Chapter 50 - Honey Tangerine Flavored Shadow Guard Gong (8)

*Slight nsfw at the end.

Before letting Zhong Quan withdraw, Gou Liang kindly reminded him to send back the two men who were still held in the horse stable.

Zhong Quan's face had a rarely seen trace of embarrassment as he promptly went to handle it.

Looking at his back view, Gou Liang let out a faint sigh.

[Gou Liang:Ah~ I never made a booty call so refinely before, it really is exciting enough!]

[System:Yet…the target's current favouribility value: +81.]

[Gou Liang choked. He sneered and said: Did you eat too much nonsense code or viruses? Ever since coming to this world, you've been mocking and ridiculing me. Are you dissatisfied with me?]

[System: …Master, don't get too deep into the act. (￣ー￣〃) ]

[Gou Liang laughed out loud: In the last world, playing with ChongFeng, it was always him leading. I didn't expect this feeling to be so satisfying. No wonder he even specially designed Master-Servant play programming for the holographic Baby, always hiding and secretly rubbing. ]

[System: Exactly because it's too satisfying, that's why you fasted for ten years Master.]

[These words suddenly jabbed at Gou Liang's sore spot: Shut up if you don't know how to speak!! (▼皿▼#) ]

[System:（＾ｖ＾）]

Gou Liang angrily withdrew from his sea of consciousness. Lifting his hand to feel the temperature of the wind flowing along his fingertips, he revealed a clear and bright smile and opened his lips, saying warmly, "Come here."

In the peaceful atmosphere no one responded, yet a gust of wind passed through the window, bringing a few leaves from the big trees outside the courtyard into the room. One of the leaves leisurely fell onto Gou Liang's palm and 'stood' up. The veins of the leaf flashed with light, slowly converging to form two words:

Asking Heaven.

It really was the Asking Heaven Seal!

Travelling far and wide in search of something with no result, only for it to appear before you so easily later on.

Gou Liang felt how emotional the original owner's soul was, when Asking Heaven Seal appeared, in a split second he received tens of millions of purified negative soul force as a present.

Don't rush. Since you want Zhong Yue to fall into the mud and live a life worse than death, I will naturally let your wish be fulfilled.

He twirled the leaf in his hand and sniffed lightly. A burst of sweet tangerine fragrance rushed to his nose, it was very nice to smell. Gou Liang smiled as his fingertip lightly slashed across the veins of the leaf, causing the flimsy leaf laying on his palm to transform into a small white jade xiao.

—Truly worthy of being the vessel of this world's most mysterious power.

The system-produced State Scholar Crash Course Manual held many secret techniques more mysterious and powerful than Asking Heaven Secret Manual, but every world's Lord God consciousness had their unique rules. Thus an indigneous power like the Asking Heaven Secret Manual was much more practical to use than those.

Touching the jade xiao's sleek luster and warm texture, Gou Liang's heart felt a sudden longing. He uttered a soft, "Zhong Quan."

From afar, there was the noise of a heavy object falling to the ground. Zhong Quan appeared in front of Gou Liang after a breath's time—he had been busy handling the two backup antidotes, ne.

Gou Liang said, "You come here."

Zhong Quan approached without hesitation.

Gou Liang lifted a hand and stroked the other's hair once. Zhong Quan only felt a twinge of pain on his scalp and watched as a strand of his hair appeared on Gou Liang's hand. Zhong Quan didn't understand the reason, but he saw Gou Liang also reaching out to take a strand of his own hair. Then, from his waist, he removed the forest green jade pendant left to him by his grandfather, representing his identity as a member of the capital's Zhong Clan. He proceeded to tie the freshly plucked strands of hair together around it.

His fingers were nimble. In just a short while he wove the two strands of long, ink black hair and the jade pendant together, making a delicate silk waistband. The slender hair flowed together. If one did not touch it carefully, the difference between the rough and smooth hair textures could not be felt—it would be impossible to distinguish between the two.

Binding our hair as one to convey the wish of growing old together.

Gou Liang stroked it lightly, then tied the pendant onto the white jade xiao. The black hair and white jade contrasted each other and was extremely beautiful. No one blew the jade xiao yet a distant and lively melody seemed to burst forth from it, as if to show its immense satisfaction with its new accessory. The smile in Gou Liang's eyes deepened further.

