ABRIWMTHM Chapter 124

In a turbulent area of energy, a pale blue planet with a jade-like luster quietly rotates in the center.

The light from the star is scorching, its uniformity resting above the planet.

Occasionally, a beast passes through this area, choosing to take a long detour.

Only specific beasts can navigate through this death zone, effortlessly crossing the energy belt to enter the planet’s atmosphere.

Within the atmosphere, the trees are lush, and the rivers are thriving.

A century of desolation has nourished the already beautiful natural ecology of this planet, making it even more resplendent.

On the emerald green lawn, the beasts, who have not received any news from the depths of the universe for a week, are restless.

Their unique eyes flicker with a cruel light.

“Awwooo, awoo—”

No messages have come back.

The newly arrived beast speaks to the unique-eyed beast.

This is the third beast traversing the universe today.

Before it could stabilize its footing, it is sent flying by the roar of the unique-eyed beast.

The unique-eyed beast is in a foul mood.

It paces back and forth, letting out another roar.

More beasts stand up from the grass to go outside and wait for news.

The unique-eyed beast watches them fly out of the atmosphere, subtly envious and irritable.

“Awwooo!”

It lets out several furious howls, its mental power rebounding back from the atmosphere. This cursed planet is filled with high-density energy inside and out.

Energy on this planet follows a unique trajectory. Only the life forms nurtured here can synchronize with its energy operation. Those not originally from this planet, like the unique-eyed beast, become trapped in the energy currents outside the atmosphere, unable to traverse.

Having lost track of how many years it has been trapped, the unique-eyed beast longs for the days of traversing the universe.

Even though danger lurks in the universe at all times, it was still a time of freedom.

Now…

“Aw!”

“Roar!!”

Its mental power sweeps across the land and sky, and the unique-eyed beast starts to curse.

In the middle of the night, Shi Xing sits up.

Rubbing his forehead, he shakes his head to return to his body.

“What happened?”

A hand grips his wrist, and Shi Xing jolts, the person beside him whispers, “It’s me, Chi Yao.”

Only then does Shi Xing regain his sense of self, mumbling, “Your Highness.”

“Did you dream of something?”

Chi Yao also sits up; with his long military life and high level of mental power, he wakes up at the slightest disturbance.

Shi Xing rubs his forehead again and shakes his head, “It’s not that I dreamed of something; it’s… I seem to have felt…”

Swallowing hard, his sea-blue eyes are filled with uncertainty, “I felt the Blue Star and the beasts on it.”

His dry palm brushes the back of his neck, and Chi Yao pauses at his words.

Shi Xing looks at Chi Yao, feeling a bit uneasy, “Does that sound ridiculous?”

Chi Yao reaches out to stroke under Shi Xing’s eyes.

Every time Shi Xing’s eyes are filled with this kind of emotion, there’s always a hint of rare vulnerability. Even though he knows Shi Xing doesn’t mean it that way, it looks very much like an invisible search for reliance, evoking a fragile and ephemeral beauty.

“It doesn’t.”

Chi Yao’s voice is steady, pulling the half-dreaming Shi Xing back to reality, “Actually, I’ve been curious about one thing. The mutated beasts’ sensitivity to your mental power is abnormal.”

“Now that I think about it, it’s probably because you all come from Blue Star. Beasts are naturally able to locate their companions, and with the characteristics of Blue Star, they can better locate you… The positioning itself relies on mental power, so it’s not strange for you to have this feeling.”

Every time the beasts approach, Shi Xing always reacts first.

Chi Yao’s palm rests on Shi Xing’s face, feeling the warmth of his body, and Shi Xing relaxes a bit.

After a pause, he finally speaks the words that shock him, “I seem to see many beasts; there are entire new colonies of royal beasts on Blue Star…”

They root in Blue Star like a virus, looking both disgusting and terrifying.

