SLLBTT Chapter 46
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 46⊱⊷⋇
Despite the assassination attempt, the Snow Wolf King did not leave the Temple of Heavenly Emperor. Instead, he decided to stay. Claiming that the "snow leopard's dwelling is secure", he took up residence in Liu Jiao's courtyard. The courtyard was tightly guarded by attendants. Because the Snow Wolf King had said, "Not even a fly is allowed to come in," the Bird Guards deployed their renowned "animal realm fly-catching devices" called flying swallows. Dozens of flying swallows took turns on duty, devouring all nearby flies, turning this snow leopard courtyard into a "fly Bermuda Triangle."
In comparison, taking care of affairs inside turned out to be a cushy and easy assignment. However, the ones able to enjoy this stroke of good fortune were only Ah Ye and Da Huangya.
In the courtyard where Liu Jiao and the Snow Wolf King cohabited, there was a pond. Da Huangya skimmed the water on the pond, while Ah Ye played by fishing at the pond's edge. It was a joyous scene.
At this moment, the Snow Wolf King and Liu Jiao returned. Da Huangya quickly jumped out of the pond, and Ah Ye also crouched on the ground. Both, dripping wet, paid their respects, "Greetings, Great King."
Such a situation would never occur in the palace. All maids strictly followed palace rules, and there would never be a situation where servants playing in the water would encounter the master unexpectedly.
Seeing the two in such a state, the Snow Wolf King didn't mind. He just smiled and led Liu Jiao into the temple hall.
Noticing that the Snow Wolf King didn't inquire about their breach of etiquette, Da Huangya and Ah Ye breathed a sigh of relief. "Fortunately, the Great King didn't hold our lapse against us."
Liu Jiao, with keen hearing, caught the sound of Da Huangya and Ah Ye talking. Once inside, Liu Jiao thanked the Snow Wolf King, "Many thanks, Great King, for your kindness in overlooking Da Huangya and Ah Ye's breach of decorum."
The Snow Wolf King, unruffled, chuckled. "I think they are just fine the way they are."
"Why is it fine?" Liu Jiao puzzled, "Isn't it a breach of etiquette, an offense against divine authority?"
"Your attendants have become so naturally at ease. I presume your recent days have become more carefree," the Snow Wolf King smiled, "Thinking about that makes me happy."
Reflecting on his days in the temple, Liu Jiao replied, "Well... indeed, life in the temple is genuinely comfortable. It can't compare to the palace."
"You still don't like the palace, do you?" the Snow Wolf King, removing his outer robe, asked.
Liu Jiao conscientiously stepped forward to help the Snow Wolf King with his clothing. "If you ask me like this, I can only speak the truth..."
"What's the truth?" The Snow Wolf King, accustomed to being attended to, opened his arms, allowing Liu Jiao to help him with his clothes.
Liu Jiao pondered, clutching the Snow Wolf King's jade belt in his hands, and slowly said, "I really, really don't like the palace."
"Oh." Although the Snow Wolf King had known the answer early on, hearing Liu Jiao's response still left him somewhat melancholic.
Liu Jiao looked up and added, "But I really, really like you."
At these words, the Snow Wolf King's previously somber expression lit up again. "Very good."
The Snow Wolf King supported Liu Jiao's waist, gently kissing him.
Blushing, Liu Jiao closed his eyes.
Liu Jiao truly, truly liked the Snow Wolf King, and he genuinely enjoyed the Great King's gentle kisses.
How could there be such a wonderful person as the Snow Wolf King in the world?
Gentle, beautiful, noble, and fragrant... in short, everything was perfect.
Liu Jiao embraced the Snow Wolf King. "So... shall we still go out for a stroll?"
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "No need to rush. We can take our time."
When he said "take our time," he really meant it.
However, their "taking their time" was a bit too prolonged. From staying indoors and not willing to go out, with the door closed, they "took their time" until it was dark.
