Chapter 39: Ancient Palace BL (XII)

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter

Chapter 39: Ancient Palace BL (XII)

There was no grand farewell ceremony for Xuanyuan Zihao’s departure to the Vermillion Bird Empire. After all, the enemy was only secretly mobilizing troops while eyeing the Xuanyuan Empire like a predator. With the war not actually being waged yet, letting the enemy know about your military movements would be very unwise. Xuanyuan Zihao wanted the enemy to be exposed while his own forces remained hidden. Plus the things he was going to do were not suitable for being publicized. The more low-key he was, the more advantageous it would be for him.

He covered his mouth and coughed harshly several times. Despite being dressed warmly, he still felt a chill in the air.

Xuanyuan Zihao drew in a sharp breath, a shadow flashing across his eyes. Being thrown into the pond by Miao Lichen was definitely the most unpleasant memory of his twenty-something years of life. And the chill and impatience in Miao Lichen’s eyes were things that shouldn’t be used on him.

“Your Highness, how are you feeling?” Nangong Qingyue smiled with pleasure as he recalled the condition this man had in when he had been sent back. It was really something only Miao Lichen would do. When he had the patience, he could spend all his time exchanging pleasantries. But if someone tried to approach him when he was impatient, the result would be exactly what happened to Xuanyuan Zihao.

Someone who appeared every bit the perfect gentleman unexpectedly had a childish streak of willfulness. Rather than finding it annoying, people only wanted to indulge him even more. Nangong Qingyue was also willing to indulge in Miao Lichen’s rare acts of childishness as long as it wasn’t about his health.

Lifting the carriage curtains, a cool breeze entered the cabin and caused Xuanyuan Zihao to shiver. Seemingly oblivious, Nangong Qingyue looked back toward the imperial city as his grip on the curtain tightened until it pained him.

The smile he wore became more sincere as he thought to himself. ‘A’chen, Nan Xin doesn’t know what he wants to do in this unfamiliar space, but I have a goal now.’ Whatever Miao Lichen wanted, Nan Xin would do. Since Miao Lichen wanted to help Xuanyuan Ziying, he would also be his most loyal subject.

“What, did you want Miao Lichen to see you off? Tsk~” Xuanyuan Zihao subtly shifted himself farther from the open curtain and poured himself a hot cup of tea to warm himself. Although several days have passed since the incident, the chill lingered in him. Perhaps it wasn’t just a physical chill. Miao Lichen did not care about him, that was clear from that day.

“He won’t come to see me off, much less you. He hates you. More accurately… he despises you.” Nangong Qingyue lowered the curtain and took out a medical book to carefully read.

Xuanyuan Zihao subconsciously found the tea somewhat bitter. Hatred? No, there hadn’t even been hatred. Miao Lichen’s gaze had been empty and detached; perhaps “disgust” was the better word. What did he feel toward Miao Lichen now? Even if it wasn’t love, it could at least be called affection. He hadn’t wanted to argue with him that day, but that single kiss mark had shattered all of his composure.

∇ Capture Target Xuanyuan Zihao Favorability: 75.

“Xuanyuan Zihao and the rest have left?” Xuanyuan Ziying asked as he stood at the peak of the imperial city despite the fact that no one else was present. Observing the faintly visible army, Xuanyuan Ziying put his hands behind his back with extreme seriousness.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Xuanyuan Zihao will take a secret path into the Vermillion Bird territory to begin the campaign.” There was no one around, but a faint reply was still transmitted through the air. Only Xuanyuan Ziying could hear it.

“You all still haven’t found Miao Lichen?” Xuanyuan Ziying’s tone was almost icy. He hadn’t expected Miao Lichen to leave a letter and head to the front lines on his own. He also didn’t believe Miao Lichen would meet up with Xuanyuan Zihao in a normal way; he suspected he had his own plans. The feeling of being out of control made him anxious, but on the surface he remained calm.

“None of the secret guards can match Mr. Miao in the lightness skill, and with his skills, he shouldn’t encounter any danger. So I have instructed the other guards to wait at the designated battlefield to send a message back as soon as Mr. Miao is found. They will also monitor Xuanyuan Zihao.” The secret guard reported Miao Lichen’s situation first as Xuanyuan Zihao was not a priority at the moment.

“Mhm.” Xuanyuan Ziying responded, indicating he heard. He placed a hand on his chest where the letter lay. Miao Lichen’s handwriting was like himself; it looked gentle and refined but was actually hiding a sharp edge. Even a simple letter of notification somehow sounded like an order when written in Miao Lichen’s hand. It was truly unbelievable that he was once an ordinary musician.

“Return.” Xuanyuan Ziying put down his arm and walked back to his bedroom.

These past few days, Xuanyuan Ziying had kept all his official business in his bedroom. He did it because Miao Lichen’s scent remained here. He had never imagined that after rebirth, he would fall in love with someone again. Before rebirth, he didn’t think he could fall in love. After rebirth, he thought it was even more impossible. Yet he did. He fell in love with a tool he had chosen and could discard at will.

The brush he was using to correct memorials suddenly paused, letting a drop of ink fall onto the memorial and leave a blurry trail. The messy trail stirred his anxiety again and he hastily picked up a piece of paper beside him. He carefully drew on it. Today marks the seventh day since Miao Lichen left alone while Xuanyuan Zihao had only just begun his journey. The thought of three months made him feel empty.

