Chao Huangmu looked up—and froze, finding Chu Zao’s face reflected in his clear black eyes.
Though a young man now, perhaps due to his immortal blood and the fact that his nature had never really changed—not to mention his face—Chao Huangmu still radiated that handsome, sunny, eternally youthful charm.
Chu Zao had just cupped his hands around his mouth, leaning in and dragging out his words beside Chao Huangmu’s ear—so close.
So close, Chao Huangmu, raising his head, nearly felt Chu Zao’s eyelashes brush his upturned black hair.
Chu Zao blinked, meeting Chao Huangmu’s gaze.
Chao Huangmu had rushed over right after his mission, only changing his clothes in haste.
His presence still carried a faint scent of blood and dust, layered with his own crisp freshness.
Being that close made Chu Zao’s cheeks slowly flush—
Ah, what childish, silly thing had he just done?
Chu Zao jerked back.
Chao Huangmu, a bit slow to process, just blinked.
—Zao Zao? Blushing?
He blanked for an instant, considering it.
Little Chu Zao sat on the bed, propping himself up, then after a few seconds, reached out and tentatively hugged Chao Huangmu’s neck.
“Brother Mu? Don’t be sad.”
Chu Zao was good at comforting people—
Ever since he noticed Chao Huangmu liked shiny things, he’d always think to bring them back for him.
Zao Zao wasn’t that interested himself.
But he always felt that when Chao Huangmu’s eyes lit up, he looked more genuine.
Though he usually smiled, Chu Zao, very sensitive to emotions, could tell he was rarely truly happy.
Chao Huangmu’s hand was still on the bedside. He paused, bent down, arms half-lifted, as if wanting to return the hug.
Yet his hand hung in midair, face a little dazed and with messy hair, his chin nearly resting on Chu Zao’s shoulder—he actually wanted to say he’d just gotten back from outside and had only changed clothes, so he was probably a bit dirty—don’t hug him.
But the words caught in his throat.
He just dropped his gaze—
Like like like—so like the little highness, so very much—
For many people, being seen through is not a pleasant experience.
But for Chao Huangmu, it was different; when Zao Zao smiled and handed him a gemstone or called him “Happy little Brother Mu,” he liked him; in drills, sharing food, he liked him; when the little highness chatted with others at the academy but showed him extra winks—he liked him even more.
He liked him so much, his power threatened to spiral loose from within, twining around Chu Zao’s hands and feet.
But he mustn’t.
He mustn’t.
“Oh, your chest is so hard.”
Chu Zao hugged him for a few seconds, then gently pushed him away, looking down to poke his chest.
“Brother Mu, you should get a massage therapy—your muscles are too tight.”
And, perhaps not just his imagination, prodding him seemed to tense them even more.
Chao Huangmu didn’t stand yet. He just raised his head, his voice a little dry, “I’ll go when I get the chance.”
“Brother Mu, Brother Mu—”
“Mm?”
Chao Huangmu looked at Chu Zao in confusion.
Chu Zao pointed to his earlobe.
“Your earring’s loose, looks like it’s about to fall.”
“Ah…”
Chao Huangmu reached up instinctively.
“Maybe I missed it when I changed clothes just now…”
A cool hand moved over, gently pushing the earring back into place.
His earlobe was a bit sensitive.
This time Chao Huangmu quickly stood up, backing two steps away.
Chu Zao cupped his face in his hands.
“Ametrine today? Looks good.”
Chao Huangmu: …
Chao Huangmu: ………
“Brother Mu, your ears…are red?”
They stared at each other for a moment; Chu Zao asked hesitantly.
The young man seemed stunned, not smiling.
It was impossible to say when he had grown so tall, his hair short and slightly messy, in a black Holy Cas uniform with undone buttons—his long coat hung nearly to his knees, his usual chilly eyes burning now, all calmness overtaken. His energy and emotion seemed to boil, almost as if he were aflame.
Chao Huangmu’s muscled arm tightened, eyes dropped, lost in thought and fidgeting with his ear.
The fevered heat in the air suddenly withdrew; that strange, pressing warmth vanished.
Chu Zao had no time to dwell on it—a voice sounded outside.
He looked up as Amos arrived at the door.
Chu Zao was nearly grown; Amos eventually left space for him.
He always knew where Chu Zao was, but didn’t constantly observe what he was doing.
With no Crown Clan peers, Chu Zao naturally played best with Chao Huangmu, something Amos understood. So seeing him here, Amos made no comment.
To Amos, loyalty and affection from his cub’s protector, plus Zao Zao’s fondness, met the standard.
Nothing superfluous needed.
