Chapter 567: Reverse Strategy 26

Langnian was about to vomit blood from anger.

I clearly summoned these three elders to have them help me drive Chenshu away.

It wasn't to have them team up with old Chenshu to pressure me!

Under the gaze of three pairs of eyes full of majesty and insight, even if Langnian felt confident inside, he still felt somewhat guilty and nervous.

"Elders, don't listen to this human's nonsense; humans are the most deceitful—who knows where his remarks come from?"

Chenshu gave no reply, lowered his head looking aggrieved: "Langnian, I know you have a crush on Achen, but he's swamped with human-monster affairs right now—don't trip him up at this critical moment, okay?"

Compared to Langnian's flustered state, the three elders saw this suddenly appearing human youth as much more reasonable.

The three exchanged glances and ultimately decided it was best not to intervene.

I originally thought he was a clueless human lover, but he turned out to be a partner who knows the king inside and out.

As for the fake engagement matter, it's not something these reclusive old fogeys need to worry about.

The king's own love entanglement—let him sort it out himself.

The third elder stroked his smooth chin, stared, intending to act as mediator—the big brother—cleared his throat and looked at Chenshu.

"Since we old fogeys made a mistake, we'll leave; whenever the king isn't busy, just have him come see us."

"Also… Langnian, you kid need to understand things; if the engagement is fake, you're deceiving the king! We'll definitely step in to punish."

That remark, which sounded like a rebuke but was actually a reminder, made Chenshu smirk sarcastically; he didn't respond, but Langnian's eyes lit up as if he'd thought of something, and he hurriedly bowed and said yes repeatedly.

It seems no matter how well I behave, these three will still protect the monster clan's juniors.

Chenshu suddenly felt bored, pulled over a chair to sit leisurely, and his tone lost the earlier respect.

"If that's the case, then you don't need to stay—three elders, please go back."

He lowered his eyes, took a sip of tea, and his aura grew much sharper.

Realizing their differential treatment had been noticed by this youth, the three elders felt embarrassed, stroked their chins, feeling they couldn't afford to lose face as monsters, and turned to leave.

He doesn't have the thick skin of those two older brothers!

Langnian, however, felt relieved, watched the three elders leave, and felt more confident about the engagement.

He knew what the three elders meant: even if the engagement isn't real, they won't let a human occupy the king's husband position.

"Your eloquence is useless—are you angry?"

Langnian dropped his earlier meek pose, hands on hips, arrogant and pleased: "I advise you to be sensible—leave the monster palace quickly, or you'll still suffer grievances later."

Chenshu spoke coldly: "Ah, I'm so scared."

Langnian: "……"

He was furious, unable to break the barrier to deal with this person, could only grit his teeth: "If you have the ability, come out—let me see how strong you really are!"

He slowly set down his tea cup; Chenshu gave a light glance: "Are you sure?"

He also felt an urge to fight; this wolf pup was bouncing around too happily, which annoyed him.

He then stepped out of the barrier, tilted his head to face Langnian, and as Langnian was about to strike, he easily dodged and grabbed his throat, expression still nonchalant.

"Uh!"

Langnian's eyes widened—he hadn't expected such speed—struggling to break free while unleashing a monster power attack.

He still wasn't a match for Chenshu.

Instead, he was held down and repeatedly smashed in the face.

"I've given you so many chances—why won't you behave?"

Chenshu smiled brightly, pressing Langnian's head repeatedly against the pillar; blood from his forehead seeped into his fingers, which he ignored.

"Ah—let go! Release me!"

Langnian screamed; struggling had no effect—the scorching pain in his forehead and cheeks from each impact grew especially numb, his body temperature seemed to be draining, and he felt dizzy and blurred.

"Bastard! My older brother won't let you off!" he said, voice trembling.

"Your older brother is about to be driven out of the monster palace by you, yet you're using him as a shield."

Chenshu had said he wouldn't kill, so he definitely wouldn't kill Langnian here; seeing him about to pass out, he grabbed his collar, hauled him back, and casually threw him onto the ground.

"From now on, don't keep running to my place every few days—listen up."

He smiled, patted Langnian's uninjured head, feeling good, and wiped his hands clean.

Langnian was at least a monster—he wouldn't just be knocked out like that, but the pain was real; he silently cursed the madman, and out of the corner of his eye saw a flash of red clothing approaching.

"Jin Chen, older brother!"

His expression shifted slightly; he wiped blood from his face with his sleeve, then burst into tears.

"Why are you treating me like this? Is it just because you're relying on Older Brother Jin's affection? But I never intended to harm you…"

Chenshu, having already sensed Jin Chen's aura, silently shook his head.

This level is nowhere near that of the fallen demon cultivator Chenyu.

"Kid, do you realize how frightening you look, all bloody and pitiful?"

Langnian felt crying wasn't enough; he got up from the ground and ran toward Jin Chen.

Jin Chen had just entered the courtyard when he smelled blood, thinking Chenshu had been hurt, he sped up; just as he turned the corner, he saw a bloody unidentified figure rushing toward him.

His eyebrows twitched; he instinctively stepped aside, frowned, and took a closer look.

Langnian lunged but missed, almost falling again, and whispered: "Older Brother Jin…… the Chenshu you brought back is really excessive! I just wanted to see him…… he beat me into this state."

"Langnian."

Jin Chen shifted his gaze, silently lowering his guard.

He still thought the vast monster palace was haunted in broad daylight.

After hearing Langnian's cries, Jin Chen felt no pity, and his tone grew heavier.

"I told you not to provoke him—are you deaf?"

Cough cough cough...

A rather weak, light cough interrupted the two monsters' conversation; Jin Chen lifted his gaze and saw Chenshu leaning against the railing, his hair covering half his face, only his drooping brows and eyes revealing his dejection.

Jin Chen's heart tightened instantly, and he strode forward.

Chenshu?

But you're hurt?

Ah Chen.

Chenshu nestled into his embrace, deeply inhaling the soothing scent of agarwood; his tone was gentle, yet it inexplicably made one's heart ache.

I shouldn't have left the barrier, but he was really...

He trailed off mid-sentence, as if too heartbroken to say anything.

Jin Chen could already guess what came next: nothing but the arrogant and overbearing Langnian repeatedly provoking him, leaving Chenshu unable to tolerate it any longer.