Chapter 272: The Most Deceitful Ones
Ningyan narrowed his eyes into a glare. "Hmm." He huffed, blowing a stray strand of soft white hair away from his forehead.
Rong Yue watched the subtle defiance with quiet, dark amusement. Then, he raised one hand, his fingertip lightly brushing against Ningyan’s cheek.
Ningyan stilled.
Rong Yue held his violet gaze, his thumb slowly tracing the line of his jaw before drifting toward his lower lip. He pressed against the soft curve lightly, his touch warm against the winter chill.
Ningyan’s eyes narrowed further, but he refused to back away or look down.
Rong Yue’s smile deepened into something low and satisfied. Just as casually as he had approached, he withdrew his hand. "Shall we?"
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and began walking toward the grand carriage.
Ningyan remained standing in the courtyard for a long moment, his fingers twitching at his side as an unwelcome warmth bloomed across his cheeks.
They ended up in another carriage, with Rong Chao and Tang Ruifeng riding ahead while he was left alone with the Tiger beast king and the nine tailed fox.
Yan Wuhen had claimed the window seat, his nine crimson tails swaying lazily behind him. Three had stretched across toward Rong Yue, one draped shamelessly over Rong Yue’s head, while the other two occasionally brushed against his shoulders and ears, deliberately testing his patience.
Rong Yue didn’t even bother pushing them away. He was clearly long accustomed to the fox’s antics.
Ningyan watched the spectacle with a deepening grimace.
Eventually, Wuhen sat back properly. "There don’t seem to be any suspicious movements along the road apart from us."
Ningyan glanced toward Rong Yue. "Are you really going to leave the entire lion beast conflict behind just to come with me?"
"My mother will handle what needs to be handled," Rong Yue replied calmly. "And if she requires assistance, my fathers can take care of the rest."
Ningyan blinked. "Your... fathers?"
"Two fathers." Rong Yue mused, dryly. "The second one is rather new."
Ningyan looked genuinely impressed for half a second before quickly schooling his face into a scowl. "I still don’t like this."
"What is there not to like?"
Wuhen moved before Ningyan could even react. He slid across the bench, invading Ningyan’s personal space without the slightest hesitation. Wrapping a strong arm around his waist, he buried his face against the side of Ningyan’s neck.
Ningyan stiffened.
"There is nothing at all to complain about, Yan’er," Wuhen murmured, his warm breath brushing over his skin and sending a sudden shiver racing down his spine.
"There is nothing at all," his sharp fangs lightly grazed the dark veins creeping along Ningyan’s neck.
Ningyan’s eyes widened. He immediately reached up, caught Wuhen by his hair and yanked his head back. "What do you think you are doing?"
Wuhen looked up at him, those red-and-gold eyes gleaming with mischief. "You might want to tighten your grip, Yan’er."
Ningyan’s face heated at the suggestion. He let go as if burned. "Don’t sit next to me."
"Why?"
"Just... Don’t."
"It’s cold," Wuhen said innocently. "We need each other’s warmth to survive the journey. And your warmth is particularly pleasant." He turned his head toward Rong Yue. "Don’t you think so, Yue’er?"
Rong Yue watched the interaction with quiet, open amusement. "Perhaps. But do not involve me in your shameless shenanigans."
Wuhen looked deeply offended by the accusation. Then, without a word of warning, he wrapped both arms around Ningyan’s waist and pulled him straight onto his lap.
Ningyan’s entire face went scarlet. "Yan Wuhen!"
"But you love my shenanigans," Wuhen whispered into his ear, his grin widening into something downright wicked. "Even the most deceitful ones."
His attention returned immediately to the sensitive column of Ningyan’s neck. He nuzzled the soft skin, his fangs grazing lightly against the pulsing dark veins beneath.
Ningyan’s fingers curled tightly into the fabric of Wuhen’s robes. His brain melting under the sensory overload.
Desperate for an escape, he turned his flushed face toward Rong Yue. "I want to switch carriages."
Rong Yue raised a single golden eyebrow. "Wouldn’t it be highly inappropriate for you to intrude upon another married couple?"
Ningyan glared at him. "It would be better than..."
His words broke into an involuntary, soft gasp. Wuhen had found another sensitive spot along the line of his throat, thoroughly enjoying himself as he nipped and licked at the warm skin.
Ningyan shut his eyes tightly, his chest heaving as he tried to regain his breath. When he opened them again, Rong Yue was still watching them intently. The faint, satisfied curve of his lips told Ningyan everything he needed to know.
The tiger beast was enjoying this far too much.
"Heavens..." Ningyan muttered under his breath, leaning back weakly against Wuhen’s chest.
He wouldn’t be able to resist much longer, not when every touch awakened his mind and his body far too easily.
Wuhen abruptly stopped.
He pulled back slowly, licking his lips as though savoring the lingering warmth on his tongue, though his arms remained firmly wrapped around Ningyan’s waist.
Ningyan blinked several times, looking dazed, flushed, and utterly confused.
Before he could speak, Rong Yue’s tiger ears twitched. His calm expression changed in an instant.
A low, guttural growl echoed from outside, and the carriage jolted to a halt.
Ningyan’s daze vanished completely.
The air had shifted. A rush of aggressive beast qi swept through the wooden walls of the carriage, followed immediately by the heavy sounds of weapons colliding and beasts roaring in the distance.
Rong Yue was already moving, sliding the carriage door open and stepping out into the freezing air.
Wuhen released Ningyan’s waist at once. Ningyan pushed himself upright, slipped out as well.
The moment his boots struck the snow, pure chaos greeted him.
Dozens of lion beast warriors had completely surrounded them. Rong Chao and Tang Ruifeng were already locked in combat, each engaged with several formidable opponents.
Rong Yue moved like a storm, rushing toward his brother. His overwhelming golden aura erupted outward as he swept through the battlefield, easily throwing several heavy lion warriors aside before they could even draw close to Rong Chao.
Ningyan barely had time to assess the surrounding battle before one of the lion beasts noticed him standing near the carriage.
The warrior let out a deafening roar and lunged, his claws gleaming with raw energy.
Ningyan’s eyes darkened instantly. The familiar blackish-red demonic qi began rising beneath his skin, black veins pulsing along his hands.
He was already raising his palm to strike, BOOM!
A blinding torrent of crimson-gold fox fire tore through the snowy battlefield, swallowing the air whole.
The charging lion warrior vanished beneath the blast before he could even scream. When the flames dissipated a second later, nothing remained on the scorched snow but drifting, lifeless ash.
Ningyan slowly turned his head.
Yan Wuhen stood beside him, his nine magnificent tails spreading behind him like burning banners, his red gold flames dancing lazily around his tall frame.
"You don’t need to waste a single breath, Yan’er," he said calmly, his voice smooth and unhurried amid the noise of battle.
Ningyan stared at him, his scowl returning. "I am not some fragile damsel."
Wuhen’s sharp eyes traveled slowly from Ningyan’s face down to his boots and back up again, lingering with unabashed appreciation. The sheer heat in his gaze made Ningyan’s ears burn.
"You definitely aren’t, Yan’er," Wuhen hummed softly.
Ningyan scoffed, immediately turning his head away to hide his flushed cheeks, before channeling his energy. Beside him, Yan Wuhen flashed a wicked grin and leapt into the battle, joining Rong Yue and the others in tearing through the remaining lion beasts.