ABRIWMTHM Chapter 76

Xu Jin was overjoyed to hear that Chi Yao had woken up. He dropped the palace affairs at hand and hurried over.

Upon entering, he found Chi Yao had just finished washing up. Due to the binding effects of the contract, his condition had not completely recovered. He sat with his arms outstretched, allowing the attendant Yan Changyue to help him don his ceremonial robes and accessories.

Taking a breath, Xu Jin performed a bow. “Your Majesty, you are awake.”

Chi Yao nodded slightly.

Xu Jin stepped forward, and Yan Changyue understood, handing over the items he was holding to Xu Jin and preparing for the upcoming departure.

Xu Jin asked, “I heard from Changyue that you are going to Central Park now?”

Chi Yao half-closed his eyes, his expression unreadable. He replied flatly, “Yes.”

Xu Jin hesitated, “But you haven’t had lunch yet.”

Chi Yao had anticipated this, saying, “The royal family’s spaceship is slow. I have had Changyue take lunch aboard; we can eat on the way.”

Understanding that Chi Yao wasn’t skipping lunch, Xu Jin nodded.

As he was fastening the brooch, Chi Yao suddenly thought of something and ordered, “Have the military battleship bring Wei Wan back. I need to know the specifics of the diplomatic receptions from yesterday and today.”

Xu Jin replied, “I will arrange that immediately.”

Once dressed, Chi Yao stood up and looked in the full-length mirror. He was appropriately attired, dignified and imposing.

His gaze fell on the customized brooch representing the royal family at his collar, and he abruptly asked, “Xu Uncle, did you arrange a brooch for Shi Xing as well?”

After a morning of barbs exchanged, by lunch, Wei Wan and a group of civil servants felt a bit fatigued.

On the way to the banquet for the diplomatic officials, an attendant whispered a few words in Wei Wan’s ear. Startled, Wei Wan realized something and said, “Please wait a moment.”

Turning to find Tang Mi, she pulled him aside and whispered, “Your Majesty might have awakened.”

Tang Mi was taken aback. “Really?”

“Shh.” Wei Wan lowered her voice again. “The palace didn’t specify, only told me to return and sent a battleship. At this time, the palace can give such orders… In short, this afternoon, Jian Miller will certainly be difficult to deal with. The protocols for His Majesty’s outing are also cumbersome. I will return later, so you manage things here as best as you can.”

Realizing Chi Yao had woken up, Tang Mi instantly perked up, nodding enthusiastically.

Thinking further, Tang Mi asked, “Should we inform the young prince, the Elders Council, and the Senate?”

Wei Wan pondered for a moment, shaking her head. “We don’t know when they’ll arrive. Everyone is tense right now; this status quo is fine. If we let them rely on His Majesty and then dampen their spirits, it could backfire.”

Tang Mi understood.

Wei Wan gave a few more instructions and left with the attendant to board the battleship.

As the palace arranged the necessary protocols as swiftly as possible, Chi Yao stepped out just as Wei Wan arrived at the palace, disembarking from the battleship.

“Your Majesty, good afternoon.”

Suppressing her excitement, Wei Wan bowed to Chi Yao.

Chi Yao nodded. “Let’s go; we can talk on the spaceship.”

He added, “Wei Wen hasn’t had lunch yet; let him join us.”

The meal was arranged simply, consisting of easily digestible foods that were also easy to eat. Chi Yao and Wei Wan remained silent, finishing lunch in a little over ten minutes. As Wei Wan anticipated, Chi Yao had her report on the diplomatic situation of the past two days.

Having served under Chi Yao for over ten years and sitting at the position of the head secretary, Wei Wan naturally knew what Chi Yao was specifically interested in. She covered everything meticulously but focused on key points, summarizing the situation in just under ten minutes.

Chi Yao was initially surprised and chuckled softly, “Shi Xing took the initiative?”

