Chapter 104: Gone Mad

Chapter 104: Gone Insane

The Shadow Guards' movements were only a beat slower than Luo Yunchen's, but they immediately appeared, some shielding the two, others engaging the assassins in combat.

Luo Yunchen's voice was ice-cold as he ordered, "Finish it quickly, leave none alive."

Ying Yi understood Luo Yunchen's intent, leaving only one guard to take orders and taking the rest to join the pursuit.

Su Zheng was stunned, never expecting his casual stroll to attract rebel remnants. Seeing Luo Yunchen turn his back to the rain of arrows just to ensure he wouldn't be hurt, his heart skipped a beat.

Seeing Su Zheng staring blankly at him, Luo Yunchen assumed he was frightened.

His dazed appearance was pretty adorable.

Luo Yunchen chuckled softly, seemingly pleased that Su Zheng now stayed obediently in his arms without struggling or causing trouble.

He reached out to smooth Su Zheng's slightly tousled hair, his movements natural and intimate, but his gaze was burning as he murmured, "I was thinking of taking you right here and now, thoroughly consummating our marriage as punishment for being bad!"

Luo Yunchen paused, then added, "Mm, and of course as payback for making me sleep in an empty bed for so long!"

Su Zheng snapped back to reality, his eyes widening slightly. He opened his mouth to say something, but a finger pressed against his lips.

Luo Yunchen's fingertip brushed over the corner of Su Zheng's mouth, stroking it a couple of times, then he pinched Su Zheng's chin, lifted it, lowered his head, and captured his lips, savoring them slowly.

The sounds of fighting and clashing weapons nearby rose and fell, clear enough for Su Zheng to hear, suggesting either a large number of combatants or close proximity.

A Shadow Guard stood nearby, his back to them, alert to the surroundings—even if he couldn't see, he could hear.

Su Zheng struggled silently, pushing against Luo Yunchen's shoulder to shove him away.

Instead, Luo Yunchen tightened his grip around Su Zheng's waist, his gentle savoring instantly turning into a wild exploration.

Su Zheng instantly understood and didn't dare move anymore, only clutching Luo Yunchen's lapels tightly, letting him take what he wanted.

Feeling Su Zheng's compliance, Luo Yunchen's mood improved somewhat. He reined in his aggression, his lips and tongue gradually softening, tinged with a trace of lingering desire, tender and affectionate.

Only when Su Zheng was out of breath, his eyes slightly moist, did Luo Yunchen reluctantly let go, allowing him to breathe freely.

Luo Yunchen's fingertip traced Su Zheng's reddened, slightly swollen lips, his voice low and amused: "Sweet. But those assassins deserve to die."

To frighten you again would break my heart.

Oh well, there will be plenty of chances for you to make it up to me.

Su Zheng's breathing steadied. He stared at Luo Yunchen, astonishment in his tone: "You... how are you here?"

Luo Yunchen tilted his head, his tone as innocent and harmless as before, smiling as he said, "Of course I came to pick you up. You've had your fun; it's time to go back."

Su Zheng choked, almost losing his train of thought. He coughed lightly and shook his head: "How can I go back? I'm already dead. The throne has been rightfully passed to you. You are more capable and more suited to be emperor than I am. From now on, you are the supreme sovereign; no one can push you around anymore. With the weapons and medicines I developed, plus the elite troops and generals you've trained, you needn't fear foreign invasion. You can surely be a good emperor who makes the nation prosperous and the people live in peace."

Luo Yunchen still smiled, but the warmth in his eyes gradually faded, leaving only a clear, cold desolation. His gaze, restrained with sorrow, quietly fixed on Su Zheng, who looked earnest and convinced of his thorough planning. After a long moment, he said softly, "You truly are heartless and cruel."

Su Zheng looked at Luo Yunchen with confusion and bewilderment, not understanding why he said that.

Luo Yunchen raised his hand to cover Su Zheng's eyes, preventing him from seeing the unbridled ferocity in his own eyes, his tone low and dark: "Is this really the reason? Once the goal is achieved, you discard me. But, brother, who can say what the future holds? If you're not by my side watching over me, one day I might accidentally plunge this world into chaos again, turning it into a living hell... You wouldn't want to see that, would you?"

"You..." Su Zheng opened his mouth and only said 'you' before trailing off. After a moment, he sighed helplessly: "Why do this? What good does bringing me back do you? With me here, how can you feel secure on the throne?"

Luo Yunchen scooped Su Zheng up in his arms, his tone final: "So what? I never cared about the throne. But you, sitting on the throne, must be mine, and only mine."

With that, he ordered the remaining Shadow Guard to drive the carriage, and carried Su Zheng toward it.

Su Zheng came to his senses and struggled to be put down, feeling embarrassed and awkward being carried like a bride in the middle of the street.

Luo Yunchen held him tighter, lowering his head to whisper in Su Zheng's ear: "You'd better behave. Now that I've caught you, I'm never letting go. If you say or do anything to upset me further, I can't promise I won't punish you right on the spot."

Su Zheng indeed stopped struggling. He glared at Luo Yunchen for a moment, then dropped his head in defeat, burying his face against Luo Yunchen's chest and staying still.

Luo Yunchen seemed very pleased, his chest shaking with laughter: "Good boy, adorable."

Once in the carriage, Luo Yunchen placed Su Zheng on a soft cushion and sat beside him.

Su Zheng thought Luo Yunchen wouldn't act crazy anymore. He sat up intending to ask what he intended to do with him, but before he could speak, he saw Luo Yunchen reaching over to untie his sash.

Startled, Su Zheng quickly grabbed Luo Yunchen's hand.

He didn't mind what Luo Yunchen might do to him, but he didn't want him to do it without considering the surroundings.

Luo Yunchen smiled, gently kissed the corner of Su Zheng's mouth, and soothed softly: "Don't be afraid. How could I be so rash as to consummate our marriage here?"

Su Zheng's sigh of relief hadn't even finished when Luo Yunchen continued: "But it's been so long since you've let me in. If it's too intense later, you might get hurt. So it's better to loosen you up first."

Su Zheng's mind exploded like fireworks. He stiffened completely, eyes wide as he stared at Luo Yunchen—this time, it was absolutely not an act!

But Luo Yunchen continued, his smiling tone tinged with helplessness yet unwavering determination: "I have to teach you a lesson. I need you to remember every moment that you can never, ever leave me."

"I wanted you to remember me in your heart, but no matter how hard I tried, it didn't work. You still think of leaving me, of not wanting me."

"So I'll have to burn my memory into your body, remember that you cannot leave me, not even a single thought of it!"

"You know, brother, the moment I realized you had gone to great lengths to leave on your own, I went insane."