Chapter 38 - 1#

Confrontation Alternating hot and cold violence to train the dog#

A sudden wild wind rose, and dark clouds churned.

In the small bedroom, Yan Zhi stood on the couch, level with Xiao Cuan, even slightly taller than him.

Xiao Cuan held his face in both hands, pulling him forcefully towards himself. He tilted his head slightly, breathing heavily, and kissed his lips fiercely, biting down hard on his lip petals.

He had waited outside for so long and endured for so long, all for this moment!

Earlier at the town entrance, there were mountains everywhere, and he was afraid Yan Zhi would fly away, causing all his efforts to go to waste.

At Chu Yu’s house, an outsider was present, and he feared Yan Zhi would cry bitterly again, just like during the incident with Xie Yi.

At Yan Zhi’s house, Yan Zhi wasn’t asleep yet, and he was afraid Yan Zhi would panic, fearing he would be frightened into illness, his soul flying away.

How ridiculous.

He had set out with the sole intention of finding Yan Zhi, traveling everywhere, searching for months, and now that he had finally found him, he had become timid and hesitant, afraid of this and that.

Had it been a few months ago, when he first started searching for Yan Zhi in the capital with his troops, he would have pounced like a hungry wolf the moment he saw a trace of him.

Where would he have waited until now?

But after experiencing several near-misses, he really didn’t dare to gamble anymore; he couldn’t afford to.

If he didn’t catch Yan Zhi this time, he would truly go insane!

It wasn’t until Yan Zhi locked his courtyard gate and his bedroom door that Xiao Cuan let out a silent laugh.

Good, very good.

Yan Zhi had locked the gate himself, locking himself in.

Now, he couldn’t run, could never run again.

Xiao Cuan was like an old cat, a fierce tiger, a predatory wolf, prowling back and forth, searching for thousands of miles, finally finding the prey’s nest.

He held his breath and stayed outside Yan Zhi’s courtyard, waiting for him to fall asleep, waiting for him to lose the strength to flee.

But he had never quite decided how he should treat Yan Zhi.

Should he act out of character, set aside his pride, and coax him with a few words, getting him to go back first?

Or should he be as usual, cold and stern, scolding him a bit to intimidate him first?

He couldn’t make up his mind.

But now, he no longer hesitated.

The moment he saw Yan Zhi, he made his decision.

Kiss him first, then talk!

Xiao Cuan directly hauled Yan Zhi up from the couch, kissing and biting him like a madman.

Dark clouds pressed down on the town, with thunder and lightning.

The wind howled, and torrential rain poured down.

Yan Zhi was pinned down, surrounded by the storm, almost unable to breathe, let alone struggle.

He didn’t struggle either; instead, the moment Xiao Cuan pounced, he drew the dagger he had hidden under his pillow, gripped it tightly, and stabbed hard!

A cold gleam flashed. Xiao Cuan felt something and, while still kissing him, glanced sideways, unwilling to let go.

Seeing the dagger, Xiao Cuan’s right hand pressed against the back of Yan Zhi’s head, while his left hand let go of him and grabbed the blade, stopping the point from advancing further.

He pulled away from Yan Zhi slightly, his heavy breath hitting Yan Zhi’s cheek, his voice low and raspy: “It’s me.”

Xiao Cuan originally thought it was just because it was too dark and Yan Zhi hadn’t seen clearly that it was him, thinking he was a robber, which was why he was resisting, so he spoke to remind him.

After saying this, he moved close again, wanting to deepen the kiss.

However, as soon as he heard him speak, Yan Zhi’s strength on the dagger didn’t diminish; instead, he pushed it forward even harder.

In disbelief, Xiao Cuan raised his voice and repeated: “Yan Zhi, it’s me!”

Yan Zhi still said nothing, his gaze steady, holding the dagger and continuing forward.

It was exactly His Majesty he was stabbing!

The blade sliced through Xiao Cuan’s palm, and hot, metallic blood flowed out, dripping onto the floor.

In the next instant, Xiao Cuan suddenly let go.

Yan Zhi was using all his strength, so when Xiao Cuan let go, he pitched forward.

With a “rip,” the sharp blade sliced through Xiao Cuan’s cloak and sank into his shoulder.

Yan Zhi felt the dagger go forward, breaking through layers of flesh, just like the sensation when His Majesty had him carve rabbit or venison at palace banquets.

And this dagger happened to be the very one he used to carve meat for His Majesty.

Yan Zhi came to his senses, gritted his teeth, and gave the dagger one last push forward, then skirted around Xiao Cuan, jumped off the couch, and bolted for the door!

Now!

While His Majesty was wounded and hadn’t reacted yet, run!

“Ah…”

But the moment Yan Zhi’s feet touched the ground and he took a step, Xiao Cuan grabbed him by the back of the neck and hauled him back.

Yan Zhi was forced to turn around and was once again silenced by Xiao Cuan’s lips.

In the darkness, their breaths merged, their scents entwined.

As if possessed, Xiao Cuan completely ignored the wounds on his left palm and left shoulder, only holding Yan Zhi firmly and greedily drinking in his scent.

Yan Zhi struggled a couple of times and, finding he couldn’t break free, raised his hand and felt around, trying to regain his grip on the dagger.

He hadn’t heard the sound of the dagger hitting the floor, so it must still be stuck in His Majesty’s shoulder.

Xiao Cuan felt his hands groping at his chest and thought he was flirting; the hand pressing on his head relaxed slightly, letting him be.

