Chapter 61

Chapter 61

061

An Issue in That Area...

In his office, Wen Renjian's expression was also rather grim. He stared fixedly at this student who had always made him feel reassured and proud. He never would have imagined that the young man was actually in a relationship with Jing Baiyuan.

"When did you two get together?" Wen Renjian asked, only realizing after that his question was rather foolish. Not long after Chu Li returned to school from summer break, someone revealed that he had been permanently imprinted, causing quite a stir within the academy.

He stood up and paced around the room. "He's stationed in Deer Harbor all year round. How did you two even meet?"

Looking at Wen Renjian, Chu Li inferred something from the professor's attitude. He didn't hide anything and replied, "Teacher, I have an Omega Syndrome. It flared up during my summer trip, and he saved me. That's how we got together. As for why he was on Blue Stripe Star at that time, I'm not sure either."

Wen Renjian: "..."

Seeing his student standing there so confidently, Wen Renjian was almost amused despite himself. "You have Omega Syndrome, yet you still went out alone?"

Chu Li blinked, implying that there were no rules stating that one couldn't go out alone with Omega Syndrome.

If it weren't for his transmigration causing an imbalance in his pheromones, he wouldn't have had that episode at that time.

Wen Renjian slapped his forehead. "I was so angry I lost my mind."

Chu Li blinked again. "Teacher, is there something wrong with Jing Baiyuanting?"

"Jing Baiyuanting..." Wen Renjian paused, unable to articulate his thoughts for a long while. Seeing Chu Li's eager expression for knowledge, he sighed and said, "You don't know about his background?"

"I know a little."

"Knowing just a little, you still..." Wen Renjian was about to scold him when he suddenly remembered that Chu Li didn't even know a bit of this when they were together.

He swallowed his words and sighed. "His mother is the current empress of the empire, but he is not the emperor's son and isn't listed in the royal family tree. The emperor has always been wary of him. If not for the tense relationship between the Alliance and the Empire, which makes it useful to keep him around as a weapon, do you think he could have lived safely until today?"

Chu Li thought to himself that Jing Baiyuanting wasn't safe now either. It was possible that the royal family was pulling the strings behind Jing Baiyuanting's recent incidents.

"Teacher," Chu Li pondered before asking, "When you warned me not to get close to the crown prince before... did you know about the entanglements between Jing Baiyuanting and the royal family?"

Chu Li felt that there was more to Bai Xian's situation than met the eye.

A flicker of panic crossed Wen Renjian's eyes, but he quickly shook his head. "No, they don't have any entanglements. It's just that Jing Baiyuan's identity is awkward. He's also an Imperial Admiral. I'm afraid you might get the short end of the stick."

Chu Li, however, replied, "He's an Admiral, and I'm just an ordinary student. What could I possibly lose by being with him?"

Wen Renjian was left speechless by his question. Looking into Chu Li's clear eyes, it was evident that he wasn't speaking without reason. It seemed that Chu Li already knew something.

Wen Renjian asked, "Are you really sure about this? Do you plan on being with him?"

Chu Li nodded.

Wen Renjian sighed deeply. "Well, despite his sensitive position, he's a good kid and won't let you down... However, after you graduate, you probably won't be able to stay on Blue Stripe Star."

Chu Li had already considered this, and he didn't have any attachment to the planet.

Wanting to inquire further, Wen Renjian interrupted, "That's enough. You should go back now."

With no other choice, Chu Li stood up and left.

As soon as he stepped out of the office, he saw Shu Chengxing standing silently by the window at the end of the corridor, his eyes reddened, seemingly waiting for him.

Even without thinking, Chu Li knew the reason behind his arrival. Not wanting to engage, he turned around and planned to leave through another path.

However, taking advantage of his height and long legs, Shu Chenghang managed to block Chu Li before he could enter the elevator. "Wait a moment!"

Chu Li had no choice but to stop in his tracks.

With reddened eyes, Shu Chenghang gazed at Chu Li for a while before asking, "Are those news reports true?"

Chu Li didn't bother to inquire further. "Yes."

