SLLBTT Chapter 52
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 52⊱⊷⋇
"The Great King is on the verge of collapsing," Liu Jiao said casually, but as these words reached Da Huangya and Ah Ye, it was like a powerful bomb had exploded.
Da Huangya and Ah Ye's legs went weak. They both knelt on the ground, wailing in unison, "Wu wu wu... Oh heavens... our Great King..."
Liu Jiao was taken aback, unsure of how to respond.
The Snow Wolf King, with keen hearing, felt uneasy about the commotion and ordered the doctor to intervene. The doctor hurried outside and scolded Da Huangya and Ah Ye, "The Great King is still alive! He's recuperating, and here you are wailing!"
Ah Ye, reprimanded by the doctor, retorted with irritation, "Doctor, haven't you been wailing for two days as well?"
The doctor was infuriated. "How dare you speak to me? You eunuch!"
Ah Ye didn't consider the doctor to be superior and naturally didn't take this insult. He retorted angrily, "So what if I don't have a Xiao Jiji? I'm clean and live longer!"
The doctor had nothing to say because, from a medical perspective, not having a Xiao Jiji did indeed lead to a longer life.
"Alright, I won't argue with you. Don't disturb the Great King's rest, or you won't be able to bear the consequences!" With that, the doctor swept his sleeves and left.
Da Huangya pulled Ah Ye aside and demanded, "Come on, why are you confronting the esteemed doctor?"
"I'm just reasoning with him."
Da Huangya shook his head. "Your temper, Ah Ye, is too much. It's fortunate you're following our master. If it were someone else, who knows how you'd end up."
Liu Jiao, with his head tilted, sat under the eaves, watching swallows glide across the sky, creating a continuous "fly Bermuda."
Swallows flitted about in the blue sky, leaving black traces as they continuously darted, as if weaving a web in the sky. Suddenly, a hole appeared in this web, as an eagle descended from above, swooping down.
After landing, the eagle transformed into a human figure. While a snow leopard's transformation was revealing, this eagle in human form wore a black feathered cloak, not overly exposed.
"You are..." Liu Jiao stood up.
The eagle bowed to Liu Jiao, "I am the Captain of the Bird Guards."
"Oh, please come in. The Great King is waiting for you." Liu Jiao opened the door, inviting the eagle inside.
The eagle entered the hall and walked straight to the bedroom, bowing to the Snow Wolf King.
The Snow Wolf King, engrossed in official affairs, looked up upon hearing the eagle's voice. "How is that snake doing?"
"Reporting to Great King, upon the news of your illness spreading, the Daoist priest fled."
"Fled?" the Snow Wolf King asked indifferently, "Where did he run off to?"
"He ran into the forest. Once inside, he transformed into a snake."
The Chief Investigator also arrived at this moment, hearing the eagle's words, and said, "Indeed, The Great King is truly wise and martial. It seems the eagle has confirmed your speculation. That Daoist is indeed a snake demon in disguise."
Liu Jiao was surprised. "Why would he transform into a snake in the forest?"
"Inside the forest, a snake form is more convenient than a human form," the eagle replied, "I guess that's the reason."
Thinking of his experiences in the wilderness, Liu Jiao had to admit that snakes could easily hide and slip away in the woods.
The Snow Wolf King asked, "You haven't lost track, have you?"
The eagle replied, "Of course not. When it comes to catching snakes, this subordinate is also quite skilled."
"Indeed," said the Snow Wolf King, "the eagle is the natural enemy of snakes. That's why I assigned the task to you."
The eagle, with a high nose and deep eyes, bowed solemnly. "Great King, this subordinate did not catch the assassin."
The Snow Wolf King was somewhat surprised. "Didn't catch?"
The eagle earnestly replied, "Yes."
Liu Jiao was also surprised. "Didn't you say you're skilled at catching snakes?"
"That's correct," the eagle replied, "but the snake managed to slip into Baizi's manor through a wall opening. As I was about to fly in, I was intercepted by the manor's Falcon Guards. They asked what I was up to. Remembering the Great King's instructions to act discreetly, I simply said I was passing by. Then, I returned to report to the Great King."
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "Well done. Unnecessary trouble must be avoided."
Pondering, the Snow Wolf King mused, "Could it really be him?"
The Chief Investigator was also surprised. "Baizi(Viscount Bai)?"
Liu Jiao asked, "Who is Baizi(white son)? That name sounds strange. Is there also a Heizi(black son)?"
