SLLBTT Chapter 45
Translated by Q the Panda (ko-fi)
⋇⊶⊰Chapter 45⊱⊷⋇
Upon hearing the Great King's decision, Censor Xu reflexively opposed, "Great King, this matter is not concluded yet. Should we reward so quickly? The immediate priority is to thoroughly investigate the case!"
The Snow Wolf King simply smiled and nodded without saying a word.
Unless necessary, the Snow Wolf King wouldn't refute the censor's words, as it would make him appear less wise. In contrast, going along with good advice could enhance his reputation as a wise ruler.
However, the Snow Wolf King didn't need to say anything. Someone would naturally speak on his behalf.
At this moment, Censor Li stepped forward, "Great King, precisely because the case is unresolved, I believe we should urgently reward those who contributed to the rescue. This will boost everyone's enthusiasm for solving cases and protecting the Great King!"
The Snow Wolf King, upon hearing this, smiled and nodded, "Censor Li makes a lot of sense."
Censor Li replied, "Great King, you flatter me. I'm just concerned about the country and the people."
"You... concerned about the country and the people?" Censor Xu wanted to curse again.
"Alright, let's reward them first." The Snow Wolf King, uninterested in the bickering of the two high-ranking officials, made a decision, "We'll reward those who have contributed. Liu Jiao, for his service in the rescue, deserves the highest recognition."
Hearing that the Snow Wolf King wanted to reward him, Liu Jiao hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Great King, I was just doing my duty. There's nothing worthy of commendation."
Censor Xu said, "You know it well! Why don't you step back?"
Censor Li retorted, "Liu Jiao is so humble, truly an example for us!"
The Snow Wolf King pretended not to hear the two censors battling and spoke to Liu Jiao, "So, what reward do you want?"
Liu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "Can I ask for anything?"
"You can speak what you want," the Snow Wolf King neither confirmed nor denied.
Liu Jiao continued, "I request the Great King to pardon Suisui, to relieve him from further service. I believe Suisui has realized his mistake and won't err again. In truth, Suisui hasn't committed any grave..."
"No need for more words," the Snow Wolf King interrupted Liu Jiao's plea, "I understand your meaning."
Censor Xu, upon hearing Liu Jiao's request, vehemently objected, "This can't be allowed! Suisui violated palace regulations and was sentenced to serve only a few weeks ago! Now, pardoning him? What kind of precedent is this? Is there no law anymore? Liu Jiao, are you using your merits to make the Great King act unjustly?"
Liu Jiao exclaimed, "Is it something serious?"
Censor Li responded, "Censor Xu is like Baidu Doctor. Everything he talks about sounds severe."
Provoked by the sarcasm, Censor Xu became furious, "You're just a barking dog, always trying to please the esteemed!"
Censor Li laughed. "Aren't I a dog? I'm willing to labor like a dog for the Great King!"
Hearing the two censors about to start another quarrel, the Snow Wolf King interrupted, "Enough! No need for arguments. I will consider this matter on my own."
The others fell silent. Liu Jiao, looking pitiful, realized he had made an inappropriate request.
The Snow Wolf King smiled reassuringly at Liu Jiao. "Liu Jiao, you have dedicated yourself to temple cultivation, and now you've shown valor. It's not suitable to continue your punishment. Since the Chief Guard has sacrificed his life, you will temporarily take on the role of Chief Guard, guarding by my side and helping me with concerns."
Liu Jiao was extremely surprised. "Me, as the Chief Guard?"
Censor Xu, in a reflex, was about to oppose but was restrained by Censor Li, who held his sleeve, "The Great King has spoken only a few words, how many times have you opposed?"
Censor Xu, indignant, declared, "Regardless of how many words the Great King says, if anything is inappropriate, as an advisor, I must advise against it!"
Censor Li couldn't help but roll his eyes. "You're really persistent, huh!"
The Snow Wolf King, with a firm decision, immediately had his attendant draft an edict, ordering the removal of Liu Jiao's restrictions and appointing him as the temporary Chief Guard, commanding the guards on this expedition.
Liu Jiao respectfully accepted the edict and became the Chief Guard.
As the Chief Guard, Liu Jiao was now responsible for closely protecting the Snow Wolf King. The two were inseparable, a reasonable arrangement. Censor Xu, watching the pair closely linked, was infuriated to the point of crying. When others inquired, Censor Li sarcastically remarked, "Engaging in performance art."
Following the Snow Wolf King, Liu Jiao returned to the crime scene. The Chief Investigator reported that there was indeed an issue inside the stone tower. Originally constructed with ordinary materials, it now contained a special substance. A powder known as "Faint Scent" was mixed into the cement, causing the attendants to lose consciousness when the tower was broken.
Listening to the official's report, Liu Jiao questioned, "Then why is the Great King unharmed?"
The Chief Investigator responded, "The Great King's bloodline is divine."
Liu Jiao asked, "I don't quite understand. Are you saying the Great King is naturally immune to magical attacks, like in a game?"
"Yes."
Liu Jiao wondered, "Does that count as cheating?"
The Snow Wolf King inquired, "Are all the people okay now?"
The Chief Investigator replied, "The effects of the substance have worn off, and everyone is fine."
"What were the causes of the abbot and the Chief Guard's deaths?"
"The Chief Guard was killed by the venom of the giant snake. According to the Great King and Master Liu's accounts, the snake spirit spat venom, missing Master Liu but splattering onto the Chief Guard. That's how he died."
Liu Jiao and the Snow Wolf King both expressed regret upon hearing this.
The Chief Investigator continued, "As for the abbot, he also succumbed to the same poison."
