HE With the Cold Male Protagonist C43

Chapter 43: His Response, To Live and Die Together

Once again, at one of the shortcut entrances at the foot of Daheng Mountain.

The villagers of Xishui gathered there, whispering anxiously, faces filled with worry and tension. Naturally, the idlers from Li Family Village also crowded in to gawk at the commotion.

Standing at the back, Jiang Yueming watched the scene with satisfaction, his expression taut as if deeply concerned for Jiang Baiye’s safety.

But his pleasure lasted only a moment, for he soon saw Lu Lizhi return. Not only had he not been shaken by his earlier words, but he had changed into light traveling clothes, his whole being sharp and cold like an unsheathed sword. Wherever he passed, gasps and cries of astonishment followed.

“Scholar Lu, y-you, where are you going?”

“Heavens! Wearing such clothes, you—this isn’t a place for a frail scholar to enter!”

Some guessed his intent and tried to stop him. Once, they hadn’t cared much for Lu Lizhi, even kept their distance, afraid he might bring them bad luck. But everyone had seen with their own eyes how close he and Jiang Baiye had become, walking together openly as friends.

Not only had nothing bad happened, but He-shi had even spread the word that Lu Lizhi brought fortune. Otherwise, how could Jiang Baiye, once mediocre in the Jiang household, suddenly achieve success after moving next door?

Thus, in this moment, the villagers’ concern was genuine.

Sensing their heartfelt worry, Lu Lizhi thought of all that Jiang Baiye had brought him—how he had been enveloped and warmed almost completely. His heart swelled with sour sweetness.

How could he stand by and watch him face danger alone? He still remembered clearly the wounds Jiang Baiye had sustained in the mountains last time. Who knew what awaited this time? He would not wait idly again.

And also, to cut off any chance of others mistaking him for being entangled with Feng Lan’er!

Pressing his lips together, he walked forward with resolute determination, not a trace of fear. Jiang Yueming’s eyes darkened ever deeper—whether it was jealousy of Jiang Baiye or jealousy of Lu Lizhi, he could not tell. How could their bond be this strong?

Fine. Go in then, both of you. There was a show waiting within.

Go die together!

Even as he was thinking crazed thoughts, Lu Lizhi cast him a single glance—a glance filled with challenge and riposte, with utter confidence. It chilled Jiang Yueming’s heart, as though his schemes were laid bare, as though he had no secrets left before him.

“Lizhi!” The village head Wang shook his head firmly, his attitude unyielding. “It’s too dangerous inside. You cannot go!”

For once, Lu Lizhi’s usually tranquil face showed a trace of reproach, making the village head’s heart jolt with shame.

Did he trust too much in Jiang Baiye’s abilities, thinking him invincible? Or was he leaning toward Lan’er, worrying more for her? He knew Jiang Baiye wouldn’t refuse, and yet had silently begged him…

Lu Lizhi did not want to waste time. Seeing no sign of compromise, he pressed a slip of paper into the village head’s hand, signaling toward the approaching He-shi and Jiang Dazhu.

The village head blinked in confusion, then Lu Lizhi, swift as the wind, was already darting away toward the mountain.

Opening the paper in haste, the village head’s whole body shook at the sight of the words, hastily written yet piercing through the page, brimming with emotion.

—I love him. To live and die together.

A scholar never used such blunt, bare words. Especially not Lu Lizhi, always reserved and restrained, never revealing his depths, never exposing his heart. Yet for the first time, he imitated that man’s fiery boldness, writing with blazing passion.

“Lizhi! Lizhi, why are you going in!?” He-shi cried, startled. She had been worried enough about Chang Sui entering, now her worry doubled.

The village head caught them a step late, stopping them. “It’s alright. They’ll be alright…”

Yet he was dazed, wondering if it had been his wish for them to be friends that had led to this. Had it also changed Jiang Baiye?

But thinking further, perhaps it was not such a bad thing.

“They are both good children. Peerless, wonderful children. They will surely return safely!”

He quickly pulled himself together, humbly pleading with the hunters who had some skill and experience to help search inside.

So that if either side faced danger, perhaps they could lend a hand.

For this, he was willing to spend his family’s entire fortune.

Uncle Luo, seeing the lead hunter Li Dechang acting smug and unwilling while lording over the village head, grew furious. “I’ll go! I can! I already told Baiye before, and he said he’d take me into the mountains to gather herbs someday.”

Amid chaos, the village head made every preparation, even summoning barefoot doctors from nearby villages in case of the worst.

Meanwhile, just after entering the mountain, Lu Lizhi encountered Da Huang—ashen, dejected, but running back this way.

The dog brightened instantly upon seeing him, nearly leaping onto him.

For once, Lu Lizhi stroked its head gently. Your master sent you back, didn’t he?

Good.

Take me to him.

Half an hour earlier, Jiang Baiye had entered the mountain. As he followed deliberately left traces, he suddenly heard rustling behind him.

“Who’s there? Come out!”

After confirming with Da Huang that Feng Lan’er had indeed entered the mountain, he had sent the dog back, lest danger force him to risk its life.

