OL CH17

Thinking of this, Bai Su was no longer in any mood to remain on guard. After giving a few brief instructions to the deputy commander, he returned to the courtyard assigned to him earlier.

Although Bai Su remained expressionless along the way, anyone crossing his path could sense the dark, chilling aura radiating from him. People instinctively steered clear, reluctant to provoke this god of slaughter.

Only after he stepped into the courtyard did Xuan Er, who constantly watched over his master’s condition, approach with concern. He asked softly, “Master, has something happened?”

Bai Su shook his head. “Nothing. Have someone prepare a tub of hot water; I want to bathe.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Wait.”

Just as Xuan Er took the order and turned to leave, Bai Su called him back. Meeting his attendant’s inquiring gaze, Bai Su remained silent for a good while before saying in a raspy voice, “In a little while, go wait outside His Majesty’s courtyard. Once King Ning emerges, tell him to come by my quarters.”

Having said that, he waved his hand to dismiss Xuan Er.

The servants brought hot water shortly after. Bai Su closed the door, shed his outer robe, and walked toward the tub.

Without the specially crafted boots, his gait returned to an uneven limp. Passing by the table, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and could not help halting his steps.

His hand unconsciously traced the unsightly scar along his right jaw, his heart sinking.

Never before had he despised his own reflection as much as he did right now.

He was merely a limping cripple, an invalid, an ugly wretch with a scarred face, yet he actually had the audacity to harbor wild delusions toward King Ning.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

It must have truly been difficult for King Ning, enduring such humiliation to whisper so many sweet nothings to a creature like this. He wondered whether the man felt revolted every time after being intimate with him.

Steeling his nerves, Bai Su took a deep breath and submerged himself in the water. The rising steam coaxed a flush of crimson across his skin, yet no matter how scorching the bath was, his heart remained freezing cold.

Having practiced martial arts from childhood and endured the sun and wind at the frontier border, Bai Su’s skin was far from delicate. Crisscrossing scars ran across his body, marks carved by the harsh realities of the battlefield.

Scrubbing his body with a linen towel, he recalled King Ning’s porcelain, refined complexion. Bai Su truly could not fathom what had gotten into his head to make him believe King Ning could genuinely fancy a rough martial warrior like him.

He scrubbed meticulously, showing no reaction to pain even as the rough cloth raised vivid red welts across his flesh. Only after cleansing himself thoroughly did he lean back against the edge of the tub, utterly drained.

Reaching out to retrieve the black token from the robes he had discarded, he rubbed its engraved patterns with damp fingers. A mocking smile curved his lips.

Just a single Xuan Iron Token was enough to make King Ning play along so attentively. If he could hold supreme authority in the palm of his hand, would Situ Chenye coax him, flatter him, and never dare leave him even more?

Sincerity and true love no longer mattered to him. He only knew that this man had to belong to him.

In a single instant, an unprecedented thirst for power surged within Bai Su.

On the other side, perhaps shaken by the incident, the old Emperor remained listless, yet he still held onto Chen Tian to talk for quite a while.

Seeing that the hour grew late, Chen Tian had the servants brew a calming herbal broth. Once the Emperor drank it and felt drowsiness setting in, Chen Tian took his leave.

Just as he walked out the courtyard gates, he encountered Xuan Er waiting there.

Learning that Bai Su wanted him to visit, Chen Tian nodded and headed straight toward Bai Su’s courtyard.

He did not overthink it. Though gentle, Bai Su had always been proper and reserved, so he simply assumed his lover had some discovery to share with him.

Arriving at the entrance, Chen Tian knocked gently on the door. When no reply came after a moment, he pushed lightly, discovering the door was unlocked.

A single dim candle burned by the window. Fortunately, the room was not large, so he could see the interior clearly, yet the person who had summoned him was nowhere in sight.

“Zisu!” Chen Tian called out. Only then did he hear faint movement accompanied by splashes of water behind the folding screen.

So he is taking a bath!

Chen Tian could not help letting a few amorous thoughts stray into his mind, envisioning his sweetheart’s alluring form in the bath. The rustling sounds of dressing that followed made his thoughts wander even further.

Fortunately, Bai Su emerged from behind the screen shortly after. Just as Chen Tian raised a bright smile to greet him, the sight before him froze him in his tracks.

Bai Su walked out barefoot, clad only in a loosely draped white inner robe. Damp tresses rested against his shoulders, while crystalline droplets of water trailed down his well-defined chest, slowly disappearing beneath his waist.

Regrettably, the robe concealed the lower view, preventing him from seeing further.

Beholding his lover looking so captivating, Chen Tian swallowed hard, glaring at that trailing droplet as if he bore a personal grudge against it.

Fearing that another glance would turn him into a predatory beast and drive him to commit something indecent, Chen Tian hurriedly averted his eyes. Feigning composure, he picked up a nearby dry towel, trying hard to sound proper. “Zisu, why did you come out with your hair dripping wet? Be careful not to catch a chill.”

