Chapter 265: A Peacock Indeed
The two continued deeper into the palace, and eventually, the biting chill of the White Tiger domain vanished entirely.
The next hall felt as though they had stepped straight into spring. Warm spiritual energy flowed through the air, chasing away every trace of winter. Blossoming flowers decorated every corner of the spacious chamber, while gold, muted purple, deep green, and hints of sapphire blue blended together in elegant harmony.
Just then, the opposite doors slid open.
An ethereal beastman stepped inside. He wore flowing robes of deep green and muted purple that revealed the firm line of his smooth chest. Long, dark green hair cascaded down his back, and striking sapphire-blue eyes immediately locked onto Ningyan. Soft, luminous feathers shimmered faintly behind him, lending him an almost otherworldly grace.
He stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening before he let out a disbelieving scoff.
"Su Ningyan... back from the dead."
Rong Chao rolled his eyes. "Feng’er, that was dramatic."
Tang Ruifeng immediately pointed a slender finger at Ningyan as though the truth were obvious. "He is back from the dead! Between the two of us, who exactly is being dramatic?"
Ningyan watched as Tang Ruifeng walked straight over to Rong Chao. Without hesitation, the peacock beastman leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Rong Chao’s forehead.
Ningyan blinked, his gaze shifting between the two of them. "You two are..."
"Married," Rong Chao finished with a proud grin.
Tang Ruifeng looked back at Ningyan, surprise softening his sharp features. "...Wow. You really don’t remember anything, do you?"
Ningyan met his gaze in silence before letting out a quiet, internal sigh.
He was rapidly developing a headache from hearing that exact same question over and over again.
Just how chaotically interesting... had his previous life been?
"You shouldn’t think so hard about it," Tang Ruifeng said with a dismissive wave of his slender hand. "You being here is..."
He tilted his head, studying Ningyan with open curiosity. "...quite surprising."
Rong Chao gave his husband a look. "Why is it surprising? Brother and the others already know he’s alive..."
He looked back at Ningyan, still seeming unable to fully process that his dear friend was truly standing before him, before flashing a bright smile to lighten the atmosphere. "We shouldn’t dampen the mood. Let’s eat together. I’m sure you’re starving after such a long journey."
Soon, attendants filed into the dining hall, filling the low table with an array of exquisite, steaming dishes.
Ningyan took his seat alongside Rong Chao and Tang Ruifeng, quietly observing the two of them. They truly were complete opposites.
Rong Chao carried himself like a refined, gentle scholar, warm, expressive, and easy to approach. Tang Ruifeng, meanwhile, radiated a sharp, elegant authority; even while seated casually, there was an undeniable dominance in his posture.
Yet somehow... They fit each other perfectly.
"So," Rong Chao said as he picked up his chopsticks, "is there anything you’re curious about?"
Ningyan parted his lips. He had thought he had endless questions, but suddenly, his mind felt entirely blank. If he truly wanted answers about his past, he realized he would rather ask Rong Yue. Or Lan Meishan. Or Yan Wuhen.
"...What was my relationship with Jun Haoxuan like?" The question slipped past his lips before he even realized he was asking it.
"Oh?" Rong Chao blinked in surprise.
Tang Ruifeng simply took a slow sip of his wine before calmly serving Rong Chao, placing several delicate dumplings into his husband’s bowl.
"He was your husband," Rong Chao answered with a gentle smile. "To be honest, I don’t know many of the fine details of your relationship. But one thing I do know..." He met Ningyan’s gaze squarely. "...you were loved. And you will always be loved by Divine Beast King Jun Haoxuan."
Ningyan regarded him cautiously. "...Is that so?"
"He built your academy," Tang Ruifeng interjected so casually that Ningyan almost missed the weight of the statement. "He turned your vision into reality."
"My... academy?" Ningyan looked at him in surprise.
"You were building an academy before you..." Rong Chao cut himself off abruptly, clearing his throat awkwardly. "...Before everything happened."
"Oh..." Ningyan murmured, staring down at his plate.
Rong Chao abruptly stood up. "Excuse me. I’ll be right back, I was supposed to receive a message, but it hasn’t arrived yet." Without waiting for a response, he hurried out of the dining hall.
Ningyan watched his back disappear before turning back toward Tang Ruifeng.
The peacock beastman was already looking directly at him, watching him with an unnerving intensity.
"You are a demon beast." There was no accusation in Tang Ruifeng’s voice. Only a cool, analytical observation.
"I am."
"How does it feel?" Tang Ruifeng asked calmly. "To be so deeply corrupted... to destroy so many lives in the name of vengeance for your kin?"
The words landed heavily in the quiet room. Tang Ruifeng leaned forward slightly, his sharp eyes unwavering.
Ningyan frowned, a prickle of irritation rising in his chest.
Tang Ruifeng merely smiled wider. "You’ve been hypnotized, Su Ningyan," he said, his tone deceptively gentle. "The rage you carry... it isn’t truly yours. It was planted within you. And something tells me..."
He slowly tipped the decanter, pouring rich crimson wine into Ningyan’s cup. "...you already know that. You simply cannot accept it because those emotions have rooted themselves too deeply inside you."
Ningyan stared down at the swirling wine in total silence.
Tang Ruifeng stopped pouring and tilted his head with a small, knowing smile. "If you truly want your memories to return, you’ll have to let go. Of both your past... and your current life." He lowered his voice into a quiet, dangerous whisper. "That is the only way."
Ningyan picked up the cup. Without saying a word, he downed the entire pour in one single, sharp swallow.
Ignoring the burning sensation sliding down his throat, he rose from his seat. "Thank you for the meal." He turned on his heel to leave.
"You’re going to hurt Chao’er." Tang Ruifeng’s calm voice cut through the air, stopping Ningyan in his tracks. "He has grieved for you just as deeply as your husbands have. Why not stay until he returns?"
Ningyan paused. Slowly, he turned back around.
"He has been kind to me," he said softly, his harsh expression easing ever so slightly. "So... I’ll stay. Just for him."
Tang Ruifeng smiled in quiet satisfaction and returned to his food.
Watching the peacock beastman’s self-assured grace, Ningyan let out a quiet, internal snort.
A peacock indeed.