He Wouldn't

The faint murmur of regret drifted past the curling incense smoke before dissolving into nothingness, leaving the elegant, spacious riverfront pavilion in sudden silence. Xu Yuan glanced upward, the corner of his lips curling slightly. "Since Your Highness has already arrived, why not come down for a chat?" After a heartbeat of silence, a voice as deep and placid as a secluded lake rang out from atop the upturned eaves just beyond the window sill: "The Third Young Master can actually detect this prince?" "Don't underestimate a Soul Condensation Realm cultivator with an Innate Dao Body." "..." *Whoosh—* Robes as white as snow, sleeves patterned with black clouds, drifting gracefully downward onto the pavilion's eastern windowsill. A white ribbon bound his black hair behind him. Stepping forward, long hair flowing like fine silk, he touched the floor without a sound. "Is that so? Then it was this prince's clumsy sight that caused offense." Xu Yuan chuckled. "It's hardly an offense. Still, I never expected the Second Prince would have the refined hobby of eavesdropping." Li Zhaoyuan's eyes showed neither sorrow nor joy. Utterly unprovoked, he said impassively, "Months have passed since our parting at the Marquis Pavilion. Seeing my third brother depart, this prince simply came over to visit the Third Young Master." "No matter. It doesn't matter if Your Highness heard." Xu Yuan shook his head, making no move to stand and receive his guest. He merely raised a hand, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite him. "As a powerhouse of the Transcendent Realm, even with a Sound-Muffling Array built into this pavilion, listening in on me and Li Junqing would be effortless for you." At this, Xu Yuan fixed his gaze on Li Zhaoyuan's deep, sword-sharp eyes, illuminated by the fire spirit lamp. "So since I spoke, I wasn't afraid of Your Highness hearing it." Li Zhaoyuan approached, meticulously smoothing his robes before leaning down to sit, a faint smile on his lips. "Then that is a pity. This prince only caught the young master's single sigh of 'what a pity' after my third brother left." Xu Yuan crossed his legs, leaning forward slightly, and asked with a grin, "Then does Your Highness want to know why this young master said that?" Li Zhaoyuan sat with an elegant, imposing poise; even upon the comfortable, soft divan, his back remained rod-straight. "If the Third Young Master wishes to speak, this prince is naturally willing to listen." Xu Yuan casually picked up a fire spirit peach from the table tray, took a crisp bite, and chewed while laughing. "I was lamenting that Li Junqing is too clever." "My third brother has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood..." "No, no, no. What I mean is that he is cleverer than clever men." "Oh?" A glint of interest flickered within Li Zhaoyuan's deep, starlit eyes. Xu Yuan devoured the rest of the peach in two bites, wiped the corners of his mouth, and asked, "Second Prince, have you ever heard a certain saying?" "I would gladly hear the details." "Capable men all die by their own capabilities." "..." Li Zhaoyuan's eyes flashed with a well-measured touch of surprise, but he did not respond. Xu Yuan toyed with the moist peach pit, deftly rolling it across the backs of his fingers. "Ordinary clever men grow conceited and blind to their own limits because of their wits, only to die on the path of chasing things far beyond their capacity." Li Zhaoyuan pondered for a moment before his steady, deep voice sounded: "So because Junqing chose to give up on what he clearly could pursue, that makes him clever?" Xu Yuan shook his head and casually tossed the pit into the scrap basin. "Second Prince, playing dumb again, aren't you? What I mean is that he knows his own limits." "So that is how it is..." Li Zhaoyuan wore an expression of enlightenment, then asked softly with mild curiosity, "Then in the Third Young Master's eyes, does this prince recognize his own limits? And what of the young master himself?" "Me?" Xu Yuan leaned back against the plush divan, smiling without mirth. "My reputation is known throughout the realm—nothing more than a profligate wastrel. As for Your Highness... to say you are walking on cicada wings seems a bit too conservative. You only need a tiny bit of external help, and you should be able to see yourself clearly." A glint surfaced in Li Zhaoyuan's eyes, and he sighed. "A pity that, for the moment, no one can offer this prince that help." Xu Yuan burst out laughing. "Your Highness knows it is only for the moment. Once the opportune moment passes, do you have a foolproof plan?" Li Zhaoyuan stared at the young man before him for several breaths, then gently shook his head. "Third Young Master, you and I both know there is no retreat from this path. Saying such things is rather pointless." Xu Yuan gave him a deep look, then said in a low, measured voice, "Indeed. To someone who has long prepared to die, any threat is laughable. However..." "..." Li Zhaoyuan's brow furrowed faintly. Beneath his gaze, Xu Yuan unhurriedly retrieved a sealed porcelain pot from his Sumeru ring and set it gently upon the table. "Second Prince, since you were willing to embark on this path of no return, there must be something in this world that you care for, right?" At the bottom of the pot, a built-in fire spirit array maintained the temperature within, and wafts of rich meat aroma drifted