“Baba!”
Chu Zao slid down from the bed, bounding to Amos.
Nearly an adult, yet still so childish.
“Fever’s gone.”
Amos placed a hand on Chu Zao’s forehead.
Chao Huangmu, snapping back, turned—right into Amos’s gaze. That cold stare swept over him, lingered a beat, then moved on, as if having considered something.
The pressure instantly made Chao Huangmu tense.
Chu Zao could read others’ emotions—his form of perception—but Amos’s gaze simply came from centuries of experience, overpowering on its own.
Chao Huangmu stood, saluted, and left—Chu Zao was awake and a new mission was likely soon; he had to gather himself.
Only when Chao Huangmu had left did Chu Zao bury himself in Amos’s arms.
“Baba, where’s Third Uncle? And Auntie? I think I saw Big Uncle, too?”
No longer feverish, Chu Zao mumbled, his curls messy—“Why do I have so many weird scenes in my memory? Baba, what did I do while I had a fever? My memory’s all sketchy, like partial blackouts? And I remember gnawing on great-grandpa’s crown? And it tasted…like mango?”
Maybe he imagined it?
This power-up had been huge. Near the end, his fever was so severe he was barely conscious and spent most of it in sleep.
“You did gnaw, but didn’t break it off.”
Amos even unusually smiled.
Chu Zao was baffled, looked up, then, doubting reality, dropped his head and slapped a hand over his face.
“Still uncomfortable?”
“No, Baba.”
His wings fluttered like when he was little; his voice was bright.
“I feel recharged, I could spar with Third Uncle anytime.”
“Feeney was sent out on recon yesterday; Frey’s not back yet; Feiman’s still with Ebinino—he’s improving, but still recovering. We’ll bring him back to the Holy Cas homeworld once things settle down.”
Chu Zao nodded. Back on the homeworld, there was the restorative angelic spring at the royal court for the Crown Clan. Maybe they could even help great-grandpa’s eyes.
But—where had Third Uncle gone?
“Recon?”
Chu Zao looked at Amos.
“He won’t get himself lost, will he? Those Aberrant Beast commanders are tricky, it could be dangerous.”
“If he can’t handle it, he shouldn’t come back.”
Amos was cold.
Chu Zao paused, trying to speak up for him.
“Actually, a lot of times it’s not Third Uncle’s fault… just his mouth.”
He could turn any situation against himself.
Amos brushed off Chu Zao’s clothes.
“As for the rest—Zao Zao, come to the meeting room.”
“Okay, Baba.”
Chu Zao followed Amos to the meeting room.
Navy Group Commander Yemeng saluted crisply; several Holy Sanctuary members stood nearby, now part of the Holy Cas First Army Group’s reserve, learning alongside the Ninth and Tenth Groups.
“Your Majesty, Little Highness—the starmap has been fully compiled, Aberrant Beast forces are being mapped, and the major commanders’ territories have all been roughly outlined.”
He stepped aside to let Chu Zao see Holy Cas’s efficiency.
Within a few days, Holy Cas had explored nearly a third of this unknown region and flagged all known Aberrant Beast commanders’ zones—the scale of the sector was immense.
Also—
“This is the seventh invitation from the Gesen Empire.”
An invitation from Gesen?
Chu Zao tilted his head at Amos.
If he remembered right, Gesen was an arrogant and detestable empire—not just malicious, but stupid.
From experience, even stymied, they’d always conjure up excuses to placate themselves and their people, as if this let them keep their superpower image, when really, they were hyper-sensitive.
Because of that, until they truly hurt, they’d never cooperate properly.
So…
“Did something happen while I was asleep?”
Chu Zao looked at Amos.
Amos smiled slightly.
“Not really. Frey made a circuit around Gesen.”
And dealt with some mecha teams that tried to interfere or resist Holy Cas.
Apparently that sent Gesen into panic.
They’d even arranged a “multinational summit” like old times, inviting all local leaders to their place for discussions.
Holy Cas, for its part, was utterly dismissive.
After figuring out the lay of the land.
Chu Zao nodded.
“Oh, they managed to provoke even Big Uncle?”
Despite being the most even-tempered among not just the Dwights but the Crown Clan, Frey was seldom riled.
So Chu Zao concluded,
“They really are nasty.”
The others there all perked up, some almost lost composure.
God, only this little highness could call them idiots and bad so cutely!
Amos seemed to smile, too.
“Zao Zao, what should we do next?”
Letting Zao Zao decide?
Chu Zao looked at Amos.
Amos seemed to have waited for his recovery just for this question.
