Chapter 28

Xia You remained rooted in her spot for a good while, only stirred when the panther strolled to her side, growling softly at the little tiger perched on her shoulder.

The little tiger recoiled and promptly scampered down from Xia You, sitting neatly beside her feet.

Lu Yinghuai's strides were firm and natural, as if those legs had never been afflicted by illness.

Uncommonly, Xia You ignored the large cat greeting her nearby and the barely noticeable little cat nuzzling her. Instead, she fixed her gaze on Lu Yinghuai for a moment before abruptly pulling Meng Wenxuan to a secluded corner.

Lu Yinghuai raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing across his face.

Wei Cheng chuckled, moving behind Lu Yinghuai, and said, “Sir, this morning I bet with Wenxuan that you would disapprove of your recent actions. But, it turns out both Wenxuan and I had the same hunch. We couldn’t settle the bet.”

Lu Yinghuai was well-aware of his deputy's penchant for betting with Meng Wenxuan. It was no secret that Wei Cheng was more often the loser than the winner.

Wei Cheng came from humble beginnings. Had it not been for his exceptional abilities and Lu Yinghuai’s disregard for aristocratic background, it would've been tough for him to be promoted to the rank of brigadier general at such a young age.

Regrettably, due to his spendthrift nature, all these

Years

Despite drawing a generous salary from the First Legion, Wei Cheng was still short of fulfilling his dream of buying a seaside home on the tourist planet.

"How much did you bet?" Lu Yinghuai asked, turning his head slightly.

Scratching his ear, Wei Cheng replied in a voice as soft as a whisper, “Not much, just… a seven-day trip to Manfeil planet.”

Manfeil is a renowned oceanic tourist planet. The entire planet is engulfed by the ocean, with all amenities such as sightseeing, dining, lodging, and entertainment situated in underwater structures, often referred to as the revived Atlantis of the cosmos.

The price for a seven-day trip to Manfeil isn't trivial. Both Meng Wenxuan and Wei Cheng had a fondness for the sea, so their wager on this was not unexpected.

Lu Yinghuai hummed lowly, "Triple the bet, pay your own fines. For the next fortnight, both of your training sessions will be doubled."

Wei Cheng's face soured, "Understood."

On the other side, Xia You was earnestly questioning Meng Wenxuan, the chief medical officer.

"Doctor Meng, what happened to His Highness's leg? Did he... Did he use that auxiliary device again?"

Xia You had excitedly wondered the previous night if His Highness might accompany him into the forest. However, regardless of the circumstances, it seemed implausible for Lu Yinghuai to abandon his military duties and bear such pain to enter the woods.

Not to mention the undoubtedly treacherous environment within the forest where timely rescue might not always be possible.

Meng Wenxuan's gaze drifted toward the marshal, but Xia You's increasingly stern voice snapped him back to attention.

"Doctor Meng! Focus on me." Xia You pursed his lips, maintaining a severe expression, the gravest he'd ever worn, "I know you're most concerned about His Highness's health. Tell me truthfully, did he use something detrimental?"

"Rest assured, I... I can reason with His

Ever since Meng Wenxuan learned of the Marshal's ascension in psychic power, the gloom he felt had been considerably lightened by Xia You's actions.

He chuckled briefly, then feigned contemplation for a moment before asking Xia You, "Hmm, what I can share depends on the capacity in which you're asking right now."

Xia You immediately stood straighter, declaring with undeniable pride, "Of course, in the capacity of the Marshal's spouse!"

Not far away, Wei Cheng, who overheard Xia You due to his psychic abilities, stifled a laugh with a light cough.

A hint of amusement flickered in Lu Yinghuai's eyes, and he shook his head in gentle exasperation.

Having been told by the Marshal not to keep secrets from Xia You, the ever-playful Meng Wenxuan forced a stern face and honestly briefed him on Lu Yinghuai's health.

"Rest assured, the Marshal is in good health, and his psychic power remains stable," he assured.

Xia You, skeptical, countered, "But in just one night, how could it be possible…"

Meng Wenxuan leaned in, lowering his voice, "Are you familiar with the psychic extraction procedure?"

"You mean... literally?" Xia You hesitated.

It sounded less like a therapeutic procedure and more like something from an illicit research lab.

"Actually, within the First Legion, this practice is quite common," Meng Wenxuan, noting Xia You's confusion but not inclined to delve deeper, explained obliquely. "It involves periodically extracting a portion of one's psychic energy and storing it in a vessel for potential future use."