out. Li Zhaoyuan's fingertips clenched slightly. Looking at Xu Yuan, an expression showed on his composed face for the first time. "Third Young Master, may I ask what is inside this porcelain pot?" Xu Yuan raised his eyes, the light of the fire spirit lamp casting a shadow over his face. "Smells good, doesn't it?" "..." Li Zhaoyuan stared at Xu Yuan without speaking, his fingers trembling ever so slightly beneath the table. Xu Yuan paid him no mind as he uncovered the lid. The interior was pitch-black, impervious to light. "There's fine stuff in here. I brought it back specially to share with Your Highness." Li Zhaoyuan took a deep breath and murmured, "The relationship between this prince and the Third Young Master hardly warrants receiving such a precious gift." "Did I even say what's inside?" Xu Yuan cast him a bizarre look. "Besides, Your Highness speaks like a stranger. No matter what, you're Qingyan's imperial elder brother. We count as family. How could family speak of being unworthy to receive it?" With that, Xu Yuan brought out a porcelain bowl, lifted the foot-wide pot with both hands, and poured the steaming broth inside. "This is a token of my and Qingyan's regard for you, Imperial Brother. I hope you won't refuse." *Splatter—* For a moment, the vast pavilion fell dead silent, save for the sound of soup pouring into the bowl. *Thud!* Setting the porcelain pot heavily onto the table, Xu Yuan pushed the fragrant broth directly in front of Li Zhaoyuan. "This soup is extraordinarily nourishing. Even for someone half a step into the Transcendent Realm like you, Imperial Brother, it should be of immense benefit." Li Zhaoyuan sat straight on the soft divan, staring silently at the meat aroma wafting from the bowl before him. Xu Yuan observed the man's expression from across the table. To be honest, he disliked people like Li Zhaoyuan. Hiding every feeling deep inside his heart, making it impossible for anyone to read him—there was not the slightest satisfaction of vengeance to be had. After a long while, Li Zhaoyuan raised a finger, gently caressing the rim of the bowl. "This is... the meat of an Origin Realm demonic beast?" "Good eye." Xu Yuan offered praise, then retrieved a pelt of white fur from his Sumeru ring, casually tossing it onto the table. "The soldiers in the army are rather rough-handed. With their lacking cultivation, they couldn't even skin it properly. The head is gone, leaving only the body." Li Zhaoyuan stared at the snow-white fur for an instant before withdrawing his gaze. Taking a breath, he asked evenly, "The soldiers in the army?" Xu Yuan nodded, resting his chin on his hand, and said quietly, "Imperial Brother, you should know that we vanished alongside the Barbarian King, yes?" "When that happened, this prince was still with the army. Naturally, I know." Li Zhaoyuan remained unfazed. Xu Yuan smiled with gentle warmth. "The reason we disappeared was that this great demon used a rare ancient teleportation treasure to assassinate me and Qingyan. Fortunately, Qingyan and I are blessed with profound luck; after the ancient treasure shattered, we were teleported straight to the Land of Utter Darkness." Li Zhaoyuan's finger stroking the porcelain bowl hitched slightly. Without asking a single question about the ancient treasure, he said directly, "...The people of Guyuan are truly audacious, daring to assassinate the two of you at such a time. So this demon died beneath the military array?" Xu Yuan pulled back his smile. Both of them knew who was behind the assassination, but neither could state it openly. He gave a slight nod. "Whether Guyuan orchestrated the assassination, I cannot say. But this great demon was injured on her own; the one who died beneath the military array was the Barbarian King." Li Zhaoyuan's voice remained steady as he murmured, "Once the news of Qingyan slaying the Barbarian King reaches the Imperial Capital, Imperial Father will surely be delighted." "What is there to say about an ugly, pitch-black freak like the Barbarian King?" Xu Yuan shook his head, leaning in to whisper mysteriously, "Imperial Brother, the world always speaks of a fox spirit's allure, but only then did this young master truly comprehend the breathtaking grace of Nan Jinxi, one of the Fox Clan's Three Kings." At this point, Xu Yuan stared straight into Li Zhaoyuan's eyes, the corners of his mouth curving into a teasing smile. "I wonder if Imperial Brother has ever beheld the allure of a fox demon?" Li Zhaoyuan's pupils were dark and fathomless, devoid of light. "I have seen it before." Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow, grinning wide. "There are only so many shapeshifting fox demons in this world. I wonder which one Your Highness saw?" "Only a distant glance from afar." "And did you like her?" "I did." Li Zhaoyuan's tone remained completely level. Xu Yuan tapped the wall of the foot-wide pot before him. "I liked her too. A pity Qingyan was there, so I couldn't test her depths for myself." Li Zhaoyuan lowered his gaze and fell silent for a heartbeat. "Then that is a pity." "Not at all. Since this fox demon dared to assassinate me and Qingyan, naturally we wouldn't let her die so easily." "..." Li Zhaoyuan's starlit eyes narrowed slightly. He... thought of the soldiers in the army Xu Yuan had just mentioned. Xu Yuan shook his head, a suggestive smile tugging at his lips. "What are you thinking? This Nan Jinxi seemed