CHAPTER 116: BODYGUARDS

Hei Long’s footsteps were steady as he strode through the bustling streets of the capital, the sunlight filtering through the leaves above casting dancing shadows on his calm face.

The bodyguard mission was simple enough in theory: protect the young lady entrusted to their care during her journey to a neighboring kingdom.

But Hei Long knew better — with Lin Fan lurking nearby and the delicate threads of affection already weaving around this girl, nothing would be simple.

He adjusted his cloak, eyes narrowing slightly as he approached the grand manor where the mission would begin.

Inside, waiting with an anxious yet graceful composure, was the young lady — her delicate frame wrapped in silks of pale lavender, her eyes reflecting a quiet strength beneath her refined exterior.

Hei Long stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "I am Hei Long, assigned as your protector."

She met his gaze steadily. "Thank you, Hei Long. I trust you will keep me safe."

A subtle smile curved his lips. "That is my duty."

Not far behind, Lin Fan lingered awkwardly near the entrance, clutching a folded letter nervously. His heart hammered, every glance at the young lady stirring a tumultuous blend of admiration and desperate hope.

But the way Hei Long moved with composed confidence, the ease with which he commanded respect, only deepened Lin Fan’s unease.

As they set out, the young lady rode beside Hei Long, her presence both calming and intoxicating.

Lin Fan struggled to find words, often catching himself mid-sentence, only to be overshadowed by Hei Long’s steady, assured tone.

Hei Long subtly guided the young lady through the forest paths, his stories laced with humor and insight, causing her to laugh softly—a sound that seemed to wound Lin Fan in ways no sword ever could.

One evening, as the campfire flickered under the vast night sky, Lin Fan mustered the courage to approach. "Miss... I mean, Lady... if you ever need anything, I—"

Hei Long’s eyes met his with a sharp glint. "Lin Fan," he said smoothly, "this isn’t a game of favors."

Lin Fan’s words stumbled away, heart sinking as he noticed the way the young lady’s gaze lingered on Hei Long a moment longer, the quiet warmth in her smile directed not at him, but at his rival.

Days passed in a tense dance of proximity and distance, with Hei Long effortlessly weaving himself into the young lady’s trust and heart, while Lin Fan’s attempts grew more desperate and visibly futile.

His hands trembled as he prepared small gifts, each rejected with polite smiles that cut deeper than any blade.

At night, when the camp was silent, Lin Fan’s mind replayed moments—the gentle touch of Hei Long’s hand helping the lady steady her footing, the soft murmur of their shared laughter, the way she looked at Hei Long as if he were the sun itself.

"Why won’t she see me?" Lin Fan whispered into the darkness, a raw ache breaking through his bravado.

Unknown to him, Hei Long watched from the shadows, a complicated smile on his lips.

Not out of malice, but the cold truth of a predator who always claimed what he desired.

The mission pressed on, each day a battleground not just of external dangers but of internal, tormenting desires.

And as the young lady’s heart leaned ever more toward Hei Long, Lin Fan’s obsession grew fiercer, blinding him to reason, driving him to the edge of despair.

This was no ordinary bodyguard mission. It was a war of hearts, and Hei Long was winning every battle.

Hei Long sensed the tension lingering in the cool night air as Mu Lanyue quietly excused herself to the tent.

He allowed a moment’s pause before settling down by the fire, his eyes briefly flickering toward Lin Fan, who sat hunched and restless, fighting the tide of emotions swirling within him.

The camp was silent save for the crackling flames, but beneath that quiet, a storm raged—an unspoken battle for affection and dominance that weighed heavier than any sword or spell.

Hei Long’s voice broke the silence. "Lin Fan," he said smoothly, "you know this mission isn’t just about protection, right? It’s about trust, loyalty, and something more... complicated."

Lin Fan’s jaw tightened, and he shot a glare back. "Complicated? Maybe for you. I’m just here trying to keep what’s mine."

Hei Long smiled, a slow, knowing curl of his lips. "What’s yours? A fleeting hope? A desperate grasp at something slipping through your fingers? You fight with fire, but sometimes ice wins."

Lin Fan’s fists clenched tighter, the pain in his chest like a wildfire. "I’m not giving up."

"Good," Hei Long said, leaning back on his hands, eyes gleaming under the moonlight. "Because I intend to make sure you never get the chance."

The nights that followed were a delicate dance of stolen glances and whispered conversations.

Hei Long’s approach was subtle, almost imperceptible—an arm brushing against Mu Lanyue’s as he handed her a water skin, a quiet joke to lighten a tense moment, the warmth of his presence comforting like a hearth fire in the cold wilderness.

Lin Fan watched helplessly as the girl he adored seemed to drift further from his reach, drawn irresistibly to Hei Long’s composed strength. Every smile Hei Long earned from Mu Lanyue twisted the knife deeper, each shared secret a blow to Lin Fan’s fractured pride.

One afternoon, as the caravan paused by a tranquil lake, Mu Lanyue sat beneath a blossoming tree, the soft breeze playing with the edges of her silk robe. Hei Long sat beside her, speaking quietly, his voice a balm to her worries.

Lin Fan approached hesitantly, clutching a wildflower bouquet, his heart pounding with hope.

"Miss Mu Lanyue," he began, voice shaky but determined, "I—"

Hei Long’s cold gaze cut through the moment. "Lin Fan, must you embarrass yourself so?"

Mu Lanyue looked up, a hint of sympathy in her eyes, but her smile was for Hei Long alone.

Lin Fan’s cheeks flushed crimson, and he turned sharply, retreating before the sting of rejection became unbearable.

Hei Long watched him go, a flicker of something—perhaps pity—passing through his eyes. Yet the game was clear: hearts were being won, and Lin Fan was losing ground with every step.

The journey continued, the young lady’s trust and affection deepening for Hei Long, while Lin Fan’s obsession grew—fueled by desperation and the burning need to reclaim what he felt slipping away.

In the quiet moments, Hei Long often found himself reflecting on the cruel beauty of the situation. It was not malice that drove him but the natural order of power and desire—a predator taking what was within his grasp, and a weaker opponent blinded by love.

The road ahead promised trials far beyond the physical dangers of the wilderness.