ABRIWMTHM Chapter 44

Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing and saw the determination in his eyes.

The request was strong and resolute; Shi Xing had already made up his mind.

Chi Yao lowered his gaze.

The brief silence made Shi Xing anxious.

The next moment, however, Chi Yao’s reaction was unexpected.

The man reached out and lightly patted his shoulder, seemingly to comfort him, “Don’t worry.”

“I understand.”

Shi Xing wanted to say something more, but Chi Yao didn’t give him the chance. Looking deep into his eyes, he suddenly asked, “You know where my bottom line is, right?”

Shi Xing froze for two seconds, realizing something. He swallowed hard and said seriously, “It’s, as long as the treatment doesn’t affect me, right?”

After saying this, he assured, “No matter what, Your Highness, I won’t exhaust my mental power again. Even if I give my all, it will be without overextending myself.”

Chi Yao was about to speak, but Shi Xing quickly added, “Besides, you still need my treatment every day. The progress is already very slow; I can’t let it stop because of my physical condition.”

His voice was soft, and his tone was laid-back, as if he were discussing something very normal.

The eyes looking at Chi Yao were clear, stirring a sense of sincerity.

This was how Shi Xing felt.

Chi Yao was momentarily dazzled by this completely transparent gaze, and he felt a slight lump in his throat.

“Just make sure to take care of yourself first.”

Shi Xing mumbled quickly, “But Your Highness, you are also very important to me.”

Chi Yao was left speechless.

After a moment, the man raised his hand and patted Shi Xing on the head, “Alright.”

“I heard you.”

Returning to the main topic, he said, “Since you know your limits, let’s do as you say and give it a try.”

That counted as an agreement.

Shi Xing’s eyes lit up, and seeing him so easily satisfied made Chi Yao smile and shake his head.

The two of them had agreed, but the Tan family was still waiting. Chi Yao was always measured in his actions, leaving room for everything; this time was no exception.

Bringing Shi Xing before the Tan family members, Chi Yao said, “Shi Xing has already seen the issues with Tan Chi’s mental sea; this poses no difficulty for him.”

“So…”

He paused and looked at Tan Chi, asking, “How do you want to handle your situation? Do you want to tell your family yourself, or should we do it?”

The Tan family was puzzled by Chi Yao’s cryptic question.

Fu Qing and Xu Jin, along with Yan Changyue, who had heard Shi Xing’s speculations, immediately understood.

Chi Yao was asking about the dried-up mental sea that Tan Chi had been concealing.

Sure enough, the pale-faced youth stiffened at the words, then revealed a wry smile, “You already know?”

Chi Yao didn’t beat around the bush, “Shi Xing suspected this when he first saw you; today was just confirmation.”

Tan Chi lowered his head and tugged at the corners of his lips, his expression bitter.

Madam Campbell felt a wave of bad feelings and called out Tan Chi’s name, eager to ask something, but was tugged by Marshal Tan Bai Shan, who shook his head slightly at her.

Madam Campbell swallowed her question.

Silence lingered for several dozen seconds.

Tan Chi bowed his head in thought, and Chi Yao didn’t rush him.

After a moment, Tan Chi’s voice was hoarse, “Actually… I can’t be treated, right?”

His tone carried a resignation to his fate.

Shi Xing spoke up, “Not necessarily; it’s not impossible.”

As soon as these words fell, everyone in the Tan family looked at Shi Xing with shining eyes.

But Tan Chi closed his eyes, having been disappointed too many times; even if hope arose, he felt no excitement.

Chi Yao stated seriously, “Regardless of whether you can be treated or not, that’s not a reason to hide it.”

In just a few brief exchanges, Tan Chi’s voice was completely hoarse, “Your Highness is right.”

Not knowing how Tan Chi was internally struggling, he ultimately chose, “I’ll tell them; please wait in the living room, Your Highness and Little Prince.”

Chi Yao nodded in agreement.

Chi Yao’s group was led to the living room to rest, while the Tan family members stayed in the energy shielding room.

Before going downstairs, Shi Xing glanced back. Behind the transparent wall, the Tan family surrounded Tan Chi, each with anxious and serious expressions.

Perhaps Tan Chi simply didn’t want to worry his family, which was why he chose to conceal it.

Shi Xing thought like this.

A bit wistfully.

In the living room, after the servants served tea and fruit, Fu Qing said with concern, “I wonder how the Tan family will handle this news.”

Xu Jin then asked Shi Xing about Tan Chi’s true condition. Everyone was astonished and speechless upon hearing that the mental sea would dry up in a year.