Da Huangya and Ah Ye remained in the courtyard, not daring to enter the chamber, let alone knock on the door. Ah Ye commented, "They're always like this, sometimes from day to night, and sometimes from night to day. It's like they have no concept of time..."
Da Huangya gestured for silence. "Shh! Are you sure you can say that? Do you think you're an admonishing official like Censor Xu?"
Ah Ye quickly covered his mouth and refrained from speaking.
After a while, the Snow Wolf King's voice came from inside the room, "Bring the meal."
"Yes," Da Huangya hastily replied.
For "safety reasons," the Snow Wolf King had been staying in Liu Jiao's courtyard for the past few days. Only Da Huangya and Ah Ye remained in the courtyard to attend to them. Seeing it as a perfect opportunity to impress the Great King, Da Huangya was exceptionally attentive and considerate.
Before long, Da Huangya and Ah Ye arranged the meal in the hall, preparing for the two masters to dine.
The Snow Wolf King, somewhat surprised, asked, "The meal is ready so quickly?"
Da Huangya bowed and answered, "Thinking that the Great King usually dines around this time, we prepared in advance and kept it warm in the small kitchen. We've been waiting for the Great King to summon the meal. You can consume it now."
The Snow Wolf King laughed. "Xiao Jiao, your attendant is quite clever, like a fox."
Da Huangya hurriedly responded, "I dare not. This servant is foolish by nature and cannot be compared to a fox. The chamberlain, Hong Huli, in the Great King's court is extraordinarily intelligent and serves as our role model."
The Snow Wolf King chuckled but didn't say anything.
Hearing Da Huangya mention Hong Huli, Liu Jiao inquired, "Speaking of Hong Huli, why haven't I seen him? Aren't he and Lanmao both with you?"
The Snow Wolf King explained, "They accompanied me to the Northern Pagoda that day and were also affected by the drug. They've already been taken to the hospital. Since there hasn't been much going on these days, and with Da Huangya and Ah Ye here to attend to us, I thought it best to let them stay in observation for a few more days. Health comes first."
"So that's how it is." Liu Jiao nodded. Upon hearing that they were hospitalized, he inquired, "Are they fine?"
"They both say there's no issue, just taking precautions to let them rest more." The Snow Wolf King picked up his chopsticks and served a piece of beef to Liu Jiao.
While eating the beef, Liu Jiao sighed. "If I return to the palace, I won't be able to eat beef."
"Why?"
"Isn't it said that only high-ranking consorts can eat beef?"
"Your mind hasn't caught up yet," the Snow Wolf King said. "You are the Chief Guard now. You can eat any meat you want."
Surprised, Liu Jiao asked, "Really? Is there a limit?"
"Being the Chief Guard is such an important responsibility. Of course, you get to eat your fill," the Snow Wolf King said, "It's a physically demanding job. I've never heard of a Chief Guard not getting enough to eat."
"What a great position! Why aren't those consorts thinking about becoming guards?"
The Snow Wolf King smiled at Liu Jiao and said, "Because only you are clever."
Just at that moment, the Chief Investigator came to seek an audience again.
The Snow Wolf King suppressed his smile, his face returning to its usual calm demeanor. "What's the matter?"
The Chief Investigator responded, "We've investigated the abbot's diet, and there's nothing unusual. Recent surveillance has been checked too, and there's been no suspicious activity in or out."
"No 'suspicious activity'?" the Snow Wolf King asked, "How do you define 'suspicious activity'?"
The Chief Investigator replied, "As a restricted area, ordinary people can't enter the Temple of Heavenly Emperor without registration. We've checked, and everyone entering or leaving is registered. So far, there's been no suspicion found in the registrations."
"All of them are registered? Are you certain?"
"We can be reasonably certain," the Chief Investigator answered, "We not only checked the surveillance but also examined residual demonic energy."
The Snow Wolf King countered, "That's not necessarily conclusive. The big snake demon, for instance, left no residual demonic energy, right?"
