Chapter 130: Suspicion

The water-formed whip in Jin Lin’s hand seemed to come alive as it abruptly changed direction, lashing toward Cang Yan, who stood mid-air!

How dare you bully Xuexue! How dare you, a toad, lust after a swan’s flesh!

As the whip closed in on Cang Yan, its watery form rapidly condensed and separated, transforming from a solid stream into individual droplets.

Cang Yan’s expression turned icy as he raised his palm and struck downward toward Jin Lin and his watery whip. The phantom wolf claws surrounding Cang Yan followed his movement, descending in unison to attack Jin Lin.

The sharp nails on the wolf claws gleamed like blades, radiating a chilling edge in the quiet darkness of the night.

**”Boom!”** A deafening explosion erupted.

The water whip Jin Lin controlled suddenly burst apart, scattering into countless droplets that, in the blink of an eye, solidified into tiny ice blades.

The razor-sharp wolf claws descended in layers from above, while the ice blades formed from the whip surged upward, sealing off every possible escape.

The night wind fluttered the robes of Jin Lin and Cang Yan—one soaring in the sky, the other standing proudly on the ground. The clash of wolf claws and ice blades erupted like a massive firework, dense and overwhelming.

Within mere seconds, both the wolf claws and ice blades dissipated into nothingness. The wind swept past, and the towering trees, the jagged rock formations, the delicate stone tables—everything crumbled into dust and vanished…

Cang Yan landed steadily, his deep blue eyes calm and unreadable as he regarded Jin Lin. **”The night is late. Let us end today’s duel here.”**

**”Not satisfying enough!”** Jin Lin’s voice carried a hint of disappointment. **”We haven’t even determined who’s stronger!”**

**”Only fools fight for momentary glory,”** Cang Yan replied with a cold, mocking smile.

**”Only cowards flee from battle!”** Jin Lin retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

**”Unlike the Dragon King, I have no leisure to spare. Clan affairs await. Do as you please.”**

With that, Cang Yan turned away, making it clear he had no intention of continuing.

Jin Lin glanced up at the moon. *It’s been so long—Feng Zihuang must have finished speaking with Xuexue by now.* The thought rankled him. *Why should I be the one to stall Cang Yan while Feng Zihuang gets to see Xuexue?*

As Cang Yan turned, he leaped into the air, riding the wind toward the direction of the Beast King’s Palace.

—

Yun Qingxue sat calmly before her dressing mirror, the polished bronze surface clearly reflecting the figure that had appeared out of thin air behind her.

She turned and frowned at Cang Yan, who had silently entered her chambers. **”Does the Beast King not find it highly inappropriate to intrude so abruptly into a lady’s private quarters?”**

Cang Yan’s blue eyes swept over the room before he smiled faintly. **”I suddenly found myself missing Qingxue dearly. In my haste to see you, I acted rashly. My apologies.”**

With that, he bowed formally to Yun Qingxue in apology.

*As if I’d believe that excuse!*

Yun Qingxue sighed softly. **”What are you saying, Beast King? The entire Beast Clan is under your rule. You may go wherever you please. It was I who reacted improperly just now. I hope you will not take offense.”**

She dipped into a slight curtsy.

Cang Yan immediately felt uneasy, an inexplicable irritation gnawing at him. The way Yun Qingxue acted now—submissive, like a meek little wife—was something he disliked intensely.

The woman he loved should never have to shrink before him like this!

**”What nonsense are you speaking? You are soon to be my wife. My lands, my possessions—all will be shared with you.”**

With a flick of his sleeve, a gentle force guided Yun Qingxue back to her full height.

Cang Yan frowned slightly, his tone tinged with frustration. **”Tonight was my mistake. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”**

Yun Qingxue smiled faintly, choosing not to press the matter of his sudden intrusion. Instead, she asked, **”Is there something you needed at this late hour, Cang Yan?”**

**”Nothing. I just wanted to see you.”** A faint smile returned to his face, though even he found the words embarrassingly sentimental.

Yun Qingxue lowered her gaze without responding. Had these words been spoken between lovers, they might have been romantic. But coming from him, they only felt awkward and forced, leaving her at a loss for a reply. As a woman, silence in such a situation was only natural.

**”The night is deep. I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”**

Before the silence could grow too stifling, Cang Yan tactfully took his leave. Yet as he turned, a bitter taste lingered in his heart. *Is this how all couples are? Or is it just us?*

Just then, Yun Qingxue suddenly looked up. **”You won’t just appear out of nowhere again, will you?”**

Cang Yan paused mid-step.

He turned back to see her still standing there, nervously biting her lower lip, her eyes shimmering with unease like rippling spring water.

His lips parted slightly, but he found himself at a loss to explain his earlier intrusion. Yet if he left without a word, wouldn’t he forever be branded a scoundrel in the eyes of the woman he loved?

Frowning slightly, he replied in a low, steady voice, **”No, I won’t.”**

Yun Qingxue visibly relaxed.

Cang Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Did her reaction mean she saw him as a *credible* rogue? She was wary of him, yet she also trusted him…

*Trust.* The word lightened his mood somewhat.

**”Rest easy. I promise I won’t barge in like this again—unless under extraordinary circumstances.”**

**”Mm.”** Yun Qingxue nodded, watching as he finally left.

Only when the door to her chambers closed did she exhale deeply. *Cang Yan didn’t appear out of nowhere just because he missed me. He probably wanted to check if I was behaving myself!* She wondered if this sudden “inspection” had eased his suspicions even a little.

—

**”My Lord.”**

The moment Cang Yan stepped out, Qing Yan hurried to his side.

**”Assign more guards to protect the Flower Queen,”** Cang Yan ordered without hesitation.

**”Understood.”** Qing Yan bowed, then frowned slightly. **”Has Your Majesty noticed something amiss?”**

Cang Yan halted, his voice icy. **”No.”**

Qing Yan fell silent, following as Cang Yan walked slowly away. Midway, Cang Yan suddenly stopped and turned to him.

**”What are your orders, My Lord?”** Qing Yan asked respectfully.

**”How does one win a woman’s favor?”** Cang Yan asked.

**”Ah? My Lord, what did you say?”** Qing Yan frowned slightly, as if he hadn’t heard clearly—or perhaps he had but didn’t dare believe it.

Already feeling somewhat embarrassed for asking such a question, Cang Yan’s expression darkened at Qing Yan’s reaction, his gaze turning cold with displeasure.