Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 47

Ling Xiao woke up with a sore back and waist pain. Even the recovery ability that the Tianxiu people pride themselves in surrendered in front of the challenge of seven times in one night. Ling Xiao didn’t want to recall how he cried and begged for mercy last night, yet Ying Feng actually did it seven times as promised. Ling Xiao silently cursed Ying Feng countless times in his mind, not wanting to admit that it was he who had first suggested the idea of seven times in a night.

Glancing at the time, it was already noon. Ling Xiao sniffed and could sense Ying Feng’s scent all over him. Perhaps this was what dulled his senses and gave him the illusion that his partner was beside him all along, allowing him to sleep until now.

He turned over and lay on the bed, feeling gloomy. If he had known that Ying Feng’s so-called necessary method was like this, he would have never agreed. However, what was done was done. He tried to console himself that they both got what they needed. After their physical intimacy, his soul no longer felt the unease of being lost.

While Ying Feng’s methods might be simple and crude, they had the intended effect. Ling Xiao eventually drifted off to sleep again, and by the time he woke up, it was already dusk. At some point, Ying Feng probably came back, but Ling Xiao was deeply asleep, only inferring Ying Feng’s return by the disturbed items on the table.

To his surprise, Ling Xiao slept the entire day without Ying Feng by his side. When he woke up, he was starving but felt too lazy to move. He quickly ordered some food from a 2D network convenience store using his personal terminal. Thinking back to what Ying Feng said last night, he decided to treat himself. In no time, a plethora of food items filled his teleportation device.

Ling Xiao alternated between sleeping and eating, catching up on all the rest he missed out on in the past few days. Ying Feng probably found this routine effective and ensured they repeated it a few times. At first, Ling Xiao protested, then yelled, but eventually gave in, realizing that whenever Ying Feng intended to get intimate, his body instinctively responded. In the end, he couldn’t resist.

Thus, Ling Xiao spent three full days without getting out of bed and never once mentioned training. Thanks to advanced technology, he could indulge in more than just energy bread and even gained some weight. The critical three-day period swiftly passed, and both his body and the soul within finally synchronized, becoming one. All the negative effects caused by their initial rejection of each other vanished. When Ling Xiao woke up, he felt rejuvenated.

Eagerly, he went to report to Yao Tai, who, unlike him, seemed a bit tired. Ling Xiao’s first thought was that her fatigue had to do with the recent investigation.

“Doctor Yao, what happened after they took you away that day?”

Yao Tai mustered some energy and replied, “Nothing. They just questioned me and then sent me back. Don’t worry about it.”

She was telling the truth, but she omitted the part about another colleague being suspended. “You look refreshed. Have you been resting well recently?”

Thinking about how he “rested”, Ling Xiao looked a bit uncomfortable. Although Yao Tai could somewhat guess the reason, she didn’t dwell on it. She always saw Ying Feng as a distant and cold figure. It was hard to imagine him getting intimate with someone.

“Come, let’s do a checkup.”

Ling Xiao obediently laid down. After Yao Tai conducted a basic examination, she was shocked by the results: a mental rating of C. In just a few days, he had improved from E- to C, which was an incredible progress rate.

In the medical community, a D rating was considered a critical threshold in mental evaluations. Falling below it often led to worsening conditions, while improvements were rare. Yet, Ling Xiao not only improved but jumped two grades at once, which was a rarity even for experienced doctors like Yao Tai.

Though recovery speed depended on the individual’s mental strength, the role of the Qizhu couldn’t be underestimated. Yao Tai was left wondering what method Ying Feng employed to bring about such a dramatic improvement in Ling Xiao in such a short time.

“Congratulations on your psychological rating rising to C. You have escaped the low-risk level and are now in a sub-healthy state. With a bit more effort, you can fully recover to normal.”

Unfortunately, the mental trauma couldn’t be healed. Yao Tai felt a silent regret in her heart.

But Ling Xiao was already very happy. “Really? Can I apply for Royal Sky now?”

“Apply where?”

“Royal Sky Military Academy.”

“Of course not. Military academies have especially high requirements for psychological quality. The minimum standard is B. For top schools like Royal Sky, you must reach A to be eligible to apply.”

