Can an Undercover Shadow Guard Survive?

Xu Shen Yun, a poor history student, transmigrates into the role of deputy commander of the Xuanwu Camp, a secret service agency in the Great Yong dynasty.

He wakes up with a split head and a broken leg, barely surviving with half his life intact.

The newly enthroned emperor, Xiao Dingheng, inexplicably transfers him to his side as a personal shadow guard. Smiling brightly, he grips Xu Shen Yun by the throat and tells him to be absolutely loyal.

But Xu Shen Yun has only just learned that he is a mole in the palace, planted by the prime minister.

From then on, Xu Shen Yun begins a double life, walking on the edge of a blade.

By day, he works diligently, serving Xiao Dingheng and treading carefully. By night, he is terrified as he secretly passes intelligence to the prime minister.

He thinks he's incredibly clever, quietly altering key details whenever he sends a message. He's practically the most conscientious mole in the business.

But he doesn't know that whenever Xiao Dingheng touches him, the emperor can hear every little thought in his heart.

*

One day, Xu Shen Yun kneels to pay his respects, and Xiao Dingheng reaches out to help him up.

Xu Shen Yun pouts, takes off his mask, places his face in the emperor's palm, blinks up at him, and waits.

Xiao Dingheng's fingers stiffen, and his expression turns strange.

'Oh? Isn't this how you do it?'

With a stiff face, Xiao Dingheng strokes the little shadow guard's face twice before helping him up.

Xu Shen Yun tilts his head slightly, looking as if to say, 'That's it?'

'Only two strokes today? That's not like him.'

Xiao Dingheng: "..."

Do you really think I'm that sordid?

*

[Deadpan snarker, mole and shadow guard bottom × calculating, hidden-black emperor top]

[Reader's Guide]

1. Bottom's point of view, happy ending, 1v1, younger top. The bottom fakes his death later in the story. The top and bottom are devoted to each other; no switching or reversing the pairing. Both are sexually exclusive, body and soul.

2. The political intrigue is amateurish. Best read without overthinking it. The dynasty is entirely fictional, and the story has a mountain of invented details, so please don't nitpick.

3. If you enjoy it, please consider adding it to your favorites. Every bit of feedback means a lot to me!

4. Updates: I update according to the schedule when the story is featured; otherwise, every other day. I'll ask for leave in advance if something comes up. I'm a slow writer and have tendonitis, but I will definitely finish it, so please save it and read it later!

Theme: You have to cross the mountain to know what it looks like.