As Chu Li attempted to leave, Shu Chenghang stretched out his hand to grab him. Just as his fingers brushed against Chu Li's wrist, the latter's expression turned cold. Shu Chenghang seemed to recall something and ultimately held back.

Chu Li raised an eyebrow. He was no longer the same person who could only overpower Peng Zihao through surprise attacks. If Shu Chenghang dared to lay a hand on him, he would receive at least a shoulder throw.

It was a pity that Shu Chenghang changed his mind at the last minute; he had missed his chance to be thrown.

Although Shu Chenghang didn't dare to physically assault Chu Li, he hesitantly refused to move aside. Chu Li, not wanting any physical contact with him, eventually halted as well. "Speak quickly if you have something to say. I'm in a hurry to get back to class."

Shu Chenghang had already prepared himself mentally before seeking out Chu Li. However, faced with Chu Li's indifferent attitude, the pain in his heart intensified. He had previously had a chance to be with Chu Li, but he had given it up for Chu Heyang. Yet, Chu Heyang didn't truly love him; right after their breakup, he immediately found another Alpha to be with.

His efforts had turned out to be for naught.

He had still been fantasizing about one day winning Chu Li back, only to hear that Chu Li was now with the Supreme Commander of the Expeditionary Force... the Supreme Commander, no less!

How could Chu Li possibly be with someone like that?

The more he thought about it, the redder Shucheng Xing's eyes became. He glared at Chu Li and said through gritted teeth, "Are you really with Jing Baiyuan? When did you two meet? Did you reject me because you found him?"

He was highly agitated, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he spoke.

He hadn't intended to confront Chu Li in such a manner, but the pent-up emotions within him were like a dam on the verge of breaking. It was bearable when they were contained, but once the floodgates opened, he could no longer control his words or his emotions.

In the heat of the moment, he blurted out those words.

Shucheng Xing regretted his words the moment they left his mouth. He knew Chu Li wasn't that kind of person; he must have hurt him so deeply before...

To his surprise, Chu Li replied casually, "Yes, I am."

Shucheng Xing: "..."

The answer was far beyond his expectations. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you say? Little Li... You... You can't be that kind of person. You're just trying to trick me, right?"

As he spoke, he tried to grab Chu Li again.

But Chu Li didn't dodge; he was ready to throw him over his shoulder.

Shu Chenghang stopped himself once more.

Enough, Chu Li realized. This Alpha was dancing around him, so he said straightforwardly, "If you've seen the news, you should know that our relationship is now public. I've already permanently bonded with Jing Baiyuan. There's no chance for you, so forget about it."

Shu Chenghang: "Why are you with him when you clearly liked me before?"

Chu Li: "..."

He really had no idea why Shu Chenghang had such a misunderstanding. The original host didn't dislike him, but he certainly didn't like him either; he was just very polite towards him.

Moreover, what difference did it make even if he had liked him? Ignoring the fact that he was not the original host, even if they were the same person, could he still have feelings for Shu Chenghang after he was about to marry Chu Heyang?

Chu Li couldn't help laughing. "If you don't understand, then I'm even more confused. I can't figure it out no matter how hard I try. If you were so reluctant to let me go, why did you agree to marry Chu Heyang in the first place?"

With his head bowed, Shu Chenghang stammered, "That... That's because our compatibility is high. I know my compatibility with you is very low. When we're together, our pheromones never intertwine..."

His mother advised him at that time, and after much persuasion, he eventually heeded her words.

At that time, I didn't particularly favor Chu Li.

It's just a slight stirring of the heart.

For some inexplicable reason, the more time he spent with Chu Heyang, the more Chu Li's presence haunted him. When Chu Li transferred departments, his dormmates were discussing this Omega, their tones filled with disdain, yet Shu Chenghang could discern that those Alphas were secretly impressed, even admiring of Chu Li.

How could he let go of someone who had once been so fond of him?

