Chapter 54: Ch54 - Honey Tangerine Flavored Shadow Guard Gong (12)

The little loyal dog: Anyone who offends Master must die

Translator: KunLin

Editors: Vez, Blarghette

“Who did you call trash just now?”

Zhong Yue had remained silent while Li Yan vented, things progressing to today’s state, he was also very unhappy. He also understood how much of a disadvantage their current situation was.

Thus, towards the words Li Yan had spoken under the influence of anger, towards how Li Yan yelled at him, he bore with them all.

But some lines shouldn’t be crossed. Li Yan couldn’t say his skill was inferior to others, nor could he insult the Zhong Clan’s abilities, he should not have provoked his bottomline!

“I’m trash?”

The compromising attitude he had maintained all this time was ripped apart, revealing his pride as the heir of the Zhong Clan. He laughed coldy and said: “Li Yan, you seem to have forgotten, who was it that saved you from the flood water, and who was it that divined the Heavenly secrets for you so you can time and time again miraculously earn achievements? It was me. Back then, who was it then stuck to me, saying he loved me and was willing to give his life for me? It was you.”

“If it wasn’t because of that, I wouldn’t have been moved by you, wouldn’t have tolerated you in all aspects, and even more so wouldn’t have let you climb into my bed!”

“But don’t you forget that I, Zhong Yue, am the child of TianJi, and can do without you!”

Li Yan was angered by his attitude of haughtily looking down from up above. He released the hand covering his face and almost couldn’t resist the urge to strike back.

But he still held back in the end. He lowered his raised hand and said seethingly: “A child of TianJi, so what, is there anyone who places you in their eyes right now? You lost this round to the QinTian supervisor, you lost to the disciple of the capital Zhong Clan, this is an indisputable fact. You can block my mouth, but can you block the mouths of everyone in the world?”

“Why should the people of my TianJi Zhong Clan fear what the world has to say?”

“You’re not afraid, but what about me?”

Li Yan raised his voice, “Have you ever thought if I’ll be afraid? You are the child of TianJi, you can think of the world as beneath you, but I can’t! Why can’t you ever understand how difficult my situation is! In order to obtain this realm, I have schemed and exhausted all methods, but you never cared! I really wonder, from the start to the end, have you ever truly considered for me even a fraction!”

“Li Yan, don’t go overboard!”

Zhong Yue’s anger had reached its peak, he pointed at Li Yan’s nose and said: “Who is the one that can never genuinely consider the other! You only care about yourself! Have you ever asked how much I have paid for you! Do you know, to divine the earthquake for you this time, I forfeited three years of my life! Don’t you get it, if I didn’t love you, why would I go against the clan rules and give my body to you! Do you also know, for you, I even gave up the position of TianJi’s Clan Head! But you treat me like this! Are you worthy of me?!”

Li Yan’s rage stagnated, his eyes finally regained a few traces of calm.

—His situation right now was bleak, Zhong Yue may be his last help. He must not split with Zhong Yue right now and destroy his only way of retreat.

Though he made up his mind to swallow his anger, as he thought of today’s matter, Li Yan found it hard to control himself. He furrowed his brows and asked, “If you had truly exerted such efforts, why did you lose to the QinTian Supervisor?”

Zhong Yue sneered coldly: “You really believe the one I lost to was the QinTian Supervisor? With that old bastard’s skill, he dares to peek into a Heavenly secret of this level? I’m afraid he would’ve long become blind and mute with his lifespan dried up! But he’s living just fine now. After prying into a secret of this magnitude, he is still full of vitality and can kneel outside the imperial study for a day and night without losing his life? Bullshit! This is definitely someone else behind him!”

Li Yan was also rather suspicious when QinTian Liu-won’t-speak suddenly became this capable. Hearing this, he felt that Zhong Yue’s words were reasonable, it’s just…

“Then who is it behind him, to be able to divine things even you cannot? Could it be…the other is also a member of TianJi, and is your elder?”

“Impossible!”

Zhong Yue immediately denied the possibility, “I am Zhong Clan’s heaven-fated body, who dares to go against me!”

“Heaven-fated body?”

A light flashed through Li Yan’s eyes and the thoughts in his mind came alive.

After Zhong Yue finished speaking, he saw Li Yan looking at him with a burning stare. In the end, after a moment of hesitation, he chose to tell him the Zhong Clan’s secret. But he only divulged the might of a son of heaven and didn’t tell him what he needed to do to become one, only saying that after he comes of age as an adult, he could return to the clan and inherit the position as clan head.

—There is the possibility that even if Li Yan didn’t die in the end, they still wouldn’t have a good ending.

The selfishness in Zhong Yue’s heart was unwilling to accept this hypothetical end. He stubbornly believed that he and Li Yan would stay together for a long time. As long as he truly conquered this man, and truly possessed him, his love crisis would be able to pass smoothly.

Excitement emerged in Li Yan’s heart, he never would have thought Zhong Yue’s position in the Zhong Clan was so special.

Zhong Yue was now eighteen. After two years he could return and hold the Zhong Clan firmly in his hands. At that time, wouldn’t the Zhong Clan be his to use?

He suppressed the ecstasy in his heart and didn’t reveal any hint of his impatience. Instead he wrinkled his brows and said: “Then if it isn’t an elder of the Zhong Clan, then who is the person behind Liu-won’t-speak?”

That’s right ah, who could it be?

Gou Liang rubbed his lips. When he saw the appearance of Zhong Yue and Li Yan racking their brains, he curved his lips and smiled.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Right now, they still didn’t know. The Emperor had already sent officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices towards TianJi Mountain, intending to seek an explanation from the Zhong Clan: The Emperor wanted to gauge TianJi Mountain’s attitude towards Zhong Yue’s conduct. Other people may not know, but he knows clearly that Zhong Yue venturing out this time had already violated the clan rule—he should be expelled just like the first State Teacher had been.

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This made the Emperor helpless so he could only also stuff Zhong Yue, this hot potato, into the East Palace that had become the most luxurious prison in the capital.

As for the Zhong Clan…

The Zhong Chao father and son pair were still restless, afraid that Zhong Yue wouldn’t be able to endure the sufferings after leaving the mountain.

However, the Clan Head of Zhong Clan was quite carefree, he only said: “So long as Yue’er is my Zhong Clan’s person for another day, who dares to harm a single hair on his head? Don’t interfere, Yue’er must break through his life and death crisis by himself. Whether the Zhong Clan would be able to welcome the third son of heaven, it all depends on Yue’er. If anyone ruins my Zhong Clan’s opportunity because of a moment of soft-heartedness, I won’t let them go!”

Gou Liang really wanted to know, if this Zhong Clan old man knew he had stolen Zhong Yue’s opportunity, what expression would he make?

It must be extremely amusing.

Zhong Quan walked forward. Seeing Gou Liang’s smile, he thought it was because of the book on his lap so he took a few extra glances. He glanced curiously at the content, but unexpectedly, written on it was the glorious deed of how one time, the Jianghu doctor had used poison on one of his enemies, causing the other party to vomit and have diarrhea incessantly, as well as growing a face full of sores. He paused almost imperceptibly for a moment. He then said in a respectful tone: “Master, Li Xi is requesting audience outside.”

Gou Liang set down the book, “He can control his temper better than I thought, let him come in.”

Li Xi entered the room and after greeting him, he cut to the chase, saying: “Xi heard that His Majesty has already decreed for people to escort King An back to the capital. May I ask what Sir plans to do?”

Gou Liang: “What do you think should be done?”

Li Xi was stumped by his question, he said a bit apprehensively: “The power of the Crown Prince has declined and his reputation is practically ruined, not to mention, so long as there is Sir, there will never be a day when he would sit on the throne. He no longer poses any threat. It’s just that currently King An’s momentum is strong. If he remains ignored, when support for King An grows too high, in the future…even if Xi succeeds it would be viewed unfavorably among the public.”

“What identity are you saying this to me as?” Gou Liang looked at him with an incomprehensible smile, “Perhaps the young Marquis forgot, after I finish escorting you south, the ties between our two family will be cleared. If the young Marquis is worried, then you should think of a way to solve it, coming here to speak with me, do you want to receive answers from me?”

Li Xi’s face flushed red.

He gritted his teeth and said: “King An is also Emperor Wu’s son, is Sir willing to see him inherit the country?”

“Why not? If not if, should it be you? Young Marquis, isn’t your surname also Li?”

“What does Sir mean by this?”

Li Xi’s heart sank, if Gou Liang hated the entire imperial clan, an ally as dangerous as this, even if he helped him ascend the throne, if he doesn’t have the ability to get rid of him in the future, there would be no end to the troubles.

In the end, he still wasn’t skilled enough in hiding his thoughts. Not to mention Gou Liang, who could see through people’s hearts, even Zhong Quan had noticed his thoughts, causing him to let out a chilling killing intent.

Li Yan turned pale with fright, his hair raised. In an instant, his back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Xi overstepped, may Sir on the account of my youth and ignorance, forgive me this once.”

“That excuse is fresh.” Gou Liang smiled, he raised his hand, patted Zhong Quan’s arm, and scolded him: “Bullying a kid who hasn’t even grown his hair yet is unbecoming, don’t be willful.”

Zhong Quan: “This subordinate obeys.”

Li Xi: “…”

Gou Liang looked at his appearance of having a temper but not daring to speak up and smiled: “If young Marquis is worried about King An, there’s no need. He won’t be a threat to you.”

“Sir’s meaning is..?”

“Shh, one should quietly observe the development of events. Youngster, having more patience is not a bad thing.”

Li Xi could only press down his questions.

At the same time, Yan Fief, XingTang province.

King An’s face was deathly pale. With one slash he killed the preposterous physician—he actually said he had hurt his offspring root, that it could no longer function and have children, how could that be!

Strategist Niu Bi observed this scene. A cold light gleamed in his eyes. He bowed and said: “Your Highness, please remain calm. This may not be permanent, there is no need for alarm.”

“You also heard the physician, how can this Prince not be mad?!”

King An gnashed his teeth.

In yesterday’s assassination attempt, he had managed to preserve his life but was kicked between the legs by an assassin, causing him to faint from pain on the spot. Today, that place still hurt to the extreme and it was unable to stand upright, how could he not be worried? Not mentioning how his dignity as a man has been ended, he had yet to have a son. In the future if he was unable to…what qualifications would he have to ascend the throne!

“Li Yan, Li Yan! This Prince will fight you to the death!”

As King An pressed the place that was aching, he murderously uttered each word.

Niu Bu stepped forward and took the sword from his hand. He said: “Your Highness, don’t lose your composure, listen to what this one has to say.”

Hearing this, King An, clutched his arm like he was grabbing onto his last life saving straw and asked, “Does Sir have a way to cure this Prince?”

Niu Bi shook his head. But just as hope faded in King An’s eyes again, he said: “However, the world is wide and capable people can be found everywhere, there will definitely be a way to cure Your Highness. Besides, if the healers are incapable, when this one was still wandering the Jianghu, this one had heard of a rumor that may be of help to Your Highness.”

“Quickly, speak it!”

“Does your highness know of TianJi Mountain’s Zhong Clan?”

“Obviously, Zhong Yue is a person from TianJi Mountain!”

“Then does Your Highness know, those who peek into heavenly secrets all have difficulties in the matters of heirs? Yet the Zhong Clan’s line managed to continue for so long…there is a rumor circulating among Jianhu…”

“What rumor, hurry up and say it ah!”

Niu Bi didn’t continue to drag the suspense, he said: “It is rumored that there is a type of knockout drug in TianJi Mountain. After feeding it to the woman, and incorporating the man’s heart blood, a son can be born. It’s just that there’s no knowing if the rumor is real…however, the TianJi Mountain is indeed mysterious, as you know they could even prolong His Majesty’s life, so how can His Highness’s minor injury stump them?”

Hope rekindled in King An’s eyes, but he spoke worriedly again: “But Zhong Yue has personal feelings with Li Yan. He won’t help me.”

“His Highness’s words are not necessarily correct.” Niu Bi said: “Since Zhong Yue can be subdued by Li Yan, then naturally he can also be subdued by others. You seemed to have forgotten, he had even spent a night together with Zhang Tian.”

Seeing King An’s resolute but disdainful expression, Niu Bi continued to say the words he had already planned out beforehand: “In any case, it’s not like there’s only one Zhong Yue in the entire Zhong Clan. We can plan things slowly. Currently, His Highness should try to win over the public’s opinion as much as possible before returning to the capital.”

King An agreed gladly.

In a blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth of September.

A bit past noon, the old man carefully took Gou Liang’s pulse again. In the end he said: “You have recuperated well, you can withstand that outbreak of the poison. Since you already have another type of antidote, why not stop eating the Lust Quelling Pill. After all it’s poison—there’s no benefit in eating more of it.”

Last time Gou Liang had eaten half a Lust Quelling Pill and was barely able to maintain himself on top of Zhong Quan, if he ate none at all this time around…

Unbeknownst what he had thought, his face reddened.

The old man took in this scene, and looked at Zhong Quan, saying in a deadpan voice: “I don’t care how the two of you detoxify the poison, just be careful not to hurt your legs, otherwise I’ll let you have it!”

Zhong Quan: “Yes, Quan will definitely ensure Master’s safety.”

Gou Liang: “…”

【Gou Liang: I’m so embarrassed (/ω＼) 】

【System: …There’s no saving you.】

The sun began to set in the west. Right after Gou Liang sent Zhong Quan away and pretended to grind his inkstone deep in thought, Wang HaiYi came over with his sister in tow.

“If TangHua Lang needs something, why not say it directly.”

Seeing Wang HaiYi’s awkward face like he didn’t know how to speak up, Gou Liang kindly spoke up first.

Wang HaiYi bowed and said: “Since Sir is so straightforward, then forgive this student for offending. If you don’t mind, what is the surname and name of your personal guard, how old is he, and has he married before?”

Wang Li shyly hid behind him, her head lowered as she twisted a handkerchief with a red face, her thoughts plainly obvious.

Gou Liang faintly curled his lips, his voice carrying a trace of a smile: “Why is TangHua Lang asking this, could it be that this guard of mine has caught your fancy?”

Towards things like this, Wang HaiYi was like a young girl entering the marriage sedan—he had no experience with it. However, his sister’s badgering made him helpless, so he could only harden his scalp and open his mouth to Gou Liang.

Seeing that his attitude was so good, he felt that this matter might be possible, and couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. He smiled and said: “The marriage of the children of Wang House, they are decided by oneself. To speak honestly, this one’s sister is the family’s only daughter and has always been spoiled by the family’s elders. Everyone in the family wishes for her to find a stable and reliable husband. Unexpectedly on this trip following me down south, such a dangerous thing happened on the way, our lives were almost lost to the yellow spring. That day, if it weren’t for the assistance of your guard, my sister and I may not have lived. This one’s sister has also fallen in love at first sight with your personal guard. If Sir is willing to bless this matter, then I will personally report back to my father and come back with my sister’s eight characters to finalize the matter with Sir.”

Gou Liang said: “Wang Family belongs to the prominent YongNing Clan, it is unusual that you are able to choose your own marriage, I am surprised.”

Wang HaiYi replied: “We’ve let Sir see a joke.”

“Indeed I’ve seen a joke.”

Gou Liang said smilingly: “A gentleman should bless others’ fortune, but I’m afraid I’m helpless with this matter. After all, these past days your sister had spared no effort to dress herself up and tempt my guard, but he acted as if he was dodging a snake or scorpion, feeling only vexed. I’m afraid this pair of mandirin ducks, I am incapable of pairing them together.”

“This…”

“You speak nonsense!”

Wang HaiYi didn’t expect that there had actually been a matter like this, the expression on his face slipped, and Wang Li was even more so unable to endure.

She had always been willful. In front of Zhong Quan she can still retract her fangs and claws, but she cannot tolerate Gou Liang smearing her good name like this. She immediately said angrily: “Which eye of yours saw it, he, he obviously also has intentions towards me!”

