ABRIWMTHM Chapter 87

As Chi Yao woke up, the restoration of diplomatic relations, the generous compensation from the Alliance—a foreign trade order for crystals purchased at a low price, sufficient to sustain the battleships for a quarter—was in place, and the diplomatic negotiation meetings for energy procurement commenced. Shi Xing’s life finally began to stabilize, slowly, as it returned to the right track.

This was reflected in several aspects.

He gradually resumed the classes he needed to attend every day.

In the imperial palace, discussions about the Alliance’s meetings became increasingly incomprehensible to him.

Not understanding, he felt reluctant to ask questions during the meetings; doing so would only slow down the progress.

While Chi Yao was absent, he served a legitimate role, with everyone relying on him to make decisions. Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen naturally explained all the knowledge points in great detail to him, but with Chi Yao awake and the empire’s leader back, diplomatic negotiations pressed hard, and there were many backlogged domestic affairs to handle. The clerical staff were so swamped that they wished they could stretch one minute into three. In the midst of all this, they had no time or energy to spare for Shi Xing.

Once a matter became no longer pure and involved multiple interests and considerations of various reactions, Shi Xing would get flustered.

There were many reasons for this, but summarizing them, they all pointed back to his unfamiliarity with internal affairs and diplomacy.

However, this was also understandable; after all, when tallied up, Shi Xing had barely studied internal affairs for under a year. Achieving his current level was already commendable.

When Chi Yao was absent, Shi Xing held up the diplomatic scene on his own. In a corner of his heart he was unwilling to acknowledge, Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen were indeed quite satisfied with Shi Xing, having no higher expectations anymore.

However, this could not convince Shi Xing to be satisfied with himself.

Especially after the matching banquet, he had followed Chi Yao and Xu Jin to the Northern Territory, not returning to the Imperial Capital for over half a year. During that time, they were together every day, and both Xu Jin and Chi Yao encouraged and educated him. Shi Xing felt he was doing quite well, but…

But once the negotiation about energy commenced, Shi Xing realized how absurd his feelings had been.

It was not that things were just okay; it was a world apart.

When it came to economics, he felt like he was reading a foreign script.

When internal political attitudes and interests were discussed, he felt the same way.

Then, when the attitudes and interests of various planets in the Alliance came up, he could not comprehend anything; he could have easily fallen asleep listening.

Oh, yes, as a Blue Star human, facing so much he did not understand in the morning would genuinely make him sleepy.

During the third internal palace meeting regarding diplomacy, after listening for ten minutes and yawning more than ten times, Shi Xing voluntarily exited the meeting.

The results showed that the meeting’s efficiency improved in his absence.

Shi Xing: “…”

Shi Xing began to accept his fate. Aside from having Tang Mi explain the current diplomatic situation to him, he resolved to quietly leave the time for Chi Yao and the clerical officials as long as he was not called upon.

Time was carved out for him: studying in the morning, absorbing crystals and beast cores to continue enhancing his abilities in the afternoon. Er Ya also joined him in his training.

After just two days of joining, she was still in the stage of getting to know him.

Er Ya’s mental power could also enter Shi Xing’s mental sea, but the depth of perception was the same as Chi Yao and Yun Wu. In the depths of Shi Xing’s mental sea, near the sandy shore, Er Ya would suddenly lose connection.

“Your mental power is out, right?”

“Is the first year of the maturity period here?” Er Ya inquired while in the energy shielding chamber.

Shi Xing shook his head. Er Ya understood, “That means your mental sea is still growing vertically, and all energy supply is directed towards raising your level. It’s estimated that the endurance of your mental sea and mental power won’t improve until the second year.”

Shi Xing quietly asked, “Is my mental power’s endurance really poor?”

Er Ya glanced at Shi Xing flatly, “Would you rather hear the truth?”

Shi Xing nodded, and Er Ya stated, “An S-rank therapist at your stage should have an endurance capacity at least 1.52 times yours.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Er Ya: “But this also indicates that your mental power level is quite high, requiring more time to grow.”

After a moment of bemusement, Shi Xing asked: “So, will my maturity period be longer?”

