Ink Blade

Overnight (part 2)

After a long while, there came an indifferent "Mn" that sounded from upstairs.

The middle-aged man in linen heaved a sigh of relief, bean sized cold sweat had already covered his forehead.

He was a man who had seen a lot. These two people had extraordinary bearings, the young man who looked like an attendant had high martial arts skills that he couldn't even comprehend at all. If he offended some big shots, his group of brothers from a rough background would only serve as a breathing exercise for the other.

He shook his head and helped his bloody brother pull out the broken chopstick from his palm. In his heart, he decided that he would withdraw with his brothers tomorrow morning. The muddy water this time was not something they could afford…

Continuing, Chu Yan had entered his room, and when he turned around, Mo Ren also followed in silently, and closed the door behind his back.

Chu Yan thought that he had something to say to him, but when the door closed, Mo Ren knelt down on the ground to his knees, upright, and said, "This subordinate acted without authorization, asking the Master to bestow punishment.”

Chu Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "Get up quickly, you defended this Master, this Master is no less elated, how can there be any reason for a punishment?"

But Mo Ren still knelt without moving, and said lightly, "If the Master has the intention to punish those people, and cut off their tongues early on, where could it be this subordinate's turn to take action?”

As he said this, feeling slightly reluctant, he pursed his lips, "It's this subordinate who acted rashly and caused trouble for the Master...Mo Ren dare not be presumptuous any more, this subordinate begs the Master to bestow punishment."

Mo Ren's earnest request for punishment made Chu Yan not know what to do for a while.

At this moment, it was simply another recount of grievances, it was no better than the calm tone of the person in front of him, which made him heartbroken.

Mo Ren insisted on asking for punishment, but it was because according to the rules of the palace, as long as the punishment was received from the master, the mistake would be counted as a thing of the past. The guard always habitually felt that after he finished enduring the pain, he could continue to follow his master…

"Alas…..you ah." In the end there was a long sigh, and Chu Yan frowned slightly, "Can you be less delusional? This Master just likes to wait for you to stand up for this Master, and this Master also likes to watch you use force. Isn’t it enough?"

"......" Now, it was Mo Ren who was stunned, he was at a loss for words for a while, and when he saw Chu Yan coming over and reaching out to help him up, he quickly stood up, stumbled, looked up at Chu Yan and said with some helplessness, "That….this subordinate, nevertheless disappoint…..the Master.”

At this time, he actually blamed himself for not being hesitant, and even let the Master wait for him for a long time…

Like Mo Ren, living cautiously every day like walking on thin ice had become a habit that couldn’t be changed in just one or two days. Chu Yan knew it well, but he couldn't think of any good way to make him let go. He just hugged him into his arms and said in a low voice, "This Master doesn't blame you. It was never you who should be punished. Ah Ren, don’t think too much, don't be afraid.”

Mo Ren yielded to Chu Yan's strength and leaned on his shoulder. It was a somewhat ambiguous posture, but his eyes were pure bright with clarity. "The Master doesn't need to appease this subordinate like this. This subordinate is the sharp blades of the Master and has long been fearless. It’s just a shame that the sharp blade has become dull now, I am afraid that he will not be able to protect the Master for a long time."

"What nonsense!"

Chu Yan's tone suddenly became sharp, and he stretched out his hand to lift the guard's chin, staring at the somewhat pale face, "What this Master has said last time, that you are not allowed to say such things again, yet you already forgot it in a few days?"

Mo Ren, however, only lowered his eyes and said nothing, his lowered eyelashes cast a shadow under the dim yellow of the candlelight in the room.

The guard being like this made Chu Yan a little flustered. In a trance, he felt that the thin body in his arms was just a fragile phantom that would break at the touch of a finger.

Chu Yan tightened his arms, feeling a little cold. Why is this person always so cold…

Mo Ren vaguely sensed Chu Yan's uneasiness, "Master?"

Chu Yan didn't answer, and with a calm look, he channeled some of his internal energy into his body, and patiently circled through the meridians of his whole body, until he felt a decent temperature coming from under his hand, did he release him with satisfaction.

The guard raised his eyes in a daze,  overwhelmed by an unexpected favor and was at a loss.

He hesitated and called again, "Master...?"

He didn't understand, this time he was clearly not even injured.

Why is the Master wasting his internal energy in vain?

Chu Yan said, "Although you left the Dark Hall and followed me in the early years, your martial arts, however, still remained that way. The Dark Hall's mind technique is cold and vicious. I know you want to protect my heart, but there is no rush to practice martial arts, you must not hurt yourself."

Mo Ren's heart moved slightly. He was a useless person before his death in the previous life, but now, he was reborn as a young and healthy man, with distinct enemies in the dark. He was more or less anxious to get back his martial arts as soon as possible.

The Master has noticed this, and advised him not to rush to seek success…..is it?

Mo Ren's heart became so warm that he quickly lowered his face and nodded in response. As a result, Chu Yan concentrated and pointed at the candle, bringing a gust of wind and extinguishing the flame.

"Okay, we have to hurry tomorrow, go to sleep now."

"Yes.” 

Mo Ren nodded, and slowly retreated in the darkness.

Before closing the door, he heard Chu Yan's voice coming from inside. "Listen, there are secret guards for the night watch, so there’s no need for you to worry. Go back to your room and lie down on the bed. If you don’t listen……This Palace Master will watch you sleep every night!"

At the end of the sentence, it seemed that he was deliberately teasing him, pretending to be fierce and childish. It looked very much like Chu Yan, the young palace master who was only fifteen or sixteen years old many, many years ago.

Mo Ren blinked his lowered eyelashes hastily, and in the peaceful night, his heart warmed again.