Chapter 182: Bring Him Back To Me
Far beyond the main palace grounds where the ocean met jagged black stone and waves crashed endlessly against the cliffs, the volcanic region of the Azure Dragon clan stood alive.
Heat bled into the rain-soaked air, steam rising in ghostly veils as molten life pulsed beneath the earth. And through it, Ningyan walked up the long, engraved stone steps carved into the mountain’s side, rain soaking through his robes, his hair clinging damply to his back.
The storm had not eased. If anything, it pressed heavier.
For days now... he had done nothing but spiral.
The crystal within burned relentlessly. A dull ache one moment, sharp enough to steal his breath....
And still, he hadn’t gone back to the palace. He hadn’t faced any of them.
He honestly... Didn’t want to.
He knew Meishan would wake up. And when he did, it wouldn’t be simple.
And Ningyan... Ningyan didn’t trust himself either.
Everything was shifting too fast. Power, control, the way things kept pushing him forward, toward something he didn’t want to become.
A villain.
What if it was already too late?
What if Haoxuan already saw him that way regardless of the gratitude he said that night?
Ningyan exhaled sharply.
Enough! He cut the thought off and forced his mind to stop.
Then, he felt a familiar presence.
His steps slowed.
Without hesitation, he veered off the stone path, slipping silently into the trees that lined the volcanic ridge.
Branches brushed against him as he moved, guided only by instinct and that presence.
The sound came first. Heavy, rushing water.
A waterfall.
Steam rose thickly through the clearing ahead, the air warm and damp as the scent of minerals and heat wrapped around him.
Ningyan stepped through the last line of trees and stopped.
A hot spring fed by the falls.
The surface churned softly, steam curling upward into the drizzle. And scattered across the grass were robes, carelessly discarded and a pair of boots.
Ningyan’s breath slowed.
Meishan.
He stepped forward, his gaze focused on the water.
The rain softened. Fading into a quiet drizzle that barely disturbed the surface.
Everything was calm. Then, movement.
A massive shape cut through the water. Too close to the surface.
Ningyan’s heart stuttered as emerald serpent eyes immediately locked onto him from the water.
It didn’t come out or retreat. It simply watched.
Ningyan didn’t move either. His purple eyes held that gaze, unflinching, and the longer he stared, the more he realized there was no warmth there, only cold fascination.
And in that moment, Ningyan understood.
That was not his Meishan.
"Is this a staring contest?" Wuhen’s voice suddenly came from behind.
Ningyan startled, turning sharply to find him there.
Half-drenched, crimson hair clinging to his face, his nine tails flicking irritably as they shook off the lingering rain. And yet, he was smiling wide and sharp, his fangs on full display.
Those red-gold fox eyes gleamed with unmistakable amusement. Wuhen was perfectly fine. Perfectly healed.
"You followed me?" Ningyan asked, though the answer was obvious.
Wuhen chuckled. "You came out of hiding because of him."
In a single step, he closed the distance. His arm slipped around Ningyan’s waist, pulling him in without hesitation.
"It hurts, you know," he murmured, voice lowering. "I was the one who got stabbed trying to honor our deal and you chose to hide."
Ningyan frowned. "I wasn’t hiding."
His hand lifted instinctively, pressing against Wuhen’s chest, right where the wound had been. "I was processing."
"Processing what?" Wuhen gave him a flat look. "The fact that you killed that bastard, Jun Yongrui?"
Then, he laughed. "Oh... Yan’er has such a soft heart."
His devouring gaze lingered. "It’s why I love you so much."
Ningyan’s breath caught. unwanted, immediate heat rose to his face but...
"My rejuvenation is being disturbed by a fox." The deep cold voice cut through everything.
Ningyan turned.
Meishan was half-submerged in the steaming water, his upper body bare, pale skin slick with heat and mist. His long dark hair clung to his shoulders and back, damp and heavy.
His emerald serpent eyes were fixed entirely on Ningyan.
Wuhen’s expression darkened instantly, his arm around Ningyan’s waist didn’t loosen.
Ningyan said nothing. Because that gaze was wrong.
Meishan would have smiled. Would have called his name. Would have moved.
This one didn’t.
He only watched like he was seeing Ningyan for the first time.
"You’re beautiful," Meishan said suddenly, an unnatural smile touching his lips. "Meishan’s affection... Do you want to join me in the water?"
"Bring him back to me." Ningyan whispered.,
Meishan blinked slowly as if the command hadn’t quite registered.
"Do as he says," Wuhen said, his expression serious now.
Meishan scoffed with clear displeasure. "You’re only standing there because Meishan is grateful to you for saving his life, Yan Wuhen."
His gaze flicked to Wuhen dismissively. "But I’m not speaking to you."
His attention returned to Ningyan, a smile spreading across his lips. "I’m speaking to him."
Ningyan’s jaw tightened. A surge of purple light flared around him, sharp and volatile, the air distorting faintly with the pressure of it.
"I said—" His voice dropped coldly. "Bring. Him. Back."
Meishan pouted, feigning hurt. "You really don’t like me, do you?"
A soft and exaggerated sigh followed. "It’s a pity because... Meishan isn’t coming back."
Ningyan’s fingers curled at his sides. His breath slowed because he knew he couldn’t attack him.
Beside him, Wuhen had gone still. Dangerously still.
"Why?" Ningyan asked, his voice heavy now.
Meishan hummed softly. His hand lifted, fingers brushing through his damp hair, pushing it back carelessly. The movement exposed the line of his throat, the tension of muscle beneath pale skin.
He was completely relaxed and unthreatened.
"Meishan wanted to kill Lan Yunlai at any cost." He tilted his head vaguely. "And that includes me... taking control to do it."
His smile returned, sharper now. "So he locked himself away until the task is finished."
Ningyan’s eyes widened. This can’t be happening.
"You do not understand?" Meishan asked softly.
Ningyan stared at him. Disbelief flashing across his face before it hardened into something tighter. "...What?"
Meishan’s smile deepened with satisfaction. "You’re stuck with me until that old fool dies."