Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 523: I have your back

The competition once known as the Grand King’s Labyrinth Martial Arts Competition was something the Grand King came up with to reward young men, women and gers for their hard work. He naturally recognised the strong and great names passed through this arena. Some of those greats abandoned their family names and became a part of the mercenary clans. Thus this tradition was maintained but the competition was no longer as bloody and brutal as in the past.

In this epic event, teams of at most ten disciples each would battle it out in a colossal, which was an ever-shifting arena. A vast array of weapons was permitted and competitors would have to navigate the mysterious labyrinth to seek out tokens held by fierce and unpredictable beasts. While engaging in combat with these creatures, teams also had the option to pilfer tokens from their rivals. However, the ultimate challenge lied in accumulating the most tokens within the 12-hour time limit, as only the team with the largest haul can advance to the next round. With the stakes high and danger lurking around every corner, only the most skilled and strategic champions would emerge victorious.

When the grand king was still alive everyone had to fight for their own tokens thus the spoilt heirs of the large families had to get their hands dirty and not let the accompanying disciples give away their tokens. But now the masters of the clans allowed it to increase their heirs or champion’s chances at winning. A system that was meant to be fair was now riddled with corruption.

***

Qie Xieling saw that Luo Muchen was purposely walking behind him so he took a step back, held his hand and dragged him along. Suddenly, Luo Muchen stopped, his grip tightening, causing Qie Xieling to halt as well. The others also stopped. Wherever Qie Xieling went they also went. They couldn’t leave him alone, not in this environment riddled with sharks.

As Qie Xieling turned to face him, he was met with an intense gaze, a mixture of concern and determination reflected in Luo Muchen’s eyes. Sensing that he wanted to say something, Qie Xieling motioned for everyone else to continue ahead, allowing them a moment of privacy. They immediately left but they didn’t go far.

Luo Muchen reached out, his touch tender as he brushed Qie Xieling’s cheek, his eyes filled with affection and worry. Qie Xieling could sense that something was on his mind. He glanced at his arm and said, "Does it hurt?... I will get someone to look at it just no-," only for Luo Muchen to interject.

"I can’t let you do this," he murmured as his thumb caressed Qie Xieling’s cheek his voice tinged with desperation. "There has to be another way. I can’t bear the thought of you in that arena, risking everything."

Qie Xieling gently covered Luo Muchen’s hand with his own, his expression unwavering. "You can’t exit the competition, can you?... So if I leave you in this arena with a broken arm what kind of husband will I be? Besides, with all this support you think anyone would get close enough to hurt me?" His gaze turned to the group that was obviously guarding them like mother hens protecting their chicks.

Luo Muchen’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he averted his gaze, a mixture of sadness and anguish crossing his features. Qie Xieling pinched his chin and forced him to look at him. Luo Muchen found it hard to hold back his tears. His eyes stung and they were red.

He always felt a sense of isolation leaving him feeling hollow and alone. He always carried the burden by himself more especially after his grandfather passed away. His shoulders felt heavy with the weight of his responsibilities. He had also shouldered this burden alone, determined to protect his husband at any cost. As long as he was far away from this place he would feel at ease. He would gladly deal with all the consequences without involving him.

But now Qie Xieling was standing before him, offering his support. He didn’t have to do this alone. They were partners in every sense of the word. He lowered his head with a soft sniffle. "I just don’t want you to get hurt," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Qie Xieling’s hand moved to cup Luo Muchen’s cheek, his touch warm and reassuring. "We protect each other," he said, his gaze unwavering. "You’re not alone in this. I have your back."

At that moment, the weight that had pressed down on Luo Muchen’s shoulders for so long began to lift. A sense of peace settled over Luo Muchen, and he reached out to pull Qie Xieling into his arms. In that simple gesture, he found the reassurance that they would weather any storm together.

"Your Majesty, they are about to start," said one of the men and Luo Muchen’s brow creased. He wanted to know what that was all about but he couldn’t ask as of yet.

As the third echoing gong resounded through the colossal arena, the disciples surged forward, their eyes glinting with determination. Some immediately sprinted towards the outskirts, seeking out the beasts that roamed the wild expanse, their weapons drawn and ready to strike. They wanted to get as many tokens as possible and then hide from the others till the time ran out. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Other groups gathered in hushed clusters, their voices low as they strategized, mapping out routes and potential hunting grounds. They knew that time was of the essence, and every decision could mean the difference between victory and defeat. Their focus was on maximizing their gains, aiming to secure as many tokens as possible before the arena shifted and the creatures vanished into the ever-changing landscape.

Amidst the organized chaos, skirmishes erupted as some disciples clashed in brutal combat, seeking to weaken the strongest of the disciples

The metallic clang of weapons and the fervent shouts filled the air as alliances were tested and broken in the pursuit of dominance. Qie Xieling was neither rushing for tokens nor making plans. For a moment he was stuck in a stupor watching this chaos.