Chi Yao reaches out to Shi Xing, who understands, and Shi Xing flings himself onto Chi Yao, unexpectedly with such force that both of them fall down, Shi Xing burying his face into Chi Yao’s neck, breathing in his scent.

“It’s okay, it won’t last too long.”

As he strokes his partner’s head, Chi Yao reassures him.

At first, Shi Xing doesn’t understand, but after a moment, he realizes the hidden meaning in Chi Yao’s words and exclaims in disbelief, “Your Highness, you…”

Do you mean to exterminate the beasts on Blue Star?

But is the Empire going to send troops?

Will the officials agree? Will the military officers agree?!

Chi Yao seems to know what Shi Xing is thinking and presses his head back down, “The royal beast that triggered the century-long resistance war is still alive; this isn’t just the Empire’s affair. Other planets in the system know about it and they won’t, and cannot, let it go easily.”

“Beasts are very vengeful, and now we have the mutated beasts. Keeping them on Blue Star is waiting for the next beast tide to erupt, isn’t it?”

Although it’s foreseeable that there will be a beast tide aimed at Shi Xing.

However, not wanting to worry his partner, Chi Yao says nothing further.

This reasoning convinces Shi Xing.

Rubbing his temples, Shi Xing apologizes, “I think I’ve overly immersed myself in Blue Star’s mindset.”

“Caring leads to chaos.” Chi Yao understands.

His long fingers fondly brushed Shi Xing’s lips, and Chi Yao softly said, “Regardless of what happens to the royal beasts in the future, and Blue Star, you are my partner, and the Empire is also your planet.”

“You can trust us.”

Shi Xing feels a lump in his throat, his heart soft, not knowing what to say, he nods randomly.

In a moment, he leans in and pulls on Chi Yao’s collar to kiss him.

Soon, Chi Yao’s clothes are disheveled and wrinkled by Shi Xing. When his hand reaches the buttons, wanting to unfasten one by one, he is unexpectedly held back.

Chi Yao reminds him, “We’re returning to the Empire tomorrow.”

Shi Xing’s reckless boldness rises, “It’s okay, I…”

His voice becomes very soft, “I’ve already passed the maturity period.”

Clearly it was a straightforward statement, but it feels like it carries a hidden implication.

Once spoken, Shi Xing’s breath becomes erratic, his ears and face flush with embarrassment.

Chi Yao’s breathing also becomes momentarily irregular.

Yet his voice is calm, making it difficult for Shi Xing to notice, “Really? Let me see.”

His long fingers glide from Shi Xing’s ankle upwards.

Shi Xing is particularly obedient, shifting forward a bit to accommodate Chi Yao’s movements.

The contact of their palm-sized skin glides gradually, passing over the small of his back and the inside of his knees; Shi Xing’s back trembles, yet does not retract at all, instead he opens up more for Chi Yao.

The night can’t hide the good eyesight of the Empire’s citizens.

Chi Yao sees his partner’s whole face blushing like an instrument he has strummed, playing a silent but sweet melody.

His movements are calm, and the love within them is unreserved.

It feels as if Chi Yao can glimpse the flow of affection in Shi Xing’s reactions.

The intangible becomes tangible.

Something fills his heart, warm and bright, gathering the beauty of the world.

Warmth splashes onto Chi Yao’s palm.

He gets out of bed to wash.

Returning to the bedroom, he finds Shi Xing’s cheeks flushed, watching him intently, with no sign of sleepiness.

Chi Yao lifts the covers and lies down, feeling the smooth fabric, “Why don’t you put on your pajamas?”

Shi Xing wraps around him again, his bright eyes peering at him, asking in confusion, “Not interested?”

“Not that.”

Finding Shi Xing’s clothes, he guides the other to lift a foot, puts on his pajamas, and hugs him.

Staying close, Shi Xing can feel Chi Yao’s reaction, still lingering.

“Just not interested in letting our private lives be public.”

The battleship has its soundproofing and other aspects, but it can’t compare to the intimacy of their bedroom.

