The Orange King’s Challenge and a Lingering Kiss

“Hold on!”

Just as Bai Chen was about to depart, the Sovereign’s voice rang out, halting him abruptly. His body stiffened, and he turned with a subtle tremor, his expression shifting repeatedly before settling into his usual respectful demeanor as he fully faced the ruler.

“Does Your Majesty require something?”

“I wonder… why is King Bai in such a hurry to leave?”

“Your Majesty, since my martial contest has concluded, why can I not depart?”

“That was merely to compensate for yesterday. Today’s contest has yet to begin.”

“…”

A fleeting, veiled sneer flickered across Bai Chen’s face. ‘Even if that was a makeup for yesterday, I still fought. Why would there be another contest today? Heh… do they mean to kill me?’

Without another word, he shook his head slightly, suppressing the cold amusement, and walked back to his previous position with a serene expression.

‘Standing here again, you wish to see me dead, do you? Though I don’t understand why I’m being targeted so relentlessly, I am not one to be easily slaughtered.’ A hint of a sneer touched his lips. ‘I’ve been so loyal, done so much for you, what more do you want? Is it truly a case of the enemy state falling and the strategist being eliminated?’

Bai Chen said no more, his expression growing serious. Before him stood the Orange King, who, unlike the foolish Red King, possessed a cunning that, while not as intricate as the Qing King’s, was certainly not to be underestimated. Bai Chen’s demeanor became noticeably graver than before.

The two stood silently for a long time, neither making the first move. The entire hall was shrouded in a chilling stillness that felt almost debilitating. Bai Chen stared intently at the Orange King, an inexplicable, innate pressure emanating from him, until the Orange King could no longer resist and finally made his move.

The blade was stark white, gleaming under the incandescent lights of the hall. Bai Chen, however, sidestepped the attack with practiced ease. Unlike the Red King’s foolish resentment, the Orange King simply spun around, rotating the blade 180 degrees in his palm to grasp the hilt in a reverse grip, then thrust it directly towards Bai Chen’s heart.

“Swish!”

Blood dripped, forming a small puddle on the ground. Bai Chen glanced at the deep gash in his palm, then shot the Orange King a subtle, veiled look. He subtly channeled his inner energy, and the steadily flowing blood in his palm began to form an eerie pattern, which spread until it covered his entire hand. A blood-red design, imbued with a sense of nobility, now adorned his palm.

As he continuously dodged the attacks coming from all directions, the crimson patterns on Bai Chen’s hand seemed to burn, bright red and black lights intertwining. Finally, with a dazzling flash, the faint outline of a sword blade materialized in his palm.

The ethereal form of the blade made it almost impossible for the naked eye to pinpoint its exact location. Nevertheless, relying on his keen sense of inner energy, the Orange King managed to evade many of the attacks. Yet, the outcome was far from effortless; his arms, chest, and thighs were crisscrossed with numerous wounds from the invisible sword qi.

However, in the very next second, the Orange King’s figure abruptly vanished from the open space. Bai Chen paused, momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his composure, looking around. The surroundings were utterly silent and empty, as if he had been alone from the start.

“Ugh!”

A sudden attack from behind made Bai Chen cry out in pain. He swiftly turned, but behind him… there was still no one.

“Agh!”

Half-closing his eyes, Bai Chen gazed at the long gash that had appeared on his chest, blood rapidly soaking his upper garments from both front and back.

A flicker of panic stirred within Bai Qiao’s heart as she watched Bai Chen’s figure being wounded by an unseen assailant. He had already sustained no fewer than ten cuts. Bai Qiao’s hands clenched unconsciously. Power—how desperately she craved it. She and Bai Chen were essentially the same person, so she fully understood his yearning for strength.

And now, she, who possessed no power whatsoever, yearned for it even more intensely. ‘Why? Why me? Why was I inexplicably brought here, inexplicably turned into a girl, with not an ounce of power? And now I have to watch the only… the only family I have here… get injured, yet I can do nothing?’ Her sharp nails dug deep into her palms, blood instantly filling her nail beds and dripping onto the ground.

Qing had observed all of Bai Qiao’s emotional shifts, a secret smile playing on his lips. ‘Was I too harsh? Sealing all his power when he arrived… Well, just endure it for now…’

Bai Chen’s body bled more and more profusely. His eyes narrowed fiercely, and he chanted a series of incantations. Instantly, all the blood transformed into a crimson mist, hovering around his body, gradually making the entire space feel suffocating.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

Amidst a series of coughs, the Orange King’s figure reappeared before everyone. ‘So, it truly was by adjusting his body’s frequency to match the surrounding air currents that he controlled his form?’

Bai Chen approached him with a hint of mockery, the invisible sword in his hand raised high, poised to strike and claim the man’s life in the next second.

“Enough. Let’s end it here for today. Everyone is tired. Go back and rest…”

Bai Chen’s descending hand froze, stopping just above the Orange King’s neck, leaving a faint red mark. A mocking smile curved his lips as he turned and strode out with the same proud gait, naturally not forgetting to pull Bai Qiao along with him.

He had never told Bai Qiao, but perhaps because she was a unique individual, physical contact with her would allow his stamina to recover slightly. ‘At least… enough to walk back normally…’ A bitter smile touched Bai Chen’s lips.

“Mmph…”

No sooner had they returned than Bai Chen pressed her down and began to kiss her. Unprepared, Bai Qiao nearly choked. She angrily turned her head away. ‘It seems my worry was utterly wasted; this man needs no concern from me!’

She reached out, intending to push Bai Chen away…

“Thud!”

“Hey! Hey! What’s… wrong?”

To her surprise, Bai Chen actually collapsed. His face was pale, his lips trembled incessantly, and fresh blood still seeped from his already bandaged wounds. Bai Qiao, flustered, leaned down to re-bandage him. But just as she lowered her head slightly, it was forced back up, meeting those soft yet cold lips once more…

“Mmph!”

Her dignity as a man could not tolerate such treatment. She struggled violently, but inadvertently brushed against Bai Chen’s wound. Seeing his eyelashes flutter in pain, a sudden, inexplicable wave of sympathy washed over Bai Qiao. She ceased her struggles. ‘Only because you’re an injured person…’

Sensing Bai Qiao’s relaxation, Bai Chen embraced her lips and teeth with even greater ferocity, nearly suffocating Bai Qiao into unconsciousness.

‘Indeed… when facing this person… I really shouldn’t… be soft-hearted… Mmph…’

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