Er Ya replied: “You know Chi Yao wants me to teach you as a therapist, right?”

Receiving a confirmed response, Er Ya continued, “If there are no issues in our compatibility, and you are willing, I will find a way to compress your maturity period to a normal duration, or even shorter.”

“Your mental power level is too high, and the higher it gets, the more high-level star beasts you will attract. It’s best not to let the development time be too lengthy.”

Shi Xing was puzzled. “Is there a solution?”

“There is. A therapist requires a specific amount of energy for their maturity period. Once the diplomacy between the Alliance and Empire reaches a conclusion, you’ll need to absorb a large amount of star beast cores as part of your schedule. If fortunate, you can learn my methods for dealing with star beasts, and hunting them will become much simpler.”

Realizing something, Er Ya added, “Fei Chu mentioned you can absorb the raging mental power even during an attack. Later on, if you collaborate with the First Army, you might be able to develop some new combat methods, which would benefit the border line as well.”

Changing the subject, she supplemented, “Due to objective constraints, aside from the one imprisoned by the First Army, there are currently no fresh beast cores solely available for you. If possible, you can absorb Chi Yao’s mental power more often, and that will help as well.”

Shi Xing was stunned.

Shi Xing: “?”

Shi Xing: “???”

Shi Xing slightly tilted his head to look at Er Ya, his face full of confusion. Er Ya, seeing this, also seemed puzzled, “Do you have any questions?”

Shi Xing: “What do you mean by, ‘that will help as well’?”

Er Ya replied directly, “It means his mental power level is high, and in the case that he can’t be drained, don’t waste it every day.”

“Maybe in two or three days, it’s equivalent to one little star beast.”

Shi Xing: “…”

“Oh, right.” Er Ya opened her communication device and sent several books to Shi Xing. He was taken aback as the holographic projection of the books appeared; he opened them directly…

Then abruptly snapped them shut, staring wide-eyed at Er Ya, a hint of red creeping up to his ears.

Shi Xing stumbled over his words, “This, this, this book…”

Er Ya remained unfazed, “Considering you have a good relationship, and there are always many uncontrollable moments, don’t blame me for not reminding you. It’s best not to; with your potential, during emotional fluctuations, you might inadvertently drain His Highness’s mental power. For safety’s sake, you should find another way to express your feelings.”

Shi Xing’s ears turned red. “You, you gave me these books. Isn’t it a bit…”

Er Ya was utterly calm, “I believe Chi Yao should thank me.”

Shi Xing was distraught, “Sister Er Ya, how do you have such books?!”

In his panic, he even resorted to honorifics.

Er Ya responded, “The royal family has a good education regarding this. I got them from Officer Xu, who, knowing I wanted to give them to you, specially picked them out for quite a while.”

Shi Xing: “……”

Shi Xing: “…………”

He realized he should not have asked.

How would he face Xu Jin when he went out today?

Er Ya, detached from worldly concerns, said, “It’s a normal demand. Calm down; we’re all adults now.”

Originally, Shi Xing had acted composed, but Er Ya’s comment succeeded in breaking his facade, and he raised his arm to cover his face.

As he continued to gain experience, Er Ya truly did not take this matter seriously, her gaze falling behind Shi Xing when she suddenly said, “The clerical staff are coming out; the meeting has concluded.”

Shi Xing turned his head, and sure enough, through the fully transparent energy sealing room, he could see the clerical staff leaving one after another.

At that moment, Yan Changyue was delivering a fruit plate to Shi Xing and Er Ya. Shi Xing abruptly stood up, asking eagerly, “Is His Highness going to have lunch outside today?”

Receiving a disappointing answer, Yan Changyue replied, “They’re still delivering into the meeting room; the clerical staff of the Senate just called every palace scribe in.”

Shi Xing exited the energy-shielding chamber, leaned against the door, and looked from afar at the closed conference room door, unable to see anyone inside.

Turning back, he discovered Er Ya had surprisingly come to his side and, following his gaze, inquired, “Do you want to see Chi Yao? If you want to see him, just go over.”

Shi Xing thought for a moment and shook his head, “I don’t want to disturb His Highness.”