As before, nothing changed—as if it was natural: It’s normal for the Holy Cas heir to direct his country’s external affairs.
“We don’t need nations like the Gesen Empire.”
Chu Zao replied.
“Those who resist end up eaten by beasts; the ones who pander survive the longest—they’re useless to us. The upper echelons need a purge, so they’ll learn—not to provoke Holy Cas lightly.”
Clearly this well-cared-for cub was raised with Crown Clan temperament; he looked up at Amos, curls bouncing.
“Right, Baba?”
“Right.”
Amos agreed instantly.
“And—”
Chu Zao said, lowering his gaze.
“It really is infuriating—”
He’d meant to focus on the beasts, but these stones kept gathering to block the road.
They wouldn’t cause much trouble, but they were a nuisance. Not to mention Holy Sanctuary’s unresolved grudge.
So many had been lost.
Yet Gesen still strutted on.
So—
“We’re set to depart.”
Amos smiled faintly.
“With these kinds of people, there’s no need for such high morals—baby.”
This dark tyrant, who once bloodily erased annoying nations and alliances, expanding Holy Cas’s reach, gazed down with scarlet eyes, giving Chu Zao’s head a light pat.
“Best clear the obstacles quickly.”
Amos said, glancing aside.
“Contact Feeney and check his position.”
“…Your Majesty.”
The soldier hesitated, but quickly reported.
“Prince Feeney—cannot be reached.”
Chu Zao and Amos turned, together—
At the same time, in just the kind of scene they both expected—
Having survived two days’ torture in the training room, Feeney finally escaped, looking weathered and worn.
His voice sounded drained, babyish face gloomy.
“Oh, you mean what we just experienced?”
“Spatial fluctuations—probably caused by pollution, Highness. This zone is unexplored, could be dangerous, all pollution monitors read question marks. We’ll have to retreat to areas with weaker pollution, but we’re unsure where we are and have lost contact with base.”
Feeney: “…Start repairs ASAP, broadcast all ship signals at full power.”
They couldn’t find the way—at this point, they could only let Amos and the others find them.
Feeney drooped, thinking—
I knew it.
Where have they dumped me this time!!!???
Meanwhile, in another star region.
A Hymn Organization ritual was proceeding smoothly.
Organization leaders all underwent scrutiny, releasing their hatred of immortals and receiving “god’s” power.
At this moment, Holy Cas’s fleet was long gone; this was a hidden base.
Shenghua seemed ready and waiting for her next orders.
She still wore her hood, face veiled as before, perhaps with a mask, so no one could see her clearly.
At the same time, Chastity and Charity of the Hymn Organization had already gone to another region, their targeted destination.
By “god’s” command, there, a stronger Stone of Divine Grace was said to be, offering greater power against immortals.
Whether it was the lone surviving, still-missing Spirit Eye Race, or the Crown Clan, soon even the Holy Chalice Clan under their protection would be annihilated.
“Truly a beautiful sight—”
Charity said.
“Don’t you agree?”
“Yes.”
Chastity chuckled softly under the cloak.
“But bringing the test subjects along as well, is that wise?”
“Of course. Sometimes they come in handy—especially for that half-blood Soul clan.”
Chastity said.
“And I know him better than anyone, I know what kind of guy he is. Don’t worry, he’ll value his life above all—I’m sure of this.”
Elsewhere, on another ship.
A small ship, remotely piloted and coded with a secret destination, took Xi forward.
All set, Xi lounged, head lowered.
Lost in thought, he suddenly let out a cold snort, then froze, got up, and went to the cargo hold, quickly rifling through until finding someone curled up inside.
Xi couldn’t believe it—he’d never noticed her presence.
“What are you doing here?! Weren’t you supposed to be at the ritual? Who’s there, if not you?”
“Haha—”
Shenghua looked up.
“So carefully arranged, and after all these years you still caught me early? You’re too sharp. But it’s fine, I avoided scans and verified auto-nav, mission complete.”
Throwing aside the aura-masking device, she drew a knife and lunged at Xi.
Xi dodged twice, stumbling back several steps.
Now Shenghua was by the instruments.
She cocked her head at him, “Encrypted destination, huh? Guess they don’t trust you much either—pretty cautious, like little turtles.”
She flipped the knife, eyes cold.
Seemed she no longer wanted to hide behind her hood.
No, maybe she’d always planned for this window.
“So, about the ritual—”
“If these people all showed up together, I wouldn’t have to jump through hoops. Just need them to appear—in front of Holy Cas or the Crown Clan nearby, they’d be done for—but how annoying, two slipped away.”
Shenghua smiled.
