ABRIWMTHM Chapter 57

Night fell, and another treatment session came to an end.

Shi Xing sat on the carpet and pondered for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, could I request a few days off from the nightly treatment?”

Chi Yao raised an eyebrow, indicating for Shi Xing to continue speaking.

Shi Xing stated bluntly, “My mental power level is still lagging behind yours by far; treating you requires high-level mental power. Also, didn’t I expand the inner and outer layers of my mental sea a while back?”

“Mm.”

Shi Xing continued, “Recently, the expanded parts of my mental threads have been growing, but they seem to be developing a bit slowly. I want to give my mental sea some time to rest while trying to absorb enough energy to see if I can accelerate the growth of these mental threads.”

“Once they are fully grown, I shouldn’t need so much of my own mental power. I can gradually strengthen them just by absorbing crystals or beast cores.”

In simpler terms, Shi Xing wanted to take a few days off to expedite the growth of his developing mental threads.

Of course, there was also the implication that he wanted to further improve his level.

After finishing, without waiting for Chi Yao’s response, he quickly added, “Of course, since you have already entered a chaotic period on schedule, it’s impossible and unrealistic to completely stop treatment. I’ll still be pushing healing energy into your mental sea every night; I just won’t be performing localized treatments on the injured areas. I’ll use just a portion of my mental power to provide a calming effect. What do you think?”

Chi Yao looked at Shi Xing involuntarily.

His considerations were very thorough, and he hadn’t overlooked anything from any dimension.

Naturally, Chi Yao would agree.

After discussing this matter, Chi Yao’s gaze remained fixed on Shi Xing. He originally just wanted to see him, reflecting on how Shi Xing had changed significantly over the past six months in the Northern Territory, but as he watched, he noticed something else…

“Have you, grown a bit taller?”

Shi Xing was taken aback. “Huh?”

Chi Yao stepped closer, his long fingers touching Shi Xing’s face side, lifting it to showcase it under the night light. Shi Xing’s water-blue eyes looked clear, and Chi Yao couldn’t help but stroke beneath those eyes. In the silence, Shi Xing felt the atmosphere was somewhat strange, but before he could discern it, Chi Yao said, “Your face seems to have matured as well.”

Shi Xing was dazed. After Chi Yao finished speaking, he called for Xu Jin to come in. As everyone rested in the living room, upon hearing that Shi Xing had grown, Yan Changyue, Fei Chu, and Fu Qing followed along to take a look.

Xu Jin came over with a measuring device for Shi Xing.

He, Yan Changyue, and Fu Qing had been following Shi Xing since they left the Tree Nest. Although Chi Yao mentioned that Shi Xing had grown, they saw him every day, and the change didn’t feel particularly pronounced.

The only one relatively certain about Chi Yao’s view was Fei Chu, who had just arrived not long ago.

“Yes, you have grown. I noticed it when I first saw you.”

“You’ve gotten a bit taller, and your face no longer has that chubby childlike look. Honestly, compared to how you looked at the Tree Nest, it’s quite noticeable.”

The measurement data corroborated Fei Chu’s statements.

Indeed, Shi Xing had grown taller, his muscle content increased due to training, and in comparison to photos taken at the Tree Nest, the lines on his cheeks had slightly retracted. There was still plenty of collagen, but it was evident that the youthful appearance had lessened—a change accumulating in the details, altering the overall impression.

Chi Yao observantly examined, pulling the projection screen displaying photos of Shi Xing from the Tree Nest closer to his face, looking back and forth many times, nodding, “Mm, you look like a young man now.”

Shi Xing mumbled, “I was a young man to begin with.”

Chi Yao self-deprecatingly remarked, “At least it looks like, as your partner, I no longer feel like I’m walking on a tightrope of the law.”

Realizing the deeper meaning in Chi Yao’s words, Shi Xing’s ears felt a bit hot.