The more he thought about it, the more unwilling he was. After their separation, Chu Heyang had quickly found a new partner, fueling his resentment even more. Recently, the military district's attitude towards Chu Li had shifted. What was once open disdain and belittlement had turned into admiration, despite knowing that Chu Li was involved with an Alpha.

He never truly believed that Chu Li was with another Alpha, despite the mark. The other Alpha had never shown up, and he feared that Chu Li was simply retaliating against him by arbitrarily choosing someone to mark him.

He also wasn't keen on being with an Omega who had already been marked by another. Thus, he hesitated for a long time... until a few days ago when he unexpectedly saw news of Chu Li and Jing Baiyuanting together, like a bolt of lightning that shattered his indecision.

Chu Li was indeed in a relationship with someone else.

Shu Chenghang couldn't shake off his concerns and decided to visit Chu Li. Perhaps he was coerced by Jing Baiyuan and had no choice but to be with him?

Chu Li sighed helplessly. "Back then, you thought we were mismatched, and that issue hasn't been resolved. Our compatibility is still low. Why are you so persistent?"

Could it be that he truly had deep feelings for him?

Shu Chenghang struggled to find the right words. He just couldn't let go; he had to come and see for himself.

Chu Li was genuinely perplexed. Even if he pondered for three years, he wouldn't understand.

"Never mind, our values are different. Discussing this further is meaningless," Chu Li said. "I didn't like you before, and I like you even less now. Don't come looking for me again."

As Chu Li turned to leave, Shu Chenghang refused to give up. He called out to him, "But you and Jing Baiyuan come from entirely different worlds! Although both are permanent marks, the constraints they impose on an Alpha and Omega are different! You'll be bound by that mark your entire life, while he can mark many Omegas! Have you really thought through being with him?"

"At first, you liked me, didn't you? I've already given up on Chu Heyang for you. Why won't you give me another chance? I don't mind that you've accepted another Alpha's mark! Chu Li, please give me one more chance. I truly like you!"

Chu Li: "..."

Chu Li's footsteps paused abruptly. After a long moment, he turned back and said, "We truly aren't from the same world."

Shu Chenghang was taken aback, his eyes blank.

Chu Li's expression gradually turned cold. "Even if I had another three years, I still wouldn't understand why you would get engaged to someone else when you liked me, and then claim to like me after getting engaged.

"If the news of me and Jing Baiyuanting hadn't been announced, you probably wouldn't have come looking for me, right? Your love is to be with others when I'm alone, and to emerge and complicate my relationships when I find happiness with someone else?

"Well, your love is too hypocritical, selfish, and terrifying, Shu Chenghang. We're not from the same world."

"I don't care whether you like me or not. With those words, we can't even be friends. If you enjoy being self-indulgent in your feelings, then keep doing it." Chu Li sneered. "As for how things are between Jing Baiyuanting and me, that's none of your business, and you have no right to comment on it."

Shu Chenghang seemed to be stunned by Chu Li's words, standing there in a daze. Chu Li gave him a cold glance before leaving, and he didn't dare to chase after him.

---

Outside the school, Jing Baiyuanting, who had just seen Chu Li off, received an immediate summons from the royal family.

He didn't return home but headed straight for the palace in his car.

At the palace gates, as usual, a crowd of journalists with their various cameras were waiting, snapping pictures of him continuously.

He was utterly exhausted by the constant scrutiny, his brow furrowing as he quickly made his way through the palace square.

The chamberlain had been waiting and, upon seeing him, hurried over to greet him. "His Majesty is expecting you in the study."

"His Majesty?" Jing Baiyuan's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Is the prince here?"

The prince referred to the emperor's only son, Lancelot Butler.

The chamberlain's expression shifted, and he lowered his head. "Y-Yes, he is."

Ever since it was announced two years ago that the emperor suffered from an incurable chronic illness, he had retreated from public life, leaving all affairs to be handled by Crown Prince Lancelot. With Jing Baiyuan stationed at Deer Harbor for years, it had been two long years since he had last seen the emperor in person.

