Chapter 703

I need to return to the Nine Abysses to report; my father has already issued two secret orders urging me, and once I finish I'll go straight to the Heaven Sword Alliance to find you.

Jin Chen thought for a moment and gave an exact time: "Seven days, at most seven days to finish."

Mu Huaizhi felt much relieved hearing that, gave a muffled hum, and rubbed against his neck.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 75!】

Let's rest a bit; your Heaven Sword Alliance people will come this afternoon, and there'll be more to do when we go back.

Jin Chen put his arm around him and walked to the bedside, took off the hair-binding crown, and the high ponytail instantly fell loose, adding a few obedient strands for no reason.

Since that day when Jin Chen removed the separating pillow between them, they have tacitly understood each other and no longer take it back.

After lowering the bed curtains, the dim light was extremely conducive to sleep, but Mu Huaizhi curled up in the blanket and just couldn't fall asleep.

He turned over a few times, opened his eyes, looked at Jin Chen beside him, threw off the blanket, and said, "I can't sleep."

Jin Chen didn't even open his eyes, lifted his own blanket, scooped Mu Huaizhi entirely into his arms, then naturally turned over and held him tight, patting him.

Like coaxing a child.

Mu Huaizhi pouted awkwardly, yet inexplicably felt joy, lightly rubbing against his chest to rest.

Yet his lips were suddenly covered with a hint of warmth.

Jin Chen didn't know when he had opened his eyes, full of lingering interest, taking advantage of the other's daze to easily pry open his teeth.

This was a feeling Mu Huaizhi had never experienced before.

The tingling numbness spreading from the tip of his tongue permeated his limbs, even his heart went soft, his mind inexplicably hazy, as if nothing remained in heaven and earth but their embrace.

He instinctively tightened his grip on Jin Chen's neck, his long lashes trembling as he closed his eyes, letting the strong scent of sandalwood invade his senses.

What gentleman's way, what distinction between right and wrong.

At this moment Mu Huaizhi had long since tossed that aside, wanting only to follow his heart.

This kiss was prolonged and intense; in the end Mu Huaizhi was kissed until he felt utterly weak and fell into a deep sleep.

Unaware that Jin Chen was overjoyed, he held him and kissed him again and again before finally closing his eyes contentedly.

When he woke again, it was already past noon.

When Mu Huaizhi sat up, the room held only him, and it remained tidy, unchanged from when they arrived.

Thinking Jin Chen had left early, he panicked, hastily dressed, grabbed his sword, and went out.

"Senior Brother!"

The few Heaven Sword Alliance disciples outside the courtyard, upon seeing Mu Huaizhi, hurriedly clasped their fists in salute.

They had just arrived when they heard the young master explain the misunderstanding; feeling extremely guilty toward Mu Huaizhi, they voluntarily waited outside, only awaiting his awakening to make amends.

"Hmm."

Mu Huaizhi responded, glancing at them briefly: "When you came, did you see anyone else?"

"Is the Senior Brother referring to Young Hero Jin?"

One disciple clasped his fists and said: "He was the first to leave the room, went to the Inspector's Office to handle matters, and said he would return shortly."

Mu Huaizhi breathed a sigh of relief.

After asking about recent events in the Heaven Sword Alliance, he learned that the alliance leader had already left seclusion early.

I fear that upon returning, the thorny matters will only increase, not decrease.

His father and his master shared deep affection, having sworn brotherhood early on; upon hearing of his death, his master will surely be furious and will thoroughly investigate the Earth Evil Palace.

We need to quickly locate the Earth Evil Palace's lair.

And whether the current strength of the Heaven Sword Alliance's disciples and members can withstand an attack from the Earth Evil Palace...

He turned, sword in hand, facing the several disciples.

"Let's see your recent sword practice results."

The several disciples seemed unwilling to meet his gaze, stammering as they lowered their heads in assent.

——

Jin Chen, having finished what needed to be said here, then returned to Uncle's home together with Jiang Chu and the four others.

