ABRIWMTHM Chapter 41

Chi Yao had brought up the topic to such an extent that Shi Xing could no longer avoid it.

There was a moment of silence in the atmosphere.

Shi Xing lay on the glass, his five fingers slightly curled up, lowering his head as if evading Chi Yao’s gaze.

Chi Yao wasn’t in a hurry; he just quietly fixed his gaze on Shi Xing, arms crossed against the window on the other side, slightly tilting his body to lean most of his weight against the wall, adopting a rare casual posture.

The battleship flew slowly, and the two were separated by a window. The scenery outside changed repeatedly, with the brilliance of Yao Star and Can Star pouring down on the clouds, creating a golden sea of clouds. The distance of just an arm’s length felt exceptionally distant under the ever-changing view reflected in the glass.

“I…” Shi Xing opened his mouth, his eyelashes lowering awkwardly as he softly said, “I’m not unhappy.”

After a brief pause, he added the title, “Your Highness.”

It seemed he wanted some sort of response from Chi Yao.

Chi Yao only gave a single-word reply, “Mm.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it no longer came at Shi Xing in a questioning manner, taking on a calmer tone.

Shi Xing caught the subtle shift in Chi Yao’s attitude, and the knuckles he had curled against the glass unconsciously relaxed.

Shi Xing finally looked at Chi Yao, meeting a gentle gaze that washed over him. It was different from the first moment they met; after spending time together, Shi Xing had adapted to the pressure that Chi Yao radiated and no longer felt tense from his presence.

Thus, in their eye contact, he could finally discern Chi Yao’s true thoughts from the corners of his eyes and brows.

It was a demeanor of patiently waiting.

The other person was waiting for him to speak.

There was no impatience in Chi Yao’s gaze, as if he could provide Shi Xing with endless time.

Shi Xing’s tension dissipated in those ash-gray pupils.

When he spoke again, he was much more composed, honestly saying, “It’s not that I’m unhappy; I’m just afraid of causing too much trouble for everyone.”

His eyes flickered, and his voice grew lower, “Afraid… of becoming a burden to everyone.”

“Becoming Your Highness’s burden.”

Closing his eyes, Shi Xing’s mood sank as he said, “I’m sorry, I don’t want that.”

He didn’t want that, yet he felt powerless.

Chi Yao leaned forward slightly, pressing his arm against the glass and closing the distance between them to just two palms’ width.

Coming closer, the little friend’s guilt was even more pronounced, nearly overflowing from his facial expression.

Chi Yao spoke softly, his tone not heavy, “What is there to apologize for? It sounds like it’s a decision you can control.”

“Can you?”

Chi Yao raised the corners of his lips, “No matter whether you want to or not, it can’t be, right?”

Shi Xing lifted his gaze.

The sunlight fell on his face, and his sea-blue eyes seemed to ripple with azure waves.

Clear and beautiful.

Chi Yao leaned in even closer, speaking in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Besides, you are my responsibility.”

“It is clearly stipulated in the regulations, written in the matching responsibility document, and comes into effect with a signature.”

After a pause, his gaze flicked to the window as he honestly revealed for the first time in front of Shi Xing, “When you first said you wanted to choose me, I told you to go back and think about it.”

“Actually, that sentence wasn’t just directed at you; it was also directed at myself.”

His words relaxed, and the atmosphere became as amicable as a conversation between friends.

“The Star Nest has never produced a Blue Star human whose talent assessment exceeds A grade. What kind of responsibility does it entail to have a first-time evaluation of SS+ grade for a Blue Star human? I think I probably understand it better than you do.”

“So…”

“Since I have also chosen you, I must have considered it very thoroughly from all aspects.”

“I have preset various scenarios in my mind; the corresponding upper and lower limits are placed in a transcendent degree.”

“Now it only requires a bit more high-quality crystals; this is just the beginning. If I considered this a burden, I wouldn’t have taken you away in the first place.”

“Are you thinking that I’m too unreliable?”

Turning his head, a smile was evident in those ash-gray eyes, the corners turned upwards.

Shi Xing was left speechless by the question.

He was in a daze.

For a moment, Chi Yao thought of reaching out to pinch his cheek but restrained the playful impulse.

Exhaling lightly, Chi Yao declared, “I believe I’m a reliable person.”

“So, for a long time in the future, you need to get used to depending on me.”

“Mm?”

They looked at each other in silence.

Shi Xing couldn’t find any words to say.

He felt something very bitter in his heart, while at the same time, it felt full.

Chi Yao always seemed to bring him this feeling.

This kind of… emotions that are hard to resist.

Shi Xing followed his heart and said, “Your Highness, you are too good to me.”

So good that he didn’t know how to repay it.