Alas, there's only one scenario where it might be used.

That is, when a soldier eventually falls into an irreversible slumber. This stored energy becomes the last-ditch effort to stimulate their brain and restore consciousness.

"The Marshal previously locked most of his psychic energy within his legs. After extracting two-thirds of it, he naturally regained temporary mobility."

Piecing it together, Xia You remained skeptical, "The higher the psychic level, the faster its natural recovery. The Marshal is already at SS+. Even after extracting some of his psychic energy, it'd only take a few days to recover, right?"

Xia You had experienced such a thing before, and given Lu Yinghuai's superior level, his recovery speed would be even swifter.

This very fact is why the higher the psychic level, the more incurable psychic turmoil becomes.

No method of calming the surging energy could catch up with the speed at which the psychic power regenerates and spirals out of control.

Seeing this, and just before Lu Yinghuai could intervene, Meng Wenxuan quickly spilled, "The Marshal took a psychic sealing drug."

Psychic energy, sealing elixir?

Xia You: "!!!"

This elixir was so infamous that even he had heard of it!

Just a few years ago, the military had dismantled a clandestine human experimentation lab. Among the prohibited substances and unauthorized experiments disclosed was this psychic energy sealing elixir.

Rumor had it that this elixir could halt the recovery of one's psychic energy for a specific duration, drastically reducing bodily functions. Xia You had even heard whispers among the nobility that certain military leaders had been assassinated using this drug.

"Isn't that a banned substance?" Xia You's voice dropped even lower, realizing the potential repercussions if someone overheard, particularly for Lu Yinghuai.

"Don't worry, the elixir has been modified, and both I and the Emperor have been apprised. This experiment has the Emperor's explicit approval."

Lu Yinghuai gently patted Xia You's shoulder, trying to reassure the disapproving and skeptical young man, casting a fleeting glance at Meng Wenxuan.

Yet, Meng Wenxuan stood still. Rather than moving away, he sternly admonished Xia You despite the patient being nearby, "While we've never managed to dissuade the Marshal from his decisions, the military highly values this experiment. So, we beseech you to take extra care of the Marshal."

From a spatial button, Meng Wenxuan produced a wristband-like device, handing it to Xia You.

"Should the Marshal experience any discomfort, press the red button on this emergency communicator, and we will dispatch a medical aircraft immediately."

"Sir Xia," Meng Wenxuan started, seeming like he wanted to say more but ended up stating, "The Marshal tends to overexert himself and often ignores medical advice. Please look after him."

With a serious expression, Xia You took the communicator, wearing it on the wrist that didn't have a smart device.

"I understand. I'll ensure the Marshal's well-being." After a pause, he glanced at Lu Yinghuai beside him, whispering, "You will heed medical advice, right, Your Excellency?"

The Marshal, under the earnest gaze of the youth, managed, "...Yes."

Meng Wenxuan stepped aside, covertly exchanging glances with Wei Cheng.

Wei Cheng gave a thumbs-up.

Meng Wenxuan adjusted his glasses with a gesture.

Now that it was decided that they would travel together, Xia You ceased his reservations. Uncle Zhou had already placed all necessary supplies in the aircraft. Moreover, Xia You's spatial button was crammed full of various items.

The two feline companions climbed into the back seat of the SUV first. When Lu Yinghuai instinctively reached for the driver's door, he found Xia You standing beside it, shooting him a disapproving look.

Lu Yinghuai hesitated in his action.

With a sincere expression, Xia You said, "Your Highness, your body requires rest. Driving can be draining; perhaps I should take the wheel."

Lu Yinghuai heard the stifled chuckles of Meng Wenxuan and Wei Cheng not far away.

However...

Lu Yinghuai opened the car door, offering Xia You a view of the driver's seat. "This interior is a retro design created by the research department. Are you familiar with its operation?"

Due to restrictions on the aircraft's magnetic field within the forest, many of the aircraft's functionalities were restricted, prompting the department to make such modifications.

Xia You had already tried it out a couple of days earlier and was well-acquainted.

If it were a military aircraft, he might not have been so confident. But as for an old-world car from the Blue Star, he might even be more proficient than His Highness!

"Of course!"

Graciously, Lu Yinghuai let go, walked around the vehicle, and sat in the passenger seat after opening its door.

The young man then took the driver's seat. Although the ignition method was different, the steering wheel and brakes had been replicated authentically and robustly.

