Chapter 2836: The Stand-In Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 42

That night, in the warm pavilion.

Jin Chen sat at the bedside, treating Gu Fanghe's wound.

Gu Fanghe was bare-chested, his honey-colored skin covered with old and new scars interlaced; today's injuries were mostly on his shoulders and back, not severe but quite frightening to look at, making one feel heartache.

Jin Chen used a clean cloth dipped in water mixed with analgesic herbs, applying it bit by bit to the wound, which seeped into the flesh, causing a slight sting, yet Gu Fanghe found it very soothing.

Because Jin Chen was there.

After applying the medicine, Jin Chen sat behind him and lightly placed a kiss on his shoulder.

Gu Fanghe shuddered all over, the tension that had been coiled all day finally loosened.

"Xiao Chen..."

Jin Chen embraced him, his fingers gently rubbing the back of his neck, saying, "I'm here."

Gu Fanghe somewhat urgently grasped Jin Chen's hand resting at his waist, then lifted his head, turned his face, and sought his lips.

Jin Chen lowered his head, capturing Gu Fanghe's somewhat chapped lips, kissing him gently and tenderly.

Gu Fanghe closed his eyes, feeling Jin Chen's tenderness.

He recalled how, today in Shan Lin, Jin Chen stood among the fierce beasts, his gaze languid yet commanding everyone's lives.

His little lord was mysterious and powerful, like an immortal descending to the mortal world.

But at this moment, Jin Chen's kiss, embrace, and the touch of his fingertips tracing his spine turned his anxiety into a surging heartbeat.

How could he not be captivated, how could he not indulge unto death.

After a long while, they finally parted.

Jin Chen pressed his forehead to Gu Fanghe's, combing through his slightly sweaty black hair, his breath slightly uneven, "Lost in thought, what are you thinking about?"

Gu Fanghe fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "I was thinking... about the future."

"Xiao Chen, after today, we probably can't stay long in Black Mountain Stronghold."

Jin Chen's hand stroking his back paused, "Huh?"

Really going to become emperor?

Gu Fanghe slowly lifted his head, looking into Jin Chen's eyes, "Wu Zhengchu died here, the Crown Prince was captured. The court... will not let this rest. Even if temporarily compromised, it will surely become a grave threat. Black Mountain Stronghold is easy to defend but hard to attack, yet ultimately... it is not a place for long-term foothold."

"And the Gu Family Army willingly followed me into banditry; seven years have passed. I should lead them back to the battlefield. Seven years... how many sevens does a life have?"

"Yan 7 was only fifteen when he first came; now he's twenty-two. Those seven years should have been spent training in the army camp, studying in school, or enjoying his parents' knees... yet he followed me, scrambling and rolling in these mountains, licking blood from the blade."

"Liu Mianfeng... he is a peerless talent. Years ago in the capital, many princes and dukes wanted to recruit him but failed. Yet because he became close friends with me, implicated by me, he had to hide his name and, in this mountain stronghold, serve as Third Chief, possessing great strategy but only able to scheme against a few corrupt officials."

"Chen Xiaoshan is my finest vice general; he should have achieved glory at the frontier pass, been ennobled and made a general... Shi Meng is honest, simple, and loyal, a fierce spearhead general, yet he too follows me, trapped in Shan Lin."

Gu Fanghe lowered his voice with each name he spoke, "These seven years... I have been constantly tense, just wanting to give them an answer, an upright future where they need not hide or bear shame, I cannot... let them follow me forever trapped in these Black Mountains."

Jin Chen listened silently, stroking his back, like soothing a wounded beast that has finally returned to its lair, revealing its vulnerable side.

After Gu Fanghe finished speaking, Jin Chen then placed a kiss on the side of his neck, wiping away the moisture at the corner of his eye with his fingertip, "You care for them; I care for you."

"You don't care how many wounds you bear, whether you're tired or suffering; I'll just worry a little more, ache a little more for you... okay?"

Gu Fanghe's Adam's apple rolled.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but before the words could come out, his eye sockets turned red.

He never sheds tears lightly; through battlefield carnage, court intrigue, even his younger brother's tragic death, he has gritted his teeth and endured.

But today, with the great vengeance avenged, the seven-year-taut string in his heart finally loosened, only to be plucked by Jin Chen's words.

Those emotions, suppressed for far too long, finally burst forth.

Gu Fanghe nodded firmly, his arms tightening, as if wanting to entrust his entire life and weight to this embrace; he choked up, burying his face in Jin Chen's chest, his shoulders trembling slightly, soaking Jin Chen's shoulder fabric and searing both their hearts.

Jin Chen held him, his fingers gently stroking his spine up and down, allowing Gu Fanghe to let out the tears he had suppressed for seven years into his embrace.

After a long while, Gu Fanghe finally recovered.

He lifted his head, eyes red, yet stubbornly sought Jin Chen's lips, craving more kisses and comfort.

Jin Chen indulged him, kissing him deeply and passionately, almost to the point of breathlessness.

Those intense pains and pleasures were now emptied from Gu Fanghe's world, leaving only a heart full of softness and a satisfied calm.

Until their breathing grew ragged, Jin Chen only then slightly leaned back, ending the kiss.

He looked at Gu Fanghe, his fingertips still lightly tracing his back intermittently, then chuckled, "I once said I would forever stay with you here... I shouldn't have said that."

Gu Fanghe startled, the anxiety he had barely suppressed surged back up.

He did not want to hear what Jin Chen would say next.

Gu Fanghe feared hearing regret, feared hearing separation, feared hearing... any words he could not bear.

He thought, why shouldn't he have said that?

I really like you, so you regret it and now want to leave?

But Jin Chen gave him no chance to indulge in wild thoughts.

He lowered his gaze, his fingers lightly rubbing Gu Fanghe's chest, pressing on the slight depression that rose and fell with his nervousness.

"I should say, if you go to the battlefield, I will accompany you to the battlefield."

"If you go to the capital, I will accompany you to the capital."

"If you go to the imperial court, I will accompany you to the imperial court."

"No matter where you go, whether the road ahead is a mountain of knives and a sea of fire or a smooth brocade path, I will accompany you—okay, are you willing?"

Gu Fanghe stared blankly at him,

What did he hear?

He heard... the most moving words of love in his life.

A promise that no matter which path he chooses, I will walk beside him shoulder to shoulder.

Gu Fanghe wanted to say yes, wanted to vow never to disappoint you in this lifetime... but thousands of words choked in his chest, only able to utter again and again, awkwardly and stubbornly repeating the same answer: "I am willing..."

"I am willing."

"Xiao Chen…young master, I am willing……"

Gu Fanghe tightly embraced Jin Chen, as if wanting to embed him into his bones, blood, and soul, never to be separated again.

Jin Chen was held tightly by him, his heart filled with a soft ache, he returned the embrace, lowering his head to kiss him.

The mountains and rivers bear witness; this heart will not change.