Yan Hua was well aware of the method of placating someone. Thus, the moment he was questioned, he immediately replied, without a blush or a pant, "I'm just praising you for being useful, capable, and great. After all, among the four of us, you're the only one with such amazing skills."
Yu Yuan, watching from the side, couldn't help but sneer, "I finally understand why the fourth one is so close to you. With that mouth of yours, you can talk the dead into life and the living into fools. It's no wonder he's been following you around like a puppy after being so easily fooled."
"Speak with a conscience," Yan Hua retorted calmly. "Ask Chen Xi, have I ever deceived him?"
Chen Xi slammed the table and nodded, "Exactly, when has Yan Hua ever deceived me?"
Yu Yuan cursed inwardly that he would be counting money even if he were sold, then turned and left.
Jin Yan walked over, smiling, and sat in the seat Yu Yuan had just vacated. He toyed with the teacup and raised an eyebrow at Chen Xi, "How do you know he hasn't deceived you? It's possible that Yan Hua often lies to you."
Chen Xi firmly believed in his friendship with Yan Hua, "Don't try to sow discord here. Our bond is deeper than the sky and vaster than the sea. How could he possibly deceive me? Besides, what would he even gain from deceiving me?"
Jin Yan beckoned Chen Xi with a finger and lowered his voice, "Haven't you ever noticed that every time you wake up from a nap, your dragon horns are gleaming?"
Chen Xi hadn't really paid attention. Instead, he recalled something, "There was indeed one time after I collected Qi Yu and Si Qing back into the diagram. But other than that, it hasn't happened."
"Then let me put it this way, haven't you felt that your dragon horns have always been different from ours since childhood?" Jin Yan poked his own head.
Chen Xi's gaze shifted upwards.
Indeed.
Jin Yan, Yu Yuan, and Yan Hua's dragon horns were all larger than his, and their color was noticeably less lustrous.
He had always assumed that the color and size of each dragon's horns varied, perhaps due to their cultivation.
But now, hearing Jin Yan's implication… was that not the case?
Chen Xi cast a questioning glance at Yan Hua.
Yan Hua cleared his throat and looked up at the sky.
Jin Yan narrowed his eyes at Chen Xi, "Let me tell you, for every dragon's horns, even if the color differs and the magical power is different, the way they grow doesn't have a huge disparity."
"The main reason your dragon horns have always been a bit shorter and thinner than ours is that, since you were little, a certain old scoundrel often took advantage of your sleep to secretly scrape off some of your dragon horn powder, then added magical power to make clothes..."
Chen Xi was struck as if by lightning.
Jin Yan rested his chin on his hand, speaking and laughing.
Chen Xi looked at Yan Hua.
Yan Hua, suppressing his guilt, shifted his gaze back to Chen Xi. He then cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly and said, "It's true that something like that has happened. And quite a few times. But isn't it because your dragon horn powder, when ground into dust, can be woven into silk and made into beautiful clothes..."
He nudged his chin towards Jin Yan, "This brat has also worn a few pieces. Later, I was afraid you'd find out, so I used less dragon horn powder and stopped giving it to him. He was jealous, which is why he's spilling my secrets now."
Jin Yan laughed triumphantly and wildly.
Chen Xi angrily stood up and slapped Jin Yan on the head.
Jin Yan froze, then slammed the table in anger, pointing at Yan Hua and roaring at Chen Xi, "Damn it, you've gotten bold! I kindly told you this, and you repay my kindness with enmity, hitting me instead of him?!"