Chasing You - Chapter 185: Chapter 185

Back at the hide out, Xu XiuLan was currently with Lin Jun Kai and Bao Bao. The lad had just returned from the front lines as he had been accompanying his lover. After their assistance to lock down the city, they set off to give moral support and ogle Wu QingJue while they were at work.
Seeing that their plan had gone successfully, Bao Bao wanted to return and congratulate his host. When he arrived at the hideout, he felt was flummoxed by what he smelled and saw. There was food made by his host.
He eyed those meat skewers with gluttonous eyes and licked his lips. It has been a day since he had been able to eat his host's cooking and his stomached ached for it.
Opening his mouth, he complained.
[Wuuu~ Host, Bao Bao is so hungry. Can host feed this starved system~?]
Xu XiuLan looked up at him, "Has your passive reset yet, Bao Bao?"
He nodded exuberantly.
[Mhmm! Just right about... Now!]
He rubbed his stomach as even the now cooled down meat smelled heavenly and mouthwatering. Just him imagining the aroma as it is cooking almost made Bao Bao drool. Without wasting any time, he clapped his hands together and enabled his passive. His feet touched the ground and like a whirlwind, he flew over to the spot besides Lin Jun Kai. A smug grin on his face as he thought about the taste of the meat.
Xu XiuLan stood up and made his way to start of the fire once again, so that he could cook some skewers for Bao Bao.
Lin Jun Kai had been attentively chatting with Bao Bao, when his stomach suddenly felt a knot of trepidation inside. His eyes automatically darted over to his mother. They had a small pine wood stick that had the tip of it soaked in sulfur and was ready to strike the match. From the undergrowth, Lin Jun Kai spotted an inconspicuous figure that distinctively resembled his father's original form. He could make out that uncanny menacing smile on their face.
His feet took off in a sprint as he tackled their legs, "Mommy! Don't!"
The momentum made Xu XiuLan fall into his butt. He looked at Lin Jun Kai in confusion and patted their head, "Xiao Jun, your laolao¹ is hungry."
Lin Jun Jai demurred, shaking his head with a rattle toy drum as he kept the hidden figure within his eyesight, "Laolao is too fat... Laolao can wait for a while."
Though it wasn't true, Lin Jun Kai was rambling some nonsensical things to stall time, until the return of Tu HuaLi.
Bao Bao felt a stab into his heart from their words. He pouted.
[Xiao Jun, your laolao has been working hard and is hungry... Are you going to let your laolao die of hunger?]
During this time, Lin Jun Kai had secretively written the characters 'Si Wang' on Xu XiuLan's hand as he threw more words at Bao Bao, "Laolao... Can wait until daddy or uncle comes back. Mommy is tired from being 'thrown' around on the bed by daddy."
Not forgetting to give another jab at Bao Bao, Lin Jun Kai added, "Maybe laolao can lose a few pounds as laolao waits."
Xu XiuLan's vigilance increased at the speed of light. What bothered him was that he couldn't even feel their presence. He continued the act and coaxed, "Xiao Jun, be good to laolao."
As for Bao Bao, he almost fainted from the shock he received. When has his cute grandson become so rebellious all of a sudden? Ah, ah. It must be his son-in-law's fault for their sudden change in their behavior.
Putting on a pitiful face, Bao Bao let a couple crocodile tears fall.
[Ah, it hurts your laolao's heart that Xiao Jun no longer loves this wrinkly laolao.]
He slowly wiped the two droplets of tears that he could squeeze out and lowered his gaze to the floor. This made Lin Jun Kai freeze for a brief second, as he adored his cute yet idiotic laolao. Seeing them cry because they were hungry made Lin Jun Kai feel guilty... But it was all for a greater cause, his mommy.
Though Bao Bao was acting so, he was quite proud that his acting skills had advanced by leaps and bounds since he became Lin Jun Kai's laolao.
Lin Jun Kai swallowed his saliva loudly, "Laolao can wait..."
