Xu Tianran's Visit

Mingdu, Prince Yan's Palace.

Under Xu Tianming's orders, Zhang Lexuan led Dai Yueheng back here like a dog. She chained him before the main bedroom's front door, gagged him, and fitted him with a blindfold and earplugs, stripping away all five of his senses and leaving him to live in endless terror.

"Don't worry. I have no intention of taking his life. I'm only teaching him a lesson."

After offering some comfort to the dispirited Zhang Lexuan, Xu Tianming began seriously considering how he should negotiate with Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire.

Before he could figure it out, however, the palace steward approached at an inopportune moment.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived..."

Those six brief words immediately drove all other thoughts from Xu Tianming's mind.

"Second Brother is here? Where is he now? Quickly, take me to greet him."

The words had barely left his mouth when Xu Tianran's voice drew closer from afar.

"There is no need to come out and greet me. I've already arrived. Forgive your second brother for visiting uninvited, Fourth Brother."

Following the sound, Xu Tianming saw Xu Tianran, seated in a soul-tool wheelchair, being pushed to the entrance of the small courtyard.

Just as in the original setting, the assassinated Xu Tianran had lost the use of both legs. Though soul-tool technology could allow him to stand again, at this point in time, he preferred using a wheelchair.

"Why be so formal, Second Brother? I'm delighted that you came to visit your younger brother's home. How could I possibly blame you?"

As he spoke, Xu Tianming hurried forward and took hold of the wheelchair directly from an armored guard, intending to personally push Xu Tianran into his room for a detailed discussion.

"Haha, as long as Fourth Brother doesn't blame me."

As he said this, Xu Tianran glanced at the guard behind him. Receiving the signal, the guard immediately cupped his hands and tactfully withdrew from the small courtyard.

"Uncle Zhao, go to the kitchen and tell the cook to bring out his best skills today. If he fails to properly entertain my Second Brother, he can forget about this month's wages!"

"Yes, Your Highness."

After sending the steward away, Xu Tianming looked at Zhang Lexuan. Before he could speak, however, she took the initiative to find an excuse to leave.

"Nannan said she has some cultivation questions she wants to ask me about. I'll go teach her first..."

Very soon, only the two brothers, Xu Tianran and Xu Tianming, remained in the small courtyard... along with Dai Yueheng, whose five senses were completely sealed.

Before being pushed into the room, Xu Tianran turned his head to glance at Dai Yueheng, who was currently forced to crawl on the ground. There was an indescribably strange look in his eyes.

"Fourth Brother, this peculiar hobby of yours... I truly don't know what I should say."

Xu Tianming immediately cried out in protest.

"Second Brother, you've wronged me! You know me. The only reason I did this today is because this man is far too hateful. You have no idea how arrogant he was on the street!"

Once they entered the room, Xu Tianran smiled faintly and waved a hand.

"Enough, enough. I already know what happened, so there is no need to repeat it... To be honest, I came here this time for that man."

Seeing Xu Tianran plainly state his purpose, Xu Tianming naturally put away the smile on his face.

"Oh? Could it be that Second Brother wants to use him against Shrek Academy?"

"That's right. Hand him over to me, and I can certainly wring the greatest possible benefit from those people at Shrek Academy. You will not be shortchanged when the time comes. What do you think, Fourth Brother?"

To be honest, Xu Tianming had considered whether he should simply hand Dai Yueheng over to his second brother, Xu Tianran. After all, negotiating with the people from Shrek Academy later would be troublesome as well.

But after thinking it over carefully, there was no need to rush this matter for now.

After all, it would take time for Shrek Academy to react. During that time, he could slowly consider his options while properly teaching Dai Yueheng a lesson.

If the matter eventually reached a point beyond his ability to handle, it would not be too late to hand the man over to Xu Tianran then.

With that in mind, Xu Tianming laughed awkwardly.

"Second Brother, I know you're doing this for my sake, but I only just brought this man back to the palace, and I haven't even had the chance to vent my anger yet. Yet Second Brother has already come to ask for him... How about this? Let him remain detained here for a few days. Once I've vented properly and feel better, I'll send him to you. How does that sound?"

Xu Tianran did not immediately respond. Instead, he carefully studied Xu Tianming, seeming to make his decision only after some thought.

"Fine. We'll do as Fourth Brother says. But Second Brother must remind you of one thing: watch your limits when venting your anger. Breaking bones and tearing muscles is no great concern, but do not kill him outright. Otherwise, it will be our Sun Moon Empire that faces trouble."

"Don't worry, Second Brother. I know my limits!"

After their discussion regarding Dai Yueheng ended, the brothers chatted for a while longer. Xu Tianran then left directly, citing his busy political affairs, and did not stay at Prince Yan's Palace for dinner.

Xu Tianming had expected this, so he did not try to make him stay.

After dinner, night fell.

Having enjoyed a hearty meal, Xu Tianming summoned Zhang Lexuan and signaled for her to remove Dai Yueheng's earplugs and the gag stuffing his mouth.

Realizing that he could speak again, Dai Yueheng could not see who stood before him, but without a second thought, he assumed it was Xu Tianming. He immediately began cursing loudly.

"You bastard! You scum! If you have any guts, let me go! Let's fight one-on-one! If you're a man, fight me properly! What kind of ability is it to rely on women?"

Xu Tianming had expected this, so he did not feel angry. Instead, he first lay comfortably back in the reclining chair Zhang Lexuan had just brought over for him and blissfully narrowed his eyes for a while. Only after Dai Yueheng had exhausted himself from cursing and paused did he speak with interest.

"Why did you stop? Keep cursing. Don't stop. I gave you a chance to vent, and that's all you've got?"

The moment he heard Xu Tianming's voice, Dai Yueheng flew into a rage. But having cursed nonstop just moments ago, his mouth was dry and his throat felt like it was on fire. He could only temporarily suppress the urge to keep shouting abuse and endure the discomfort in his throat as he demanded, "What exactly do you want? Do you even know who I am? Have you considered how much trouble treating me like this will bring to your family and your country? The wrath of Shrek Academy is not something you can bear!"

"Tsk, tsk. When shrewish cursing didn't work, you switched to threats? Can't you come up with something new? You keep using Shrek Academy to scare people. Anyone who didn't know better would think Shrek Academy belonged to your family."

Xu Tianming remained utterly unmoved, leaving Dai Yueheng helplessly silent as he thought of a countermeasure.

Seeing this, Xu Tianming did not disturb him. Instead, he turned his head and glanced at Zhang Lexuan standing beside him.

A sudden idea came to him. He reached out and grabbed Zhang Lexuan's wrist, pulling the unguarded woman down onto him and drawing her into a full embrace.

The unexpected turn of events startled Zhang Lexuan.

"Ah! What are you doing?"