The Beloved Guide Was Forced in a Love-Rival Shura Field - Chapter 54

Early the next morning, Ning Ning woke up to a faint yet deeply penetrating fragrance.

It wasn’t Xiao Lin’s domineering cedar scent, but a gentler, more delicate botanical aroma, like a tea garden after rain, carrying a soothing, calming power.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw that smiling, handsome face by the bedside.

Gu Qingfeng had changed into a neatly tailored white casual outfit. It lacked the solemnity of royal attire and instead gave him the warmth of a friendly senior at school. He propped his chin with one hand, watching Ning Ning with interest. His peach-blossom eyes were filled with tenderness.

“Awake? Looks like the aromatherapy I brought is working well,” he said softly, as if afraid to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

Ning Ning blinked, still a little dazed.

Only then did he notice a small, exquisite white porcelain aromatherapy burner in the room, releasing gentle wisps of warm fragrance. The sharp, possessive cedar scent from last night had been softened and enveloped by this aroma, no longer so aggressive.

“Marshal has urgent military duties and left early this morning,” Gu Qingfeng explained considerately. Then, almost like magic, he produced a bowl of steaming food from a smart thermal lunchbox.

“Knowing you just woke up and might not have much appetite, I asked the imperial chef to make some snow fungus and lotus seed porridge. Would you like to try?”

The porridge looked unbelievably refined.

The creamy white base was smooth and thick, dotted with crystal-clear snow fungus and plump lotus seeds, giving off a light, sweet fragrance of rice. The porcelain bowl was delicate and warm to the touch, and even the silver spoon had intricate vine patterns carved into it.

[This is insane! Even the royal breakfast is so intense?]

Ning Ning’s stomach gave an uncooperative “grumble.”

But just as he was about to sit up, the bedroom door clicked open.

Xiao Lin’s tall figure appeared in the doorway. Dressed in black tactical training gear, broad-shouldered and long-legged, he radiated heat and an oppressive presence from just finishing high-intensity training.

His gaze immediately fell on Gu Qingfeng and the bowl of porridge, his dark-golden eyes instantly darkening, as if the room temperature had dropped several degrees.

“He doesn’t need this.” Xiao Lin strode over, his voice cold and hard.

He walked to the other side of the bed and pulled a slim, metallic silver-blue test tube from his pocket, handing it to Ning Ning.

“A military-grade, S+ level concentrated nutrient supplement,” he said concisely, his tone carrying the absolute confidence of “mine is always best.” “One tube equals three days’ energy. Rapid absorption, best for restoring spiritual power.”

Ning Ning froze.

He looked at the bowl of fragrant, exquisitely crafted porridge in Gu Qingfeng’s hand, then at the cold, efficient, weapon-like nutrient tube in Xiao Lin’s.

One represented the ultimate human warmth and care.
The other represented absolute efficiency in a space-age society.

Two equally intense, oppressive gazes fell on him at the same time.

This was a death sentence.

[System! System, help! How do I choose?] Ning Ning screamed internally.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you’ve triggered a hidden mission: Master of Balancing! Task: Don’t leave anyone out, accept both guardians’ offerings simultaneously.] System 89’s voice chimed cheerfully like New Year fireworks.

Ning Ning: […Thank you, I guess!]

Gu Qingfeng’s smile remained unchanged as he gently offered the porridge closer. “You just woke up. Better eat something warm. The nutrient supplement is too cold and not good for your body.”

“He doesn’t need extra sugar,” Xiao Lin countered coldly, pressing the tube almost to Ning Ning’s lips, his tone commanding. “Drink it.”

“Marshal,” Gu Qingfeng’s voice stayed gentle but precise, like a soft blade targeting Xiao Lin’s weak spot, “you are strong. You might not understand. A guide’s body is delicate. What it needs is care, not orders.”

Xiao Lin’s jaw tightened, and the air around him became so cold it was almost tangible.

Caught in the middle, Ning Ning felt like he was suffocating.

His survival instinct kicked in.

He quickly leaned toward Gu Qingfeng, took a small sip of porridge, and carefully drank.

The warm, sweet liquid slid down his throat, instantly soothing his empty stomach.

