Chapter 197

Chapter 197

After getting back to the Imperial Star, Xue Ji was swamped for over half a month, partly catching up on stuff he'd put off, and partly getting ready for the upcoming bidding conference. Plus, his experiments were at a make-or-break point, so he was stretched way too thin.

Maybe it was because he'd fully earned the Monarch's trust, the Left Knight Captain got reassigned, and Gene, the guy who'd brought messages before, took his place.

—This time, it was legit personal protection, no more reports to the Monarch about what the Chief did every day.

Gene was younger than Devalen and way more upbeat. After tailing Xue Ji for just a few days, he couldn't help texting Devalen: "Sergeant, how'd you survive months with Chief Xue?"

Pretty soon, Devalen shot back a question mark.

Gene started typing out his gripes: "Chief Xue just works nonstop every day. He won't even let me in the lab when he's experimenting. The top floor of Chinusta is basically empty. I'm just staring at a wall all day—I'd rather be training back at the palace."

Devalen replied: "Don't slack off. Stay alert at all times around Chief Xue."

Gene knew that and stayed on high alert, but the days were painfully boring. Apart from the little robot in Xue Ji's office that could shoot the breeze about nothing, there was no one to talk to.

Pissed off, he shut down his optical computer and was about to play a few more rounds of the robot's built-in games when the office door opened.

Xue Ji breezed in, not even looking his way, and headed straight for the restroom, closing the door behind him. Gene, who'd started to get up, plopped back down.

Half an hour later, the restroom door swung open, and Xue Ji came out. He'd swapped his work clothes for a gray shirt and black pants, with a silver-white rose on the second button, making him look super fresh.

"Going out," he said flatly.

Gene almost jumped out of his seat.

Finally, after days, they were getting out of this place where he'd been eating and sleeping.

*

"The Marshal's Mansion?" Gene gawked at the gate.

"Don't just stand there, gimme a hand." Xue Ji was already behind the aircraft storage compartment, hauling out a waist-high alloy crate.

"What are you doing here?" Gene grumbled as he went to grab the other end, almost dropping it from the weight. He quickly propped it up with his knee. "What's in this thing? It's crazy heavy."

Xue Ji didn't answer. Gene knew better than to push it.

They carried the crate to the entrance. The door security system sent the visitor info inside, and soon the Commander himself came to open the door, still looking a bit surprised—clearly not expecting Xue Ji to show up.

He glanced at the crate, confused. "Chief Xue, what's all this?"

"I heard the Marshal's been doing better lately, so I brought a little something," Xue Ji said. "Hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all. It's just that the Marshal just dozed off. If you're not in a rush, Chief Xue, come on in and sit a bit." He stepped aside.

"No need. You can pass it along for me." Xue Ji had no intention of going inside. He'd delivered the item and was ready to leave. "I still need to hit the palace."

Hearing this, the Commander didn't press further. He took the crate and watched Xue Ji and Gene board the aircraft and leave. The crate was heavy, but for an officer used to physical training, it was manageable. Unsure of its contents and fearing damage, the Commander carried it into the living room with both hands. When Kexinia woke up, he briefly explained the situation.

Kexinia, seated in a wheelchair, said, "Open it and take a look."

"Marshal, I think we should inspect it first," the Commander said, disapproval on his face. "After all, Xue Ji is... one of them."

"He's not that foolish. Open it."

Unable to sway him, the Commander complied. The crate opened on all four sides with a press of a button on top. When the contents were revealed, even the Commander was stunned.

Inside was a beautifully crafted robot, only about waist-high to an adult Alpha, but exquisitely made. Its material and color were strikingly familiar to both men. No matter how a mech might appear in a different form, anyone who'd spent years with it could recognize it at a glance—especially since the robot bore a unique symbol on its chest.

Clearly, as the Chief of the Academy of Sciences, Xue Ji had easy access to the recycled mech fragments. He'd used these fragments to rebuild a robot, without melting and reshaping them. Instead, he'd used materials of similar color and properties to connect them, cleverly crafting the surface to resemble cracked ice. This preserved the original fragments while keeping the robot's aesthetic appeal.

This was a gift Kexinia couldn't refuse.

The Commander stepped forward to inspect it and then looked at Kexinia. "It's a companion robot."

The robot recognized the voice and powered on automatically. It spun around a few times, as if assessing its surroundings, before gliding over to Kexinia's wheelchair. "Hello, Marshal. Unit 001 is pleased to serve you. Please name Unit 001."

The golden symbol on its chest was level with Kexinia's head. He reached out and traced a few scratches around the symbol, using the mech's original name: "...Amber. You shall be called Amber."

*

Meanwhile, Gene was dying of curiosity about what Xue Ji had given Kexinia. He was thinking of when to ask, but before he could, they'd already left the Marshal's Mansion and arrived at the palace.

