Chapter 414: Ning Xuan’s Wicked Taste
Chapter 414: Chapter 414: Ning Xuan’s Wicked Taste
"Thank you, Master." Lan Xin sincerely thanked Ning Xuan upon hearing her promise.
Back at the villa on Qingluan Mountain, Lan Xin was about to go report to Yu Mingche, but Ning Xuan stopped him before he could leave.
"Lan Xin, you’ll be returning to the army after the ceremony is complete. I have some free time these next two days, so you’ll stay with me. I’ll sort out your spiritual power for you again," Ning Xuan said nonchalantly, toying with a strand of blue hair that hung at his side.
Lan Xin’s expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly replied respectfully, "Yes, Master."
Lan Xin and Nine-tailed had come to Ning Xuan’s side together, and the two were on fairly good terms. Lan Xin already knew that Ning Xuan had agreed to take in Nine-tailed. He had assumed that since their master had some free time, she would summon Nine-tailed for her favor, something Nine-tailed was also secretly hoping for.
’Thinking of the order Master just gave,’ Lan Xin thought, ’Nine-tailed is probably going to be disappointed this time.’
"What? What’s that look on your face? Are you unwilling?" Seeing Lan Xin’s pensive expression, Ning Xuan pinched his chin and forced his head up, her displeasure evident.
The moment his chin was pinched, a deep-seated muscle memory sent an involuntary tremor through Lan Xin’s entire body, his fingers curling instinctively. A look of terror filled his sapphire-like eyes. "To be soothed by Master is this slave’s greatest honor. It is only that this slave’s status is low and my bloodline is humble; I dare not be presumptuous in seeking favor."
A slight tremor laced Lan Xin’s voice.
Lan Xin’s Mutant Beast Gene was that of an Ice-winged Blue Snake. Although he had not yet mastered the ability to switch freely between his full Exotic Beast form and his human form, he could still manifest partial beastly features.
’These past few days, Master has seemed very interested in my body,’ he thought. ’Or to be more precise, she’s very interested in my tail.’
’Before, I thought that with Lord Yu Mingche indisposed, Mr. Chen visiting family, and Young Master Lin and Young Master Yun Han still away with the army, Master had no choice but to summon me. But now she’s clearly prepared to take in Nine-tailed, so why does she still want me?’
Ever since she’d first seen Lan Xin in his half-human, half-snake state, Ning Xuan had grown especially fond of exploring this unique form, and she was intensely curious about the snake tail that could transform into a pair of legs.
However, Lan Xin was in his heat cycle during this time, and his tail was an exceptionally sensitive area. Ning Xuan was only concerned with exploring the tail’s peculiarities to satisfy her own curiosity, completely unaware of the immense torment it caused him.
Had it been anyone else, like Lin Mo or Di Youlin, they would have long since found a way to give Ning Xuan feedback on their condition. While Ning Xuan might not have cared about their feelings, she would at least have been aware of the situation.
But Lan Xin had received a slave’s education in obedience since childhood. Before Ning Xuan, he subconsciously followed her every command, never daring to voice any objection.
As a result, Lan Xin had suffered terribly at Ning Xuan’s hands recently. This was precisely why he grew so tense upon hearing her order him to stay in her personal quarters.
Ning Xuan’s senses were sharp, and Lan Xin was not skilled at concealment. Thus, she detected the uncontrollable panic deep within his heart.
"You’re afraid?" Ning Xuan released his chin, her brows furrowing as she questioned him.
Lan Xin hastily prostrated himself, bowing his head low. "This slave only fears I will be unable to bring Master pleasure."
Ning Xuan’s fingertip slid from his jaw down to his Adam’s apple, feeling the skin beneath her touch tighten.
She suddenly let out a cold laugh. "So tense? Do you think I don’t know how to please myself? As a Contracted Slave, serving your master is your fundamental duty. How dare you show a hint of reluctance? I’m starting to doubt whether you learned the rules at the Training Institute at all. If you didn’t, or if you didn’t learn them well, then forget about returning to the army. You might as well go back and learn them again from scratch." Ning Xuan’s voice was glacial.
At her words, a look of profound fear washed over Lan Xin’s face. As if suddenly enlightened, he crawled on his knees over to Ning Xuan’s side, his expression terrified. "Master, this slave knows his error. Please, give this slave a chance to correct his mistake."
"Lan Xin, your most important function by my side is to make me happy," Ning Xuan said, her voice bewitching. "And your reaction just now made me very unhappy."
Of course, Ning Xuan knew what Lan Xin was afraid of. She loved seeing the look on his face when she stirred a tide of passion in him that he was then forced to suppress. She enjoyed watching the agony as he drowned in desire, only to be forcefully denied. It was her cruel little game, and also a test of his obedience. Based on his performance so far, Lan Xin’s obedience was acceptable.
However, once the torment had accumulated to a certain point, Lan Xin had just subconsciously shown a sliver of resistance. Although it was only a fleeting thought, one he would never dare voice, Ning Xuan had detected it all the same.
"Master, this slave truly knows his error. Everything you bestow is a gift. This slave begs for your mercy." As Lan Xin spoke, his body trembled, and a long, scale-covered tail quietly materialized behind him.
He offered the tail to Ning Xuan, biting his lower lip as the corners of his eyes grew moist and red. He called out to her, "Master."
Ning Xuan pulled Lan Xin into her arms. "Putting on such a display in broad daylight... If my husband saw this, I’d have to punish you for the crime of bewitching your master, wouldn’t I?"
When Ning Xuan’s warm palm landed precisely on a particular cool scale on his tail, Lan Xin’s entire body convulsed. His long fingers dug into the nearby tablecloth, and the RUSTLE of scales scraping against the carpet filled the air.
After learning of Ning Xuan’s return, Yu Mingche had brought Nine-tailed to see her. Just as they reached the door, he heard a series of suppressed gasps and knew at once that it was Lan Xin’s voice.
Yu Mingche’s expression flickered. He glanced back at the dejected-looking Nine-tailed, then decided not to enter, waiting quietly outside the door instead.
Ning Xuan knew the moment Yu Mingche arrived. She glanced down at her own immaculate hair and clothes, then calmly told Lan Xin to invite him in.
Though a disheveled mess, Lan Xin had no choice but to obey.
It had to be said that whatever sliver of pride and self-respect Lan Xin had managed to cultivate during his year in the army had been utterly shattered by Ning Xuan in recent days.
"Greetings, Lord Contract Master."
"Greetings, Master." Yu Mingche and Nine-tailed greeted Ning Xuan one after the other. Yu Mingche bowed low from the waist, while Nine-tailed knelt in a full kowtow.
"Both of you, rise. Ming Che, come over and sit," Ning Xuan said to Yu Mingche, pointing to the chair beside her.
"Thank you, Lord Contract Master." Yu Mingche bowed once more before rising to take his seat.
"Ming Che, come look at this! The official certificate for an Alchemy Master." Ning Xuan beamed, eager for praise from Yu Mingche. "I passed the assessment. I’m an official Alchemy Master now! What do you think? Do I make you proud?"
Yu Mingche took the certificate and stood up in astonishment.