Chapter 38: Ancient Palace BL (XI)

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter

Chapter 38: Ancient Palace BL (XI)

When Xuanyuan Ziying opened his eyes again, the person by his side had vanished, but he could still faintly feel the warmth remaining on the bed. He covered his eyes with one hand and felt a slight dampness against his palm. It vanished almost instantly as his inner energy evaporated the moisture, leaving him once again looking perfectly composed.

A slight, sarcastic smile formed on his lips. He had truly brought this upon himself. He had been the one to give Miao Lichen the Heartbreak Sword manual, so what use was regretting it now? However, he also understood that Miao Lichen would have never entered his sights without learning Heartbreak Sword. Because he only saw those who were useful to him. Now, the most important thing he could do was to keep Miao Lichen’s condition from worsening.

“Your Majesty, it’s almost time for court.” Miao Lichen entered the room carrying a dark gold dragon robe. Unlike everyone else, who handled the imperial robe with extreme reverence, he simply carried it in one hand. He smiled and greeted as though nothing had happened, which only made him all the more infuriating to look at.

Yes, it was infuriating. Xuanyuan Ziying narrowed his eyes. Aside from his younger brother, it had been a long time since anyone made him feel angry. ‘He clearly knew the state of his own body, yet he still refused to take care of himself.’

A pang of pain pierced Xuanyuan Ziying’s heart. He had never forgotten that even after learning Heartbreak Sword, the most important place in Miao Lichen’s heart still belonged to Xuanyuan Zihao. Revenge and then death, this was probably what Miao Lichen hoped for. Although Miao Lichen had never shown hatred toward Xuanyuan Zihao, if he truly felt nothing, why would he have bothered to learn the Heartbreak Sword?

This person was so close, yet so far. Miao Lichen belonged to Xuanyuan Ziying only in the way a servant belonged to his master. This relationship would have been fine, but he was no longer content with it.

“Dress me.” Xuanyuan Ziying spoke hoarsely. The loss of his internal energy made his complexion exceptionally pale and his steps somewhat unsteady. He looked more like someone who had indulged in excessive sexual activity.

Miao Lichen stepped forward and draped the dragon robe over his shoulders, ensuring no wrinkles formed. His movements were impeccably polite, with not a single unnecessary touch. His focused gaze lingered on every corner of the garment except the wearer’s face.

Xuanyuan Ziying pulled Miao Lichen close and realized Miao Lichen’s eyes weren’t empty like he thought, but held a hint of anger. What did he have to be angry about? He should be the angry one. The fog in his heart suddenly dissipated and the surge of joy shocked him. Miao Lichen’s position in his heart was higher than he expected.

‘Is he angry about yesterday?’

“I only lost sixty years worth of internal energy. As long as I continue practicing martial arts, I will recover quickly.” Xuanyuan Ziying spoke in a noticeably gentler tone that was even a little joyful.

“Your Majesty, please do not forget our identities. You are the king, and you can sacrifice many things for your purpose, but you must never put yourself on the chessboard.” Miao Lichen admonished as he quietly fastened Xuanyuan Ziying’s belt.

“The King is the most important piece on the chessboard, so how could I not be on it?”

Miao Lichen suddenly tightened his grip on Xuanyuan Ziying’s belt and pressed him down against the edge of the bed. The sudden movement caught Xuanyuan Ziying off guard, and he only realized their compromising position when white hair obscured his vision.

Miao Lichen had always been gentle in his presence, so much so that he had never imagined he would be pushed down by him. However, Xuanyuan Ziying showed no displeasure, which was almost unthinkable for an Emperor. At least, he had never thought he would have such a day.

Xuanyuan Ziying picked up some of Miao Lichen’s white hair and spoke with the arrogance of an Emperor, “I am not a king who can be brought down by a mere pawn, you know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

“I won’t allow it.” Miao Lichen trailed his fingers along his neck as he leaned down, their heartbeats audible to each other at such a close distance. But one heartbeat remained perfectly steady while the other one was so chaotic that no pattern could be discerned. “Xuanyuan Ziying, you are the only King I acknowledge. So don’t sacrifice yourself for anyone. Because… it is not worth it.”

Miao Lichen stood up by the bed and bowed, “I apologize for my rudeness, Your Majesty.”

∇ Capture Target Xuanyuan Ziying Favorability: 85.

