ABRIWMTHM Chapter 49

In that moment, Shi Xing truly felt the tremor of his soul.

This sentence touched the scarred places in his heart.

Gentle yet not painful, it was so tender that it made one want to cry.

Shi Xing’s lips quivered, and under Chi Yao’s overly calm gaze, the corners of his eyes gradually turned red like ink wash spreading.

“Your Highness…”

His voice was hoarse.

It felt like a call, yet also like a soft sigh.

If Shi Xing remembered correctly, this was the first time Chi Yao had called him ‘Star’.

Many people had called him this, like the caretaker, Shi Ran, Fu Qing, Yan Changyue, and later Fu Qing, Xiang Feitan, and the Tan family’s Yun Wu, Tan Yan, Tan Mei, and Tan Chi, they all referred to him this way.

But the feeling of hearing it from Chi Yao was completely different.

The others were all standard or affectionate terms, and due to his young age, the elders around him preferred to call him with reduplication.

Though affectionate, it was distinct from Chi Yao’s.

Chi Yao’s way of calling was more like…

Like…

When this thought arose, Shi Xing felt a resonance from deep within his soul.

Like a partner one could lean on.

Gentle yet not oppressive, something to rely on, and in stature not higher than his own—their relationship felt more like an equal bond.

A kind of relationship where they could depend on each other.

Even though he knew that he hadn’t yet reached a point where Chi Yao could depend on him, Shi Xing still felt it.

This kind of complete equality with the other.

“Your Highness.”

Shi Xing called out again, gently closing his eyes. This time, it wasn’t to avoid, but to allow the other to assess his expression—whether it was pain or discomfort, he knew he didn’t need to feel any shame; these emotions could be displayed, and Chi Yao would accept all of him.

Accepting all of him.

With long lashes slightly damp, Shi Xing embraced Chi Yao.

He thought to himself that he would do just that.

Resting his head over Chi Yao’s heart, he could hear Chi Yao’s heartbeat—thump, thump, strong and orderly, much like the impression this person gave him, powerful yet methodical.

Shi Xing buried his face into Chi Yao’s chest.

Chi Yao’s long fingers, paused in the air, finally slowly descended and gently covered Shi Xing’s back.

A sigh escaped him as he thought, it seems he had been bullied a lot.

In the quiet room, the embrace brought a different kind of comfort in silence.

When Shi Xing adjusted his emotions and spoke again, his voice was hoarse beyond recognition, “Actually, it has been a long time.”

Every day for him now was a new day, filled with fresh experiences.

“And to some extent, it has been resolved.”

Rejecting Lu Lu, and reaching an agreement with the Princess Consort to avoid entanglement.

“I… just need time to dissipate these emotions, Your Highness.”

“Some negative feelings still need time to fade.”

After a pause, Shi Xing softly said, “Can I tell you when I can speak about it, when I have organized myself?”

Chi Yao’s lips curled slightly, his emotions unreadable, “I thought you would tell me now.”

Shi Xing: “It isn’t a good thing, and it has nothing to do with the present.”

If he spoke about it, it would even affect the internal…

The conflicts within the Prince’s residence were internal. The overall integrity of the Third Army still served as the Empire’s recognized sturdy shield. Lu Guangyu was highly respected in the Senate, and Lu Li had steadfastly guarded the Empire’s farthest borders for over a decade. The power of the Prince’s residence was substantial, and that was no joke; even Xiang Heze didn’t dare provoke Lu Lu easily at the matching banquet.

Even if he was still somewhat ignorant of internal affairs, he understood the concept of one thread pulling the whole. To vent anger on the Prince’s residence for something that hadn’t happened yet, even if he didn’t care how the Prince’s residence would be affected, the shift of a force could cause unpredictable chain reactions for the Empire that he couldn’t estimate, nor did he wish to see.

Shi Xing looked up, the corners of his eyes were flushed, and his irises, washed by thin tears, shone exceptionally clear in their light blue.

He looked at Chi Yao, “I know you care about me; letting me express it is also to help me. I also know I can rely on you, even completely depend on you, but…”

Shi Xing’s voice became very light, yet exceptionally firm, “Unless necessary, I don’t want to add to your burdens.”

On various levels—emotionally, and possibly in daily life impacted.

Chi Yao paused.

Shi Xing revealed a smile that looked quite comical on his almost crying face, yet it nonetheless made Chi Yao’s brilliance not dim.

“You have so much to do every day; there are documents to review for internal affairs, military duties to attend to, and odd public emergencies that fall on your desk. I see them in the study.”

After their matching, during their time together, Chi Yao hadn’t turned on the privacy mode while handling documents.

“The army cannot function without you, the Senate relies on you, and the Empire needs you to steer the ship.”

“Everything around you seems to weigh heavily on your shoulders.”