“I don’t, look that young, do I?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Fei Chu slapped him in the face with the truth, “No, no, when I first saw you, it really felt like you weren’t even as big as Bi Zhou. Of course, in terms of mentality, you must be much more mature, but in terms of appearance, at first glance, you seemed capable of reporting to the Elders Council about someone.”

“…” Shi Xing decided to obediently keep quiet.

Chi Yao gave him another sidelong glance, with a smile, his gaze dancing with teasing mischief.

Shi Xing felt a little uneasy under that look and couldn’t figure out where to place his hands and feet.

As everyone discussed his changes, Shi Xing wanted to escape Chi Yao’s teasing. He moved to the side, grabbed a cup of water, and hugged it to try to obscure most of his face with it.

Xu Jin suddenly said, “Speaking of which, the initial reason for living separately was that everyone wasn’t familiar; we worried that Xing Xing would be unaccustomed. Now that so much time has passed, do you want to live in the same room?”

Everyone froze, and for some reason, their first reaction was to look at Shi Xing.

Pfft—

Shi Xing couldn’t hold back. Hearing this unexpected proposition, he sprayed water out.

In the end, of course, it didn’t happen. Chi Yao shot a glance at Shi Xing and, citing the special constitution of Blue Star humans during their maturity period, rejected the idea.

Once they left Chi Yao’s room, Xu Jin was also somewhat shocked. After walking for a while, he murmured.

“I didn’t mean for you to share a bed; Your Highness must have misunderstood something? But wait, don’t royal couples always occupy the same room with two separate beds? Was I unclear in my expression?”

Xu Jin looked at Shi Xing, “I think both you and His Highness are in unstable states; living in the same room would allow you to quickly suppress His Highness’s mental chaos if he needs it. And if you feel unwell in the middle of the night, His Highness can check on you easily! Am I wrong in thinking this?”

He made a good point, but when he brought it up, Shi Xing hadn’t thought about it in such a serious manner.

Wanting to comfort the attendant a bit, he just brewed up a quick response, but felt his ears burning. Shi Xing gave up, hurriedly said goodnight, and ran back to his room.

Before he even closed the door, he heard Fei Chu’s loud voice outside, “Xu Uncle, your idea is a bit too straightforward! Newlyweds, lone male and female, is it just me whose mind is filled with things that can’t be spoken of?”

Shi Xing covered his face, wanting to dig into the ground.

As soon as Fei Chu finished speaking, a whirlwind rushed through the corridor, and a blast of high-level mental power directly struck Fei Chu.

Fei Chu yelped in response.

Chi Yao’s voice came from inside the room, stern and devoid of any emotion, “I can hear you.”

The corridor fell silent in an instant.

They still had so much to deal with in the Northern Territory, and Xu Jin and Yan Changyue had been tidying for two to three days. The bulk of the workload was mainly related to Shi Xing. Aside from the time spent packing, through the contact over the past half year, the two attendants had already gotten quite familiar with Shi Xing’s personality and preferences, and compared to previous arrangements of his room in the palace, Xu Jin and Yan Changyue were now quite dissatisfied.

Often tidying for half a day still left Isaac half a day to communicate with the palace attendants, reworking and improving Shi Xing’s room.

At one point, Shi Xing felt they were being overly meticulous, wanting to say it didn’t need to be so fine, but he was stopped by Chi Yao, “This is their job; they need to do it well, just like everyone else.”

This made sense; as Shi Xing thought about it, he realized it was reasonable and felt relieved.

Once they determined the departure time to return, Tan Bai Shan came to see him.

He skipped over Chi Yao and went straight to Shi Xing.

The matter wasn’t complicated, as the next meeting would likely be waiting until they reported to the Imperial Capital. The shift schedule on the boundary line had arrived, and many officers stationed there would be returning to the Northern Territory within a day or two.

Tan Bai Shan came to ask Shi Xing if, considering the consumption of energy from beasting creatures, he could help treat one or two high-ranking officers whose mental seas were troubled and tormented by the beasts.

