SGT CH158: Extra

This was the end of the first year of Mousse humiliating Shadow One.

Watching Shadow One lying on the couch, clenching his teeth and forcibly enduring, enduring until his body trembled.

Mousse knew it couldn’t go on like this anymore.

Perhaps he should let go.

He was very unwilling.

Shadow One was his exclusive shadow guard, destined to accompany him for a lifetime. How could he leave him?

But was there any meaning in forcing him to stay like this?

He was hurting Shadow One.

He was causing Shadow One pain.

Shadow One had taken care of him for over a decade, protecting him with his life countless times, snatching him back from the King of Hell time and time again.

Shadow One had shown him immense kindness.

Even if Shadow One’s protection wasn’t voluntary, but bound to him by force.

This kindness was real.

Even for the sake of past kindness, he shouldn’t humiliate Shadow One like this.

Mousse draped an inner robe over himself and got up from the couch.

Daring not look at Shadow One, who had been tossed into a wretched state by him, he only left a sentence “Clean yourself up,” and walked away.

Mousse went to the bathing hall to bathe.

Soaking alone in the misty hot spring pool, many scenes flashed before Mousse’s eyes one by one.

There was him opening Shadow One in the hot spring, possessing him amidst the swirling mist.

There was also him standing on the white jade slab by the hot spring, making Shadow One wipe his body. Just because there was a drop of water that had just dripped from his hair onto the back of his foot, he complained that Shadow One didn’t wipe it clean, forcing him to lick it clean. In the end, he stepped on Shadow One until he lost his soul.

And many, many more.

Every single one was him hurting Shadow One.

He had humiliated Shadow One for a full year.

At first, it was anger and venting.

Later, why it continued to develop, he couldn’t say clearly.

Maybe he wanted to force Shadow One to submit.

He thought that as long as Shadow One was willing to bow his head to him and admit his mistake, everything could return to the past.

But the harm already existed, how could it go back?

It should end.

It was time to stop this long and absurd humiliation.

Let Shadow One leave tomorrow.

Mousse thought with his eyes closed.

At this moment, his mind suddenly felt a wave of coolness.

It was a very strange feeling, like a clear breeze blowing through, dispelling the fog shrouding his consciousness.

Or like a seed falling, taking root and sprouting in his consciousness, extending countless branches.

Those branches stretched continuously, gradually enveloping the entire bedchamber.

Many voices came.

[Sigh, His Majesty is becoming more and more moody.]

This was the voice of Head Eunuch Li Defu.

[Still one hour left on shift, want to eat flatbread, flatbread soaked in meat soup, slurp.]

This was the little eunuch guarding outside.

[If an assassin breaks in from the south wall, I’ll do this first, then this…]

This was the guard practicing martial arts in his mind.

Among these many chaotic thoughts, one voice was particularly clear.

[Master.]

Mousse opened his eyes abruptly.

He saw Shadow One kneeling by the pool at some point, not wearing a stitch, the bite marks he left all over his body clearly visible.

Ever since Shadow One was raised by him as a dog, he lost everything he owned, including clothes.

Only when he draped his own clothes over Shadow One could Shadow One temporarily have something to cover his body.

And when Mousse left the couch just now, he didn’t give Shadow One clothes, so naturally, Shadow One could only be naked.

Stung by the marks on Shadow One’s body, Mousse withdrew his gaze and asked in a low voice:

“When did you come?”

“A few breaths ago.”

Shadow One lowered his head and answered.

About the time he heard that thought.

Mousse remained calm, showing nothing.

That ability appeared too suddenly, like a divine revelation, a gift from heaven.

It was just that this divine revelation came too late.

He had been on the throne for a year, everything revolved around his will, why did he still need to guess others’ thoughts?

What was the use of this ability?

Actually, there was only one thing that didn’t follow his will.

Mousse’s gaze fell on Shadow One again.

Shadow One still lowered his head, staring at the white jade floor tiles in front of him, as if flowers were blooming on them.

He refused to look at him even once.

[Will Master let me serve?]

A familiar inner voice came, causing Mousse to look sideways.

Shadow One knelt straight and motionless, making Mousse doubt if that thought really came from him.

But he could absolutely not mistake Shadow One’s voice.

[Master’s gift must be held tight, can’t let it flow out.]

Mousse was stunned.

Somewhat surprised that Shadow One would think about these things.

But thinking that he had punished Shadow One because he didn’t hold it in, he understood it was normal for Shadow One to pay attention to these things at all times.

Actually, he was just making trouble out of nothing to vent his emotions at that time.

Whether Shadow One held it or not, he would find an excuse to toss him.

But for Shadow One, his every venting was an irresistible suffering.

Mousse’s eyes dimmed a little.

He told Shadow One to clean himself up, but in such a short time, Shadow One obviously had no chance to bathe.

Shadow One didn’t have a place to bathe either.

He didn’t even have a place to rest.

For the past year, Shadow One could only sleep on the footrest of his bedchamber, or some other corner.

Only when he was tossed so hard he couldn’t get up would he rest on the dragon bed.

And only when he wanted to use Shadow One would Shadow One have the chance to bathe.

Besides that, when he bathed, Shadow One would be pulled into the bath to be tossed.

Mousse felt heavy in his heart, crushed breathless.

After a long while, he spoke slowly:

“Come down, wash yourself clean.”

“Yes.”

Shadow One responded, climbed down the white jade steps, and entered the hot spring pool.

Dogs couldn’t walk standing up.

Mousse looked away, feeling even more heavy and oppressed, rendering him speechless.

Shadow One washed at the end furthest from him, separated by most of the hot spring.

Normally, Mousse would have been resentful of Shadow One’s distance and found a reason to toss Shadow One to death.

But now, Mousse didn’t say a word, nor did he stop him.

[Not enough, can’t reach.]

Mousse’s eyes moved slightly, glancing at Shadow One in the distance.

Under the swirling white mist, he could only barely see Shadow One’s hands behind his back, his cold brows locked tight, lips pressed into a straight line, looking like he was struggling.

“Need help?” Mousse asked subconsciously.

After asking, seeing Shadow One jump as if startled, his body shaking violently, Mousse realized it wasn’t appropriate for him to say this.

“No, no need, I can do it.”

Refused as expected.

Not surprising.

[How can I trouble Master to do these things.]

[Master must be waiting impatiently, must clean up quickly to serve Master.]

[Master doesn’t like dirty dogs.]

Huh? No…

Mousse wanted to explain, opened his mouth, but realized whatever he said now would be strange.

Hesitating for a while, he only said: “In the future… you don’t need to be my dog anymore.”

He decided to let go.

Let Shadow One leave.

Shadow One’s reaction was even more intense than before; the calm hot spring was startled into a huge splash by his movement.

When Mousse looked up, he saw Shadow One holding the edge of the pool, moving on his knees quickly towards him, his face full of panic.

Because he was too panicked and urgent, he didn’t even maintain the previous crawling on all fours, but didn’t stand up either.

“Master, Master,” Shadow One came to Mousse’s side, calling frantically, looking terrified, “Am I moving too slow? I’ve cleaned up, please use me.”

“No, Shadow One, you don’t have to be like this.”

Mousse touched Shadow One’s tense arm, wanting to comfort him.

But it seemed to have the opposite effect.

[No, don’t, please don’t abandon me.]

[Master.]

[I can’t live without Master.]

[A dog without a master will die.]

[Master…]

Mousse’s hand paused slightly.

The solid arm under his palm was trembling.

Since being rejected by him, Shadow One hadn’t said a word, teeth clenched tight, staring at him stiffly with those faintly red eyes, muscles tense to the point of trembling, as if even his teeth were chattering.

This appearance truly made one’s heart ache.

Mousse hugged his stiff and trembling body, gently stroking his back, comforting softly.

“Don’t be afraid, I will arrange everything for you. You don’t have to be a dog anymore, you can be a human uprightly. Leave the palace from now on, go wherever you want, no one will know your past.”

