Chapter 51

Deep within the Earth's core, the low resonance of the Guardian's Heart gradually subsided, like a great beast returning to sleep, leaving only the subtle hum of energy coursing through its pipes. On the observation deck, the cold light cast by the two moons stretched the embraced figures, entwining them on the cold metal ground.

The hot and rough breath of each other still remained on their lips, carrying the bitterness of gunpowder and a hint of rusty blood.

I don't know whose lips were broken in the intense friction just now.

Forehead to forehead, their breaths intertwined, rapid and hot.

Miao Weizhen's hand was still tightly gripping Wen Ling's collar, his knuckles white from the force, as if if he let go, the man before him would disappear like a phantom. Wen Ling's hand was firmly grasping his wrist, the force equally unquestionable, as if to confirm this reality.

"Madman." Miao Weizhen uttered the two words in a low and hoarse voice, with an lingering breath and an indulgence that was almost like gnashing of teeth.

Wen Ling chuckled softly, his chest vibrating, and carried the same unsettled breath: "Same here."

Those deep green eyes shone startlingly bright in the moonlight, their usual clarity and gentleness gone, replaced only by a desperate sharpness and a kind of ignited, wild light. Looking into those eyes, Miao Weizhen felt as if the flames had cracked his long-frozen core, and something scorching hot was pouring out uncontrollably.

He suddenly loosened his grip on his collar, as if burned, and took a half step back, widening the heart-pounding distance. Icy air instantly rushed in, replacing the other person's warm breath. He turned around, his back to Wen Ling, his shoulders and back lines tensed again, returning to his impeccable, icy posture. Only he knew that the heart in his chest, which had been silent for too long, was pounding against his ribs with unprecedented force.

Wen Ling looked at the barrier he erected in an instant, and did not pursue him. Instead, she raised her hand and gently rubbed her slightly swollen and stinging lower lip with her fingertips, where the other person's touch and breath were still clearly lingering.

He looked at Miao Weizhen's tense back, and a faint, almost triumphant smile flashed in his eyes, but was soon replaced by deeper worry.

"Your hand," Wen Ling said, his voice returning to its usual clarity, though with a barely perceptible hoarseness, "is still shaking."

Miao Weizhen lowered his eyes and looked at his fingertips which were still trembling slightly——

The aftereffects of forcibly activating the ancient chip in the Guardian's Heart were far from over. He expressionlessly pulled his hand back behind him and clenched it into a fist.

"It's okay." His voice was cold and emotionless.

At this moment, the automatic door of the observation deck slid open silently, and Luo Yan's figure appeared at the door.

Her mechanical prosthetic eye swept across the field, lingering for a moment on Wen Ling's slightly swollen lips and Miao Weizhen's unusually straight back, then she lowered her gaze as if nothing had happened.

"Minister, Your Highness." Her voice was as steady as ever. "The base's external defenses have been recalibrated according to the primary protocol of 'Guardian's Heart,' and energy consumption has stabilized within the expected range. In addition, Doctor Keyes requires you to return to the medical bay as soon as possible for a follow-up examination."

Miao Weizhen said "hmm" without looking back: "Got it."

Luo Yan continued his report: "We just intercepted an encrypted communication from the Sailiang capital. It was forwarded through three relay stations and the source is pointed to the Imperial Palace Hospital. The content is an urgent report on His Majesty's condition, and the situation does not seem optimistic."

Wen Ling frowned slightly and looked at Miao Weizheng.

Miao Weizhen finally turned around, and there was no abnormality on his face, only a deep calmness.

"Wen Xunyi can't hold on any longer," he said calmly, his tone lacking any gloating, only a cold statement. "It seems the Federation's sincerity towards him wasn't enough, or perhaps... it's a chronic poison in itself."

"Is he trying to make a last ditch effort and lure us back?" Wen Ling immediately grasped the key point.

"Perhaps, perhaps not." Miao Weizhen walked to the control console and pulled up the star map. The symbol representing the Federation fleet was still gazing covetously from afar, but there was no sign of an attack. "Qu Beichen is holding his troops in place, waiting. Waiting for us to cause internal strife, for Wen Xunyi to die, or... for us to fall into the next trap."

His fingertips traced the star map, finally resting on the coordinates of several dim star regions that were almost ignored by mainstream star maps. "It's time for our 'allies' to respond."

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a faint light signal from an independent, highly encrypted communication channel in the main control room began to emit. The frequency code belonged to the exiled government of the former "Saigong Kingdom."

Miao Weizhen and Wen Ling looked at each other.

"It seems," Wen Ling's lips curled up in a cold arc, "someone is more anxious than us."

Miao Weizhen connected the communication. There was no video, only a processed, slightly distorted voice, using the ancient common language of the Sailiang vassal state:

"Your Excellency Weizhen, we have sensed the awakening of the 'Guardian's Heart.' The remnants of Saigong have never forgotten the glory of their homeland and the iron hoof of the Federation. If you and His Highness Wen Ling still uphold the oath to destroy the Federation and restore order, we would like to hear the details."

The signal was very short and was cut off immediately after it was spoken, which showed that the speaker was extremely cautious.

"The first one." Miao Weizhen turned off the channel, his face showing no emotion. He turned to Wen Ling, "It seems someone is willing to take a gamble on our 'third way'."

Wen Ling walked to his side and looked at the forgotten coordinates on the star map with him, as if she could see countless pairs of eyes peeping, expectant and fearful in the darkness.

"This isn't a bet," Wen Ling said softly, but her tone was remarkably firm. "This is a spark. What we need to do isn't to treat them as pawns, but to let these sparks burn into a prairie fire."

Miao Weizhen turned his head to look at him. The young man's tall and straight figure seemed to be glowing under the dim blue light of the console.

It was a light completely different from his own, tinged with idealism. He had once scoffed at it, but now it became the only beacon he could clearly identify in this dark sea of ​​stars.

He remembered the uncontrollable kiss just now and what Wen Ling said, "together."

Dangerous, but tempting.

"Let's see how big this fire of yours can burn and how long it can last." Miao Weizhen retracted his gaze and said in a low voice, "Let's go and meet Keith first. Before we ignite this starry sky, we must first make sure we won't be burned to ashes."

He took the lead and walked out the door with steady steps, as if the out-of-control person on the observation deck had never existed.

Wen Ling watched his back, exhaled softly, and brushed her lower lip with her fingertips again, where a burning promise still seemed to remain. He followed, his deep green eyes reflecting the glimmer of the starry sea and the journey ahead.