Er Ya studied Shi Xing for a moment, seemingly contemplating but not persuading him otherwise.

During the following trainings, Shi Xing was somewhat distracted, and on the third try, Er Ya finally remarked, “You’re not focused here; how about a short break?”

Shi Xing felt a bit embarrassed.

As he looked toward the conference room again, Er Ya finally asked, “Aren’t you supposed to see him every night? Although these past few days have been busy, with my mental power pressing down on him, his chaotic phase is also stabilizing. What are you worried about?”

Shi Xing replied, “I’m not worried…”

“Is it that you see him too little?”

Indeed, the times he could see Chi Yao had been quite few, but that wasn’t the main reason. It was…

Exchanging glances with Er Ya, Shi Xing spoke his thoughts honestly, “I just feel that there’s too little I can do, and I can’t help with anything. And lately, isn’t there an energy procurement issue as well as an opening of medical resources for Blue Star humans?”

Er Ya nodded.

Shi Xing felt a bit dejected, “I don’t even understand where the arguments between the Alliance and Empire lie. I already asked Tang Mi to teach me, but starting from the economics, after just two days, I feel that by the time I grasp this issue completely, they will have finished discussing it.”

Er Ya lowered her gaze for a moment, and perhaps due to their shared race or maybe because of Shi Xing’s pleasant personality, the usually reticent Er Ya surprisingly asked for Shi Xing’s schedule.

“What schedule?” Shi Xing asked in confusion.

Er Ya clarified, “The one that Tang Mi is teaching you.”

“Oh, oh.”

Shi Xing pulled it out, and after Er Ya reviewed it, she closed it.

“He is teaching you in a way that cultivates politicians, establishing a knowledge framework from the root. It’s fine, but if you learn like this, it will likely take you at least half a month to understand the current situation.”

What Er Ya did not voice was that Shi Xing was a Blue Star human, and this round of negotiations also involved the opening of medical resources. Many issues, Tang Mi likely standing from the perspective of the palace clerks, wouldn’t have been appropriate for him to explain in detail.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault; it was his identity that restricted him from saying such things to Shi Xing.

Shi Xing sighed; he had already known.

After a pause, Er Ya said, “If there’s anything you don’t understand, just ask me directly. I know.”

“Just know that I can’t guarantee I’ll view the entire situation from the Empire’s perspective.”

Shi Xing mused for a bit and felt a little embarrassed, asking curiously, “Wasn’t the Empire’s stance quite aggressive before? Why has the negotiation over energy issues taken so long now?”

Er Ya responded concisely, “Because the removal of the border line brings no benefits to either side; both the Empire and the Alliance understand this.”

“As long as the border line exists, all planets within the galaxy enjoy a natural defensive barrier, which is vital for each planet. It’s a significant premise.”

“However, the claims of both sides concerning the border line differ. The Alliance wants to slack off and transfer the burden of the border line to the Empire. The Empire, though martial, has been stationed at the border line for so many years; the internal and external voices have pressured the planets, and in reality, they also need to recuperate.”

“The Alliance’s advantage lies in its ample energy, and to restrict the Empire, they have absorbed quite a number of mining planets into the Alliance over the years. Now several major veins within the galaxy are still under the Alliance…”

“The Alliance wants to use energy in exchange for certain conditions beneficial to themselves, and the diplomatic terms regarding the Empire’s guarding of the border line also have many profit conditions. At essence, it’s the same; between political systems, there is no morality to speak of; only eternal interests.”

“All the various complex considerations boil down to the exchange of interests, and both sides are continuously testing each other’s bottom line.”

Shi Xing noticed, “Your perspective really is different.”

Er Ya smiled gently, “Perhaps because I don’t stand with anyone, I don’t take many things for granted. Without a position, naturally, there are pros and cons.”

Er Ya continued, “In fact, while the Alliance appears to give the Empire two options, there is also a hidden third one: that the Empire agrees to the Alliance’s sweetener and extends its border line defense. Naturally, the Alliance would lower the prices of crystals and ores, so neither party benefits or loses; it’s a win-win situation.”

“But these past few days, Your Highness has never considered this retreat, which indicates he has his own thoughts about the border line. Under this premise, the Alliance would certainly not willingly lower the prices of crystals.”

