Chapter 254: The Forest Qilin
Ningyan blinked before lowering a hand to his stomach.
He had been suppressing his hunger for hours. Unfortunately for his dignity, his stomach had finally protested.
Luckily, the merchant leading the caravan was busy negotiating business with several traders nearby.
Quietly, he climbed down from the carriage.
The aroma of freshly grilled river fish, sweet lotus cakes, and steaming dumplings drifted through the lively streets, instantly drawing him toward the food stalls.
Before long, he was happily buying several skewers with spirit crystals.
"...Mm." His eyes lit up. "Delicious."
Without realizing it, he bought another.
Then another.
Only after satisfying his appetite did he return toward the caravan, wiping the corner of his lips.
The merchant spotted him immediately and hurried over, rubbing his massive bull horns awkwardly.
"Young master... I’m terribly sorry."
Ningyan paused. "What is it?"
"I’ve received urgent business here in Water City." The merchant bowed apologetically. "I’m afraid I won’t be continuing to the Abyss Serpent Clan after all."
Ningyan blinked. "...Meaning I’ll have to find my own way?"
The merchant nodded guiltily. "I’m truly sorry."
After a brief silence, Ningyan simply sighed. "It can’t be helped."
He handed over the agreed payment in spirit crystals despite the sudden change of plans.
The merchant repeatedly thanked him before returning to his goods.
Left alone, Ningyan adjusted the bamboo hat shielding his face and looked toward the bustling streets stretching deeper into Water City.
"...Looks like I’ll be travelling alone from here."
With nowhere else to go, he melted into the endless sea of beast merchants and wanderers, disappearing into the vibrant city that somehow felt... strangely familiar.
Ningyan slowed his steps, his violet eyes sweeping across the waterways and elegant wooden bridges stretching throughout Water City.
Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised if he had been here before.
Silently, he continued through the bustling streets, weaving between beast folk.
Water City was nothing like Fire City.
The flames and lively chaos of Fire City were replaced by flowing rivers and quiet elegance. Even the atmosphere carried an odd melancholy.
Ningyan absentmindedly materialized his flute into his hand, lazily twirling it between his fingers as he walked.
Suddenly, a blur of emerald shot past him.
A young woman with flowing green hair sprinted through the street at astonishing speed.
Ningyan instinctively stepped aside, one hand catching the brim of his bamboo hat before the rushing wind could knock it away.
His eyes widened.
The beast folk around them hurriedly scattered, clearing a path to avoid being caught in her charge.
Only a heartbeat later, three more figures burst after her.
Two women with delicate fin-like ears and a broad-shouldered man.
All three wore matching robes embroidered with the same crest, clearly warriors from a powerful household.
"...Trouble." Ningyan muttered to himself before continuing on his way.
He had barely taken a few more steps when, Boom!
A violent rush of energy erupted nearby.
Shouts echoed through the streets. Several beasts screamed and hurried away from the disturbance.
Turning toward the commotion, Ningyan followed the waves of beast energy until he arrived at an open section of the street.
The green-haired beast woman was already fighting.
No... Dancing.
She moved with astonishing grace.
Soft streams of emerald spiritual light drifted around her like floating leaves as she slipped effortlessly between her opponents.
Yet despite that elegance... Every strike was overwhelmingly brutal.
She caught one warrior by the wrist and twisted.
Crack.
The man’s scream echoed through the street before she flung him over her shoulder.
The second rushed her.
She sidestepped with a bright, almost playful smile before driving her elbow into her ribs hard enough to send her folding over.
The third barely had time to react.
She seized both of her opponents by the heads and slammed them into the stone pavement.
Bang.
Bang.
Within moments, all three lay unconscious upon the ground.
The green-haired woman dusted off her sleeves as though nothing had happened.
Then, with all the pride of a victorious peacock, she simply stepped over them.
The mischievous smile dancing across her lips never faded.
Reaching into her sleeve, she produced a tiny embroidered pouch and happily peeked inside.
Ningyan couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.
That smile....
One would think she was a fox instead.
Yet... His gaze sharpened.
No...
The aura surrounding her was unmistakable.
