Chapter 122: Pious Kiss

    The mummy soldier’s interruption had come at the right time and sizzled out the blazing anger in Shen Nianzu’s heart, allowing his rationality to reign control once again.

    Seriously, why did he always lose his composure around Jin Jiuchi? It was so disconcerting to realize how easy it was for the man to affect his mood with a mere action and word. Sighing, Shen Nianzu responded, "No, I’m not angry. But I suggest you come up with a plan, or else you will really die this time. Now turn around and let me change in peace."

    Under the weight of Shen Nianzu’s menacing gaze, Jin Jiuchi begrudgingly turned around, offering the unobstructed view of his perk backside. In an instant, Shen Nianzu forgot what he was supposed to do as his eyes fervently traced each line and curve of the captivating figure before him.

    "I didn’t hear you moving," Jin Jiuchi suddenly remarked in a teasing tone, as he tilted his head to the side and flashed Shen Nianzu a mischievous grin. Despite the jackal headpiece concealing his eyes, Shen Nianzu could vividly imagine the playful twinkle in his silver gaze. "Enjoying the view, Nian’er?"

    "Cough—!" Shen Nianzu cleared his throat and scrambled to peel the wet clothes off his body and dry himself with the towel. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. You should put on some clothes too if you don’t want to catch a cold."

    "Okay, okay, I will listen to Nian’er. Who else will I listen to but Nian’er?" Jin Jiuchi laughed and grabbed a pair of linen trousers for himself.

    Shen Nianzu shot him a vehement glare because he could sense that Jin Jiuchi was just saying it to humor him, yet as soon as the man turned around, all traces of annoyance in him evaporated like a droplet of water under the scorching sun, and his throat instantly turned dry.

    As Jin Jiuchi had not even bothered to dry himself before putting on the trousers, the thin fabric clung to his toned thighs and calves like second skin, accentuating each flex of his muscles. It also meant that the outline of his well-endowed manhood was clearly outlined, despite the fact that it was not erect at all. Fuck, it was just so... distracting...

    Shen Nianzu gulped down the saliva pooling in his mouth and asked in a calm voice that surprised even himself, "Aren’t you cold? You didn’t wear a shirt back in the hall either."

    "Don’t need it," came the man’s nonchalant reply. "Actually, I should be the one to ask this question. Aren’t you cold, Nian’er? Pfftt, just look at you." He stepped forward and playfully poked the jade doll’s soft cheek. "How adorable."

    Shen Nianzu angrily swatted his hand away. He knew very well how ridiculous he looked right now. The satin robe was originally prepared for Jin Jiuchi, and even though he had folded the long hem and secured it with the sash, it still looked way too big on him. Like a child playing dress-up with his parent’s clothes. However, beggars could not be choosers, and this was way better than the dirt-covered and filthy clothes he had been wearing earlier.

    He gritted out, "Are we going to discuss countermeasures, or will you simply wait until the players come up with a way to kill you?"

    "Ah, that’s right..." Jin Jiuchi scratched his neck with a grimace. "We should act as soon as possible before we run out of time, huh? But I can’t think of anything. Why don’t you just go ahead and do it? Didn’t you say that injuries in the Cycle will not manifest in the real world?"

    Shen Nianzu looked at him as if he had truly lost his mind. He deadpanned, "Tell me you’re joking." But when Jin Jiuchi only gave him a slow blink, he pinched his brows, trying to alleviate the headache pounding on his head. "It’s not mere injuries we are talking about here. Do you still not understand it, Jin Jiuchi? We’re going to sever your head. It means you will really die!"

    "But what if I don’t?"

    "...What?" Shen Nianzu snapped his head up in surprise.

    Jin Jiuchi rubbed his chin in thought. "The Nightmare did not actually specify what kind of act we should re-enact, am I right? What if we only need to act until the point just before my neck is cut off?"

    Shen Nianzu’s eyes widened as realization abruptly dawned on him. Jin Jiuchi was right... the Nightmare only demanded them to re-enact the scene, but it did not specify that they should go through with the act until the end! What if they only had to act out the part where the worshipper rushed forward to confront the deity? If that was the case, then Jin Jiuchi did not have to die!

    A glimmer of hope flickered in the depth of Shen Nianzu’s eyes, only to dim again when he considered the worst possible scenario.

    "It’s true that it could work," he nodded, "but we can’t be certain that our hypothesis is correct. The risk of you getting hurt in the process is extremely high." He did not even realize how upset he sounded right now.

    "Hehe, worrying about me, aren’t you?" Jin Jiuchi teased, looking so pleased with himself that Shen Nianzu had the urge to chuck him down to the pool and drown him to death. However, before he could act on the intrusive thoughts, Jin Jiuchi raised his hands in surrender and said helplessly,

    "Okay, okay, I will not play around anymore. What I mean to say is, so what if I get hurt? I will die either way if we fail to complete the task, so why don’t we just go ahead and try it, no matter how impossible it is? Of course, I’m not saying that I want to die here..." he chuckled softly and without a warning, he dropped to one knee before Shen Nianzu so that they were on the same eye level. He held one of Shen Nianzu’s hands and brought it to his lips, pressing a pious kiss on the knuckles. His beautiful lips curved into an enticing smile.

    It was as if their position had reversed in that split second — Jin Jiuchi being the devoted worshipper for his God.

    His voice was extremely gentle, almost sultry, as he whispered, "But haven’t I told you before, Nian’er? If I really have to die... I want it to be in your hands alone."

    Shen Nianzu’s heart skipped a beat, before it proceeded to drum in a frenzied speed like never before. The spot where Jin Jiuchi’s lips had just pressed on tingled, sending an electrifying sensation through his body. His head felt warm and fuzzy, even more intense than when he soaked in the pool. He could hear the faint sound of something crumbling apart in his ears.

    It was the barrier he had just painstakingly fortified around his heart.

    Oh. Oh no, this couldn’t be happening. He must not—

    "I think we have come to an agreement," Jin Jiuchi suddenly said, breaking the dizzying spell in Shen Nianzu’s mind. He reached out and scooped the jade doll into his arms, rising to his feet. He winked and added, "Should we start now?"

    Shen Nianzu scrambled to cling onto him, still feeling dazed and flustered by that single kiss. "W–What are you planning to do?"

    Jin Jiuchi let out an excited laugh. "Of course, to complete the hidden task. Let’s see if you really have to cut my head off or not, shall we?"

    He strode across the marble floor and swung open the door, startling the nearby mummy soldier who looked absolutely gobsmacked at the sight of the rebel being held intimately in the deity’s arms.

    "Summon all of the rebels," he gave his order. "I’m ready to announce my decision now."

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    A/N: smooth like butter, like a criminal undercover~

    This silly husky can be a real charmer once he sets his mind to it *sweat*