Shi Xing frowned, “But the Empire has already stationed a long stretch of the border line. Asking for more might be excessive.”

Er Ya only offered one comment on this, “Human greed makes it easy for one to swallow an elephant; interests can be given away, but it’s hard to reclaim, especially when it comes to a political entity’s interests.”

Er Ya added, “Moreover, the conditions proposed by the Alliance are also quite astute.”

Shi Xing was puzzled, “It’s hard for the Empire to agree to opening medical resources for Blue Star humans.”

Er Ya clarified, “That’s not what I’m referring to. You know the Alliance is made up of many planets.”

Shi Xing nodded.

Er Ya elaborated, “Between planets, opinions are naturally not perfectly unified. Even if the six major planets want to raise prices, there will undoubtedly be smaller resource planets wanting to sell crystals and ores at normal prices. The second condition becomes astute because it involves medical resources.”

“You haven’t been to other planets, so you might not know; except for those injured on the battlefield, children with higher levels of mental power face increased probabilities of issues with their mental seas while growing up.”

“When Blue Star was around, therapists would always go to planets to provide medical assistance and charge for it.”

“But now that Blue Star has disappeared, the doctors everyone was accustomed to seeing have also vanished. If no one has doctors and everything is fine, but if medical resources have been monopolized by the Empire, the Empire would become the target of public criticism, as the higher-ups of any planet will always have patients with problems in their mental seas.”

“In some ways, this has become a necessity.”

After a pause, Er Ya suddenly asked Shi Xing, “Did you understand everything I just explained?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Knowing that Shi Xing’s mind wasn’t focused on training, after pondering for a moment, Er Ya stood up, clapped her hands, and asked him, “Do you want to fully grasp this issue?”

Shi Xing nodded without hesitation, “I do.”

At the very least, he had to know what His Highness was worried about.

Er Ya also nodded, “Come with me to the palace library.”

“Oh right, bring Fei Chu along. Since Chi Yao has connections with him, he can provide you with insights from the imperial perspective.”

Drowning in chaos, the first wave of diplomatic negotiations regarding energy procurement concluded under circumstances of deadlock between both sides.

The Alliance and the Empire agreed to take a few days off to reconsider and would reconvene for the second round of negotiations in a few days.

These negotiations would continue until both parties arrived at a unified conclusion.

Finally free at lunchtime, Chi Yao went to the main hall to dine.

Just as he settled down and looked at the empty table next to him, Chi Yao frowned, “Where is Shi Xing?”

Xu Jin had mentioned every day previously that Shi Xing was looking forward to dining out with him, but now… where was he?

Xu Jin, feeling awkward, replied, “He’s at the library with Er Ya and Fei Chu.”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow.

Xu Jin added, “It’s already the second day.”

Since Shi Xing wasn’t returning, they would have to eat by themselves; however, at dinner time, Shi Xing was still nowhere to be seen.

Chi Yao tapped his chopsticks against Shi Xing’s empty plate, “Still at the library?”

Xu Jin nodded with difficulty.

That evening, Chi Yao became busy again. The two only saw each other briefly before sleeping. Chi Yao said nothing about waiting; Shi Xing, feeling drowsy, climbed into bed. Just as he mentioned His Highness, before Chi Yao could respond, he heard the even breathing of Shi Xing.

Chi Yao: “…”

Chi Yao, filled with both affection and frustration, pinched Shi Xing’s nose.

The next day, Shi Xing was still at the library, with the same companions, Er Ya and Fei Chu.

Chi Yao didn’t even bother asking at lunchtime, feeling apathetic.

In the evening, when Shi Xing still hadn’t appeared, Chi Yao suddenly said, “Has Fei Chu finally come to his senses, pulling Shi Xing in as cover?”

He spoke quickly, and realizing the impropriety of his words, he shifted the topic without waiting for a response.

That evening, Shi Xing returned to his quarters in high spirits and saw Xu Jin waiting for him at the entrance.

Xu Jin cautiously said, “Well, the Emperor finally has some free time these past two days; he had lunch and dinner in the restaurant.”

