Heroic Death System [BL]

Arc 11: Spring Comes Upon A Withered Tree (V & VI)

At night, Shang Ke soaked his legs in the lake to absorb the water elements.

Footsteps sounded behind him as Ivan spoke up, "Why did you want to go to the War Camp?"

Shang Ke drew his legs along the water. "I wanted to get some information."

"The phantom jade?" Ivan sat next to Shang Ke.

Shang Ke nodded.

Ivan said, "The specters issued a reward for all captured half-elves, so don't go out anymore. I'll let you know if there's any recent information."

Shang Ke had heard of the reward order, but he didn't expect the specters to target all half-elves. If so, it wasn't suitable for him to appear in public. After all, his chief priority was to protect the twelve elves, who were likely to be the major force dealing with the specters in the future.

"Alright, I'll try not to go out." Shang Ke agreed.

Seeing how obedient he was, Ivan couldn't help but want to touch his head, but his hand paused in midair before dropping. Ivan thought about his ugly appearance, and his eyes flashed with a trace of self-loathing. The elf was too beautiful for him to taint.

Shang Ke keenly noticed the melancholic and bitter aura spilling from the man. He clearly wanted to get closer to Shang Ke, but he tried to suppress it.

"Ivan." Shang Ke leaned back on his hands and looked at him sideways. "I'll be waiting for your news at home. Don't break your promise."

Ivan's heart jumped, and he turned to look at the elf. Under the faint glow of the night, a pair of blue eyes sparkled with a light halo, showing endless trust and tenderness. People often said that elves were the purest creatures in the world. He hadn't believed it back then, but now he felt it deeply.

Without warning, a strong desire surged up inside him. He wanted to possess the elf and take him as his own.

Ivan's fists tightened, and his heart beat violently. He dipped his head to conceal the burning desire lighting up his eyes.

Suddenly, a melodious zither sounded out like a cool breeze beside him, and it soothed Ivan's restless heart.

Shang Ke held the wooden zither and plucked the strings rhythmically with his slender fingers. Beautiful music rippled under the dimness of the night, and each note contained the force of the elements. Much like a star falling across the sky, or glittering exquisitely upon the silent lake.

Ivan's heart gradually calmed down, and his entire being was immersed in the elf's music. Suddenly, there was a burning pain in his left eye.

"Ah!" When he put his hand over it, he felt the bandage on his left face twist, as if dozens of worms were wriggling under it.

"What's wrong?" Shang Ke stopped playing and looked at him anxiously.

"Nothing." Ivan turned away from his gaze.

"Let me see." Shang Ke took his legs out of the water, knelt in front of Ivan, and tried to pull his hand away.

"It's nothing." Ivan fended off Shang Ke's hand.

"If you don't let me see it," Shang Ke began softly. "I won't let you see it again."

After a pause, Ivan turned to Shang Ke. "What won't you let me see?"

"Won't let you see my face, my eyes, my body, my room, or my bed!" Shang Ke knelt on the ground with both hands placed on his knees, his posture the very essence of the phrase, "awaiting command."

Ivan stared at him with burning eyes for a long time, as if to see right through him. A moment later, he slowly put down his hand.

Just as Shang Ke believed he fell for the bait, he heard Ivan say in a stiff voice, "I'm sorry. I don't want you to see me."