The emperor had only one son, and the empire still followed a hereditary monarchy. Logically, he should have abdicated his throne sooner, allowing Lancelot to ascend to the position. Yet, two years had passed, and the emperor's condition had worsened, yet the crown prince remained just that.

Jing Baiyuan refused to believe there were no underlying reasons behind this situation.

The emperor's appearance was timely, providing an opportunity for him to gauge the true state of affairs.

Arriving promptly at the study, Jing Baiyuan found not only Lancelot but also several high-ranking officials within the empire. Upon seeing him enter, they all frowned deeply.

The atmosphere in the study was solemn, but Jing Baiyuan didn't rush to address these people. Instead, he lifted his gaze toward the screen, where it seemed someone was lying down.

Jing Baiyuan frowned. "The eunuch said that His Majesty is also here?"

Lancelot, sitting beside the screen, chuckled. "Father isn't feeling well, so General wouldn't mind if he listens from behind the screen, would you?"

Jing Baiyuan's eyes turned cold. "Is it really just an illness? Since the Emperor announced his indisposition two years ago, he hasn't appeared in public for a long time, has he?"

As he spoke, his gaze swept over everyone present.

He had led the expeditionary forces into battles against the Alliance multiple times and was the most experienced combatant in the empire. His eyes exuded a murderous aura, and these pampered nobles of Blue Stripe Star were no match for him. Upon meeting his gaze, they lowered their heads to avoid confrontation.

In that instant, Jing Baiyuan's imposing manner suppressed the others, making the atmosphere in the study even more delicate.

Lancelot's expression darkened. He had summoned so many people to be able to interrogate Jing Baiyuan smoothly, yet how did he end up at a disadvantage after just one exchange?

He lightly tapped the back of his chair and smiled. "Father can't make public appearances due to his health. Six months ago, he already entrusted all the major and minor affairs of the empire to me. I am the rightful heir to the throne... General, what's the issue here?"

"Are you suggesting that I'm incapable of managing the empire on my father's behalf, which is why you deliberately disregarded orders and started a war with the Alliance without authorization?!"

He began with a smile, but his tone quickly turned cold, finally delving into the heart of their conversation.

Jing Baiyuan's unauthorized declaration of war.

Lancelot's single sentence caused the ministers, who had seemed half-dead just moments ago, to lift their heads again. "Yes, although you are the Empire's Admiral, the position of Supreme Commander still rests with the First Prince. Why didn't you obey his order to defend Deerport?"

"How can you be a soldier and not know how to follow orders?"

These scoldings, big and small, did not intimidate Jing Baiyuan in the slightest. He remained as he was when he entered, his back straight, his eyes cold.

"There were extenuating circumstances behind my unauthorized declaration of war. The Alliance violated the peace treaty first by secretly colluding with space pirates to hijack one of our Empire's vessels. There were over twenty citizens on board, and I had no choice but to engage the Alliance in order to save them."

The ministers retorted, "What vessel? I've never heard of it."

"Is it possible that Admiral, to avoid responsibility, is fabricating this story?"

The group of ministers began to chatter, outright denying the existence of the hijacked ship.

"If the Admiral says there was a ship hijacking, then it must be true. We just don't know where the ship is now. We haven't received any notification of the ship deviating from its course, nor have we found any records of its departure from the port."

Someone asked with a mocking smile. Jing Baiyuan, seeing Lancelot's grin behind the screen, felt the man's calm gaze on him, seemingly waiting for his explanation.

Brows knitted tightly, Jing Baiyuan couldn't provide any evidence. The spaceship had been operating in the shadows from the beginning – it was used for transporting crystal mines as part of an 'arrangement' between the Empire and the Alliance.

Maintaining a calm facade, his mind raced for answers.

Had the spaceship been hijacked by pirates due to the Alliance reneging on their deal, or was it part of a premeditated plan? No, that can't be right. There should still be a full shipment of crystal mines left on Haiyun Star. He knew Huai Wei's character; sometimes, he was more honest with himself than any Imperial could be.

There was no need to investigate further into the Alliance's involvement – it had to have been Huai Wei himself who acted. If he truly abandoned the operation halfway, then who conspired with him?

