Love Sword

24

'How dare you!'

The crown prince raised his hand to stop his angry guards from pulling out their sword and attacking a certain someone who bravely barged into his quarters and pull at his collars.

The guards all calmed down upon the hand signal from their master.

They're all clever enough to know that what they should do right now is retreat out of the room.

As the people scattered and the doors were shut, the only two people in the room right now is He Chang and Li Jun.

Prince Li Jun pushed the other off of him and fixed his clothes. There is a mocking smile hanging on his lips but his eyes are bloodshot.

'How rude. Do you know that such bashful actions can cause you your head?' Asked the crown prince.

He Chang clenched his fists.

'What are you trying to do to him?' He asked through gritted jaws.

'What?'

He Chang growled and threw a harsh punch towards the crown prince. Li Jun took it without flinching, however, he quickly returned the punch in one strike.

The two broke out into a brutal brawl, tables and chairs fell on the floor. The place fell into ruins as soon as they both stopped.

He Chang sat on the floor, his lips bleeding and a bruised arm. He felt a terrible ache all over his body. In all his life, he'd never gotten this injured fighting with someone.

He'd hate to admit it but this crown prince's martial arts is not bad.

The crown prince's state is not better off either. He, too, is leaning flat onto the wall with ripped plaster. The left side of his eye beaten black and blue by He Chang. His fist is profusely bleeding from accidentally striking a porcelain vase during their brawl.

How could a martial artist like himself become bruised and bleed from a brawl? How embarrassing!

He Chang slowly got off the floor, he is breathing heavily.

Approaching the crown prince at the other corner of the room, he threw his fist towards the walk beside Li Jun's face.

It created a heavy dent in the wall and an enormous sound.

'If you dare to think of anything funny and hurt him, don't even try to escape because I will hunt you down.' Warned He Chang.

Li Jun smiled, showing his bloody teeth.

He lifted his foot and kicked He Chang away.

'I'd never hurt him. While you, you've already hurt him multiple times.'

He Chang continued to glare at the other man. However, this time, silent.

———

Xiang Ning finished washing up and changing into his new robe. He walked out of his bathroom and was nearly surprised into fainting once he saw He Chang sitting on the floor in his room.

His back is leaning against one of the drawers in the corner. There was blood oozing from his lips and he looked haggard.

His clothes were messy and he is sweating. It seems like he is exhausted.

Xiang Ning quickly ran towards He Chang and helped him stand up.

'Chang'ge! What is happening! Why? Come here first.'

He led the limping He Chang towards the bed at the far end of the room and sat him down.

'I'll go get the medicine box.'

Xiang Ning stood up and was about to go get the medicine box when his wrist was caught.

He curiously turned around and he saw He Chang looking at him.

'You...'

Xiang Ning opened his eyes in confusion and listened to what He Chang had to say but he only let out a small 'you' and did not say anything else.

He Chang turned away and let go of the wrist.

'Do you like that bastard?' Asked He Chang.

Xiang Ning was utterly shocked. What is this guy talking about?

'Huh? Who?'

He Chang but his lips. What is he doing? He had clearly rejected this guy just two days ago and now he is acting so miserable at the thought of this little guy liking someone else?

It must be his instinct of protecting him as his bodyguard and knowing that crown prince is up to no good can also be the reason.

'Forget it.'

Xiang Ning furrowed his eyebrows but once he saw the blood at the end of the other man's lips, he quickly threw the confusion to back of his mind and left to get the medicine box.

After returning, he began to help tend to He Chang's wounds. He gently dabbed medicine onto the broken skin, afraid that he would hurt the older man.

He Chang sat motionlessly to let him tend the wounds. Throughout the whole process, he didn't let out a wince of pain nor did he show a pained expression.

After finishing, Xiang Ning had immense respect for He Chang. The wounds were so bad but he didn't even show that he's hurt. How come someone's endurance is so high? How admirable.

'It's done.' Said Xiang Ning.

'Thanks.' Said He Chang curtly.

The prince felt uncomfortable in his heart. Just what did He Chang do to get beaten up like this? Judging by his bruised knuckles, his opponent must've been badly beaten up as well.

'Ge, what happened?' Asked Xiang Ning.

He Chang grumbled and stood up. He lifted his hand to grab Xiang Ning's chin before forcing his face closer to his.

At this close distance, Xiang Ning could see the slightly furrowed eyebrows of the other. Could it be that he is part of the reason why He Chang got into a fight?

Why else would He Chang react strangely ever since he'd came back?

He Chang stared at the confused face of the boy in front of him. He really is in a confused state as well. Why does he care about this kid so much? Wasn't he a hindrance to his mission before? He dislikes obstacles towards his goal the most. So why is he going so far as to bring attention to himself to go and fight with the crown prince?

Doing that kind of thing could alter his chances of getting the prize he worked so hard for. This would cause a ruckus! A lowly bodyguard brawling with the crown prince? Surely, he'd get an execution punishment so long as that crown prince declares it.

Of course, he won't actually die. At most, he'll just escape back to his clan and family. Or he could find a new face mask and work on this task all over again. Either way, it doesn't benefit him at all.

He squinted his eyes.

'Don't get close to that crown prince.'

With a sentence, almost sounding like a demand, he let go of the small chin.

To Be Continued...