The surrounding street vendors couldn't help but burst into laughter at Xiong Jun's silly behavior.
The red-haired burly man's face flushed red.
Acting together with Xiong Jun was truly humiliating!
He opened his mouth, then sighed helplessly, "Anyway, let's not keep Di Tian waiting too long. We still have to regroup…"
Xiong Jun gave the red-haired man a shove and said irritably, "Chi Wang, why are you acting all wishy-washy like some woman? We're just having some honey, and we've got to worry about this and that? That's way too boring! I don't believe that just bumping into some random person on the street means they're someone we can't afford to offend!"
The red-haired man, called Chi Wang, looked even more helpless.
He wasn't as strong as Xiong Jun—if Xiong Jun really decided to go rogue, there'd be no stopping him!
At this point, Dan Heng caught on.
So the "family from her side" that Gu Yuena had mentioned… had all shown up now?
And of all the coincidences, right here and now.
Unfortunately, the first impression wasn't exactly a good one.
Chi Wang aside, Xiong Jun clearly looked like the type who caused trouble easily!
And right now, this was the only vendor on the street selling fresh honey. Dan Heng couldn't just turn around and walk away.
"Mr. Xiong Jun, is it? You're also interested in the honey? How do you plan to eat it?"
Dan Heng asked.
Xiong Jun folded his arms proudly and said, "You've come to the right bear! That honeycomb looks freshly harvested—super fresh! And it's from the fiercest kind of bees—bear bees! That stuff is absolutely delicious!"
"I'll eat the whole honeycomb too—crispy and crunchy! Sweet and fragrant! And then I'll lick my paws afterward… just imagine the taste…"
The more Xiong Jun talked, the more he drooled uncontrollably.
Chi Wang covered his face—his brother was just too embarrassing!
Dan Heng gave a slight nod, smiled, and shook his head:
"Mr. Xiong Jun, your knowledge of honey is impressive, but your eating method is a bit too simplistic and dull."
"Let me teach you a few new ways to enjoy it. We can split the honey in half—what do you say?"
Xiong Jun sneered, "You're gonna teach me how to eat honey? I was eating honey before you were even born!"
Chi Wang quickly said, "Let's just do that, Xiong Jun—half and half. Don't cause trouble here…"
Xiong Jun gave Chi Wang a shove. "Spineless! Fine, let's hear what you've got."
Dan Heng thought for a moment and said:
"Add lemon slices and honey to warm water, stir well, and drink. It's fresh and sweet, boosts energy, aids digestion—great for mornings."
"Brew black tea, filter it, then add honey, rock sugar, and lemon slices. Chill it for 5 to 8 hours. Refreshing and sweet—perfect for cooling down."
"…"
Dan Heng casually listed off several honey-based drink recipes.
Xiong Jun listened while gulping uncontrollably. He couldn't keep it all in—his chest was soaked in drool.
His eyes practically turned into honey.
Even Chi Wang was stunned. When he came to, he looked at Xiong Jun's ridiculous state and wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
The crowd around them let out good-natured chuckles again.
Xiong Jun came back to his senses, wiped his mouth, and gave a thumbs-up. "You humans are smart! So many ways to eat it?! Just listening to it makes me hungry! Have I been eating honey wrong this whole time?!"
Dan Heng smiled and pointed at the honey. "So, is half and half okay now?"
"Sure, sure, sure! I like your little brain—I'll give you some face. Consider this honey a gift from me!" Xiong Jun pulled out a handful of gold soul coins from his chest and tossed them to the vendor.
The vendor beamed with joy—Xiong Jun didn't care at all how much he spent!
The honey was split in half and packed for both of them.
Xiong Jun looked impatient again and asked, "Hey, little brain—want to team up with me? I'll give you money! A house! A beautiful lady!"
He looked at Dan Heng expectantly. With someone like him around who knew how to enjoy food, wouldn't life be amazing?
Dan Heng shook his head. "No thanks. I have a job."
Xiong Jun said unhappily, "What job could be better than hanging with me? Let me tell you—"
"Stop talking, Xiong Jun! Hurry up and regroup with Di Tian! Otherwise there'll be trouble! We'll be held accountable!"
Chi Wang forcibly dragged Xiong Jun away.
As he walked, Xiong Jun shouted back, "I'll find time to kidnap you! Little brain!"
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. His wife's relatives—each more absurd than the last.
But he wasn't angry about Xiong Jun's foolishness.
Still, Xiong Jun was definitely in for some punishment. Dan Heng wasn't about to warn him, either.
At Dan Heng's home.
Di Tian arrived with several powerful soul beasts.
