273 My Leverage

It was as if Bai Qingyue could have somehow read his subordinate's confused state at that second, for he suddenly said, "You do not understand the consequences of your actions. My wife is a person who would rather fawn over a weak, struggling man than shower her affections over someone strong and capable. My ailing condition was my leverage and now, she would use the knowledge of my well-being as an excuse to escape me."

Bai Yu couldn't see His Lordship, but he managed to detect the tone of irritation leaking forth from his voice. He heard the bed creak and knew that His Lordship arranged himself into a more relaxed position.

'Sire, your wife would sooner leave you for thinking you are not even interested in her as a man would be towards a woman! She thinks you've been fooling her for entirely different reasons.' Bai Yu sensibly kept this thought to himself, and only answered His Lordship with another apology.

"You may rise." Bai Qingyue spoke at length.

"Thank you, Sire." The former second in command sighed in relief. It seemed as though he wouldn't die, or at least, not yet.

When Bai Yu rose, he noticed Bai Qingyue's careful mask of indifference lightly crack, and the pressure in the air receded once more. Bai Qingyue tiredly ran his fingers through his hair, removing a few stray strands that covered the pristine and sharp angles of his face. He was still the ever vengeful Huli Jing Lord, but he looked a little… tired, worn out. The weariness showing in his phoenix eyes made him seem less dangerous, and a bit more approachable.

Ever so slowly, Bai Yu approached the edge of the bed, stood on two feet and placed his front paws on the mattress by the Sovereign Lord's side. "Sire, are you well? Do you need some time to rest?"

Bai Qingyue lifted his hand up and waved it in the air, making a sort of careless gesture. It seemed to be indicating that he doesn't wish to be bothered with senseless questions, or maybe, showing that he was alright.

Bai Yu's long canine mouth was set in a somewhat grim expression. His current priority was to keep himself alive, but that didn't mean he lacked concern for His Lordship.

The Sovereign Lord had just traversed the universe in what amounted to lightning speed. Such a feat would take its toll on any immortal being, even a high god.

"Tell me what has occurred during my absence," commanded Bai Qingyue.

The abrupt question made Bai Yu suck in his breath. 'Where should I begin?' He mournfully questioned himself.