BTTH : Emperor Yang

Chapter 647: Chapter 647: A Father’s Weakness

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**

Wei Yang finally managed to calm his racing heart and slowly stood up. With a single thought, the heat within his body surged, evaporating the cold sweat that had soaked his robes. Thin wisps of white steam curled up into the air.

Zhu Kun’s gaze flicked over him, and he gave a barely noticeable nod, letting out a faint hum. ”Not bad, boy.”

Apparently, he found Wei Yang’s performance... barely acceptable.

Truthfully, he wasn’t wrong. A young man like Wei Yang, already at the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zun with a half-step Heaven Realm soul, was a monster no matter where he went — a true prodigy of the highest level.

Even Zhu Kun couldn’t find fault with that. Wei Yang’s face remained impassive, though the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

”You’ve got some nerve saying that! Wei Yang is my best friend, and you actually dared to hurt him!”

Zi Yan’s sharp voice cut through the silence. She turned to Wei Yang, worry flashing in her eyes. ”Wei Yang, are you alright?”

”I’m fine,” Wei Yang waved it off casually.

Even so, Zi Yan’s eyes still swept up and down his body, checking carefully. Only after confirming that he was unharmed did she let out a breath of relief and smile. Then she spun around again, her delicate brows arching upward as she glared at Zhu Kun. ”Old man, apologize to Wei Yang!”

”...” A few black lines appeared on Zhu Kun’s forehead.

I’m the Dragon Emperor — do I not get to keep a shred of dignity?

”Hm?” Zi Yan’s eyes widened in warning.

”Alright, alright, fine. As long as you’re not angry, that’s all that matters,” Zhu Kun stammered with a forced smile, the nervous laugh of a man who had clearly been defeated.

At that moment, all the majesty of a peak powerhouse was gone — replaced by the flustered awkwardness of a man utterly ruled by his daughter. A complete and total daughter-slave. Watching the scene unfold, Wei Yang couldn’t help the odd look that crossed his face.

This... was very un–Dou Sheng-like.

All the grandeur and intimidation were gone in an instant. He could only sigh inwardly — the love of a father was indeed a mighty thing. Even a being standing at the very peak of the continent could humble himself to such a degree just to make his daughter smile.

Of course, Wei Yang wouldn’t actually dare let Zhu Kun apologize to him. He quickly waved his hands. ”It was just a misunderstanding earlier, senior. There’s no need to take it to heart.”

After all, speaking as a father himself, he could understand. What father wouldn’t be on edge seeing some young guy getting close to his precious daughter?

If one day his own little girl, Wei Shuo, acted so affectionate with some random boy right in front of him, he’d probably lose his mind too. He wouldn’t care who that brat was or how good his character might be — first, he’d hang him up and beat him until his fury subsided.

Zhu Kun’s eyes flicked over, giving Wei Yang a look of approval — a silent smart kid, you know your place.

Zi Yan frowned slightly but didn’t keep pushing the matter. Seeing that, Zhu Kun secretly sighed in relief. He took a few steps closer, his tone softening. ”Young friend, I am Zhu Kun, Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon clan.”

”Youngster Wei Yang greets the Dragon Emperor!” Wei Yang’s face showed a fitting degree of shock, as though he couldn’t believe he was standing before such a legendary being. He quickly cupped his fists in salute.

Zhu Kun nodded faintly, then cast a sidelong glance toward Zi Yan.

Seeing that look, Wei Yang nearly chuckled. He pointed toward Zi Yan and said, ”Senior Dragon Emperor, this is Zi Yan — also of the Ancient Void Dragon clan.”

”I know she’s one of my Ancient Void Dragons... Zi Yan, was it?”

As he spoke, the majesty in his eyes gave way to a hint of deep sorrow. He looked at Zi Yan carefully, coughed softly, and said, ”Ahem... I am her father.”

”Ah— what!” Wei Yang widened his eyes dramatically, playing along with the surprise.

”My child...” Zhu Kun’s gaze softened, full of expectation and affection.

But Zi Yan bit her lip, her brows furrowing tightly. When she met his gaze, she abruptly turned her head away.

”You’re lying. I don’t acknowledge you. I don’t have a father. My father abandoned me long ago. I’ve always been alone. Always. I don’t have a father.”

Her voice trembled slightly, carrying layers of loneliness, hurt, bitterness, and anger.

Zi Yan bit her lip hard, her eyes red, her little face filled with stubborn defiance. Her words dripped with deep resentment. The mighty Zhu Kun — a man who had lived for countless years — felt his chest tighten, his throat constricting. His eyes reddened.