Shi Xing’s eyelashes trembled slightly, “Of course, that also includes my maturity period’s support issue.”

“But… one is not a machine.”

“You must tire as well.”

“With so many things needing to trouble you… I know my usefulness to you is limited; even though I strive to treat every day, progress remains slow, and this will likely not change in the short term. My growth and learning need time…”

“But there must be something I can do?”

“The weakness of my body cannot change, yet the strength and vulnerability of my heart are all within my own will.”

“I don’t want you to worry about my crystal and beast core problems and secretly comfort a weak partner behind my back. If that’s how it is…”

Shi Xing sincerely said, “You would certainly be too tired.”

And he felt very useless.

Chi Yao treated him like a junior, but his identity was not that; he should be standing alongside him.

If the Empire was Chi Yao’s responsibility, then the future would also be his. His identity had changed. Furthermore, he should take care in his words and actions, considering the future implications just as Chi Yao would.

Since it hadn’t happened yet, he hoped the Empire remained stable like it was now, and that Chi Yao would not have a falling out with the Lu family, allowing unpredictable national issues to arise.

The ocean-blue eyes were clear, and under such fervent scrutiny, Chi Yao rarely experienced a moment of distraction.

He reached out and touched Shi Xing’s cheek, his thumb gently brushed beneath the boy’s eye, which felt dry to the touch.

He wanted to cry but ultimately held back the tears.

Chi Yao had already forgotten when someone last told him not to tire himself out.

After decades of succession, day after day, year after year, those burdens that once felt heavy had turned into routine, into habit.

But that didn’t mean the pressure he bore had lessened.

Everyone looked up to him, and over time, he had gotten used to considering everyone else’s needs.

Shi Xing’s words…

Chi Yao gazed at Shi Xing’s cheek and whispered, “It’s been a long time since anyone spoke to me like that.”

Like shedding all the glory brought by authority, it was just this person speaking to him.

“The relationship is different; others don’t have the standing.”

Chi Yao’s thumb glided from left to right under Shi Xing’s eye. Shi Xing felt a slight itch but saw that Chi Yao’s expression seemed to be toying with something, so he didn’t stop him.

Chi Yao: “Then what standing do you have?”

Shi Xing hesitated, “Theoretically, a partner who can support each other?”

In reality, he hadn’t reached that point yet, so he had to be cautious about overstating things, afraid it would sound laughable to suggest Chi Yao should depend on him.

“Your… family?”

Can they support each other…?

Chi Yao’s lips curled up, “Then you have a long way to go.”

Shi Xing nodded, obediently promising, “I will study hard and grow.”

Just a promise, but hearing it produced an overflowing emotion within him.

Chi Yao lowered his gaze for a moment and affirmed, “But indeed, family.”

From the family’s standpoint, Shi Xing was qualified.

Chi Yao: “I want to hug you again.”

Once the words fell, Shi Xing gave him a big hug, resting his chin on his shoulder. In the silence, Chi Yao could feel the warmth coming from his body.

Shi Xing returned to the topic itself, “If one day I can’t hold on anymore, I will definitely come find you, but things are actually slowly getting better now, and I haven’t dreamed in a long time.”

Chi Yao remained silent; what Shi Xing said was indeed true. After leaving the Nest, he had gradually started to sleep soundly.

“You can consider it giving me a chance to self-process, after all, I need to cross over on my own in the end.”

“I’m not that fragile, Your Highness.”

Chi Yao acknowledged his last statement, “Yes, I can feel that.”

This conversation today even made him draw strength from Shi Xing. It was a peculiar experience.

But from another dimension, Chi Yao thought he might have underestimated Shi Xing all along. Shi Xing… could achieve far more than he imagined and had a broader outlook.

Thinking of this, Chi Yao patted Shi Xing, not pushing him away, and spoke about the Elders Council.

Chi Yao: “I’ve already talked a lot about the internal affairs; now that I’m telling you this, you should understand a bit. If you give up, you will lose the powers you’d have during your maturity period, along with the responsibilities you could avoid.”

“What the Elders Council says isn’t without reason. As a Blue Star human, these matters can be a bit challenging for you physically.”

“Therefore, I want to give you the opportunity to choose.”

And with what Shi Xing said today, Chi Yao felt the other was ready.

“If it were up to me, internal affairs can wait, while military power is necessary.”

“And that still needs the support of the Tan family. Once you heal Tan Chi, you should focus on winning over Tan Bai Shan.”

“If you want to grow more steadily, I respect your wishes and will do my best to provide you with a relatively stable environment; you just need to take care of yourself.”

“I accept all of that.”

“The final choice is up to you.”

“I’ve asked Tan Bai Shan to consider it, and I will give you some time.”

“Let’s take healing Tan Chi as a point; after the treatment stops completely, you give me a reply.”

As Xu Jin predicted, once they came out of isolation, the two were fine.

