Chapter 110 – Black-Bellied Regent VS Loyal Shadow Guard (14)
But where had Xiao Jin gone? According to protocol, shadow guards wouldn’t typically stray too far from their master unless there were special circumstances.
Wen Renhong sat up, about to call the guards outside the door when Mu Jin entered, carrying a breakfast tray.
In fact, Mu Jin had been right outside the door. When he woke up, he dressed quickly and told the servants to prepare breakfast. When they brought it over, he stepped out to meet them, which is why Wen Renhong hadn’t seen him.
The door closed behind him, and as Wen Renhong watched Mu Jin setting up breakfast, he suddenly thought of those gentle wives or husbands who personally cook meals for their loved ones.
Was this what an ordinary family’s life was like? Every morning, they would wake up to a scene like this—seeing their loved one preparing breakfast. The two of them would sit across from each other, enjoying a simple meal, yet feeling a unique sense of happiness.
Perhaps influenced by this pleasant thought, Wen Renhong stared at Mu Jin for a while before stepping forward. He hugged Mu Jin from behind, rubbing his nose against the other’s ear, and softly said, “Xiao Jin.”
“What’s wrong, Master?” Mu Jin asked, setting down the tray and turning around in confusion, only to be given a gentle kiss by Wen Renhong.
This kiss was a mere touch of lips, without any deepening, yet it carried a subtle warmth that surrounded them. After the kiss, Wen Renhong buried his head in Mu Jin’s neck and murmured, “Nothing. I just think this is perfect.”
They shared this intimate moment before finally sitting down at the table for breakfast. The critical tasks following the disaster had been handled, and everything was proceeding according to Wen Renhong’s plans, allowing him a moment to breathe.
After finishing breakfast, Wen Renhong sipped from his cup of tea. As he watched Mu Jin beside him, he realized that, despite having spent the night together, his feelings were growing stronger. He took the last piece of dessert and casually placed it in front of Mu Jin, asking, “Xiao Jin, have you ever had someone you liked?”
Mu Jin shook his head, replying, “Shadow guards are not allowed to have emotions, so naturally, I don’t have anyone I like.”
Wen Renhong had hoped to probe his feelings, but Mu Jin’s answer disappointed him. Though not entirely unexpected, it still brought a pang of sadness to his heart.
His previously slight smile vanished, and it took him a while before he let out a gentle sigh. He consoled himself by thinking that it was fine; they had plenty of time. He had many years to spend with Mu Jin, day in and day out, and he was sure that one day, he could melt the icy exterior.
But then he thought about how much he truly understood about emotions. Having grown up without his parents’ love, he had always struggled alone in the palace. His only moments of peace were at Guang Han Temple, where the abbot and the elderly master of the hidden pavilion showed him some semblance of kindness.
Even with friends like Lin Hua and Ye Ran, who had known him since childhood, there was always a certain distance—like that between subordinates and their lord. There were some answers he didn’t even know, so how could he hope to teach someone else?
Wen Renhong looked at Mu Jin, feeling a surge of darker emotions. Did the shadow guard obey him just because he was the master? If he weren’t in a position of authority, would Mu Jin still stay by his side? Would he allow such intimate gestures?
This thought made his eyes grow dark, and a surge of anger rose within him. But when Mu Jin looked at him with those big, curious eyes, he felt his tension deflate.
He realized his emotions had been too exposed, alerting Mu Jin. In the end, it was his own impatience and greed. The truth was, Mu Jin was his shadow guard, and he was the master. Regardless of whether Mu Jin liked it or not, Wen Renhong had no intention of letting go.
After finishing breakfast, they left the room together. Mu Jin’s management of the pandemic had been comprehensive, allowing him to leave it to his subordinates. The illness hadn’t spread, and the prescribed treatments were effective, needing only time for the remaining patients to recover. Now, Wen Renhong’s focus turned to flood prevention and refugee resettlement.