Mentioning this made Wei Wan somewhat helpless as she nodded. “It was the young prince who took the initiative, but he consulted me and Tang Mi before taking any action. We all thought it was better to proactively tackle the League’s arrogance, rather than passively waiting for provocations.”

To her surprise, the outcome was excellent, and the League’s diplomats were left bewildered by Shi Xing’s actions.

Chi Yao lowered his head, his smile widening.

His long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest, and after laughing, he asked, “What about the Senate and Elders Council? Did the other reception officials have any reaction? They didn’t try to stop it?”

“Chairman Ren did want to, but perhaps he didn’t have time.”

“Afterwards,” Wei Wan added candidly, “the arrogance of Tian Yuan Star’s diplomats was quelled, and they didn’t cause any further trouble.”

Chairman Ren had less room to intervene.

“What was their reaction when they left?” Chi Yao asked again.

When Wei Wan reported that neither the Senate nor the Elders Council showed excessive enthusiasm, Chi Yao’s long eyelashes covered his eyes as he remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, “The boundary line established over three hundred years ago has brought unprecedented cooperation and unity to the planets within the Twin Star Galaxy. Back then, the Empire and the League maintained a very close relationship, both being part of the same star system and comrades in arms.”

“Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen grew up during the period when the Empire and the League had the most harmonious relations; they were both witnesses and participants.”

“But the beast tides, which were once as destructive as locust swarms, have passed. Stability has lasted long enough, the League itself has experienced a fracturing governmental structure, and with no common external enemy, internal contradictions within the galaxy have gradually resurfaced in recent years.”

“Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen are holding onto the past, and their diplomatic thinking hasn’t transitioned. However, over the years, they’ve put in effort, and with their terms nearing completion, I had originally planned to overhaul the Empire’s diplomatic policies after the Senate and Elders Council changed leadership…”

A smile appeared on Chi Yao’s face. “However, it seems I worried too much. In the last few years of their terms, they aren’t completely resistant to change.”

Hearing this, Wei Wan understood.

His Majesty not only didn’t blame the young prince but felt that the young prince’s actions helped him resolve certain difficulties and forcefully encouraged the Elders Council and Senate to change their stance.

And as it turned out, even though Chairman Ren and Speaker Wei were close to finishing their terms, as long as this change was initiated, they weren’t rigid to the end.

Understanding this layer of reasoning, Wei Wan couldn’t help but smile. “It’s indeed an unexpected delight.”

Chi Yao said, “Stars always bring many surprises.”

Wei Wan pondered whether that statement was praising his partner with pride or just stating facts, but seeing Chi Yao’s genuine smile brought her sincere joy.

The morning had been filled with mutual banter without pause.

Moreover, after the first day of being dumbfounded, Jian Miller adapted well, engaging with Shi Xing not only in competitive banter but in a more nuanced manner.

Dealing with Shi Xing was not easy for him, especially since Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen initially gave Miller some face. However, after hearing more of Tian Yuan Star’s sarcastic remarks, their tolerance began to wane, and their attitude became increasingly firm.

While it was a good thing, the visit to Central Park was still scheduled for the afternoon…

In other words, the mutual torment was not yet over…

Nonetheless, Shi Xing consistently surprised everyone with his methods. After lunch, the League’s diplomats were itching to take a jab at Shi Xing again, waiting in the lounge for a considerable time until they were visited by a palace attendant.

“I’m sorry, but the princes need a little more time; His Royal Highness and His Excellency Bi Zhou have the habit of taking a nap after lunch.”

The diplomats were stunned.

Jian Miller scoffed, “The Empire’s royal family is truly pampered.”

The attendant smiled back, “Naturally, each prince is a pillar of the Empire and should maintain the healthiest lifestyle, balancing work and rest.”

The attendant continued, “The notification has been delivered. If any of you wish to take a nap as well, we can arrange that. If needed, please inform the guards, as the Empire will make arrangements for you.”

Miller replied curtly, “No need.”

The attendant nodded, excused himself, and departed.

After a sufficient rest, the diplomats began to grow impatient, and at last, Shi Xing and Bi Zhou arrived—albeit quite late.

Especially Shi Xing, who yawned continuously as he walked. In the eyes of the diplomats, this was not only minor damage but a considerable insult.

They felt even more energized compared to Shi Xing. How infuriating!

Unperturbed by the underlying grumblings, Shi Xing arrived, perfunctorily greeted them, and resumed the tour of Central Park.

After a night of worries, Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen were keen to explore, and in the afternoon, as expected, Miller suggested visiting the Ancient Royal Tomb.

What was meant to come did not avoid them, and Shi Xing nodded, still maintaining his leisurely demeanor, making it hard to gauge his depth.

However, after a morning of interactions, Miller had gained enough insight into Shi Xing to confirm without a doubt that he was a Blue Star human. At the same time, he pondered on the sharp questions to ask once they entered the Ancient Royal Tomb. Shi Xing likely wouldn’t have answers, and the internal promotions regarding the League would have their headline stories ready.

They just needed to get there and thoroughly show their superiority.

Shi Xing was also aware.

However, he thought of a rather poor idea and glanced at the military officers among the diplomats, finding it somewhat viable.

He initially thought that the Empire’s high-ranking officers had enough issues with their mental seas.

To his surprise, he realized he had not witnessed enough.

Compared to the questions plaguing the League’s officers, the Empire’s officers were indeed receiving more medical resources and conditions that far exceeded those of the League.

Of course, this had much to do with the existence of Blue Star humans.

And this was an advantage he could exploit.

Without attacking with mental power, Shi Xing found a vast area of opportunity to express himself.

Upon arriving at the Ancient Royal Tomb, they found guards stationed at the entrance.

As Miller stepped forward, Shi Xing leisurely interjected, “Wait.”

The League’s diplomats all turned to Shi Xing.

Miller spoke subtly, “Is there something wrong, Your Highness?”

Shi Xing didn’t even spare Miller a glance, disinterestedly retorting, “To host you all, I didn’t rest enough during the afternoon nap. However, as a member of the royal family, this is within my duties.”

In the next moment, his expression grew solemn. “While I don’t have any health issues, there is a rule I must remind you of.”

Shi Xing maintained a steady tone, stating, “Citizens of the Empire must bow to the royal family. This custom is simple and has been upheld for many star cycles.”

“The Ancient Royal Tomb rests the remains of the Empire’s royal family. If I am correct, when you met with us, the officials from your planets did not adhere to the Empire’s ceremonial customs when greeting royalty, right?”

Before the diplomats could speak, Shi Xing raised a hand to halt their explanations and continued.

“The Empire respects the cultural practices of the League’s various planets and does not hold it against you.”

“But the significance of the Ancient Royal Tomb is different for the Empire. Not bowing to us is not an issue, but entering the tomb without bowing to our ancestors cannot be justified, can it?”

Miller frowned, recalling that only the diplomats from Tian Yuan Star had failed to bow.

As expected, Shi Xing decisively concluded, “Diplomats from the League who wish to enter must first bow before the Ancient Royal Tomb to show respect.”

It must be said that Shi Xing’s assertion was indeed strong. If they bowed, the persistence of the first day would be in vain; if they failed to comply, Shi Xing could use this as an excuse to bar them from entering.

Miller found himself in a dilemma.

But they had prepared several strategies.

Without Miller speaking up, one of the military officers from Tian Yuan Star stepped forward, boldly stepping close to the yellow line drawn before the Ancient Royal Tomb and declaring, “Since the Empire’s royal family respects Tian Yuan Star’s culture and is so open-minded, surely our ancestors are not petty individuals, and even if we do not follow the Empire’s rituals, they won’t hold it against us.”

Speaking shamelessly, he added, “How about if we each take a step back and bow according to Tian Yuan Star’s ceremonies instead?”

Shi Xing observed the military officer standing on the edge of the yellow line and reminded, “This officer should watch his step.”

Before he could finish, the military officer appeared to search for something while taking a step back, unwittingly stepping fully across the yellow line, intending to play the fool before Shi Xing finished his warning.

Shi Xing’s words faltered, and his eyes narrowed.

In the next moment, there was a burst of mental power.

No one felt any aggressiveness, yet the military officer cried out in pain, kneeling instantly.

Shi Xing walked up to the officer, his face expressionless, moving at a steady pace but exuding an indescribable sense of pressure.

He took a step forward and repeated, “Stay behind the yellow line.”

As his mental power intensified, the military officer, who had just begun to stand, suddenly buckled at the knees, his face paling as he dropped back to the ground.

Moving forward once more, Shi Xing said, “Please do not cross.”

As the mental power continued, beads of cold sweat formed on the military officer’s forehead, visibly in great distress.

Shi Xing stood before him and finished, “Any crossing of the line will be dealt with according to the Empire’s standards.”

It was unclear what Shi Xing had done, but the officer, letting out a cry of anguish, rolled on the ground in pain, clutching himself without concern for his image.

Miller was taken aback. “What did you do?”

Shi Xing looked at the officer at his feet, maintaining his mental power. Out of sight, his originally gentle mental power stabbed harshly at the injury in the officer’s mental sea; painful in the way one might prod a wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding.

Calmly, Shi Xing stated, “A small punishment serves as a great warning, why is the scholar panicking?”

“Everyone should realize that I did not harm him.”

Of course, it was a lie.

Miller, General Wei, and General Li Yu exchanged glances. Shi Xing had not retracted his mental power. The military officer from Tian Yuan Star rolling on the ground was already begging for assistance.

Miller’s expression shifted multiple times before finally raising his voice, “Stop! Is this how the Empire treats League diplomats, even humiliating them? Does the Empire not want to engage in diplomatic talks with the League?!”

“Does the Empire wish to sever diplomatic ties?!”

The phrase “sever diplomatic ties” was something Shi Xing had never uttered in such an acute context as pressure, but Miller, in his frantic state, had accused the Empire.

Ren Yan Yong’s face fell, “Scholar, be cautious with your words!”

But Miller seemed to be at his limit. “They say ignorance is no excuse. How can League diplomats be treated this way while not understanding the significance of the yellow line? What is the Empire’s intention?!”

“The Empire must give us an explanation for this.”

When Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen felt that the situation was becoming tricky, Shi Xing appeared calm. Yet before he could speak, a familiar voice with authoritative mental pressure came from a distance, asking, “What kind of explanation?”

At that moment, Shi Xing was taken aback, and in the next instant, he turned with everyone else.

In their line of sight, Chi Yao, dressed in formal attire, marched toward them accompanied by a group of attendants.

Ren Yan Yong and Wei Zhen exchanged glances, briefly filled with the urge to cry.

Shi Xing felt excited too, though after the surge of excitement came a wave of concern and fear.

Chi Yao looked less boisterous than usual, his expression not quite right, causing Shi Xing to worry about his condition.

And just the thought of what Chi Yao might have done before sleeping left everyone feeling uneasy!

As he watched Chi Yao approach step by step, the authority of the direct line of the Empire and a slight concern restricted Shi Xing, making him feel rooted to the spot.

When Chi Yao finally reached him, the Empire’s citizens bowed respectfully, and Shi Xing remained silent, following suit.

Once standing again, he softly called, “Your Highness.”

Chi Yao’s expression was inscrutable, and he simply nodded.

Shi Xing asked in low tones only they could hear, “You’re awake; how is your health…”

His hand subconsciously rose, but was gently grasped by Chi Yao, who shook his head lightly, responding inaudibly, “It’s fine; you can see for yourself.”

It was a voice wrapped in mental power, inaudible to others.