“So you know you were being rude. I thought my musician had forgotten the proper distinctions between ruler and subject.” Xuanyuan Ziying straightened his robe to try and project an air of authority, but he couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Miao Lichen from head to toe. He would not allow Miao Lichen to die, not then, and not ever.

“Your Majesty, it’s almost time for court.”

Xuanyuan Ziying’s smile froze. He was truly becoming increasingly helpless against Miao Lichen. He probably wouldn’t see him again for quite some time after today’s court session. It would have been better if he were an official and not a musician.

‘But three months…’ he frowned as a bad feeling crept into his heart. He would have his secret guards follow Miao Lichen. He assumed Miao Lichen wouldn’t refuse.

After Xuanyuan Ziying left, Miao Lichen took out a pot of Five Lotus Spring Water from his inventory to rinse the flavor of blood from his mouth. Some things can’t be avoided even if one tries. Doctors are naturally familiar with blood, but he was probably the first doctor forced to drink it. That fishy, astringent taste was not a pleasant memory. But it was the antidote to the Heartbreak Sword.

He knew that his body appeared to be deteriorating as evidenced by his increasingly emaciated frame. But judging from Xunayuan Ziying’s reaction, it was nearing its limits. Miao Lichen smirked as amusement filled him. The game was getting more and more interesting. He hadn’t experienced this feeling of being manipulated by something in the shadows in a long time.

That Lovely System was quite powerful. He wondered how much benefit he would get from these characters he seduced. He also wondered what would happen if he abandoned the missions.

Miao Lichen raised an eyebrow as his smile faded a bit, then became wider. His smile lacked any warmth and was full of razor coldness. If he were to return to the System Space in this state, he might end up cooking that pink egg.

When Xuanyuan Ziying returned to his palace, Miao Lichen had already left, causing all his joy to vanish without a trace. He absently turned the thumb ring on his finger in an irritated mood and drank his slightly cool tea. He couldn’t understand the current Miao Lichen, yet he had fallen in love with the current Miao Lichen. But this person would always remain within his control. Leaning back on the bed to rest, he realized that the loss of his internal energy was more than sixty years.

…

“What, are you surprised to see me here?” Xuanyuan Zihao greeted him as he watched Miao Lichen walk in. His gaze discreetly swept across Miao Lichen’s neck.

Miao Lichen followed his gaze downwards. His clothes were neat and tidy without a strand out of place; although he was a bit pale, he did not believe his appearance would make Xuanyuan Zihao feel pity for him.

“Looks like your life has been quite eventful lately. Not only does my Consort listen to your every word, but now you are even clinging to the Emperor.” Xuanyuan Zihao approached Miao Lichen step by step, his finger tracing the obvious red marks on his neck, something he was all too familiar with. The anger in his heart almost made his eyes red. This should have been his, so why was Xuanyuan Ziying was able to take what should have been his so effortlessly?

“How I live my life is none of your business.” Miao Lichen frowned and stepped back. He placed his fingers on his neck. It was really too easy to leave marks on this body; just some pressure left marks on his skin?

“I will be setting out for the Vermillion Bird campaign in five days.” Xuanyuan Zihao suddenly spoke, completely deviating from the current situation. The anger in his eyes gradually subsided and even his smile carried a hint of relief.

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“This departure may last for an unknown time, shouldn’t you see me off?” Xuanyuan Zihao pulled Miao Lichen into his arms. “You can’t refuse me so easily now. Your cultivation is no longer strong enough to suppress me.”

“Your Highness’s progress indeed surprised me. But…” Miao Lichen’s smile remained unchanged as he placed a hand on Xuanyuan Zihao’s lapel. “I never said I went all out last time.”

A red ribbon suddenly appeared in Miao Lichen’s hand and he deftly used it to bind Xuanyuan Zihao. An ordinary ribbon would not be able to restrain Xuanyuan Zihao who possessed considerable internal energy, but if his pressure points were sealed, that was a different situation.

“Your Highness, do you remember me saying… I really want to see Your Highness covered in whip marks? It’s just that opportunities were rare so I haven’t been able to do so. This chance is perfect though. No one should bother us…”

“You…”

“It’s just a pity that I am not in the mood today.” Miao Lichen lifted the bound Xuanyuan Zihao with one hand and threw him out the window. If his memory served him correctly, there was a lotus pond outside and it was where they had first met. It would be good for the prince to recall how their relationship began.

Miao Lichen closed the window, his previously gloomy mood eased somewhat. He tapped on a table, letting the sound echo in the room before it all plunged back into silence.

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter