Chapter 249: Let’s Talk It Through

Gordon found himself in an incredibly peculiar state. His body felt light as a feather, as if gravity had ceased to affect him, leaving him floating in the air.

“Do you have dreams, young one?” A voice, imbued with absolute awe and majesty, echoed from a distant place, seemingly carried by a mysterious power.

‘Is someone calling me?’

He turned to look around.

There, standing on one leg, was a dark-skinned man with an impressive V-shaped torso, his aesthetically pleasing muscles screaming of barely contained power as he struck a pose.

His thick chest muscles squirmed like a colony of living creatures, straining against his white underwear. The fabric, seemingly disproportionate to his body size, was stretched to its limits, creating an eye-popping spectacle that teased the imagination…

His very presence seemed to crackle with the dazzling brilliance of manhood.

“Do you have dreams, young one?” The dark-skinned man asked once more, his voice resonating with power. He fluttered his rugged eyes with a suggestive undertone.

“No. Absolutely not. I don’t have any, so leave me alone.” Sensing trouble, the corners of Gordon’s mouth twitched. He hastily denied it.

“You don’t have any dreams? Excellent!” The dark-skinned man clapped his hands, revealing his large, conspicuous white teeth.

“Huh? What do you mean?” Gordon’s eyes were full of confusion.

“Ass♂we♂can.1” He could only see the other man responding with a devilish grin. The man’s hand, rough and large enough to cover a cauldron, contorted into the shape of an orchid flower2.

“Young ‘maiden’, we need people like you — dreamless and willing to abandon themselves! Come, give yourself completely into the darkness within!”

“So, will you throw yourself at the explosive, streamlined muscles of the fair-skinned knight and his domineering, authoritative charms? Or the healthy, rugged dark-skinned warrior whose rough exterior belied a tender and gentle heart? Make your choice, ‘maiden’ chosen by fate!”

“I’m not picking any of them.”

“Good! You have a bright road ahead of you! As I thought, you’re truly destined for greatness! In that case, consider these two ‘Anikis’ your first assignment. Give them your all! From today onwards, your goal will be the ultimate juice extractor. You’ll take your first step towards mastery as a full-time escort. Run along now and make me proud!”

“Hey! What do you mean by that… Eek! Stay back!”

His vision expanded, causing him to notice two enormous sausages, one pristine white and the other jet black, gradually approaching him and filling his sight…

Gordon sat up in fright, his breathing ragged and quick.

His lapel was soaked in cold sweat, while a sense of dampness clung to his long hair.

‘W-Was that just a dream…?'”

‘Where am I?’

Once his bewilderment had subsided, Gordon’s heart gradually began to calm down. He surveyed the small, cramped room he found himself in.

Despite its sparse furnishings, the space was impeccably clean and organized. A bed occupied the center where he now sat, blue hair falling loosely over his delicate thighs.

The only garment on his body was a set of loose sleepwear that was clearly too large for him.

‘Wait a minute, did someone change my clothes?’’

‘So, who brought me here? I vaguely remember being at….’

The door swung open.

“Are you awake?”

“…Knight♂ of The Burning Light?! D-Don’t get any closer!” All color drained from Gordon’s exquisite face as he shrank to the bedside like a frightened rabbit.

“Knight of The Burning Light??” The helmeted figure cocked his head, confused by what the other meant.

“Did I scare you?” Ji Bai mused, his hand subconsciously reaching up to touch his helmet.

“… Y-You’re the Radiant Knight?” That familiar voice, along with the awkward delivery and comical thought process of the speaker, drew Gordon out of his emotional turmoil and brought him back to his senses.

“In the past, yes. But not anymore.”

“Are you the one who brought me here?”

“Mhm.”

“…I didn’t expect we’d meet again like this.” The corners of Gordon’s mouth twitched, just slightly. Quickly schooling his features into a more masculine composure, he settled down into a seated position.

“Did you change my clothes?”

Sensing a hint of reproach in Gordon’s tone, the helmeted figure moved closer, their motives unknown.

“What, do you actually want me to find a handmaiden to help you get dressed?”

“That’s not what I meant. I was just wondering… if this touching between men isn’t a little, you know, excessive? …Honestly, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I could have managed on my own.” Gordon stroked the back of his head, a touch of awkwardness in his expression.

“…”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Ji Bai’s intense gaze made him feel slightly uncomfortable, causing him to instinctively cross his legs in response.

“Would it be alright if we move the conversation into…a more appropriate setting before we talk?” Ji Bai motioned for Gordon to look at his legs.

“Hmm?” The latter, perched on his knees, froze. His hair had brushed past his cheek, tumbling down his thigh in a silken cascade, yet he seemed completely oblivious to the effect his appearance had on the other person in the room.

Clad only in full sleepwear, the youthful slenderness of his body and his perfectly proportionate white thigh was on full display, making him appear no different than a blue-haired ‘maiden’ in Ji Bai’s eyes. His long, silky hair cascaded like a waterfall, partially obscuring his features that were etched with confusion… Yet, despite the clear bewilderment, his voice was as soothing as the spring rain, causing the mind of the helmeted figure to wander with every word he spoke.

A flicker of doubt crossed Ji Bai’s mind – Could he actually keep this conversation on track?…

Without a word, he took out a mirror and held it up for Gordon to see.

“…Gah! Don’t look at me! I-It’s over! I’m ruined…” Gordon burst out, his eyes widening as he saw the alluring figure in the mirror. His gaze locked onto Ji Bai for a moment before his composure completely shattered and despair settled in his eyes.

‘My reputation is in tatters… How did this happen?’

“Mr. Ji Bai, is everything okay?” Ke’er asked, peeking her head out from the doorway.

“You’re not giving this poor girl a hard time, are you?”