The pride that had just risen in Ling Xiao’s heart fell again. “Really?”

Seeing his obvious disappointment, Yao Tai knew she might have been a bit too harsh and reassured him, “But you have a great ability to recover. I believe it’s only a matter of time before you rise to A-level. Royal Sky has two entrance exams every year. There’s still some time before the next one. Just work hard to improve your psychological rating.”

Indeed, Ling Xiao was uplifted by her words. “I definitely will!”

Seeing his spirited look, Yao Tai wasn’t surprised at his astonishing progress. As she always believed, Ling Xiao was always a strong person capable of overcoming any setback.

She opened the door, and a person stood with their back to her. Hearing the noise, the person turned around.

“Is it over?”

Yao Tai noticed that Ying Feng had changed somewhat, but she couldn’t pinpoint how. “The check is done. His psychological assessment has risen to C, which is beyond my expectations.”

She then complimented Ying Feng for the first time after the coming-of-age ceremony. “You did well. I don’t know how you did it, but keep it up.”

Ling Xiao came out at this moment. Yao Tai looked at both of them. She felt that although their journey ahead was long, they had come far already. Fate brought these two people together, with their unexpected pairing and contrasting personalities. It was hard to tell if this was destiny’s way of blessing or playing tricks on them.

“Your trial is today, right? Have the military people come?”

Ying Feng nodded. “They are already waiting outside.”

Yao Tai also nodded. “Go on then. Don’t be nervous. Emphasize that you were a fledgling at the time. As long as you show remorse, you will surely get a lighter sentence.”

The two left Yao Tai and came to the main door, where two sergeants waited.

“Are they the first group or the second?” Ling Xiao whispered.

Upon recognizing the badges, Ying Feng responded, “They’re from Fu Yao’s side.”

Ling Xiao was relieved, naturally holding a grudge against those who had previously taken Yao Tai away.

Fu Yao’s men were courteous, leading them onto an aircraft, setting off from Bikong.

At the same time, Fu Yao was also preparing to head to his destination.

“How do you plan to deal with them?” his Qizi asked on the way.

“To deal with them,” Fu Yao said elongating his tone. “Daring to steal from the base, such audacity. If we don’t imprison them for a few years, how will they learn their lesson?”

His Qizi was a bit anxious. “But they were just fledglings when they stole, acting out of curiosity. Both are excellent talents without any ideological errors. It’s a waste to imprison them now.”

“Oh.” Fu Yao pretended to listen. “Since you say so… let’s have them clean the Royal Sky playground for a year.”

His Qizi was somewhat speechless. “You had already decided, hadn’t you? And the precondition for this punishment is that they get admitted to Royal Sky.”

Feigning innocence, Fu Yao replied, “You said, don’t waste talent. Tianxiu needs warriors, not prisoners. Only in Royal Sky can their strengths truly be utilized.”

The four met outside the courtroom. Fu Yao observed Ling Xiao’s complexion, teasing, “Seems like you two get along even better than I imagined.”

Now knowing his identity and having heard many of his battle tales, Ling Xiao admired this shorter-than-him Major General. “Hello, sir. I’ve seen your battle videos on the Royal Sky campus network. They’re amazing. The first time we met, because you looked… um…”

Confused, Ling Xiao turned to Ying Feng, wondering why he had covered his mouth.

Ying Feng acted as if nothing happened. “We’re ready.”

Fu Yao smirked. “Then…”

“Wait.”

He didn’t like being interrupted. But seeing the insignia on the speaker, his face darkened.

The two new arrivals showed Fu Yao a document. “Sir, per higher-ups’ instructions, we’ll take custody of these two from now on. Please let them go.”

Fu Yao grabbed it rudely, quickly skimmed through it, and handed it to his Qizi, who also checked it carefully. In the end, the latter gave a slight nod of approval. Fu Yao cast a threatening look over the two repeatedly.

The subjects of his gaze stared solemnly ahead, pretending not to notice his actions. His final gaze landed on Ying Feng. He then sidestepped, allowing space for one person to pass.

“Please.” The soldier gestured to Ling Xiao and Ying Feng, signaling that they likely had no choice but to move on.