At the palace, they found the gates tightly shut, with twice the usual number of guards. Gene had seen such scenes many times before and knew the Monarch was likely unavailable. But Xue Ji...

Gene hesitated for a moment, glanced at Xue Ji, and said, "Wait here. I'll go ask." He jumped off the aircraft and jogged to the palace gates.

He spoke briefly with the lead knight, who glanced toward the aircraft, exchanged a few more words with Gene, and then turned to enter the palace. About half an hour later, he emerged and nodded at Gene.

Gene immediately ran back to the aircraft and said to Xue Ji, "His Majesty requests your presence." He hesitated before adding quietly, "He only asked for you to go in alone. I'll wait outside. Also, watch your words. His Majesty might not be in a great mood right now."

Xue Ji eventually found the Monarch in his bedchamber.

This was Xue Ji's first time witnessing an episode of the Monarch's illness—or more accurately, the aftermath of one. The bedchamber was lavishly decorated, but despite efforts to hide it, Xue Ji could tell it had been hastily tidied. A few overlooked shards of glass remained in the corners.

When Xue Ji entered, the Monarch was reclining on a couch, his right arm draped over his eyes, breathing heavily. His lips were as red as if stained with rose juice, with bite marks on the lower lip. Though wrapped in a wide-sleeved robe that reached his feet, the disheveled collar and the fabric clinging to his body due to his posture left little to the imagination of his excellent physique.

Xue Ji paused briefly, then stepped into the chamber and approached the couch, offering a proper bow.

"Your Majesty."

The Monarch remained in his position, seemingly unaware of his presence.

Xue Ji raised his eyes and openly studied him. Today, the Monarch wore a sapphire-blue robe with gold embroidery, the fabric resembling velvet with a creamy sheen that suited his complexion well. The robe seemed thrown on casually, the knot at his waist loose enough to come undone with a single tug. The collar hung open, revealing most of his firm chest and a portion of his well-defined abs. Sweat beads left translucent trails across his skin, making it look like melted honey.

Xue Ji's gaze traveled downward, noticing several dark marks on the Monarch's chest, extending beneath the robe's hem. Further down, he spotted dark stains on the red carpet.

It was then that Xue Ji detected a faint metallic scent amidst the overwhelming floral fragrance in the room.

His brow twitched slightly. He straightened up and walked to the foot of the couch, where he saw a few drops of crimson blood dripping from the Monarch's bare toes. Lifting the hem of the robe, he revealed fresh wounds across the Monarch's soles, with glass shards still embedded in them.

Xue Ji clicked his tongue in annoyance. He looked around and began searching for a medical kit. The noise finally roused the semi-conscious Monarch, who rasped from behind, "...What are you doing?"

Xue Ji turned back. The Monarch had lowered his arm and sat up, heedlessly stepping onto the floor with his injured feet.

"Where's the medical kit?" Xue Ji asked.

The Monarch's eyes were still hazy, like a forest shrouded in mist after rain. After a moment's delay, he asked, "Are you injured?"

"You're the one injured."

The Monarch froze for a moment, then raised his hands to look at his palms. His loose sleeves slid down, revealing fine cuts on his palms and inner forearms. The blood had already clotted, but the wounds still looked fresh.

"It's not needed." The Monarch lowered his hands.

Xue Ji ignored him and continued his search. He'd just reached the bedside and was about to open the nightstand when a hand reached over his shoulder, firmly pressing the cabinet door shut.

"...I said it's not needed." The Monarch's hot, damp breath brushed against the back of Xue Ji's neck. His entire body radiated heat, his breathing still uneven, and his tone carried a hint of anger.

Xue Ji paused for two seconds, then turned around and met his gaze coldly. "In that case, I'll take my leave."

He pushed aside the Monarch's hand, ready to stand, but the Monarch's other arm rose, pressing against the bedside cabinet, caging him in the curve of his arm.

"...Why are you in such a hurry to leave?" the Monarch narrowed his eyes, leaning in. "It's been days. If I don't come find you, you don't come find me. This time, you finally take the initiative to come, so why leave in such a hurry?"

Xue Ji replied coolly, "Your Majesty is a busy man, dealing with state affairs every day. How would I dare bother you?"

The Monarch edged closer, his eyelids drooping slightly, his gaze fixed on Xue Ji's pale, thin lips. "Speaking of busy, Chief Xue is the truly busy one."

"Not as busy as Your Majesty, who can't even find time to treat his wounds," Xue Ji retorted, unyielding.

Their eyes met, and the Monarch suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between them. Then came two clicks as the cabinet door opened and closed. The Monarch lowered his arms, placing the medical kit between them.

Xue Ji jutted his chin out.

The Monarch sat down a beat late on the edge of the bed.

