Chapter 444: Facing It
“Ming Che, since they all want to force me off Central Star, they’ll just keep pulling these petty stunts if I don’t give them what they want. Chen Nan’s family was dragged into this because of me. I have to go rescue them.” Although Ning Xuan had been in seclusion recently and hadn’t been managing her affairs, she had still received plenty of messages on her Light Computer.
The families behind the Elder Council, Starry Sky Academy, and the Star Sky Council had all made moves on her businesses. While Yu Mingche had managed to handle most of the incidents in time, Ning Xuan had still received numerous reports about them.
“Ning Xuan, you can’t. It’s too dangerous.” Yu Mingche shook his head, looking at her determined expression.
“Don’t try to talk me out of it. I have to go. Instead of trying to stop me from leaving Central Star, you should be thinking about how we can use me as bait to safely lure out those hostile forces.” Ning Xuan’s gaze was unwavering as she spoke to Yu Mingche.
Meeting Ning Xuan’s gaze, Yu Mingche fell silent, a helpless and weary expression on his face.
“Tomorrow morning is too soon. Give me some time. Please, leave tonight instead.” A thousand thoughts raced through Yu Mingche’s mind, but seeing that Ning Xuan’s decision was final, he could only try to buy a little more time to prepare.
“Fine. In two months, the baby can be moved into an incubation pod, and will need to stay there for another three. I’ll do my best to be back before they’re born. But until then, you are not to take a single step off Central Star. No matter what news you hear, no matter what happens to me, you are forbidden to leave.” Ning Xuan said sternly, her eyes fixed on Yu Mingche’s abdomen.
Under Ning Xuan’s intense gaze, Yu Mingche rose to his feet, his face pale and grim, saying nothing.
The others in the room, terrified by the atmosphere, had long since dropped to their knees. Chen Nan kept his head bowed low, wishing the ground would swallow him whole.
“Yan Fuzhen…” Ning Xuan called out.
Hearing his name, Yan Fuzhen’s heart sank. He quickly stepped forward. “Present.”
“You will be responsible for Yu Mingche’s personal safety and whereabouts. Ensure he goes nowhere dangerous. Understand?” Ning Xuan commanded.
“Understood,” Yan Fuzhen agreed with resignation.
“Ning Xuan…” Yu Mingche’s face was ashen. Yan Fuzhen had Ying Yaoshi’s forces at his command; if he went with Ning Xuan, it would be an added layer of protection for her.
“Ming Che, your most important task right now is to bring our child safely into this world. I’ve already prepared enough Elixir Pills for you. You and the baby will be fine.” Ning Xuan took the initiative to hug Yu Mingche, comforting him.
“Ning Xuan, let Nine-tailed go with you. He’s your Contracted Slave, too.” Yu Mingche’s gaze shifted to Nine-tailed.
As Yu Mingche’s gaze fell upon him, Nine-tailed immediately prostrated himself on the floor. “I beg for my master’s permission.”
“I’m only taking Di Youlin and Qinghe. Everyone else will be a diversion. The more people I bring, the harder it will be to operate. I have my own plan, so don’t worry.” Ning Xuan had clearly thought this through.
“Contractor…” Chen Nan lifted his head to look at Ning Xuan.
“I’ll have someone pose as you. In any case, I’m the one they’re after. As long as I leave Central Star, your brother and father will be returned safely. You are to stay home and go nowhere.” Ning Xuan told Chen Nan, her expression complicated.
Although Ning Xuan had long planned to leave Central Star and confront those hostile powers head-on, the situation with Chen Nan’s family had forced her to accelerate her timeline.
“Don’t go, Contractor! I’ll go myself! You shouldn’t put yourself in danger for my family.” Chen Nan shook his head, tears streaming down his face. He regretted it. He should never have told her his father had been taken.
“I’d have to face them sooner or later. This has nothing to do with you. Di Youlin, go home for the day. Be back before we depart tomorrow night. Qinghe, you go get ready as well,” Ning Xuan said to the two of them.
“Ming Che, I’m leaving things here in your hands. Nine-tailed, Chen Nan, the two of you take good care of him,” Ning Xuan instructed.
Recently, outside of her secluded Cultivation or Alchemy sessions, Ning Xuan had been constantly by Yu Mingche’s side, even through the night. A mother’s spiritual power is crucial for a fetus’s early development, and Ning Xuan had given him her constant companionship.
Now that the fetus’s development was largely complete, the need for her spiritual power was less urgent. Ning Xuan knew that as long as she left Central Star, Yu Mingche and the child would be protected by everyone. Even those scrambling behind the scenes, desperate to get their hands on her genetic bloodline, would want to see if this child could inherit it. ‘What kind of Companion Spirit will it awaken?’ they would wonder.
However, the circumstances the child would face after birth would depend entirely on the outcome of the showdown between Ning Xuan and the great families at the apex of power.
“Family Head, I’ve just informed General Ying of your intention to leave Central Star. He requests to speak with you.” After the others had left, only Ning Xuan, Yu Mingche, and Yan Fuzhen remained in the conference room. Yan Fuzhen spoke with his head bowed.
Yan Fuzhen was one of Ying Yaoshi’s men, so it was only natural that he would report such a dangerous decision to him.
“Ning Xuan, now is not the time for a showdown. Can you just hold on a little longer?” Ying Yaoshi’s eyes betrayed his suppressed anxiety.
“Yu Mingche, our forces aren’t fully integrated yet! We can’t stand against them right now. Don’t you know that?” Ying Yaoshi demanded of Yu Mingche.
“I know. But they’re the ones who can’t wait any longer,” Yu Mingche replied coolly. “After all, Ying Taihe’s appearance has already broken the balance.”
“The Family Head has made her decision, and I will support her completely. What about you, General Ying?” Yu Mingche looked directly at the uniformed Ying Yaoshi.
“Ning Xuan, if you absolutely must go to Beichen Star, then take Yan Fuzhen with you. He can mobilize all the personnel I have deployed there,” Ying Yaoshi said, turning to Ning Xuan.
“I’m only taking Di Youlin and Qinghe. Just have Yan Fuzhen focus on helping Ming Che. If they think they can catch me, they’ll find it’s not so easy.” Ning Xuan rejected Ying Yaoshi’s offer.