I’m Also Waiting for the Male Protagonist to Usurp the Throne Today

Huo Caiyu released his grasp on the Emperor, appearing somewhat hesitant to meet Li Jinyu’s gaze, and averted his eyes. “Now that Your Majesty is safe, we should promptly return to the palace.”

Ensuring His Majesty’s safety took precedence above all else.

After eliminating a wave of assassins and donning their attire, Huo Caiyu had anticipated encountering more assailants. However, fate had led him to cross paths with the Emperor instead.

Li Jinyu blinked, snapping out of his reverie, and realized they were still in imminent danger.

Safeguarding Huo Caiyu’s well-being took precedence above all else.

He cleared his mind, nodding vigorously, and reached out to grasp Huo Caiyu’s left hand. “Let us return quickly.”

If they encountered further danger, he would disclose his true identity and ensure Huo Caiyu’s escape.

Suddenly, a chilling feline cry resonated from somewhere, piercing through the darkness of Wuyi Lane like a wailing infant.

Li Jinyu’s face shifted subtly.

To ordinary individuals, it was merely an average cat’s cry, but to his ears, it transmuted into the message conveyed by the black cat.

“Leave now, or face a dire consequence.”

The black cat’s warning rang in his mind.

The black cat had not relented, still pursuing them!

Li Jinyu, more anxious than ever, firmly grasped Huo Caiyu’s hand and urged him to move swiftly along their previous path.

Sensing Li Jinyu’s resolute determination, the black cat refrained from speaking another word.

After covering only a short distance, a faint scent of charred air reached Li Jinyu’s nose.

Unbeknownst to him, the surroundings had subtly grown warmer.

This heat differed from the scorching summer sun. It surged and intensified, bearing an unmistakable quality…

Suddenly, Huo Caiyu extended his arm and lifted Li Jinyu by the waist.

“Your Majesty, it appears that the intruder is setting fire. This official begs Your Majesty’s pardon for this impromptu action.”

Within a few strides, the fire rapidly engulfed the surroundings.

The air became saturated with the acrid odor of ignited tung oil.

Instinctively, Li Jinyu covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve and glanced up at Huo Caiyu.

Huo Caiyu, with one hand supporting Li Jinyu and the other gripping a longsword, maintained a steady pace while gently tilting his head and silently mouthing the words “stay calm”.

In an instant, fear and worry dissipated from Li Jinyu’s heart.

All his inner anxieties and concerns vanished as if Huo Caiyu’s presence alone could conquer any peril or challenge, effortlessly, with a smile.

Never had he fathomed experiencing such a profound sense of security.

As a naturally timid creature, the Roborovski hamster epitomized caution, mistrust, and insecurity among hamsters.

However, Huo Caiyu, who was not even his owner, bestowed upon him a security unlike any other— a tangible and authentic reassurance that surpassed all others, human or animal.

Leaning against Huo Caiyu’s chest, Li Jinyu held onto his shirt collar tightly and gently hid his face in it.

Anticipating the possibility of arson, Huo Caiyu had deliberately cleared a few empty spaces along their route, offering them a temporary respite from the engulfing flames.

However, Huo Caiyu suddenly halted their progress.

At the upcoming junction, a tall figure emerged, blocking their sole escape route, and stared at them with a cold gaze.

Huo Caiyu furrowed his brow and brandished his longsword. “Prime Minister.”

Prime Minister Ye fixed his gaze on Li Jinyu, cradled in Huo Caiyu’s arms, and icily questioned, “Are you truly willing to live and die for him?”

Li Jinyu, peeking out from Huo Caiyu’s embrace, pressed his lips together and remained silent. Nonetheless, his grip on Huo Caiyu’s shoulders tightened.

Sensing His Majesty’s unwavering trust, Huo Caiyu’s stern face softened slightly.

The Prime Minister comprehended the unspoken understanding and sneered, “Then let us perish together at this very spot.”

In a sudden motion, the black cat leaped into the air, conjuring a burst of pitch-black icy wind. With force, it aimed a fierce slap towards Huo Caiyu.

Li Jinyu stood there, momentarily stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief. Was the black cat actually attacking Huo Caiyu on its own accord?

The potent Ziwei aura had a profound effect on demonic creatures, causing discomfort even in their proximity. By attacking Huo Caiyu, the black cat would inevitably trigger a counterattack from the Ziwei aura, putting itself in grave danger.

Why did the black cat suddenly lose control?

Sensing something amiss with the dark wind, Huo Caiyu, with his keen perception, cautiously evaded a direct confrontation. He swiftly sidestepped and swept his long sword in defense.

Li Jinyu’s eyes widened in surprise.

Why didn’t the Ziwei aura retaliate?

What was happening?

Concentrating his attention, Li Jinyu suddenly realized that the aura of the Ziwei aura surrounding Huo Caiyu had significantly weakened. It had diminished to a faint layer, leaving him barely capable of defending, let alone launching a counterattack.

No wonder the black cat had attacked Huo Caiyu.

But what was the reason behind this strange turn of events?

A wave of indescribable fear surged through Li Jinyu’s heart.

Being in Huo Caiyu’s presence for an extended period had made him accustomed to the overwhelming aura of the Ziwei aura. It had become so familiar that he almost disregarded its presence in ordinary times.

What had caused this sudden change?

In an instant, Li Jinyu released his grasp on Huo Caiyu’s neck, intending to dismount.

Fighting while carrying someone would hinder Huo Caiyu’s agility, creating unnecessary obstacles.