He knew well that this kind of request was overstepping, hence his attitude was very humble.

While Shi Xing said he would think about it, there was not an ounce of unusual expression on his face.

After discussing this topic, they moved onto the main point: previously, Chi Yao had discussed with Shi Xing the desire to reclaim Shi Xing’s military power from the Elders Council through the support of the Seventh Army.

Chi Yao had also mentioned that Tan Bai Shan would likely seek him out for a discussion.

This time, Tan Bai Shan proposed a more detailed discussion and set a time for one or two days before their departure, to which Shi Xing agreed.

Later on, Shi Xing reported the treatment request to Chi Yao.

Chi Yao didn’t even lift his head, “Do you want to provide this kind of treatment for the Seventh Army?”

Shi Xing nodded, “Yes, they put in a lot of effort and took considerable risks during the hunting of the beasts.”

Moreover, the Seventh Army already had Yun Wu, an S-ranked therapist. For him to come here means that there was a problem Yun Wu couldn’t solve due to his rank restrictions.

Chi Yao replied, “Then you should agree to it.”

Shi Xing was momentarily taken aback; he didn’t expect it to be so easy for Chi Yao to agree.

The man lifted his head from his documents and saw Shi Xing with slightly parted lips, wearing a confused expression. He chuckled, “What? Did you not expect me to nod my head?”

Shi Xing quickly composed himself and complimented, “No, Your Highness has always been very fair-minded.”

Chi Yao’s smile broadened, “That sounds like something Fei Chu would say. Spending too much time with him has led you to be corrupted by his words.”

Fei Chu, among the attendants, was perhaps less afraid of offending Chi Yao due to their blood relation and their upbringing together. He spoke more casually, switching from “Your Excellency” and “Your Majesty” to “Chi Yao” when there was no need for formality.

Of course, when seeking Chi Yao’s help, he often flattered him with many compliments, such as Shi Xing’s remark, which sounded like something Fei Chu would casually say.

Shi Xing touched his nose and didn’t deny it; he added a rebuttal to himself, “I truly feel this way from the bottom of my heart.”

Chi Yao nodded, “Mm, Fei Chu always says this too.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Chi Yao’s smile dimmed, directing the conversation back to business, “Before you are allowed to use mental power, you must report to me; it’s to ensure you don’t act recklessly and neglect your own well-being. Now that half a year has passed, and you’ve performed well, I think I can return this authority to you.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t be careless and would make sure to maintain some mental power as a safeguard when attacking the beasts. At that time, I felt you already understood the boundaries, so I could confidently let you make the decisions.”

He paused for a moment, his tone softened considerably as he looked at the documents, his words warm yet resonant with Shi Xing’s heart.

“On another note, your identity will change when you return. While you have always followed my orders, I’ve never let go of that control over you, so the subordinates might not regard you seriously. You already have your own small squad; upon returning to the Imperial Capital, I intend to give you one as well. For many matters, you need to learn to make your own decisions and establish your authority.”

A good leader must possess their own intellect.

It was the same when asserting military power and managing certain political authority.

Shi Xing’s voice became soft, “I understand, Your Highness, you are doing this for me.”

It wasn’t exactly a profound declaration, but it carried a simplicity that surprised Chi Yao. He turned to look at Shi Xing and saw those notably bright eyes fixated on him, a surge of unidentifiable emotions rising in his heart, but in any case, it wasn’t unpleasant.

Chi Yao stared directly at Shi Xing, causing him to feel a bit strange. He waved his hand to Shi Xing.

Shi Xing walked closer to Chi Yao.

Chi Yao pulled him in front, pushed the projection screen back a bit, and playfully wrapped his arms around him, saying, “Didn’t you want to try your hand at politics? Xu Jin taught you that a few days ago, so share your thoughts.”

Shi Xing felt a bit nervous and concentrated his attention on the projection screen.

