C21 I will Protect You(2)

"But you made a promise to Director-general Lee..."

"You're bringing up Director-general Lee now? He's gone, and it's time for me to consider my own future." Urendir, once again seething with anger, strode forward with determination.

But Jiang Feng clung to Urendir's leg, refusing to let go. "Fine, if you're set on leaving, at least hear me out. There are things that, if left unsaid now, may never be spoken."

Urendir was taken aback. Jiang Feng was supposed to be gravely injured, yet his grip was unexpectedly strong.

"Release me!" Urendir bent down, pried Jiang Feng's hand off, and walked away.

She had barely taken a few steps when Jiang Feng's anguished cry stopped her in her tracks.

"Urendir, you must remember—I've never seen you as just a tool for completing missions, nor as my personal bodyguard. If it's at all possible, I hope to become stronger than you one day, so that I can be the one to protect you."

The room fell into a hushed silence following his impassioned plea. Urendir's feet were rooted to the spot.

Slowly, she turned and saw the intense redness in Jiang Feng's eyes.

"Jiang Feng, what are you saying? You, protect me?"

"I'm serious. One day, I'll be stronger than you. Then, it'll be my turn to protect you."

Jiang Feng's words resonated deeply within Urendir.

She had always been the protector. But today, for the first time, someone expressed the desire to protect her.

"What are you even saying? Why would you want to protect me?"

"Because... I... I..."

"What 'I'?"

"I..." Jiang Feng closed his eyes, his jaw clenched. He knew he wasn't in a position to finish that sentence.

With gritted teeth and through the pain, Jiang Feng knelt before Urendir and finally said, "I care about you, deeply and truly."

Care? Jiang Feng had struggled to find the words, and 'care' was all he could muster—a sentiment he had expressed before.

"I know you care, I can feel it. But you can't just say things. You're so weak, yet you talk of protecting me."

"I can do it. The flame paranormal power is the world's mightiest. In the first universe, I started off weak but rose to the rank of major general in the national army in just a few years, thanks to this power. Just give me a little more time, trust in me once more, and I promise, I'll earn the right to protect you." Jiang Feng's voice was charged with emotion, his eyes brimming with resolve.

"I acknowledge the fervor in your words, yet I can't help but see your weakness. Look at yourself, on your knees, pleading with me. Would a true sovereign bow before a woman?"

Jiang Feng hadn't anticipated that Urendir would misinterpret his gesture of half-kneeling. Truth be told, he was quite fond of Urendir, even harboring thoughts of proposing to her. But the timing wasn't right, and the conditions were far from ideal. Proposing was out of the question at the moment; he merely intended to convey his affection through the symbolic act of kneeling.

But Urendir failed to grasp the sentiment behind Jiang Feng's actions. Left with no choice, he decided to express himself in a clearer manner.

"Urendir, I, Jiang Feng, bow neither to the heavens nor the earth. I kneel only before my family and those I love. I wish for you to stay," Jiang Feng declared, his voice resonating with conviction.

"You kneel only for family and loved ones? Are you trying to say you love..." Urendir caught a glimmer of his meaning, yet she hesitated to voice it.

"I mean every word, Urendir. Someday, it will be my turn to protect you," Jiang Feng affirmed, his gaze locked onto hers with deep emotion.

Jiang Feng's declaration of love remained unspoken, but Urendir felt it in her heart.

Urendir had been the object of many admirers and confessions, yet none compared to Jiang Feng. Those who sought her affection were either drawn to her physical allure or her formidable presence, seeking security in her strength.

But true strength doesn't negate the need for inner protection and care. Urendir longed for someone to see past her tough exterior to the vulnerability within, to truly understand and care about her feelings.

Jiang Feng had managed to do just that, voicing a truth that others had feared to acknowledge.

"So weak, yet you speak of protecting me," Urendir laughed, her laughter tinged with the sheen of tears.

Deep down, Jiang Feng's words had moved Urendir, but she wasn't ready to yield so easily, maintaining a facade of indifference.

"You're saying... all this... just to appease me, aren't you? You simply want me to remain by your side as your aide," Urendir spoke slowly, skepticism lacing her words.

"No, I don't need you to keep supporting me. I just want you by my side, to give me the chance to be good to you. Time will prove everything," Jiang Feng said, his fists clenched, his eyes brimming with resolute tears.