Shi Xing’s eyes widened, “Ah, why didn’t anyone tell me? If they had, I could have come back from the library!”

Well, Xu Jin understood where the issue lay.

It wasn’t that Shi Xing got so lost in studying that he forgot; it was actually a lack of communication.

Xu Jin noted, “His Highness waited for two days, and when you still hadn’t returned today, I thought you knew… in any case, we attendants also have a responsibility, but His Highness seems to be in a bad mood.”

“You should return early today and be mindful when heading up; he has been so busy, try not to make trouble.”

In fact, Xu Jin hadn’t anticipated Chi Yao would be upset about this matter. He hadn’t verified whether Shi Xing was aware, but it was only when Chi Yao suddenly mentioned it that he realized.

Xu Jin found it surprising as well; he hadn’t expected Chi Yao to show a side of being upset about not seeing someone.

Shi Xing nodded repeatedly and returned to his room.

Chi Yao was in his small study that night. Shi Xing sensed he was covered in the smell of ink from the library, so instead of looking for Chi Yao first, he washed up and changed into his pajamas before knocking on the study door.

“Your Highness, are you in there?”

A voice from within distinctly expressed some emotion, saying two words, “Not here.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Shi Xing called out, “Your Highness, I’m coming in.”

Chi Yao remained silent, and Shi Xing pushed the door to enter.

When the door opened, Chi Yao was sitting in Shi Xing’s usual spot, reviewing official documents. Shi Xing leaned in, but Chi Yao didn’t even glance away from the document projection; he divided some tasks for Shi Xing.

Shi Xing gently called out, “Your Highness.”

Only then did Chi Yao look at Shi Xing, his gaze penning observations, rare for him to speak formally, “Are you not busy?”

Shi Xing confirmed Xu Jin’s words were not incorrect; Chi Yao indeed harbored some annoyance.

Shi Xing leaned on Chi Yao’s leg, obediently squatting at his feet, “I’ve been trying to understand the energy procurement issue lately. There’s too much at stake, I haven’t been able to learn quickly, and I only managed to grasp some parts today.”

Chi Yao paused.

After a moment, he softened his tone begrudgingly, “This isn’t something that can be summed up in one or two sentences. Why are you making an effort like that?”

Shi Xing replied earnestly, “You’re too busy every day. I wanted to check if there’s anywhere I could help.”

Finally, Chi Yao eased the projection screen, sighed lightly, but didn’t easily let Shi Xing off the hook, “So, have you thought of places you can be of help?”

Shi Xing nodded, “Today I discussed a solution with Major General Fei; I intended to tell you this on my way back.”

Feeling slightly lacking in confidence, he added, “But it seems like you’re a bit upset.”

Chi Yao remarked, “Xu Jin said today that you waited for me to dine together. After making time for that, you then let me face an empty plate?”

Shi Xing’s eyes sparkled, “Have you been waiting for me these past two days?”

Chi Yao: “…”

Chi Yao stretched out his hand and playfully pinched Shi Xing’s cheek, denying, “No.”

Shi Xing grinned widely, his smile radiant. As Chi Yao felt his mood lighten, Shi Xing suddenly straightened up and gave Chi Yao a peck on the cheek, coaxing, “Your Highness, don’t be mad anymore. I didn’t know you were here.”

“If I’d known, I would definitely have come back.”

Chi Yao felt his mood lift.

But he hid it perfectly, so Shi Xing remained unprepared, and he implored, “Even if you consider my effort in coming up with a solution, would you cool your anger?”

Chi Yao teased, “Then tell me, I’ll listen to see if it’s a feasible idea.”

While they continued the banter, Chi Yao pulled Shi Xing up from the ground and let him sit on his lap.

Settled, Shi Xing said, “Blocked is not as good as unblocked; I actually believe opening medical resources is fine.”

Chi Yao froze.

Shi Xing smiled brightly and added, “But it must be conditional.”

“Let the planets within the Alliance cause a ruckus first, leaving them all in disarray.”

Shi Xing whispered mischievously, “They can’t keep pushing the Empire around.”

“Since it’s an alliance of multiple planets, mutual torment within is the norm.”