Chi Yao’s long fingers on Shi Xing’s shoulder lightly tapped, playful and pleasant in their rhythm.

After treating the two returning officers, Shi Xing indeed worked at a decent level—a rank SS and an SSS rank.

Recently, he hadn’t devoted much effort to treating Chi Yao; his mental threads had been growing rapidly, and treating others was quite easy.

After the treatment, the two officers expressed their gratitude, unsure how to repay him. One of them offered Shi Xing the two beast cores they had at home, and the other followed suit, finding a beast core and adding some high-grade crystals that almost equaled Red Ore. They all understood that this wasn’t enough to cover Shi Xing’s costs; they simply stated it was a small token of appreciation.

Shi Xing collected their tokens into a box and placed it on his desk. He felt really good looking at the kindness they extended towards him.

Before leaving, he unexpectedly found discussing matters with Tan Bai Shan more challenging than he had anticipated. He had made ample preparations, even pulling Fu Qing aside the day prior to practice some military theories until he was dizzy.

On meeting the next day, Tan Bai Shan only asked him a few questions, none of which were related to military matters.

Tan Bai Shan: “How deep into His Majesty’s mental sea can you reach now?”

“In other words, once the mental threads are finished growing, you’ll be able to use them to gain access to the middle layer?”

After Shi Xing nodded, Tan Bai Shan did the same.

The topic leaped drastically. “Has His Majesty mentioned stories from his childhood to you?”

Shi Xing shook his head.

Tan Bai Shan: “Has His Majesty shared any treatment requirements with you?”

Shi Xing shook his head again.

Tan Bai Shan understood, “Is it about providing treatment based on how much your abilities grow?”

Shi Xing nodded; Tan Bai Shan smiled, “No wonder His Majesty acts just like previous kings. He runs things in a similar manner.”

Tan Bai Shan: “How do you feel about being His Majesty’s partner? Is the military power something His Majesty desires, or do you wish to have it too? There’s no need to be nervous, just answer honestly.”

After hearing Shi Xing’s reply, Tan Bai Shan nodded, looking at Shi Xing again, muttering, “Seems I haven’t misjudged.”

At this point, Shi Xing couldn’t hold back any longer, countering with, “So, Marshal, don’t you want to ask me a few other questions? For example, regarding military corps management?”

Tan Bai Shan, being quite candid, shook his head, “No, that’s meaningless.”

Shi Xing: “…”

Tan Bai Shan: “Moreover, I am already prepared to support your decision. Whether I ask or not, it won’t change.”

Now it was Shi Xing’s turn to be astonished.

Tan Bai Shan followed up with two peculiar questions, “His Majesty’s young nephew, also a direct royal descendant, Bi Zhou, you know him, right? Do you know that since he entered the palace, his coursework has been extremely heavy, so much so that the Elders Council protested against His Majesty?”

Shi Xing certainly didn’t know.

But it seemed Tan Bai Shan didn’t want Shi Xing to respond.

“The last time I saw the royal family impose such a heavy academic workload was when the previous king was still alive; while training His Majesty… sigh.”

The final sigh was quite profound, leading Shi Xing to feel like Tan Bai Shan was hinting at something.

However, it was too vague for him to extract key information from those scattered remarks.

Tan Bai Shan concluded with a decisive point, “As His Majesty’s therapist, perhaps you should thoroughly understand His Majesty’s condition so that you can properly implement follow-up treatments.”

With that strange line of questioning finishing, the conversation shifted; Tan Bai Shan imparted some insights on leading troops, which Shi Xing found overwhelming but diligently noted down.

Before parting ways, as Shi Xing prepared to leave, his steps halted again as he turned back to Tan Bai Shan.

“You may ask anything, Young Prince.” Noticing the doubt in Shi Xing’s eyes, Tan Bai Shan said.