They walked to the newly built levee to inspect its progress. Everything was going smoothly, and Mu Jin felt a sense of relief.
Wen Renhong had recruited a group of healthy refugees to help build the levee, providing them with meals and a stipend. This not only provided a workforce but also ensured these people had work and food to eat.
Since arriving here, Wen Renhong’s initial efforts to provide disaster relief had not been smooth sailing. Along the way, many tried to trip him up, but they were no match for him.
Moreover, the officials sent by the Emperor had their own agendas, hoping to catch Wen Renhong making mistakes or fabricate evidence against him. Fortunately, he had anticipated this, so they found no opportunity to act against him.
Wen Renhong, being a royal envoy and a prince, held the highest authority in the region. All other officials had to follow his orders. The people he assigned to carry out tasks were either from his own trusted inner circle or individuals he had cultivated previously. This ensured that there would be no deception or withholding of information.
The levee had begun to take shape, and Wen Renhong was satisfied with the progress. Mu Jin was following him, but something didn’t feel right. Despite everything seeming fine, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if something bad was about to happen.
Just as Mu Jin was hesitating, wondering if he should consult 003, he sensed a powerful blade of wind being directed at Wen Renhong. There was no time to think about why 003 hadn’t issued a warning—his body moved instinctively. Mu Jin leapt in front of Wen Renhong, knowing he couldn’t let his lover come to harm.
Mu Jin instinctively shielded Wen Renhong with his back, taking the arrow meant for Wen Renhong’s heart. A stifled groan followed, and Wen Renhong quickly turned around, seeing Mu Jin standing behind him, his clothes soaked in blood.
Before collapsing, Mu Jin used his last bit of strength to turn and hurl his hidden weapon toward the distant treetops. The ambusher hidden in the canopy fell instantly, even though Mu Jin couldn’t see him, he knew it was a lethal strike.
The arrow had hit a critical spot on Mu Jin’s body, and though 003’s system protected his vital organs, the pain was intense enough to make him curse. Wen Renhong’s eyes turned bloodshot as he yelled, “Doctor!” and quickly picked up Mu Jin, running toward the inn with urgency.
As he ran, Wen Renhong tried to speak soothingly, though his heart was pounding with fear. “Xiao Jin, hold on, we’re almost at the inn. The doctor will be here to treat you soon.” He forced calmness into his voice, despite feeling like his heart was about to stop. He needed to keep Mu Jin calm and reassure him.
Seeing his lover in such a panic, Mu Jin felt a twinge of sympathy, wanting to comfort him but also realizing it was a good time to confess his feelings.
The usually brave Mu Jin showed an unusual vulnerability, reaching out with trembling hands to grasp Wen Renhong’s and whispering, “Master, I have something to tell you.”
Tears welled in Wen Renhong’s eyes. He didn’t want Mu Jin to strain himself talking and said, “Xiao Jin, you can tell me when you’re better. It’s not too late.”
But Mu Jin shook his head and stammered, “Master, I fear if I don’t say it now, I won’t get another chance.”
“You asked me yesterday if I had someone I liked. I wanted to tell you, I do.”
“Xiao Jin, please, don’t say any more! I beg you, don’t!” Wen Renhong roared, feeling like his insides were being torn apart by his words.
Despite Wen Renhong’s desperate plea, Mu Jin tightened his grip on his hand, giving a gentle smile as he continued, “The person I like… is you, Master. But I’m just a shadow guard—how could I ever deserve to like you?”
“Shadow guards aren’t supposed to have feelings; those who do are eliminated. But I don’t want to leave you, so I never dared to admit that I like you. But now, I can finally say it. Master, if I die for you, I will have no regrets.”
After finishing his confession, Mu Jin struggled to kiss Wen Renhong on the cheek. The moment felt right, and he was about to say something else, but 003, in a rush to repair his body, abruptly pulled him back into the consciousness realm.
Ahaha I predicted this move