Chapter 70

Chapter 70

At this moment, Shi Cangfeng had but one thought: to do everything in his power to make amends to Shi Jian.

"The award ceremony was originally scheduled for three days from now, but I imagine you can't wait that long. So, tonight, I'll take you to see the emperor," Shi Cangfeng stated gravely. "According to regulations, close interactions between the royal family and high-ranking military officials are prohibited to prevent collusion. However, as the supreme commander, the head of a military region has the right to report directly to the emperor in urgent situations, after due notification. I will have Wen Yuan compile the interrogation records of the Omega extremist worship group. This will serve as an opportunity for you to accompany me into the palace as my aide-de-camp."

Even though he hadn't yet officially joined the military or been privy to the secrets of that level, Shi Jian could sense that even someone as powerful as Shi Cangfeng found it difficult to secure a private audience with the emperor. This matter would inevitably become public, and his political adversaries would surely accuse him of colluding with the royal family. Yet, Shi Cangfeng didn't hesitate for a second before issuing the command.

Watching Shi Cangfeng on the phone with Wen Yuan, the image of the father who had once been his whole world in childhood seemed to gradually merge with the present. In a daze, Shi Jian couldn't discern whether Shi Cangfeng had truly changed or not. Even if he resisted the thought, he had to admit that this time, his father was risking immense pressure to rescue a "castoff" for him.

It was a cautious apology after realizing his own missteps, a desperate attempt to offer everything as restitution after days and nights of profound guilt. Those unspoken words, hidden deep within his chest—Shi Jian, through the bond of blood, heard the muffled echoes from another heart, a short distance away.

But he couldn't respond.

The pain and suffering he had endured, along with his shattered memories, had long since fractured into countless reflective shards, scattered across the void of his mind, no longer capable of forming coherent emotions. He harbored little hatred for Shi Cangfeng, and naturally, little love remained either. An act that, in the past, would have surely moved him to wide-eyed admiration for his seemingly omnipotent father, now only left Shi Jian troubled by one question: how to repay this obligation.

He had certainly come to Shi Cangfeng with the deliberate intention of exploiting his guilt. However, Shi Jian had never felt that Shi Cangfeng was obligated to solve his problems. He had already prepared himself: if Shi Cangfeng helped him, he would certainly return the favor; if not, he wouldn't be overly disappointed, having experienced far greater disappointments before.

Shi Cangfeng didn't miss the unfamiliar cold rationality in Shi Jian's expression as he pondered.

Of course, Shi Cangfeng didn't expect his deeply wounded son to forgive him so quickly. All he felt now was regret. If only time could turn back—he wouldn't have sent Shi Jian to that damned First Military Academy, wouldn't have forced him to learn maturity and rationality—

*Are you satisfied now? Your child is independent, composed, and has grown precisely as you'd envisioned—so outstanding, so rational. But he will never again call you 'Dad' with that innocent, coaxing tone, nor will he accept anything you give him with the same unthinking delight, proudly showing it off and declaring, 'Dad loves me the most!'*

Once again, for the countless time, Shi Cangfeng realized just how precious a treasure he had lost.

He had killed countless people in his life without remorse. Yet now, standing just half a meter away, Shi Cangfeng felt a tremor of doubt—was this his retribution? Punishment for alienating his youngest son, ensuring he would never again know the joys of familial love?

Even as they arrived at the palace, Shi Cangfeng's thoughts remained entirely fixed on Shi Jian. He temporarily suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, leaning in to whisper, "Don't show any fear. Stay behind me. Their focus will be on me; they won't scrutinize you too much. Don't worry."

In response to his father's concern, Shi Jian merely gave a faint acknowledgment, obediently positioning himself behind Shi Cangfeng. That rare display of compliance brought a trace of genuine warmth to Shi Cangfeng's smile as he engaged in diplomatic niceties with the grand steward, his gaze softening.

He remembered when Shi Jian was much younger—how the boy would always clutch the edge of his jacket at banquets, timidly hiding behind him.

*No matter what happens,* Shi Cangfeng thought, *a father's broad shoulders will always stand like a silent mountain, doing everything to shield the little one hiding behind him from the world's storms, creating a warm, dry, safe, and comfortable sanctuary for him.*

As long as he still drew breath, he would never let his child suffer any harm. Never again.

When the silver-haired yet vigorous grand steward cast his gaze their way, Shi Jian swallowed slightly, forcing himself not to look away and meeting the man's gaze squarely.

