Chapter 42: Beyond Intimacy

The second night.

After everything returned to silence, Shen Xing leaned against the head of the bed and said softly:

"Isn't it amazing? Even though we didn't have much of an emotional foundation, the moment we took that step, it felt like an unspeakable, powerful bond was forged. This will become the foundation of our trust in each other. Let us work hard together in the days to come."

Ouyang Lin leaned against Shen Xing's arm and nodded in complete agreement with these words.

"But your special training is about to end, and you will officially begin executing missions. Even though you are my personal guard, you cannot be entirely exempted from the slaughter on the front lines. I can only try my best to reduce the number of your missions within the scope of my authority."

Shen Xing thought for a moment and refused:

"I want to see how things go before making a decision. Just as you said before, I haven't truly fought against the monsters inside the Gate yet. If one wants to grow stronger, blood and fire are always inescapable. Just arrange my shifts normally for now. When I reach my limit, I will tell you myself."

Ouyang Lin was still somewhat worried:

"As long as you engage in combat, danger is inevitable. Although the energy levels of the Gates are strictly classified now, theoretically the dispatched squads can handle them safely. However, there are quite a few instances where the energy of a Gate changes abruptly. Such situations usually end with the annihilation of the original squad, unless there happens to be a powerhouse nearby for reinforcement.

In short, you must never be overconfident, especially in the beginning. Although it is inappropriate for me to say this given my status, if you really encounter danger beyond your control, find a way to make the others hold the line first, and survive at all costs!

I will give you a communicator that can contact me directly. This is an extremely precious special artifact that can barely break through the magnetic field shielding of the Gates. If you encounter such a dangerous situation, press the button immediately. I will rush to save you the moment I receive the coordinates!"

Shen Xing couldn't help but look down at her with a trace of emotion:

"I didn't expect you to say such things. I thought you would come to hate me even more."

Ouyang Lin shook her head:

"I thought I would feel that way yesterday too, but when everything happened, I finally realized something: our fates are now intertwined as one. From now on, let's get along well and let ourselves grow around each other."

Shen Xing hugged her tighter, feeling a shred of gratitude for the risky decision he had made yesterday.

"Oh right, although it's a bit hard to bring up, I should tell you anyway. Even though we've entered this kind of relationship, that matter I mentioned before about Chen Yi and the others... it... it still needs to be pushed forward, you know."

Ouyang Lin said cautiously, watching Shen Xing's reaction.

"Eh? Are you serious? But... won't you get jealous? No matter how you look at it, that involves sleeping together, right?"

Shen Xing was indeed shocked.

Yet what baffled him even more was Ouyang Lin's attitude.

Logically speaking, no woman could possibly agree to such an absurd thing, let alone propose it herself.

Unless... she didn't like him at all? Not even the slightest bit?

"To be honest, a little bit. But Shen Xing, you don't quite understand my family background. A child who grew up in my kind of family is not entirely like normal women.

I... am actually a qualified political creature. Perhaps not of the exceptionally brilliant kind, but the way I think is still that of a politician.

Therefore, as long as immense benefits can be seized, I can bear even letting my own man make love to them!

It's just... it's a grievance for you to do this for me. However, if you truly are unwilling, I can think of other ways."

Shen Xing looked into her eyes, and after a long moment, he sighed:

"I understand. I will do it, for your sake."

Ouyang Lin passionately kissed Shen Xing on the cheek:

"Thank you, Shen Xing. But you don't need to worry too much; the frequency actually isn't that high. I was just trying to scare you yesterday.

Even though those madams are lonely, after all, they are not vulgar, petty women. They pursue the ultimate realm where the soul and flesh merge. Once they are satisfied even once, they can savor the feeling for quite a while. So it shouldn't cause you too much pressure.

If you feel tired, you can take some time away from spending it with me. After all, this is being done for me, and it is only right that I make some sacrifices as well."

Shen Xing nodded:

"I will act according to my capacity."

...

Three days later.

Shen Xing completely concluded his special training at the military region and became an official Level 10 martial artist.

On the final day, Shen Xing used the laboratory specially provided by the military region to formulate one hundred bottles of Dazzle Potions.

This was the agreement he had reached with the military region: to submit one hundred bottles of potions each month.

However, upon submitting the potions, Shen Xing made a small request of his own: to change the name of the potion, on the grounds that it would help conceal the events of that night and thereby better protect his safety.

The military region's response came quickly, granting permission for the renaming.

Thus, Dazzle Potion was officially renamed Ash Potion, reminding users that once they used this potion, they had to embrace the conviction of burning themselves down to ashes.

The day he left the military region was also the time Shen Xing officially became a soldier and Ouyang Lin's personal guard.

Being a soldier was his public identity, while being a personal guard was his relatively hidden identity.

Therefore, it could also be described by another title: shadow guard.

This was Ouyang Lin's deeply considered decision over the past three days; she had urgently modified her arrangements for Shen Xing.

Although a shadow guard could not constantly stay by her side, it could also avoid many dangers.

After all, the number of eyes watching Ouyang Lin was truly not small.

The identity of the shadow guard was known only to Ouyang Lin, and the individual members were unaware of one another.

"Every soldier must undergo a rookie trial, teaming up to subjugate an F-class dimensional gate. Before that, I have a day of leave to handle my personal affairs. Having suddenly disappeared for a month, that girl must be worried sick, right?"

Shen Xing retrieved his cell phone and powered it on immediately.

In an instant, a flood of messages poured in.

Among them, Tang Xueer's messages were the most numerous.

Feeling a pang of guilt, Shen Xing immediately dialed her number.

After all, the two of them had already prepared to get married previously—though it was forced, suddenly vanishing for a month was wrong no matter how one looked at it.

Beep! Beep!

Unexpectedly, after ringing twice, the call was met with a voice prompt stating: "The number you have dialed is a non-existent number."

"What? Did I dial the wrong number?"

Shen Xing glanced at the screen and muttered to himself:

"That can't be right. I used the saved contact, how could the number be wrong?"

Frowning, he opened WeChat, intending to place a video call to Tang Xueer instead.

"You are not yet friends with each other. Please send a friend request first."

Shen Xing stared at the red exclamation mark on the screen, and a sense of unease welled up in his heart.

"Could it be that something major happened to Xueer during this past month?"

With no time to overthink, Shen Xing immediately hailed a taxi, gave the destination, and the car sped away.