A Forest Qilin.
Just then, the qilin suddenly froze as though sensing someone watching her, she slowly turned.
Her pale green eyes met Ningyan’s.
The smile vanished.
Hostility flashed across her face only to disappear an instant later.
Her eyes widened. Her lips slowly parted.
"Wha..." The color drained from her face.
Pure terror flooded her expression. She looked as though she had seen a ghost.
Ningyan blinked. "...?"
Instinctively, he turned to look behind himself.
Nothing. There was no terrifying beast.
He looked back at her.
The qilin was still staring. Her entire body had gone rigid. Even her breathing seemed to have stopped.
"...Why..." Ningyan frowned slightly.
Why was she looking at him like that?
He had concealed his aura completely. His appearance shouldn’t be recognizable as the Demon Beast King of the Phoenix Clan.
Taking a cautious step forward, he slowly raised one hand. "I mean no—"
Before he could finish, the Forest Qilin stumbled backward in panic, nearly tripping over one of the unconscious warriors.
She frantically shook her head. Then turned and fled.
She vanished into the crowded streets almost instantly.
Ningyan remained standing where he was, one hand still awkwardly raised in the air. "..."
After a long silence, he slowly lowered his hand before touching his own face.
"...I actually scared her off."
He cleared his throat awkwardly, pretending not to notice the curious glances the surrounding beasts kept throwing his way.
Ignoring the whispers, he continued through the streets.
He had intended to leave Water City as soon as possible.
As he wandered, another thought surfaced.
Should I write Lan Meishan a letter...?
Or perhaps... A surprise visit would be better.
His lips twitched.
By the time evening approached, Ningyan had already found an inn, eaten his fill, and rented a quiet chamber.
Completely unaware... The same green-haired Forest Qilin from earlier had followed him all the way there.
She rented the chamber directly beside his.
Throughout the afternoon, while Ningyan sat cross-legged within his inner world cultivating, she remained there.
Night gradually descended upon Water City.
Countless lamps floated across the rivers like drifting stars, while others rose gently into the heavens, illuminating the city beneath a sea of shimmering lights.
Drawn by the scenery, Ningyan stepped onto the balcony outside his room.
The cool night breeze stirred his white robes and short hair.
One hand rested lazily against the carved wooden railing while the other idly twirled the red-gold flute between slender fingers.
He wanted to play it.
He truly did.
But... He resisted.
Instead, he gazed silently over the glowing waterways below.
A faint prickling sensation lingered at the back of his neck.
Someone was watching him.
He ignored it.
Hidden behind the corner of the neighboring corridor, the Forest Qilin stared at him.
Her pale green eyes trembled.
The shock that had filled them earlier slowly melted into something far softer. Something unbearably painful.
Tears quietly gathered along her lashes.
Her lips parted as though she wanted to call his name. But no sound came.
She bit down on her lip, lowered her head, then abruptly turned and hurried away.
At almost the same moment, Ningyan turned his head toward the corridor.
"... She’s leaving already?"
He had known she was there the entire time.
She had concealed herself surprisingly well. Yet she carried no hostility.
Why would someone look at him with such terror... Only to secretly follow him afterward?
Curiosity finally won.
The moment she disappeared from the inn, Ningyan silently followed.
Night had only made Water City livelier.
The waterways shimmered beneath countless floating lanterns.
Music drifted across the rivers. Laughter echoed from teahouses and pleasure boats.
Ningyan remained hidden among the rooftops, his figure as light as drifting snow while he followed the qilin’s trail.
Eventually... She arrived before an enormous manor. Its walls towered high above the surrounding streets, guarded by heavily armed beasts.
The moment she appeared, every guard bowed. Their eyes were reptilian.
Dragon beasts.
Ningyan’s brows lifted slightly.
A dragon clan residence...?
He remained crouched atop a nearby roof, silently watching.
The Forest Qilin hurried through the front gate.
Just as she reached the steps, a serpent beastman stepped out of the manor.
He looked little older than her, his robes immaculate as he folded his arms across his chest with all the seriousness he could muster.
"Where have you been, A-Ruo?" he demanded. "Papa has been worried."