The Chief Investigator explained, "The Chief Guard might not know. This 'zi' is the zi in 'Duke(gong), Marquis(hou), Count, Viscount(zi), Baron(nan).'"
Liu Jiao became even more puzzled. "What Duke(gong), Monkey(hou), Son(zi), Male(nan)?"
Clearing his throat, the Chief Investigator had to clarify, "It refers to noble titles below 'King.' In descending order of rank: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Baron. Baizi, with the surname Bai, holds the title of Viscount, so he's called 'Baizi.'"
The Snow Wolf King nodded. "That's right."
Finally understanding, Liu Jiao asked, "His surname is Bai? Great King, is he related to you?"
"Yes," the Snow Wolf King nodded, "He's my younger brother."
Liu Jiao was incredibly surprised, "You're not an only child?"
"Not born of the same mother."
However, the eagle interjected, "Viscount Bai holds a prestigious status, so I dare not easily offend him. But now, he may be colluding with assassins. Great King..."
"This is so dangerous..." Liu Jiao thought for a moment but then said, "If he's truly your brother, he wouldn't conspire with assassins. Family members wouldn't harm you, right?"
The Snow Wolf King remained noncommittal.
It was the Chief Investigator who supplied, "The Chief Guards might not know, but now, with the Great King having no heir, in the event of an unfortunate incident, Lord Bai would be the next in line for succession."
Liu Jiao exclaimed, "You... are you suggesting...?"
The Snow Wolf King, however, stated, "It's just speculation on your part."
"Exactly," Liu Jiao said, "The Great King's brother wouldn't have such a malicious intent, right?"
The Chief Investigator and the eagle exchanged glances, choosing not to say much.
The Snow Wolf King suggested, "Speculation won't help. Let's go and ask directly."
"Ask directly?" Both the eagle and the Chief Investigator were astonished.
The Snow Wolf King still needed to maintain the pretense of a "sudden serious illness," so he set out in disguise. The eagle, concerned, insisted on accompanying him. However, the Snow Wolf King said, "I have Xiao Jiao as the Chief Guard."
The eagle, being very traditional, directly countered, "Didn't the Chief Guard accompany you yesterday, and you ended up being bitten by a venomous snake?"
Liu Jiao couldn't hide the embarrassment on his face.
The Snow Wolf King explained, "That was a strategic move on my part, not a failure on the Chief Guard's part. Even if you were by my side as a guard, the result would have been the same."
The eagle fell silent.
Liu Jiao felt somewhat relieved, but the Snow Wolf King added, "By the way, how is Hong Huli recovering? Let him join us too."
The eagle went to the hospital and brought Hong Huli. As soon as Hong Huli entered the room, he immediately knelt down, wailing, "Great King!!! Wu wu wu... Great King!!! When I heard that Great King is seriously ill, my heart feels like it's on fire!"
"Enough," the Snow Wolf King interrupted, "stop the drama and get up."
Hong Huli stood up and, seeing the radiant appearance of the Snow Wolf King, exclaimed, "Great King? You... look very well!"
Liu Jiao explained from the side, "It's a strategic move by the Great King."
Hong Huli understood immediately, stood up hastily, and said, "That's great then. I was truly distressed..."
"Alright, let's go." The Snow Wolf King waved his hand, and Hong Huli and Liu Jiao followed.
The Snow Wolf King, like Liu Jiao, disguised himself as an ordinary canine demon, while Hong Huli led the way. The three of them boarded a luxurious car, heading towards the viscount's manor.
In the car, Liu Jiao curiously asked, "Great King, what's your brother's name?"
"His name is Bai Lingling," the Snow Wolf King replied. "Lingling reflects the brightness of the sun, while Xiaoxiao signifies the clear and pure sky. 'Lingling' and 'Xiaoxiao' both carry the meaning of purity and brightness."
When they arrived at the entrance of the viscount's manor, Hong Huli got out of the car first, with the Snow Wolf King and Liu Jiao following. The guarding canine demon stopped them, "This is the Viscount Bai's manor. Unauthorized people are not allowed to enter!"
Hong Huli presented a military order and said, "Open your dog eyes wide and take a good look!"
The Canine Guard's eyes widened. "I can't read."
"......"
In the end, the manor's steward arrived, saw the military order, and respectfully welcomed Hong Huli. Looking at Liu Jiao and the Snow Wolf King, he asked, "And who are these two?"
Hong Huli nervously said, "They are... my attendants."
"Oh, then please come in," the steward ushered the three inside the manor, brought them to a hall, asked them to sit, and offered tea. The steward said, "Lord Bai is currently not in. Would you like to wait?"
