Ash Riya: All She Could Have Was Ningwei

Ash Riya arrived in Hangcheng.

This time, she had brought no guards. Given her position, she lacked no means of saving her own life.

After leaving the airport, Ash Riya moved through the shadows without drawing any attention. With a single glance, she detected Mu Ningwei's aura.

He was leaning against a sleek silver sedan.

Mu Ningwei spotted Ash Riya amid the crowd as well.

Their eyes met.

Ash Riya smiled first and walked over to Mu Ningwei.

"Your aura has grown much stronger, and you seem more mature too. Have you been doing well lately?"

Mu Ningwei smiled. "Very well. And congratulations on reaching the second level of the high tier in the Shadow Element."

Great!

Ningwei wasn't being cold toward me!

Ash Riya was delighted. She felt that as long as she admitted her mistake, she could ask Mu Ningwei to return with her.

But should she apologize now?

Or should she follow the plan and bring him back in grand fashion after becoming the Goddess?

"Get in."

Mu Ningwei said.

"Mm."

Ash Riya headed for the passenger seat, opened the door, and met Mu Nujiao's eyes.

Both of them froze.

Ash Riya's smile became somewhat strained. "Ningwei, who is she?"

All her attention had been on Mu Ningwei. Why was Mu Nujiao sitting in the passenger seat?!

Yes, Ash Riya knew Mu Nujiao.

Not only her, but also her younger sister Mu Nuxin. Their files had been kept in the private archives of the Saintess Hall.

These two little sluts were the ones who had seduced her Ningwei...

"Hello, I'm Brother Ningwei's younger sister, Mu Nujiao."

Mu Nujiao greeted her politely, curiously studying the beautiful woman.

So she was Brother Ningwei's old friend?

So she's only his sister?

Ash Riya immediately put on an impeccably warm smile. "Hello, little sister Nu Jiao. I'm Ash Riya."

Bang.

The car door closed. Ash Riya went to the back seat, leaving Mu Nujiao staring blankly.

Ash Riya?

The First Saintess who had an emotional entanglement with Brother Ningwei?

What old friend? She was clearly an old lover!

No, that wasn't the kind of person Brother Ningwei was. If he wanted to fool around, why would he bring me along?

Mu Nujiao realized what her mission was.

Ash Riya must have regretted everything and wanted to get back together.

Brother Ningwei wanted her here to make Ash Riya give up on that idea!

Hmph, a bad woman who had deceived Brother Ningwei's feelings thought he would obediently get back together with her after a few nice words?

What did she take Brother Ningwei for?

From the back seat, Ash Riya smiled and showed her goodwill. "Ningwei, your sister is very beautiful."

"Yes, Brother Ningwei likes me very much."

Mu Nujiao wrapped her arms around Mu Ningwei's waist, affectionately resting her head against his shoulder. She turned to Ash Riya with one brow slightly raised.

Point-blank ultimate move!

Ash Riya's smile instantly froze. A chill flashed through her eyes, but she spoke gently with a smile.

"Ningwei, you and your sister have such a wonderful relationship."

"Yes, we're getting married next year. Ash Riya, would you like to be our bridesmaid?"

Dancing in a minefield!

Ash Riya's smile vanished. She took a deep breath and clenched her fists. "Ningwei, is that true?"

Mu Ningwei rubbed Mu Nujiao's head, signaling for his little girlfriend to tone down her aggression.

"No, Nu Jiao and I aren't engaged yet."

Ash Riya breathed a sigh of relief and roughly understood.

Mu Nujiao disliked her, so she was messing with her.

Ash Riya could understand that. After all, she had done something like that...

Mu Ningwei continued, "But if Nu Jiao is willing, getting married next year would be fine too."

Ash Riya: "..."

Like a victorious white goose, Mu Nujiao raised her fair neck and released Mu Ningwei.

There was no longer any need to declare her claim through intimate contact.

Ash Riya had been utterly defeated.

"...Aren't you brother and sister?"

Ash Riya's eyes reddened. She clenched her fists hard, making one last desperate struggle.

"Our blood relation is more than ten generations removed. It doesn't matter."

Then what about me?

Ash Riya closed her eyes and did not ask the question. Without saying a word, she leaned back in her seat, her mind blank.

