Chapter 192: Live Without Fear
Ningyan didn’t return to the Azure Dragon Clan immediately. Instead, he brought the children to an inn within the Water City, somewhere quiet, somewhere safe, for now.
Shen Taiyu remained behind at Yishu’s manor, taking control of the aftermath and searching for any remaining demon tools.
Ningyan didn’t argue. His focus was elsewhere. On the children.
Hai Miao, Yue Mian, and Zhi Ruo. The three small figures, now clean, dressed in soft robes, but still huddled together in sleep as if nothing had changed. As if safety was something temporary.... Something fragile.
Yue Mian, the eldest, lay closest to the wall, her small frame curled protectively. Zhi Ruo clung to her side, while Hai Miao pressed close on the other end, his grip tight even in sleep.
Ningyan sat beside the bed, watching them in silence. His chest felt heavy.
They were safe now. But it didn’t feel like enough. Not after what had already been taken from them.
Hai Miao had already lost his parents and now this.
Ningyan exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck, his brows pulling together.
He shouldn’t have left him there.
He knew that thought wasn’t entirely fair. No one could have predicted this. But it didn’t matter.
The result was the same and the anger that followed that thought was sharp.
He forced himself to breathe... To settle that anger.
The children needed rest. They didn’t need him to lose control.
The door slid open softly.
Ningyan glanced up.
Liu Ruobing stepped inside, her movements calm and measured. Her gaze shifted immediately to the bed, taking in the sight, before settling on him.
She didn’t say anything at first. She just looked. And in that look, there was understanding.
Ningyan blinked, quickly brushing at his cheek, only then realizing his eyes had already betrayed him. There was a small tear....
Liu Ruobing’s expression softened.
"Perhaps we should talk outside," she said gently. "They need the rest."
Ningyan nodded, a small, controlled smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes curling his lips.
He rose quietly, careful not to disturb the bed, and followed her out.
The corridor was silent. Peaceful in a way that felt almost undeserved.
They stepped onto the balcony, the night air cool against his skin.
Below, the Water City stretched endlessly, lights reflecting across the ocean, waves moving in a slow, endless rhythm.
Ningyan rested his hands against the railing and for the first time since the manor, he allowed himself to pause.
"Taiyu reported..." Liu Ruobing began, her tone quieter now, heavier, "there were twenty-six children under Yishu’s care."
Ningyan’s grip tightened on the railing. The wood creaked faintly under his fingers.
"...Twenty-six," she repeated. "And only three remain."
"And the rest?" Ningyan asked, his voice low and controlled.
Liu Ruobing exhaled slowly.
"The servants said..." she hesitated, then continued, "Yishu had been taking them one by one. Claiming they were being relocated."
The glow in Ningyan’s eyes flared.
"Enough." The word came out sharp.
His jaw clenched, breath uneven as his grip on the railing tightened further.
He could feel the urge to go back and tear her apart all over again.
"This is because of Lan Yunlai," he said through gritted teeth. "The academies shut down. Everything collapsed and no one thought about the ones with nowhere to go."
His brows furrowed. "And I didn’t either."
That part came quieter almost to himself.
Liu Ruobing stepped closer, placing a steady hand on his shoulder.
"It was never meant to be your burden alone," she said gently, but firmly. "If there is fault, then it is shared. I should have acted sooner as well."
Her gaze softened, though her voice remained steady. "Haoxuan restrained his father to prevent unnecessary war. We were all choosing battles and we all missed something."
"I can stop it." Ningyan’s fingers dug deeper into the railing. "We already have a plan. We’ll end this."
He exhaled sharply, forcing his breathing to steady.
"And the children..." his voice softened, but didn’t waver. "I will take them in. All three of them."
Liu Ruobing studied him for a moment. "You’ve already decided."
Ningyan let out a small breath. "...Yes."
Her hand moved, gently patting his back. "You have a kind heart," she said.
Ningyan gave a faint smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Thank you."
He glanced at her again. "What about the demon tool?"
"It’s been found," Liu Ruobing replied. "Shen Taiyu is handling it."
Ningyan nodded once. No further questions.
Then she added, her voice turning more thoughtful, "You carry the Dragon Crystal within you."
He turned to look at her fully. "...How did you..."
Then it clicked. "Oh."
Liu Ruobing smiled slightly at his realization and gestured lightly toward the corridor. "You should go back to them."
Ningyan stepped back into the room.
Only one of them was awake. Yue Mian.
She sat in the middle of the bed, small and still. Hai Miao and Zhi Ruo clung tightly to her on either side, even in their sleep. It looked as if she was the only thing holding them together.
Her pale lashes lifted. Wide and uncertain ocean-blue eyes meeting his. "You..."
Ningyan offered a small smile as he stepped closer. "Hello, Xiao Mian."
Her gaze didn’t soften. Instead, it trembled. "Are we going to die?"
Ningyan stopped. Something in his chest tightened sharply. "No."
His answer was immediate. "I’m here. I will protect all three of you. No one is dying."
She watched him carefully like she was trying to decide whether his words meant anything at all.
Even after everything... Even after crying in his arms, she still didn’t trust him.
...Good.
Ningyan didn’t look away.
"You can call me Father,’" he said, tone gentler now, but still controlled. "If that’s too much... Teacher is fine."
Her eyes widened. "Father?"
"Yes." He nodded once. "I’ll take you with me. Somewhere safe. You’ll be able to eat, rest... live without fear."
She didn’t respond immediately, just stared as she continued to weigh him with an unsure gaze. Ningyan nearly smiled, but the moment broke when she let out a small, abrupt sneeze.
He moved without thinking, placing a hand lightly against her forehead.
Her temperature seemed normal. No fever.
She sniffed, blinking up at him. And in that moment, he noticed something familiar. Too familiar.
His gaze sharpened. "...You’re a phoenix."
The words slipped out, quieter than expected.
Yue Mian nodded. "Yes."
Ningyan froze for half a second.
Then slowly pulled his hand back, blinking rapidly.
A phoenix just like him!
"...I see." His voice lowered. "You’re like me."
Yue Mian looked at him more closely now. "You’re like me too."
A soft laugh escaped him before he could stop it.
"Yes." He exhaled. "I am."
Something in her expression shifted, just a little.
A small smile touched her lips. "Father."
This time, she said it with certainty. Then, the feeling broke.
"My real father and ma..." her voice trembled, tears spilling over instantly. "They..."
"It’s alright." Ningyan moved closer and gently wiped her tears away. "They’re not here anymore... But you are."
His hand rested against her head. "And as long as you are... I won’t let anything hurt you again."