"Why can't I use the Heavenly Palace to put pressure on you?"
He spoke calmly, as though making idle conversation.
But the entire space froze.
Invisible killing intent blanketed everything like the sky itself, so oppressive it nearly drove everyone mad.
Lu Chenzhou hurried to explain:
"I would never dare, Father. I was just angry that the brat used the Heavenly Palace as a shield. He's treacherous and slippery, he really is—" Smack.
A slap sent him flying. He rolled dozens of meters, spat out a mouthful of blood, and stopped only when he struck a tree.
Lu Qingxuan quickly knelt, pressed both hands to the ground, and called out:
"Please calm your anger, Father."
"Calm my anger?" The emperor sighed. "You explain it to him."
"Yes!"
Lu Qingxuan glanced at his brother in the distance. He sighed inwardly, but his face remained composed as he said:
"Chenzhou, you say he used the Heavenly Palace as a shield. Then why didn't it stop you?"
"Because he's treacherous and slippery!" Lu Chenzhou said.
"Answer my question. Why couldn't the Heavenly Palace stop you? Do you have any respect for Father at all?" Lu Qingxuan said slowly. I've spelled it out for you. If you insist on dying, even I can't save you!
Lu Chenzhou faltered, then scrambled back on hands and knees. He knelt at the emperor's feet and knocked his head against the ground.
"Father, I... I was too impulsive. I shouldn't have done that... I just can't stand him!"
The emperor looked at him for a long while before letting out a weary sigh and saying:
"Fuck me. How did I end up with a dumbass like you?"
As soon as he said it,
the silent presence that had shut out everything else dissipated.
Warmth returned to the sunlight.