This comforting familiarity made the camo-clad youth smirk. Grasping the steering wheel, he started the brightly colored SUV and headed towards the exit of the Marshal's mansion.

The panther in the back seat seemed a bit disgruntled with the confined space, forcibly pushing its head between the front seats. Its warm breath brushed against Xia You's neck, and its whiskers tickled his earlobe.

"Yuan Yuan!" Xia You playfully chided, "If you keep this up, you'll be running alongside the car."

The panther growled softly, seemingly unrepentant.

The man in the passenger seat glanced at his spiritual companion and remarked calmly, "Once we're in the forest, let them run free. They have a keener sense of danger than we do."

"Oh? The tiger cub too?"

Glancing in the rearview mirror, Xia You noticed the tiger cub, who was oblivious to what lay ahead, curiously peeking out the window.

"Tigers aren't typically active during the day, right?" Xia You muttered in defense of the cub, trying to oppose the overbearing elder's suggestion.

"Regardless of their habits, they're still predators. Let them out to stretch their legs." Lu Yinghuai also cast a glance at the tiger cub through the rearview mirror.

Back at the palace, the ever-concerned Emperor was probably growing anxious without his son around.

"That's true," Xia You pondered for a moment, decisively stating, "I'll start a live stream shortly! Perhaps Yuan Yuan and the others might attract some animals."

……

Imperial Star · Royal Palace

The emperor, engrossed in some reading, was momentarily interrupted by the chime from his holographic computer. After a brief hesitation, he reached out to activate it.

A screen floated above his desk. Leaning back in his chair, the emperor looked up to see an empty live stream screen, devoid of any video feeds.

A bright red off-road vehicle moved along the road, and flanking its sides, a swift shadow of black darted by. Beside this black figure was a fluffy ball of orange and black.

The vehicle wasn't moving very fast, but the little tiger seemed a bit weary. After running a short distance, it lay down on the ground, meowing stubbornly, refusing to move.

The black panther looked back and let out a low growl.

The tiger cub playfully tapped its paws in the air, rolled on its back, and began to act spoilt, exposing its belly.

The panther looked up at the halted off-road vehicle, roared, and effortlessly picked up the tiger cub in its mouth, gracefully catching up to the vehicle.

The cub, far from being scared, mewled excitedly toward the front, its four dangling paws swinging joyfully in the air.

Watching this scene, the emperor was reminded of a majestic and proud tiger he hadn't seen in over a decade. The fingers resting on his lap trembled slightly.

After a long while, he slightly raised his hand.

"Your Majesty?" The chief steward, who had been silently standing beside him, approached.

"Open the viewing rights for Xia You's live stream to the officers and soldiers of the First Legion who have been diagnosed with mental disorders or have direct relatives in stasis on the Blue Star. Delay granting access to the nobility. If the Senate objects, let them come to me directly."

"Understood."

***

"Ding-Dong—"

Simultaneously, individuals scattered across various planets received a notification from the mainframe.

They clicked to view.

Is this a forest?

Nothing seems out of the ordinary... Wait, hold on!

[Is that Blue Star? Check the sun's position in the sky. That's Blue Star!!]

[I remember the forest reserves on Blue Star never released any visual footage. Also, isn’t that place—]

[Yes, it's the reserve!]

What does "reserve" imply?

It means that this livestream might show relatives for whom they've received no news since entering Blue Star.

This broadcast could reveal scenes of those who suffered complete mental disorder outbreaks afterward, their minds deteriorating and merging with spiritual entities.

Look at those... once hailed as legends, now considered fallen heroes by the outside world.

“Yuan Yuan, stop carrying the little tiger in your mouth. Isn’t it heavy? Put it back in the car.”

On the livestream, a sleek, elegantly patterned black panther emerged from the woods and pushed an orange-black bundle through the SUV's window with its head.

The camera following the panther happened to pan over to the driver's seat. The young driver, in camouflage, had delicate features and looked radiant and spirited. Instead of a soldier, he seemed more like a young aristocratic master.

Livestream viewers: "!!!"

[Is that a black panther?! Could it be a spiritual entity of one of the dignitaries in the reserve?]

[Is it the streamer's? He doesn't look familiar, not someone from the research department.]

[Doesn't seem like it.]

[Wait, where are they headed? This direction looks like the Snowy Mountain Forest Reserve, doesn't it?]

At this moment, among the viewers who weren't preoccupied, it was evident that some had previously visited Blue Star.

[The name of the livestream has changed.]

[Journey to the King of the Snowy Forest... Um, is this "king" who I think it is?]