When did he become so vulnerable? Miao Lichen’s existence had changed so much, yet he was grateful for this change. The Xuanyuan Empire did not need such a weak ruler. He was the king and the only king Miao Lichen acknowledged. He smiled faintly as he focused entirely on the memorials.

…

Miao Lichen normally gentle eyes had been deliberately masked with a trace of icy detachment. The scent of perfume drifted through the air as attention focused on him. His red clothes gave him an ethereal, almost otherworldly quality that fascinated the crowd. A red veil hid his face from prying eyes, but the glimpses of his breathtaking beauty could still be seen through the pearly white skin. While beautiful, his overly tall and imposing figure lacked any resemblance to gentleness and deterred anyone from approaching. Despite his height, he was posing as a woman.

He leaned against Luo Qinglan. The prince always had a somewhat pale complexion due to his frequent indulgence in sensual pleasure. His aura wasn’t even as imposing as the “woman” beside him. The generals of Azure Dragon Empire exchanged glances with worry. Their ally this time was the War God of Xuanyuan Empire, yet His Majesty sent such a useless prince to the front lines. Wasn’t he just causing trouble?

“This is the idea you thought of?” Miao Lichen tilted his head, his impatience rearing its head with the overly complicated woman’s attire. His brows furrowed with displeasure along with his lips hidden under the veil.

“There’s no better way than this, is there? Even on the battlefield, a prince who indulges in sensual pleasures can’t do without the company of beauties. Plus, this identity will let you get close to Xuanyuan Zihao without arousing his suspicion.” Prince Luo Qinglan, who had appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself in the eyes of the onlookers, was actually struggling to support Miao Lichen’s body. He didn’t dare to put his hands on Miao Lichen and kept his touch strictly to the bare minimum.

Miao Lichen propped himself up on his arms and his entire body loomed over Luo Qinglan. The flowing skirt concealed their limbs as Miao Lichen used his feet to bind Luo Qinglan. “So, you thought of this for me? This woman’s clothing is very refined. Though preparations were somewhat rushed, it must have taken a lot of effort…”

“I don’t deserve such praise. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to get away so easily.” Luo Qinglan raised his hand, feeling as if he had brought this disaster upon himself. He never expected to encounter such a powerful figure on his way back home. Although he returned in time due to Miao Lichen’s help, he was now tangled in some trouble.

Keeping Miao Lichen by his side meant he could no longer work with Xuanyuan Zihao. This current choice did not align with his previous plans; he had planned to observe longer before choosing a more stable option. But now he had no choice but to gamble everything and hope the Emperor of Xuanyuan Empire wouldn’t disappoint him. But was Miao Lichen really so sure that he could persuade Xuanyuan Ziying to help him seize power?

“It wasn’t praise.” A man being subtly described as resembling a woman… Miao Lichen held Luo Qinglan by the lapel and slowly tightened his grip. He waited until that over made-up face flushed red before releasing. He leaned against Luo Qinglan and narrowed his eyes. His lips moved so slightly that if Luo Qinglan hadn’t been so close to him, he would have never noticed him talking. “Don’t wear so much makeup next time.”

“Mm.” Luo Qinglan sat as stiff and motionless as a statue, but gradually relaxed as he stared at the face next to him. He even tried to make things more comfortable for Miao Lichen. He wrapped an arm around his waist that felt even more slender than a woman’s, and found it hard to imagine that Miao Lichen was actually so strong.

He observed the face that was as pale as his without any makeup and wondered what the Xuanyuan Emperor truly considered Miao Lichen. Even he, who knew nothing of medicine, knew that such pallor was abnormal. The Emperor seemed to care deeply about Miao Lichen, yet sent him to the front line. But this was a logical course of action. Miao Lichen was a weapon he raised to use, otherwise he wouldn’t have given him Heartbreak Sword.

Miao Lichen had never hidden his intentions from Luo Qinglan, so his arrival at the front line to ruin Xuanyuan Zihao’s reputation was clear as day. Thinking back to all the information he had obtained from his investigations, Luo Qinglan shuddered. He was thankful that while he was lecherous, he didn’t leave any romantic attachments behind. Extreme love can turn into extreme hate.

His fingers gently brushed against Miao Lichen’s cheek before withdrawing as though they had been shocked. What was he thinking? How could someone like Miao Lichen ever need another person’s sympathy or pity? Heartbreak Sword… Luo Qinglan sent a thread of his internal energy through Miao Lichen’s body. Miao Lichen’s internal energy was as sharp as a drawn blade. Unlike those who had gained their cultivation through shortcuts, it showed none of the hollow instability of hastily acquired power. Instead, it was exceptionally solid and condensed.

But this sword first harms oneself before it harms others. From the day it was practiced, Miao Lichen was destined to only have three months left to live. With each month, he would have to endure the agony of heartbreak under the full moon and drink human blood as an antidote. This was a forbidden technique in the martial world. He had thought no one would ever practice such a technique, yet he had witnessed it firsthand. This was probably one of the reasons why Luo Qinglan was so unguarded against Miao Lichen. Because he was a man destined to die.

‘If Xuanyuan Zihao knew the truth, he would probably never forget Miao Lichen.’ Luo Qinglan smirked at the thought. The more unattainable something was, the more one would cling to it. Xuanyuan Zihao’s current feelings toward Miao Lichen were not as indifferent as he pretended to be. Perhaps he could use this to his advantage. This could also fulfill Miao Lichen’s wish; to take revenge on Xuanyuan Zihao… and make him regret it for the rest of his life.

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter