Chapter 74: Winning the Beauty’s Heart

His Highness had arrived. Long Yin hadn’t expected him to come to his senses so quickly. In truth, Yuan Shaolin hadn’t come to any realization; it was simply his instinct to protect Long Yin that brought him here. Habit is a terrifying thing.

But this very habit plunged Long Yin into turmoil. Compared to Bai Ze, this was His Highness—the one who had accompanied him all this way. In his heart, Long Yin naturally leaned toward His Highness; this was undeniable. Yet he couldn’t lie to himself—he still couldn’t accept His Highness.

Yuan Shaolin was silent when he arrived, and seeing him like this made Long Yin’s heart ache. Yuan Shaolin chose to protect him from the shadows, and Long Yin had no words. What could he say? There was nothing to be said. Yuan Shaolin was suffering too. Long Yin was Eastern Ning, yet no longer Eastern Ning. Yuan Shaolin was caught in this dilemma as well, while Long Yin was simply Long Yin.

There was only silence.

Xiao Chui, witnessing this, could only scratch his head in confusion. He didn’t understand at all.

Long Yin stood silently, with Yuan Shaolin in some corner, guarding from a distance that pained them both. Long Yin knew well that this pain had nothing to do with love—it was simply a deep, wrenching ache brought about by their personalities and the course they had taken.

So be it. Perhaps this was… not so bad.

Yuan Shaolin stood in the shadows, holding his sword, watching the boy before him. Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on his lips—a smile so heart-wrenching that it was nothing but pain.

Long Yin felt as if he hadn’t made cards in a long time. He sent Xiao Chui out of the room, pulled out a pile of materials, and threw himself into a frenzy of card-making. This time, he intended to numb himself with the work. The silence emanating from the corner kept his heart aching, guilt nearly drowning him. He could answer to anyone—except His Highness, whom he owed but could never repay.

He locked himself in his room, card after card flowing from his hands. But his SSS-level mental power made this self-torment seemingly endless—no matter how hard he worked, he could never exhaust himself. With a bitter smile, Long Yin tried to hypnotize himself: why was it, when he always lacked mental strength before, he now seemed to have an endless supply? This mental state led him to attempt ever more advanced cards, until, feeling a long-absent pain in his head, he finally felt a kind of redemption.

To Yuan Shaolin, watching this self-harm, a deep sorrow flickered in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but in the end chose silence.

Long Yin shut himself away for a whole week, making cards the entire time. When he finally collapsed, Yuan Shaolin rushed to catch him. With his eyes closed, Long Yin saw the pain in Yuan Shaolin’s gaze and managed a smile, though tears ran down his cheeks. “I’m sorry…” I cannot love you.

Yuan Shaolin nodded, smiling as well. “No need to apologize. I understand…” Yet tears streamed down his face too.

Long Yin closed his eyes in resignation, exhausted. Even in his self-punishing frenzy, guilt and remorse never left him, but at the moment he fell, he finally understood that he would never be able to see Yuan Shaolin as his lover.

The look in His Highness’s eyes when he said “I understand”—Long Yin thought he would never forget it for the rest of his life.

Long Yin slept for four days. Upon waking, he was surprised to find his mental strength had even grown a little—a small unexpected blessing, he supposed. He gave a bitter smile. The next moment, a bowl of hot porridge was handed to him. Startled, he looked up at Yuan Shaolin, who said impassively, “Eat.” Dumbfounded, Long Yin stared; Yuan Shaolin frowned. “Must I feed you myself?” Long Yin shook his head, took the porridge, and spooned it into his mouth, but tears fell silently into the bowl. The debt he owed had only grown.

To spare him difficulty, Yuan Shaolin had gone to such lengths. In that moment, Long Yin almost wished his past self, Eastern Ning, had never met Yuan Shaolin at all—why allow two impossible lives to intersect?

