Chapter 258: Congratulations
Ningyan searched his face, narrowing his eyes. "And what truth is that? That my own kin betrayed me? That you’re going to provoke me into turning against them?"
For the briefest instant, a blackish-red light flashed through Ningyan’s violet eyes. A wave of oppressive demonic energy rolled from him before fading just as quickly.
Rong Yue saw it all, yet the hand beneath Ningyan’s chin never trembled. If anything, his grip grew slightly firmer.
"It seems..." His thumb brushed lightly against Ningyan’s jaw. "...you’ve become even more stubborn, little bird."
He tilted Ningyan’s face slightly, examining him from another angle.
Ningyan immediately caught Rong Yue’s wrist, his lips curving upward. "And it seems... you’re testing me."
A soft chuckle escaped Rong Yue. "I simply wished to look at you properly." His gaze softened. "It’s been three hundred years. So much pain... so much loss... so much emptiness. Surely you can indulge me for a moment."
Ningyan frowned, his grip on the tiger’s wrist loosening.
Rong Yue gently released his chin before turning away. "Come."
Ningyan remained where he stood. "Are the others here?"
Rong Yue stopped. His bare feet rested silently upon the polished floor as he glanced back over one shoulder. "...No. They aren’t."
"You’re not very surprised to see me," Ningyan noted, narrowing his eyes.
"I’ve been expecting you."
"So..." Ningyan folded his arms. "You lured me here."
Rong Yue smiled without denying it. "I did." He turned fully to face him. "Now... will you have a drink with me? I believe I can answer your questions far better than the others."
"And why is that?"
Rong Yue’s smile vanished. His blue eyes grew completely still.
"Because..." He looked directly into Ningyan’s eyes. "...I am not afraid to provoke you, Demon Beast King of the Phoenix Clan."
Then, as quickly as it had slipped away, his gentle smile returned. "Shall we?"
Silence stretched between them. Ningyan studied him for a long moment before finally taking a step forward, walking past Rong Yue without another word.
A faint smile tugged at Rong Yue’s lips as he turned to follow and led Ningyan into the inner bedchamber.
The room was spacious yet simple. A few lanterns cast a warm golden glow over polished wooden floors, while beyond the open windows, the quiet murmur of flowing water drifted in with the night breeze.
Ningyan swept his gaze across the chamber. There were no attendants or guards. Only the two of them.
He raised a brow. "You’re here alone?"
"I am."
"You have neither servants nor guards?"
Rong Yue nodded as he walked toward a table prepared with wine and refreshments. "I thought we would need the silence."
Ningyan found himself relaxing, if only a little.
So... he really did lure me here.
The bear beastman had probably been paid handsomely for his trouble.
Removing his bamboo hat, Ningyan set it aside.
Rong Yue watched the motion quietly. "Are you comfortable?"
Ningyan blinked. "...Why wouldn’t I be?"
"I merely wanted to be certain," Rong Yue replied, lowering his gaze with a faint smile.
Ningyan snorted softly before taking the seat opposite him. A brief silence settled between them before Ningyan rested his chin on one hand.
"I’ve been wondering about something," he said.
Rong Yue looked up.
"Why would I marry you?" The question was so blunt that Rong Yue almost laughed. "You don’t seem like my type," Ningyan continued, studying him shamelessly. "I don’t particularly enjoy people who challenge me."
Rong Yue’s lips curved. "I see."
Without arguing, he calmly poured a cup of wine and set it in front of Ningyan.
Ningyan looked down at the cup, then back at Rong Yue. "I don’t intend to drink with you."
"That’s alright."
Rong Yue poured himself a cup instead, lifting it gracefully to take an unhurried sip, never once breaking eye contact.
Only then did he speak. "You’ve killed many beasts, little bird. So many that no one can count them anymore."
"They deserved it," Ningyan answered without hesitation.
He made no attempt to conceal himself. Blackish-red demonic energy quietly seeped from his body, and the deep violet of his eyes dissolved into crimson-black. Dark veins crept along the side of his neck, crawling toward his jaw like living ink.
He no longer wished to hide. If Rong Yue intended to provoke him... then let him see exactly what he had become.
Rong Yue simply watched him like a tiger watching falling snow.
"...Phoenixes." He clicked his tongue softly, taking another sip of wine. "What a troublesome race. They filled your heart with hatred and fed that hatred until it became your conviction."
His blue eyes settled upon the dark veins spreading across Ningyan’s skin.
"And you absorbed so much demonic corruption... that you became a demon beast yourself."
A dark smile slowly touched Ningyan’s lips. His fingers lightly traced the rim of the untouched cup before him. "Do you always judge your husband this harshly?"
Rong Yue’s lips twitched, but then every trace of amusement disappeared. His gaze turned grave.
"No," Rong Yue said quietly. "I judge the ones who killed him."
Silence stretched between them.
"You were murdered," Rong Yue continued, the words falling heavily into the room. "...By the phoenixes."
Ningyan froze. His fingers stopped moving, and his pupils trembled, yet he remained silent.
"They tore you away from us," Rong Yue said, leaning forward ever so slightly. "They twisted your memories and resurrected you for their revenge. Believe me or don’t, that choice belongs to you. But do not accuse me... of turning you against your own kin."
The room became deathly still. Ningyan stared at him without blinking.
Then, his hand slowly reached for the untouched cup.
He lifted it, the clear wine reflecting his crimson-black eyes.
"...Killed by my own kin..." he murmured. "...Separated from all of you..."
Without another word, he tilted his head back and drained the entire cup. The fiery wine burned all the way down his throat, and his face immediately scrunched in disgust. "...That’s awful."
Rong Yue smiled.
Bang!
The next instant, Ningyan slammed the empty cup onto the table so hard the entire set rattled. He leaned across the table, one hand planted firmly on the polished wood as his black-red eyes locked onto Rong Yue’s.
"...Congratulations." His lips curled into a dangerous, lethal smile as an oppressive pressure rolled through the room. "You’ve succeeded. I’m provoked."