Chapter 76: How About Another Love and Peace?

Chapter 76: Time for Some Love and Peace?

"Forty-five times."

This was what Xiao Chuzao said as he looked up at his aunt.

The little guy cupped his dad’s face, looking a little spaced out.

Both Fei Man and Finn watched, for a second, they couldn’t imagine Amos sitting there, doting on Zao Zao with kisses.

But at least now, Amos had returned to the brother they knew.

All of Xiao Chuzao's test results were in.

Everything was normal, getting better by the day—not only were his psychic readings stabilizing, but his physical condition was also rapidly enhancing.

After all, he had been fed bit by bit with Amos's Psychic Sword.

Zao Zao was a healthy little one.

With a tiny "wah," the little cub slipped out of Amos's arms.

It had been a long time since he last visited the medical center—where a few familiar members of the Crown Clan were still staying.

Like a tiny inspector, the cub went from room to room.

Amos and the grown-ups let him roam, following leisurely behind as they chatted quietly about matters related to Saint Cas.

They allowed the little one to toddle ahead.

Xiao Chuzao first visited Morlo, who was still in recovery. Morlo's room was piled high with medical books, and he was skimming through them with a furrowed brow.

Hale sat close by, his usually anxious and gloomy expression miraculously softened during this time, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on Morlo.

Xiao Chuzao peered in from the door.

He looked inside.

Morlo soon noticed the visitor and looked up to see the little face peering in.

He blinked.

Morlo wasn't particularly close to Xiao Chuzao.

He only vaguely remembered the little one grasping his halo before being stuck in the medical center—his frail constitution required long-term care, so he had been staying here ever since.

"Zao... Zao?"

Morlo gave a soft smile.

He extended a thin, pale hand and beckoned to the cub.

"Come here, to Grandpa."

It was surreal—just moments ago, he had believed death was certain, only to wake up to Hale and the Crown Clan's disaster stopped. Now, he was even a grandfather.

"Little Highness."

Hale glanced over, outside the classroom, the Imperial Tutor of the Dwight family's expression was still very gentle, especially beside his beloved. He looked at ease.

"How are the test results?"

"Zao Zao is healthy!"

Xiao Chuzao puffed out his little chest.

He toddled over to Morlo’s side.

The little boy eyed Grandpa Morlo’s thin frame, gently stood on his tiptoes, and leaned against Morlo's desk. "Grandpa Morlo, you gotta eat better, okay?"

Morlo was taken aback for a moment before chuckling.

"Okay."

"You too, Mr. Hale! Eat up!"

"Do I owe you thanks for worrying about me, kiddo?"

Hale looked over with amusement.

The kid hadn’t even learned all his words yet, but he already had a lot on his mind—and knew how to share the love.

"What are these?"

After greeting them, the curious little boy, his fluffy curls bouncing, stared curiously at the books on the table.

"Just medical stuff."

Morlo replied.

He couldn’t help but glance at Hale, his eyes saddened.

Hale’s wings would never return. For the Crown Clan, wings weren’t just vital—they were a symbol of their power and an important reservoir of strength.

So after losing his wings, Hale had been in constant, never-ending pain.

Morlo did what he could to ease Hale’s pain.

"I'm fine, Morlo."

Hale looked at Morlo, reached out, and pulled Morlo into a gentle hug.

"I’ve told you many times—I’ve never been better."

To Hale, that pain was no big deal.

Xiao Chuzao blinked in confusion for a second.

The kid paused, thinking, then backed up a couple steps.

"Zao Zao’s gonna go now."

Hale shot him a look.

"Uncle Three said kids can’t watch this stuff. Teacher, you and Grandpa Morlo go ahead. Zao Zao is going to see Uncle Job and Uncle Joshua. Auntie Doctor said they’re being naughty."

Wait, what’s not for kids to watch?

Morlo’s face went red in a flash, and he straightened up in a hurry.

Couldn’t help shooting Hale a glare.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, what did I say now?"

Finn poked his head through the doorway, looking down at the little cub now backed up near the door.

