SLLBTT Chapter 51
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 51⊱⊷⋇
Liu Jiao, just coming back to his senses, stabilized his expression and asked, "Great King, aren't you immune?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "Indeed."
Liu Jiao only calmed down after that scare, patting his chest as he said, "Xiao Baizi, you scared me to death."
Suddenly hearing Liu Jiao call him by his nickname, the Snow Wolf King smiled gently. "Just a little joke."
The Chief Investigator wiped away the tears that were hastily shed in his anxious moment, lamenting in his heart, "What a waste of my emotions!"
"Wu wu... Great King, you really frightened this humble servant. My heart was tied to your well-being, and I almost followed you!" The Chief Investigator, capitalizing on the still-flowing tears, quickly spouted a few sentimental words.
The Snow Wolf King seemed unappreciative, only saying, "The assassin may not be aware of my immunity. Otherwise, he wouldn't attempt to murder me in this way."
Liu Jiao, patting his chest, exclaimed, "Luckily, the assassin doesn't know!"
The Chief Investigator, staring at the wound, panicked. "But, Great King, this injury seems to persist! Where did this wound come from?"
"Of course, it was a bite from the assassin."
Liu Jiao and the Chief Investigator were both incredibly surprised. "When did this happen?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "Today."
Liu Jiao, with a puzzled expression, shook his head. "Today? How is that possible? I've been with you all day! I would have known, wouldn't I?"
The Snow Wolf King smiled, "It happened right under your nose."
Liu Jiao was stunned. "How is that possible?"
Am I not only foolish but also blind?
Liu Jiao once again began to doubt himself.
The Chief Investigator, listening to the conversation between the Snow Wolf King and Liu Jiao, was also quite alarmed. "What? An audacious assassin dared to come after the Great King again?"
The Snow Wolf King answered, "Quite the opposite, I sought him out."
"What does that mean?" The Chief Investigator was also getting confused.
Liu Jiao replayed today's events in his mind, suddenly remembering something. His head snapped up as realization dawned in. "Is it, is it that Daoist?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded slightly, "It's him."
Liu Jiao finally recalled that the Daoist spoke arrogantly, behaved shamelessly, and provoked the Snow Wolf King to kick him. The Daoist clung to the Snow Wolf King's leg, kissed him, and kept calling him "Dad," appearing quite like a mischievous child.
"Could it be... when he kissed you, he poisoned you?" Liu Jiao figured it out, his eyes widening with an expression of disbelief.
"You're right," the Snow Wolf King nodded, "As you see, the bite marks were shallow. He just took the opportunity to lightly touch, aiming to introduce the venom. He feared I would catch on."
Liu Jiao's face turned pale. "If you found out, why didn't you say anything?"
"It wouldn't be interesting if I did." The Snow Wolf King smiled and then turned to the Chief Investigator. "I was right, wasn't I? The Daoist is indeed suspicious. Even under your interrogation, he wouldn't reveal the truth, showing he's quite an extraordinary individual. Since he's extraordinary, we must also use extraordinary methods."
The Chief Investigator also understood. "But aren't these methods too extraordinary?"
"To draw out a snake, one must not disturb the grass," the Snow Wolf King replied.
"So, your intention is to lure out the snake demon? If you stayed in the heavily guarded Temple of Heavenly Emperor, the snake wouldn't have attacked again, would it?" The Chief Investigator analyzed, speaking almost to himself. "So, intentionally avoiding attendants, the Great King went to Zhengqi Temple to test that Daoist?"
"Indeed," the Snow Wolf King said, "You asked a good question. You wonder, if the Daoist is an assassin, why didn't he run? I think he's probably relentless until his mission is accomplished. Since he's so eager to kill me, I'll give him a chance. He won't let it pass, and when he acts, there will be a flaw."
Liu Jiao was extremely astonished, "But... but, Great King... the Daoist emits a human aura!"
"We emit cat and dog auras," the Snow Wolf King smiled.
"Right, there's also the high-tech of concealing scents..." Liu Jiao scratched the back of his head. "I feel so foolish."
The Snow Wolf King gently stroked Liu Jiao's forehead. "Don't furrow your brow."
Liu Jiao raised his eyes to the Snow Wolf King, unsure of what to say.
The Chief Investigator asked, "If that's the case, why didn't you capture the assassin on the spot?"
"He can't handle so much alone. There must be forces behind him," the Snow Wolf King said. "I want to see who it is that wants my life."
However, Liu Jiao thought of another issue, "Since you're injured, why did you still accompany me to watch a movie?"
The Snow Wolf King smiled tenderly, gently touching the reddened corner of Liu Jiao's eye. "Because I promised you."