He couldn’t burden Huo Caiyu any longer.

However, Huo Caiyu tightened his grip on Li Jinyu and whispered, “Don’t worry, it will be over soon.”

Prime Minister Ye overheard Huo Caiyu’s words, a faint trace of mockery appearing on his face.

Step by step, he slowly moved backward, patiently waiting for the Ziwei aura around Huo Caiyu to dissipate. He had carefully set up this dangerous situation, saturating the area with a significant amount of demonic energy and resentment…

Soon?

Soon, indeed.

After multiple attempts, he had gauged the level of defense retained on Huo Caiyu’s body due to the Ziwei aura. With his intentions laid bare, he prepared to strike a lethal blow against Huo Caiyu with full force.

At that moment, a bright white light flashed before him.

Huo Caiyu, who had been cautiously moving while holding Li Jinyu, suddenly raised his long sword in his right hand. His movements appeared deliberate and unhurried, yet in the blink of an eye, the sword had already reached him.

“Rrrrrip!”

Minister Ye watched in astonishment as the seemingly non-threatening sword effortlessly cut through his clothing, pierced his chest, and sliced through his flesh and bones. It passed through his body as if there were no obstacles, leaving behind a striking trail of red.

How could it be so swift?

Was this strength unlike anything he had known?

Prime Minister Ye stood frozen in his tracks, his face clearly displaying surprise.

Huo Caiyu’s long sword sliced through his left shoulder and emerged from his right side, nearly cleaving him in two!

A gush of vivid red blood erupted from his chest, instantly staining the ground.

His lifeless body collapsed heavily to the ground.

Huo Caiyu’s face turned cold and resolute. He shielded Li Jinyu’s eyes with his left hand and spoke, “Don’t look.”

Li Jinyu shifted slightly and caught sight of something. His expression changed subtly, and he was about to speak when he felt a lightness in his body. Huo Caiyu had set him down on the ground.

Huo Caiyu, who had held the Emperor tightly while dispatching Prime Minister Ye, now appeared immensely serious. He placed Li Jinyu down and whispered, “Run.”

Li Jinyu was momentarily stunned, and then he noticed something. He turned his head toward the alley entrance and saw a tall figure standing there, holding a fan and a black bag.

The sky had already darkened, and from his distance, Li Jinyu couldn’t see the person’s facial expression. However, he could feel a profound sense of sorrow and anger emanating from him.

A sound of something falling echoed through the air.

The bag dropped to the ground, its tightly bound knots coming undone and releasing a fine shower of sand onto the pavement.

Stepping forward, Huo Caiyu positioned himself in front of Li Jinyu and repeated, “Quickly, run.”

Li Jinyu immediately grasped the situation, recalling his earlier observations. Determination surged within him as he clenched his teeth and swiftly turned to flee.

The figure at the alley entrance approached the lifeless body of Prime Minister Ye, then knelt down, his lips trembling, but no words escaped.

Huo Caiyu regarded him warily and suddenly grasped the truth. After a brief moment of silence, he called out, “Chi Zhongming.”

These words seemed to ignite an inferno of anger within Chi Zhongming. His once-smiling face now twisted in grief and despair. With a sudden leap, he fiercely swung his folding fan toward Huo Caiyu.

Huo Caiyu swiftly unsheathed his sword, intercepting the attack.

Chi Zhongming, seemingly consumed by madness, unleashed a barrage of wild and uncontrolled strikes.

Initially, their martial arts skills were fairly evenly matched, and they would have engaged in a measured battle. That was also why Huo Caiyu had set Li Jinyu down. However, Chi Zhongming’s descent into madness granted Huo Caiyu an opening.

Enduring the impact of Chi Zhongming’s strike with his arm, Huo Caiyu swiftly reversed the grip of his sword and delivered a direct blow to Chi Zhongming’s chest.

Sent flying backward, Chi Zhongming coughed up blood, his complexion ashen. Struggling to rise, he fought against the pain.

The injury seemed to restore some clarity to his mind. He wore a bitter smile and refrained from further attacking Huo Caiyu.

Gradually regaining his composure, Chi Zhongming slowly stood up. He walked back to the side of Prime Minister Ye’s lifeless body, lowered his head, and tenderly kissed the cold forehead. Paying no mind to the dark crimson blood staining him, he lifted Prime Minister Ye’s body and staggered toward the exit of the dark alley. His figure vanished from Huo Caiyu’s sight.

A trail of blood dripped behind him, resembling a string of delicate plum blossoms adorning his back.

The scattered cat litter on the ground at the alley’s entrance resembled shattered hearts, rolling on the dark and soiled pavement.

Huo Caiyu remained silent for a brief moment. Without hesitation, she turned around and resolutely followed Li Jinyu.

The fire swiftly spread, its intense heat generating thick smoke that obscured the once-clear cat litter, now stained with an unfamiliar shade of black.

The flames consumed everything in their path.

………

Amidst the dense smoke, a small black cat struggled to make its way forward, coughing in distress.

The smoke and flames, originally intended to subdue Huo Caiyu, now proved to be a fatal threat to the feline.

Growing increasingly lightheaded, the small black cat stumbled and collapsed weakly onto the ground.

Was this the end?

Its tail and ears drooped low, as its consciousness gradually blurred.

Gentle hands scooped it up, brushing off the ashes that clung to its fur.

Struggling to open its eyes, the black cat caught sight of the concerned face of Li Jinyu, mirrored in its emerald-green gaze.