Chapter 118: Red Eyes

Su Nanxing heard Tao Ming’s cry and stared at her nervously. He saw a pair of faint red eyes emerging in the center of her forehead, looking incredibly sinister.

Su Nanxing reached out to touch her, but as soon as his hand made contact with Tao Ming’s forehead, he felt a sharp, searing pain, as if he had touched a red-hot branding iron. Enduring the agony, he kept his hand pressed against her forehead and channeled his internal energy, attempting to find the source of those eyes. The eyes seemed to sense his intentions; just as he began his technique, his palm went cold, and the burning sensation vanished.

Su Nanxing pulled his hand away. Tao Ming’s forehead had returned to normal, clean and empty, as if the entire scene had been nothing more than a hallucination. Panic surged within him. Not knowing what had happened to her, he could only hold her quietly and wait for her to wake up.

Before long, Qin Yunjue, Qin Yunqi, and Su Pei emerged from the dungeon with the eleven young women. Seeing Tao Ming asleep in Su Nanxing’s arms, Qin Yunqi and Su Pei led the women away.

Qin Yunjue’s expression was grim. He sat beside Su Nanxing, looked at Tao Ming’s pale face, and asked, "How is Mingming?"

Su Nanxing felt heavy-hearted. He stroked Tao Ming’s forehead and replied, "It was her first time seeing such a scene; she was traumatized and needs a good rest."

Qin Yunjue’s voice carried a hint of resentment. "I told you to stop her. It wouldn’t have been too late to send someone to handle this after she returned to the Imperial City."

"Since she is Ruanruan’s birth mother, she would have to face the reality of death sooner or later." Su Nanxing tightened his hold on Tao Ming and continued, "Those women were at least dressed decently. I was worried Mingming would see them covered in wounds and barely clothed. Fortunately, it was much better than that."

Qin Yunjue produced a treasure pouch and handed it to Su Nanxing. "There were quite a few valuables in the dungeon. Aside from what we gave the women, the rest is for Mingming."

Su Nanxing took the pouch and asked, "How do you plan to handle the aftermath?"

"Those who want to return home will be sent back. Those who don't will be taken to the Qin family's farmland in the suburbs; they will at least have food to eat." Qin Yunjue stood up and added, "Yunqi will return to the Imperial City immediately. The Qin family will handle the rest."

"Leave Ling Qing to me," Su Nanxing said, a surge of rage rising at the thought of him. He wanted nothing more than to tear him to pieces. However, there were still unanswered questions regarding this incident, so Ling Qing could not die just yet.

Qin Yunjue turned Ling Qing over to Su Nanxing and urged, "Take care of Mingming. I’m going to help with the arrangements."

"Rest assured." Su Nanxing also stood up, carrying Tao Ming, and prepared to return to the Temple of the Saintess. Ling Fei was still locked in the bedroom there.

When Su Nanxing stepped into the bedroom of the Temple of the Saintess, he discovered that the containment array he had set up had been broken, and Ling Fei was gone. Su Nanxing softly uttered a single word: "You'an."

A phantom-like black shadow emerged from the shadows in the corner. If one did not look closely, they would never notice it was a person.

You'an spoke with a respectful tone: "Not long after the Master left, the Heavenly Emperor came to the Temple of the Saintess. Seeing only Ling Fei, he demanded to know the whereabouts of the Saintess."

"Ling Fei did not recognize the Heavenly Emperor and attacked him, only to be subdued. The Heavenly Emperor used a soul-searching technique, cursed her as 'useless,' destroyed her body to leave no trace, and left the temple. Fearing exposure, I dared not follow him."

Su Nanxing thought to himself that the Heavenly Emperor had indeed come to the Saint's Temple. Fortunately, Ruanruan had been inside the Star-Shifting Space the whole time. However, those monitoring the Imperial Palace had sent no word. He asked, "Have you found the teleportation array between the Saint's Temple and the Imperial Palace?"

"Not yet," You'an replied cautiously, not daring to lift his head.