“Oh? Is this something my guard had told you himself?”

Gou Liang’s smile grew more and more brilliant.

Wang Li pushed aside her elder brother who tugged at her, completely furious: “If he has no intentions towards me, then why save me that day? Besides, it’s enough that I like him, my YongNing Wang Clan is willing to take him as a son-in-law, this is a fortune other people can’t get even if they want! Perhaps it’s you who doesn’t want to give up a capable aide, so you’re purposely trying to ruin the marriage between us two?!”

Wang HaiYi immediately chided: “Li’er! Don’t speak senselessly!”

Gou Liang smiled coldly: “I’ve always heard that the YongNing Wang Clan is a literary noble family with strict conduct, but today I’ve opened my eyes. What, is Miss Wang so lonely within her clan that you will bite onto any man you see? He wasn’t the only person I’ve sent to rescue you, if you truly want to repay the kindness, why don’t you go marry all twenty of them? It’ll fulfill your desire to return the grace, what do you think?”

“You, what’s the meaning of your words?!”

“Sir, how can you say that?”

Both brother and sister were stunned by his words.

Gou Liang sneered: “Isn’t Miss Wang’s spring heart restless? See a man, bite onto the man, from how I see it, this illness of restlessness is severe, one man might not be enough.”

Aside from Wang Li, even Wang HaiYi’s face had turned red from anger: “If Sir is unwilling to bless the marriage, then just say so, our Wang Family won’t insist on it, but is there a need to humiliate this one’s sister?”

“Brother!”

“Li’er, quiet! The person’s master isn’t willing to let him go, even if you are willing to give yourself and marry, there is no point in making things difficult for the other. Please pretend as if us siblings have never come here today, if we have been impolite in any way, may Sir be lenient.”

After Wang HaiYi finished speaking huffily, he grabbed Wang Li, preparing to leave.

Wang Li was unresigned, “You dare to insult me like this! You’re just a handicapped person, don’t you think you can be so impertinent just because you saved us! Today, I’ll let you know, the woman of Wang Clan cannot be humiliated by someone lowly like you!

She pushed aside Wang HaiYi, pulled out the whip hidden in her sleeve, and charged towards Gou Liang—

There was a loud ‘pa’ sound.

“Master!”

Zhong Quan had been held up by the old man who instructed him on things to take notice of tonight. At this moment he flew over, but he only managed to grab the whip’s handle, the whip’s tail still managed to flick aside the mask on Gou Liang’s face, the silver mask fell to the floor, revealing his face that was covered by a scar.

“Ah!!” Wang Li was startled into letting out a scream, she then said loudly: “You ugly thing up to no good! No wonder you’re not willing to see other people happy, it’s because you’re like this!”

Zhong Quan confirmed that Gou Liang wasn’t harmed. Hearing her words, he truly couldn’t hold back his rage any longer. His figure moved like lightning. He grabbed Wang Li by the throat, and just as he was about to snap it—

“Zhong Quan.”

Gou Liang gently stopped him.

Zhong Quan’s eyes were like knives, scaring Wang HaiYi into standing in one spot like a fool. Wang Li’s face turned purple and red as she kicked her legs in resistance, letting out scared ‘ah, ah’ sounds.

Zhong Quan looked back at Gou Liang, his lips tightly pursed. However, in the end he couldn’t control his anger, and brought Wang Li outside.

His sword was unsheathed and there was a flash of murderous gleam. Wang HaiYi had frantically followed outside and subconsciously reached out his hands. Something soft, warm, and red landed in his hands, and it still seemed to be twitching…

It, it was a tongue.

“Ah!!!”

He let out a miserable scream and uncontrollably flung away the frightening object in his hands. He then raised his head to see his own sister being kicked into the sea.

“Li’er!”

He leaned against the handrail, and cried out.

Gou Liang rolled out his wheelchair, and said with a hint of disapproval: “You really won’t feel bad for the fairer sex?”

Zhong Quan shook off the blood on his sword and sheathed it.

“Anyone who offends Master, must die.”