to have someone in her heart; she gave us quite a bit of trouble before she died, so it was only physical torture and interrogation." His tone grew heavier. "Imperial Brother, won't you drink such a nourishing treat?" "..." A sharp gleam flared in Li Zhaoyuan's deep eyes. Under his spiritual vision, Xu Yuan sensed a colossal killing intent surging in the air. Seeing this, he simply dispersed his spiritual vision and met the other man's gaze with calm indifference. A heavy silence spread through the pavilion. With gentle fingertips, Li Zhaoyuan raised the porcelain bowl before him. Staring at Xu Yuan, he drained it in a single gulp, then set the bowl down. "Third Young Master, such a rare treasure—won't you enjoy some yourself?" "..." Xu Yuan shook his head, pressed his palm against the porcelain pot, a streak of blood-red radiance flashing in his eyes as his finger drew across. The foot-wide pot was sliced clean in two by the red beam. He set the upper half aside. Yet, upon seeing what lay within, Xu Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He had taken no part in cooking it, nor could he handle an Origin Realm carcass. He had handed the fox over to Lou Ji to prepare, since an Origin Realm beast was indeed immensely tonic, and he had no intention of leaving any benefit to Li Zhaoyuan. He truly hadn't expected that mature beauty to stew the entire thing whole, maximizing the cruelty... Inside the porcelain pot lay a skinned fox wrapped in various spices, perfectly retaining its original form. Pushing it gently toward Li Zhaoyuan, Xu Yuan smiled faintly. "This was prepared for you, Imperial Brother; I won't partake." "Why?" "It turns my stomach." "..." Li Zhaoyuan let out a breath. "A shapeshifting demon once bore a human form..." "Imperial Brother, you can't be disgusted by it. This was painstakingly prepared for you by your imperial sister," Xu Yuan interrupted softly. "If you don't partake, she might just come in person to feed it to you." Before his words finished falling, a cold glint laced with lightning arcs suddenly flashed across the pavilion. A short dagger embedded with precious gems appeared in Li Zhaoyuan's hand, blue arcs of electricity dancing across its blade. Keeping his gaze fixed on Xu Yuan, Li Zhaoyuan drove the dagger cleanly into the fox's body. The blade danced like a swimming dragon, lifting a thin slice of meat upon its tip. Bringing it to his mouth, he took a bite, chewed slowly, and swallowed. Li Zhaoyuan suddenly said, "The taste is quite good. Does the young master truly not wish to sample it? Even if she once assumed human form, she was still a demonic beast." Xu Yuan shook his head. "No. The Soul Condensation Realm cannot endure the nourishment of an Origin Realm demonic beast." A smile touched Li Zhaoyuan's lips. His fingers gently sliced another sliver of flesh from the fox. Chewing, swallowing. For a time, only the sounds of chewing and swallowing remained in the pavilion. The bleak, chilly river wind poured into the room, fluttering the long hair behind Li Zhaoyuan's back. His gaze was serene yet tender, his movements agonizingly slow—as delicate as lying together with his most beloved for the very first time, each bite savored with meticulous care. Leaning against the soft divan, Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes at the man eating the fox across from him, the breathtaking beauty of the former Fox Clan King floating through his mind. Letting out a soft breath, he suddenly spoke: "Before she died, this Nan Jinxi wanted to ask the person she loved most a question. Does Imperial Brother wish to hear it?" Li Zhaoyuan paused slightly, looking up, his laugh steady and gentle. "Oh? Someone dying under interrogation actually had such refined leisure?" He knew her too well, so he did not believe Xu Yuan's words. And Xu Yuan knew he didn't believe him. It didn't matter. This was information he had learned from *Cangyuan*. If one chose not to kill her for her treasures and instead chose to cooperate with Nan Jinxi, one would hear fragments of profoundly sorrowful murmurs during that time. "Perhaps." Xu Yuan sighed softly, stood up, and walked out onto the balcony. Snow fell with the wind, speckling the night in white. "If you don't believe it, why not treat it as a joke for Your Highness's entertainment?" Li Zhaoyuan glanced at Xu Yuan and nodded. "Since that is the case, the Third Young Master might as well tell it." Leaning against the railing, Xu Yuan looked up at the ink-black sky. "She said: if I died, he... would probably grieve for me, wouldn't he?" *['If the one who died back then had been me, that guy would probably be sad too.']* The hand holding the dagger trembled faintly, and Li Zhaoyuan's thin, tightly closed lips pressed together for a fleeting instant—so fast that Xu Yuan did not even catch it. Li Zhaoyuan's expression remained as usual. He did not answer, though his movements slowed even further, and the depth in his eyes hardened into resolute certainty. Seeing that he offered no reply, Xu Yuan looked back at him. "Imperial Brother, do you think the man she loved would grieve over her death?" "..." Having thoroughly consumed everything in the pot, Li Zhaoyuan dabbed the corners of his lips with a napkin. Looking at Xu Yuan, he uttered two indifferent words: "He wouldn't." With that, a gentle smile curved on his lips. "Changtian, this demon fox meat of yours tasted quite good."