As he spoke, Finn raised his head, his baby-faced grin glancing at Hale and Morlo.

"Teacher, do you believe me when I say I wouldn't do that kind of nonsense?"

Hale thought for two seconds, remembering how they’d shamelessly eavesdropped by the door when they first returned. He nodded solemnly: "Absolutely, you would. If Third Prince here could act a little more responsibly, Mei Lun and Kaman wouldn't still be so busy at this age."

Finn: …

That was a mistake. Finn withdrew his head.

With a quick goodbye to Hale and Morlo, Chu Zao headed straight for his destination.

Job and Joshua’s room lay dead silent.

Only the occasional mutter from Joshua broke the silence, though it was unclear what he was rambling about.

Job, meanwhile, didn’t make a sound.

The little cub rapped on the door.

Joshua came to open it.

When he opened the door, he first noticed several Dwights standing not far away.

Then he realized something and looked down. After locking eyes with a pair of large honey-colored eyes, he stumbled back several steps, his face a mask of horror.

"I just didn't want to take my medicine the day before yesterday and got a bit annoyed with the constant mental energy checks. I just wanted to know when I could leave. It was only a few times—did you have to go this far?"

You sent the *kid* after me?

Xiao Chuzao flashed a big, harmless, adorable smile: "Auntie Doctor says Uncle Joshua’s being naughty, so she asked Zao Zao to come check on you."

Job, silent in the corner of the room, also looked over. He froze for just a moment before letting out a soft chuckle at Joshua's expression—equal parts panic and exasperation. He shook his head slightly.

"Your Majesty."

Job stood up.

"How long’s your stay at the med center? Let Joshua go out for a walk with you."

Job walked to the doorway. Taller than Joshua, he looked down at his younger brother.

"Being stuck inside all day’ll drive you nuts."

He wasn’t exactly chatty, and being around him all the time was too stifling—not good for Joshua.

"I..."

Joshua paused, turning to look at Job and pressing his lips together.

"Alright, alright, alright. I'll go out for a stroll and stop dragging you into conversations all the time."

Pampered by his big brother, Joshua still acted like a kid around him. He marched off a few steps, then paused, waiting for the others.

"Wanna come out for a walk?"

Fei Man spoke up.

"I'm good," Job looked at Joshua's retreating figure. "Been gone too long—got a lot to catch up on. Seeing him get better helps me feel less awful. I won’t join them. He adores Zao Zao, and I also hoped His Majesty would let Joshua hang out more with Little Highness."

Whenever he was around Xiao Chuzao, Joshua always looked so alive.

The Crown Clan twins’ emotions fed off each other. In the end, Job ended up like that mostly ’cause of how Joshua was feeling. Now that Joshua was improving overall, Job’s gloom was fading too.

"Mm."

Amos understood better what Job needed.

Without looking up, His Majesty watched his little one and casually said to Job,

"Get used to things fast. We’re slammed right now. Uncle Mei Lun and Uncle Kaman have been grinding nonstop lately."

Job blinked, then finally smiled.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, the little one was already toddling after Joshua.

Joshua sulked as he walked. He was actually a bit older than An Ya, but the upheaval had come too early for him, dealing a near-crippling blow to his psyche. Since then, he shut down completely until he and Job left the Saint Cas Empire together.

He acted way brattier around Job.

But when he noticed Xiao Chuzao’s short legs couldn’t keep up, Joshua gradually slowed his pace, slowing down for the kid.

They hit a fork in the road.

The little one tilted his head up to look at Joshua.

"Can I..."

Joshua stopped and asked softly,

"Hug you?"

"Sure!"

The kid blinked up at him and held out his arms.

Joshua knelt on one knee and gently embraced the squishy little kid.

He let out a long exhale.

"Thank you, Zao Zao. I feel like dead weight—like my brother’s stuck with me."

"You gotta talk it out with Uncle Job."

Xiao Chuzao tilted his little head.

"Uncle Job is happy because Uncle Joshua is very important to him, just like Daddy is to Zao Zao."

Joshua stayed quiet.

He simply closed his eyes, then let go after a moment.