“I have to catch up now.”
“So you asked me about my missions, just for this.”
Xi steadied himself, glancing down at the cut on his chest.
Shenghua had been ruthless—no reservation at all, as if ready to eliminate him if he slowed her down.
“Yes… and no.”
Shenghua spun the knife.
“But since you told me to skip the ritual, I actually think better of you.”
Didn’t seem that way at all.
“So now, at the ritual?”
“Of course it’s a decoy. Never expected to use it, didn’t think I’d have to let that kid sacrifice herself—but now… Diligence is probably already caught by the Crown Clan, right? Haha, and with comms still down, Chastity and Charity won’t know.”
This was her only chance to wipe out the Hymn high command—to let her truly attend and show malice to the immortals? She’d be exposed, and besides, she found it sickening.
As Shenghua predicted, at the ritual base, a violent explosion triggered a huge signal—her decoy’s death; the Hymn group crash-landed on a small moon. Diligence hadn’t escaped when silver-black chains rained down.
In recent years, Holy Cas had sensed Shenghua’s vague presence.
Anya hovered overhead, looking down: “Here?…Hymn.”
Ah… better finish this quickly, meet up with Uncle Lien, then get to that region—he hadn’t seen Zao Zao in so long.
Xi had seen Shenghua play up to others—and to “god” too. Was it all an act?
And how did she dare do this?
“Maniac…”
Xi glared at Shenghua.
“Maniac? Haha, maybe I am?”
Was she willingly mad? She should have been a carefree young lady, headed for the Boel Alliance’s legal or commercial branch, meeting the little highness through diplomatic channels.
But when pollution began, when Hymn started hunting immortals, after her parents died, exiled and disgraced—maybe she’d already gone mad.
Pretending to shed her skin, her hate for those vile hands—she’d wanted to die. There was nothing left in the world for her, nothing to wait for. This world was filth.
But—before despair could finish her, a very different hand reached out…
Fighting aberrants, protecting citizens… again and again, Shenghua obsessively watched every available image and video; she wanted to give back just a little, until dirtier deeds from Hymn, and reading Holy Cas people’s words—
Turns out, there truly were people who, separated by thousands of miles, would, after just a few encounters, follow without hesitation forever. That wasn’t the vile, transactional loyalty of the Hymn—just something truly bright.
People under that light of Holy Cas were so happy.
Shenghua drew nearer, smiling.
“Of course, you can try to kill me or report me.”
But she wouldn’t sit still.
“The Soul clan is dangerous.”
Xi calmed down.
“You shouldn’t have come here.”
Shenghua quieted; her action was clean and sharp, so unlike her feigned awkwardness at fighting.
Xi retreated after two more cuts, then wrestled them both into the supply hold.
Xi tried to pin her and close the box.
Shenghua’s knife was embedded in him, but she grabbed his hair: “Hey, what are you doing? Take it seriously, will you?”
“The next scan’s nearly here. You’d better hole up here.”
Xi smelled of blood.
He raised dead-tired eyes.
“You were right—I should hate Hymn—”
Xi’s breath hitched.
“But I won’t take orders from you. You want to deal with Hymn, go ahead. I follow my orders, nothing else—”
So that meant…
Shenghua considered this Hymn-designated “absolutely loyal” man, slackening her grip, as Xi pinned her and the instrument in the box. Shenghua raised a brow.
Xi stood, looking downward, slightly grim, giving a cold laugh.
“I’ll deal with the Soul Clan. Don’t expect help from me, lunatic.”
*
Meanwhile.
Another part of the stars.
Gesen Empire.
They’d claimed to want to “discuss the future together,” but in fact invited only their vassals, the Holy Sanctuary, and the Eastern Alliance (benefiting from Holy Cas’s presence). Holy Sanctuary and the Eastern Alliance hadn’t arrived yet, but the vassals were gathered in Gesen’s conference room.
Emperor Yakai wasn’t present yet.
The leaders of these minor states all looked around at one another.
Finally, someone whispered,
“Anything on your end?”
“Nothing here, I’m not on Holy Cas’s route.”
“My side lost several mecha units…What about the Empire?”
“The Empire’s much stronger than us. Anyway, since Holy Cas accepted the invite and is coming, there must be room for negotiation. The Empire has ways.”
“Yes, yes…”
Emperor Yakai stood at the door, face livid.
He hadn’t entered yet, listening to the conversation, looking extremely somber.
Only he knew, Holy Cas had never responded to their invitation.
But one thing was clear: When a power is strong enough to terrify, its name will echo across space—
Like now, with Holy Cas Empire suddenly appearing before them.