From the bushes, a sheepish figure emerged. “Ye-Ye-ge…”

“You came in here for what?” Jiang Baiye looked complicatedly at Xuanzi, who was fully armed.

“I…” Xuanzi flushed crimson. “I want to save someone. Save Miss Feng…” His voice trailed off to almost nothing.

“You’re not afraid of death?” This surprised Jiang Baiye. Xuanzi wasn’t known for courage—always timid, hesitant even when misbehaving. To think he’d step foot in here. Should he send him back?

But as if guessing his thoughts, Xuanzi blurted, “I’m not afraid, Ye-ge! If I can save Miss Feng, it’s worth it!”

“Fool.” But then, if it were Lu Lizhi, Jiang Baiye would do the same. So he understood. And Xuanzi had some skills. “Stay close. When we find Miss Feng, you’ll guard her.”

“Yes!” Xuanzi was eager. Yet soon, he discovered his mighty Ye-ge wasn’t quite as he’d imagined.

“Quick, move that thing.” Jiang Baiye had found a use for him.

Xuanzi, pale, wielded a three-meter pole, prodding at the massive serpent blocking their path. The snake slithered away. Before Xuanzi could even scream, Jiang Baiye had vanished.

Confused, he stammered, “Ye-Ye-ge?”

When Jiang Baiye returned, his face was grave, unreadable, only slightly stern. “Not leaving?”

Before Xuanzi could react, Jiang Baiye suddenly shoved him down. An instant later, arrows whistled from the shadows, one grazing his head and embedding deep in a tree trunk, vibrating with deadly force.

“Here, quickly!” Jiang Baiye rolled behind a low ridge, shouting as cold sweat drenched Xuanzi.

Xuanzi was helpless. He had thought the mountain dangerous only because of terrain and beasts. Never imagined… men.

The hidden attackers revealed no forms, only arrows forcing them into a corner.

Jiang Baiye scanned ahead. This area was relatively safe, with little risk of beasts or losing the path. Which meant—the ambush was deliberate.

There would be more traps ahead.

A large net had been cast. Assassins sent for him!

He sneered coldly. Xuanzi, trembling, crawled toward him as arrows hammered the earth, even shaking loose soil from their cover.

Around them, the ground was bare—sparse trees, thin grass, no cover.

Seemingly no way out.

But to strike at him here, on his own terrain? Too naive.

Jiang Baiye blew a sharp whistle.

The assassins, startled, had no time to react before a massive eagle swooped down, talons gleaming, wings spread vast as a canopy, shrieking with fury.

“Wh-what is that—ahhh!”

Seizing the moment, Jiang Baiye dragged Xuanzi to safety behind a boulder, drew his bow, and loosed arrows. From afar, his aim was imperfect, but the eagles—angered at intruders near their nesting grounds—attacked ferociously.

As more birds descended, driving the men into chaos, Jiang Baiye’s eyes caught a figure—so shocking he thought it a hallucination.

“Woof!” Da Huang bolted straight for him.

Behind, someone cried out—Feng Lan’er was being carried away.

A bowstring thrummed. An arrow streaked toward the fleeing figure—

Lu Lizhi.

Sensing danger, he shifted just enough, using Feng Lan’er’s back to deflect the shot, then crashed to the ground.

The arrow sank into flesh with a sickening sound, yet his expression never wavered. Realizing it was no illusion, he smiled at Jiang Baiye racing toward him. A price had to be paid, and he would pay it.

Jiang Baiye seized him, clutching him as if he had gained the whole world. Breathless, voice ragged, he demanded, “Why did you come into the mountain?”

Though he knew he could not speak, he cupped his face as if to wring an answer from him, mad and unrelenting.

Lu Lizhi glanced at the blood on his hand. Heart clenched, he thought him insane—to care about such things at a moment like this. Splitting his attention between the enemy’s movements, he leaned forward—

Jiang Baiye froze.

A kiss. A quiet, answering kiss, pressed to his lips.

He gripped him, deepened it, and though brief, parted only reluctantly, leaving behind a lingering trace.

Lu Lizhi flushed scarlet, watching in disbelief as he licked away… his own saliva.

Never had Jiang Baiye been so elated. But restraining his wild joy, he pulled him along in retreat.

The assassins closed in. Unable to land arrows, they now brandished long blades, determined to finish the job.

Jiang Baiye wanted to split paths, since they were after him, but couldn’t trust leaving Lu Lizhi alone.

Lu Lizhi’s fingers tightened, interlocking with his in firm choice.

He would never let go.

“Good!” Jiang Baiye laughed, eyes meeting his, then tugged him close. To their pursuers, he spat a scornful word:

“Idiots!”

And before their eyes, he leapt with him into a hidden river.

“Damn it! Don’t jump!” The assassins cursed as they vanished. “He knew? There was a trap ahead! Even if not, that’s the beasts’ territory—he’ll never return alive!”

Still, they searched the area furiously, intent on finishing their mission.

And elsewhere, forgotten in the chaos, Xuanzi staggered as he carried Feng Lan’er away, feeling as though he had gained the whole world…