He really wanted to cover his face, but he had to keep an eye on that 'man'. He saw the impatience and displeasure ripple across their face, and it was then that he knew he had assumed correctly. Si Wang had done something to the fire pit. Inwardly, he was still scolding himself for not being observant enough that they had somehow slipped in. He had failed to notice their presence until just a little bit earlier, making him swore to keep training until he could stop these types of situations from occurring in the future.
As much as he wanted to deal with Si Wang himself, there was nothing that he could accomplish by foolishly courting death. He was only an infant compared to their long lives, he wouldn't place himself in jeopardy just to hit air. Only Tu HuaLi would be able to 'kill' Si Wang and devour powers.
Hearing the sounds of an approaching horse in the distance, Lin Jun Kai sighed in relief in his heart. He would be here soon.
That inch of distraction caused him to loose sight of Si Wang's figure.
Abruptly, he fell off of his mother's lap as they were hoisted into the air. His eyes shot up to see Si Wang holding Xu XiuLan by the neck in the air. Both him and Bao Bao called out in alarm.
"Mommy!"
[Host!]
Before any further action could be taken, the man opened his mouth, "Stay where you are, or he will die a slow and painful death."
His voice was chilling to the bone as it lacked any warmth and emotions in it. They turned their attention to Xu XiuLan, "I finally get to personally meet my brother's wife. Let me introduce myself to you, human."
A smile perched on their lips but it wasn't one that reflected in their eyes, rather it was brimming with despisal, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm know as 'Si Wang'. Sheng Huo's other half."
Xu XiuLan could clearly see all of their exquisite facial features. He peered at their abysmal ebony eyes, there was no fear in his eyes as he stared at Si Wang. Instead of replying to their loutish inanity, he remained silent as his complexion was worsening. Si Wang saw their lack of attempts to escape from his grasp and stuck out his tongue. He licked Xu XiuLan's cheek, making them grimace as he smirked. He could taste their energy and wanted nothing more than to send them along their way already, so he could obtain their energy. In the small window of time before Xu XiuLan's soul would be ejected out of the world, he would receive the energy from completing his task and it was only then that he would be able to take it.
Xu XiuLan finally reacted and caught Si Wang off guard. He swung both of his legs and grappled Si Wang's arm and shoulder with his legs, and using his body weight and the propulsion of the movement to bring Si Wang onto the ground.
As soon as that occurred, an impeccable figure emerged from the clearing. They were riding on an imposing scarlet steed, with their gazed locked on Si Wang and Xu XiuLan. With their eyes meeting, a clash occurred. Si Wang seethed with enmity as he stared into those stygian eyes.
He shook off Xu XiuLan's hold and rolled away just in time to avoid being penetrated by a jian sword, that pierced straight into the ground where he had been. Si Wang confoundedly clicked his tongue and leaped into the foliage, disappearing.
Lin Jun Kai finally felt the paralyzing sensation evaporate its hold on him. He had wanted to help Xu XiuLan but after hearing Si Wang's words, he could not move or speak and was forced to only watch. It made him feel helpless just like that first and second time he witnessed their death.
He rushed over to his mother's side with a worried expression on his face, "Mommy! Mommy, are you okay?"
Xu XiuLan had been coughing, he forced himself to stop and tried to give a reassuring smile but ended up coughing again. Tu HuaLi picked him up into his arms, brushing away the dirt. His eyes were settled on the deep red mark on their neck as he knew that it would soon turn to a bruise. His expression turned stormy and terrifying, he didn't like to see any marks on him unless it was his.
Bao Bao raced over like a headless chicken.
[Wuuu... Host, Bao Bao couldn't move. Are you okay? That bastard!]
His expression turned ugly as he stared at the red mark. He had suffered the exact same symptoms as Lin Jun Kai had and was immobilized the entire time. Xu XiuLan gave a small smile, "I'm.. Alright."
Even though he heard that they were okay, it did not alleviate the sense of mortification and indignity that he felt. Lin Jun Kai's lips turned down and he looked to the ground in shame, "I'm sorry I couldn't protect mommy like I said I would, daddy."
The harsh look in Tu HuaLi's eyes softened and he patted their head, "You did the best that you could, Xiao Jun. It was my mistake as I didn't take in the fact that Si Wang might have other accomplices aiding him."