They were: Xiong Jun, Chi Wang, the Ten Thousand Monster King, and Yao Ling.
Zi Ji, however, had stayed behind in the Fontain Empire. Even though the Star Luo Empire was barely hanging on, someone still needed to guard the place.
"Big Sister…"
Di Tian introduced them to the household.
Everyone hurried to bow, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
Gu Yuena smiled slightly and nodded, "Relax, you're in your sister's home now—no need to be so formal."
Before Di Tian could say anything, Xiong Jun lit up with joy and said, "Really, Sister?!"
Before, outside, she was their supreme lord—someone they revered endlessly.
But now she was "big sister"—that felt so much more intimate.
Gu Yuena nodded lightly. "Would I lie to you?"
"Of course not! Sister, you're the best! Sister, I learned several honey recipes from a human—little brain! I'll make them for you and brother-in-law!"
Xiong Jun pounded his chest, beaming proudly. He even shot a smug glance at Di Tian.
Ha! Mr. Serious didn't see this coming, did he?
Once those honey dishes came out, the top soul beast under their master's command would definitely be him, Xiong Jun!
"Alright." Gu Yuena smiled and nodded.
At that moment, Dan Heng walked out of the kitchen.
Gu Yuena's smile deepened, and just as she was about to introduce him—
Xiong Jun exclaimed with delight: "Hey! Little brain, you came too?! You came around? Came to join me?"
"Perfect timing! You can make that honey for my sister!"
Xiong Jun strode toward Dan Heng, calling out, "Did you see my sister? You need to call her—uh… Sister Boss! That's a big deal for you!"
"…" Dan Heng fell silent. Sister Boss?
Gu Yuena's smile froze instantly, her face turning dark.
A figure instantly appeared in front of Dan Heng.
Zhu Zhuqing coldly stared at Xiong Jun. "Get lost!"
Xiong Jun was stunned. He knew Zhu Zhuqing was one of their own. Why was she scolding him?
"XIONG JUN!!!"
Di Tian immediately stormed forward, his face red, his body shaking—purely from rage at Xiong Jun's stupidity!
He smashed a fist into the back of Xiong Jun's head.
Xiong Jun collapsed, eyes rolling, nearly knocked out cold.
BANG—!
The ground shook.
A cold murderous aura surged forth.
Di Tian glared at Xiong Jun, fists clenched, his knee pressing on Xiong Jun's neck, clearly debating whether to just finish this fool off right now!
Was he tired of living?!
Calling Dan Heng little brain in front of the Supreme One?
Calling himself "Boss"?!
That was blatant defiance!
Even if Gu Yuena didn't kill him, Dan Heng—who was invincible—could vaporize them all if he got angry!
"Enough, Xiao Tian. Let him go. He didn't mean any harm."
Gu Yuena suddenly said.
Di Tian turned and saw Gu Yuena was still smiling.
But his heart dropped—he had a terrible feeling.
He slowly stood up, his face shifting.
Would the Supreme One kill Xiong Jun in this mood?
Xiong Jun was an idiot, sure—but for soul beasts, he was still a rare powerhouse!
"Sister…"
Xiong Jun got up, rubbing his head, and angrily glared at Di Tian, "You bastard! Sneak attacking me like that? What did I ever do to you? Are you afraid I'll take your spot? I dropped all my honey!"
He ranted indignantly.
"SHUT UP!!! You idiot! Do you even know what you've done?! Show respect to your brother-in-law! Or I'll skin you alive!" Di Tian roared, grinding his teeth.
Xiong Jun blinked, looked at Dan Heng, slapped his forehead, and exclaimed:
"Little brain! You're my brother-in-law?!"
"HAHAHA! What a coincidence! Even better! Brother-in-law, make those honey dishes for me, would you? I only remember one of them!"
Xiong Jun laughed heartily, acting way too familiar.
He even tried to put an arm around Dan Heng.
Di Tian rushed to grab Xiong Jun, his face twitching from sheer fury.
Did this bastard not read the room at all?!
Still making the same mistake on purpose?!
Was he begging for death?
Xiong Jun was choking as Di Tian dragged him away, his face turning red, nearly vomiting.
"L-let go…"
He patted Di Tian's arm desperately.
The other soul beasts stood silently in place.
They weren't stupid. Before coming, they'd heard how powerful Dan Heng was, and no one dared say a word.
Only Xiong Jun, jumping to conclusions, assumed Dan Heng was just a nobody.
Now, Xiong Jun finally realized the situation. He slapped his forehead and said with a laugh, "Oh! I get it now! You're afraid Brother-in-law might get mad, right? You underestimate him and Sister! Sister, you're not mad, right? I really like Brother-in-law!"