Shi Xing hesitated for a moment but still asked, “Marshal, Your Highness previously said you weren’t resolute in supporting me; what… caused the change in attitude now?”

Tan Bai Shan smiled.

“I have many written reasons, but I believe they aren’t what you wish to hear. Moreover, responding this way, given the relationship between the Tan family and you, seems overly insincere. The real reason isn’t as complicated as you think.”

Tan Bai Shan: “When His Majesty informed me, I supported their considerations as I felt Blue Star humans were fragile and needed more protection.”

“But you’ve shown me that you won’t always be His Majesty’s subordinate, merely following his commands; of course, His Majesty haven’t trained you to be a puppet…”

“Let’s put it this way: the personality you exude made me reach this decision.”

“If you want more details, it stems from how we hunted the 3S beasts; when His Majesty wanted to intervene, you resolutely refused and devised an effective plan.”

“My first reaction at that moment was shock, but upon reflection, I felt it was how it should be.”

“The partner of the imperial royal family and direct heirs should support each other; although you still need to grow, you’ve shown me that possibility. And with your capabilities, you shouldn’t be overlooked; if you’re gold, you will shine. I’m just a bit ahead of everyone in giving you support.”

“Once everyone truly recognizes you, I believe they will make the same decision as I did.”

Shi Xing found himself a bit embarrassed at the praise.

His gaze flickered for a moment; in fact, that day when Fei Chu proposed for Chi Yao to intervene, he had resolutely refused, something he hadn’t expected—a simple desire to not let Chi Yao’s health worsen.

Realizing what he had just said, he sought to brush it aside, hardly considering he was indirectly commanding the army.

Tan Bai Shan bringing it up made Shi Xing feel a bit undeserving.

However, he still desired the support of the Seventh Army, and as Shi Xing felt his ears growing hot, he mimicked Chi Yao’s calm demeanor, thick-skinnedly nodding his head, accepting such praise.

He also assured Tan Bai Shan, “Although I still need to grow, I will do my best to share the burdens on Your Highness’s shoulders.”

Pausing, with a sense of responsibility tied to his position, he added, “Once I have corresponding powers, I will promptly assume the corresponding responsibilities, Marshal.”

Since he had the audacity to accept accolades, before leaving once more, he mustered the courage to inquire, “You asked me so many questions, Marshal; were you perhaps hinting at something?”

Tan Bai Shan pondered for a moment, then didn’t answer but instead posed another question to Shi Xing.

“Little Prince, I’m actually quite curious; how do you regard His Majesty now? As the Emperor of the Empire, your superior, a relative, or perhaps a partner, a lover?”

Shi Xing was stunned by the question, his mind momentarily blank and unable to process.

He…

Tan Bai Shan chuckled lightly, not forcing the matter, “I may have crossed the line; please forgive me. As someone who has seen His Majesty grow, I tend to be more concerned about their lives and want to know more about those around them.”

Concluding the topic matter, he stated, “However, the earlier questions were simply from my position as a general concerned about His Majesty’s mental sea condition.”

Caught off guard by the question, Shi Xing at first didn’t feel its weight, but after leaving, he sensed it still harbored unspoken meanings.

Apart from the ones he couldn’t answer, after contemplating, Shi Xing’s focus landed on Tan Bai Shan’s summary.

—“As His Majesty’s therapist, perhaps you should thoroughly understand His Majesty’s condition so that you can properly implement follow-up treatments.”

Fully understanding his condition… Did that mean there was something he didn’t know?

Shi Xing pondered for an entire day, and before he left, he took a chance to probe Xu Jin.

Xu Jin’s response confirmed that he was right to focus his inquiries, as Xu Jin sidestepped his questions, advising him to ask Chi Yao, stating it was Chi Yao’s private matter and attendants shouldn’t meddle.

That night, Shi Xing didn’t dare to ask directly but tried probing around.

Chi Yao’s replies were inscrutable, as he responded with questions of his own.