Through the rearview mirror, Mu Nujiao saw silent tears running down Ash Riya's beautiful face and felt somewhat sorry for her.

But who told her to hurt Brother Ningwei?

She had brought this upon herself!

Mu Ningwei thought the same and did not comfort her.

Some things, once missed, were simply missed.

Ash Riya had changed in the end. She was no longer the girl she had been as a child.

Mu Ningwei had already begun a new life.

Two adorable girlfriends, Mu Nujiao and Mu Nuxin.

His first woman, Blue Bat.

The Mu Clan, which fully supported him.

And the relationships he had already built with Leng Qing, Mu Ningxue, Mo Fan, and the others.

Mu Ningwei would not abandon them and return to Parthenon with Ash Riya.

The car drove on in silence.

Until, at a certain moment, Mu Ningwei's gaze turned slightly cold.

He sensed several unpleasant, corrupted auras approaching.

Black Pepper Court?

Under normal circumstances, Mu Ningwei would not mind playing with them. But not now.

Just as Mu Ningwei was about to notify Fei Yi—

"Take care of them."

Ash Riya opened her dim eyes. "Don't let them disturb the time Ningwei and I are having together."

A Shadowkin Elder emerged from her shadow, then quickly vanished again.

Mu Ningwei was somewhat surprised. As he sensed those corrupted auras disappearing one after another, he looked at Ash Riya in astonishment.

"When did you subdue a Shadowkin Elder?"

Ash Riya said softly, "Before the Golden Knight selection. I originally intended to give it to you as a gift, and as compensation as well. It's just that..."

What happened afterward was beyond Ash Riya's expectations.

Ash Riya did not want to discuss the subject. When the Shadowkin Elder returned, she gave Mu Nujiao a faint glance.

"I thought they were targeting me. I didn't expect they had come after her."

"Those people were executioners under Nine Infants, the red-clad cardinal of Black Pepper Court. They wanted to kill Mu Nujiao in front of you or kidnap her, using her as the first move in recruiting you and as a test of you."

"Sending only seven High-level Mages... Nine Infants really looked down on you."

Mu Nujiao blinked.

So what exactly had happened?

They had been attacked by Black Pepper Court just now?

Mu Ningwei shook his head. "I could have handled it. You didn't need to act."

Ash Riya looked out the window and spoke softly. "I want to protect you, not be protected by you."

"Promise me. Give me a few years, and I'll deliver an answer that satisfies you. Before then, don't get involved with those women just to provoke me, all right?"

Mu Nujiao sneered. "Hah, woman, keep dreaming, all right?"

Mu Ningwei shook his head. "You said it too late."

He had already become a real man half a year ago.

Mu Ningwei would take responsibility.

Ash Riya looked sorrowful.

Perhaps if she had sincerely apologized from the beginning, she could have kept Mu Ningwei.

But she truly wanted to become a protector, rather than the one being protected.

Was I too late?

Have you already decided not to forgive me, or is it because she exists?

If that's the case, don't blame me for forcing your hand.

Although offering up our first time like this isn't what I wanted. But with your personality, perhaps this is the only way to make you wait for me.

Ash Riya glanced at Mu Nujiao. A restrained gloom darkened her eyes before quickly fading away.

Mu Nujiao still looked so inexperienced. She probably had not yet received Mu Ningwei's affection.

Ash Riya understood Mu Ningwei. He was probably waiting for the wedding, or for Mu Nujiao to ask for it herself.

Mu Nujiao's shyness gave her one final opportunity.

Ash Riya lowered her head, twirling a lock of hair around her fair fingers as she spoke softly.

"In that case, can you take a walk with me this afternoon? Just the two of us."

"Let it be... a final break between us."

Mu Ningwei neither agreed nor refused. "Nu Jiao, what do you think?"

Ash Riya bit her lip.

Mu Nujiao considered it for a moment. "I trust Brother Ningwei. You want to clear things up with her too, right?"

Mu Ningwei smiled gently. "Thank you."

"Fine, Ash Riya. After lunch, I'll take you out for a walk."

Thanks to readers "l.4-5.7," "The Dream Has Yet to Wake," "ordin," and "Reader 20240612202076" for their monthly ticket support!

Today's bonus chapter is complete!

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