The Protagonist is Always Intimidating Me - Chapter 31

“…Who would care about your selfishness…”

A liquid dampened the collar of Mo Hankui’s clothes as Bai Meng spoke in a low, muffled tone, “Listen, Lord Hankui, I don’t want to hear about what’s supposedly best for me. You may be able to stop me from joining the guard team, but I can refuse to live alone. Either bury me alive or let me die beside you; the choice is yours.”

“……”

—If I cannot remain by your side in life, then in death, I will be laid to rest beside you.

Mo Hankui understood what he meant, and with a faint smile, he closed his eyes. The corners of his mouth turned up in reluctant acceptance, and he said, “All right.”

Under the night sky, starlight twinkled gently, as if someone was carefully carrying a lit candle. Moonlight filtered through the dense, dim clouds, casting sparse lines on the ground. A faint light glowed on the back of his hand, recalling the beauty of their first encounter.

In this harmonious moment, Mo Jiuge stood at a distance watching them embrace. Bai Meng sobbed uncontrollably, and in his tea-brown eyes, a trace of complexity lingered.

“What?”

Someone suddenly appeared beside Mo Jiuge, dressed in a pure white elder’s robe. He looked expressionlessly at his Hall Master and his young lover. Noticing the complex emotions in Captain Mo Jiuge’s face, he redirected his gaze toward him, “Are you…jealous?”

“……”

Mo Jiuge shook his head, his expression caught between words unspoken.

“Speak plainly,” Mo Zhiyan fixed his odd-colored pupils on Mo Jiuge, his tone cold: “It’s no problem.”

“……” Mo Jiuge cast him a wistful glance, then looked back down at the embracing pair below. “Bai Meng wasn’t actually crying. He was just making sobbing noises for ages. But where did that water come from…?”

Mo Zhiyan: “……”

Mo Hankui, who had just come up to join them: “……”

The young lover, still nestled in the Hall Master’s arms: “……”

The atmosphere fell silent.

The silence of one person is solitude; the silence of a group is awkwardness.

“Bai. Meng.”

Through clenched teeth, Mo Hankui called his name and released his hold, casting a mocking glance at the docile little beastman before him.

“…I can explain, it really wasn’t saliva… Ahhhh, no, I’m sorry, QAQ! I really wasn’t faking my feelings. I genuinely love you, Mo Hankui! Ahhhh! Big snake!!!”

……………

Two months before the Day of the Eclipse, Bai Meng was promoted to captain, a decision that left the entire Xingge Hall guard team in shock.

At lunchtime, guards returning from the training field swarmed the cafeteria. As the time to head to the battlefield approached, everyone trained hard for team synergy. Teams of twelve were formed, with equal numbers from the first, second, and third-class members, the strongest first-class guard served as leader.

Now, Bai Meng was set to replace the captain, leading ten guards to protect Mo Hankui. The members were selected by Mo Jiuge, and they focused on training in team coordination.

Mo Lei and Mo Lengsui, chosen for the squad and close friends with the other members, sat together after training to eat.

“What is the Hall Master thinking…” Mo Lei said with a frown, stabbing at his potatoes, reducing the golden, crispy cubes into mush. Across from him, Mo Yu and Mo Chao saw it and immediately set down their chopsticks, unable to look.

“Captain Jiuge said there’ll be a meeting in the Main Palace soon for an urgent announcement. It’s probably about Bai Meng becoming captain. We’ll know soon enough.”

“All right, we’ll see.”

“Yes, let’s be on the lookout.”

Mo Lengsui, who had been eating quietly, suddenly felt the silence around him. Looking up, he realized he was the only one still eating. Surrounded by watching eyes, he hesitated for a second, shoveled two more mouthfuls in, and finally put down his bowl, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed solemnly: “…Mm.”

Everyone else: “……”

What the heck, could you at least swallow first?!

Mo Chao and the others collectively facepalmed.

“The Hall Master must have his reasons…” Mo Yu said, standing up with a furrowed brow. “Actually, I think Bai Meng’s strength is at least adequate…”

“You just want to praise him!”

Mo Chao cut him off, casting a look of disdain at the handsome man whose face had turned red. “Heh, gay.”

“…Shut up!”

Annoyed, Mo Yu turned, taking several large strides forward, but upon realizing the others weren’t following, he looked back and saw that Mo Lengsui was reluctant to leave.

“…Just let me…finish…” Mo Lengsui mumbled, quickly shoveling food into his mouth as Mo Chao patted his back. “Take it slow. It’s fine. The Hall Master can wait. We’re all here, don’t worry.”

Mo Yu: “……”

Mo Chao, I misjudged you.

And you were just mocking me for being gay?!

……………

When the group finally reached the front of the Main Palace, Mo Yu’s expression was still sour. Mo Jiuge, Mo Hankui, Bai Meng, and several familiar first-class guards were already waiting. Seeing them arrive, Mo Jiuge smiled slightly, “Good, everyone’s here.”

“Next, we’re heading to Yinchen Hall.”

Bai Meng raised an eyebrow. “Are we going to raid it?”

Mo Hankui: “……”

“…Ahem, no,” Mo Jiuge smoothly shifted the topic, “We’re going to find someone. Also, from now on, Bai Meng will be your captain, and I’ll be the vice-captain.”

“…But…”

“No ‘buts,’ this is merely an announcement,” Mo Hankui cast a cold glance over the group, “Now, let’s move out.”