Hong Huli sneered, "By the Great King's command, whether Viscount Bai is here or not, we stay."
The steward hurriedly said, "Yes, I will urgently inform Lord Bai right away."
"Just don't make me wait too long. I'm not a patient person."
"Yes... yes, Master Hong." The steward respectfully withdrew.
Liu Jiao had only seen Hong Huli being respectful and had never witnessed him assert himself. Now, he exclaimed in surprise, "Master Hong has quite the presence."
Hong Huli, hearing this, quickly shrugged and said, "No, not at all..."
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "Master Hong always carries himself with great style outside. I know that."
Hearing the Snow Wolf King's words, Hong Huli almost knelt down to kowtow, "Great King..."
"Enough," the Snow Wolf King pressed down on Hong Huli's trembling shoulder, smiling, "Just playing with you."
Hong Huli said, "Actually, outsiders give me face. To put it bluntly, it's a bit of 'showing off with borrowed prestige.' Everyone respects the Great King, so even a dog in Great King's house would be treated with courtesy, let alone a servant like me."
The Snow Wolf King laughed. "Enough talk, have some tea."
Liu Jiao lifted the teacup, took a sip, and surveyed the surroundings. The small hall looked pristine, with polished gray marble flooring, walls, and ceilings all in the same pure white. A black iron flower stand stood beside, and in the center of the wall hung a square black television.
Feeling a bit bored, Liu Jiao picked up the remote and turned on the television hanging in the living room. A piece of entertainment news was playing, featuring an interview with the cast of "Domineering Wolf King and Charming Cat Consort." The movie seemed to be quite popular, achieving massive box office success. Probably because it satisfied the audience's curiosity about royalty. These court dramas always sold well, especially with the added allure of Ragdoll Fairy, the Northern Kingdom's most beautiful cat demon. Ragdoll Fairy was currently in the spotlight, gaining fame not only for his acting skills, which were average at best, but everyone said that even if the entire movie featured him meowing and playing with a ball of yarn, people would still buy tickets to watch. Due to his popularity, the interview footage was mostly focused on him.
Liu Jiao pointed at Ragdoll Fairy on the screen and said, "Great King, look, it's that beautiful cat!"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "You are the beautiful cat."
Liu Jiao blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment.
Hong Huli pretended not to hear anything, leaning on his hand and watching the television. Ragdoll Fairy, magnified on the high-definition screen, was still bubbling with beauty, especially his mesmerizing blue eyes.
The host asked, "Any interesting anecdotes from this shoot?"
Ragdoll Fairy pondered for a moment and said, "Since it's a court drama, it's very refined. I've learned a lot..."
The Snow Wolf King couldn't help but remark, "This movie is far from refined."
The host continued, "The character of the Wolf King in the movie is suspicious, domineering, and has a terrible personality. Was this inspired by the image of any particular Snow Wolf King?"
Ragdoll Fairy laughed, "Huh? Ahahaha? What are you talking about? Shouldn't you ask the scriptwriter this question?"
The scriptwriter hastily added, "The image of this Wolf King... um, it was a suggestion from our consultant."
The host said, "By the way, the court etiquette consultant for this production..."
The camera shifted to a stern-faced man who said, "It's based on the current Snow Wolf King. The present Snow Wolf King is suspicious, domineering, and has a terrible personality."
The host's expression stiffened. "Hahaha... let's watch a commercial first."
Liu Jiao was stunned. "Who is this court etiquette consultant? Why is he defaming the Great King?"
The Snow Wolf King replied, "That's my brother."
Just then, someone walked in, pushing the door open. Liu Jiao turned to see a noble and stern man entering – it was Bai Lingling.
"Is it you?" Bai Lingling was surprised, looking at the Snow Wolf King, "Why does it smell like a dog in here?"
The Snow Wolf King responded, "We're on a discreet outing."
Bai Lingling sneered, "Act foolish, invite trouble."
"Did you send an assassin to kill me?"
"Assassinate you? Are you joking?"
"My Bird Guard discovered an assassin infiltrating your manor. Be cautious."
Bai Lingling replied, "What assassin?"
"It's a snake spirit." Liu Jiao stood up, advising, "A highly poisonous giant snake. Be careful!"
Bai Lingling glanced at Liu Jiao, noticing his tail, and said, "Are you a cat?"
Unsure how to respond, Liu Jiao nodded sluggishly. "Yes."
"Come here, give me a good scratch."