He asked Zhong Quan, "Good-looking?"

He smiled lightly, his eyes seemed to contain fragments of light, the dimples on his cheeks deepened.

&#k3010;Ding, target's favorability value refreshed, current favorability value : +82!&#k3011;

Zhong Quan hurriedly withdrew his absent-minded gaze and lowered his head, only to see the strands of black silk hair that were now indistinguishable as they intertwined with one another. Only after Gou Liang repeated his question did he hurriedly reply, "Reporting to Master, very good-looking."

Gou Liang was satisfied and hung the jade xiao at his waist.

In the capital.

15th day of the 8th month, Mid-Autumn Festival.

The Emperor and his ministers' joyful celebrations at the palace feast came to an abrupt end at the horrifying report of King An's personal eunuch.

The second son of General Zhen Guo's first wife, Zhang Tian, was dead, and had died in King An's manor.

General Zhen Guo embraced his second son's corpse and cried bitterly until he lost his voice. King An's expression was also extremely unsightly.

Don't look at how King An and Zhang Tian appeared to be destined life or death sworn enemies. Zhang Tian was King An's study partner and the affections of the two people who grew up together were actually not false. When Zhang Tian's previous paramour ran away, he had secretly requested King An to search for the person on his behalf and there were finally results today. King An had the person abducted and brought back to his manor. He originally wanted to deliver him over to Zhang Tian the day after the Mid-Autumn Festival, but once Zhang Tian received the information during the palace feast, he immediately couldn't wait. Zhong Tian used the excuse of having insufficient alcohol tolerance and hurriedly left.

Who would have thought that his departure was unexpectedly towards the road to the Yellow Springs.

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Zhang Tian's appearance in death was too miserable. Not only was his body stuck with several knives, even his offspring root was removed, chopped into ground meat, and casually tossed aside.

After General Zhen Guo heard the whole story from King An, he believed that the murderer was definitely Zhang Tian's male concubine who had already fled the Prince's Manor. Even though Zhang Tian was a scoundrel, his martial arts was not shallow, if he was not completely unguarded, how would he have died so tragically? He was aggrieved and furious. He drew his sword on the spot, commanding, "That slut must have not fled out of the capital yet, quickly bring him back. This general wants to split him into a thousand pieces to avenge my son!"

However, King An held him back, advising, "General, please wait, I'm afraid the murderer…could be someone else."

"Who?!"

—"Why did you do that?"

In Zhong Yue's courtyard, Li Yan, who had rushed over in the dead of the night, pushed aside Zhong Yue's welcoming kiss and questioned coldly.

"What is Official Yan talking about?"

Zhong Yue wore a puzzled expression.

Li Yan pushed down his anger and said, "Zhang Tian! Didn't I say before that it is not the right time yet, to not touch him? When I ascend the throne, don't mention wanting Zhang Tian's head, even if you want to have him chopped up and fed to the dogs, I won't stop you! But what is the situation now? How could you attract such a big enemy to me due to a moment of resentment?"

Zhong Yue's eyes flashed with a thread of pain as he subconsciously retreated a step to avoid this man who was not even willing to settle the person who humiliated him and was only concerned about his own gains and losses, leaving Zhong Yue mired in disappointment. Not to be outdone, he retorted sharply, "Didn't he die in King An's manor? What does it have to do with me?"

"You!"

Seeing that Zhong Yue was still unrepentant, Li Yan was fuming with rage. "Did you know that General Zhen Guo entered the palace in the middle of the night to ask Emperor Father to return justice to his Zhang Clan and his words directly pointed to this Prince! Emperor Father has already ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate that day's matter. Do you think they can't investigate what happened that day? You convinced yourself that the blame has been shifted, but you don't know that King An and Zhang Clan have long stood on the same side. Even if you had people kill Zhang Tian in King An's Manor, no one would suspect him. Instead it will become the best evidence that this Prince killed people and tried to shift the blame to King An! Simply—"

A fool!

These two words were choked down by Li Yan in the end, but his expression said everything clearly.

Zhong Yue's eyes were scalding hot. In a moment of grievance, he couldn't help but say: "So what?"