Although this small courtyard was simple, it was the house Yan Zhi had bought after all. Yan Zhi had slept on the couch for months, so the pillows and bedding should be filled with his scent.

Right here wouldn’t be so bad either…

Right here!

At the same time—

Yan Zhi gripped the dagger stuck in Xiao Cuan’s shoulder with both hands and yanked it out.

Blood sprayed out, warm droplets splattering onto Yan Zhi’s face.

Xiao Cuan frowned and stared fixedly at Yan Zhi in the darkness, finding it inexplicable.

So—

Xiao Cuan realized belatedly.

Yan Zhi wasn’t playing around with him?

Yan Zhi gripped the dagger, wanting to strike again.

Xiao Cuan reacted, grabbing one of his wrists and wrapping an arm around his waist, pulling him into his embrace.

The Emperor’s chest vibrated as he whispered, “Yan Zhi, are you mad?”

Yan Zhi ignored him, only gripping the dagger tightly.

Even though Xiao Cuan’s strength was much greater than his, he struggled hard, trying to drive the dagger back in.

Xiao Cuan lowered his head, staring searchingly at Yan Zhi with eyes that glowed green.

Yan Zhi couldn’t see clearly in the darkness, but he also tried his best to stare back with wide eyes.

The two were pressed close together, looking extremely intimate, yet there was an underlying sense of confrontation.

Just then, a shout suddenly came from outside the door.

“Little Swallow, what’s wrong? Why do I hear a commotion in your courtyard?”

—It was Chu Yu!

As soon as Chu Yu’s voice rang out, Yan Zhi immediately turned his head and looked out the window.

Xiao Cuan lowered his eyes, taking in his reaction, his expression becoming increasingly dark.

Yan Zhi opened his mouth, finally finding his voice with difficulty: “I…”

He couldn’t let Chu Yu in, and he couldn’t let His Majesty run into Chu Yu, otherwise a great disaster would occur, just like what His Majesty did to Xie Yi.

“I’m fine!” Yan Zhi said loudly. “It’s just… it’s just a mouse; Tang Gao is catching it.”

A mouse?

Xiao Cuan’s frown deepened.

“Okay, got it!”

Chu Yu responded from the neighboring courtyard, then muttered softly, “Really is a dog catching mice, minding other people’s business.”

Having sent Chu Yu away, Yan Zhi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Suddenly, Xiao Cuan asked coldly, “I’m a mouse?”

Yan Zhi turned his head away, looking out the window, and didn’t answer.

Xiao Cuan asked again, seemingly determined to get an answer: “In your eyes, I’m a mouse?”

Yan Zhi still didn’t answer, though his chest rose and fell, clearly showing his agitation.

But even if he didn’t speak, it didn’t stop Xiao Cuan from continuing to question him—

“Why are you running?”

“What is there to run from?”

“You’re a rabbit, and you’re this good at running?”

Suddenly, with a loud “bang,” Xiao Cuan’s voice came to an abrupt halt.

Yan Zhi instinctively looked up, following the sound, his gaze passing over Xiao Cuan’s shoulder to look behind him.

The clouds outside the window broke, letting the moonlight in, and the area outside the door was brightly lit.

Chu Yu was holding a stick in both hands, standing inside the door, trembling.

It was him.

He had hit His Majesty with a stick.

Yan Zhi’s eyes were wide as he looked at him in disbelief: “A-Yu…”

Chu Yu was shaking all over, his words stuttering: “Yan… Yan Zhi… let’s go…”

“No…” Yan Zhi shook his head instinctively.

No, that wasn’t right; it was impossible.

His Majesty was a veteran of many battles, strong and sturdy, made of iron and steel. He had suffered countless blade and sword wounds; there was no way he could be knocked out by a single blow from a stick.

But at that moment, Xiao Cuan seemed to wobble, then pitched forward, falling onto Yan Zhi, his head resting on Yan Zhi’s shoulder.

Chu Yu quickly lowered his voice and called to him: “Hurry, let’s go!”

“I…” Yan Zhi took one last look at Xiao Cuan and made up his mind, intending to move him onto the couch.

Chu Yu was shocked: “You’re still being this good to him? Just throw him on the floor!”

Yan Zhi shook his head hard: “No, it’s…”

He didn’t feel sorry for His Majesty, but if he pushed him directly onto the floor, he would surely wake up!

The next moment—

“Heh…”

Xiao Cuan gave a low laugh against Yan Zhi’s ear.

Chu Yu gripped the stick in his arms, ready to fight at any moment.

Yan Zhi also gripped the dagger in his hand, his eyes widening further.

He was faking it!

Xiao Cuan ignored their wariness, only raising a hand and using his rough palm to caress Yan Zhi’s cheek, pinching the flesh.

His voice carried a hint of a smile as he praised: “Zhizhi, so good.”

He didn’t leave him and run, nor did he throw him on the floor.

So good.

Seeing as he had performed so well, he could forgive him for this one mistake.

Xiao Cuan stroked Yan Zhi’s face, his palm like a venomous snake, sliding along his cheek before finally pressing against his head.

He stretched his neck, which had just been struck by the stick, turned his head, and looked at Chu Yu standing by the door.

His gaze was like that of a hawk or wolf, filled with murderous intent.

Chu Yu gripped the stick with both hands, but was intimidated by his gaze and unconsciously took two steps back.

It was over, over, he was going to die, he had to leave quickly.

But if he left, what would happen to Yan Zhi?

What if…

Chu Yu opened his mouth, about to shout something.

Yan Zhi beat him to it, shouting: “Your Majesty!”