Chapter 248: For As Long As I Live
The Phoenix Clan’s throne hall trembled beneath Xie Zhenting’s rage.
Purple light crackled around him like a storm about to split the heavens, his robes whipping violently. Beneath the towering black-gold throne, his eyes burned bright with fury, the veins at his temples throbbing.
The entire court knelt in suffocating silence.
"How," Xie Zhenting’s voice cut through the hall, "did none of you notice him leaving?"
His gaze swept over them, murderous.
"You all know what he means to us. You all know what is at stake." His voice dropped, colder now. "And yet he vanishes from under your watch... and none of you know where?"
A palace guard trembled as he stepped forward, forehead pressed against the icy floor.
"Yo-Young master Zhang Wangji came earlier. He met with His Greatness before... before we discovered he was gone."
The moment the words left his mouth, boom.
A violent burst of spiritual force tore through the air.
The guard didn’t even scream. His body split apart instantly, blood spraying across the white jade floor like paint.
Gasps rippled through the hall.
Several elders stiffened. Some lowered their heads further.
Xie Zhenting stood motionless, his chest rising sharply.
"I told you, all," he said, voice trembling with restrained violence, "to keep your eyes on him."
His glowing eyes lifted slowly. "Su Ningyan may sit on that throne... but have you all forgotten what brought us here?"
The hall fell colder.
"We bled for this." His fist clenched. "We sacrificed everything."
The murmurs began.
"What if he remembers?"
"If he learns the truth....?"
"We must bring him back."
An elder suddenly raised his voice. "We entrusted him to you, Zhenting. If control is slipping, it is your failure."
Xie Zhenting simply stared at the elder. Then he exhaled sharply, swallowing his killing intent.
His gaze slid toward He Yuting. "Come with me."
Without waiting, he turned and strode out of the throne hall.
^
Outside, the snowfall was relentless.
White winds swept through the palace corridors, cold enough to sting flesh.
He Yuting followed in silence, her expression composed.
The moment they were far enough from prying ears, Xie Zhenting stopped.
Snow gathered on his dark hair as he turned sharply.
"I received word about the Snow Leopard incident." His jaw tightened. "He must have connected it."
His eyes darkened. "He’s returning to the Heavenly Realm. You will stabilize things here while I go after him."
He Yuting’s heart sank, but her face remained calm. "Is that wise?"
Xie Zhenting frowned.
She lowered her voice carefully. "Shi Zekai and Guo Manyu are already there. Let them meet him. If you chase after him now, he will grow suspicious."
Xie Zhenting said nothing. He considered it.
That alone made Yuting ease slightly.
But then, his expression twisted. "This cannot fall apart."
His voice was almost a whisper now. "He was supposed to destroy them."
His hand clenched so hard blood dripped from his palm. "The Divine Beast Kings."
His breathing grew heavier. "And yet what does he do?"
He laughed bitterly. "He builds academies."
His eyes burned with disgust. "He shelters children. He strengthens the clan. He talks of peace."
He turned to her fully. "As if peace was ever the goal."
A chill crawled down He Yuting’s spine.
Then Xie Zhenting suddenly asked. "Do you know he met Lan Meishan in Fire City?"
Yuting’s pupils shrank.
"He didn’t recognize him." A cruel smile touched Zhenting’s lips. "But it doesn’t matter."
His fingers flexed. "We will push him into war. One by one, the Divine Beast Clans will fall beneath his hands."
He stepped closer. "And if his memories return... The demon crystal will devour them and rewrite him all over again."
The corridor fell silent, save for the howl of winter winds beyond the palace walls.
He Yuting stood straight beneath his stare, her face composed even as unease stirred beneath her skin.
"Our victory is close," she said carefully, lowering her voice. "All because of your plans. But you should trust us as well. Shi Zekai and Guo Manyu can handle this. They know what to say. His greatness still believes in us... in his kin."
Xie Zhenting’s expression hardened. "You forget how ruthless he can be."
His voice dropped low. "That ruthlessness is what I shaped. It is... What I admire."
A faint, almost obsessive smile curved his lips. "It is the blade that will tear apart the Divine Beast Clans."
The smile vanished. "But it is best that blade is never turned toward me."
He turned away, sleeves snapping sharply in the cold air. "If Zekai fails to answer him... Ningyan will kill him. And I cannot afford to lose another piece."
Another piece. Not kin. Not allies.
They were pieces.