Gu Yuena shook her head and smiled.
"Xiong Jun has a simple nature and doesn't understand proper etiquette, but he truly doesn't have any bad intentions. Husband, please don't take it to heart, alright?"
Gu Yuena hugged Dan Heng's arm, her eyes shimmering with hopeful light.
Dan Heng smiled and nodded. "Of course not."
The soul beasts around them all felt a chill rise from the soles of their feet.
Even the Lord was treating Dan Heng this way.
How terrifyingly strong must he be?
Though soul beasts were known for being straightforward and unpretentious, after tens of thousands of years of life, they were far from naïve.
One by one, they all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
Seeing this, Xiong Jun shoved Di Tian aside with a proud grin. "You, you're just overthinking! Didn't I tell you so earlier? Brother-in-law, let's get back to that honey idea…"
"The honey's spoiled now, so forget it. I didn't know my little brothers would arrive today, and we don't have enough ingredients. How about this—Xiong Jun, you're strong. Come grocery shopping with me. Sorry to trouble you."
Gu Yuena said with a gentle smile.
"Yes yes yes, Sis! I'm super strong! Stronger than Di Tian! You want me to help, you've got the right bear!"
Xiong Jun quickly agreed, throwing a smug glance at Di Tian.
As if to say: "See? I'm the favored one! The Lord is finally noticing me!"
A few more rounds of flattery, and he'd be the number one general under the Lord's command!
"…"
Di Tian silently watched Xiong Jun leave with Gu Yuena, shaking his head.
Squeak…!
The door closed.
Xiong Jun and Gu Yuena had left the courtyard.
Di Tian could only pray for Xiong Jun in his heart.
The other soul beasts didn't dare breathe too loud. Seeing that Xiong Jun had gone out with a foolish grin, they could already imagine his grim fate.
After a moment of silence…
The Red King broke it, whispering, "Bi Ji, maybe you should… go take a look?"
Bi Ji, whose true form was the Emerald Swan and known as the healer among soul beasts, immediately shook her head like a rattle drum.
This Xiong Jun was even more of a disaster than Zi Ji!
If she went out now and accidentally got caught in the crossfire, wouldn't that be awful?
"Don't bother with that fool!"
Di Tian was exasperated—having a subordinate like Xiong Jun was nothing short of a headache.
He turned to Dan Heng and asked:
"Brother-in-law, we'll be setting out for the Sea God's Tower tomorrow. Do you foresee any major challenges?"
Dan Heng shook his head. "We'll only know after we enter."
Di Tian nodded, then fell into silence.
…
On the other side, Gu Yuena and Xiong Jun had just left the courtyard. After walking a few steps, they entered a spatial tunnel and exited Heaven Dou City.
On a plain outside the city, a spatial tunnel opened.
Gu Yuena and Xiong Jun emerged together.
Xiong Jun scratched his head, puzzled. "Sis, didn't we go out to buy groceries? Why did we leave the city? Is there a market out here?"
He looked at Gu Yuena's back, and although his body was long since immune to heat and cold, a chill ran down his spine.
"Xiong Jun, don't rush the groceries. Let's do something else first."
Gu Yuena slowly turned around. A golden spear appeared in her hand, radiating a dazzling golden light.
Xiong Jun's eyes lit up at the sight of it and exclaimed happily:
"Sis, are you giving me that spear? You finally realize I'm more reliable than Di Tian, right?"
But before he could finish, he saw Gu Yuena's face.
That exquisitely beautiful face was covered in frost.
Her eyes held an unspeakable rage.
Xiong Jun's heart skipped a beat. He laughed nervously and said, "Sis, did… did someone upset you? You tell me, and I'll go teach them a lesson…"
Gu Yuena nodded slightly. "Yes, there is such a person…"
Xiong Jun clenched his fists and ground his teeth. "Then they deserve death! Sis, just tell me who—it'll be a beating of a lifetime! I'll make sure they wish they'd never been born! I'll—"
"No need. I'll personally take care of this. Xiong Jun, brace yourself—and try not to make too much noise."
Suddenly, Gu Yuena raised her spear behind her, gathering strength.
Xiong Jun looked utterly confused.
"Sis, why do I have to be quiet—ah!!!"
Suddenly, Gu Yuena swung her spear!
Whooosh whooosh whooosh—!!!
The gust it produced tore through the air, laced with the sound of space itself fracturing.
Xiong Jun only saw an intensely blinding golden light. The next second, he was sent flying through the air, spinning wildly…
(End of chapter)