Chapter 70: Leopard and Leopard

Unfortunately, there was only that singular response. After Ming Zhuo hooked his hand, he said, "Get out of the way if you're done talking."

Luo Xu didn't move for a moment. He stared at Ming Zhuo and said, "What if I don't?"

"Nothing much," Ming Zhuo slightly bent his knee and pressed against Luo Xu, "but please, don't casually lean on others."

Luo Xu said, "Didn't you just scold me?"

"Just now?" Ming Zhuo feigned surprise. "How can it be that you haven’t noticed I'm still scolding you now?"

He no longer had the expression he had when he first woke up. His knee was positioned against Luo Xu's abdomen, a precarious spot—whether it moved up or down, it would be troublesome.

Luo Xu, still with a ferocious look in his eyes, said, "Do you train cats by scolding them like this too?"

"If you like asking questions so much, why don't you become the monarch?" Ming Zhuo's gaze was frivolous, his chin slightly raised. "Besides, how do you compare to my cat?"

The finger marks were fading, leaving only a faint redness. Ming Zhuo lifted Luo Xu, revealing them clearly. Luo Xu observed for a while; the lighting was poor, and his jawline was half-hidden. The finger marks seemed like evidence of his breach of etiquette and discipline.

Ming Zhuo said with abrupt coldness, "How much longer are you going to stare?"

Luo Xu retracted his gaze and suddenly raised his hand, pressing down on the knee that was against him. "Lost in thought, where do you think you're pressing?"(1)

At this point, neither of them could sleep. Continuing to stalemate would only last until dawn. They stared at each other for a long time until Ming Zhuo spoke first, "Let go."

Luo Xu said, "I can."

However, neither moved. They stared at each other again for a while. Then, Ming Zhuo said, "I'll count to three, and then you move."

Luo Xu said, "Two."

Ming Zhuo said, "One."

Still, no one moved. 

Ming Zhuo's gaze was unrestrained, with a hint of mockery. "Are you so scared that I'll hurt you?"

Luo Xu's abdomen had long tensed up, but his tone remained calm. "I’m quite scared. Why don't you count to three again?"

Ming Zhuo said, "Three."

They separated instantly. The bed was in disarray, and they each occupied a side, but since they had switched positions, the leopard behind their backs each belonged to the other. 

Without a word, Ming Zhuo ordered, "Bite him!"

Prime Minister Hua lay on its side, napping, its eyes narrowed to slits. Hearing Ming Zhuo's command, it jerked up, ready to pounce. 

Luo Xu raised an arm, pressing down on Prime Minister Hua's head. "So unreasonable. I give you back your cat, and this is how you thank me?" 

"Isn't it simple to thank you?" Ming Zhuo leaned against the black leopard, snapping his fingers. "Here's your reward."

This was his command for lightning. A flicker of purple light appeared between his fingers, like a web, glowing briefly. But with the "manji" symbol on his fingers, he couldn't summon lightning, so this gesture was just a distraction. 

Prime Minister Hua slipped out from under Luo Xu's hand and started licking his cheek. 

Ming Zhuo said, "Thank me for the favour, ba." 

Luo Xu tilted his head away, glancing at Prime Minister Hua. "So well-trained. It loves to lick people too? You taught it that?" 

"Even after rewarding you, you still have so much to say." Ming Zhuo patted the black leopard's head but kept his eyes on Luo Xu, his gaze casual and free. "Don't you love to smell it? This time you can take a good sniff yourself.”

This person was so vindictive. He was retaliating for Luo Xu saying he smelled like saliva.

"Remembering grudges but not favours," Luo Xu raised his hand to block Prime Minister Hua. "I let you use me as a pillow half the night. No credit for my share of hard work?"

"You and I still have scores to settle. What's the hurry?" Ming Zhuo said, "You won’t get away with what you deserve in the future.”

The black leopard stayed still as Ming Zhuo patted and leaned against it, not even moving its tail. It lay there like a beast, glancing at Luo Xu and then at Ming Zhuo as if waiting for its master's command.

However, Luo Xu had no time to care about it. He had rolled around in the bedding twice tonight, not gaining much ground. Now with half his face wet from Prime Minister Hua’s licking, he simply curled up a leg. His abdominal muscles were still tense.

The black leopard's fur felt like satin, smooth to the touch, different from Prime Minster Hua’s. Ming Zhuo petted it a few times, his pale fingers buried in the black fur, reminding Luo Xu of earlier—

Earlier, those hands had grabbed his collar, fingers half-buried in the black fabric.

Luo Xu averted his gaze, but it was too late. His collar was wrinkled as if they had done something intimate.

Ming Zhuo had grown up with the leopard and naturally felt closer to them than people. He asked, "What's its name?"

Luo Xu replied, "Luo You."(2)

Ming Zhuo leaned in, meeting the black leopard's golden eyes. "I appoint you as the new Heavenly Sea Lord. From now on, you'll be called Lord Hei."(3)

"Stop licking," Luo Xu turned Prime Minister Hua’s head. "Your master has a new favourite."

But Prime Minister Hua wasn't very enthusiastic. It squinted, as obstinate as its master, responsive to gentleness but not to force. Its arched back was prominent as it "swam" past Luo Xu, plopping down in front, waiting for commands while wagging its tail. 

Luo Xu extended his arm, taking out a wooden box from under a tea table displaced by the black leopard. Inside were various bottles and jars. He picked out a small porcelain bottle, intending to toss it to Ming Zhuo. 

But Ming Zhuo had already turned his back, burying himself in the black leopard's neck to sleep. 

This person was like a little beast, curling up against the black leopard as if it were more trustworthy than Luo Xu. Luo Xu held the small porcelain bottle between his fingers. From this angle, he could no longer see the finger marks on Ming Zhuo's chin. He observed for a while, preparing to put the bottle back when he noticed Ming Zhuo half-opening his eyes, glancing at him.

"What are you looking at," Ming Zhuo's face was half-hidden, his tone very harsh, "so fiercely."

The Author Has Something to Say 

Yesterday’s update makes 69 chapters

Today's meal is also a short one (holds head). 

Despite editing all day, I still haven't managed to stand up. Thanks for reading.

Foot Notes

1. He actually says 跑个神 (pǎo gé shén) which literally means “run away,” as in Ming Zhuo’s thoughts have run away and he doesn’t realise where he’s touching/how suggestive his position is on top of Luo Xu.

2. 游 (yóu) as in “to swim”.

3. 黑御君 (Hei Yujun), Lord Black. Yujun is the same title Luo Xu, and has a similar naming convention as Prime Minister Hua.