"What kind of thing can Zhang Tian count as? He's merely a trifling ant! If he's dead then he's dead. Could it be they'll make me pay for it with my life? Don't talk about Zhang Tian, even if this young master wants the lives of the whole Zhang Clan, who can do anything to me—"

"Zhong Yue!"

Li Yan interrupted him with reproach, his eyes flashed with deep disgust and vigilance.

After enduring for a while, he suppressed his anger and said, "I know you hate Zhang Tian and hate Li Mu, but doing this, what good is there for you or me? Do you know that Emperor Father has long been waiting to get evidence against me in order to send King An onto the throne! These days, I've been walking on thin ice. Why can't you be considerate…or is it that you simply don't believe that I will help you take revenge?"

Of course Zhong Yue didn't believe him. With Zhong Gu as a precedent, he had long since ceased to trust this man blindly.

He didn't say it, but Li Yan could see it. His expression changed slightly. In the end, he controlled the angry scolding at the tip of his tongue, flung his sleeves, and left.

"Official Yan—Li Yan, stop right there!"

Li Yan turned a deaf ear and instead quickened his steps.

Zhong Yue couldn't bear it anymore and cried. Seeing that the other was walking quickly out of his sight, he finally couldn't help it and chased after the man. He hugged onto him and swore, "It wasn't me, whether you believe it or not, I didn't kill him!"

Li Yan didn't believe it. Zhong Yue hugged him tightly and didn't allow the other to push him aside, crying as he said, "It's just a cheap life. Even if Zhang Tian is dead, it is still hard to dispel the hate in my heart! If I want to kill him, why would I use this kind of unintelligent method that will put you at a disadvantage? Since I promised you not to move against him, why would I renege on my words?"

"For real?"

"You, do you still not understand me? If I want his life, I naturally have hundreds of methods to silently make him die without a burial ground. Why would I set up this trap?"

Only then did Li Yan turn around. Seeing Zhong Yue crying with grief, his heart was also somewhat distressed. He wiped the other's tears and said, "But now, I'm afraid all the evidence has already pointed towards you…" If it was not Zhong Yue, then who else could it be?

Zhong Yue saw that the suspicion on him was not dispelled. In his heart he was both loathing and anxious. But he did not show it, instead, he cried with a face full of grievances, appearing like a pear blossom bathed in rain, until Li Yan comforted him softly to not cry and promised that he believed him. Only then did he choke back his sobs enough to say, "Official Yan, do you still not understand who would benefit if Zhang Tian dies? I'm afraid there's someone who wishes for Zhang Tian's death more than I do.

Li Yan's heart shook as he asked in a low voice, "You're saying…Li Mu?"

King An's Manor.

Zhang Tian's corpse was sent back to the Zhang Clan. The bloodstained courtyard had been cleaned and sealed off. The Prince's Manor was lit brightly with lanterns. No one had lost their sense of propriety because of a person's death. They continued to cautiously and conscientiously wait upon their Master as before.

King An sat in front of the case file and kept drinking water while lost in thought. He only snapped out of his daze when he lifted the kettle and could not pour a single drop of water out.

"Sir, is that surnamed Meng truly reliable?"

Aide Niu Bi put down the book in his hand. He nodded and said indifferently, "His Highness need not be so alarmed, the situation is within our control. After this night, the court officials should all know that the Crown Prince and the Tianji Zhong Clan's young master are in a relationship. His Majesty will definitely not tolerate it."

Yes, a dead Zhang Tian was simply too advantageous for King An.

All the suspicion for Zhang Tian's death had fallen onto Zhong Yue, and Zhong Yue's relationship with Li Yan would be revealed by his people.

In this way, not only would the Zhang Clan stand behind him even more loyally against the Crown Prince, but even the Emperor would have an excuse to deal with the Crown Prince. Li Yan's reputation would definitely take a dive. By then, it would be the prime time for him to fully display his abilities.

Hitting two birds with one stone, it could not be better.

However, King An's heart was still uneasy. He questioned again, "That surnamed Meng, could he end up biting us back?"

Meng San, the male concubine that Zhang Tian took great pains to marry, was found by King An after he escaped the manor. He was then persuaded by Niu Bi to personally end Zhang Tian's life.

