Chapter 190: Children Can Be… Rebellious
Arriving at Yishu’s manor, Ningyan was overcome by an unfamiliar tension that tightened his chest. His heart felt suddenly off, beating too fast and far too aware of everything around him.
The journey itself had been anything but quiet.
Shen Taiyu and Liu Ruobing had filled the time easily, speaking of Jun Haoxuan’s childhood, the structure of the clan, old memories that felt strangely... normal.
It was as if Jun Yongrui’s death hadn’t shifted anything at all.
They were warm, open, and unreserved with him. Somehow, that made it worse.
The guards welcomed them without delay.
They were led inside and seated in silence, the air heavy with expectation. Soon, the table was filled with wine and food, served with perfection that only added to Ningyan’s mounting unease.
Ningyan didn’t touch any of it. His mind wasn’t here at all.
He was without Meishan in a place where he knew that he wasn’t exactly welcome.
Then Yishu arrived, her lilac hair flowing and her delicate features composed into a perfect, graceful smile. She was the picture of elegance, yet to Ningyan, every practiced movement felt entirely insincere.
"Oh my," she greeted lightly, bowing first to Liu Ruobing and Shen Taiyu. "What an honor."
They acknowledged her easily and politely.
Then her gaze shifted to him.
"And Su Ningyan," she added, her smile widening just enough to feel wrong. "What a pleasant surprise. You are alive... and glowing."
Ningyan stood and returned the smile just as empty. "And you seem even more beautiful than the last time we met. Shall we speak in private?"
With a sharp nod, she led them away from the hall and into the seclusion of the corridor. The moment they were alone, the air shifted instantly as her mask of politeness finally dropped.
Ningyan didn’t hesitate. "I’m here for Hai Miao."
Yishu came to a slow, deliberate stop before turning back to face him. The smile she had worn so effortlessly was gone, replaced by a coldness that finally matched the tension in the air. "What did you say?"
Ningyan met her gaze evenly. "You heard me. I’m taking him with me."
"But you already handed him over to me," Yishu said, her tone sharpening slightly. "You can’t simply come back and take him away just because you have all the divine beast princes wrapped around your fingers."
Ningyan gave her a dry, unimpressed look.
"What does that have to do with—" He stopped himself, exhaling once before his expression settled into something calmer, more formal. "Meishan and I brought him here for safety. That purpose has been fulfilled. I am here to take him with me. It shouldn’t be this complicated."
Yishu held his gaze for a moment. Then, she nodded.
"You’re right," she said softly. "It shouldn’t be."
Her shoulders relaxed, her expression shifting into something gentler.
"I apologize. I’ve been under a lot of stress lately, and it seems I let it spill onto you." Her lips curved into a faint smile. "It’s just... a little disappointing that Meishan didn’t come with you. Is he alright? I heard about what happened at the Azure Dragon Clan palace."
Ningyan didn’t react to the shift. "He’s fine."
"I’m glad," she replied, her smile widening just enough to feel practiced. She turned. "Come with me. I’ll take you to Hai Miao myself."
Ningyan followed silently.
They moved through the corridors and stopped at the same chamber where he had last seen Hai Miao.
It was late.
The room was dim and quiet. He stepped closer to the bed, expecting to see a small, sleeping figure.
Instead, it was completely empty.
Yishu gasped behind him. "Oh my... where is he?"
Ningyan didn’t respond immediately. His gaze lingered on the bed. It was too neat... untouched like no one had slept there at all.
His eyes narrowed.
Behind him, Yishu turned, her voice laced with concern.
"I’m so sorry. The children here tend to sneak out of bed sometimes," she said lightly, almost too quickly. "I’ll have the servants search for him. You should stay the night. After all..." she added with a soft smile, "you’re practically royalty now. You’ll be safe here."
Ningyan frowned, disbelief settling in his chest.
"I can join the servants to search for him," he said, his tone steady. "Why would children be sneaking out at night this often?"
Yishu smiled. "Children can be... rebellious."
Ningyan raised a brow. Hai Miao was five. Five.
Sneaking out in the middle of the night, from a chamber that looked untouched....
No. That didn’t sit right.
"Yes," Ningyan said slowly, his gaze sharpening, "they can be. I’ll still join the search. Or perhaps he’s with the other children. Take me to them."
For a brief second, Yishu’s smile slipped. Then it returned, just as quickly.
"Very well," she said lightly. "There are only three children at the moment. Over the past few days, since you and Meishan left, we’ve transferred the others back to their respective clans. It’s better for their development and cultivation."
She walked past him, exiting the chamber.
Ningyan didn’t move immediately. "Only three?" he asked, following after her.
"Yes."
His expression tightened.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Meishan had said Hai Miao would be safe here. So why did everything feel off?
That crawling sensation spread across his skin again.
Then.. he felt it.
A sharp pulse of demonic energy in the air. It was faint but unmistakable.
Ningyan stopped walking.
Ahead of him, Yishu continued for a few more steps before reaching the end of the corridor. Just as she was about to turn, she stopped and slowly turned back.
Their eyes met.
"Who are you?" Ningyan asked, his voice dropping, his eyes narrowing as that bright purple glow bled into them.
Yishu blinked.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her tone perfectly innocent.
The air shifted.
And then, Yishu smiled again, but this time her lilac eyes darkened until they bled into a deep, unnatural red. A wave of suppressed demonic energy exploded outward from her body. It was heavy, corrupt, and carefully hidden until this very moment.
"You’re quick," she said softly, her voice no longer light, no longer warm.