Chapter 171: An Invitation
Lan Meishan hated the way this was unfolding.
He had not predicted Ningyan’s reaction, not truly. But neither had he expected the sharp ache that came with it. His decision had not only wounded Ningyan... it had unsettled something within himself as well.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Killing his father had always been the path he prepared for.
Years of cultivation. Years of restraint. Years spent breaking away from the shadow of Lan Yunlai.
And yet.... it still did not feel like enough.
He had fought too long to sever those chains. To erase the marks left on his body... and his mind. Even after escaping, even after carving out his own strength, Lan Yunlai still reached for him.
And Ningyan had almost died because of it.
That alone was reason enough.
Meishan lowered himself into a meditative position, robes settling neatly around him. Spiritual energy gathered faintly at his core, a dim emerald glow surfacing behind his closed lids.
Silence held for a moment.
Then...
’That was quite sad.’ The voice slipped in smoothly, familiar as breath. ’But it must be done... right, Meishan?’
His eyes opened calmly. "You sound amused."
A soft chuckle echoed within him. ’I am.’
The voice lingered, almost indulgent. ’You’re conflicted. All because you want to protect the one you love... and yet, you’re still going to let me take control. How could I not be amused?’
Meishan’s fingers tightened over his robes.
Lan Yunlai would not hold back. He knew that much.
There would be no restraint. No mercy. Every strike would carry intent to break, to dominate, to reclaim. And when the damage came, because it would, the other side of him would surface. Inevitably.
He exhaled slowly.
If Lan Yunlai died, the aftermath would be chaos. His uncles would move. The clan would fracture.
But chaos could be controlled. Power could suppress it.
This... was necessary.
’You know...’ The voice returned, lighter now. Teasing. ’You could always choose differently. Do what he wants. Take Ningyan. Leave everything behind. No throne, no clan... no complications. No princes wanting him the way we do.’
Meishan said nothing.
Silence stretched.
Then the voice clicked its tongue softly. ’How cold. You’re giving me the silent treatment now?’
Still, Meishan did not respond.
The voice softened, but only slightly.
’Come on, Meishan. You don’t want me near him, I know that.’
He let out a quiet laugh. ’But you shouldn’t ignore me either. I will kill Lan Yunlai.’
The words settled heavily as a promise. ’That is what I exist for.’
Meishan inhaled slowly, his chest rising with controlled steadiness. His eyes closed fully this time and the emerald glow around him deepened.
"Then let’s focus on that." His voice was low, steady, yet something in it trembled beneath the surface. "Are you certain... I can reach the divine beast stage tonight?"
For a fleeting moment, Ningyan’s face surfaced in his mind. That pained, desperate, expression.
It lingered longer than it should have.
’Yes.’ The answer came immediately, certain and unwavering.
Meishan inhaled slowly. "I don’t trust you."
’You don’t have to.’ The voice softened, almost indifferent.
’You never have.’
Meishan did not respond again. He simply raised his hands, bringing them together before him.
At once, spiritual energy surged.
A vibrant emerald glow unfurled from his core, wrapping around his body like a living current. It pulsed once... then deepened, thickening into something far denser.
His breathing slowed. His mind sank. And then he let go.
His consciousness dropped into deep cultivation.
^°^
Meanwhile, within the Azure Dragon Palace, Jun Haoxuan stood beneath the open sky, robes shifting faintly with the wind as two guards knelt before him.
"Lan Yunlai has entered the capital, Your Highness."
His golden eyes darkened instantly. "My father is aware?"
Even as he asked, he already knew the answer.
There was no movement within this clan that escaped Jun Yongrui.
"Yes, Your Highness." The guards bowed lower.
Haoxuan exhaled slowly. "Summon An Moshang."
His voice turned firm. "Immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness." They withdrew without delay.
Haoxuan lifted his gaze toward the sky.
Dragons moved across the horizon, their shadows cutting through the bright air. Below, the palace thrummed with preparation, servants rushing, banners rising, the scent of celebration thickening with each passing moment.
A banquet.
His expression hardened. "He returns from the Sky Palace..."
His voice was quiet now, measured. "...and the first thing he does is announce a banquet in my name. If Lan Yunlai is here... then this was never a celebration."
His eyes sharpened. "It’s an invitation."
A faint blue glow flickered around him then surged. "He wants his son back."
His jaw tightened. "And Father has opened the gates for him."
The aura around him deepened, dense and controlled, coiling tightly rather than exploding outward.
"Brother Xuan." A voice broke through.
Haoxuan turned.
The glow around him faded instantly, drawn back beneath the surface.
An Moshang approached, a careful smile resting on his lips as he bowed respectfully.
"You seem troubled."
A slight pause. "...though you have reason to be."
Jun Haoxuan let out a quiet breath.
"You sent the guards to report to me," he said, voice edged with displeasure. "But you didn’t come yourself?"
An Moshang smiled. "I was... occupied. The children came to me. Crying."
Haoxuan’s brows drew together. "...Crying?"
"They said their teacher frightened them." An Moshang’s expression grew more serious. "Teacher Chu."
Haoxuan’s eyes widened slightly. "Teacher Chu?"
An Moshang nodded. "Yes. I thought they were exaggerating at first."
His gaze darkened faintly. "But when I went to find her... I couldn’t."
Haoxuan’s expression stilled. "Have you sent guards to search?"
"I have." An Moshang inclined his head.
Haoxuan studied him for a moment. "We need to talk."
They moved. Through the long corridors of the palace, servants and guards bowing as they passed. The air was thick with preparation, but neither of them paid it any mind.
They stepped into a familiar pavilion.
Haoxuan lifted his hand.
A faint blue glow spread outward, smooth and controlled, sealing the space. The pillars shimmered faintly as a barrier formed.
No sound escaped.
Only then did An Moshang exhale.
"I should have told you earlier," he said quietly. "The moment we returned from the Sky Palace. But I didn’t."
Haoxuan’s gaze remained fixed on him. "Why?"
"I didn’t want His Majesty to suspect anything." His jaw tightened. "And I didn’t tell A-Yuan either. I won’t drag her into this."
Haoxuan’s expression darkened. "What is it?"
An Moshang hesitated just for a moment. "I overheard them."
Haoxuan didn’t move.
"His Majesty..." An Moshang’s voice lowered further. "...and the elders. They intend to remove you. Not just as heir but from the Heavenly Realm."
Haoxuan’s eyes darkened. "They intend to kill me."
It wasn’t a question.
An Moshang nodded. "Yes."