The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 26

“Thank you for your support~” Bai Meng cheerfully sheathed his Xuan-Tie¹ sword, flashing a bright smile.

“You’re too kind…” Mo Hua hurriedly handed over his token, though inwardly he was shedding endless tears.

What else could he do… He couldn’t win in a fight, and arguing wouldn’t work either. Besides, this guy was the Hall Master’s new lover… So, it’s not because I’m being cowardly!

Mo Hua silently comforted himself.

“Don’t worry!”

After receiving the token, Bai Meng acted unusually friendly. He patted Mo Hua on the shoulder and solemnly promised, “Once I’ve made a name for myself, I won’t forget you!”

“By the way, what’s your name again?”

“……” Mo Hua: “You’re too kind, my name is Mo Hua.”

“Got it, Xiao Hua², I’ll remember.”

“Wait, no, hold on! My name is Mo Hua, not Xiao Hua!”

“Oh, that’s not important~ Xiao Hua~”

“I’m a mighty beastman, standing tall and dignified. I chose the name ‘Mo Hua’ for a scholarly flair, but ‘Xiao Hua’ sounds like the stage name of someone in a brothel!”

“Don’t overthink it, Xiao Hua~”

The two wandered leisurely until they reached the entrance to the tournament grounds. Bai Meng tilted his head to glance at Mo Hua behind him and was immediately surprised. “Hey, why are you still here?”

“……”

Mo Hua’s expression showed deep exasperation. Bai Meng laughed, “Just kidding! I’m about to enter the arena. You go meet up with Lord Hankui at the seating area.”

Hearing Bai Meng’s explanation, Mo Hua found nothing wrong with it and turned to head toward Mo Hankui. Halfway there, however, a nagging feeling crept up on him as though he had forgotten something…

But nothing was amiss, right? Bai Meng was going to the tournament, and he was going to report back… His task was simply to keep an eye on Bai Meng, prevent unrelated people from disturbing him, and allow him to rest and recover… But now, if he reported to the Hall Master, and this patient was about to compete…

Mo Hua suddenly realized what was wrong.

“Wait! Come back! The Hall Master will kill me!”

……………

“Excuse me, is registration still open?” Bai Meng walked into a dim corridor. There was an empty passage with a wooden table in the middle, and a young man lying on it, quietly resting.

“Zzz…” The boy didn’t move.

“Hey?”

“Zzz…”

“Friend!”

Bai Meng knocked on the table, but there was still no response from the young man.

“Still not awake?”

Bai Meng’s gaze fell on the ink brush lying on the table. A sly smile crept across his face. “Looks like I need to give you a little ‘buff.’ After all, it’s not good for staff to sleep on the job, right?”

With that, he picked up the brush and mischievously moved it toward the boy’s exposed neck. Just as the soft bristles were about to touch the skin, a pale, jade-like hand suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“?!”

Bai Meng lowered his gaze and met a pair of unique eyes, one fiery red and the other ocean blue.

“……”

He quickly set down his brush, feigning nonchalance as if nothing had happened. “Ahem, may I ask if registration has closed?”

“No,” the boy answered, drawing casually on a piece of paper before nodding. “Identification?”

Bai Meng handed over the token he had won from Mo Hua, eagerly watching as the boy casually infused it with spiritual energy before handing it back. His heterochromatic eyes seemed strange and deep, and paired with his expressionless face, there was an indescribable coldness about him.

“Thank you, friend,” Bai Meng said with a polite smile as he took the item. Hearing his thanks, the young man looked up at him for a moment; his finely chiseled face showed no expression. He pointed inside. “Go in, there are people waiting.”

Bai Meng nodded, indicating he understood, and walked through the tunnel. On the other side, the world instantly brightened, and he squinted slightly at the vast expanse he now found himself in. However…

Why does this place seem so familiar?

“Brother, are you also here to participate in the tournament? I’m heading there as well, but I’m a first-class, so I’ll just be cheering you on from the sidelines. Do you want me to—Whoa, Bai Meng!”

Hearing someone chattering behind him, Bai Meng turned around and saw a familiar face, shocked yet delighted.