[A white... tiger?]

[Hiss...]

As is widely known, there is only one spiritual entity, a white tiger, that slumbers on Blue Star, and that entity belongs to a general.

Renowned for his ruthless tactics and swift decisions, the former Imperial Marshal, Lu Jiu Zhu.

The livestream's chat was eerily silent for several seconds.

Yet, the very next second, when the camera shifted to the figure seated in the passenger's seat, the viewers were plunged into shock and frenzy.

It's the Marshal, who hasn’t been seen for so many years!!!

“Ah—Marshal!!!”

In the imperial city at the Fan residence, a young man currently on leave from the military jumped up from the couch, exclaiming loudly.

"Fan Mi, where are your manners?" From nearby, the head of the Fan family, who had just descended the stairs, reprimanded with displeasure, “What has the First Legion taught you?”

“It's not that, Uncle! Look at this!!”

The young man hurriedly rushed up the stairs two at a time to share the livestream displayed on the screen with the family head.

“It’s Marshal Lu on Blue Star! There have never been videos or photos from Blue Star before. Big Brother, Big Brother... isn't he also on Blue Star?”

The pupils of the Fan family head quivered momentarily, and the fingers clutching his cane tightened abruptly.

His eldest son, whom he had nurtured with half a lifetime's dedication and the family’s pride and heir, fell into an eternal slumber on Blue Star three years ago due to an uncontrollable psychic disorder.

Since then, not a single image or update has surfaced regarding his spiritually detached entity.

“Is this a military livestream? Send it to me!” demanded the head of the Fan family.

As the young man attempted to share the stream, a message popped up on the light-computer: "Permission restricted, sharing not possible."

Grasping the implications of this sudden livestream, the Fan family head took a deep breath, his Adam's apple bobbing for a moment, and whispered, “Let’s go to the study... and watch it together.”

“Wait,” he hesitated for a moment but eventually summoned a servant, instructing, “Fetch the Lady of the house.”

The young man in the livestream must be the healer with a 100% psychic compatibility with Marshal Lu.

If the military or, perhaps, the Lu family truly possesses research findings related to the awakening of spiritual entities, the heavens of the Imperial City... might truly be on the brink of change.

What was his name again?

...Right, Xia You.

Initially, the Fan family had the opportunity to exclusively possess such a treasure. Yet now, they're left with a troublemaker of an actor who might have even garnered some enmities.

Although due to that incident, the Duke's residence indeed made considerable concessions in the cooperative project's interests, but...

The corners of the Fan family head's lips tightened, his gaze deepening.

Let's wait a bit longer, just wait and see.

***

[The car comes to a halt.]

[Did they spot something?]

The livestream chat continues to scroll incessantly, but Xia You can't see it.

Xia You stopped the car because his light-computer suddenly received a message.

It was sent by Wei Cheng, and along with the communication, there was also a blinking red tracking point on Xia You's light-computer.

Xia You glanced down to determine the direction; the marked point was right on the edge of the protected zone they were headed to.

“Your Highness,” Xia You pushed the light-screen toward Lu Yinghui, “Major Wei has sent a coordinate. He mentioned an injured animal en route. He's asking if we can check it out.”

The communication line still open, Lu Yinghui immediately inquired, “Who is it?”

“A young adult civet, but its vital signs are unstable. It seems to have been injured recently,” Wei Cheng's voice came through.

A spiritual entity in the form of a civet... Lu Yinghui's eyebrows twitched slightly.

From the Fan family?

When that young noble initially joined the First Legion, he faced vehement opposition from both his family and the military. Yet, he persisted, ultimately joining the First Legion due to his outstanding performance and resolute decisions.

The young man, despite his noble origins, held ideals and ambitions vastly different from his lineage. He had already taken the hardest first step, only to be broken and buried by the torment of the psychic disorder.

The Fan family lineage is now reduced to a single, good-for-nothing young master, who just so happens to be the other party involved in that recent scandal.

"A lynx?" Xia You leaned in, "Did they encounter a pack of wolves?"

"I'm not certain, but this lynx was injured three days ago."

The lynx has thick, insulating fur and is a feline that thrives in cold environments. In comparison to bigger cats like tigers, leopards, and lions, the lynx has a more domestic cat-like appearance, but it's significantly more robust.

The animosity between lynxes and wolf packs often originates from competition over prey and habitats. Lynxes are solitary nocturnal hunters, while wolves move as a pack.