"All charged up. It's just treatment—no problem. I can handle it. I already filed a request with the higher-ups, Your Majesty. I'm fine now. My brother’s been itching to go back for a while now. How about recalling him? I’ve been trying to shoo him off every day, but he won’t budge."

Joshua let out a soft chuckle, standing up and bowing slightly to Xiao Chuzao and Amos.

"Thank you... for not letting me go through with something so stupid."

Finn leaned in with a grin. "Well, well, look who’s being humble."

Joshua: "..."

"That’s why I said—don’t get so close to me with that baby face of yours."

Keep it together, keep it together. Joshua, you have to hold it in. You’re no match for Finn, and without your brother here, you can’t even run from him.

Meanwhile, Xiao Chuzao blinked his big eyes.

Then he sensed that weird energy again. He blinked, then toddled forward a few steps.

Hm?

The Crown Clan adults instinctively looked his way, following behind the little one.

After a few turns, the little one blinked up at a hospital room door.

The door wasn’t solid—it had a crystal viewing panel.

The person inside seemed to sense something too. He had been curled up in the corner, swamped by guilt and regret. He’d received a message from his father—to preserve the clan and thwart the Grail Clan’s schemes, sacrifices might be necessary. The elders who had been with him wouldn’t have been harmed if not for him... it was all his fault...

If dying could make up for it all, he’d do it in a heartbeat.

Sensing eyes on him, he glanced up, dazed.

His eyes met Xiao Chuzao’s honey-colored ones.

"Oh, it’s the confusing big brother."

The kid had found where that weird energy was coming from.

Outside, medical center staff stood guard. Seeing Xiao Chuzao, they instinctively glanced at Amos.

Inside was Derek, the Grail Clan’s young heir, who had been cleared of suspicion and transferred to the medical center.

Derek stiffened, then hung his head.

He stammered to Xiao Chuzao, "Everything I said last time... was wrong. Don’t mind what I said."

His voice was weak as he continued softly, "At least I got to say sorry before I go. No regrets."

Zao Zao tilted his head, confused.

All he knew was that the Grail Clan was a group that liked to hide.

Like playing hide-and-seek with Teacher—except they were pros at staying hidden, and no one could find them for the longest time.

He instinctively turned to the medical staff nearby.

"He’s refusing treatment, and the Grail Clan reached out."

The medics also sighed.

They felt that the Longlived races were not easy patients to treat.

"He keeps insisting on ending his own life as soon as possible."

The little one: "Are we hiding again?"

Derek paused.

That was taking one for the team, not... hiding or running away...

Even as Derek thought this, the little one still got under his skin.

Xiao Chuzao tilted his small head: "Like how they hid before? Zao Zao knows all about the Grail Clan's tricks—they're really good at hide-and-seek!"

The kid said with a cheerful, wide-eyed look something that cut Derek deep but left him speechless.

Derek froze: "I..."

He couldn't get a word out before tears uncontrollably fell.

Derek raised his hand to wipe away the tears.

"That's not what the Grail Clan's ability is... that kind..."

He swiped at his tears—not that he wanted to cry.

Including the last time when the little one had harshly confronted him, he had beat a quick retreat because of this—when his emotions got slightly agitated, he couldn't control himself. This kind of constitution was generally called—tear-prone condition.

Try as he might, no matter how much he didn't want to cry, the tears would just fall when the time came, so often Derek would hurriedly run off just to find a small corner to let his tears fall.

And now the secret was exposed.

With all these Crown Clan folks watching, he wanted to escape but had nowhere to go—Derek finally opened his eyes wide, yet still couldn't hold back the tears. He slowly turned to face the corner.

He closed himself off.

He was still just a teenager.

The medics shrugged—though it was a good thing. The little boy, who had seemed completely broken, now showed a different side. For the doctors, this was good news.

Meanwhile, the little one was startled by the sudden tears, scrambling backward in surprise.

He bumped into Joshua's leg.

His soft little wings pressed against Joshua, his little halo bobbing.

The little one looked up at Joshua.