Urendir was not easily swayed, but in that moment, she felt a profound stirring within her. Jiang Feng's promise echoed in her thoughts: "Someday, it'll be my turn to protect you, to be good to you."

"Let me think about it," Urendir murmured, her head bowed.

Time seemed to stand still as silence enveloped them both.

Urendir was at a loss, unable to articulate her feelings or take a stance. Yet, one thing was clear—she couldn't bring herself to walk away from Jiang Feng.

After what felt like an eternity, noises came from outside the door.

"Dad, Sis, what are you doing in there? Why is the door locked?" Jiang Wei's voice came from the other side, her hands fumbling with the doorknob.

"Jiang Wei, be patient and stop twisting the door. Dad and Sis are okay. I'll come open the door for you in just a moment," Jiang Feng called out.

Struggling to rise, Jiang Feng pushed against the floor, taking more than ten seconds to stand halfway before collapsing back down with a thud, his wounds reopening and bleeding anew.

A pang of sympathy shot through Urendir. In her anger, she had nearly forgotten how gravely injured Jiang Feng was. He wasn't staying down by choice; his injuries were simply too severe to stand.

"Dad, are you okay?" Jiang Wei's voice betrayed her concern, likely having heard the sound of her father's fall.

"It's nothing, don't worry," Jiang Feng reassured her.

With immense effort, he inched toward the door, leaving a long smear of blood behind him.

Urendir watched the entire ordeal, frozen. She knew she should help Jiang Feng, assist him with the door. Yet, as she watched him determinedly drag himself toward the door, something held her back, rendering her motionless.

It was an unwavering determination, a relentless drive to strive for something.

The mere four meters to the door took Jiang Feng nearly two minutes to traverse, while outside, little Jiang Wei's calls persisted.

"Daddy, daddy..."

"I'm here, I'm here." Jiang Feng, having crawled to the door, reached up with great effort to open it.

Upon seeing the frail Jiang Feng, Jiang Wei's eyes brimmed with tears, and she flung herself into his arms, her heart aching for him.

Witnessing Jiang Feng's embrace of Jiang Wei, Urendir began to grasp the deeper truth.

Urendir came to the sobering realization of Jiang Feng's plight. He seemed to exist not for himself, but for others. Who else but Jiang Wei before him could be the reason for Jiang Feng to shoulder the fate of a king? All talk of the human race's survival paled in comparison to this moment with Jiang Wei.

Urendir was suddenly filled with remorse, regretting her earlier words about Jiang Feng being foolish, weak, and vain.

The truth was, she was the foolish one, seeing things in black and white without a second thought. For Jiang Feng, life was a complex struggle. He had long seen through Su Kouye's petty ploys, yet for the sake of the King's Path, he had exhausted every stratagem to win Su Kouye's loyalty.

Jiang Feng's abilities might not have been great, but his effort outshone them all. Alas, with limited combat talent, he had to put in extra effort.

Jiang Feng surely yearned to be strong, to protect those he cherished, and that was why he never ceased to give his all.

Perhaps Jiang Feng wasn't truly prideful; in the public eye, maintaining his dignity was necessary to command respect.

Maybe Jiang Feng's words were heartfelt: If not for the King's Path, he wouldn't bother with pride! Once I grow stronger, it will be my turn to protect you!

Suddenly, without any forewarning, a sparkle appeared in Urendir's eyes, followed by a cascade of tears.

In the sunlight, her tears shimmered as if they were drifting from her eyes, like a delicate spray of rain.

Jiang Feng, noticing Urendir's unexpected tears, was unaware of her internal deliberations and asked with concern, "Urendir, why are you crying?"

Urendir didn't respond immediately. Instead, she slowly approached Jiang Feng, steadied him to his feet, and then tenderly laid him down on the bed.

Jiang Feng was utterly taken aback by her actions, leaving him bewildered and unsure of how to react.

Next, Urendir took Jiang Wei's hand, then Jiang Feng's, and placed her own hand atop theirs. She looked into Jiang Feng's eyes and asked, "Jiang Feng, do you have the heart to let Jiang Wei's life be limited to just another 20 years?"

"Of course not," he replied without hesitation.

"Then accept your destiny as king. I promise to stand by your side and walk this royal path with you."