Xue Ji opened the medical kit, picked out antiseptic, cotton swabs, ointment, and gauze, and sat down beside the Monarch.

"Your hand."

The Monarch stared at him, lost in thought, not moving. Xue Ji didn't push him. After a moment, the Monarch raised his hand.

Xue Ji rolled up the sleeve, quickly disinfected, applied ointment, and bandaged it, then said, "The other one."

The Monarch pressed his lips together and offered his other arm. Xue Ji did the same. Then, kneeling in front of the Monarch, he reached for his ankle.

Asuer was genuinely caught off guard. His feet instinctively pulled back, and his whole body leaned back.

Xue Ji was quick; his left hand had already encircled one of the Monarch's ankles. Asuer had never had his foot held like this before. A jolt of tingling shot from his ankle up his thigh. He instinctively tried to yank away, but Xue Ji pulled him the other way.

"Xue Ji!" Asuer's chest heaved violently, and an uncontrollable blush crept up his ears. "You're getting more and more brazen!"

"What, is Your Majesty going to have my head chopped off?" Xue Ji looked up at him from below, tightening his grip as he spoke, placing Asuer's bare foot on his own thigh. "For daring to defile Your Majesty's holy person?"

Asuer was so furious he couldn't speak, because Xue Ji was clearly tending to his wounds. If he lashed out, he'd seem like he was being unreasonable.

"Your Majesty, if you're not used to this, you'd better cooperate." Xue Ji picked out a pair of tweezers from the kit. "I don't want to stay on my knees either."

Asuer had no choice but to force himself to relax. His only comfort was that, afraid he might break the Inhibition Ring Xue Ji had given him during an attack, he had taken it off and put it away. Otherwise, Xue Ji would've found it by now.

Some glass shards were embedded deeply. Xue Ji focused on treating the wounds, while Asuer looked down at him, his heart growing more unsettled. He bunched up the fabric between his legs, resting his arm on it, silently cursing himself for letting Xue Ji in without a second thought when he heard he was coming to the palace just a few minutes ago.

He shouldn't have been so careless, just because Xue Ji was a Beta.

"Is Your Majesty mad at me?" Xue Ji suddenly spoke.

He was still bent over, focused on the wound. Asuer stared at his glasses, which were slipping down, and said, "No."

"Then why won't Your Majesty speak?"

"I wouldn't presume to."

The gauze wrapped around for the final loop, and Xue Ji tied a neat bow. He looked up, a smile in his eyes. "Your Majesty says no?"

Sweat trickled down his Adam's apple. After a few breaths, Asuer looked away, embarrassed, catching a glimpse of Xue Ji lifting his other foot up.

When the wound treatment was finally done, Asuer let out a long sigh of relief.

"Why did you suddenly come?"

"Isn't it a little late for Your Majesty to ask that?" Xue Ji packed up and stood, pulling a data disk from his pocket. "What you wanted."

Asuer took it, then suddenly realized something, looking up at Xue Ji.

"I can only hack in once; any more and I'll be caught. The genetic database has indeed had some newborn DNA sequences removed. Starting thirty years ago, roughly every five years, a batch is removed. The common trait is that they were all born in remote planets or impoverished areas. I could only grab a portion of the deletion records; it's all in here."

Asuer tightened his grip, holding the data disk in his palm. "That's enough. Thank you."

Xue Ji said nothing. The bedchamber fell silent. Asuer shifted the arm resting between his legs, then after a moment said, "Aren't you curious about why I'm like this?"

"Your Majesty will tell me when you're ready," Xue Ji replied, though he already knew full well.

"I..." Asuer began, but only managed, "Did you come to the palace just to give me this?"

"Just a side errand."

"A side errand?"

"Mainly, I was afraid Your Majesty was secretly mad at me," Xue Ji said slowly, "wondering why I never took the initiative to seek you out."

Asuer was silent for a moment. "I wasn't in my right mind then. Those were just ramblings. Don't take them to heart."

Xue Ji let it go. "One more thing. The volunteer Your Majesty recommended hasn't been in touch for a while. Please, when you next pass along the medicine for me, also tell him to come in for a check-up in the next few days."

With a mountain of post-war affairs to handle, and the severe backlash from overusing medicine on Gray Star, Asuer had indeed forgotten about it. Hearing this, he said, "I understand."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Xue Ji left. Asuer let go of his hand, looking down at the conspicuously lively area with a hint of disgust. Then he heard Xue Ji's voice again.

"Oh, and don't get those wounds wet for the next couple of days."

Asuer startled, quickly covering himself again with his hand, and looked toward the door.

Xue Ji had one foot out of the bedchamber, leaning back in. "Your Majesty, remember to change the dressing on time." With that, he truly left.

Asuer collapsed onto the bed, and after a long moment, raised his arm to cover his eyes.