Chi Yao, however, seemed at ease and glanced out the window before suddenly saying, “In that case, how about you treat me a little better?”

Shi Xing: “?”

Chi Yao: “I’ve been busy for the past few days and didn’t have time to talk to you. Now it’s a good opportunity to discuss it together.”

“The geographical position of the Northern Territory is behind the Imperial Capital. In terms of natural conditions, it’s actually a harsh place.”

“The atmosphere above is thin, and before the establishment of the boundary line in the Twin Star Galaxy, rogue star beasts often entered the Empire from the Northern Territory. Hundreds of years ago, when the beast tide was fierce and forced to the Imperial Star, the battlefield for resisting the beast tide was almost in the sky above the Northern Territory.”

“Because of this, there may be a certain natural selection, and the mental power levels of Northern Territory people are generally higher than the Empire’s average.”

“The ranks of the Northern Territory military officers are also generally higher than those of the other six legions.”

Shi Xing knew this; Tan Yan and Yun Wu’s partner, Tan Wen, were both 3S-level officers.

Chi Yao: “The current Marshal of the Seventh Army is Tan Bai Shan, and his wife is a noble from Campbell Star who married into the Empire.”

“They have four children: the eldest Tan Chi, the second Tan Wen, the third Tan Yan, and the youngest Tan Mei.”

“Currently, they all serve in the Seventh Army.”

Suddenly changing the topic, he asked Shi Xing, “Has Xu Jin told you about the situation on Campbell Star?”

Seeing Shi Xing shake his head, Chi Yao said, “Then let me tell you.”

“Campbell Star is a resource planet. Its technology and armament are not considered advanced in our galaxy; what it’s most famous for is its vast reserves of crystal mines.”

“The underground reserves of the main star of Campbell Star are rich, and most of its surrounding satellites, though uninhabitable, are essentially mining stars.”

“The primary source of crystal imports for the major planets in our galaxy is Campbell Star.”

“I mentioned wanting to buy a Red Ore mining star, right?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Chi Yao: “Actually, theoretically, it’s not possible.”

“The Red Ore of Campbell Star is exclusively for the nobility. The portion exported each year isn’t generated from trade but is friendship-based exports conducted through interplanetary diplomacy.”

“Campbell Star explicitly states that their Red Ore mining stars are not for sale.”

Shi Xing’s eyes widened, wondering what Chi Yao meant…

Just as the doubt arose, Chi Yao answered, “But that’s just in theory.”

“In special circumstances, nothing is impossible.”

Having previously interacted with Tan Yan for a while, when the topic reached this point, Shi Xing suddenly realized, “You want me to treat Tan Chi?”

Through treating Tan Chi, a certain exchange could be established with the lady of Campbell, thus obtaining the qualification to purchase the mining star.

Just after asking, he was denied, “No.”

Chi Yao: “This has not been confirmed yet.”

Shi Xing: “?”

Chi Yao said frankly, “Tan Chi’s mental power level was 3S back then, and his performance at the military academy was exceptionally excellent. Originally, Marshal Tan intended for him to succeed the Seventh Army in the future, but unfortunately, luck was not on his side.”

“In short, on his first battlefield experience, he encountered a 3S-level star beast that had circled around from another border line, which was also a mutated star beast… he severely injured the star beast but had his mental sea destroyed in the process. In these years, after retreating to the Seventh Army’s logistics, he has been responsible for the supplies and armaments of the Seventh Army.”

“The Tan family matched him with Yun Wu back then, hoping that Yun Wu could potentially cure Tan Chi.”

The result was already known by everyone; Yun Wu couldn’t due to a level limit.

“Your competition with Tan Yan was also due to this reason.”

“The Tan family is united; their family has thought of countless ways over the years for Tan Chi’s illness, and I understand this.”

“I can sympathize with the Tan family’s feelings, and I recognize Tan Chi’s contributions to the Empire. Logically and emotionally, the Empire should actively step forward to heal Tan Chi if possible.”

“But not now.”

Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing and sighed lightly, “Originally, it wasn’t in the plan to take you to the Northern Territory. Right now… it can only be said that plans can’t keep up with changes…”

“Your current evaluation level is 3S, and Tan Chi’s was also 3S back then. Fu Qing said you had no difficulty treating Tan Fei; logically, you should have the capability to treat Tan Chi… but that’s only in theory!”

“The actual situation will only be clear once we get there.”

“I indeed need to use your healing resources to obtain the qualification for the purchase of Red Ore, but this doesn’t mean I want you to cure Tan Chi this time.”

Chi Yao: “This is what I’m thinking: if you can, we can try it when we get there.”

“If it exceeds your ability, just refuse.”