Wolf packs often steal the lynx's prey, and adult lynxes will deliberately hunt down wolf pups.

In the intricate terrains of the forest, the agile, tree-climbing lynx holds the advantage. Yet, in open terrains outside the woods, the pack hunting tactics of the wolves easily best the lynx.

The two can be described as age-old adversaries.

Unlike the communal wolves, most lynxes are lone wolves. In the wild, an injury can compromise their combat and mobility, reducing their hunting success rate and potentially jeopardizing their lives.

Glancing at the map, Xia You suggested, "Since we're not in a hurry and it's on our way, why not check out the lynx's situation?"

As Xia You studied the map, she couldn't help but sneak a glance at the man in the passenger seat.

Before this, whenever Xia You saw Lu Yinghuai, the Marshal was always impeccably dressed with an upright posture.

But now, His Highness sat casually in the passenger seat, the window rolled down. His right elbow rested on the window's edge, fingers sliding on the screen as he browsed the map.

Absent were endless military matters and the perpetual dim light of his study. The forest's sunlight, warm and free, streamed through the window, caressing his face with an unprecedented sense of liberty and nonchalance.

Since leaving the Marshal's mansion, Lu Yinghuai seemed to have softened from a sheathed weapon. But this softness wasn't harmless; it was more like...

A big cat emerging from a cold, rigid mechanized armor.

Amused by her wandering thoughts, Xia You couldn't help but chuckle.

Lu Yinghuai glanced at the live ball in front of the car, turned off the communication with Wei Cheng, folded up the screen, and casually said, "Alright, I'll follow the team leader's plan."

That feeling when someone you've always looked up to lowers their gaze, smiles faintly, and agrees in a matter-of-fact tone...

Xia You touched her ear, feeling an unexpected warmth there.

"Ah... right, we'll take the detour then." Feeling a bit awkward, Xia You mumbled, then stuck her head out of the window, shouting, "Yuan Yuan, come back!"

After a moment, a panther, its fur slightly wet, darted out from the woods. It shook off the water droplets and climbed into the off-road vehicle.

Xia You turned and gently petted the panther, asking with curiosity, "What was Yuan Yuan up to? Getting a drink?"

Somehow, it didn't feel like it just went to drink but rather like it had taken a swim.

Lu Yinghuai looked back, locking eyes with his own spirit form for a few seconds. The golden beastly eyes hinted at threads of dark purple.

Seconds later, both man and panther looked away.

Lu Yinghuai casually remarked, "It went looking for crocodiles."

The young tiger in the back seat took shelter between a cushion and the seatback, cautiously observing the panther, who began to leisurely groom itself.

Clearly, not finding a satisfactory crocodile had somewhat soured the panther's mood.

Xia You blinked in surprise. Going crocodile hunting as the first thing upon returning to the wild...

No wonder the first time Yuan Yuan hunted to feed him, the top choice was a crocodile. It was sharing what it thought tasted best.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Xia You's psychic tendril poked out and nuzzled the grooming panther.

The panther paused when its tongue brushed against Xia You's psychic tendril.

Lu Yinghuai's grip tightened on his knee.

After a moment, the man slowly exhaled, murmuring, "Let's get moving."

Seeing the panther evading her psychic tendril, Xia You stopped teasing it. She touched a few buttons on the control panel and grasped the steering wheel.

"Since there's an injured animal that needs help, I'll activate the vehicle's flight mode to cross this ocean, entering the snowy mountain reserve from the north."

"If all goes well, we should be able to land before nightfall. Hopefully, we won't encounter a wolf pack right upon landing..."

Before Xia You could finish, the panther in the back seat let out a low growl.

Xia You cleared her throat, "Yes, yes, I know Yuan Yuan isn't afraid of anything. But look, we have three fragile non-fighters in the vehicle. If you're out brawling, who's going to protect us?"

The previously alert panther seemed to consider her words and then lay down.

Before closing her eyes, she took one last glance at the young tiger.

The young tiger, nibbling on a cushion, jolted alertly, its round eyes filled with wariness.

Author's Note:

The Marshal's spiritual panther is a jaguar, also known as the American tiger. This is not the same as the leopards we commonly refer to. It's a big cat that resembles both a leopard and a tiger, known for its speed, powerful bite, and preference for swimming and eating crocodiles. In tropical rainforests, mature jaguars stand atop the food chain as apex predators without natural enemies.

Without human interference, jaguars and Siberian tigers would hardly ever meet, so they're apex predators in their own domains.