“Oh wow, when did you wake up? I knew it—the wicked live a thousand years!”

??? Is this supposed to be a compliment???

“…This morning,” Bai Meng replied, somewhat speechless. “Since you’re headed to the arena, let’s go together.”

“No way!” Mo Lei suddenly changed his expression, quickly grabbing Bai Meng’s arm and dragging him back toward the tunnel. “You need to stay put! The Hall Master will be back soon, and this arena is chaotic. Don’t get yourself hurt during the tournament, or the Hall Master will lose his mind again…”

“I won’t—”

Bai Meng sighed, trying to shake free, but Mo Lei held on tightly. Waving his captured hand innocently, Bai Meng said, “Can you let go of me?”

“No way!”

Mo Lei’s face was serious. The last time this guy was severely injured, the Hall Master’s crazed reaction had left them all shaken…

As for Feng Shi… Even now, he was still suffering in prison, unable to die even if he wanted to…

“You really won’t let go?”

“Not a chance!”

“……”

Why are you so stubborn?

Bai Meng sighed inwardly, then firmly planted his feet, grabbing Mo Lei’s arm in return and effortlessly dragging him back into the tunnel.

“???”

Mo Lei was stunned. A strapping, eight-foot-tall man like him was now being dragged backward by Bai Meng, who was much shorter.

“You said you wouldn’t let go!” Bai Meng turned his head, flashing an innocent smile at the man he was dragging along.

Mo Lei: “……”

And so, Bai Meng dragged the dead-eyed Mo Lei into the tournament arena, never letting go of his hand.

“……” Mo Lei: I want to die.

Having gone through the second round of the tournament, Bai Meng had expected this final selection to be even bigger in scale. But when he arrived, he found it was only taking place in a sports arena. Looking around, he recognized many familiar faces in the audience, especially the leader standing at the front—Mo Jiuge.

“…But where’s Lord Hankui? There’s no way he’d miss something like this…”

Bai Meng looked around but couldn’t spot the man. Letting go of Mo Lei’s hand, he blended into the crowd to gather information.

Mo Lei, not realizing that his hand had been freed, fell to the ground: “……”

“You all know the rules. It’s a selection tournament. Winners advance, and losers are eliminated. Life and death are inconsequential. If anyone regrets it, now is your last chance to withdraw…”

Mo Jiuge’s voice was gentle, and he wore a smile as he patiently explained the rules to everyone. As he scanned the faces below, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes when he spotted a familiar figure.

However, upon seeing Bai Meng step onto the stage with the others, that surprise quickly turned to reproach. But the tournament had already begun, and even Mo Jiu Ge didn’t have the authority to stop it.

The rules of the first elimination round were simple and brutal: groups of ten would battle until only five would be left standing. As soon as Bai Meng stepped onto the stage, he was attacked by three opponents at once.

Bai Meng dodged to the side, only to hear the leader of the trio mutter to the others, “Let’s take out this little guy first!”

“???”

What?? Say that again???

Bai Meng’s smile froze on his face.

TL Notes:

1. Xuan-Tie (玄鐵) – Refers to a legendary material in Chinese mythology and fantasy literature. It’s depicted as a rare, immensely strong, and unusually heavy type of metal with mystical properties.

Xuán (玄) means black or mysterious

Tiě (铁) means iron (metal), arms, weapons, hard, strong, violent or unshakeable.

When swords are crafted from Xuan-Tie, they are believed to be nearly indestructible and are often associated with powerful martial arts heroes or cultivators in classic Chinese literature. In some stories, Xuan-Tie is depicted as being so dense and heavy that only the strongest warriors can wield it.

Thus, a Xuan-Tie Sword symbolizes both great physical strength and supernatural resilience, often used by heroic characters to set them apart as extraordinarily skilled or destined for great feats.

2. Xiao Hua (小花) translates to “Little Flower.” In Chinese, the prefix “小” (Xiao) is often used affectionately or as a diminutive nickname to imply a casual, cute, or familiar tone, especially with friends or younger people.