Chapter 181: I Will Find Him
The sky hung low and heavy over the Azure Dragon clan.
Dark clouds gathered in slow, suffocating layers, the wind carrying the faint promise of rain. The palace below had long returned to order after the chaos of the battle, repairs underway, servants moving like shadows beneath the looming storm.
Yet above it all, Ningyan sat alone.
Perched atop the highest roof of the manor, dressed in flowing white robes, his long hair loose and swaying gently in the wind, he played his flute.
The melody was soft.... Melancholic. It drifted through the air like something unspoken.
Below, standing at the edge of the courtyard, Jun Shenzhen looked up at him.
He had arrived moments ago. And yet, he hadn’t called out.
His silver reptilian eyes lingered on Ningyan’s figure, a faint crease forming between his brows. For once, the ever-sharp prince hesitated.
"...Tch." He exhaled softly, then leapt.
In a single smooth motion, he landed atop the roof.
The music stopped.
Ningyan’s fingers stilled against the flute as he turned his head, those glowing purple eyes meeting Shenzhen’s.
Shenzhen stiffened instinctively. But just as quickly, he broke into a wide, easy smile, lifting a hand in greeting as though nothing had happened.
"What a melancholic sight," he said lightly, stepping closer.
Ningyan’s lips twitched faintly as his gaze swept over Shenzhen, from head to toe. His friend looked immaculate, dressed far too well for a casual visit.
"...How was the ascension ceremony?" Ningyan asked, his voice calm as his gaze dropped to the flute resting in his hands.
Shenzhen let out a slow breath and moved to sit beside him.
The wind picked up, tugging at their robes, weaving strands of hair across their faces.
"It went smoothly," Shenzhen said, though his tone carried a trace of something else. "The elders from the Sky Palace came. They insisted on overseeing everything."
He huffed softly. "Brother refused."
Ningyan glanced at him, faint surprise flickering in his eyes. "He did?"
Shenzhen gave a small, amused scoff.
"It turned into a whole spectacle. In the end..." He tilted his head, lips curling. "He had Shanyuan crown him instead."
"Oh." Ningyan smiled.
Shenzhen’s gaze dropped to Ningyan’s chest. "...You didn’t come," he added, more quietly this time.
Ningyan didn’t answer.
The sky darkened further above them and somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled.
Shenzhen nodded slowly, choosing to deflect. "You should have seen the elders’ faces," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Advisors, envoys, everyone was stunned."
A quiet exhale left him. "Even me. But... it’s done."
Ningyan’s lips curved faintly. "I’m glad."
They both knew what that meant.
The elders had once accepted Jun Haoxuan’s death, when Jun Yongrui had taken the proposal to the Sky Palace.
Now, Haoxuan sat on that throne alive and very aware.
"You should have come," Shenzhen said again, his gaze never leaving Ningyan. "Every prominent beast attended. Even Yan Wuhen stayed, Rong Yue too... they stood in for their fathers. And it felt... appropriate."
There was something else beneath his tone. Something quieter.
Guilt.
Ningyan exhaled softly. "I should have."
His fingers shifted around the flute. "But I need time."
Shenzhen’s jaw tightened faintly. "It’s been nearly two weeks, Ningyan."
His voice lowered. "You can’t just—"
He stopped.
Ningyan was looking at him. "I don’t need to do anything,"
His hand pressed against his chest. His expression tightened just for a moment.
He turned his face away. "...I’m glad they stayed away."
Shenzhen’s brows drew together. "That’s because you locked them out. You have to let them in and you need brother to—"
He cut himself off.
Ningyan’s head snapped back toward him. This time, there was no softness in his gaze. "You know about the crystal?"
Shenzhen blinked, surprised.
"It’s not hard to notice you’re in pain," he said carefully. "Brother has been worried. You should let him stabilize it."
He did not say more. He did not mention the truth behind it.
That line... He would not cross.
Ningyan shook his head. "I can handle it."
His voice was quieter now, but no less stubborn. "And I won’t be staying long. I’ll return. Soon. I just need to clear my head."
Shenzhen watched him. Really watched him. "You’re afraid," he said, not accusing or mocking him, just certain.
Ningyan scoffed in disbelief. He rose to his feet in one fluid motion, robes shifting with the wind.
"Afraid?" he repeated, almost incredulous. "Why would I be afraid of anything?"
His voice lifted, edged with something brittle. "I killed a divine beast king. Your father."
His jaw tightened. "Even if it meant saving Jun Haoxuan... he was still his father."
His gaze flickered just for a second. Then hardened again. "So why would I be afraid?"
Shenzhen stared at him, eyes wide. Something in that answer didn’t sit right.
Ningyan looked away again.
Shenzhen exhaled sharply and rose to his feet. He closed the distance, grabbing Ningyan’s wrist and forcing him to face him.
Ningyan blinked, caught off guard.
"You’re overthinking this," Shenzhen said, his voice firm now, no teasing, no softness.
"Everyone is grateful." His grip tightened just a fraction. "That old bastard may have been my father, but he was a terrible one."
His expression darkened. "He was a terrible ruler. A terrible husband. A terrible father. He may have been great once but not anymore. What you did... was not wrong."
The cold, heavy wind picked up around them. "If it weren’t for you, we would have lost everything."
His voice lowered. "Brother. Wuhen. Meishan... Me. No one is looking at you differently, Ningyan."
His grip loosened. "I promise."
Ningyan’s lips pressed together and turned his head away again without answering or acknowledging those words.
Instead, "Meishan..." he said quietly. "Is he awake?"
"He woke up today," Shenzhen’s hand fell away completely. "Then left."
Ningyan’s brows drew together. "He left?"
Shenzhen nodded. "No one knows where he went."
Ningyan exhaled and lifted his gaze to the sky.
Lightning split through the churning dark clouds, loud thunder followed and hard rain began to fall.
Droplets struck against tile and skin alike.
Ningyan closed his eyes. For a moment, he just stood there.
Then, "I will find him," His eyes opened again and this time, there was clarity in them.
He turned to Shenzhen. "Take me to the volcanic hot springs."
"You should go to brother," Shenzhen frowned. "He can stabilize the crystal."
Ningyan smiled. "I will. But I need to see Meishan first."