The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 28

Seeing the people he had sent were already beaten and bloodied, the elder gritted his teeth and said, “Hall Master Mo, those men are clearly no longer able to fight, yet that boy still intends to strike a killing blow! Such malicious intent…”

Mo Hankui did not respond, but from below the platform, Mo Zhiyan cast a cold glance at the elders. “They defied orders. Serves them right.”

“Shut up!” One elder snarled at Mo Zhiyan, while several others began to appeal emotionally: “Hall Master Mo, Yinchen Hall and Xingge Hall have always been close. Are we really doing this over some insignificant person…?”

Bai Meng was visibly displeased at this.

“What do you mean by ‘insignificant person’?” Bai Meng retorted. “The way you put it, who would even know who you’re talking about? Although I get that you want to badmouth Feng Suiling, people might mistake you for insulting His Highness Feng Qingxuan instead.”

“Pfft—” Many of the beastmen around them couldn’t help but laugh.

Mo Zhiyan glanced approvingly at Bai Meng, quite satisfied with his ability to twist facts.

“You—”

Mo Hankui interrupted the elder in a low voice, giving Bai Meng a glance. “Let’s go.”

“All right. But why do they look so upset when I’m just speaking the truth?” Bai Meng followed Mo Hankui off the platform. As they passed by the elders, he noticed the unfriendly looks in their eyes.

“Is it because I spoke the truth, or are they really mad at their own Hall Master?” Bai Meng shook his head, disappointed. “People these days are so quick to stir up trouble.”

“……”

Mo Hankui sighed softly from up ahead.

Hearing his words, Mo Zhiyan looked back with a touch of surprise at Bai Meng’s departing figure.

—A natural talent for provoking animosity.

He mentally summed up his impression of Bai Meng.

Mo Zhiyan kept this thought to himself, maintaining a blank expression as he addressed the bewildered crowd: “Continue.” He then led the Yinchen Hall elders to another location, leaving a few people behind to maintain order.

……………

“Who was that young man with the unusual eyes just now? Quite the striking look,” Bai Meng asked Mo Hankui with a cheeky grin, but his only response was a silent back turned toward him.

“…I see you’re not in a chatty mood,” Bai Meng observed, sensing Mo Hankui’s sour mood. He laughed awkwardly and then changed the topic. “Those Yinchen Hall elders were quite ridiculous. But come to think of it, Lord Hankui, why haven’t I seen elders from Xingge Hall, except for that young man today…”

“……” Mo Hankui continued to ignore him.

“…Ah, Lord Hankui, are you unhappy? Go on, tell me—I promise I won’t say a word! I’m known for my ironclad discretion within a ten-mile radius…”

“……” Mo Hankui cast him a frosty look, and Bai Meng immediately fell silent.

Just a single glance from someone you care about can shatter any defenses.

“……”

Bai Meng followed closely behind, opening his mouth a few times, wanting to say something, but Mo Hankui’s frosty demeanor kept him silent, and the tension between them grew.

—What is he avoiding?

“Lord Hankui…” Bai Meng finally ventured, his voice timid. “This is the last match. It doesn’t look good if I just walk away halfway.”

“……”

“Lord Hankui? Are you planning to beat me up?”

“……”

“Lord Hankui! Look back at me just once! I swear I’ll behave! I won’t make any trouble!”

“……”

“Lord Hankui… Maybe I should just sneak away?”

“……”

“Lord Hankui, what did I do wrong? Please, just say something. I’m really panicking here.”

“……”

“What’s the matter, Lord Hankui? Is this about the elders? Just tell me…”

“……”

Without turning, Mo Hankui walked on, leaving Bai Meng standing there, watching the unapproachable coldness radiate from his back. A sense of confusion and loss crept into Bai Meng’s heart.

“Mo Hankui.” Bai Meng called out softly, his usual carefree expression now missing. “Are you angry?”

“……” The man didn’t turn, and the atmosphere between them only grew colder.

“Am I a burden to you? Do you regret this? Because of some so-called life debt, you’re forced to put up with my recklessness—watching me offend Feng Qingxuan, stirring up trouble with the Feng family, even openly challenging the elders. You’ve lost your one chance to connect with Feng Qingxuan because of me. I’m so troublesome. You must regret it deeply—”

Mo Hankui froze in place.

Bai Meng’s voice remained steady as he connected the events in his mind, finally reaching a conclusion.

“No wonder you’re so angry!”

His tone was unusually calm. Though he usually added a bit of flair, he now spoke with a calmness that was almost frightening.

“Of course, if I encountered someone like me, I’d be dying to strangle them to end it all. What’s a life debt worth? Even if I had to bear the reputation of a villain, even if I were despised, it would all be worth it to clear the path for someone I cared about. In that light, I suppose you’ve treated me rather well…”

—I really was in the wrong…

Thinking I was doing some grand service in the name of redemption, imposing my actions on him as though I were his protector. But if he’s resisted it all along, if he never wanted it, how could I not see the hidden grief he’s been holding inside, and still be so proud, thinking I was right…

“I really am—”

Mo Hankui turned back, frowning, only to see that the light in Bai Meng’s once-bright eyes had dimmed to a scattered trace of starlight. A tight pain seized his chest, twisting sharply.

“…I’m sorry. I lost my composure.”

Bai Meng gave a wry smile, his lips tilting with indifference. Never mind. Maybe it’s best we part for a while. At least then he might not grow to truly despise me…

…It’s not hard to see why he’d leave. I am really insufferable…

Mo Hankui’s gray eyes reflected Bai Meng’s weary figure moving away, and his lips parted slightly, though he couldn’t say a word.

For the first time, Bai Meng’s exhaustion was visible.

In the past, those eyes always held a small, unquenchable flame that shone brightly. But now, they held only faint starlight. His thin, frail body looked weary, as if he were being crushed under some heavy burden. And yet, he kept holding on, clinging to his last bit of strength.

Long ago, Mo Hankui had noticed that Bai Meng didn’t seem like a mere youth; rather, he resembled a traveler.

Under that young exterior lay a soul weathered and worn, like someone searching for a final resting place. No matter how weary, through wind and frost, he would stagger onward, barely holding on.

Mo Hankui watched as Bai Meng’s figure receded into the distance, a nameless panic surged, nearly overwhelming him.