Long Yin could never let his efforts be in vain. Forcing down his guilt, Long Yin made himself act as normal. The two of them fell into the old patterns, seemingly harmonious, but both knew it was all a lie—a fragile facade.

Xiao Chui sensed something was off, but couldn’t say exactly what.

After ten days in the student dormitory, Long Yin finally appeared in public again. Bai Ze, upon seeing him, felt a weight lift from his heart. Had Long Yin hidden any longer, Bai Ze could not guarantee he wouldn’t have dragged him out by force; ten days was his absolute limit.

Bai Ze went to Long Yin’s apartment. Long Yin glanced at him and had Xiao Chui step aside—if Bai Ze truly wanted to force his way in, there was no chance Xiao Chui could stop him. Bai Ze entered, immediately noticing Yuan Shaolin. His expression darkened—why was this man always clinging to Long Yin? The affection in Yuan Shaolin’s eyes was plain to see. Bai Ze’s face soured further as he strode up to Long Yin. “You’re mine!”

Long Yin was stunned. “Did you forget your medication today?” So childish—wasn’t he afraid of shocking everyone out of their wits?

“I took a double dose today!” Bai Ze suddenly wrapped an arm around Long Yin’s waist, casting a provocative look at Yuan Shaolin. “He’s mine!”

Unable to break free from Bai Ze’s iron grip, Long Yin rubbed his brow in exasperation. How could this man behave like this? He shot a look at Yuan Shaolin, only to find the muscles in his face twitching, clearly also surprised by Bai Ze’s childishness. The two men were all too familiar with each other’s existence. Bai Ze had never seen Yuan Shaolin as a threat before, but the moment he walked in, he knew something had changed—something he didn’t know about had happened. For someone who saw Long Yin as his exclusive treasure, this was intolerable. Yet, knowing Yuan Shaolin’s place in Long Yin’s heart, he couldn’t bear to hurt him, leading to the current standoff.

Was this Bai Ze throwing a tantrum?

This realization sent a chill down Long Yin’s spine. The man must be truly unwell.

“Enough! If you dare lay a hand on His Highness, I’ll deal with you myself!” Long Yin frowned. Given their abilities, His Highness was likely to come off worse. Long Yin did not want the two of them to fight.

“You’re taking his side?” Bai Ze looked at Long Yin in disbelief.

Long Yin raised a brow. “If you’re unhappy, then leave. If you hurt my people, I won’t be polite with you!”

“And how exactly will you be impolite?” Bai Ze, dissatisfied, tightened his hold.

Long Yin’s frown deepened. “Let go!”

“No!” Bai Ze declared, glaring at Yuan Shaolin with open hostility.

Seeing Bai Ze’s shamelessness, Yuan Shaolin grew angry as well, pointing his sword at Bai Ze. Bai Ze grinned. “Are you sure you want to point that at me?” He’d been looking for an excuse to fight; this was a gift.

“Stop it! If you hurt His Highness, I’ll deal with you myself!” Long Yin warned, knowing full well that His Highness was more likely to suffer. He had no wish to see them fight.

“You’re siding with him?” Bai Ze’s disbelief was palpable.

Long Yin arched an eyebrow. “If you’re unhappy, leave. If you harm anyone I care about, I won’t show mercy.”

“How exactly will you not show mercy?” Bai Ze held him tighter in irritation.

Long Yin’s frown deepened. “Let go!”

“No!” Bai Ze declared, eyes filled with animosity toward Yuan Shaolin.

Seeing Bai Ze's obstinacy, Yuan Shaolin grew furious. He pointed his sword at Bai Ze. Bai Ze’s lips curled into a smile. “Are you sure you want to point a sword at me?” He’d been looking for a reason to fight, and now it was handed to him.

Without further warning, Yuan Shaolin’s sword flashed. Bai Ze flicked his fingers and a card flew out. The sword tip met the card, and with a burst of white mist, the card transformed into a beast covered in iron spikes. Its claws blocked the sword, emitting a shrill cry—it was a tenth-tier card beast, an Ironspike, renowned for its terrifying defense.