True to Shi Cangfeng's words, after submitting their request, the royal guards conducted only a routine inspection, without undue scrutiny. Shi Jian was thus able to smoothly enter the palace, a place shrouded in mystery and grandeur in the eyes of most.

The architectural style was a classic, ornate European palatial design. Led by the grand steward and a team of royal guards, they traversed countless marble-carved corridors, winding through the resplendent main hall. Finally, after pushing open another elaborately wrought, gold-and-jade-inlaid door, they arrived at the audience chamber of the emperor—a figure often spoken of but seldom seen.

"Please wait a moment, General. The physician is currently examining the Crown Prince's recovery with His Majesty. They will receive you shortly," the steward said with a deferential bow. At his signal, maids in plain-colored gowns brought forth tea and pastries.

At the mention of the "Crown Prince," Shi Jian's heart stirred—

He hadn't forgotten Gu Shiyun, who had been gravely injured saving him. Now that he was here, could he not only persuade the emperor to rescue Muye but also...?

The steward added, "Please, make yourselves comfortable," before withdrawing with the guards and maids.

Shi Jian snapped out of his thoughts, clenching his fists silently.

Shi Cangfeng took a seat with familiar ease, gesturing for Shi Jian to do the same. "You've only just been discharged from the hospital. Don't stand for too long."

Shi Jian remained in character as the young aide-de-camp. "I'm fine."

Shi Cangfeng acquiesced. "When the emperor arrives, we'll go through the formalities. I'll first discuss the Omega extremist group's genetic modification experiments with him. After that, you'll reveal your identity at the right moment. I'll plead your case as well, hoping His Majesty Abis is merciful enough to issue a pardon for an insignificant military officer."

The cutting irony in his father's words was unmistakable. Shi Jian recalled that his father led the faction of military officials most opposed to the royal family. His emotions churned. "Your relationship with the royals is strained. This mess is ultimately my doing—I should bear the consequences alone. Father, you don't need to humble yourself for me. I don't want that."

Shi Cangfeng replied, "If humbling myself once means I get to hear you call me 'Father' again, then I'd gladly bow before Abis."

Shi Jian didn't know how to respond. The father he remembered—charismatic, wielding immense power—had, in these past days, repeatedly lowered his pride before him. He understood the depth of his father's remorse, but he simply couldn't reciprocate.

He could only turn away in silence.

A deep pang of loss washed over Shi Cangfeng, but soon, the current emperor of the Federation, Abis Norman, approached in an immaculate white suit.

As the man drew nearer, Shi Jian's breath caught. For a moment, he nearly blurted out "Gu Shiyun!"—until he noticed the emperor's distinctly silver-gray eyes, unlike Gu Shiyun's crimson ones. Only then did he calm slightly.

Shi Cangfeng rose. Though the commanders of the nine military districts held rank equal to the emperor, the royal family carried an additional layer of symbolic significance—the weight of monarchy was incomparable. Thus, he inclined his head slightly in greeting. "Good day, Your Majesty."

"General, good day."

Yet the moment Abis Norman spoke, Shi Jian's pulse spiked again. *This is the emperor? Gu Shiyun's father? But he looks so young—barely in his twenties! And the resemblance is startling! Apart from the eyes, their faces, heights, even their voices are identical! It's like they were carved from the same mold—not even identical twins could be this similar!*

Still reeling from the shock, Shi Jian felt Abis Norman's gaze sweep past Shi Cangfeng to land squarely on him, carrying an immense pressure.

A sheen of sweat formed on Shi Jian's brow. *No wonder he's an S+ Alpha. Just the barest whisper of his pheromones is enough to assert dominance over all nearby life.*

Noticing Shi Jian's slight frown, Shi Cangfeng's expression darkened. Coolly, he cut in, "Your Majesty, we are not the only S+ individuals present."

Abis Norman merely smiled. "No need for concern. It's merely lingering pheromones from treating Shiyun earlier. My apologies."

At this, Shi Jian couldn't contain himself. Boldly, he asked, "How is the Crown Prince's condition now?"

Shi Cangfeng went rigid, watching Abis Norman's reaction closely. Yet the emperor showed no trace of offense, instead answering Shi Jian with a gentle smile. "Shiyun? He's well, though his injuries are severe. He cannot walk yet."

Shi Cangfeng didn't relax. If anything, his unease grew—

*Since when was our emperor so patient and conciliatory?*

*Why is he treating Shi Jian with such kindness?*

Shi Jian, too, detected something off.