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.