Furthermore, they were about to land tomorrow, and the country had just announced Shi Xing’s identity. Given Ren Yan Yong’s character, he would definitely arrange a welcome for them according to appropriate standards. Standing in front of people, Chi Yao naturally wouldn’t show any unusual behavior, but he also didn’t want others to see any abnormalities in Shi Xing. The best way to do this is to avoid opening that topic for now.

“Surely there will be crowds coming; when the time comes, we will walk through the crowd to board the spacecraft.”

“You wouldn’t want to greet people with sleepy eyes, would you?”

Shi Xing: “…”

Shi Xing: “Well, it’s not that bad. I can…”

Shi Xing wanted to say something along the lines of getting through it quickly, but was interrupted.

“Nope, that’s not possible.”

Hearing the underlying meaning in Chi Yao’s words, Shi Xing’s ears heat up again.

“Let’s sleep.”

Chi Yao leans in to whisper in his ear teasingly, “Remember to be this passionate when we return to the palace.”

Shi Xing: “Okay.”

Chi Yao is taken aback for a moment, then smiles, pinching Shi Xing’s ear, saying helplessly, “If only you were this obedient with other matters, that would be wonderful.”

Shi Xing feels guilty, pretending not to understand, and feigns sleep.

He closes his eyes briefly. Having vented previously, he unknowingly falls into a deep sleep.

Chi Yao, accustomed to this, gently brushes Shi Xing’s brows and lashes as if cradling a treasure, tightly holding Shi Xing and also closing his eyes.

The welcome the next day is exactly as Chi Yao described, it’s a grand affair.

Shi Xing struggles to put on his clothes, with Yan Zhangyue assisting him with the brooch, shoulder insignias, what his hair should look like, whether or not to wear a necklace, and so on. Just listening to Yan Zhangyue ramble makes Shi Xing’s eyes go dark.

After passing through Yan Zhangyue’s hands to Xu Jin’s, and then being reviewed by Chi Yao again, all three nod in agreement before Shi Xing, in a daze, steps off the mothership.

Once off the battleship, he looks around to find the harbor teeming with people.

Shi Xing, bewildered, thinks, “Did we directly land in the Imperial Capital?”

He clearly remembers that there is no harbor for battleships to land directly in the Imperial Capital.

Chi Yao smiles and denies, “No, just some enthusiastic citizens who wanted to see you.”

“Ah?”

“The Elders Council announced you, and the section about your abilities features you exterminating beasts. You know how the public in the Empire is; they naturally worship public figures with high mental power. Get used to it.”

Though he says this, Shi Xing still feels a bit awkward.

But even if he’s not used to it, he still keeps his composure, waving and smiling at the crowd as per royal standards, when possible.

Every time Shi Xing raises his hand, he receives enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Chi Yao isn’t an enthusiastic person; once he has done the necessary face work, he lets his hands drop.

Shi Xing, constrained by the crowd’s enthusiasm, thinks it’s not easy for everyone to come out, so he keeps his hand up for quite a while, greeting all the way until they reach the royal spacecraft to switch.

Once he lowers his hand, it feels sore.

While rubbing his hand, he hears laughter and turns to see Chi Yao’s eyes crinkled in a smile.

Chi Yao: “I told you to take it easy.”

Shi Xing: “……”

Shi Xing turns away.

Before long, he’s pulled back again, having Chi Yao grab his hand and massage his wrist and muscles with just the right amount of pressure.

Before long, photos of Shi Xing disembarking from the mothership fill the star network.

[Image.JPG, I got it!]

[Image.JPG, image.JPG, image.JPG, me too! He looks like he has a good personality!]

[Yes yes, yes, quite unlike the Emperor, not aloof at all, and has been waving at us the whole time~]

[Waaah, he looks so small. Are all Blue Star humans like this? So cute!]

[Right? I also think he’s so cute; it doesn’t match the videos at all.]