"But its escape was recorded on surveillance," the Chief Investigator replied, "The assassin ran into the woods and fled from the nearest wall, crashing through an iron fence."
"Is that so?" The Snow Wolf King was surprised. "What's outside the wall?"
"An open street, and there was no one around at that time. If the big snake used such a passage to escape, it proves that it likely didn't know about any special passages to enter. So, how did it get in? That's also a question."
"Hmm." The Snow Wolf King nodded. "Alright, I understand. Continue your investigation."
"Yes." The Chief Investigator nodded, about to take his leave.
The Snow Wolf King added, "By the way, Liu Jiao and I are planning to go out. Is there any method to conceal our demonic energy?"
The Chief Investigator was taken aback. "You two are going out?"
"Yes," the Snow Wolf King nodded casually, "Both Liu Jiao and I are not common demons, and we're top-tier predators. Our auras are unusual. Experienced demons could likely sense us. Going out recklessly is inconvenient for everyone."
The Chief Investigator nodded. "So, it's probably best not to go out."
The Snow Wolf King smiled, "Kneel."
Seeing the Snow Wolf King's smile, the Chief Investigator inexplicably felt a chill. He hastily knelt and said, "Since the Great King wishes to go out, there must be a reason! Regarding concealing your presence, I have a recommendation!"
"Let's hear it." The Snow Wolf King was still smiling, picking up a piece of meat with chopsticks and placing it in Liu Jiao's bowl.
Seeing the meat, Liu Jiao bit into it and listened as the Chief Investigator spoke about a medicine called "You Can't Smell Me," which could eliminate demonic energy. The assassin likely used this medicine to conceal himself.
The Snow Wolf King, however, said, "Completely eliminating demonic energy is too much. Having no demonic energy at all would be suspicious."
The Chief Investigator continued, "We also have an artificial demonic energy spray. After the Great King eliminates demonic energy, this false demonic energy can be sprayed to impersonate a common demon, making it less likely for others to notice."
"That's a good idea."
Liu Jiao remembered something. "What about my tail? It's not easy to hide, is it?"
The Chief Investigator pondered for a moment and said, "Well... you could... dye it and say it's a cat's tail."
"Is there a cat with such a long tail?" Liu Jiao countered.
The Chief Investigator explained, "It's all about proportions. If the other party doesn't know your original form, they naturally can't judge. Just say you're a thousand-year-old cat demon. Having a longer tail wouldn't be surprising."
Surprised, Liu Jiao exclaimed, "I look like a thousand-year-old demon in this form?"
"Old demon, young demon, it's hard to tell just by appearance," the Snow Wolf King laughed.
The Chief Investigator nodded, "That's right. I've encountered a thousand-year-old demon whose human form was that of an eight-year-old child. There's no fixed rule for these things."
Hearing this, Liu Jiao found it reasonable and became more interested in the disguise. "Great! So, what kind of artificial demonic energy spray do you have over there?"
The Chief Investigator replied, "Since the Great King doesn't want to arouse suspicion or draw attention, it's best to use scents of common and less aggressive demons. It would be ideal to choose ones close to your own nature, requiring minimal disguise."
Excitedly, Liu Jiao clapped his hands. "Great! I'll be a thousand-year-old cat, and the Great King can be a dog, how about that?"
The Chief Investigator didn't dare to make decisions, only looking at the Snow Wolf King.
The Snow Wolf King poured a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "Let's go with what the Chief Guards suggested."
"Alright, I'll take care of it immediately," the Chief Investigator complied.
The Snow Wolf King added, "Don't mention this to anyone."
"Of course," the Chief Investigator nodded cautiously, then asked, "But just you two going out? Shouldn't we have other guards accompany you?"
The Snow Wolf King smiled. "The most elite Chief Guard is already watching over me. What more guards do we need?"
The Chief Investigator nodded, thinking to himself, "This is probably a date."