The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 2

That particular novel had left Bai Meng with a lingering sense of psychological trauma. It was called “In the Midst of Calamity,” a title that immediately evoked a feeling of misfortune and despair.

In this world, there existed only one beastman dynasty, which was divided into four halls: Xingge Hall, Yinchen Hall, Richi Hall, and Lanxi Hall. Each hall had a master who governed it.

Next to the dynasty lay a desolate wasteland, devoid of all life. Shrouded in poisonous fog, it was marked by a massive fissure that saw no sunlight. Every three years, a ten-day solar eclipse would occur, transforming the fissure into a canyon from which demons would crawl out, wreaking havoc upon the land. During this time, one of the hall masters would lead their guards to battle the demons for ten days, ensuring that none escaped to endanger the people of the dynasty.

The book Bai Meng had read told the story of Mo Hankui, Master of Xingge Hall, and Feng Qingxuan, Master of Yinchen Hall, exploring their complex and entangled relationship.

Of course, the novel was riddled with melodramatic clichés—such as unrequited love, stand-ins for lost lovers, and physical and emotional torment. All of it was too much for a seasoned reader like Bai Meng. Unable to stomach the drama, he had quickly skipped to the final chapters.

The latest update left off with the protagonist being pushed into the fissure in a desperate attempt to protect the people. His fate remained unknown, while the canyon reappeared, throwing the dynasty into chaos…

And then! The! Author! Abandoned! The! Story!

What a joke!

Bai Meng: Author, come here! I have something to show you…

The reason Bai Meng had started reading the novel in the first place was because there was a cannon fodder character with the same name as him—Bai Meng.

Although the subsequent plot was hurriedly skipped over, when it came to the plot involving “Bai Meng,” the usually shameless hamster not only read through it carefully but also, out of boredom, reviewed every detail multiple times.

The original Bai Meng was a young courtesan whose gentle, obedient demeanor bore a resemblance to Feng Suiling, a former lover of Feng Qingxuan. Thus, Feng Qingxuan had purchased him from the Drunken Flower House and showered him with affection. However, Bai Meng had shown disdain for this so-called affection, recognizing that he was merely a stand-in for the real love interest. Despite this, the original Bai Meng foolishly gave his heart to Feng Qingxuan.

Yet, Feng Qingxuan never touched him, frustrating the original Bai Meng, who even began to suspect that Feng Qingxuan suffered from impotence (Feng Qingxuan: ……). One night, drunk and disheartened, the original Bai Meng was mistakenly led to the guest quarters reserved for other hall masters. Unfortunately, he ran into Mo Hankui. As it turned out, he had been placed in Mo Hankui’s room, and Mo Hankui’s notorious cleanliness triggered his violent temper, leading him to kill the unfortunate Bai Meng.

…But now…

Feeling his legs go weak, Bai Meng gulped. Although he hadn’t been killed on the spot, the deathly glare from Mo Hankui made him feel as if living was worse than dying…

Forget it!

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Summoning his courage, Bai Meng noticed Mo Hankui’s growing intent to attack. Without thinking, he moved his hand down from where it had been gripping Mo Hankui’s belt.

“……”

Those sharp, phoenix-shaped eyes filled with murderous intent widened suddenly, locking onto Bai Meng.

“…You need to calm down first. I’ll explain when there’s no one around!”

The man’s sensitive area was suddenly gripped, Bai Meng could feel the heat beneath his hand twitch, and Mo Hankui’s expression darkened even further.

In a low voice meant only for the two of them, Bai Meng asked, “…If I let go now, will you kill me?”

“What do you think?”

Mo Hankui’s gaze made it clear that Bai Meng was as good as dead.

“I swear! I have no ill intentions! But if you dare move…”

Sensing Mo Hankui’s slight movement, Bai Meng’s expression shifted, becoming fierce as he tightened his grip: “Move again, and I’ll cripple you!”

“……”

Though a matter of life and death for any man, even one as cold-blooded as Mo Hankui hesitated. Grinding his teeth, he spat out two words: “Let go!”

“So, you agree?”

“…Yes.”

Bai Meng, in an attempt to flatter, quickly released his hold and even straightened Mo Hankui’s clothes with exaggerated care. He put on a gentle and considerate demeanor, ignoring the fact that his hands were trembling like a leaf. It was almost moving how hard he was trying.

Bai Meng was able to relax a little now because he knew that while Mo Hankui was ruthless, he always kept his word. With his own life now seemingly secured, Bai Meng’s reckless nature began to stir again.

Not far away, Feng Qingxuan had been left dumbfounded by Bai Meng’s earlier actions, still stuck on the moment when Bai Meng had pushed him aside and thrown himself into Mo Hankui’s arms. He had no idea what had transpired afterward.

Finally regaining his senses, Feng Qingxuan took a few steps forward, his body radiating a chilling killing intent as he addressed Mo Hankui: “What did you do to him?” Before Mo Hankui could respond, a sharp voice interrupted.

“Don’t blame Lord Hankui! It’s all my fault!” Bai Meng interrupted him with a heart-wrenching cry, retreating a few steps until he was at a safer distance from Mo Hankui. Only then did he calm his instinctive fear.

Mo Hankui: “……”

Feng Qingxuan: ????

“…Did he threaten you?!” Feng Qingxuan asked, his voice dry and hollow. Otherwise, why would his male pet defend this cold-blooded monster like Mo Hankui?

“How could you think that?! What kind of person do you think Lord Hankui is?!” Bai Meng exclaimed, looking at Feng Qingxuan in disbelief. “I always thought the Master of Yinchen Hall was a man of noble character… How could you slander someone so casually?”

Mo Hankui: “……”

Feng Qingxuan was on the verge of coughing up blood. Bai Meng’s tone was identical to that of Feng Suiling, his former lover. In the past, he would have been thrilled, but now, Bai Meng was using that same tone to rebuke him for someone else! It was unbearable!

Bai Meng still had his uses, allowing Feng Qingxuan to dwell in the past. However, his longstanding animosity with Mo Hankui left him with no qualms. He jabbed a finger at Mo Hankui’s chest and lashed out: “You wretched monster! Filled with envy, possessiveness, and cold indifference… Why do you even bother living?!”

Mo Hankui said nothing, his already bloodless lips turning even paler, his eyes vacant.

[——The woman stood with her beloved hall master, quietly awaiting the hatching of a precious treasure from its egg.

“…Why does it have horns?!”

“…It’s a monster…”

In front of Xingge Hall, the hall master’s furious roar and the woman’s tearful explanation were finally silenced beneath the hall master’s sword, which glistened with a cold light, stained red with blood.

Why…?

The small black snake with horns watched everything.

I’m out now,

But where have the ones who waited for me gone?

—It was born, but no one loved it.

—— Original text from “In the Midst of Calamity”]