During the purge he had done, Tu HuaLi had thought that he had taken care of all of the traitors but... It turned out that there was still some and that they had burrowed and hidden themselves well. Just at a glance, he could tell that Si Wang had been feasting on another system's and host's energy. Although it was a feeble amount of energy, it was enough for him to access their most primitive abilities. He needed to be more cautious from now on, until he can get rid of Si Wang's supplier and corner Si Wang.
He took them and they departed for the imperial city with Wu QingJue tailing them. The inhabitants of the city was lying in wait for their triumphant return. Seeing them enter through the gates, they roared loudly as they welcomed their heroes and monarch back.
A major celebration was in order to commemorate their victory over the eastern savages. The citizens of Xuan Xing reveled and extolled about their valiant emperor and his legion.
It lasted a week before the rush finally died down, and the beginning of the auspicious and prosperous years began.
During the time they spent chasing to end eastern kingdom, Tu HeJian fell in love with the prime minister's son who was a ger. Though their mark was pale and light in colour, Tu HeJian could careless. A month after, a grand wedding was held in honor of the two. He showered them with love and a year later after many trials, the bore him a set of twin boys. One was a ger, while the other was a regular male. Now Lin Jun Kai had 'cousins' to occupy his time.
Wu QingJue retired from the military four years after the war. He spent the rest of his days by Bao Bao's side and because they had a surplus amount of wealth just rotting away, Bao Bao used it to fund his expenses. Bao Bao would drag him to go out and find and buy food, as well as traveling to places. After all it was his first time in an ancient setting and he was curious to how the world was like.
Bao Bao also discovered that whenever he would activate his passive, every night he would always end up rolling in the bed sheets with Wu QingJue until the end of the skull duration. He would rub his sore waist and back because of his lover.
As for Tu HuaLi and Xu XiuLan, they were finally able to experience a life fully together without any major hiccups. Though they were always on guard in case Si Wang appeared, they cherished every moment that they spent by each other's side along with their son accompanying them.
A legend birthed from their love as many envied the emperor's loyal and undying love for his male consort. They would always be seen with endless affection for one another, even the palace maids would blush and fan girl talking about how the emperor would be by their empress' side when he had time, carrying them when they were tired, feeding them when they were hungry, even leaving his work to travel with them.
As soon as Tu HeJian's son turned twenty, Tu HuaLi handed over the throne to them and stepped down from his position. The youth was cultured and refined, even a bit like his father at times but he had a natural regent air around him. He knew when to be stern and when to praise and be lenient, having been taught from a young age, he had an understanding of how to be a ruler. So there was no worries that something would go wrong under his reign.
Seventy years later, the three of them were walking in their private courtyard. Holding hands, the transverse as they enjoyed the beautiful scenery. They had their very own plum blossom valley here. Tu HuaLi has it planted as he had recalled that day where Xu XiuLan had played for Tu HeJian. Though it was childish of him to want to erase that moment, Xu XiuLan found it amusing. There were many instances where Lin Jun Kai would take him here to hide from Tu HuaLi and they would always get captured by him.
The valley holds many dear memories to all of them.
Spending the whole day there, they only returned in the evening. Tu HuaLi sent Wu QingJue and Lin Jun Kai ahead. They both lied on the spacious bed, cuddling each other. Their luscious hair had small streaks of gray in them. Tu HuaLi took their hand in his and kissed it, "Lan'er, I love you."
Xu XiuLan smiled, "I love you too, Ah Li. I always will and will continue to forevermore."
No matter how many times they have said it to him, it would always make his heart flutter just like the first time. Touching the ring on their finger, Tu Hua Li murmured, "It's alright, my love. You can sleep. I will always be besides you, and in the next world I will come find you again."
He knew that they couldn't hold on much longer, their weakened soul was slowly slipping back to their system's space. Xu XiuLan nuzzled his head and let his tired eyes finally close, "Ah Li, I'm sorry for always going first. I will wait for you, my beloved."
At those words, Tu HuaLi let out a sad smile and caressed their cheeks. He could feel the warmth of their body fade and become colder as the minutes passed. Hugging them closer, he closed his eyes as well, "I'll always be chasing you, my love."