Su Nanxing knew it wouldn't be easy to find. If the Heavenly Emperor could evade the surveillance of both the Qin and Su families to reach the temple, he would certainly have done so with great secrecy. After a moment of thought, he said, "Recall everyone except Yaomei. From now on, follow the Young Mistress at all times."

You'an glanced secretly at Tao Ming, thinking to himself: The Young Mistress likes to lift her clothes at every turn; if we follow her every single step, will we have any dignity left? "Master, if I may be so bold, the others all have their own missions. Recalling them now is highly inappropriate."

Su Nanxing looked at the still-sleeping Tao Ming in his arms, his voice cold. "They have dragged this out for too long without a resolution. It is time for them to return and accept their punishment."

You'an dared not say another word and replied respectfully, "Yes, Master. I will send word to them."

...

When Tao Ming woke up, she found herself nestled in Su Nanxing’s arms. He was staring at her without blinking. Seeing that she was awake, Su Nanxing gently stroked her cheek and said softly, "You seem to have had a nightmare."

Tao Ming frowned, puzzled. "Really? I don't remember. Did I pass out?"

Su Nanxing kissed her forehead. "You were just too tired and fell asleep."

Tao Ming sighed. "You don't have to lie to me. How long was I out?"

"Not long, about half an hour."

Tao Ming pulled out a piece of chewing gum and popped it into her mouth. "What about those girls?"

Su Nanxing watched Tao Ming, feeling as though something about her was different, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was upon closer inspection. He replied, "You don't need to worry about that. The three of them will handle it." He then changed the subject. "Ruanruan is probably sleepy. If you don't go back now, she's going to throw a tantrum."

Tao Ming hurried back to the Star-Shifting space with Su Nanxing. As soon as they entered the small building, they saw Ruanruan standing on the coffee table in a fit of anger, while Nuonuo and Su Fang were guarding her on either side, trying to coax her down.

Seeing Tao Ming, Ruanruan put her hands on her hips and said furiously, "Hmph! What’s wrong with you lately? You don't even care about me anymore!"

"Mommy had some things to take care of; it wasn't on purpose." Tao Ming quickly approached, wanting to hold Ruanruan and try her usual tactics.

Ruanruan struggled hard, shouting, "I’ve realized you’ve changed! Back in the day, you weren't like this!"

Tao Ming was a bit dazed. Where did she learn those words? She had never said anything like that!

"And what was I like back in the day?" Tao Ming looked at the pouting Ruanruan, finding her incredibly cute, and tried hard to suppress her laughter.

"Hmph! Where did all those sweet words from back then go?"

Tao Ming pinched Ruanruan’s cheeks—they felt so good—and asked, "What sweet words?"

Ruanruan struggled to push Tao Ming’s hands away, shouting, "Don't pinch me!"

Tao Ming let go, and tears welled up in Ruanruan’s eyes. "Those things about me being your 'little cotton-padded jacket' and your 'little darling'."

Only then did Tao Ming remember that ever since Nuonuo took human form, she had been telling them bedtime stories instead of saying those things. She quickly wiped away Ruanruan’s tears and hugged her to soothe her. "Mommy was wrong. I thought you were a big girl now and wouldn't want to hear those things anymore."

Ruanruan leaned against Tao Ming’s shoulder and said huffily, "Hmph! Ever since Daddy came back, every time it’s bedtime, you lie down next to him and don't sleep with me anymore!"

Tao Ming blushed. She glanced at Su Fang and carried Ruanruan toward the second floor. "My little darling Ruanruan, Mommy will put you two to sleep right now. Nuonuo, come on, it’s time for bed."

As Nuonuo watched Tao Ming disappear around the corner, she looked up at Su Nanxing and whispered, "Daddy, just now, Ruanruan and I both felt our foreheads burning. I think I saw a pair of eyes on Ruanruan’s forehead, but they disappeared very quickly."

Su Nanxing’s heart tightened. He touched Nuonuo’s forehead and asked, "Did Ruanruan see anything?"

"Ruanruan was panicked and crying for Mommy; she didn't notice my situation."

Su Nanxing kissed her. "I understand. Don't tell Mommy for now. Go to sleep."

Nuonuo replied with a soft "mhm" and ran upstairs.