The members assigned by the Heaven Sword Alliance and the Myriad Mechanism Palace to escort have already been left at the Inspector's Office; the Inspector also dispatched personnel, who sped back to the capital to arrange for officials to investigate in advance.

Thus the strange case of Yunshu Town is finally concluded; they too should return.

"You wouldn't be going back to my place with your senior brother, would you?"

Fu Zhiyuan was very wary: "If my father learns your identity, he'll attack the Demon Palace."

Jin Chen walked ahead, wearing an expression of "you wouldn't understand," saying: "I need to go home first; besides, your Heaven Sword Alliance can't defeat the Nine Abysses."

Fu Zhiyuan: "……"

He was furious, yet couldn't beat Jin Chen, so he snorted coldly and shut his mouth.

Fang Xun chuckled, smoothed his fur, and actually glanced intentionally at Jiang Chu and Sang Ning.

"I wonder where Young Hero Jiang will go?"

Jiang Chu shook his fan: "I also need to leave, but Ning said the Heaven Sword Alliance has sent him an invitation to come to your place."

"So I will arrive on the same day as Jin Chen."

That means the six of us, after going around, will still meet at the Heaven Sword Alliance.

Fu Zhiyuan rolled his eyes: "Don't you have your own homes? Why do you keep coming to my place!"

Having spoken, he realized it was wrong, immediately added: "Except for Xun, he's originally from my home."

Jin Chen gave a heh, suddenly excited: "Fine, if your father lets me take Mu Huaizhi away, I'll never go to the Heaven Sword Alliance again."

"Dream on! He's our senior brother!"

Fu Zhiyuan totally blew his top.

The five of them noisily returned to Uncle's home; upon entering the courtyard they saw several disciples practicing swords, while Mu Huaizhi's face was tense and a cold aura wrapped tightly around him.

Hearing footsteps, Mu Huaizhi turned sharply, his cold expression not yet faded.

Fu Zhiyuan tensed all over, silently cursing his damned muscle memory.

Soon after, he saw his senior brother, like spring wind melting snow, the coldness gone, even a faint hint… of gentleness?!

Fu Zhiyuan's mouth twitched; he silently turned his head and glanced at Jin Chen walking ahead.

How did their relationship become so intimate all of a sudden?

Jin Chen walked up to Mu Huaizhi, ignoring the curious gazes of several Heaven Sword Alliance disciples, and embraced him in one smooth motion.

Mu Huaizhi pursed his lips, as if complaining.

"When did you go out?"

"Half an hour ago, I didn't want to wake you."

Jin Chen chuckled, smoothed his somewhat messy hair, then tapped his neck, saying, "How did it get so messy? This isn't like the proper Young Hero Mu."

It's just because I was afraid you'd leave.

Mu Huaizhi didn't say those words out loud, but his eyes fully expressed his emotions.

Realizing that just now, in front of the disciples, his clothes were slightly disheveled and he had sought out Jin Chen as soon as he left the door, Mu Huaizhi finally understood what those disciples' gazes meant.

Instantly, his ears flushed with shame, and he furtively hid behind Jin Chen in a vain attempt to cover it up.

Everyone finally had lunch at Uncle's house; Mu Huaizhi left them some silver, treating it as payment for borrowing the rooms.

Uncle had wanted to refuse, but they were heroes who had saved the town's children; unable to turn them down, he reluctantly accepted.

The meal was eaten in some silence.

Perhaps because they were about to part, although it had only been seven days, Mu Huaizhi still felt a bit down.

When they came to Yunshu Town, all he thought about was how to escape Jin Chen's control; he never expected that circumstances would change, and his feelings would undergo such a great shift.

After the meal, they were about to set off.

"All right, in seven days I'll be able to see you right away."

Jin Chen cupped his face, kissed the corner of his lips, and pressed their foreheads together, saying, "Heaven Sword Alliance affairs are numerous; remember to eat on time."

"Mm."

Mu Huaizhi also planted a kiss on his cheek, murmuring, "You too must stay safe."

"Senior brother! Let's go!"

Fu Zhiyuan mounted his horse and urged it forward.