Niu Bi had a card up his sleeve, so he said with certainty, "His Highness can rest assured, others may renege but he won't. You only know he has love turned to hatred towards Zhang Tian, but there's another past matter."

"Oh?"

"Meng San originally had another name, Meng Fenghe. His Highness must remember this name, right?"

King An strenuously recalled back before suddenly shouting loudly, "What, it's actually him?!"

This Meng Fenghe could not be considered as a major figure in the capital, but for King An this name remained fresh in his memory.

Some time ago, this person entered the capital for the imperial examinations. Unfortunately for him, Zhang Tian fell in love at first sight and those kinds of thoughts formed in his heart. At that time, Zhang Tian was only thirteen years old, but was already extremely brash. The adolescent who was experiencing his first taste of passion, only knew to bully the weak and fear the strong. He had people catch Meng Fenghe and used forceful methods to break his body. Meng Fenghe could not bear the humiliation and knocked the wall and committed sucide. Zhang Tian was terrified out of his wits and it was King An who helped him clean up his mess, throwing that man's body into the river while making it appear as if he had simply slipped and fell into the water.

Afterwards, the corpse had been washed away and was not discovered by anyone, saving them a lot of trouble

King An never would've thought that not only did Meng Fenghe not die, he even approached Zhang Tian three years later seeking an opportunity to take revenge.

King An deeply hated Zhang Tian's stupidity for a moment. The fool was actually not even able to recognize the white moonlight that he had solemnly vowed to put in his heart. At the same time, King An grew even more uneasy.

"If it's him, would it be disadvantageous for this king——"

"His Highness can rest assured, Meng Fenghe doesn't know the entirety of that year's matter. He is only looking for vengeance against Zhang Tian."

King An's heart was frightened, "That year's matter was well-hidden. How did you find out about it?!"

Niu Bi merely smiled without speaking.

When it was almost daybreak, Niu Bi left to see Meng Fenghe on behalf of King An, who wanted him to both placate and threaten the other. King An didn't suspect that the conversation between the two men was entirely different than he intended.

Niu Bi: "You did well. Rest assured, Master has already made the arrangements and will definitely guarantee your life. Only, there are a few sufferings that cannot be avoided,"

Meng Fenghe brushed aside Niu Bi's concern. "You don't have to say anymore. This cheap life, even if it is ended here, my revenge has already been taken and I have no regrets. Moreover, that year, Zhong Clan's Quan Ya rescued me, gave me a path to life, and now even allowed me to fulfill my wish. This one is unable to return the favour, I only hope my action could assist the Lord. Only my family…"

"They have already been moved. Even if the Zhang Clan learns your identity, they will only find that your family had already died of illness during the plague."

"Many thanks to the Lord, many thanks to Sir."

The second day after Zhang Tian had died, Zhang Clan's people found the enemy who had murdered the son in a dilapidated courtyard.

General Zhen Guo wanted nothing more than to hack Meng Fenghe into a thousand pieces, but ultimately bore his anger and let the Ministry of Justice's people take him away. Within hours, Meng Fenghe could not bear the torment and confessed Zhong Yue's name before dying soon after under torture.

The Minister of Justice, who took refuge with King An, tracked the clues and easily found evidence of Zhong Yue and His Highness the Crown Prince's affair.

The Emperor ruthlessly smashed the Ministry of Justice's memorial onto the ground as his eyes flashed with layers of angry thoughts.

At the same time, thunder struck the mass grave outside the capital, lighting it on fire. General Zhen Guo, who had gone to whip the corpse of his son's murderer, returned in disappointment. He instead channeled his rage at Zhong Yue and Li Yan, that pair of dog men.

The situation's progress was even more exciting than Gou Liang had anticipated. He secretly praised Zhong Quan's ability to put the right people in the right places—the people he picked couldn't have met his expectations any better.

Just as he was thinking of him, Zhong Quan soundlessly arrived in front of him, "Master."

Gou Liang was multi-tasking, watching the drama unfold as he read the old man's handwritten poison manual. He put down the book and looked at him, "Back already. Have you succeeded in learning?"

