The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 10

After finishing their late-night snack, Bai Meng and Mo Jiuge slowly made their way back to the palace. Mo Jiuge glanced at Bai Meng beside him, his tone gentle: “From now on, you’ll stay in my courtyard. If you want to move somewhere else, we’ll have to wait until His Highness returns. How does that sound?”

“No way!” Bai Meng shook his head vigorously, his expression serious. “I can’t sleep with Lord Hankui one day and then sleep with you the next! That’s immoral! If people found out, they’d throw me in a pig cage and drown me!”

Mo Jiuge: “…You should really say that to His Highness. He’d be deeply moved.”

Bai Meng coughed awkwardly. “…Let’s forget about it. After all, love doesn’t need to be spoken aloud.”

That person would definitely be so “moved” he would whip a lash in response.

“But now I finally understand why His Highness kept reminding me over and over to keep a close watch on you,” Mo Jiuge said with a complicated look, his tone filled with melancholy.

“Hmm?” Bai Meng tilted his head in confusion. “Is it because I’m too handsome? He’s worried someone might seduce me and cheat on him?”

Mo Jiuge: “……”

This kid is definitely going to get himself thrown into a sack one day. Better keep a closer eye on him.

As they reached the back of the palace, Bai Meng instinctively turned right, only for Mo Jiuge to grab him and pull him left.

“Hold on!”

A burly man suddenly appeared in the hallway, his voice rough and booming: “I’m Mo Hua, newly promoted to first-class guard, and I challenge Captain Mo Jiuge to a duel!”

Mo Jiuge didn’t even turn around, calmly pulling Bai Meng toward his courtyard. “It’s too late. Tomorrow.”

The man grinned wickedly, charging toward Mo Jiuge with a punch. Mo Jiuge pushed Bai Meng to the side, positioning him against the wall, before sidestepping the punch. The force of the blow sent a gust of wind whipping through Mo Jiuge’s robe.

“Becoming the captain… How can there be such a thing as ‘too late’ for that?!”

With that, the man pulled out a massive iron hammer, swinging it at Mo Jiuge with full force. Mo Jiuge frowned, stomping lightly on the ground and gracefully leaping into the air. The hammer missed its target and slammed into the floor, sending rocks flying and a cloud of dust into the air.

“Cough, cough…” Bai Meng, having inhaled some dust, coughed a few times, waving his hand in front of his face to clear the air. He looked exasperated. “Was this guy part of a demolition crew before?”

Mo Jiuge glanced briefly at the hulking man in front of him, his brows furrowed deeply. In a flash, too quick for anyone to follow, he pulled out several silver needles and shot them at the man. By the time the man’s eyes registered the movement, his body had already frozen, immobilized by the needles. Cold sweat broke out on his face and dripped onto the ground.

Mo Jiuge didn’t make things difficult for him. He simply retrieved the golden token from the man’s belt with a calm expression.

“You’ll be able to move again in three hours. Report to third-class then.” With that, he grabbed Bai Meng, who was trying to sneak away, and walked off.

“Third-class? First-class?” Bai Meng suddenly remembered the conversation between Mo Jiuge and the man earlier. Puzzled, he asked, “What does that mean?”

“It’s a ranking system,” Mo Jiuge explained, casually tossing the golden token he had taken to Bai Meng. Bai Meng caught it and examined it. “This is first-class?”

“Yes.”

“Why did he give it to you? Just because he lost?”

“Yes. If a beastman wants to become part of the guard, they must compete. The top 100 earn a place as third-class guards. To advance, they can either challenge someone of a higher rank and take their position upon winning, or they can challenge everyone at their current rank and move up after defeating them.”

“Oh…” Bai Meng nodded in understanding. “So if he loses his token, he has to start over?”

“…You just figured that out now? Bai Meng, where on earth have you been living? Even young beastmen know this is common knowledge.”

“……”

I’m the rarest flower blooming deep in the mountains.

Bai Meng straightened his expression. “Well, courtesans only need looks, not common knowledge. We’re supposed to be serene and divine, so it’s normal for me not to know!”

Mo Jiuge: “…Is that so…”

“Of course. You’ve never worked in this profession, so it’s understandable that you wouldn’t know. I forgive you.”

“……”

Bai Meng absentmindedly continued chatting with Mo Jiuge, but his mind was occupied with thoughts of joining the guard.

…If I become the captain, can I change Hankui’s fate?