Chapter 702

After turning to face the others, he again regained his calm appearance, but the red in his eyes wasn't so easy to hide.

The others could only pretend not to see.

Fang Xun smiled and shook his head, thinking that this good friend of his had come to grief at Jin Chen's hands.

By the time they had reopened the underground passage for the court officials to come inspect, it was already broad daylight.

The dark clouds that had lingered over Yunshu Town for nearly half a month finally dispersed, and the long‑absent sunshine poured down.

As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship; after tonight's dangers, Fang Xun and Fu Zhiyuan no longer dwelled on Jin Chen's identity.

Perhaps they had been too one‑sided before, thinking everyone in the Demonic Sect was irredeemably wicked, never expecting the Young Master of Nine Abysses to be so chivalrous.

The six of them returned together to the Governor's residence.

After being told everything, the Governor was so shocked that even the drowsiness from just waking up vanished.

"No wonder… it turns out he's the Crown Prince!"

The Governor paced back and forth with hands on his hips, then suddenly slapped his head and said, "No way, I must hurry back to the capital and tell the Second Prince everything!"

"The Second Prince?"

Fang Xun didn't understand court intrigue, but found it strange, saying, "If the Crown Prince did wrong, why not tell the Emperor instead of a prince?"

"It's like that…"

The Governor sighed, stroked his beard, and said, "Although the Second Prince is not the heir apparent, he was born of the main consort; he was kidnapped as a child, wandered abroad for two years, and was only sent back by a kind soul."

"During those two years everyone thought the Second Prince had died, so they enthroned the current Crown Prince—but as time went on, the Crown Prince grew ever more cruel and ruthless, treating the lives of the common folk like weeds,"

"So, including myself, many officials want the Second Prince to inherit supreme authority in the future."

As the Governor explained, Jiang Chu glanced at Jin Chen twice, but this guy's gaze remained fixed on Mu Huaizhi without the slightest flicker.

He probably no longer remembers those childhood events.

Fu Zhiyuan said, "I've already sent a secret order for the Heaven Sword Alliance disciples to rush over; they will escort you back to the capital."

Fang Xun also said, "The Thousand Mechanism Palace disciples will come along as well, so you needn't worry."

"Then, many thanks, young hero."

As for their hair‑raising ordeal in the manor, the members of the Big Blade Sect and the True Martial School could only sigh in admiration.

Now the younger generation has grown strong enough to stand on its own, and these old fogies ought to admit that the new waves push the old.

The Seven‑Garbed Assassins of the Earth Evil Palace, whom countless sects had been helpless against, were slain two of their number in a single night by them.

Before the Heaven Sword Alliance and Thousand Mechanism Palace people arrived, the six decided to go back and get some sleep.

They aren't made of iron; after a night of strained nerves, they ought to relax properly.

——

"How come I'm unhappy as soon as I enter the room?"

Jin Chen changed into clean clothes, lay on the bed and yawned, just about to close his eyes when he saw his wife sitting blankly at the table, her tea untouched from hot to cold.

He sat up, leaning against the headboard, and asked.

Mu Huaizhi finished that cup of cold tea, turned to face Jin Chen, pursed his lips, and asked, "Leaving Yunshu Town, where are you headed?"

"I'm going back to the Nine Abysses to take care of some business and pick up a few things."

Jin Chen answered truthfully.

Consequently, Mu Huaizhi's face visibly darkened; he opened his mouth but didn't know what to say, so he lowered his head in regret.

As expected, it's just like that…

Though he had long anticipated it, the moment he faced parting, a sour, aching reluctance welled up in Mu Huaizhi's heart.

He had grown used to Jin Chen's daily shouting in his ear, to the occasional embraces and hand‑holding, and to the wordless understanding that let them act in sync.

And habit is a frightening thing.

If… if he had agreed to Jin Chen that day, would he not have left?

His thoughts tangled, Mu Huaizhi's brows knotted tighter, and the hand hanging at his side clenched his sleeve into a ball.

Suddenly, warm hands cupped his cheeks, and lifting his gaze he met Jin Chen's smiling, downward look.

"Why are you moping, Mu Huaizhi? Don't you want to stay with me?"

Again seeing through his thoughts, Mu Huaizhi instinctively turned his head away and denied, "I don't."

But the next second he regretted it a little.

His mouth is tougher than his life.

Jin Chen sighed to himself and exclaimed, "Ah, Mu Huaizhi, you little heartless one—we've gotten along this long, after all."

If you won't agree to my pursuit, then fine—we're about to part, and you don't even have a shred of reluctance.

He let go of Mu Huaizhi's face, put his hands behind his back, gazed out the window, and muttered.

Tight-lipped.

The person behind him still said nothing.

Jin Chen looked out the window at the yard, but his attention stayed on the person behind him; seeing that, he planned to stoke the fire again.

He gave a light cough twice, then muttered in a voice Mu Huaizhi could hear.

Still, the Nine Abyss is more fun—Jiang Zhu has recruited so many lovely maidens as followers; maybe there'll be a fated beauty.

Mu Huaizhi's face went deathly pale.

He sprang to his feet and shouted sharply, "No!"

Jin Chen secretly delighted, thinking he indeed needed to provoke him; he turned slowly, eyes full of anticipation.

What's not allowed?

Looking for beauties—no.

Mu Huaizhi knew he was tongue-tied and couldn't speak well, so he could only step forward, feeling awkward and slightly threatening, and seize Jin Chen's arm.

"You said... you liked me."

"His voice trembled, the corners of his eyes reddened badly, and his usually cool composure instantly took on restrained unease."

"How long has it been... you're not allowed, you're not allowed to look for someone else."

"Jin Chen felt pity, no longer daring to provoke further, only guiding: 'You've refused so clearly, where would I still dare?'"

"Why wouldn't you dare? You're not allowed not to dare!"

"Mu Huaizhi let out a soft roar, already tinged with a crying tone, his pent-up grievance completely exposed."

"The usually aloof young hero who suppressed his emotions to the extreme would erupt explosively at the slightest leak."

"He was like a small animal afraid of being abandoned, lunging into Jin Chen's embrace and holding tight; his slightly threatening words seemed to mask his own unease."

"You can't not like me."

"Jin Chen rubbed his reddened eye corners, softened his tone, 'And you? You can't let me pine alone, can you?'"

"I like..."

"This time Mu Huaizhi no longer hid his thoughts, relying entirely on his true feelings; he simply couldn't imagine Jin Chen turning to like someone else."

"I like you... so, don't go liking someone else."

"Just having me is enough."

"For the inarticulate Mu Huaizhi, this really counts as a love confession."

"At least Jin Chen thinks so."

"He finally pulled Mu Huaizhi into his arms, gently stroking the back of his neck in a soothing manner, with a softness that made one's heart tremble."

"Just teasing you, there won't be anyone else, only you."

"Mu Huaizhi pouted, eyes drooping, 'From now on, you're not allowed to have anyone else.'"

"There will never be, rest easy."

"Jin Chen lightly pecked his reddened eye corners, following his words, 'Mu Huaizhi is so good, liking just this one is enough.'"

"After saying that, he kissed Mu Huaizhi's eyes again."

"Mu Huaizhi obediently closed his phoenix eyes, compliant, his lashes trembling lightly."

"After a long while, he softly asked."

"Then you, will you still leave?"