In the Empire, who had the status and means to do so?

Lancelot's smile grew more pronounced by the screen.

Jing Baiyuan: "…"

After everyone else had spoken their piece, Lancelot said, "Surely, Admiral, you have no proof. Launching a private war is just that – don't try to deceive us with such excuses. Do you take us for fools?"

"However, the Admiral has contributed greatly to the Empire, and his rank was personally bestowed by my father. I am not qualified to judge him. Fortunately, I have already contacted the Interstellar Court. The trial will take place under the scrutiny of the Interstellar Court. As for the Admiral... he shall remain in the palace until a conclusion is reached in the case."

—

In November, it was winter on Blue Vein Star. Even with artificial weather systems in place, one could still feel the chill in the wind.

Lancelot strode down the corridor and, reaching the entrance, he flipped his hand to remove the red cloak symbolizing royal honor, handing it over to the attendant beside him.

His movements were restless, revealing an unexpressed anger within him.

The attendant took the cloak and followed Lancelot's somewhat hurried steps indoors. "Your Highness, it seems Jing Baiyuan Yuanting didn't resist and is obediently confined within the palace as per your plan. Why are you still so..."

Annoyed?

He didn't look at all pleased with how things had unfolded.

Lancelot glanced at him. Perhaps because he was in such a terrible mood himself, he didn't immediately scold the attendant but instead said, "I originally intended to resolve this quickly and recall him to Blue Stripe Star within five days. Although the expeditionary force is under his command, if we hold him captive on Blue Stripe Star, they won't be an impregnable unit. It would be easier for us to make our move. I didn't expect..."

He frowned deeply. He hadn't expected Jing Baiyuan Yuanting to have bonded with an Omega. Just that one person! It had forced him to linger in Deer Harbor for almost a month.

A month... What couldn't be arranged in that time? What was the point of summoning Jing Baiyuan back in such haste?

At this thought, Lancelot's brow furrowed even deeper. "Who is that Omega? Have you found out anything?"

The eunuch hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to Lancelot's ear and whispered a few words.

Lancelot listened, first with surprise, then breaking into laughter. "It's actually him... How coincidental. Where's my personal terminal?"

The eunuch handed over the personal terminal, and Lancelot dialed the long-forgotten number.

In the meantime, Chu Li's life at school continued as usual.

Wen Renjian's experiment had made no significant progress. After being away for over a month, he returned to find himself working on the same project. This surprised Chu Li; he had expected their experiment to yield breakthroughs soon.

During the afternoon in the lab, Chu Li mentioned this to Zhan Jiaqing, who also looked uninterested and replied, "Yeah, I thought we were about to move onto the next phase. But Professor Wen said there's still an issue with our data, so we have to repeat the previous experiment... Well, I know that a small mistake can lead to a huge difference, but doing the same experiment over and over is so tedious, isn't it?"

She had already mastered every step of the experiment to the point where she could perform them with her eyes closed.

The repetitive nature of the experiment dulled Zhan Jiaqing's interest, so she leaned toward Chu Li to gossip about him and Jing Baiyuan: "Was the Alpha who visited you last time General Jing?"

Had she kept quiet, it would have been fine, but her words drew even Liu Wei's attention.

Looking at Liu Wei's excited expression despite his social anxiety, Chu Li nodded helplessly. "It's him."

"Really?" Zhan Jiaqing whispered in excitement. "I never thought you'd end up with Admiral Jing Bai. Oh my god! I assumed he'd be a bachelor forever!"

Chu Li's face was filled with resignation. "Isn't he supposed to be a powerful Alpha? How could he remain a bachelor?"

"Even powerful Alphas might not find someone." Zhan Jiaqing glanced around and, upon realizing no one was nearby, leaned closer to Chu Li's ear and whispered, "People used to say that there was something wrong with him...you know, in that area..."

Chu Li: "..."

Author's Note:

Not only Xiao Li is perplexed, but I am as well.

Such individuals truly exist in reality, and I honestly fail to comprehend them.