The body in his arms trembled even more violently at his words.

[I don’t want to be a human, I want to be Master’s dog.]

[Dogs that move too slow will be abandoned…]

[I will definitely clean myself quickly in the future for Master to use, can Master not abandon me?]

[Master won’t accept a useless dog like me anymore…]

The thoughts heard in his ears astonished Mousse.

He thought Shadow One would be happy to be liberated, delighted to leave his side.

He never thought Shadow One was so afraid of leaving him.

[Hold it in, can’t cry and beg, it’s useless, Master doesn’t like my voice, don’t annoy Master anymore.]

[Like Master’s embrace so much, won’t have it anymore, Master will never hug me again, will never see Master again…]

[Will die right… A shadow guard’s life belongs to the master, cannot end oneself. But I’m no longer Master’s shadow guard… still can’t do it myself, who can kill me?]

Mousse looked up sharply, pulled Shadow One out of his arms, and scolded sternly:

“Shadow One! Are you crazy? Actually wanting to…”

Actually wanting to seek death!?

Shadow One stared at him blankly with black eyes containing mist.

[Still… hated.]

[Made Master angry again.]

[Master thinks I’m a mad dog.]

[Mad dogs are beaten to death with sticks.]

[If Master can bestow death, that’s good too.]

[Want to die at Master’s hands.]

Mousse was simply frightened by Shadow One’s crazy thoughts.

“I won’t let you die, I forbid you to die!”

Shadow One’s gaze grew darker.

[Can’t even die?]

[I obey Master’s orders, but… living is so hard.]

[How should a dog without a master live?]

[Just need to endure for a month right? In a month, the blood oath flares up, then I can die, not counting as disobeying Master’s order.]

“You are simply crazy!”

Mousse was so angry he wanted to jump.

Shadow One was slightly stunned, his gaze shattered.

[…Master.]

[Master…]

[I am… a mad dog, mad dog isn’t good, don’t be angry with the mad dog.]

[Don’t ruin your health with anger.]

“You, you… said you’re not a dog! You are…”

A living person!

When Mousse said “You are not a dog,” Shadow One’s expression became even grayer, losing all color in his face.

[No longer qualified to be Master’s dog…]

Mousse was choked speechless by his reaction and thoughts.

Simply stopped talking.

Cupping Shadow One’s face, he kissed him deeply.

[Is this, the last use?]

[Break me, Master.]

[Play me to death.]

[Want to die by Master’s side.]

[No, that would scare Master.]

[After being broken, have to crawl out, die far away.]

[Like Master so much.]

Mousse: “…”

Even this couldn’t stop your wild thoughts?

Mousse separated abruptly, his thumb brushing over Shadow One’s lip which he bit in his haste, meeting Shadow One’s eyes, he ordered through gritted teeth:

“No more wild thoughts! Stay by my side, I won’t let you leave.”

“You asked for this.” Mousse said fiercely.

It was Shadow One who gave up the chance to leave, couldn’t blame him.

Shadow One’s eyes widened in astonishment, intense joy and disbelief gradually spreading in his eyes.

He opened his mouth, taking a long while to find his voice.

“Can I really continue to stay by Master’s side?”

“Yes!”

Mousse gripped his chin, saying fiercely:

“Gave you a chance and you didn’t leave, then don’t even think about leaving for the rest of your life!”

The joy in Shadow One’s eyes grew even more, even spreading an expression akin to happiness.

[So good, stay by Master’s side for a lifetime.]

[Too wonderful.]

[I want to be the best dog.]

Mousse: “…”

Why exactly did it turn out like this?

Mousse dared not even say words like not letting him be a dog, afraid Shadow One would break down and seek death again.

“Forget it, you are really… sigh.”

Mousse sighed heavily and hugged Shadow One.

Shadow One looked confused.

[Master… I brought trouble to Master.]

[But Master hugging me, does it mean he doesn’t hate me?]

[Like Master’s embrace so much.]

