Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 39: A Replacement?

Su Ningyan lay on his stomach, jaw pressed into the pillow, fingers absently turning the flute over and over.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t push tonight out of his mind.

Six hours had passed since the battle ended. Six hours since he’d chosen to return to Yan Wuhen’s manor, alive, somehow, just to sit with the weight of it all.

He could have died.

That truth settled heavily in his chest.

To the dragons, he had been nothing more than an insect. Easily crushed. Easily ignored. And not just to them, to everyone.

I’m still too weak.

There was no demonic qi to cheat his way forward. No shortcuts. And unlike others, he hadn’t been cultivating since childhood.

If he wanted strength, he would have to crawl toward it.

Slowly.

He set the flute aside and closed his eyes.

Lightning split the heavens behind his lids.

Two dragons dropped from the sky like lifeless dolls.

His breath hitched.

Jun Haoxuan...

There was no doubt in his mind. Lightning and fire were the Azure Dragon prince’s domain. And that strike had been clean, merciless.

Ningyan sat up abruptly.

Cross-legged on the bed, he formed a seal with his hands. White-gold spiritual energy gathered between his palms, faint but steady, pressure humming softly as it wrapped around his beast core. His eyes glowed faintly as he focused.

Second stage.

He pushed. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Nothing.

His brow furrowed. His breathing grew uneven. He pushed harder.

Still nothing.

"Damn it."

His eyes flew open. In a surge of frustration, he grabbed the flute and flung it across the room. It struck the wall with a dull thud, unharmed.

Ningyan dragged a hand through his hair, chest heaving.

After a moment, he stood and crossed the room, picking the flute up carefully. He stared at it for a long second, expression unreadable, before turning and leaving the chamber barefoot.

The halls were silent.

When he reached the familiar balcony, the one he often used to climb onto the roof, he stopped.

Yan Wuyin sat there.

His nine tails were loose, swaying lazily behind him as he gazed into the night.

Ningyan bit his lip and turned away without a word.

He didn’t notice when Wuyin’s ears twitched. Or when the fox turned his head to watch him leave.

Sleep refused to come.

Ningyan wandered the manor for hours, his body sore, mind restless. Yan Wuhen still hadn’t returned from the Azure Dragon manor, and the absence only made the night heavier.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

He returned to the chamber, collapsed onto the bed, and forced his eyes shut. The image of lightning still burning behind them.

When Ningyan woke, it was already morning.

Warmth surrounded him. Too much warmth.

His eyes flew open.

Yan Wuhen lay in front of him, arms wrapped securely around his body, face buried against the curve of Ningyan’s neck.

Their legs were tangled. Ningyan was pressed flush against him. Close enough that one of his hands rested instinctively against Wuhen’s chest.

His breath caught.

"Are you awake, Yan’er?"

Wuhen’s voice was low and rough with sleep, the sound sending an unwelcome shiver through Ningyan’s spine.

"Yes," Ningyan muttered.

"You’re coming with me to the event tonight."

Ningyan stiffened. "I don’t—"

Wuhen’s arms tightened. Not painfully. Just enough.

The words died in Ningyan’s throat.

"It’s not a request," the prince said calmly.

Ningyan forced himself to breathe. "Why would you want a weakling like me at a gathering like that?"

There was a brief silence.

Then...

"You’re coming with me as my lover," Wuhen said, "not as a weakling."

Ningyan scoffed. "I’m not your lover."

"That hurts," Wuhen replied, clearly amused.

"And won’t I ruin your reputation?" Ningyan pressed.

Instead of answering, Wuhen shifted slightly. His face lifted from Ningyan’s neck.

"I found a fresh injury on your shoulder," he said. "Did you go out last night?"

"Two dragons were fighting to the death," Ningyan said flatly. "Forgive me for wanting to see something epic."

Wuhen scoffed softly, then leaned in, red-gold eyes studying him closely.

"You need to be careful."

Ningyan frowned. "Then tell me the truth. You didn’t mention this all week, and suddenly I’m attending as your ’lover’ on the day of the event? It makes no sense."

Wuhen blinked, as if genuinely considering his words.

Then he released Ningyan.

He sat up and rose from the bed, nine tails swaying behind him as he turned away.

Ningyan stared at his back. "What’s going on in that twisted brain of yours? Planning to sell me to the dragons?"

That earned a grin.

"Why would I sell you to those overgrown snakes?"

Ningyan narrowed his eyes. "Don’t lie to me. If you really want us to be lovers..."

His voice dropped. "...there shouldn’t be any secrets."

That seemed to please Yan Wuhen.

"There’s a small rumor," He smiled, "that Jun Haoxuan is keeping a slave."

Ningyan froze.

"A phoenix. Just like you."

"What?"

"I need you at the festival tonight," Wuhen continued calmly. "If you appear beside me as my lover, Haoxuan won’t be able to resist reacting. He’ll expose who that phoenix is."

Ningyan stared at him, disbelief crashing through his chest.

"A phoenix," he repeated hoarsely. "A slave...?"

His mind reeled.

Then he let out a sharp, incredulous laugh, rubbing his face and dragging his fingers through his hair.

"So once you get this phoenix," he said, voice edged with bitterness, "you’ll replace me?"

Yan Wuhen stopped smiling.

He looked at Ningyan as if the question itself offended him.

In two strides, he was back at the bed. He climbed onto it, caught Ningyan’s ankles, and forced his legs apart just enough to settle himself between them.

Ningyan sucked in a breath. "Wuhen—"

"No one replaces you," Wuhen said quietly.

His gaze was unwavering.

"No one."

Ningyan swallowed. "Then why do you need this phoenix?"

Wuhen’s arm slid around Ningyan’s waist, pulling him closer. He leaned forward, resting his face there against his morning wood.

Heat rushed to Ningyan’s face. He grabbed a fistful of Wuhen’s hair and yanked his head up.

"Stop trying to distract me."

Wuhen grinned, canines flashing. "Phoenixes are rare, Yan’er."

His tone turned colder.

"Some would kill it. Some would cage it. Some would breed it."

Ningyan stiffened.

"I’m different," Wuhen continued. "I want to retrieve it so you won’t be alone. You need your own kind near you. Always."

Ningyan stared at him, stunned.

"I... I used to have my father," he murmured. "But he never acknowledged my existence."

Wuhen’s expression dulled instantly.

"If that phoenix refuses to acknowledge you," he said flatly, "I’ll dispose of it."

Ningyan’s heart skipped.

Then Wuhen smiled again, as if he hadn’t just spoken something lethal.

Ningyan exhaled slowly, defeated. "...Fine."