Fei Chu is scrolling through and shares some amusing replies with Shi Xing and Chi Yao.

There’s a dedicated route from the harbor to the Imperial Capital; if it’s quick, it only takes about an hour.

By the time Shi Xing disembarks from the spacecraft.

Though it’s not far from the palace, Shi Xing sees so many people for the first time in front of it.

Moreover, Shi Xing muses, “Why are we stopping here? Didn’t we used to stop at the palace entrance?”

Chi Yao: “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? You even said it wasn’t necessary?”

Shi Xing chokes, suddenly recalling that Ren Yan Yong wanted him to be close to the citizens, thereby promoting his existence further.

Shi Xing is at a loss for words.

Chi Yao: “Let’s go, it’s also a great opportunity to face the public.”

“There will be media, so there won’t be any close-up shots; afterward, the photos on the star network will be cleaned up.”

Aside from the long-term attentive citizens who will know how many royal family members there are and what they are like, others who don’t follow the Empire’s politics hardly ever see them face-to-face. Overly circulated photos will be cleaned up by the Elder Council within one or two days.

Reducing exposure is beneficial for their activities in the Empire, so they won’t be overwhelmed just by showing their faces.

Shi Xing understands the nuances and nods.

Taking a deep breath before stepping off the spacecraft, he presents his best demeanor.

This time, Shi Xing extends his hand to Chi Yao first.

Chi Yao smiles and shakes his hand.

The smile is genuine and vibrant; the citizens capturing it for the star network later makes the Elder Council feel the capture is delightful, leading it to be included in Chi Yao’s personal record of the royal family. But that’s another story.

Shi Xing and Chi Yao return to the palace side by side.

It feels quite different.

Upon reflection, compared to his first time returning under Chi Yao’s guidance, the biggest change seems to be in his mindset.

Last time, he was just starting out, feeling apprehensive facing the throngs of civil officials in the Imperial Capital.

This time, he already enjoys the authority of the First Legion and the recognition from the Elder Council and Senate; though his identity hasn’t changed, his sense of belonging and confidence feels entirely different. His walk, once stilted, now carries more ease and grace.

As if he was always meant to be this way.

It’s a positive change.

The moment Shi Xing realizes this, he looks toward Chi Yao.

His gaze lingers a little too long, and to his surprise, Chi Yao leans in toward him and whispers in his ear, “What’s wrong?”

Such a familiar movement.

The cheers from the crowd explode, everyone teasing.

Knowing this is an official occasion, Shi Xing maintains his composure, but when Chi Yao teases him, he sincerely says, “I was just thinking how wonderful it is to meet you; I wouldn’t be who I am today without your support.”

His sincerity radiates, with only Chi Yao reflected in his light blue eyes, as if he’s offering up his true heart.

Chi Yao gazes into Shi Xing’s eyes for a moment before succumbing to the urge to touch his little partner’s cheek.

The surrounding noise grows louder. Chi Yao clears his throat and looks away.

Fearing that if he continues to look, he might be ensnared by his own intricate plans and make an inappropriate gesture, like kissing his partner.

“Don’t we no longer need to use honorifics?” Chi Yao says.

Since they arrived at the border line and had faced life and death several times, Shi Xing has used fewer honorifics.

He squeezes Shi Xing’s knuckles gently.

Chi Yao: “I still prefer it when you address me casually; it doesn’t feel so distant.”

Shi Xing readily agrees, smiling, “Alright, it’s wonderful to meet you, Your Highness.”

Once again, he is captured by those slightly crescent eyes, and Chi Yao, for once, feels his heart race a little faster.

“Remember to say this tonight as well.”

He mutters quickly.

Chi Yao can no longer hold back, crossing the line to lift Shi Xing’s hand and following his heart, giving his partner’s fingertips a gentle kiss.

Shi Xing stands still, stunned.

The surrounding noise halts for an instant, the next moment, drowning them completely.