Chi Yao: “Didn’t you see everything already? What do you think you still don’t understand? What else do you want to learn?”

Shi Xing was defeated by this line of questioning.

He wasn’t sure enough and swallowed back his thoughts.

Everyone officially returned on a clear day. After leaving, Shi Xing found himself unexpectedly missing the Northern Territory.

Before returning to the Imperial Capital, they had to stop at several cities, as Chi Yao had matters to attend to.

Parting ways with everyone in the Northern Territory left Shi Xing a bit dispirited for two days.

Arriving at the second city, learning they were hosting a festive celebration, Chi Yao suggested they go out and boost Shi Xing’s spirits.

Shi Xing indeed felt uplifted, but Fei Chu was even more excited than he was.

Yet, this celebration turned into an unforeseen event.

A beast descended from the sky, landing right before Shi Xing, deeply inhaling the air filled with Shi Xing’s scattered mental power.

At that moment, Shi Xing froze.

Completely dazed, he was caught off guard by the situation.

He had grabbed Yan Changyue to buy candy down this street, with only Fu Qing nearby, a distance away from Fei Chu and His Majesty.

While Shi Xing was frozen in place and facing the beast’s bared teeth and inevitable attack speed, he hadn’t even considered that Fu Qing was still by his side.

Fu Qing activated a barrier; the beast slammed into it.

Yan Changyue pulled Shi Xing to run in the opposite direction.

In a mere minute or two, the bustling commercial street transformed into a scene of chaos, with people fleeing in terror and screaming. Shi Xing’s heart raced, and his mind couldn’t catch up.

A beast? How could there be a beast?

Where did it come from?

How did he attract a beast?

His mind swirled with these questions.

In the midst of the busy street, a beast might disregard Imperial citizens, but Fu Qing couldn’t. The beast bit several residents, seizing the moment while Fu Qing was occupied to rush towards Shi Xing.

Just as it was about to reach Shi Xing, a terrifying pressure of mental power washed over them, enveloping Shi Xing while simultaneously cascading over the beast, pressing that hefty beast down, not stopping there.

With a sound of flesh tearing, it annihilated the low-tier beast in mid-air as if an invisible hand crushed an ant, accompanied by the sound of bones cracking, the beast soon turned into a puddle of flesh suspended in the air.

Only then did it dawn on Shi Xing that Chi Yao had released all his mental power.

The figure that appeared in his sight confirmed this thought.

A realization struck Shi Xing; he dashed towards Chi Yao.

Chi Yao was momentarily taken aback, thinking Shi Xing was frightened, and opened his arms to him.

Shi Xing bolted into Chi Yao’s embrace, and before Chi Yao could calm him down, Shi Xing pressed his hand onto Chi Yao’s cheek, enhancing their mental bond through contact, helping himself scan the area.

Indeed, his mental threads had fully grown, and he could resume treatment in just a couple of days.

As Chi Yao unleashed all his mental power, his mental sea became entirely open, and Shi Xing suddenly realized there was no better moment; he could personally see what secrets lay within the depths of the palace’s mental sea.

Then Shi Xing saw things he couldn’t comprehend.

Unexpectedly, as the other’s mental sea was completely open, his mental power breached straight into the core of Chi Yao’s mental sea.

It felt as if a force was drawing him in.

Shi Xing, within the inner layer of Chi Yao’s mental sea, saw an intricate pattern that was beyond his understanding, resembling a sigil pressed into the edges of Chi Yao’s mental sea, floating vibrantly atop the surface.

Upon sensing his mental power’s arrival, the energy-formed image exuded a soft glow, appearing almost gleeful.

This sensation resembled how the Mother Tree’s mental power felt to Shi Xing.

Shi Xing believed it was something left by the Blue Star humans, though he was unsure how it came about.

As his understanding deepened further, he finally saw the true core structure of Chi Yao’s mental sea.

Chi Yao’s mental sea’s core was…

Shattered.