Fu Qing sighed heavily and gulped down a few large mouthfuls of water.

Despite knowing it was overstepping, Xu Jin still asked, “Then, will you treat him?”

Chi Yao replied, “Shi Xing said he wants to try.”

Shi Xing nodded, “I feel it can be tried, but how it will turn out can only be determined through treatment.”

Afraid Xu Jin wouldn’t get the answer he wanted, he added, “The prince listened to me wanting to try and agreed.”

Chi Yao threw a glance at Shi Xing and tossed him a crystal fruit, “A specialty from the Northern Territory; fresh ones are the best. The ones brought over from the Imperial Capital don’t taste like this, give it a try.”

Shi Xing immediately took a bite, his cheeks puffing out, chewing like a hamster.

His eyes lit up, “So sweet!”

Chi Yao’s lips curled slightly, “Then take some with you when you leave.”

“Mmm!!”

Shi Xing nodded vigorously, his expression making everyone smile.

The atmosphere lightened up.

When the Tan family members reappeared, it was already an hour later.

Madam Campbell had red-rimmed eyes, looking like she had just cried, while Marshal Tan Bai Shan had a heavy expression. He spoke normally, but there was no hint of a smile, suggesting he was not as calm on the inside as he appeared.

Only they came out, and the rest of the Tan family was nowhere to be seen.

Tan Bai Shan apologized, “The kids have weaker emotional resilience; Your Majesty, you know, the eldest is our family…” He choked for a moment, revealing a helpless smile, “In short, it’s rather inappropriate, so I won’t let you see them embarrass themselves. They will come down once they gather themselves.”

Chi Yao understood, “It’s no trouble.”

The drying of the mental sea was no trivial matter; the Tan family had been kept in the dark, and it was only natural to have some reaction to the sudden revelation in such a united family.

Madam Campbell’s voice had already turned hoarse from crying, “If it weren’t for your visit this time, we wouldn’t know how long Tan Chi would have hidden this… Our whole family deeply thanks you, Your Majesty.”

Chi Yao calmly accepted the bow.

Madam Campbell switched her tone, her expression no longer sad, as if she had resolved something, “Regarding Tan Chi, may my husband and I speak to Your Majesty privately?”

This was about discussing the treatment conditions.

Chi Yao was also waiting for them to speak.

Without bringing anyone along, Chi Yao entered the study with Tan Bai Shan and his wife to discuss in detail.

Chi Yao wasn’t one to beat around the bush; once in the study, he got straight to the point, explaining that because of Shi Xing’s second awakening of talent, he couldn’t absorb other crystals and had recently been relying on the Red Ore from Campbell Star for sustenance.

Madam Campbell immediately promised, “We can provide Red Ore throughout the Little Prince’s maturity period.”

Chi Yao waved his hand, indicating Madam Campbell to be patient.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I don’t need the Tan family to bear such a significant crystal coin expense.”

Tan Bai Shan adopted a respectful listening posture, “You speak.”

Chi Yao glanced at Tan Bai Shan and then at Madam Campbell. Suddenly, he said, “I remember, it has been five or six years since Madam has come to the Imperial Capital for the Seventh Army’s military report.”

Every year, the seven major legions send someone to the Imperial Capital to report on military affairs to Chi Yao.

In most cases, it’s the legion’s Marshal who comes.

Tan Bai Shan from the Seventh Army goes to the Imperial Capital every year, but some years ago, he stopped bringing Madam Campbell with him, which likely happened around five or six years ago.

When this topic came up, both Tan Bai Shan and Madam Campbell had a moment of unnaturalness in their expressions.

Seeing that Chi Yao wouldn’t drop the subject, Madam Campbell spoke honestly, “I originally came to the Empire for a political marriage to promote friendly relations between Campbell Star and the Empire… But six years ago, Campbell Star…”

Madam Campbell spoke somewhat helplessly, “I thought you wouldn’t want to see me and didn’t want to go to the Imperial Capital to draw people’s ire.”

What Madam Campbell referred to was Campbell Star’s intentions to join the Alliance six years ago.

The two greatest powers in the Twin Star Galaxy are undoubtedly the Empire and the Alliance.

The Empire consists of a main star and several satellites, positioned on the outer perimeter of the galaxy. The main star is massive and frequently disrupted by beast invasions, boasting the highest combat prowess in the entire galaxy, which solidifies the Empire’s prestigious status and voice in the galaxy.

The Alliance, on the other hand, is made up of numerous planets and countries in the central galaxy forming a political and economic community.