Though his sword was blocked, Yuan Shaolin was undaunted. Running his finger along his belt, he summoned a beast of muddy appearance from a swirl of white mist. If Ironspike’s defense was about strength meeting strength, Yuan Shaolin’s card beast was the epitome of softness overcoming hardness. Though only a ninth-tier beast, it easily entangled Ironspike, covering it in mud. Ironspike screeched in frustration, unable to escape, though the foul mud could not harm it.

Bai Ze flicked his fingers again, summoning two more card beasts. Yuan Shaolin responded in kind, calling forth two of his own. Four beasts tangled together, evenly matched. Bai Ze remained unfazed, rapidly sending five cards into play. Yuan Shaolin, prepared, matched him. Soon, ten beasts filled the room—flying, running, even swimming. The two men were lost in their contest, summoning more and more beasts, battling with great relish.

Long Yin, realizing his small dormitory was about to be torn apart, felt his chest heave with growing fury. Neither man noticed; both were too caught up in their duel. Though they exercised some restraint, half the room was destroyed in moments. Long Yin’s hands clenched into fists.

“Enough!” he thundered. The card beasts, trembling, were the first to sense the overwhelming, chilling pressure that spread through the room. Flattened to the floor, they cowered in fear. The two men hesitated for a moment, then resumed their fight.

Long Yin could no longer contain his rage. Drawing five cards from his waist, he hurled them at Bai Ze. Bang, bang, bang… Amidst a chorus of coughs, Bai Ze, now angry, turned to Long Yin. “Why are you only attacking me?”

“Do you think this is just anywhere? Take your beasts and get out!” Long Yin glared. “I told you—he is my man!”

Bai Ze laughed in disbelief. “Fine, he’s your man—what about me?”

“You?” Long Yin sneered. “You’re a stranger! Get out!”

He turned away. Bai Ze’s pupils contracted sharply at those words. Suddenly, Long Yin clutched his chest, nearly fainting from pain.

He turned to see Bai Ze’s face an ashen purple. “You…”

Bai Ze suddenly laughed. “You feel it, don’t you? Does it hurt? The pain in your body is nothing compared to mine!” He strode forward, pulling Long Yin into his arms. “Please, never say that again. I won’t fight him anymore. Don’t treat me like a stranger. Even if he holds a knife to my throat, even if he tries to kill me, I won’t fight back. Just don’t treat me like a stranger, Yin!”

The shock in Long Yin’s heart was beyond words. The searing pain continued, leaving him speechless. He could only nod weakly. The moment he nodded, Bai Ze smiled—then promptly fainted against him. Long Yin barely managed to hold him up before Yuan Shaolin stepped over, lifted Bai Ze, and laid him on the sofa. Staring at Bai Ze’s pale face, Long Yin was stunned again. This strong yet fragile man…

To think a single word from him could cause such a reaction—who would believe it? Had his place in Bai Ze’s heart reached such heights? Long Yin sighed. He hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. Each time he saw through this man, his heart softened a little more.

Yuan Shaolin, observing the two of them, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. They truly made a fitting pair.

When Bai Ze woke, he immediately noticed Long Yin’s softened attitude and became even more indulgent, showing a side no one else had ever seen—one reserved for Long Yin alone. Each time Long Yin spoke harshly, he would be gripped by a pain that made him want to die. Eventually, he understood—Bai Ze was playing the game of self-sacrifice, and, frustratingly, he fell for it every time. The more he relented, the softer his heart grew. When a king, outstanding in every respect, learns to cast aside his pride for love, what reason could there be for failure?

Bai Ze succeeded, for Long Yin’s heart softened, and he agreed to try being together. Instantly, it felt to Long Yin as if spring had burst into a thousand blossoms—a dazzling, warm, wondrous feeling. That Bai Ze succeeded so quickly was not unrelated to the blood-marked bond on Long Yin’s body. Bai Ze silently thanked the blood clan’s power countless times for finally winning him his beloved.

