FI CH 47

Chapter 47: Pre-War Preparations (IV)

He hadn’t dreamed in a long time.

In the past, the moment he closed his eyes, he would see that person’s face. Later on, his dreams shifted into a tangled mess of memories — battlefields, wreckage, blood. No matter where the scene was set, it always ended the same way: that person, frowning in pain, calling his name as the final image.

“Lin Yuan…”

Sensing someone’s sudden approach, Lin Yuan abruptly woke from the depths of his dream. He opened his eyes to see a slender, fair hand no more than ten centimeters from his face. Five long, elegant fingers were spread open, as if about to touch him.

In the darkness, Qin Yu’s cool voice came from above. “Still as sharp as ever.”

“Stay away from me,” Lin Yuan said bluntly.

“Dreaming about him again?” Qin Yu withdrew his hand without much care, then asked, “Don’t you want to give it a try?”

Lin Yuan swiftly sat up and stared at the intruder with wariness. “I don’t accept brainwashing.”

“No need to make it sound so unpleasant.” Qin Yu chuckled and stepped aside. “I only want to help you forget all your painful memories. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“You knew Feng Xu, so you should also know that I don’t want to forget a single thing about him.”

“Knew him?” Qin Yu’s cool gaze shifted at the mention of the name, like a hidden flame quietly burning in the night. “My connection to him was second only to yours. And now… you’ve long since pushed me out of the picture.”

“You weren’t like this before…”

“You mean how I used to be?” Qin Yu’s gaze toward Lin Yuan suddenly turned icy. “Are you talking about back when we were still training at the Guild? Back then, you were the shining star, you and Feng Xu—such an enviable pair. You two shone like the sun… and all I could do was watch from the sidelines.” Too dazzling.

Lin Yuan didn’t want to talk to him any further. He stood up, ready to leave.

But Qin Yu’s earlier surge of emotion vanished as if it had never been. He smiled at Lin Yuan. “You can’t leave.”

Lin Yuan halted. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… your little unauthorized operation this time has already attracted the United Army’s attention. You’ve betrayed them once before—who’s to say you haven’t changed your mind again…” Qin Yu met Lin Yuan’s murderous glare with a pleasant tone. “You’ll have to stay where I can keep you under watch.”

“So you’ve finally shown your true ambition.”

Qin Yu smiled back, making no attempt to hide it. “The Watcher and the Captor—those two you brought with you—they’re already under my control.”

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

“Nothing much,” Qin Yu said matter-of-factly. “The United Army wants to move against us, so of course I need countermeasures. You stirred up this mess; I’m just sending your people to clean it up. Hardly unreasonable, right? And while we’re at it… I can test the effectiveness of the improved virus.”

Lin Yuan stared at him coldly, saying nothing.

“Regretting it, Lin Yuan? I’ve realized something—your luck is truly terrible. Everyone who stays by your side… never seems to meet a good end.”

***

By the time Kurosawa and Bai Hua left United Army Headquarters, night had already fallen.

They’d spoken with Admiral Blackfeather for several hours, the discussion classified at the highest level. They hadn’t been given a hard time, but the other party had put forth a condition.

Kurosawa glanced at the darkened sky. “Let’s head back.”

Bai Hua shook his head. “I want to go somewhere first.”

“Where to?”

“The training grounds.”

Kurosawa turned to glance at him but didn’t say anything.

“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Bai Hua said with a helpless smile. “Remember last time I asked you about derivative abilities^[1]? I think I might have… made some discoveries.”

At those words, Kurosawa immediately set aside any other thoughts. “After our bonding?”

“I think so…”

“Mm. Then let’s go to the training grounds.” After thinking for a moment, Kurosawa still asked, “Do you plan to accept my father’s condition?”

Although Admiral Blackfeather hadn’t pressed Bai Hua for an immediate answer, Kurosawa could tell Bai Hua had already decided. He just hadn’t agreed on the spot because he was considering him.

But it couldn’t be hidden for long, so Bai Hua answered honestly, “Yes.”

“Alright.” Kurosawa nodded. After a long silence, he finally said, “No matter what happens, I’ll be with you.”

Given their relationship now, saying thank you felt too distant—but Bai Hua honestly didn’t know how else to express it, so he stayed silent. The little fox followed behind him, head down, looking a bit listless.

Kurosawa said, “If you really want to thank me, then promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“I can’t tell you yet, but you won’t lose out.”

Bai Hua smiled faintly. “…Alright then.”

The two of them stayed at the training grounds until midnight before heading home together.

Bai Hua had barely stepped through the door when Kurosawa suddenly tackled him from behind.

“You—” Completely unprepared, he tumbled forward onto the carpet in the entryway. Just as he was about to push himself up, he froze. Kurosawa’s hand had already slipped under his clothes, brushing over sensitive skin. The other man’s body pressed fully against his, warm breath fanning over the nape of his exposed neck.

“I want to hold you.” Kurosawa had already stripped off a Sentinel’s complex-layered uniform once before; doing it again only made him seem even more practiced.

Bai Hua’s voice already carried a faint, restrained pant. Everywhere Kurosawa touched felt like it had been struck by lightning—tingling, itchy, and unbearably sensitive. The man even released his pheromones to tempt him. “Is this… your condition?”

Kurosawa only smiled without answering, lowering his head to press a kiss against Bai Hua’s neck.

Bai Hua could only take his silence as agreement.

A flicker of frustration rose in him—after all, as a Sentinel whose combat power was several times higher than a Guide’s, being repeatedly pinned down was a little stifling. Yet, he had no desire to resist Kurosawa’s touch as the other man set his body aflame.

He had promised him, and no matter what, he intended to follow through.

Sensing Bai Hua’s softening attitude, Kurosawa flipped him over, held his chin in place, and kissed him hard. His nimble tongue forced its way between Bai Hua’s lips, greedily sucking on the tender flesh inside.

Bai Hua’s mind went blank from the kiss, a muffled whimper escaping his throat.

Both of them were already caught up in the moment.

With a voice thick with desire, Kurosawa murmured by his ear, “Where do you want to do this?”

Still panting, Bai Hua hadn’t yet recovered when the little fox bolted straight upstairs to Kurosawa’s bedroom.

Covering his face in embarrassment, Bai Hua could hear Kurosawa’s deep, sexy chuckle spreading warmly by his ear. But Kurosawa didn’t delay—he quickly scooped Bai Hua into his arms and strode toward the second floor.

When Bai Hua was tossed onto the bed, a glimpse of the overly excited little fox at the side finally made him snap. “Get it out of here!”

(To be continued…)

T/N: The little fox is so cute!! 🦊 It’s basically Bai Hua’s emotions, thoughts, and instincts turned into an adorable fluffy form. You can totally tell what’s going on in his heart just by watching the fox — it’s like his personal mood ring, but fluffier and with more attitude. ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵)