Ningyan didn't return to the Azure Dragon Clan immediately. Instead, he brought the children to an inn within the Water City, somewhere quiet, somewhere safe, for now.
Shen Taiyu remained behind at Yishu's manor, taking control of the aftermath and searching for any remaining demon tools.
Ningyan didn't argue. His focus was elsewhere. On the children.
Hai Miao, Yue Mian, and Zhi Ruo. The three small figures, now clean, dressed in soft robes, but still huddled together in sleep as if nothing had changed. As if safety was something temporary.... Something fragile.
Yue Mian, the eldest, lay closest to the wall, her small frame curled protectively. Zhi Ruo clung to her side, while Hai Miao pressed close on the other end, his grip tight even in sleep.
Ningyan sat beside the bed, watching them in silence. His chest felt heavy.
They were safe now. But it didn't feel like enough. Not after what had already been taken from them.
Hai Miao had already lost his parents and now this.