"That's not possible," the Snow Wolf King shook his head, "The abbot was far away. It couldn't be due to the venom."
"The abbot didn't die from venom splatter. He had toxins within his body," the official explained, "He likely ingested poison in small doses over an extended period, leading to death by chronic poisoning."
"Long-term ingestion of poison in small doses?" Liu Jiao's hairs stood on end. "Why would he do that?"
"Possibly foul play," the Chief Investigator suggested, "We are currently investigating the abbot's food and drink."
The deaths of these two, one seemingly unjust and the other mysterious, left Liu Jiao fearful, rendering him speechless for a long time.
After the examination, the Snow Wolf King and Liu Jiao left the Northern Pagoda together. Despite the shade of leaves and vibrant flowers, it was an unfortunate time for such unsettling events. Liu Jiao, feeling gloomy, remained silent with his head bowed. The Snow Wolf King turned to look at him, then took his hand. "Why so quiet?"
"I... I find it a bit eerie, and it scares me," Liu Jiao blinked and said, "How could they just die like that?"
"I also feel somewhat frightened," the Snow Wolf King admitted.
Reflecting on the danger at that moment, Liu Jiao simply said, "Yes, the more I think about it, the scarier it becomes."
However, the Snow Wolf King advised, "You shouldn't put yourself in danger for me in the future."
"Ah?" Liu Jiao was taken aback.
The Snow Wolf King gazed at Liu Jiao with affection and said, "If you hadn't dodged, and the venom had splattered on you, the one in trouble would have been you..."
"Me? I wouldn't. I'm a big cat! Dealing with snakes is my specialty," Liu Jiao shook his head, "But you, on the other hand, are different. Big dogs are usually a bit slow."
Just moments ago, the Snow Wolf King was concerned, but now he couldn't help but be amused. "What do you take me for?"
Liu Jiao realized he misspoke, comparing the Snow Wolf King to a big dog.
"I... what I meant was..." Liu Jiao struggled to explain, "What I meant was... you're more precious..."
"No," the Snow Wolf King shook his head, "You are the most precious."
Saying this, the Snow Wolf King placed Liu Jiao's hand on his chest. Liu Jiao immediately felt a rapid, eager heartbeat beneath his palm.
Could the Great King's heart really beat this fast?
Liu Jiao felt astonished, lifting his head to look at the Snow Wolf King with a face full of disbelief. "Great King, your heartbeat is very fast."
"I've gotten used to it," the Snow Wolf King replied, "It's always like this when I'm with you."
Liu Jiao's heart was also beating rapidly.
Liu Jiao couldn't help but wonder: With the two of us always together like this, could we both end up with heart disease?
The Snow Wolf King hugged Liu Jiao and smiled. "Let's not talk about that. Let's talk about your wish."
"My wish?" Liu Jiao blinked, "What wish?"
"Don't you want to save Suisui?"
Liu Jiao nodded quickly, "Yes!"
After saying that, Liu Jiao felt a bit disheartened, "But they are right. Da Huangya also reasoned with me, making me realize the severity of the situation."
The Snow Wolf King was somewhat surprised. "What did Da Huangya say?"
Liu Jiao explained, "Da Huangya said that the 'Team Night Service leading to the Great King's illness' incident has escalated and reached the Son of Heaven's ears. The Queen Dowager is confined, I'm in seclusion, and Suisui is in service. It's only been a month, and I'm already released, asking for Suisui's release. What does this make the Queen Dowager? What about the Son of Heaven? I'm afraid everyone's face won't look good."
The Snow Wolf King chuckled. "That duck looks silly but surprisingly has some ideas."
"He's quite clever. Am I the foolish one then?"
The Snow Wolf King pinched Liu Jiao's tail and said, "You're not foolish. You're silly."
Liu Jiao was puzzled. "What's the difference?"
"Silly is cuter."
Liu Jiao still didn't quite understand, but his thoughts circled back to Suisui, "Da Huangya also said that if this is mentioned, the censor will immediately oppose. You didn't agree on the spot and rewarded me separately, which clearly indicates your unwillingness. I shouldn't insist on it."
Seeing Liu Jiao feeling down, the Snow Wolf King said, "Why would I not agree to your request? But what Da Huangya said is true. Releasing Suisui so openly is not feasible. Give it some time, and I will help him. We need to keep this matter low-key. Otherwise, it won't look good for anyone."
Liu Jiao, delighted, exclaimed, "Really? The Great King is truly kind!"
The Snow Wolf King held Liu Jiao's hand. "Alright, stop being unhappy. How about we go shopping?"
Liu Jiao pondered and said, "But the case isn't solved yet. How can we go shopping?"
"Aren't you unhappy? Let's relax a bit. Besides, it's been a long time since you went shopping, hasn't it?"
Liu Jiao realized that since entering the palace, he had been confined to the harem and later stayed in the temple. He had indeed not gone out for a long time.
"Well, alright then..." Liu Jiao hugged the Snow Wolf King's arm, "Shall we go shopping?"
The Snow Wolf King told him in a low voice, "Don't tell anyone, or they'll say I'm neglecting my duties again."
"How could the Great King neglect duties?"
"True," the Snow Wolf King teased, "If anything, they'd say you bring bad luck."
Concerned about being labeled a jinx again, Liu Jiao quickly shook his head, "Then let's not go."
The Snow Wolf King reassured, "It's fine. You're the Chief Guard now. How could you be a jinx? If the Queen sticks to the King every day, it's a threat to the nation. If the Chief Guard is with the King every day, it's fulfilling duties. It's different."
Liu Jiao listened, a bit dazed, and could only say, "It sounds reasonable, but it still feels a bit bewildering..."