Liu Jiao found himself at a loss for words, while the Chief Investigator asked, "How does the Great King feel now?"
"Although I can be immune, being bitten still causes injury. Also, my immune system is reacting." The Snow Wolf King exhaled, his breath thinning, "I'm starting to run a fever."
Liu Jiao quickly sat up, reaching out to touch the Snow Wolf King's forehead. Indeed, he felt intense heat and couldn't help but become anxious. "Hurry, send for the royal physician!"
The Chief Investigator stood up. "Don't worry, I'll go summon them right away."
The Snow Wolf King added, "Summon someone reliable, and please, keep the matter of my immunity to yourself."
"Yes, Great King," the Chief Investigator understood, promising as he withdrew.
Liu Jiao helped the Snow Wolf King to the bedroom. "Great King, are you alright?"
The Snow Wolf King lay on the pillows and smiled. "I like it when you call me Xiao Baizi."
Blushing, Liu Jiao said, "Isn't that disrespectful?"
The Snow Wolf King laughed. "Did you consider it disrespectful when you made me eat the bun dough without the meat filling?"
"I..." Liu Jiao didn't know what to say.
After a while, the royal physician arrived and examined the Snow Wolf King. He reassured, "It's nothing serious. Take a fever-reducing medicine, and you'll be fine by tomorrow." With that, the doctor prepared to leave.
However, the Snow Wolf King said, "Please, Doctor, stay for a moment."
The doctor hesitated and asked, "What's the matter?"
The Snow Wolf King said, "I need to appear critically ill now. The doctor should stay in the courtyard and attend to me carefully."
After a moment of consideration, the doctor agreed, "Alright."
"Hope you cooperate, and make it look urgent."
The doctor nodded, immediately teary-eyed. He squatted in the courtyard, crying for three minutes, "Wu wu wu wu wu... Great King... wu wu wu..."
The medical apprentices didn't quite understand, but they joined the doctor, squatting and howling, "Wu wu wu wu... Great King, Great King... wu wu wu..."
Once the doctor felt enough time had passed, he stood up, kicking one of the apprentices. "Still crying! Why aren't you going back to work?" The apprentices left the courtyard, and soon, the news of the sudden illness of the Snow Wolf King spread throughout the Temple of Heavenly Emperor.
The doctor stayed in the courtyard, setting up a stove in the hall and personally preparing medicine for the Snow Wolf King. Liu Jiao came out from the bedroom, catching a whiff of the medicinal fragrance filling the room. He couldn't help but ask, "Is the doctor personally brewing the medicine?"
"This matter is of great importance. I dare not delegate it to others," the doctor replied.
Saying so, the doctor poured the brewed medicine into a bowl and handed it to Liu Jiao. He carried the bowl into the bedroom and saw the Snow Wolf King lying on the bed with closed eyes. His complexion was paler than usual, and his lips were faintly colored, a sight that tugged at the heart.
Liu Jiao supported the Snow Wolf King and said, "Great King, time to take your medicine."
The Snow Wolf King lifted his eyelids. "Why is it traditional Chinese medicine? I won't take it. Tell the doctor to give me capsules."
Liu Jiao frowned. "Great King, are you afraid of the bitterness?"
The Snow Wolf King swallowed. "I... I am a man, how could I possibly fear bitterness?"
"Then why won't you take traditional Chinese medicine?"
"Of course... it's because Western medicine works faster, with the side effects tested in clinical trials, ensuring clearer safety. Chinese medicine... has unclear side effects."
Convinced, Liu Jiao carried the bowl outside and told the doctor, "The Snow Wolf King wants to take Western medicine."
The doctor responded, "Western medicine? Isn't the Great King immune to common medications? It must be a medicine prepared from immortal herbs to be effective."
Liu Jiao returned to the bedroom, holding the bowl, and said to the Snow Wolf King, "Great King, haven't you ever taken medicine? Don't you know you're immune to regular medications?"
"What nonsense is this? Of course, I've taken medicine. I've taken pills, which are not bitter."
The doctor, from behind the curtain, retorted, "Those are still traditional Chinese medicine."
The Snow Wolf King said, "You're incompetent!"
The doctor immediately knelt down, "This humble servant is incompetent. Please, Great King, take the medicine!"
The Snow Wolf King said, "You may withdraw."
The doctor immediately exited the hall, squatting in a corner of the courtyard, sobbing.
Holding the bowl of medicine, Liu Jiao hesitated and said, "Great King, are you truly scared of bitterness?"
"Certainly not."
"Then, please take the medicine." Liu Jiao handed the bowl to the Snow Wolf King.
The Snow Wolf King frowned. "My immune system is robust. It'll pass in a moment. No need to take medicine."