Fu Qing, Xu Jin, and Yan Changyue all breathed a sigh of relief. As long as things were well.

That night, after everyone went to sleep, Xu Jin checked all the rooms and unexpectedly ran into Chi Yao in the living room. He sat by the window enjoying the scenery, leisurely with a glass of iced wine in hand, appearing very content.

“Your Highness?”

Xu Jin: “Why are you still awake so late?”

Chi Yao shook his wine glass and said leisurely, “Thinking of some things, so I came out for a walk.”

Not hesitating, “Thought about that annoying couple.”

The couple Chi Yao referred to was no other than his parents, and the term “annoying” wasn’t to be taken literally—there was some form of teasing nostalgia in it.

Xu Jin carefully asked, “It seems you haven’t mentioned the late King and Queen for a long time.”

Chi Yao: “Why mention them? It’s been so long.”

“Do I miss them? Since birth, they always urged me to study this and that, yet they left such a big mess in the Empire without sorting things out before they left?”

Xu Jin: “Just a simple yearning?”

Chi Yao fell silent.

In truth, he did.

But he rarely mentioned it outside.

Xu Jin observed Chi Yao’s expression and smoothly added, “Did something happen that made you think of them?”

Chi Yao: “Shi Xing.”

Chi Yao: “He said some words that surprisingly made me… feel deeply touched…”

With his increasing understanding, it had been a long time since Chi Yao had felt such a stirring.

Looking out the window, Chi Yao smiled and said, “I always regarded him like Bi Zhou, but suddenly realized, that gaze might not be quite right.”

Bi Zhou was Chi Yao’s little nephew, now raised in the palace, and Xu Jin would video call him every day.

Shi Xing’s thoughts were more mature than Bi Zhou’s, and he was bolder in taking on the corresponding responsibilities—neither evading nor dodging.

Even though he was quite weak now, Chi Yao in a trance could see a powerful character hiding within him.

Chi Yao softly said, “Perhaps he can bring me more surprises…”

Who knows, maybe one day, he wouldn’t have to shoulder all the responsibilities alone and could share some of the burden?

Perhaps, just perhaps.

The news about Shi Xing’s ability to penetrate beast cores soon spread throughout the Seventh Army. Everyone was incredulous, but after watching the recording of the event, they fell into silence.

Such a skill was beyond their imagination.

While discussions erupted fervently within the Seventh Army, Shi Xing heard no whispers over the past two days. Chi Yao brought him along first to finalize the improvements to the crossbow arms and sent a set of blueprints to the Northern Territory’s military factory, another back to the Imperial Capital, asking the weapons masters there if there were any areas for further refinement and to create the most suitable version for him.

During the remaining time, Chi Yao focused on what Shi Xing could do and personally helped him refine the direction for combat training, ultimately handing it over to Fu Qing. Fu Qing knew nothing and assumed all of Shi Xing’s standard forms were taught by Chi Yao. He praised Shi Xing for his rapid progress throughout the day, making Shi Xing feel a bit bashful.

After two more days of preparations, the Seventh Army was set to pull star beasts from the border toward the Imperial Capital as scheduled.

Tan Bai Shan: “This one has been confirmed repeatedly from the border; it is a non-mutant S-rank star beast. Let’s try it first.”

Chi Yao nodded.

In the open battlefield designated for combat, vast icy landscapes stretched as far as the eye could see.

Not far behind stood the icy forest, intended to provide shelter for the soldiers in case the star beasts lost control or emergencies arose.

Shi Xing’s body was weak, and since he wanted to watch, Chi Yao didn’t let him off the aircraft, only allowing him to wait on board.

Peering through the glass of the ship, Shi Xing could see the soldiers of the Seventh Army arranging themselves on the ground.

He followed suit and looked up at the sky, where several warships surrounded this area at varying heights, leaving a channel in the middle for the beasts to descend to the ground.

“Almost ready. Didn’t you want to see? Come out.”

Chi Yao called from below.

Shi Xing dashed out of the spacecraft like a gust of wind.

As his feet finally landed on the thick snow of the Northern Territory, the net formed by the numerous warships enveloped Shi Xing tightly. He looked up, the vastness of the sky overwhelming him, with warships dotted like stars above, making him feel incredibly small.

“Come here; the star beast is approaching.”

Chi Yao reached out his hand to Shi Xing. Shi Xing thought he was going to hold him, and as he stretched his hand out to close the distance, he found himself embraced gently by Chi Yao around his waist.

Chi Yao’s small barrier activated and, with his transcendent mental power level, thoroughly isolated the energy radiating from Shi Xing.

“Prepare, begin.”

Tan Bai Shan’s command mixed with his mental power was given. The warships went invisible simultaneously, and in the blink of an eye, the world was left under a blanket of desolate snow.

A beastial roar pierced through the battlefield from beyond the clouds.

The hunt had begun.