Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 451 : Taking Responsibility (1)

Chapter 451: Chapter 451 : Taking Responsibility (1)

Not long after Zhang Fengxi returned, Xie Jianshen, true to his word, imprisoned him within the walls of Fuxi Palace by erecting a powerful spiritual barrier around it.

Upon discovering his boys’ weakened condition, Zhang Fengxi took both of them to the mausoleum, the one place in the entire palace that harbored abundant spiritual energy, enough to stop the flow of time and preserve a heavenly body from decaying.

In his smaller body, without his cultivation, there was not much Zhang Fengxi could do. He tirelessly accompanied Zhang Mingrui and Xie Junjie day in and day out, channeling spiritual power from the spiritual stones into their small bodies, but his efforts yielded scant improvement.

After several days, Zhang Mingrui was able to walk around the mausoleum, only to collapse onto the ground after ten steps or so. Xie Junjie, on the other hand, remained as weak as before. Meanwhile, he spent almost the entire time sleeping, cuddled up against Xie Jianyu’s body.

Zhang Fengxi was not surprised by this outcome.

Xie Junjie was, after all, the one who manipulated the star trajectories, thus reaping the worst consequences. All Zhang Mingrui did was provide him with additional spiritual power.

Today was another sunny day full of hope, but today too, Zhang Fengxi did not see any significant improvement.

The Supreme General let out an exasperated sigh.

He extended his small arms toward Zhang Mingrui and beckoned the little tiger to come closer.

"Come here, Baby Mingrui."

Zhang Mingrui rose to his feet, stalked upon the bedsheet, and climbed into his father’s waiting arms with an adorable mewling sound.

Zhang Fengxi hugged Mingrui to his chest and ran his hands down the little cub’s furry body.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Aoo~"

"Glad to hear that. Let’s try staying awake a little longer today. Maybe walk outside a little?"

"Aooo~"

"Your Highness? It’s time to eat lunch..."

Qingyun came with a basket of food to feed all three of them.

"Leave it on the table," Zhang Fengxi said without turning his head. It did not matter what she brought for lunch, because Zhang Fengxi had no appetite at all.

Qingyun put the basket on the table as instructed, but she did not leave afterward.

"Please eat something, Your Highness. Without nourishment, recuperating will take a much longer time. And the little princes are still in their growth phases..."

"I know, Qingyun," Zhang Fengxi said wearily. "We will eat. Please leave."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Qingyun retreated with a curtsy.

Zhang Fengxi reached into the basket and pulled out a soft meat bun. In his arms, Zhang Mingrui scratched at his chest and mewled.

"Hungry, Baby Mingrui?" Zhang Fengxi asked with a smile. "Here, eat."

Zhang Mingrui happily took the meat bun and jumped off the bed to eat on a pillow.

Zhang Fengxi lifted Xie Junjie and cradled him into his arms.

"Baby Junjie, let’s eat something, alright?" He said while pressing a kiss against Xie Junjie’s forehead. "If you don’t eat, you can’t become stronger."

Xie Junjie let out a small whimper. He then flicked his tail and turned his face away.

"... Just one bun? Come on. Do it for Daddy."

Another whimper escaped the little dragon, but at least he didn’t turn away from the food anymore.

Zhang Fengxi patiently fed Xie Junjie before he fed himself.

Both boys fell asleep after their meal, and Zhang Fengxi decided to venture outside of the mausoleum for some fresh air.

As he walked, he came upon Xie Jianyu’s favorite meditation spot. The pavilion directly under the Bell Tower offered a serene, peaceful little haven to work on one’s cultivation.

Now that he thought about it, it had been some time since he abandoned his cultivation to chase after Xie Jianyu’s soul in the Human Realm.

Maybe being trapped in his younger body was a fitting punishment for him, but not for his babies.

Zhang Mingrui and Xie Junjie were innocent. It was he who implicated them. He should be the one to bear their punishment.

Filled with self-deprecation and hopelessness, Zhang Fengxi sat in a lotus pose and closed his eyes to meditate.

A few hours passed by, and the dark curtain of night slowly descended upon the Heavenly Realm.

Mingyu climbed up the steps with another basket containing dinner for her master and two little masters.

She found Zhang Mingrui and Xie Junjie sleeping peacefully on top of Xie Jianyu as usual, but Zhang Fengxi was nowhere to be seen.

"... Your Highness...?"

Fear crept into Mingyu’s heart.

She rushed down the steps to find Head Servant Zhou and Qingyun.

"Head Servant Zhou! Qingyun!!!"

Head Servant Zhou stepped out of the servants’ quarter and Qingyun poked her head from the kitchen with a ladle in her hand.

"What happened?" Both of them asked in unison.

"His Highness disappeared!" Mingyu cried out at the top of her lungs. "I think he might have done something rash... Should we notify the Golden Dragon Palace?!"

The door to the study slid open and Zhang Fengxi emerged at the doorway, scowling in Mingyu’s direction.

"Y-Your Highness!!!"

"Is that the standard protocol here?" He snapped. "As soon as something happens in Fuxi Palace, immediately report to the Golden Dragon Palace? Well, no wonder the Emperor knows everything that goes on in this palace!"

Head Servant Zhou, Mingyu, and Qingyun threw themselves to the ground, shivering from head to toe.

"Your Highness, we are wrong."

"We will never do that again."

"Please forgive us."

Zhang Fengxi rolled hard with his eyes.

He then held up an envelope in his hand.

"One of you, take this letter to the Golden Dragon Palace. Make sure that it reaches the Emperor himself."

"..."

Ignoring the ironic aspect of the situation, Head Servant Zhou dutifully took the envelope in his hand and bowed before Zhang Fengxi.

"I will hand this letter to His Majesty directly, Your Highness."

"Good."

Zhang Fengxi flicked with his sleeves and marched toward the mausoleum.

Right now, all he could do was wait.