"Ah." Liu Jiao didn't know what to say, unable to conjure persuasive words to encourage the Snow Wolf King to take the medicine. He fell silent.
Lying on the bed, the Snow Wolf King's breathing eased, noticing Liu Jiao wasn't speaking anymore. Subconsciously, he searched for his figure and found Liu Jiao holding the medicine, cupping it in his hands, crouched at the bedside, delicately observing the Snow Wolf King. Seeing his pitiful and adorable expression, he asked, "Why are you crouching there?"
"Afraid you'd be angry."
"Why cover the bowl with your hands?"
"Afraid the medicine would get cold."
The Snow Wolf King paused at his words, smiled after a moment, and reached out. "Give it to me. I'll drink it."
Liu Jiao finally felt relieved. After seeing the Snow Wolf King drink the herbal soup, he attended to him as he drifted off to sleep. After taking the medicine, the Snow Wolf King felt drowsy, closing his eyes and soon falling into a deep sleep. Liu Jiao lay beside the bed, swaying his tail, taking his time to quietly observe the Snow Wolf King's sleeping face.
The Snow Wolf King's appearance was exceptional, with eyebrows like mountains and eyes like water. In such a deep slumber, he resembled a resting mountain.
Liu Jiao rested his chin on his hand, gazing at the Snow Wolf King. His heart felt like it had been brushed by a mountain breeze.
Suddenly, Liu Jiao remembered the movie he watched today. The Cat Consort held the Husky, playing the role of the Wolf King, saying, "You are the king of a million people, and I am your only consort..."
Liu Jiao gently embraced the dozing Snow Wolf King, repeating in his heart: Xiao Baizi can be the king of a million people, but I can't be a good consort for just one person. Despite all the special treatment, I still can't be a proper consort...
Lost in thought, Liu Jiao's tail drooped.
The next morning, the Snow Wolf King's fever had subsided, once again reverting to the wise and valiant ruler. Liu Jiao brought in warm porridge, intending to feed the Snow Wolf King spoon by spoon. Although recovered, the Snow Wolf King was willing to enjoy the treatment of being served by a beauty. He accepted graciously, "Xiao Jiao's porridge is especially sweet."
Liu Jiao laughed and replied, "It's pumpkin porridge, so it's a bit sweet. Unfortunately, I don't like sweet things, and I don't eat pumpkins, so I can't really tell."
The Snow Wolf King smiled without speaking.
The doctor silently checked the pulse and declared, "The Great King has fully recovered."
Liu Jiao finally felt completely reassured. "The Snow Wolf King's immunity is truly remarkable. Being exposed to severe poison only resulted in a fever?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded, observing as Liu Jiao's worried expression faded into his usual carefree nature. He said, "The way you anxiously worried yesterday was quite adorable."
Unable to handle such praise, Liu Jiao exclaimed, "I was nearly driven mad!"
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "It was precisely to prevent you from getting overly distressed that I secretly revealed the truth, so you wouldn't be saddened."
Liu Jiao leaned against the Snow Wolf King's shoulder. "So, we shouldn't let others know that you're fine, right?"
"Exactly," the Snow Wolf King nodded, "Nobody can know. Outwardly, you must appear as worried as you were yesterday, understand?"
Obediently nodding, Liu Jiao asked, "How serious should I make it sound?"
After a moment's thought, the Snow Wolf King said, "Make it sound life-threatening."
Liu Jiao nodded and clarified, "As in, close to death, right?"
The Snow Wolf King nodded.
During breakfast, the doctor entered right on time, wailing, "Wuwuwuwu... Great King..."
The Snow Wolf King said to Liu Jiao, "Let's go all out in this act. Join in the wailing."
Liu Jiao reluctantly followed suit, wailing, "Wuwuwuwu... Great King..."
After approximately three minutes of wailing, the Snow Wolf King asked them to stop. Too noisy.
Despite the three minutes of wailing, Liu Jiao found himself unable to get into the state of "the Great King is critically ill and dying." Tears wouldn't come, so he aimlessly wandered. Da Huangya and Ah Ye had no idea what was happening. Seeing the commotion inside the house and the arrival of the doctor, they dared not ask until this morning when Liu Jiao finally emerged from the house. They approached him, pulling Liu Jiao to a secluded place to inquire, "There was quite a commotion inside. What happened?"
"Huh? Commotion?" Liu Jiao rubbed his eyes, hesitated for a moment, then dryly said, "How do you know about the commotion?"
Da Huangya said, "I heard someone wailing. Was it you?"
"Ah... yes, it was me wailing. Absolutely." Liu Jiao cleared his throat, rubbed his eyes again, and added, "The Great King is on the verge of collapsing, so I cried really loudly."