Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 77: This Can’t Be Good

"I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be saying that out loud." Ningyan let out a strangled sound, his breath hitching but he still smiled thinly.

"I offered to help you." Wuyin’s grip tightened as he growled between his teeth. "You refused me. Then, you ruined..."

"You’re the dumbest beast I’ve ever met," Ningyan rasped. "First, you announce that I’m the reason Wuhen didn’t die by your poison." His voice thinned, strained but steady. "Second, you’re choking me. Aren’t you surprised he hasn’t killed you yet?"

Wuyin’s crimson eyes burned. "Shut up!"

But Ningyan didn’t.

Even as his vision blurred, he forced the words out. "How long has it been? He doesn’t speak to you anymore. Doesn’t that fill you with dread?" His lips curved faintly despite the pain. "You tried to murder your own family. And you know how ruthless Wuhen is. We all do."

He sucked in a sharp, painful breath. "I admire your courage, for staying here and alive this long."

"I said shut up!" Wuyin roared.

He flung Ningyan away and a violent crimson wave erupted from his body, surging forward.

However, Ningyan stopped coughing abruptly. And two translucent wings burst from his back, unfurling in a flash of white-gold light. The energy slammed into them and dispersed harmlessly, rippling the air but leaving Ningyan untouched.

The room went still.

Wuyin stared. "...Impressive."

Ningyan straightened slowly, rubbing his throat. "You are dumb."

Wuyin lifted his hand, fury twisting his features. "You..." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Now what, exactly, is going on here?"

A familiar voice cut through the tension like a blade.

Qinghe stepped inside, elegant and unhurried, Lanyin at her side. Her nine tails swayed gently as her sharp gaze swept the room then landed on Wuyin.

He immediately stepped back, smoothing his expression. "My apologies, Qinghe. The whore provoked me."

Ningyan scoffed openly.

Qinghe’s gaze snapped to Ningyan, irritation flickering. "Why are you provoking my cousin?" She asked. "Do you think—"

"He thinks he has authority over me," Wuyin interrupted smugly, lifting his chin, "because he believes Wuhen will keep him at his side for a long time."

Ningyan clenched his fists, white-gold light stirring beneath his skin as he met Wuyin’s glare without flinching.

However, Qinghe spoke first. "Yan Wuyin?"

Wuyin turned to her instantly, relief flickering across his face. "Yes, cousin?"

Qinghe raised her hand.

Red-gold light bloomed between her fingers, stretching outward like liquid silk before snapping tight around Wuyin’s body. The bindings wrapped him completely, freezing him mid-breath, locking him upright and immobile.

Her glare was cold, absolute like he was something insignificant she’d scraped off her shoe.

"Do not interrupt me ever again."

Wuyin struggled, his muscles straining uselessly against the bindings. "Why are you—"

"The only reason Wuhen hasn’t killed you for your atrocities," Qinghe cut in calmly, "is because my father ordered him not to."

She stepped closer. "He does not want internal war. It would weaken us." Her eyes narrowed. "Do not mistake restraint for mercy."

She reached him, her claws sharpening with a soft, lethal sound, and seized his jaw. Her claws sank into his skin without hesitation. Blood welled and spilled down his chin as his teeth clenched in a silent snarl.

"And even if he exercises restraint," she continued, voice smooth, "I do not."

She leaned in slightly. "Why did you try to kill him?" Her grip tightened. "Poison. How cowardly."

Wuyin growled, his body jerking in futile spasms.

"You’ve always been jealous," Qinghe went on. "You want to rule. You want to be the next Yan everyone whispers about." Her lips curled. "But you’re insignificant, Wuyin, you always have been."

She twisted her hand just enough to draw more blood. "And now you’ve tried to harm his lover as well."

She released him, wiping her claws clean. Then she turned.

Ningyan was watching her with an almost innocent expression.

Her eyes narrowed. "I thought you were getting stronger."

Ningyan stiffened. "I—I am?"

"I don’t see it." Qinghe’s gaze was sharp, measuring. "If you are not strong enough, you are not worthy of my brother." She tilted her head. "I granted you my approval when I heard you repaired your core. But if I ever see you being beaten down by insignificance—"

Her smile was thin.

"I will beat you down myself. Is that clear?"

Ningyan’s mouth went dry.

He glanced at Lanyin. She gave him a small, solemn nod.

Ningyan turned back, straightening. "...Yes, Your Highness."

Qinghe didn’t look satisfied, but she turned away. With a flick of her hand, the bindings loosened and dissolved.

Wuyin staggered upright, tails flaring briefly before he forced himself to compose his expression. He cleared his throat.

"My apologies for causing a scene," he said stiffly. "I was merely asking for Wuhen."

Qinghe’s gaze slid back to him.

"And why," she asked, "would you be looking for him?"

"I received a scroll from Lan Tianheng," Wuyin said stiffly. "Addressed to Wuhen."

At the sound of Lan, Ningyan stiffened.

"Give it to me," Qinghe said simply.

Wuyin hesitated, jaw tightening, before slowly pulling the scroll from his robes. He handed it over.

Qinghe snatched it from his grip and gave him a look of pure disapproval. "When, exactly, were you planning to return home?"

Wuyin froze. "I don’t think—"

A vicious smile spread across Qinghe’s lips.

Ningyan knew that smile. Wuhen always smiled like that.

"You’re ashamed." Her eyes gleamed. "Ashamed of being branded the cousin who tried to poison the clan heir and failed. Too bad. If Wuhen had died, I would have taken over myself."

She tilted her head, voice almost pleasant. "And then I would have killed you. Devoured that bland little heart of yours."

Wuyin’s lips pressed together, veins standing out along his neck. He looked seconds away from screaming, from snapping.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he bowed deeply.

Then he turned and walked away without another word.

Ningyan exhaled quietly, taking that as his cue to leave as well. He took a step and a red gold, glass-like barrier snapped into place in front of him.

He stopped.

Letting out a slow breath, Ningyan turned back.

"Where are you heading?" Qinghe asked.

"To have dinner with my family."

"Oh." She nodded. "That’s wonderful."

Lanyin stepped closer, frowning slightly. "Lan Tianheng is one of Lan Yunlai’s brothers. Why is he in the academy and why is he sending Wuhen a letter?"

Ningyan moved toward them instinctively. "This can’t be good."

Qinghe glanced at him. "You don’t think the Lans are stupid enough to bring up what happened in Sunland to Wuhen, do you?"

Ningyan blinked, surprised she’d asked him. "I... don’t know."