Zhong Quan's face tensed. A few days ago, after Gou Liang decided on him, the old man had offered him some sincere advice. As a result, Zhong Quan rushed through the night to the NanFeng Establishment in the border town, where he single-mindedly focused on studying bedroom techniques in order to better help his master detoxify his poison…seeing Gou Liang's cold expression which looked like he did not think he had asked anything special at all, Zhong Quan bit the bullet and pretended to be unperturbed. "This subordinate is dull, but he will do his best and absolutely will not let Master be hurt."

Gou Liang tilted the poison manual, using it to block the scar on his face, exposing only a pair of slightly crafty eyes. He suppressed his laughter and said, "Towards you, I am always reassured."

Zhong Quan, "…Thank you, Master."

That night, Gou Liang personally inspected the results of target-dada's diligent learning.

Gou Liang dripped with sweat as he sat on Zhong Quan's lap, legs carefully protected and back leaning against a broad, undulating chest. He was conquered by his technique and left with only uncontrollable monosyllabic sounds. Damn, how is this having a dull aptitude, it was clearly a first-rate talent!

The temperature of their intertwined bodies was so sultry, he was about to melt into a puddle of water. The wonderful fullness of each collision also made him want more…

The soft, delicate, fair skin rubbed against hard abdominal muscles until it became red. Zhong Quan's large wheat-colored hands gripped the fair waist. Every movement was able to accurately relieve his Master's poison to the greatest extent.

Gou Liang uncontrollably shook his head, the back of his head rubbed against the other's chest as he leaned bonelessly against the other's body, fingers tightly clasped on the man's arms.

There was a faint sweet tangerine scent in the air. Gou Liang originally thought it was emitted by the jade xiao, but that taste became increasingly concentrated, ardent and sweet. He leaned his face against Zhong Quan's chest, listening to his heartbeat that was like a drum and clearly smelled that thickening scent on his body. His sweat seemed like a layer of honey applied on his skin, giving off a rich and sweet tangerine flavour—really want to eat!

Gou Liang continously swallowed his Adam's apple and finally was unable to resist…

Zhong Quan only felt that place had tightened suddenly, causing his scalp to go numb. There was a small burst of pain on his chest—it was actually Gou Liang who was fiercely biting on his chest.

Gou Liang's chest moved up and down violently. Zhong Quan stared down at the trembling red fruits and thought the other was too embarrassed to open his mouth, so he considerately released the slender waist that had already been marked with his fingerprints. He pressed one hand over the other's abdomen, preventing the other from overexerting himself. He then spread the other's legs, his other hand moving towards his chest—

Dawn finally broke.

Zhong Quan carefully carried the almost unconscious Gou Liang to wash up. He carefully applied the old man's exclusively formulated ointment down there behind and attentively dressed him before waking him up.

Gou Liang grabbed onto his hand.

"Master?"

Zhong Quan thought he was feeling uncomfortable in that place and hurriedly crouched down, cautiously looking at him.

Gou Liang's face was expressionless but the look in his eyes was extremely awkward. When the other finally released him after a long time, he pretended to bring it up casually, "You went to seek a teacher. Did you apply what you learned on someone else's body?"

Zhong Quan was stunned for a moment. He then revealed a rare slight smile. Properly tucking the quilt over him again, he said in a low voice, "Never. Master said before that Zhong Quan's being, be it a single strand of hair, are only yours to have. Zhong Quan has engraved it in his heart and definitely will not allow others…to touch."

Gou Liang's face was flushed red, his gaze somewhat evasive. When their line of sight collided, he immediately closed his eyes in panic, forcing himself to stay calm before saying, "That is good then. You may withdraw."

Zhong Quan did not leave immediately. His head bowed as he quietly looked at Gou Liang. His eyes were closed but the corners of his mouth had unintentionally curved up, the dimples on his face faintly discernible.

He gazed for a long time. He only rose and walked out of the room when he was certain Gou Liang was asleep.

[Ding, target's favorability value has been updated. Current favorability value: +90!!]

[System: Master is awesome, keep working hard! ~(～o￣▽￣)～o]

[But Gou Liang was not happy at all: Little Wanton, are you messing with the mission progress bar?! ]

[The system silently looked at the mission progress which remained at 0.1% and said in sorrow: Master, you…accept your fate ba. ⊙ω⊙]

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