Before the Boundary Line was established, there were often frictions between the Empire and the Alliance.

After the Boundary Line was established, there was a brief period of peace.

In recent years, the beast tide invasions have been effectively managed due to the Boundary Line, and although there are no major contradictions between the Empire and the Alliance, small frictions are becoming increasingly frequent, slowly returning to a state of hostility.

Campbell Star has always been a neutral planet, maintaining good diplomatic relations with both the Empire and the Alliance.

However, six years ago, for reasons unknown, the noble class of Campbell Star changed their neutral stance and attempted to join the Alliance… Ultimately, due to interference from the Empire, they were not successful, but the relationship between Campbell Star and the Empire dropped to an all-time low.

Given this significant context, Madam Campbell’s position became awkward, and she was reluctant to visit the Imperial Capital.

Chi Yao said, “How could it be? The interactions between planets are not something you can decide. I wouldn’t be so narrow-minded as to trouble the families of the Empire’s officers.”

“If I don’t go out this year, I hope to see your figure in the Imperial Capital once more.”

“After all this time in the Empire, to me, you are already a citizen of the Empire.”

His words were very beautiful and alleviated Madam Campbell’s concerns.

Shifting the subject, Chi Yao addressed the main point, “However, the relationship between Campbell Star and the Empire has indeed been tense in recent years.”

“Precisely because of this, Shi Xing is my partner; he needs Red Ore. I can’t let Campbell Star hold my weakness.”

“Rather than buying Red Ore from Campbell Star for a long time, raising suspicions over time…”

“It would be better to make thorough plans from the start.”

Chi Yao announced his plan, “I want to purchase a Red Ore mining star.”

“After purchasing it, I will find a Sining Star person with space cutting abilities to redirect it away from Campbell Star’s orbit, ultimately incorporating it into the Empire’s satellite network.”

“I will bear all the costs, but obtaining the purchase qualification may require you to think of a way, Madam.”

The Red Ore from Campbell Star is not available for purchase; if Chi Yao wants to buy it, finding Madam Campbell is the best option.

However, after many years of marriage, Madam Campbell’s personal influence in Campbell Star has nearly diminished. The condition proposed by Chi Yao is not easy to fulfill. In fact… compared to the ongoing provision of Red Ore during Shi Xing’s maturity, helping Chi Yao purchase a Red Ore mining star is exponentially more difficult.

Tan Bai Shan’s first reaction was to want to negotiate again.

Just as he started with “Your Majesty,” he was stopped by Madam Campbell, who placed her hand over his wrist, interrupting his follow-up.

Madam Campbell naturally understood how formidable this condition was, but then there was Tan Chi…

With a moment of closure, and hardly any hesitation, Madam Campbell looked directly at Chi Yao, “If I provide the purchase qualification for Your Majesty, would Your Majesty allow Shi Xing to treat Tan Chi’s mental sea?”

Madam Campbell’s eyes were filled with sorrow, “I know this request is not easy for Blue Star humans during their maturity period, but Little Chi has become this way for the Empire. Your Majesty, could you grant him some favor considering his contributions?”

To this, Chi Yao did not hide, “Shi Xing already said he wants to try treating Tan Chi.”

“I have agreed to his request.”

Madam Campbell immediately stated, “Then it’s settled; I will find a way to secure the Red Ore mining star purchase qualification for Your Majesty.”

Chi Yao waved his hand, calming Madam Campbell’s emotions and concluding, “However, Shi Xing does not have a hundred percent certainty.”

“I will let Shi Xing attempt treatment within his capability, but once it exceeds that, I won’t force him, nor will I allow anyone to pressure him.”

“Therefore, Tan Chi’s mental sea cannot be guaranteed to be treated completely.”

“On this basis, Madam, are you still willing to use the purchase qualification for Red Ore to pay for the treatment?”

Madam Campbell tightened her hand for a moment and nodded again without hesitation.

The Tan family had previously supported Yun Wu, deeply aware of the burden of treatment for Blue Star humans and naturally understanding Chi Yao’s defined treatment boundaries.

After all, if something went wrong, it could endanger Shi Xing’s life. Even with the greatest hopes for Tan Chi’s recovery, the Tan family would never disregard another person’s life.

Tan Bai Shan still wanted to say something, but Madam Campbell insisted, “That’s how it will be.”

“This result is already much better than I imagined.”

“At the very least, with Shi Xing, Little Chi still has a chance to recover.”

And even if it was a slim hope, as a mother, Madam Campbell was willing to exchange anything of hers for it.