The four of them passed through the narrow path. As Ying Feng brushed past Fu Yao, Fu Yao’s wrist came closer. Ying Feng, understanding the gesture, discreetly connected his terminal to Fu Yao’s, producing a beep audible only to them, instantly exchanging their communication methods. It was only after they were out of Fu Yao’s sight that Ying Feng discreetly checked the message from Fu Yao: [Contact me if anything happens.]

The soldiers took them to an unknown location and specifically asked for Ling Xiao to enter alone. As Ling Xiao was about to step forward, Ying Feng stopped him.

“Where are you taking my Qizi?” Instead of using Ling Xiao’s name, he referred to him as “my Qizi”, emphasizing his point. Even Ling Xiao detected the emphasis in his words.

“He is the one who stole the drugs. We need to interrogate him separately. Please wait here.”

“I refuse,” Ying Feng responded firmly. “According to the law, you have no right to question him without me present. Any statement he makes or agreement he signs without me present can be rendered invalid.”

“This is a military order.”

“The military must also abide by the law.”

The two soldiers hadn’t expected Ying Feng to be even more difficult than Fu Yao. They exchanged a glance; one stayed behind while the other quickly left.

After a short while, he returned and whispered to the first soldier, who nodded in understanding.

“You are approved to be present during the interrogation,” he gestured for them to proceed, “Let’s go.”

Thus, Ling Xiao, unsure of what was happening, followed Ying Feng into a room. There sat a military officer whose rank, judging by the insignia, was no lower than Fu Yao’s.

“Please sit,” the officer said with an air of arrogance. Ling Xiao and Ying Feng sat opposite him. The officer’s gaze remained on Ling Xiao, and after a while, he finally asked. “You’re Ling Xiao?”

Ling Xiao thought he was asking the question knowingly but still answered, “Yes.”

“You broke into the base’s lab and stole prohibited drugs. Your Qizhu is complicit. By the rules, both of you should be sentenced to at least thirty years.”

Both were taken aback. While Ying Feng managed to maintain his composure, Ling Xiao exclaimed, “How can it be so long?”

“However,” the officer continued, “Considering you were fledgling at the time of the incident and lack of malicious intent, the military offers you a second choice. Not only will you avoid imprisonment, but you will also receive assistance from the military.”

“What are the conditions?” Ying Feng asked calmly.

The officer’s eyes remained on Ling Xiao. “We want you to participate in a secret biological program, lasting at least a year. Whatever happens during this time, whomever you meet, you must not disclose.”

“Details.”

“We have an essential test subject currently in cryo. To revive him, we need a blood transfusion. We require your blood, once a week. This deal is beneficial for you.”

“Why specifically his blood? As a Qizhu, my blood regeneration capabilities are stronger. Shouldn’t you choose me instead?”

The officer then turned to Ying Feng. “Only the blood of a Qizi who has just completed the bonding ceremony meets our requirements, and he fits both criteria. Our test subject is weak and can’t accept the blood type of a Qizhu. That’s why we chose him.”

“I…” Ling Xiao finally spoke. “Can I know the purpose of this experiment? Who is this person you are trying to revive? What will you do with him once he’s awake?”

“That’s not your concern. You can now choose to accept or go to prison. I believe you both understand the flaws in your testimony. If investigated further, the punishment might exceed what I mentioned earlier.”

Ling Xiao hesitated for a long while. “I accept.”

Ying Feng didn’t expect him to agree so quickly, sounding somewhat displeased. “You just accept their terms so easily? You don’t even know what they really intend to do.”

“Do I have any other choice?” Ling Xiao calmly retorted. “If I don’t agree, I’ll be imprisoned for thirty years, and so will you.”

The military officer across from them flashed a smug smile.

Ying Feng fell silent. Without a better solution, he had no grounds to persuade Ling Xiao to accept imprisonment. Perhaps from the start, their adversaries had not left them with any room to choose. The military’s objectives were clear-cut, and as two students who had just come of age, they had no power to resist.

With a wave of the officer’s hand, a document was promptly presented by someone behind him. “If you’ve reached an agreement, sign at the back of the confidentiality agreement. Once your name is on it, there’s no turning back. Think it through.”

With no other options, Ling Xiao picked up the pen, about to sign his name, when his hand was held by Ying Feng.

“Wait.”

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