One day, Long Yin sat on the sofa, and Bai Ze, in high spirits, held him in his arms. Growing accustomed to Bai Ze’s embrace and sensing the timing was right, Long Yin turned to face him. Seeing Long Yin’s serious expression, Bai Ze felt a mix of anticipation and nerves. Sure enough, Long Yin slowly reached for his mask and removed it.

A stunning face was revealed, and for a moment, Bai Ze was entranced. In the eyes of a lover, beauty is unmatched—and Long Yin’s features surpassed even legends. Bai Ze grinned foolishly. Seeing this, Long Yin smiled helplessly; for the first time, he didn’t resent his beautiful appearance. He raised an eyebrow. “Very beautiful?”

Bai Ze nodded vigorously.

“And this mark?” Long Yin pointed to his brow.

Bai Ze nodded again, but soon his expression turned serious. He reached out to rub Long Yin’s brow. “How could it be…”

Long Yin did not stop him, watching as Bai Ze’s worry deepened. Suddenly, Bai Ze punched the sofa in frustration. “That’s the diamond mark… No wonder the card beasts reacted so strangely last time… Now it makes sense…”

“So? Do you still insist on having me?”

“Of course!” Bai Ze pulled Long Yin into his arms. “No matter if you’re from the Long family or someone even more complicated, I want you. Even in death, I won’t let go!”

“When did you find out I was from the Long family?” Long Yin sighed.

“Only recently.”

“What else do you know?” Long Yin pressed.

“My wife is a genius card maker!”

Long Yin was speechless. Why did his heart feel so sweet just from being called ‘wife’ by this man? It made no sense.

“If the diamond mark is revealed, the three great Beast Lords will be after me. Neither your Bai family nor the blood clan could protect me.”

“If anyone wants to harm you, they’ll have to step over my dead body. Besides, wife, you underestimate me. My power is not so limited!”

Long Yin looked at Bai Ze. “Are you truly determined? Would you become the world’s enemy for me?”

Bai Ze nodded without hesitation.

“This is your last chance. Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“If you doubt me again, I’ll be angry!” Bai Ze threatened.

At this, Long Yin broke into a smile dazzling enough to overturn the world. “You can never regret this. If you do, I’ll kill you myself!”

Bai Ze’s eyes lit up. “Does this mean you’re willing to truly be my wife?”

Meeting his expectant gaze, Long Yin nodded.

Yes—you are my wife, you are my wife! I have a wife now! Bai Ze hugged Long Yin and spun him around in circles like a fool. Dizzy, Long Yin couldn’t help but laugh at Bai Ze’s childishness. Men in love are all idiots!

When Bai Ze was finally exhausted, he collapsed onto the sofa with Long Yin in his arms. Gazing at Long Yin’s face, a heat flickered in his eyes. Suddenly, he claimed Long Yin’s full lips in a deep kiss, savoring the sweetness, and then pressed further… [Editor’s note: Well, it’s all a bit vague, but you get the idea—only above the neck, so pure as it is, a kiss will suffice!]

After the kiss, Bai Ze, thoroughly satisfied, held Long Yin close and gazed at the now even more alluring lips, feeling an indescribable pride.

[Little Theater]

Bai Ze: “Wife…”

Long Yin: “Don’t call me wife!”

Bai Ze: “Yin…”

Editor: “Bai Ze, are your family aware of how obedient you are? What happened to your masculinity?”

Bai Ze: “Foolish author, whose fault is it that I’ve become like this? Are you sure your readers won’t mind?”

Editor: “Mind? Don’t worry, they’ll love this side of you!”

Long Yin: “…”

Bai Ze: “…”

Author’s Note: Sways hips: Still not leaving comments, still not leaving comments~~ [Foolish author, how many times are you going to use this gag in the author’s notes?] Until the end? Still not leaving comments~ la la la~~~