Shi Xing was a bit confused, “If I refuse, how will you negotiate the purchase of Red Ore?”

After all… wouldn’t there have to be some benefits for the Tan family?

Chi Yao chuckled, “Then I can only rely on being shameless and write a blank check.”

Of course, if it can be avoided, that would be even better.

Thinking about the possibility of needing Tan Bai Shan’s help, Chi Yao felt slightly heavy in his heart but didn’t plan to tell Shi Xing just yet…

Shi Xing widened his eyes, never expecting Chi Yao would say such a thing.

His reaction amused Chi Yao, causing his smile to broaden, “If it’s beyond your ability, I’ll promise the Tan family that after you complete your maturity period, Tan Chi will become the first patient in your therapist career.”

“Currently, you are the only SS-level Blue Star human in the entire galaxy, so when the time comes, they might find it a bit hard to accept, but the Tan family are smart people. I’m confident they won’t let me down.”

“Moreover…”

“Now that ordinary crystals no longer work for you, you must cultivate with high-grade crystals. If you refuse my proposal, the lady of Campbell will also be cutting off her own path. The Nest has produced only one high-level Blue Star human in over a hundred years, and when the next one will come or whether we will ever see another one with such a high mental power level is uncertain.”

“If they really want to cure Tan Chi, she actually has no second option in this matter.”

In other words, those who can accept will, and even if they can’t emotionally accept it, for Tan Chi’s treatment, the lady of Campbell will have to accept it.

Otherwise, if Shi Xing starves, who else can treat her son?

This is a very straightforward logic.

It’s also a rather shameless rationale.

It was probably something he never imagined, this kind of tyrannical clause coming from Chi Yao’s mouth, Shi Xing’s eyes were round, unable to retract for a long time.

Chi Yao teased Shi Xing, “Did you never think I would say something like this?”

Shi Xing nodded heavily.

Chi Yao smiled, “Isn’t it quite shameless?”

Shi Xing wanted to nod but didn’t dare to.

After a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence, “You are thinking of me.”

This earned him a swift tap on the forehead from Chi Yao, the action quick enough that Shi Xing’s body reacted before his thoughts, reflexively covering the spot that had been tapped.

It hurt a little.

Chi Yao scolded, “Just know I’m thinking of you!”

“Returning to what we initially said, I treat you well, you should also treat me a bit better, and be obedient.”

“This time when we go to the Northern Territory, follow my lead.”

“The entire Tan family is nice, and they might even be nice enough to make you feel embarrassed, but that doesn’t mean you have to repay them by curing Tan Chi.”

“The decision to heal Tan Chi or not must depend on me, okay?!”

Chi Yao was not pleased, “Don’t make me angry like last time; I was really mad.”

Shi Xing covered his forehead, looking pitiful, and nodded.

Seeing him like this, Chi Yao pushed down the little friend’s hand, looking at it and noticing it wasn’t even red, then reached out to rub it, adding, “You guarantee it.”

Feeling the warmth of Chi Yao’s hand and the familiar mental power, Shi Xing obediently replied, “I promise, Your Highness, I will listen to you.”

After exhaling a sigh of relief, hearing Shi Xing’s response, Chi Yao felt that the anger he’d been carrying had eased considerably.

After a moment of silence, Shi Xing timidly asked, “Are you still… angry about what happened before?”

Chi Yao: “Thinking about it makes me angry.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Chi Yao knew what Shi Xing wanted to say, interjecting, “I won’t punish you for it. If you follow my instructions on this trip to the Northern Territory, my anger will slowly dissipate.”

“If you make decisions on your own again, I will get angry at you next time.”

“That includes this time, as well.”

“Did you hear that?”

Shi Xing nodded eagerly.

Seeing his expression, Chi Yao felt a bit soft-hearted.

He patted the little friend’s head and said helplessly, “Be good.”

The battleship flew slowly, and two days later, they arrived at the Northern Territory.

As they landed, the entire Tan family and high-ranking officers from the Seventh Army came to greet them.

The moment they stepped off the battleship, a flurry of snow enveloped them, almost blinding Shi Xing.

Looking at the crystalline icy world, he was pushed from behind and heard a whisper, “In a few days, I’ll take you to see the aurora; we’ll first meet Marshal Tan.”

It was Chi Yao.

Leaning down near Shi Xing’s ear, his breath felt warm even in this environment, brushing against his ear.

Shi Xing followed Chi Yao’s gaze, seeing a neatly lined-up group of soldiers and a familiar face.

“Okay, Your Highness.”

Realizing he was distracted by the snow, Shi Xing quickly composed himself, dressed in attire similar to Chi Yao’s, practicing the protocol he had just learned, and followed closely by Chi Yao’s side as they walked towards the Seventh Army.