The dark mist was the mark of demonic energy. Xie Jianyu’s disappearance was related to the Demonic Realm.
Once the involvement of the Demonic Realm was evident, the gravity of the case increased by a hundredfold.
Xie Jianshen returned hastily to the Golden Dragon Palace to report to the Heavenly Emperor.
Zhang Fengxi wanted to come with him, but the omega refused.
"Thank you for your help so far. Unfortunately, this is not something that one or two people can do alone."
Lacking a better option, Zhang Fengxi decided to return to Longjing Palace. On the way back, his mind was a complete mess.
There was only one explanation as to why the Demonic Realm targeted Xie Jianyu, the Crown Prince of the Heavenly Empire.
He stood out too much.
He strongly fought against the three Demon Kings in the last war. And then, he stole into the Demonic Realm with Zhang Fengxi to rescue Liu Wenyuan.
Zhang Fengxi was filled with extreme regret.
Why could it not be him?
If only it were him.
He was willing to trade positions with Xie Jianyu. Let the Demonic Realm take him instead.
Xie Jianshen moved very quickly.
By the time Zhang Fengxi arrived at Longjing Palace, his parents already knew that Xie Jianyu was kidnapped by the Demonic Realm.
"I am leaving soon," Zhang Zhiyuan told his son and wife. "The Heavenly Emperor has summoned us all to the Golden Dragon Palace. We will most likely leave for the Demonic Realm afterward. Fengxi, take care of the palace."
"Dear.."
Lady Song hugged her husband. "Please be careful. You got hurt so badly last time."
"Father, I also want to go," Zhang Fengxi spoke up. "I can help."
Zhang Zhiyuan patted his son’s shoulder.
"Fengxi, you are remarkable for your age, but you are still so young. I need you to stay here and take care of your mother."
Zhang Fengxi gritted his teeth.
He cursed his helpless, weak self. Why must he stay put while the others united their forces to recover Xie Jianyu?
Lady Song helped her husband put on his battle armor. Zhang Zhiyuan stared at his son who smoldered in the corner of the hall by himself.
"If you have nothing else to do around here, then go and visit your betrothed for a while. Liu Wenyuan came here in the morning, but you were not around."
Wenyuan?
Right.
Zhang Fengxi sighed.
He felt extremely depressed at the moment. Maybe Wenyuan could make him feel better.
"Mother, I will be back in a few hours," Zhang Fengxi promised.
He then rode his spiritual mount and left for Wuyang Palace.
At Wuyang Palace, Liu Yichen had already left, leaving his wife and son behind.
Liu Wenyuan quickly ran outside when he heard that Zhang Fengxi came to visit.
"Prince Fengxi! Thank heavens. I was so worried."
Zhang Fengxi just climbed off Xiao Huang when he suddenly turned pale.
"Prince Fengxi?"
Liu Wenyuan extended his hand to touch his lover, but the latter retreated a few steps instead.
"Prince Fengxi, what happened?"
Unconsciously, Zhang Fengxi reached out to touch the Heart Affinity Lamp that hung at his waist. He forgot to leave it at Longjing Palace. The black flame that indicated the presence of demonic power was still burning within the lamp.
And the black mist, which traces still lingered on the floor of that specific tea house in the Human Realm, wrapped itself around Liu Wenyuan, almost swallowing him whole.
Suddenly, Wangshu’s aggression toward Liu Wenyuan made sense.
"Wenyuan, tell me the truth," Zhang Fengxi tightened his fingers into fists. "Do you know anything about the Crown Prince’s disappearance?"
The carefree smile disappeared from Liu Wenyuan’s face, replaced by a look of terror.
"I... Prince Fengxi, what do you mean?"
Zhang Fengxi glared at him.
"Don’t lie to me. I want you to speak the truth, now."
Liu Wenyuan swallowed hard.
How did Zhang Fengxi know?
More importantly, what did he know?
"I... I know nothing," Liu Wenyuan stuttered.
"Lies!"
Zhang Fengxi grabbed Liu Wenyuan’s arms and shook him. "Wenyuan! Xie Jianyu took the risk to sneak into the Demonic Realm to save you!"
"SO WHAT!"
Liu Wenyuan shouted loudly. Zhang Fengxi released him out of shock.
"Wenyuan, you... what did you say just now?"
Liu Wenyuan shot glares at Zhang Fengxi.
"It’s not like he saved me because he wanted to! It was his mission, right?"
"... Wenyuan..."
Liu Wenyuan rained punches all over Zhang Fengxi’s chest and shoulders.
"Always, always! Crown Prince here, Crown Prince there... Prince Fengxi, if you like him so much, why don’t you just marry him instead?!"
Zhang Fengxi grabbed Liu Wenyuan’s wrists and held the omega close.
"Wenyuan, what are you saying?"
"He is an omega, right?"
"..."
"You knew. You knew and you have been hiding the information from me!"
Zhang Fengxi clenched his jaw.
Xie Jianyu’s secret was not the kind of information that he could share with anyone as he pleased! Besides, the moment he opened his mouth, the Gu Worm would tear his heart apart!
Zhang Fengxi’s silence emboldened Liu Wenyuan. He then continued speaking, "The one that the First Demon King wanted to capture was the Crown Prince in the first place. When he found out that he caught the wrong omega, he almost killed me."
The omega scoffed.
"In fact, he kept bothering me even after I returned to the Heavenly Realm. Prince Fengxi, what do you know? While I suffered on my own, you went on a mission with him and kissed him!"
Liu Wenyuan gasped when Zhang Fengxi grabbed his arm roughly.
"Ouch! Prince Fengxi, let go! It hurts...!"
Liu Wenyuan’s whines died out in his throat when he saw the scorching anger that boiled in Zhang Fengxi’s eyes.
Having only experienced Zhang Fengxi’s gentle and doting side, Liu Wenyuan was not prepared to face Zhang Fengxi’s wrath at all. The alpha was barely able to contain his anger and disgust when he asked, "And because he threatened to kill you, you offered up Xie Jianyu in your stead. Is that so?"