RUAN YANJUN
As I led Luo Fan down the stairs, I noticed several pairs of eyes watching us. Ever since we arrived in town, those men had been lurking about, and I knew what they wanted. They wanted what I held in my hand—this precious priest of Frost Mountain.
They probably had not figured out who I was yet, and that was why they were that audacious to even get that close to me. So I'd show them who I was, and I'd let them know that their target did not come here unprotected.
I pretended I did not notice them and helped Luo Fan down the last set of stairs.
"Watch your steps," I said in a tender voice as I pulled him closer to me. I even smiled at him for the men to see the degree of intimacy that we shared.
I felt him stiffen, but just like before, he preferred not to utter a word and tried to pull away.
I tightened my grip on his hand and leaned closer as if I was about to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. "Stay close. There are suspicious men around us."
He stopped struggling and allowed me to lead him out of the door. I felt them following us.
There were more of them outside and probably some of them were disguised as workers. I did not bring any disciple with me so I had to scout the perimeter on my own, but I could not leave Luo Fan unprotected in his room, and that was why I had incessantly convinced him to come with me so I could investigate the matter and keep him safe at the same time. He didn't have to know it either.
As we crossed the street, I saw more of those men, but this time, they weren't looking at their target but at me, their eyes hungry for a fight.
I smirked inwardly.
Will they really dare?
I waited for them to attack, but one of them suddenly gestured for the others to stand back.
Has someone recognized me?
"Lord Ruan, is something wrong?" Luo Fan asked when he noticed my steps slowing down.
"It's nothing, darling," I replied and he flushed, his eyes wide as he immediately raised his guard against me.
I smiled at him, only because he could not see it.
This priest never failed to amuse me. Even while surrounded by dozens of enemies, his beautiful blushing face still managed to fascinate me.
"What about those suspicious men that you said earlier?" he asked.
"I was mistaken. Let's proceed." We headed straight to the restaurant just across the road.
As we stepped inside, the usual noise inside any dining establishment suddenly stopped. While most turned their heads to look at us, some men sitting by their tables with their food untouched looked away, avoiding eye contact with me.
I pretended to pour all my attention into the beauty with me and headed upstairs with dozens of wide-open eyes following me. When they thought I was far enough and could not hear them, they started whispering to each other.
This was the countryside where homosexuality was frowned upon. Their utter shock at seeing two men holding each other's hands was expected, but it did not bother me one bit.
When we made it to the second floor, I saw a familiar face sitting alone in the corner. Unlike the other men downstairs, this one was brave enough to meet my gaze, even glaring at me.
I flashed him a smirk and wrapped a possessive arm around Luo Fan, pretending to keep him away from something on the floor.
The man's jaws tightened as his eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets.
I suppressed the urge to laugh aloud or Luo Fan would suspect. I didn't want this priest to worry. I wanted him to feel secure and let me worry about those men who were after him. If he learned of their presence, he might not want to continue traveling with me.