Only then did Shi Xing recall his gifted abilities and quickly utilized them.

Upon inspection, he found that the contract’s energy had indeed begun to contract, though some residual effects remained, not completely dissipated.

Chi Yao shouldn’t have hurried over like this, yet… he still came.

As for the reasons behind it, Shi Xing could guess, feeling a mix of emotions, both touched and helpless.

Shi Xing murmured, “I can handle it.”

Chi Yao cast a glance at the scene, smiling slightly. “With it this messy, are you sure you want to say that?”

Shi Xing choked up.

Ignoring the League diplomats who dared not unleash their mental powers, he transmitted his healing mental energy to Chi Yao through their grasped hands.

Sensing that Chi Yao’s mental sea was accepting it and that the drowsy energy had ceased to arise, Shi Xing exhaled in relief.

He gazed intently at Chi Yao, whose light blue eyes were filled with a blend of concern and caring, sparkling under the sunlight.

Seeing this made Chi Yao’s throat move slightly, as if wanting to reach out and touch Shi Xing’s under-eye area, but he held back, considering the moment.

Chi Yao’s arrival was unexpected for everyone.

As the Empire attended to the formalities, the diplomats whispered to one another, puzzled by this turn of events and apprehensively anticipating the next developments due to Chi Yao’s presence.

As Ren Yan Yong, Wei Zhen, and Miller engaged in back-and-forth remarks, Chi Yao listened intently to the entire account of the confrontation that had erupted before the Ancient Royal Tomb.

Using this time, Shi Xing also transmitted a substantial amount of his healing energy to Chi Yao through their connection.

As Chi Yao nodded in acknowledgment, signaling that he understood, Shi Xing felt Chi Yao’s mental sea stabilize entirely with his assistance.

Knowing that Chi Yao would take the lead from this point forward, Shi Xing relaxed his grip and felt a sense of unexpressed apprehension bubble up, wanting to subtly step back and stand next to Bi Zhou.

However, he had just taken a step backward when Chi Yao reached out and caught him.

“Why are you hiding?”

Shi Xing: “…”

Chi Yao: “Come here.”

Shi Xing, feeling awkward, followed Chi Yao’s guiding hand and once again stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

However, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being led to stand by Chi Yao’s side.

Once settled, Chi Yao remarked, “You’ve forgotten something.”

Then, right before the eyes of everyone present, he received a brooch identical to the one he was wearing from Xu Jin and meticulously pinned it onto Shi Xing.

Shi Xing felt a bit uncomfortable under the gaze of everyone.

Sensing Chi Yao’s kindness, he couldn’t imagine the degree of suppressed rage beneath Chi Yao’s smiling face regarding his earlier actions.

It was too daunting to consider.

After affixing the brooch, Chi Yao patted Shi Xing’s collar with tender gentleness.

Turning to Miller, who was passionately protesting, he nodded in agreement, “Shi Xing did somewhat overstep.”

Before Miller could seize the opportunity to vent again.

Chi Yao’s mental energy suddenly erupted.

And in the next moment, a scene left everyone astounded—the pressure of Chi Yao’s mental energy compelled every diplomat from Tian Yuan Star to bow respectfully toward the Empire’s Ancient Royal Tomb despite their reluctance.

Even the one who had been rolling on the ground was lifted by mental power and made to bow.

Chi Yao’s mental power was overwhelming, leaving no room for resistance among the diplomats from Tian Yuan Star.

Though they were boiling with rage internally, their bodies remained like puppets on strings, unable to express their thoughts verbally.

Overwhelmed by Chi Yao’s mental force, they entirely lost control of their bodies.

When Chi Yao retracted his mental force, the few officers who had been attempting to resist instantly collapsed to the ground.

Their fierce resistance resulted in either minor or significant injuries from Chi Yao’s mental energy.

In the ensuing silence, Chi Yao smiled, “Isn’t this much better?”

“Since everyone has bowed, shall we proceed inside?”