The Yao Emperor and His Human Doctor.

Chapter 29 - Suspicions.

When the shadow fell apart, the talismans began to disintegrate one by one. There was no longer a reason for them to maintain the formation without something to hold on to, and Su Ning realized that they were all safe for now. He went to take a look at the owl yao, who despite the several open wounds, were not fatal.

Qiang Yong took a few steps towards the doctor crouching near the owl. An Shu feared this move, after what the shadow said, the Emperor might actually start to see Su Ning as a threat, so he stood right behind his master. Su Ning stood up.
"Thank you for coming to rescue me, Emperor."

He thanked her sincerely. Qiang Yong's gaze was gloomy as he was still meditating on the shadow's words, but all he said was, "You made a screening talisman at the last minute? I believe my mother will never beat you at go."
The doctor was amazed at first, then laughed heartily. "It's too early for your majesty to say that. With the tenacity she has, I'd say this day is near."

Qiang Yong observed the trap also devised by the doctor. "I also hope I never have to face you one day."
The doctor shook his head, smiling, he pulled the owl to carry him on his shoulder, counting on An Shu's help. "The Emperor doesn't have to worry about that. I will never be your enemy as long as you continue as you are."

Qiang Yong was caught off guard by this answer and asked without thinking, "And what am I like?"
"Fair." Su Ning responded immediately. Their eyes met. Qiang Yong was in an internal conflict. There was no lie in Su Ning's eyes, but to the Emperor he was a human and would never be worthy of his trust. Especially now that the shadow seemed to know him so well.

The dragon reached out unconsciously, for a moment it looked like he was going to touch the doctor's face. However, he dodged at the last moment and caught the owl by the collar of his robe. It then transformed into its draconic form.
"Let's go back, go up." He spoke without emotion. He remembered the bet with Ren Loo.

He had definitely lost after all there had been no rumor that a human had ridden on the back of a dragon until now. An Shu returned to the size of a small snake and wrapped himself around Su Ning's shoulder and Su Ning just thanked him and climbed up obediently. Qiang Yong thought he would be embarrassed carrying a human, but after Su Ning climbed up and he felt the contact with his hands, his mind immediately went blank.

He kept rambling about the strange sensation that the touch of the doctor's cold hands left on his back. He held it firmly but without squeezing or hurting it. On the other hand, Qiang Yong noticed that the fabric of his clothes were a bit rough for such thin and white skin.
This person should wear something thinner, he thought as he analyzed the other's physical condition.

They landed on one of the landings of the Yao Medical Sect and Su Ning quickly descended before anyone saw them. Deep down he didn't want to abuse the dragon's favors and he knew it wasn't good for the Emperor to come transporting someone insignificant like him. Qiang Yong returned to his human form, the moment Lang Ko, sensing their presence, went to meet him, along with the guards.

They were about to arrest the owl yao when Su Ning intervened:
"Don't even bother arresting him, he was being manipulated by the Shadow Theater technique, he won't remember anything... better take him to the infirmary."
Lang Ko stared at them in amazement and then nodded. "Take him to the infirmary then."

The doctor turned to Su Ning and examined the marks on his wrist, letting out a sigh.
"I'm sorry doctor, it was my mistake. I slacked on the security, let's put some ointment on it."
The doctor reassured him, yet Lang Ko still insisted on evaluating him personally. Seeing that everything was fine, Su Ning could go back to his room and rest for the rest of the night.

He didn't show it but he was so tired that he passed out on the bed as soon as he lay down. Qiang Yong entered moments later. As a precaution, he decided to stay on guard without telling the doctor. He didn't need his consent anyway. The way the latter was, he wouldn't allow anyone else to lose sleep over him.

An Shu was also willing to secretly watch Su Ning, but curled up under a cushion on the couch to disguise that he was going to sleep, he ended up falling asleep. He didn't even notice Qiang Yong sneaking into the room. He was another who was overcome by exhaustion.

He sat next to the bed and watched the doctor sleeping soundly, his breathing silent under his slowly rising and falling chest. He raised his hand to brush aside a strand of hair that had fallen over the sleeping person's face and paused for a moment, feeling the fine, soft texture of the bluish-black strand. He remembered when the Empress asked to touch a lock of the doctor's hair. Since then he couldn't stop to think about it, to experience for himself what it felt like.

Thinking back, there were many things about the doctor that he couldn't help but think about. The shadow wanted something that only he knew or could do. And it was something that could harm him.
I hope A-Yong doesn't kill you to avoid trouble. He dared to call him so intimately! Was he also known to him or was it just a tease? The Emperor bit his finger, irritated. Even if he tried, he wouldn't even be able to doze off with so many ideas buzzing in his mind.

He recalled every moment of the night. Su Ning said that the yao used the Shadow Theater technique, a less widespread technique that consisted of implanting a slave shadow that, when possessing the victim, took all control of the mind and body in a very efficient way. The owl yao actually didn't remember anything, his last memory was of being summoned to the jury. Few people knew about this spell, moreover, the Blood Contract technique was also another very little known spell that had been out of use for many years.

Both were known to Dr. Su. How did he know so many forbidden and hidden teachings? Perhaps the yao's advice was the best thing to do, get rid of the human while there was still time.
I could do that now. Qiang Yong extended his claw-like hand towards the doctor's bare neck.

He stopped his hand on the smooth curve of his neck and traced it with the tip of his claw, from behind his ear to the pearl protruding from his neck. The dragon almost felt an instinct to bite and tear the flesh of that defenseless and unprotected region. It was as if a dark force instigated a desire to devour that person and make him his. The Emperor bit his lip hard, if he did that, even with all these justifications, his mother would be very sad.

Worse, she would be disappointed in him later. He remembered what the doctor had said a little earlier that night and felt his throat close up. I will never be your enemy as long as you remain the way you are.
Qiang Yong returned to staring at the doctor's calm and closed eyelids. So he looked so helpless...

And you still pursue that idiotic ideal of not taking any lives?
This person could certainly take many lives, but he didn't, how could he take his life so easily?? Qiang Yong put these thoughts out of his mind once and for all and his heart calmed down. In the back of his mind he still heard his voice repeat: And what am I?
Fair.

Author's Note

Wow, things got hot! At least Qiang Yong decided to give the doctor the benefit of the doubt. Keep it up, Emperor, and maybe you'll get something more from Dr. Su. 😁