He Yuting’s fingers curled inside her sleeves.
Before he could leave, she called after him. "Are you certain about leaving? I still do not think....."
"Enough!" Xie Zhenting stopped.
The corridor lamps cast long shadows across his face, making his expression look almost monstrous.
"Watch the clan until we return." He glanced back, irritation clear in his eyes. "And before I leave, I want to know why Zhang Wangji came here without informing me."
With that, he stormed off.
He Yuting remained alone in the corridor, exhaling shakily.
Snow drifted past the open arches.
Her eyes lowered.
"I hope you’re far away by now, your greatness."
^°^
Two days later.
The Heavenly Realm.
The spirit forests stretched endlessly beneath silver skies, their towering trees piercing the heavens like jade spears. Mist coiled through the roots like sleeping dragons, and frost glimmered along the earth.
Yan Wuhen frowned as he followed behind Ningyan. "What kind of route is this?"
Ningyan walked ahead of him, black robes brushing against the frost-covered ground, white hair swaying down his back like moonlight.
It had been two days since they arrived at the heavenly realm. And for two days, Ningyan had failed to shake him off.
The Hidden Phoenix Clan was hidden for a reason. Only phoenix blood could trace its path.
Yet no matter how many times Ningyan diverted, misled, or vanished into side paths, Wuhen always found him again.
"Perhaps," Ningyan said without looking back, "you should go to one of the cities. Fire City, perhaps."
Wuhen walked beside him, close enough that their sleeves brushed.
His nine tails swayed lazily behind him.
"You can wait for me there."
Wuhen’s golden-red eyes narrowed. "I am not leaving your side."
It was the hundredth time he had said it. Maybe more.
Ningyan almost laughed.
This fox was impossible.
He remembered the first night he had seen him. He was so cold, lethal, terrifying.
Now?
Now he was like a shameless beast glued to his side.
Ningyan stopped abruptly. Wuhen nearly stepped into him.
Turning, Ningyan clasped his hands behind his back and tilted his head, violet eyes fixed on him.
"How long are you planning to follow me?"
Wuhen blinked, then smiled. A bright, infuriatingly beautiful smile. "For as long as I live."
Ningyan frowned. "Why would you do that?"
Wuhen stepped closer. "Because you are my husband."
His ears twitched. "And I follow my husband everywhere."
Ningyan gave him a long look. The disbelief was still there. The suspicion too.
But there was something else now. Something... softer.
He turned away first. "We’re approaching a small town."
His voice was quieter. "We’ll eat there. Rest for the night."
And then he walked ahead faster than before.
Wuhen stared at his retreating figure for a moment before his lips curled into a grin.
His tails swayed happily behind him and he followed as always.
Before long, they arrived at a small town nestled beneath the mountains, its lantern-lit streets glowing softly beneath the night sky.
They took a room at the largest inn.
Ningyan’s plan was simple.
Leave the fox here. Slip away once he lowered his guard. Find the Hidden Phoenix Clan alone.
The moment the chamber doors shut behind them, warm candlelight flickering against carved wooden walls, Yan Wuhen stepped behind him without warning and wrapped both arms around his waist.
Ningyan stiffened at once.
Wuhen’s chest pressed against his back, his warmth bleeding through layers of robes, his nine tails swaying lazily behind him like restless flames.
His breath brushed against Ningyan’s ear. "What is going on in that beautiful head of yours, Yan’er?"
Ningyan’s body became rigid. Heat rushed to his face so quickly his ears burned.
His heart thudded violently against his ribs.
"What do you mean?" His voice came out tighter than he wanted. "Let go of me."
Wuhen loosened his hold immediately.
That alone made Ningyan pause.
He turned slightly and found Wuhen watching him with an unreadable gaze.... It was as though he already knew Ningyan intended to leave.
But he said nothing.
Instead, he simply walked toward the bed and sat down.
Moments later, attendants entered with trays of food, warmed wine, and steaming water before quickly retreating.
Silence settled over the room.
Ningyan sat across from him, avoiding his gaze but he could feel it.
Wuhen’s constant, burning gaze. He was watching him as though afraid that if he blinked, Ningyan would vanish.
Ningyan could see it clearly as he had for the past two days. How much this nine tailed fox wanted to touch him... To hold him. To pull him close and never let go.
And it did not make him uncomfortable.
It only made him hesitate.
That hesitation irritated him.
Ningyan rose abruptly. "I need air."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the chamber.