Transmigration:The Villain Wants A Happy End Without His BeastHusbands-Chapter 96: Power Isn’t For Everyone

As Ningyan ate, he watched Zhao Zihan enter the room with a new set of robes for him.

He had wanted... he still wanted to tell her that he didn’t have any spirit crystal. But it had already been more than a week since he arrived at the inn, and she hadn’t chased him out. He also hadn’t dared to ask her about what was happening outside these walls.

He was afraid of what he would hear.

Bad news is inevitable, he kept telling himself.

Yet he still hadn’t asked.

Zhao Zihan paused mid-step and turned toward him, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

"Are you going to stare holes into my head, or are you finally going to say whatever it is you’re thinking?"

She met his gaze directly.

Ningyan’s eyes widened slightly. He immediately grabbed his cup of water and drank it in one go, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before taking a deep, steadying breath.

"Are you aware of what happened at the Celestial Beast Academy?"

Zhao Zihan let out a slow breath. She placed the new robes neatly on the bed, then walked over and sat across from him.

"They say it’s been shut down," she replied. "All major institutions have been closed ever since a battle broke out there."

Her voice lowered slightly.

"There are whispers that the Abyss Serpent Clan fought Jun Haoxuan. Apparently, they were trying to take something by force. No one knows what it was."

Ningyan’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table.

He pieced it together almost immediately.

Whatever Lan Yunlai had demanded from Jun Haoxuan, he hadn’t handed it over. And so the Lan clan came not only to seize it, but to display the level of their newly gained power.

Zhao Zihan studied Ningyan’s thoughtful expression for a moment before continuing, her tone turning more serious.

"Many beasts are saying that the serpents and others willing to serve them are beginning to use demon tools. Some of those at the top are even cultivating demon qi alongside beast qi."

Ningyan stiffened.

For a brief second, his breathing shook but he controlled himself just as quickly.

"Not every beast can do that," he said quietly. "Not everyone is resilient enough to wield demon qi... or demon tools."

Zhao Zihan nodded, her smile tinged with something somber.

"Yes. There have already been reports of mass deaths. Beasts who tried to use demon tools or cultivate demon qi and failed."

Ningyan’s lips twitched, not quite forming a smile. "Power," he said softly, "isn’t meant for everyone."

Zhao Zihan smiled at him and ruffled his hair playfully as she stood up. Ningyan’s lips twitched into a small, genuine smile as he raised his head to look at her.

"I like you," she said softly, a teasing gleam in her eyes. "I really do."

Ningyan shrugged. "I know you’re helping me because of Yunyi, but I still need to pay you for your services, don’t I?"

Zhao Zihan’s smile deepened. She bent slightly at the waist, placing her hands on her knees, and leaned in closer to him. Ningyan stiffened at the sudden proximity. Her eyes were beautiful, almost hypnotic, and her tone dropped to a sultry whisper.

"There are many ways you could pay for my services, Yan Yan," she murmured.

Ningyan’s nervous laugh escaped him. "I... erm... well, I... I’m not—" he stammered, pointing to her chest and shaking his head.

Her eyes widened, then she straightened slightly, cupping her breasts as if to confirm what he had just said. Ningyan blinked, realizing she was unusually comfortable with him.

He gave her a simple nod.

Zhao Zihan’s expression softened, and she giggled. "I’m sorry, I should have known." Her warmth made Ningyan feel shy, and she leaned in once more, lowering her voice.

"I could set you up with a beast," she whispered. "Honestly, you’ve been stressed the past few days. Every beast needs some pleasure every day, you shouldn’t deprive yourself."

Ningyan nodded in agreement, though his mind wandered. He was far removed from the drama with the male leads; here, he could make his own choices.

Still, he reminded himself, I need to think about what comes next once I leave this inn.

"I thought we were talking about how I should pay for your services, not my pleasure," he said, trying to stay composed.

Zhao Zihan straightened with a small smile. "Yes, of course. I have a pleasure establishment right next door. The biggest and most expensive. We don’t take just any beast. I can set you up for one night... perfection, chosen just for you."

Ningyan blinked rapidly. Was he really about to agree to spend a night in an expensive pleasure establishment just to... pay for Zhao Zihan’s services? He shouldn’t have asked, but judging by the excitement in Zihan’s smile, it felt inevitable.

"I... I don’t think—" he began hesitantly, but Zihan immediately rushed to sit beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder, her eyes shining with pure excitement.

"You don’t have to think hard," she said softly. "Just one night. You’ll gain, I’ll gain, and I promise, I’ll make sure it’s perfect."

Ningyan sighed, his lips twitching into a small, reluctant smile. "Fine."

Zhao Zihan grinned and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. "You’re so beautiful."

Ningyan’s face flushed at the compliment as she rose and walked out of the chamber. He didn’t trust her. Trust wasn’t something he gave lightly anymore but she clearly admired him, and he stood to gain something from this.

Why not? he thought. Why else would I be in a BL novel if I couldn’t... enjoy it?

He closed his eyes, and for a brief, guilty moment, Wuhen’s kneeling figure appeared in his mind, pink lips wrapped around his cock, a coil of heat twisting in his abdomen.

"Do you want more food?" Zihan’s voice suddenly broke through his thoughts as she stepped back into the room, jolting him.

"I... uh... yes... no, no. I’m okay," he stammered, mentally scolding himself for the intrusive image.

"Okay," she said with a smile, about to leave again, when Ningyan quickly called after her. "Wait! Zihan, I—"

He rose to his feet and hurried to her, halting a few steps away.

"Is there any report... about the death of Yan Wuhen? The great divine beast prince?" he asked carefully.

"No," she replied. "None that I’ve heard. And trust me, if a Great Divine Beast dies, everyone hears about it."

Relief flooded Ningyan’s chest. "Thank you."

Zihan smiled and walked away, leaving Ningyan alone with his thoughts. He felt a little less guilty, a little less shameless... though the memory of having his cock in Wuhen’s mouth lingered stubbornly in his mind.