“Mmm… delicious,” he whispered sincerely.

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes shone with a hint of victorious smile.

On the other side, Xiao Lin’s face had already darkened to a near-black.

Ning Ning, not daring to look at him, immediately turned and, like a guilty little bunny, obediently opened his mouth to take the tube from Xiao Lin, tilting his head back and gulping it down in one go.

The cool liquid with a hint of mint slid into his stomach, instantly dispelling his fatigue.

He even looked up at Xiao Lin with dreamy purple eyes and softly said, “Marshal, this is good too.”

He thought his balancing act was flawless.

What he didn’t know was that this “sharing evenly” behavior didn’t calm things down at all. Instead, it was like throwing sparks onto the dry kindling of both men’s possessive hearts.

Why?

Why could someone else use the spoon he had used?
Why could someone else taste what he drank?

Gu Qingfeng’s smile faded slightly. He elegantly set down the porridge and naturally reached for a handkerchief to wipe Ning Ning’s mouth.

A large hand intercepted him faster.

Xiao Lin grabbed Gu Qingfeng’s wrist with a strength that could almost crush bones. His dark-golden eyes blazed with killing intent as he slowly enunciated, “Don’t… touch… him.”

The tension in the room spiked to an unbearable level.

Ning Ning shrank back on the bed, afraid to even breathe.

[I was wrong! I really was! I thought I was balancing things, but I think I just blew up the kitchen…]

At that moment, a polite, restrained knock interrupted the deadly standoff.

“Marshal, Your Highness.”

A middle-aged man in royal servant uniform with a serious expression entered. He bowed respectfully to the two men and then turned his gaze to Ning Ning with measured concern.

“Ning Ning, His Majesty heard about your ill health and specially sent me to visit and convey his commendation and care.”

The servant’s voice was calm, like an ice-cold stream, immediately extinguishing the tension in the room.

Xiao Lin and Gu Qingfeng both released their grips and took a step back, though the hostility in their eyes hadn’t diminished.

The servant, seemingly unaware of the tense atmosphere, continued with a perfect smile:

“His Majesty said that heroes of the empire deserve the best care. While the Marshal’s residence is safe, it is a military zone and somewhat inconvenient. To ensure your swift recovery, His Majesty has issued…”

He paused slightly, looking at Ning Ning with an unwavering gaze, carrying the meaning of “you cannot refuse.”

“…a recommendation to have you rest in the palace’s more professional ‘Moon God Hall.’”

Xiao Lin and Gu Qingfeng simultaneously stepped back further.

The invisible, charged hostility didn’t vanish but was temporarily suppressed, like the eerie stillness before a storm.

Ning Ning shrank closer to the headboard, feeling like a small animal trapped between two prehistoric beasts, every breath cautious.

“Moon God Hall?”

The three words sent a chill from his feet to the top of his head, almost freezing his blood.

[System! System, help! What the hell is Moon God Hall? Is this in the script?!]

[Ding! Moon God Hall: A palace within the imperial palace built for the empire’s highest spiritual leader. Empty for centuries as no one qualifies to reside there.] System 89’s voice was unusually solemn.

[For the highest spiritual leader… that means the ‘Moon God’! He’s literally coming for me!]

Ning Ning’s mind went blank.

He was done for.

The servant, still smiling perfectly, looked at Ning Ning not as a living person but as a priceless treasure about to be claimed.

“His Majesty is very concerned about your health,” the servant continued calmly. “The Marshal’s residence, while safe, is a military zone and somewhat harsh. Not suitable for delicate guides. His Majesty has prepared the Moon God Hall with the best medical facilities and professional staff, greatly aiding your spiritual recovery. His Majesty’s intention is out of utmost care.”

The words were flawless yet poisonous—elevating Ning Ning to the status of “Empire Hero” while subtly implying the Marshal’s residence was insufficient, packaging the emperor’s abduction plan as supreme concern.

Gu Qingfeng stood aside, lips curved in a subtle smile. He picked up the now slightly cooled snow fungus porridge and gently stirred it, the creamy liquid rippling softly. He seemed entirely detached, a quiet observer of the chaos around him.

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