Chapter 184: Killed By My Own Husband
Returning to Jun Haoxuan’s chambers after days away felt... more familiar than Ningyan expected.
He lingered in the heated pool for a while, letting the warmth seep into his bones before finally stepping out and dressing for the night.
By the time he returned to the main chambers, he paused.
Jun Haoxuan was there, seated and surrounded.
"I want to put it in your hair, Uncle!" Jun Li declared, bouncing on her feet as she waved a small cluster of blue flowers in his face.
"Behind his ear is better," Jun Sheng corrected confidently, arms folded as he frowned at her. "It looks more elegant."
Jun Li gasped. "No, my way is better!"
Jun Sheng huffed. "You have no taste."
"You don’t!"
Their voices overlapped instantly as they began bickering.
And in the middle of it, Jun Haoxuan sat still barely enduring it.
Ningyan couldn’t help the small smile that touched his lips.
Haoxuan looked up. Their eyes met.
For a moment, Ningyan simply took him in.
The loose robes. The exposed line of his chest. His long dark-blue hair falling freely over his shoulders.
The weight of his presence had changed.
He was no longer just Jun Haoxuan. He was a Divine Beast King now. It suited him.
"Phoenix uncle!" Jun Sheng spotted him first and ran forward immediately.
Ningyan crouched just in time, catching him in an embrace.
Jun Li gasped. "Wait for me!"
She shoved the flowers straight into Haoxuan’s hair, who, without protest, tilted his head slightly to make it easier. Then rushed forward as well, throwing herself into Ningyan’s arms.
"You’re back!"
"Why did you leave?"
"Mama said it’s because Uncle Haoxuan is a terrible husband—"
"Is he treating you badly?"
"Did you leave because of grandfather?"
"That night was really scary..."
"I thought you’d come to the ascension ceremony!"
"There were so many sweets, don’t tell father we had some—"
Their voices tumbled over each other, one after the other, relentless.
Ningyan let out a quiet breath, a helpless smile tugging at his lips as he tried to follow.
But then, he glanced up.
Haoxuan was watching him silently like he had something to say. Like he had been waiting to say it.
Ningyan’s smile shook and just as quickly, he looked away.
"I just needed to clear my head," he said gently, focusing back on the children.
They both stopped, blinking at him. Then their expressions morphed into worry.
"...Are you okay now?" Jun Li asked softly.
Ningyan smiled again. "I am."
Jun Haoxuan rose to his feet. "It’s getting late," he said calmly.
Just like that, the attention shifted back to him.
Both children turned, immediately pouting.
"But Uncle—" Jun Sheng started, clinging to Ningyan.
"We just got him back," Jun Li added, her grip tightening as if Ningyan might disappear again.
"Yes, but your mother will have my head if you two don’t go to bed early," Jun Haoxuan said gently. "Phoenix uncle isn’t going anywhere. Don’t worry."
The children brightened at once.
Jun Li nodded quickly before turning and hurrying out first.
Jun Sheng lingered just a second longer, then reached up, carefully tucking his flower behind Ningyan’s ear.
He beamed. Then ran after his sister.
Ningyan smiled as he rose to his feet, his fingers brushing lightly against the flower before his gaze lifted to Haoxuan.
Haoxuan was already looking at him and smiling.
"You’re here to stay... aren’t you?" he asked quietly.
The question landed heavier than it sounded.
Ningyan’s chest tightened. Guilt followed immediately after.
"I should have come back sooner," he admitted, his voice softer now. "I shouldn’t have... shut you out like that."
Haoxuan shook his head almost at once. "No."
The response was calm. "I don’t blame you for anything, Ningyan. That night... was not something you walk away from unchanged."
His gaze lowered, as if he was recalling it. "We almost lost everything. And my father..."
He exhaled slowly. "It was a mess."
He looked back at Ningyan. "You needed time and I..." A faint curve touched his lips. It didn’t reach his eyes. "I needed time, too. I should have come to you. But I chose to wait."
Ningyan blinked, caught off guard. Then he smiled softly.
"You deserved it," he said. "Becoming Beast King."
Haoxuan let out a quiet chuckle.
"It’s not as different as you think," he replied. "I just carry the title now."
Ningyan hummed, moving past him before settling at the edge of the bed, his expression shifting more thoughtful now.
Haoxuan turned to watch him.
"You’re worried about Lan Meishan," It wasn’t a question.
Ningyan sighed, rubbing the side of his neck.
"He has to kill Lan Yunlai before he comes back," he muttered. "But... he seems fine. Just..."
He hesitated. "...different. I don’t like it."
"That’s to be expected." Haoxuan nodded slowly. "I can help with that."
Ningyan’s head snapped up, his eyes widening. "...You can?"
"He’s your husband," Jun Haoxuan said, his tone steady. "We can launch a full assault on the Abyss Serpent Clan. I will lead it and Lan Meishan can end it himself. It will serve as both justice and retaliation for invading the Azure Dragon Clan, for wielding demonic qi, and for spreading it without restraint."
His lips curled into a smile. "Now that I am Beast King... I can eradicate any user of demonic qi."
Ningyan felt something in his chest ease. Lighten.
"I think that’s better," he said quietly.
Haoxuan’s gaze softened just a fraction.
"You don’t have to carry anything alone," he added. "You have three husbands."
Ningyan blinked and stared in surprise. "...Did Wuhen...?"
"Yes."
Ningyan scoffed, shaking his head. "We’re not even married."
Haoxuan let out a quiet chuckle. "There was something I noticed that night."
Ningyan froze. "What...?"
Haoxuan held his gaze.
"You were afraid," he said calmly. "Afraid I would see you differently... after you killed Jun Yongrui."
Ningyan’s eyes widened. He looked away immediately. "That’s not—"
"The demonic tools the crystal absorbed," Haoxuan continued, unhurried. "You wouldn’t have told me if I didn’t know already."
He paused. "You thought I might hurt you."
Ningyan let out a short, disbelieving scoff.
"It’s natural," he said, his tone edged now. "To be cautious about being killed by my own husband."
Haoxuan froze like the words had struck deeper than expected. "I would never kill you."
Ningyan raised a brow, his expression unreadable. "I don’t think I have that much faith in you."
That did it.
Haoxuan’s composure cracked. "...Why?"
Ningyan didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he rose and walked toward Haoxuan. His hands moved, cupping the other beast’s face, forcing their eyes to meet.
There was no hesitation this time. No avoidance. Only intent.
"If I were doing what Lan Yunlai is doing right now," Ningyan said softly, his voice dangerously calm, "and I was still your husband..."
His grip tightened. "...would you kill me, Jun Haoxuan?"