Chapter 2
When Shangguan Ye woke up, the first thing he did wasn’t to check himself but to turn his head, locking his sharp gaze onto the only person in the room, Murong Qiufeng.
This was a habit accumulated over many years. If not for the medication on his wound this time, he wouldn’t have entrusted his life to a stranger.
Fortunately, this person hadn’t done anything harmful.
Actually, he wasn’t completely unconscious afterwards. He had already woken up when the man was bandaging him, but he chose not to show it, wanting to see what the man would do. He was surprised to find that the man actually took care of him.
At that time, his actions nearly cost him his life. Anyone with sense could see that. Yet the man didn’t seek revenge, and even saved him? Why? Did he recognize Shangguan Ye’s identity and have some ulterior motive? Or was he a spy sent by those people?
Several questions raced through his mind in quick succession, but the room remained silent.
Shangguan Ye pondered for a long time but couldn’t find any clues. So, he began observing Murong Qiufeng. Maybe it was for the sake of convenience, as the oil lamp wasn’t extinguished. Its dim light cast upon Murong Qiufeng, but his face was obscured, thanks to the backlighting.
Shangguan Ye closed his eyes again and continued resting.
When dawn broke, Murong Qiufeng opened his eyes right on time, a habit he had formed. This was the time for him to practice swordsmanship, but they weren’t in the mountains anymore.
Seeing that it was still early, he got up, walked to the bedside, and checked Shangguan Ye’s forehead and pulse. Finally, he replaced the bandage on Shangguan Ye’s wound, handling it with care. He intended to help Shangguan Ye sit up and re-wrap the bandage.
But suddenly, he stopped, withdrew his hand, and stood up straight, saying calmly, “Since you’re awake, sit up on your own.”
Shangguan Ye opened his eyes, feeling no embarrassment about pretending to sleep. His mask obscured his expression, but his sharp eyes carried a cold chill.
However, when he opened his eyes and saw the man by the bedside, he paused for a moment. The man wore a simple white robe without much decoration, giving off a fresh and gentle aura like the wind blowing through the willows. His handsome face was bathed in the morning light, making him look even more charming, as if untouched by worldly dust.
Shangguan Ye’s heart skipped a beat for a moment.
Shangguan Ye was a true homosexual, but few people knew this fact, not even his elder brother. Over the years, he had nurtured many companions in secret, but none had ever made him feel flustered at first sight like this man.
But he knew well that this man was not one of them. The clear and serene eyes of the man made him feel like even thinking about it was blasphemous. Yet at the same time, what he wanted more was to pull this man down and taint him with darkness.
Murong Qiufeng, oblivious to his thoughts, finished bandaging him and turned away. Shangguan Ye felt a sense of calm and comfort in Murong Qiufeng’s proximity, a feeling he had never experienced with his previous companions. Although he had many bed partners, he never allowed them to touch him without reservation. Each time, they only satisfied their desires and left. But having a man approach him so intimately without any defenses, it was a first.
If this man was truly sent by others, then… a cruel thought suddenly arose in Shangguan Ye’s mind.
“Done,” Murong Qiufeng said calmly after finishing the bandaging. He turned around and walked back to the table, placing the medicine bottle down. “This is the wound medicine. Apply it once a day until it heals. Here are some clothes. Yours are no longer usable. We couldn’t find any good fabric for new clothes here, so you’ll have to wear mine. You can wait here for your people to arrive. I’ve paid for the room for two days.”
As he spoke, he began tidying up the items on the table. Clearly, he was someone of status and background. He didn’t need to worry about anything. Besides, Shangguan Ye’s injury wasn’t serious anymore, as long as he didn’t run into any more assassins.
“Do you… intend to leave?” Shangguan Ye furrowed his brows slightly, watching Murong Qiufeng’s profile. Since he left the bedside, he hadn’t glanced in Shangguan Ye’s direction again. Did he really find Shangguan Ye so insignificant?
Murong Qiufeng turned his head to look at the sky and thought to himself. If they set off now, they should reach Lu City by noon. The young girl must be anxious by now. He nodded lightly. “Yes.”
“I don’t know how to address you, but I’ll remember your kindness today,” Shangguan Ye said.
“We met by chance. I didn’t expect anything in return. It was just a small favor. I have other matters to attend to. Farewell.” With that, Murong Qiufeng left without any hesitation.
Indeed, there was no need to feel attached. For Shangguan Ye, repaying kindness with malice was already the limit of benevolence. Moreover, he was the one who owed a favor in the first place.
Watching Murong Qiufeng’s departure, Shangguan Ye suddenly smiled, a smile that was different from his previous icy demeanor.
Not long after Murong Qiufeng left, two black-clad men suddenly entered the room, both kneeling before Shangguan Ye.
Shangguan Ye seemed to have expected it and was not surprised. He stood up calmly, walked to the table, and took the neatly folded white clothes from it, identical to the clothes the man had been wearing. The cold yet smooth touch of the fabric made his eyes soften slightly.
Unbothered by the presence of the kneeling men, he discarded his other clothes and put on the white garment. After tidying up, he turned to the kneeling men and spoke in a cold tone, “How is it?”
“Master, the secret letter has reached the emperor’s hands. The attackers from yesterday have all been eliminated, and no one survived.”
“Good.” Shangguan Ye responded indifferently, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. Then, he spoke again, “Investigate the man who was just here. I want to know his background.”
“Yes, Master.”
Encountered by chance? Heh, since they met, it was fate. The bonds of fate come and go, not dictated by anyone.
With deep, dark eyes radiating a hunter’s glint, Shangguan Ye pondered silently.
If Murong Qiufeng knew that his act of kindness would provoke such a vicious beast today… He wouldn’t have intervened, but what’s done is done.