Joshua, looking confused, looked down and asked the little one: "Was I like that when I was seeking death? How about now?"

The little one thought for a moment, gesturing with his small hands: "Pretty much? Uncle, do you want to get a dose of Love and Peace?"

Joshua: !!

He straightened up with a serious look.

"No need, I'm obedient, I really want to live." Get it? That's how badly I want to live!

"I still think we should add another layer. Some people say one thing but mean another—you can't just listen to their words, you have to watch their actions."

Finn, with his uncannily youthful, doll-like face, stood behind them with a smile.

Meanwhile, Fei Man was figuring out how to cover Xiao Chuzao in forty-some kisses.

At the same time, alarms blared simultaneously on several members of the Dwight family present.

The little one had heard this kind of alarm before—back when he was involved in an accident with Grandpa Mei Lun. Nervously, he scampered over to Amos, gripping the edge of Amos's military uniform.

Finn turned his head. "What's going on?"

Fei Man replied, "The tainted sector we searched before—the one where we slowly found a passage—after unrecognizable roars were heard, there's been a beast surge. The military and research starships stationed there have sent out alarms and distress signals. This beast surge isn't ordinary—it's not at the usual legion level. They're attacking the surroundings with clear strategy. If they move fast enough, they'll soon reach the stellar territory of Saint Cas—Your Majesty."

Amos snapped into analysis. "The closest Crown Clan member to that area is... Ayala?"

Ayala, a Crown Clan member of the same generation as Amos and the others, was a blood relative—their cousin. A hulking, scowling man with formidable combat skills, Ayala was also a Crown Clan member who seldom set foot in Saint Cas, often stationed elsewhere.

The current beast activity was too unusual. Amos coolly raised his eyes and issued orders: "Have Ayala immediately reach the designated position to investigate. All available task forces are to stand by."

*

In another corner of the galaxy, within the mobile base of the Hymn Organization, the warped, stifling air had shifted for once.

"A beast surge?"

"What happened? The entire region's beasts are running amok."

"Not sure, but based on collated reports, this beast surge is alarmingly organized—not like the usual Beast Legion Commander's doing. None of the known Beast Legion Commanders have that capability."

"Did a higher-level beast emerge from the contamination? No matter—in a way, both beasts and contamination play into our hands: to break the Longlived race’s back."

"You're right. That's exactly it. We may have been slightly outplayed by the Crown Clan, but with the Grail Clan, we will claim final victory. What about that candidate we were eyeing before?"

"Very proactive. I think they're suitable—"

"Good... But colleagues, the Crown Clan incident taught us never to let our guard down, not even for a moment. We've also trained many excellent members—lab-grown assets, guaranteed absolute loyalty. I've already sent someone to track the new recruit's development."

Meanwhile, on a backwater rogue planet...

Shenghua had already gathered a small team around her.

The skeletal, starved locals of the rogue planet stared blankly as she tended to their injuries.

Since Shenghua arrived, this rogue planet had begun to change.

"Why...?"

His voice was hoarse, quiet, laced with doubt.

"What do you want from us?"

Shenghua looked up.

"I just want more hands on deck, that's all."

She smiled.

Just then, one of her subordinates came running over.

"Boss, we got trouble—"

"What's bad? Spit it out."

Shenghua looked up.

The underling made a face, his expression troubled.

"Well, uh, someone was sent over from there, saying they want to team up with you, boss."

Shenghua: ?

Before she could react, someone had already stepped in front of her.

It was a tall, black-haired youth with a kinda sickly pale complexion. One hand tucked in his pocket, his creepily pale skin made his hair appear pitch black. His eyes narrowed slightly, their pupils carrying a weirdly mechanical look, and he reeked of blood. He looked like the type of unruly rogue who was hard to get along with. He gave a smirk—one that seemed malicious and mocking.

"Shenghua? I’m Xi. Your new partner from now on. Heard you’re hot shit... rookie—"

Shenghua: ...

Damn it. Too much money, too big a promise—now the ‘boss’ sent down a ‘big boss’s lapdog’ to boss me around!