Chapter 1250: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 14

Passing a clothing store, Jin Chen was preparing to buy more attire for Yajiu; it happened to be the Xu Family's shop, and just as he was about to enter, he heard the rapid gallop of a horse whipped to speed on the official road beside him.

Yajiu turned sharply, only to see the rider wearing the military uniform of Prince Han's troops.

Jin Chen lowered his voice: "It's an urgent imperial edict from the capital, seven hundred li away; I guess it's the disposition of that list."

Hearing it was that list, Yajiu grew anxious, wanting to know what result would come from the thing Lao Cao had risked his life to accomplish.

But no matter how anxious, he dared not speak, for he did not wish to spoil his master's mood of play today.

Little did he know, his expression was almost written on his face.

Jin Chen chuckled, "Let's head back to the prince's residence; I can see that some people's thoughts are impossible to hide."

Hearing this, Yajiu froze for a moment, his face turning red.

"You're teasing me."

"How strange, how strange; this Heir Apparent never named names."

Jin Chen walked around him with hands behind his back, acting willfully, "Slander me, and when we return I'll punish you by having you personally attend to the Heir Apparent's dressing and washing."

Yajiu: "……"

No wonder Dahu said the master's ideas are always oddball, even calling red green.

He raised his head to reply, and out of the corner of his eye he spotted someone hurrying on the street, seemingly tailing the messenger who had ridden hard.

The list must not have any problems.

This was Yajiu's sole thought; he drew his short blade into his palm and followed at a speed unseen by others, ready to kill those few.

"Hey, when we get back to the residence…"

Jin Chen glanced back, but there was no one beside him.

"?"

Jin Chen turned about in bewilderment, "Where is the person?"

That little guard of his is so big!

【Hehe, went to hunt down the assassins tailing the imperial edict.】

0731 replied in time.

"Tsk."

Jin Chen stood with his hands behind his back, beginning to feel vexed.

The little guard's courage has grown; he actually dared to leave without permission.

Tonight I will definitely give him a proper lesson in rules.

He could only continue to loiter, occasionally feeding 0731 some novel food he had never seen before, and had to do so furtively, otherwise the many idlers on the street would see him and think him a monster.

At the end of the street alley.

Five assassins had readied their means; as soon as they saw the escort of the imperial edict leave the official road, they would strike to prevent him from reaching Prince Han's manor safely.

Suddenly their vision darkened, occupied by a swift, mysterious silhouette.

Upon looking up, they met those eyes devoid of any warmth, like those of a soulless doll.

Yajiu scanned their attire, caught sight of the cloud pattern on the cuffs, and immediately guessed their identity.

"Assassin Tower, under Prince Cheng."

His voice was equally wooden, yet filled with killing intent.

Though one glance was enough to recognize them, the five assassins were stunned, then filled with deep dread.

"Who are you! How dare you block the road! Watch your life!"

The lead assassin shouted angrily.

Yajiu lifted his cold gaze, without ripple: "Those who covet the imperial edict shall die."

Before his words finished, his form had already moved.

His strike was clean and swift as the wind.

Before that assassin could even draw his dagger, his throat was slit and he collapsed suddenly.

It took only a few breaths.

All of Assassin Tower's top‑rank assassins fell beneath Yajiu's blade.

Yajiu sheathed his blade, lifted his arm to sniff himself, as if instinctively checking whether he bore any scent of blood.

He moved quickly, and no blood scent clung to him.

Yajiu relaxed for no reason, yet a sense of guilt arose first.

Leaving suddenly, the master would surely be angry, so he quickened his pace.

But when he returned to the place he had left, Jin Chen's figure was nowhere to be seen.

Yajiu's face turned pale in an instant.

His breath caught for a moment, and he instinctively scanned the street's shops, but saw no trace of that figure.

The carriage waiting to return to the prince's residence was still there, so he certainly hadn't gone back.

In broad daylight, surely no one would dare to seize or harm the Heir Apparent on the street; perhaps… the master is angry and does not want this incompetent guard.

"He's gone."

Yajiu whispered, his eyes full of brokenness.

He slowly lowered his head, not even knowing where to go to look for someone.

Just as his obsessive thoughts began, his head was struck.

"You even know how to come back!"

A familiar voice, even if it sounded angry.

Yajiu turned in surprise, saw Jin Chen's furious expression, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

「Master…」

Jin Chen's scolding words caught in his throat; seeing Yajiu's red eyes, he was startled and blinked doubtfully.

Oh no, did I just hit him and hurt him?

「Crying… why are you crying! 」

Jin Chen hurriedly rubbed his forehead again; the hateful little guard, still crying after messing up.

「No crying; if you shed tears, I, the Heir Apparent, will punish you severely tonight. 」

He cupped Yajiu's cheeks in both hands, scolding angrily, "You sneaked off silently and dare to come back crying."

「Could it be that you're injured? 」

「No, no…」

Yajiu hadn't wanted to cry at all, but hearing the master's voice made him unable to hold back; he didn't know why.

He sniffled, trying to hold back his tears, but his voice quivered with sobs as he spoke.

「I'm not hurt… I just… when I came back and didn't see you, I thought you were angry… that you didn't want me anymore. 」

Jin Chen was both angry and amused; he couldn't help but pinch Yajiu's chin and rub it hard, "Yajiu, you're really an idiot; why would I not want you when you're fine?"

「You're the biggest idiot in Wanling City. 」

Yajiu choked back tears, not daring to argue, and only whispered his explanation.

"... There are assassins tailing us; if the imperial edict is stolen, it'll be very dangerous."

He gripped Jin Chen's lapel tightly, fearful of suddenly losing sight of him; his skin was delicate, the corners of his eyes reddened to the point that even a touch might tear them.

「If the master is angry… punishment is fine, just don't drive me away. 」

Listening to him aroused pity; there was no sign of the ruthlessness he'd displayed against the assassins earlier.

Jin Chen snorted, awkwardly saying, "I'm angry because I'm worried your injury hasn't healed yet; if you act rashly, something could go wrong."

He pulled Yajiu into his arms, gently stroking his back.

「All right, all right, don't cry anymore. 」

Yajiu was frightened, yet he didn't want to leave this embrace that made his heart tremble.

He leaned on Jin Chen's shoulder, his earlier panic gradually easing.

The master wasn't truly angry; he was just worried about him.

Even if he made a mistake, the master wouldn't drive him away.

Any of those things, if mentioned, would make Yajiu happy for a long time.

The master is truly good.

He clenched Jin Chen's lapel, his tone soft, "Master, please don't be angry anymore."

Jin Chen hummed, pinched his cheek again, "Don't act cute; I'll punish you properly when we get back home."

Yajiu, not knowing how he'd acted cute again, nodded obediently.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 15, total 38!】