Saying this, he walked over and began gently drying his hair.

Seeing that Chen Tian looked at him for mere seconds before turning away, refusing to look further, Bai Su became even more convinced that the man felt repulsed by his appearance and body.

His heart chilled further, yet he maintained a mild tone. “I am a martial man, hardly so delicate.”

“Who says martial men shouldn’t take care of themselves? If you fall ill, I’ll be the one aching with worry.”

Leading his lover to sit on the cushioned daybed, Chen Tian dried his hair with gentle care, speaking with fond disapproval.

Bai Su could not see the expression of the man behind him. He only thought that King Ning was truly formidable; romantic words rolled off his tongue so effortlessly and sweetly, it was no wonder he had been unable to resist.

Chen Tian had no idea his sweetheart was silently criticizing him. The freshly washed hair carried a clean, delicate fragrance, and while Bai Su was not looking, Chen Tian stole closer to inhale the scent.

In truth, he wanted to kiss his lover’s black tresses inch by inch, but feared that doing so would make Xiao Bai find him vulgar.

Had 009 known what was going through Chen Tian’s head, it would have told him straight out: Boss, the way you are sneaking sniffs of his hair right now is even more vulgar!

Ancient hair was indeed troublesome. After drying it for quite a while, it was finally done.

Chen Tian breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the servants had thoughtfully lit a brazier. Otherwise, if the room grew cold while his lover wore so little, he would definitely fall ill.

By this point, he remembered that Bai Su had specifically sent Xuan Er to summon him, so he asked curiously, “Zisu, was there something on your mind when you called me here so late?”

Hearing this, Bai Su lowered his eyelashes and murmured, “Can I not seek you out unless there is a reason?”

Chen Tian hurriedly denied it. “Of course not… mmmph!”

Before he could finish, Bai Su turned abruptly and sealed his lips with a kiss.

The youth who was usually shy and reserved was surprisingly proactive tonight. Turning around, he looped both arms around Chen Tian’s neck and kissed him deeply.

Chen Tian was momentarily dazed, but being treated this way by his beloved was utterly intoxicating. His loose hold tightened around Bai Su’s frame, until he was pressed flat onto the daybed.

Bai Su’s kiss deepened further. Chen Tian reciprocated with relish, feeling blissfully satisfied in every fiber of his being. Only when his own belt was tugged loose did his reason abruptly snap back to attention.

Ancients were traditionally conservative, so Chen Tian had originally planned to save this intimacy for their wedding night to show how much he treasured Bai Su. He truly had not expected Bai Su to initiate something so passionate, clearly intending for them to go all the way.

As much as Chen Tian anticipated this even more than Bai Su, he considered their present surroundings: merely a simple meditation chamber in a Buddhist temple. He refused to hold their first time in this world in such humble quarters and shortchange his beloved.

Furthermore, Bai Su was currently the commander of the imperial escort, responsible for the Emperor’s safety. Having just repelled a swarm of assassins tonight, his upcoming days at Huguo Temple would be exceedingly demanding. If he took his lover now and hurt him, wouldn’t Xiao Bai have to endure strenuous duties while aching?

As a considerate husband, Chen Tian resolved that he could never be such a callous jerk. Gritting his teeth through the sheer agony of restraint, he grasped Bai Su’s hands, halting his movements.

Feeling Chen Tian hold him back, Bai Su’s breath hitched.

A rejection after all? Even though he had prepared himself mentally, a sharp, bitter ache instantly engulfed his entire heart.

He should have tested the waters sooner. Although they had shared affection in the past, it had always been confined to hugs and kisses without any deeper intimacy.

Had he discarded his so-called modesty earlier, he surely would have noticed that King Ning did not truly love him, and was completely unwilling to genuinely be with him.

Was the man now deliberating how to decline, or preparing some excuse to slip away?

No, he could not let him leave!

Lowering his head, the red haze in Bai Su’s eyes churned fiercely, dark obsessions surging uncontrollably within his chest.

Recalling that black token, he wondered: if he brought it out, would King Ning yield for the sake of that command medallion and be with him?

Chen Tian had no inkling of the storm raging within his partner. Seeing Bai Su bow his head in silence, motionless and dejected, Chen Tian’s heart ached with sudden guilt.

Xiao Bai was so thin-skinned; it was rare for him to take the initiative, yet Chen Tian had interrupted him. The young man must be terribly embarrassed, perhaps even hurt. It was entirely his own fault!

Even if they could not go all the way, he should at least serve his darling well. Otherwise, how could he call himself a good husband?

Just as Bai Su parted his lips to speak of the Xuan Iron Token, the man beside him suddenly flipped him over, pinning him beneath his body.

King Ning flashed an exceptionally dazzling smile, parted the hem of his inner robe, and lowered his head.

Bai Su was stunned: This is entirely different from the polite excuses and hasty departure he had imagined!

Why was this man pushing boundaries even further, refusing to leave altogether?

Eventually, Bai Su lost all capacity to think. King Ning was simply far too skilled…