Free Web NovelChapter 118: Chapter 118: Saying His Name to Hurt Him
He didn’t let go of her.
Instead, his fingers lightly rested against her back, not forceful, but firm enough to remind her that she couldn’t leave if he didn’t allow it. He studied her quietly, as if memorizing every small reaction she made.
"You look nervous," he said gently.
She tensed. "I’m not."
His smile deepened just a little. "You are."
She bit her lip, clearly uncomfortable. "High Priest... you should let me go."
"Yanshen," he corrected softly. "Call me Yanshen."
She didn’t respond.
Silence fell between them. The air felt heavy, filled with words neither of them spoke. His eyes darkened slightly as he looked at her lowered lashes and trembling fingers.
"You were trying to leave," he said calmly, not accusing, just stating a fact.
Yue Yue’s shoulders stiffened. "I... didn’t want to disturb you."
A pause.
Then he chuckled quietly, a low sound near her ear. "Is that so?"
She didn’t answer.
He leaned back slightly, finally loosening his hold just enough for her to breathe more easily. "Relax," he said. "I won’t eat you."
She looked at him in disbelief.
He raised a brow, clearly amused. "Not now, at least."
Her eyes widened. "High Priest!"
This time, he laughed softly, genuinely entertained. "See? You look more alive now."
She didn’t know whether to be angry or embarrassed.
As she struggled with her thoughts, he reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face. His touch was light, almost reverent.
"Yue Yue," he said quietly, his voice losing its teasing edge. "You’re safe here."
She looked at him, conflicted.
Safe?
With a man like him?
Her heart said one thing. Her fear said another.
And Feng Yanshen watched her silently, his smile gentle, his eyes unreadable...like a calm surface hiding a deep and dangerous abyss beneath.
In the end, Feng Yanshen loosened his hold.
The moment his arm relaxed, Yue Yue did not hesitate even for a second. She slipped out from his grasp quickly, almost desperately, and stumbled to her feet. Her heart was racing, her breathing uneven, but she forced herself to stand straight.
She turned back to face him.
"High Priest," she said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hands. "You are already out of danger now. I should go back."
Feng Yanshen did not interrupt her. He only watched her quietly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Yue Yue clenched her fingers and added, almost deliberately, "My husband and my child must be waiting for me."
The words fell heavily in the room.
She knew exactly what she was doing.
She was drawing a line.
She was reminding him and herself that he could not control her life. That no matter what had happened, she still had a family. A place she belonged to.
Without waiting for his response, she turned around and rushed toward the door. Her steps were hurried, almost unsteady. She didn’t dare to look back. She didn’t want to see his expression.
The door closed behind her with a soft sound.
The room fell silent.
Feng Yanshen remained seated on the bed, his gaze fixed on the place where she had disappeared. Slowly, a low laugh escaped his lips.
He laughed aloud.
But there was no humor in it.
The sound was deep, cold, and restrained, as if it was forced out of his chest. He lifted a hand and ran it through his long hair, combing it back slowly, as if trying to calm something violent and restless inside him.
"Yue Yue," he murmured, his voice low.
His eyes darkened.
"You are truly heartless."
His smile faded for a moment. "Why do you always say their names?" he continued softly. "Do you really have to use them just to anger me?"
The room did not answer him.
A few seconds passed.
Then, slowly, his lips curved again.
This time, the smile was calm. Dangerous.
"But it doesn’t matter," he said lightly, as if he had already come to a conclusion. "They no longer matter to me."
His eyes narrowed slightly, sharp and focused.
"Only you do."
He stood up from the bed, his movements steady and controlled. Whatever emotions had stirred inside him were buried deep beneath his composed exterior. Without another glance at the door, he walked toward the inner chamber to wash up, his expression once again that of the perfect, untouchable high priest.
Yet beneath that calm surface, something had already been decided.
And it was only a matter of time.
Yue Yue ran down the corridor without stopping.
Her steps were fast, her breath uneven. She only wanted to leave that place as soon as possible. Her mind was still a mess, her heart beating too hard, too fast.
Then suddenly...
She stopped.
Her feet froze in place.
Yue Yue slapped her forehead lightly, her face turning pale. "How could I be so foolish..." she whispered under her breath.
She had forgotten something important.
No...the most important thing.
She had stayed in his room all night for a reason. She had endured fear, confusion, and pressure because she wanted to protect Han Soi. She wanted to stop the high priest from punishing him.
And yet, the moment she woke up, the first thing she did was run away.
Her fingers curled tightly.
How could she leave peacefully without confronting him?
If she left like this, what was the point of everything she had done? What if someone instigated him again? What if he ordered punishment for Han Soi while she was gone?
She couldn’t allow that.
Taking a deep breath, Yue Yue turned around sharply and rushed back the way she came. freёwebnovel.com
She pushed open the door to his room without hesitation.
The bed was empty.
Her heart skipped.
She looked around quickly. The room was quiet. There was no sign of him at all.
"High Priest?" she called softly.
No answer.
Her chest tightened. "Feng Yanshen?" she tried again.
Still nothing.
Had he already left?
She hurried out and checked the adjoining rooms one by one. Every room was empty. No trace of him.
Her confusion deepened.
Did I leave for that long?
Just as worry began to rise, she pushed open another door without thinking.
The moment she stepped inside...
Thump.
She crashed straight into something solid.
Her forehead hit a warm, firm chest.
"Ow—!"
She instinctively facepalmed herself, rubbing her forehead while hissing in pain. "Ah... that hurts..."
Only then did she slowly look up.
Her eyes widened.
Feng Yanshen stood right in front of her.
His upper body was bare.
His long hair was loose, slightly damp, resting against his shoulders. His skin was clean and smooth, his muscles firm and well-defined.
There was no robe, no outer garment. Only a pair of loose pants hung low on his waist, looking like they might slip down if he moved even a little.
Yue Yue’s mind went blank.
Her eyes betrayed her completely.
They refused to move away.
Her gaze traveled upward towards his collarbone, his chest, and his shoulders...before stopping at his face. He was looking down at her, calm and composed, as if he had expected this.
Her throat went dry.
She realized she was staring at him...for far too long.