”Child... it was your father who wronged you...” His voice trembled. The stern eyes of the Dragon Emperor now held only guilt — endless, crushing guilt.

Back then, when he was trapped, he had poured all his power into tearing open space, just barely managing to send the yet-unhatched Zi Yan’s egg away.

He hadn’t even known where it would land, or whether the child inside would ever hatch safely. He had left a few protective seals, but there had been far too many unknowns, too many dangers.

At least — thank the heavens — the child had survived, hatched, and grown up to stand before him now. But he didn’t need to ask to know what she must have gone through all those years, wandering the world alone.

A magic beast cub, abandoned at birth with no parents to protect it, left to survive in the wild the outcome of such a fate was all too clear. Even for a youngling of the Ancient Void Dragon clan, surviving alone was unimaginably difficult.

In a forest filled with danger, how could a newborn beast even find food?

Just thinking about it made Zhu Kun’s heart ache as if it were being torn apart. He wished he could slap himself a few times. Zhu Kun’s eyes turned red, and a bitter expression crossed his face. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say—he could only stare blankly at his daughter.

Wei Yang gently shook his head and quietly stepped aside, giving the father and daughter space and time to talk. After a long while, the tense air between the two seemed to ease a little; the atmosphere was no longer as awkward.

Only then did Wei Yang walk back toward them. Although Zi Yan still refused to admit it verbally, the look in her eyes had already changed ever so slightly. Well, it made sense—no matter what, they were still father and daughter.

Besides, Zhu Kun had his reasons back then. He hadn’t truly abandoned her on purpose—it had been a desperate act of survival. For Zi Yan, who had grown up without love, no matter how stubborn she acted, deep down she must have felt some hidden joy at finally finding her father.

When Wei Yang returned, Zi Yan turned her head and quickly wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Then, with her usual sharp tongue, she said loudly to Zhu Kun, ”Hey, old man! I didn’t come down here with Wei Yang just to find you. We’re here for the Ancient God’s Mansion—to search for treasure! That bronze door over there—can you open it or not?”

”Old man...”

Hearing the way she addressed him, Zhu Kun could only smile bitterly. But when he heard her question, he shook his head.

”No. Beyond that bronze door lies the true core of Tuo She Ancient God’s Mansion. Without the Ancient Jade he left behind, no one can open it.”

”In fact,” he continued, ”I was once arrogant enough to try and force my way through by sheer strength. That’s how I was trapped here by the defenses that old bastard left behind. So I’ve been waiting all these years—for someone holding the Ancient Jade to appear.”

”It can’t be opened?” Zi Yan frowned, disappointment clear on her face.

The Tuo She Ancient God’s Mansion!

The treasures inside—no doubt—must be countless. But now, she could only look, not touch. That was just painful. As for Wei Yang—he didn’t seem disappointed at all. He’d already expected this outcome.

After all, his main goal in coming here wasn’t the treasure—it was Zhu Kun himself.

”So it takes the Ancient Jade to free you, and also to open the bronze gate...” Zi Yan murmured under her breath.

She might not admit it, but deep inside, she was clearly concerned about Zhu Kun. Zhu Kun, who had been silently watching her, immediately felt his heart leap for joy.

My daughter cares about me! She’s worried about me!

His chest almost burned with excitement.

Smiling like a fool, he said eagerly, ”My good daughter, it doesn’t matter if the bronze gate can’t be opened. I’ll escape this place eventually. As for treasures—well, I may not have brought many with me, but whatever you want, whatever you need, just say it! Everything I have is yours!”

”And besides, my Ancient Void Dragon Clan is rich beyond compare! Once you return home, you can have anything you desire!”

Wei Yang glanced at him—this once-mighty Dragon Emperor, now completely reduced to a doting fool—and couldn’t help but clear his throat softly before speaking.

”Senior Dragon Emperor,” Wei Yang said seriously, ”There’s something you might not know yet.”

”Oh?” Zhu Kun turned to look at him.

”As far as I know,” Wei Yang continued, ”Your Ancient Void Dragon Clan isn’t doing so well. It’s split into four factions. Other than the Eastern Dragon Island, the other three islands have already declared independence.

Those three Dragon Kings... their attitude toward Zi Yan isn’t very friendly. Also, in recent years, many Ancient Void Dragons who didn’t want to take part in the civil war have left the clan entirely and wandered off into the depths of the void.”

”What?!” Zhu Kun’s expression froze in disbelief.

He quickly turned to Zi Yan. Zi Yan pouted and didn’t deny it—her silence was as good as confirmation.

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