“I’m not, trust me.”

“Pfft…” Ke’er’s words hit Gordon like a punch to the gut. Ji Bai could almost see a soul-like object floating from the latter’s mouth, prompting a sigh from him.

He found it almost impressive that the man was only catching on now.

“Men’s clothes? Where are the men’s clothes? Anything will do, just give me something to wear, quick!” Gordon sprang up to his feet, grabbing Ji Bai’s collar and shaking him frantically.

“Before you do anything else, do you think you could change your voice back?” Ji Bai suggested in a dry tone.

“…”

Gordon canceled his [Vocal Illusion] spell.

His voice then returned to its usual, masculine state.

“This hair doesn’t look fake.” After eyeing the cascade of soft, flowing blue hair on his head, Ji Bai said thoughtfully after a pause.

Earlier, while changing Gordon’s clothes, he had thought about yanking the wig off, but it seemed to be seamlessly attached to his head, with no edges or seams to be found. Almost as if…

“Suppose you could say that. Got scissors or anything sharp here that I can use?”

Ji Bai handed a dagger to him.

Holding his waist-length hair taut in his teeth, Gordon brought the blade down and sliced it off in one swift cut, sending the severed locks drifting to the ground.

The sight of him shearing off his own hair made the helmeted figure pause for a moment before tossing a washed-out shirt and trousers from his closet.

“Are these yours?”

“Mm.”

“Oh, thanks.” Without fuss, Gordon skillfully slipped into the clothes, which were several sizes above his own.

“Feel free to ask anything you want.” Ji Bai said, sensing the intense gaze directed his way.

“Where am I?”

“My home.”

“So I…”

“It’s ointment time, Mister Ji Bai.” A petite figure with cherry-colored hair trotted towards Ji Bai, her little legs pattering as she held several bandages and a medicinal salve in hand.

“Got it. I’ll leave it in your hands then.” The helmeted figure replied with a small nod.

“Mhm, no problem… Ah? Why’d the young lady cut her hair off?” Ke’er’s curious glance lingered on Gordon.

“She3 wanted to try a new hairstyle.”

“Really?!” Ke’er’s animal ears shot up as she nodded.

After a moment, she gently removed the old blood-stained bandages from his waist, cleaning his wounds before applying new ones with care.

Understanding Ji Bai and the young lady (?) had something important to discuss, the obedient and considerate Ke’er chose not to stay around after treating his wound. Her cheeks flushing pink, she gave Ji Bai’s helmet a quick peck with her small lips before scurrying out of the room like a gust of wind, ointment and old bandages in tow.

“That child… She’s a demon, right?” Gordon, who had been silent until now, spoke.

“Mhm. A stray Asiatic Cat with nowhere to return to.” Ji Bai said, not denying his statement.

“Chumming up with a vampire and harboring an Asiatic Cat in your home… I must say, you’re quite the interesting knight.” Gordon said with a light sigh.

To be honest, even he could not bring himself to harm such an innocent demon. He decided to turn a blind eye, pretending he had not seen anything.

“She’s just a young child, orphaned and with nowhere to go. How is she any different from a human child made homeless by war?” Ji Bai retorted.

“You’ve certainly changed since we first met,” Gordon remarked with a meaningful look on his face.

“What makes you say that?”

“Just a hunch.”

“By that, do you mean your womanly intuition?”

“…I see you’ve actually picked up a sense of humor now.” Gordon narrowed his eyes.

“…What else do you want to know?”

“That vampire. Have you defeated her?” Despite noticing Ji Bai’s clumsy attempt to change the topic, Gordon decided to humor him and let it slide.

“No. She just took off without any reason.”

“I see… After that, you brought me here?”

“Yup.”

“Word travels fast to you guys, huh.”

“I’m not at liberty to comment on that subject.” Ji Bai replied with a flat tone, subtly sidestepping the unspoken question in the air.

“Oh.”

The duo stared at each other and fell into silence.

“Why are you staring at me?” Gordon asked as he felt a wave of goosebumps rippling through his skin. Ji Bai had not taken his gaze off him since they had started talking, and the intensity of it made him recall the white ‘knight’ — their blinding mosaics and the explosive, streamlined muscles — from his dream before.

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“More or less.”

“Alright. Guess it’s my turn to ask the questions now.” Ji Bai said, leaning in close.

“What do you want to ask?” Gordon asked, a hint of wariness in his voice.

“Seeing that I’ve helped you clear up your doubts, wouldn’t it be fair for you to return the favor, Sir. Gordon? Tell me everything about your expedition and don’t hold anything back.”

“Wait a minute, this is not exactly a fair trade, is it? They were just some measly questions, that’s all.”

“Not my problem. Everything has a price; That’s just how it works. You can’t expect to reap the rewards without giving anything away.” Ji Bai shook his head.

“So that’s the reason why you were insisting I ask questions.… I was wondering when you had become so generous.” Gordon replied, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

“Even a multitude of trivial questions can outweigh an important query, wouldn’t you agree?”

“In your dreams!” Gordon said unhappily.

“…So you’re not going to talk then?”

“What, are you planning to get it from me by force?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“No.” Ji Bai said, shaking his head. “I just wanted to reason with you, that’s all.”

Saying which, he pulled out his phone, and flipped through the few photos in his gallery for Gordon to see.

That’s one of Billy Herrington, Aniki’s lines, in an adult movie. The quotes that the author gives don’t make much sense, so I substituted it for something more… relevant.

The orchid gesture refers to a specific hand gesture in Chinese opera and dance where the thumb and middle finger are joined together in a delicate, curved position, resembling an orchid’s flower.

Both the male and female pronouns are pronounced similarly in Chinese, so Ke’er did not know that Gordon was a guy at this moment. I decided to go with *she* for now.

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!