“Does Master want to use me?” Shadow One asked in a low voice.

“I’ve cleaned up.”

Mousse was in no mood to do those things right now; he was going to be shocked out of his mind tonight.

“I’m tired, let’s go back to rest.”

“Yes.”

Shadow One responded, went ashore first, skillfully fetched a towel, and served the Emperor to dry and dress.

After all this tossing, both their hair was completely wet.

Shadow One dried the Emperor’s long hair, but couldn’t dry his own.

Water dripped from his hair tips, accidentally falling onto the Emperor.

Shadow One wiped it frantically, but couldn’t stop it at all.

[Fell on him again, can’t finish wiping.]

[Master is going to punish me to lick it.]

[Have to lick for a long time, lick carefully, lick clean.]

[Master might also get angry and step on me, a dog derelict in duty should be punished. Like being stepped on by Master so much.]

Veins throbbed on Mousse’s forehead as he listened.

If this continued, he would definitely get a headache.

Mousse reached out and snatched the towel from Shadow One’s hand, pulled him up from the ground, and wiped him from head to toe.

Changed a few towels and dried Shadow One’s hair properly.

Shadow One stiffened from beginning to end, eyes wide, daring not move.

[Master used to bathe and groom his hunting dogs too.]

[So, this is normal, right?]

[Mmh, yes, heard some dog-loving dignitaries also care for their dogs themselves.]

[Um, Master loves me.]

[I am Master’s beloved dog.]

[So happy.]

Mousse: “…”

Mousse gasped.

How exactly did Shadow One use this serious, stern, and cold face to say such outrageous content in his heart?

But he also clearly felt Shadow One’s closeness and attachment to him from these thoughts.

Shadow One cared about him very much.

His thoughts were more important to Shadow One than anything.

But, why did Shadow One resign back then?

Why did he want to leave him?

This question, Mousse dared not ask before, and didn’t want to ask.

Wasn’t the answer already clear?

But now, after having the ability to hear thoughts and hearing so many of Shadow One’s shocking thoughts.

Mousse suddenly felt that the answer might not be what he imagined.

After all, before this, he didn’t expect Shadow One would like… being his dog so much.

Thinking this, Mousse asked it out loud.

“Back then, why did you resign to me?”

Shadow One only resigned once, so naturally he quickly understood what the Emperor was referring to.

“I had distracting thoughts in my heart, and could no longer be competent as a shadow guard.”

Shadow One lowered his eyes and answered in a low voice.

[Always lost my mind watching Master’s sleeping face while keeping watch.]

[Couldn’t help counting Master’s eyelashes, and breathing and heartbeat.]

[Envied the soft pillow Master slept on so much, wanted Master to sleep on me.]

[Also wanted, wanted to be favored by Master, to be held by Master while sleeping.]

[Shadow guards shouldn’t have these thoughts.]

Mousse listened to these confession-like thoughts in a daze, staying put for a moment, not knowing how to react.

Shadow One resigned because he liked him?

Shadow One…

Liked him?

But, how could that be?

Since he liked him, why for the Second Prince…

Realizing something, Mousse continued to ask: “What about the Second Prince?”

Shadow One was puzzled.

Didn’t understand what the Emperor was asking.

[What about the Second Prince?]

[Isn’t he dead long ago.]

[He got off easy dying.]

[Couldn’t kill him with my own hands, truly a regret.]

“Ah?” Mousse couldn’t help making a sound of surprise.

Shadow One wanted to kill the Second Prince???

Wasn’t the Second Prince the master he truly wanted to follow?

Mousse completely realized how far his perception of Shadow One had deviated.

“Shadow One, you… I…”

Mousse didn’t know what to say for a moment.

In the end, he only hugged Shadow One tightly.

A hug using all his strength, as if regaining something lost.

Indeed, it was regaining something lost.

He almost sent Shadow One away.

Almost lost Shadow One completely.

Fortunately, there was still a chance to salvage everything.

“Shadow One, I have a lot to say to you, let’s talk slowly…”

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