For a moment, Shi Xing truly felt the trembling of his soul.

These words touched the place in his heart where there was still a scar.

He stroked it lightly, but it didn't hurt, but it was so gentle that it made people want to cry.

Shi Xing's lips trembled, and under Chi Yao's overly calm and peaceful gaze, the corners of his eyes were like ink rendering, gradually blurring out red marks.

"Your Highness..."

His voice was hoarse.

It sounded like a call, but also like a sigh.

If Shi Xing remembered correctly, this was the first time Chi Yao called him Xingxing.

Many people have called him this, including the manager, Shi Ran, Fu Qing, Yan Changyue, and later Fu Qing, Xiang Fei, Qin Jue, and even Yun Wu, Tan Yan, Tan Mei, and Tan Chi from the Tan family, all called him this.

But the feeling when hearing it is completely different from how Chi Yao called him.

Others use abbreviations and nicknames, and because of his young age, the elders around him prefer to call him by overlapping characters.

It is close, but completely different from Chi Yao's.

Chi Yao's way of calling him is more like...

like...

When this thought came to Shi Xing, he felt a resonance from the depths of his soul.

Like a partner who can snuggle with each other.

Gentle but not oppressive, reliable, but not taller than him. They are more like an equal relationship.

A relationship where they can rely on each other.

Even though he knows that he has not reached the level that Chi Yao can rely on, Shi Xing has this feeling.

This is the experience of being completely equal to each other.

"Your Highness."

Shi Xing called again and closed his eyelashes gently. This time he did not avoid it, but let the other party look at the expression on his face, whether it was painful or uncomfortable. He knew that he did not need to feel any shame, this part of the emotion could be displayed, and Chi Yao accepted it completely.

Accepted all of him. With

his long eyelashes slightly moist, Shi Xing hugged Chi Yao.

He thought, just do it.

With his head resting on the heart of the other party, he could hear Chi Yao's heartbeat, thump, thump, thump, just like the feeling he gave to himself, strong and orderly.

Shi Xing buried his face in the other party's chest.

Chi Yao's long fingers suspended in the air paused slightly, and finally, slowly fell down, gently covering Shi Xing's back.

Sighing in his heart, it seems that he has been bullied a lot.

The room was silent, but the hug brought a different kind of comfort without words.

After Shi Xing adjusted his mood, he spoke again, his voice was hoarse, "Actually, it's been a long time."

Every day for him now is a new day, with new life experiences.

"And to some extent, it has been resolved."

Rejecting Lu Lu, he reached a non-entangled exchange agreement with the princess.

"I... just need time to dissipate these emotions, Your Highness."

"Some negative things, I still need time to dilute them."

After a pause, Shi Xing said softly, "Wait until I can say it out loud, and I have sorted it out myself, then I will tell you, okay?"

Chi Yao raised the corner of his lips, his emotions were indistinguishable, "I thought you would tell me now."

Shi Xing: "This is not a good thing, and it has nothing to do with now."

Even if it is said out, it will interfere with internal affairs...

The contradictions within the Prince's Mansion are internal. The Third Army Corps as a whole is still a solid shield recognized by the Empire. Lu Guangyu himself has great influence in the Senate. Lu Li has been guarding the most remote border of the empire for more than ten years. The power of the Prince's Mansion is not a joke. Xiang Heze did not dare to act like Lu Lu easily at the dinner. He...

Even though he was still half-informed about domestic affairs, he understood the principle of moving the whole body with one hair. For something that did not happen, Chi Yao was angry at the Prince's Mansion. Even if he did not care about what would happen to the Prince's Mansion, he could not estimate the chain effect of the change of power on the empire in the future, and he was unwilling to see it.

Shi Xing raised his head, his eyes were red, but his eyes were washed by tears, making the two light blue eyes particularly clear.

He looked at Chi Yao, "I know you care about me, and you want me to speak out this to comfort me. I also know that I can rely on you or even completely depend on you, but..." Shi

Xing's voice became very soft, but very firm, "I don't want to add to your burden unless it is necessary."

On various levels, emotionally, and in real life that may interfere.

Chi Yao was stunned.

Shi Xing smiled, which looked very funny on his face that was about to cry, but Chi Yao thought it was still brilliant.

"You have a lot to do every day. You have to review internal affairs, deal with military affairs, and some strange public emergencies. They will also be placed on your desk. I have seen them in your study."

After the match, when the two of them were together, Chi Yao never turned on the anti-peeping mode when handling official documents.

"The Legion cannot do without you, the Senate depends on you, and the Empire also needs you to steer the ship."

"Everything around you seems to be on your shoulders."

Shi Xing's eyelashes trembled, "Of course, this also includes the problem of my maintenance during my maturity."

"But... people are not machines."

"You, are not immune to fatigue."

"There are already so many things that have to bother you... I know that my current role in your life is very limited. Even if I receive treatment every day, the progress is still very slow. Moreover, this situation will not change in a short time. It will take time for me to grow my abilities and learn knowledge..." "

But there is always something I can do, right?"

"The weakness of the body cannot be changed, but the strength and weakness of the heart are all in my mind."

"I don't want you to worry about my crystal beast core problem and have to comfort a weak partner from time to time behind your back. If that happens..."

Shi Xing said sincerely, "You'll be too tired."

He's too useless.

Chi Yao treats him as a junior, but he is not actually that. He... should stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

If the empire is Chi Yao's responsibility, then the future will also be his. His identity is no longer the same, so he should be more careful with his words and actions, and think about the subsequent impact of things from the same perspective as Chi Yao.

Since it hasn't happened yet, he hopes that the empire will remain as stable as it is now, and that Chi Yao will not create barriers with the Lu family who have no problems in their official duties for the time being, thereby triggering uncontrollable deeper national problems.

The sea-blue eyes were clear, and under such a passionate gaze, Chi Yao had a rare moment of trance.

He reached out and touched Shi Xing's cheek, and his thumb gently stroked the child's eyes, which were dry.

He wanted to cry, but he didn't cry in the end.

Chi Yao had forgotten when was the last time someone told him not to be too tired.

After decades of succession, day after day, year after year, the burdens that were once felt difficult have become daily routines and habits as time goes by.

But this does not mean that the pressure he bears has decreased.

Everyone is headed by him, and over time, he is used to considering everyone.

Shi Xing's words...

Chi Yao stared at Shi Xing's cheek and whispered: "No one has said this to me for a long time."

It was as if all the glory brought by the position was stripped off, and to the person behind him, it was just what he said.

"The relationship is different, and others have no position."

Chi Yao slid his thumb from left to right under his eyes again. Shi Xing itched slightly, but seeing that Chi Yao looked like he was playing with something, he did not stop him.

Chi Yao: "Then what is your position?"

Shi Xing said uncertainly, "In theory, a partner who can support each other?"

In reality, he has not yet reached that point, so he doesn't want to say too much, and doesn't dare to say empty words like asking Chi Yao to rely on him, which makes people laugh.

"Your... family?"

Support each other...

Chi Yao's lips curled up, "Then you still have a long way to go."

Shi Xing nodded and promised obediently, "I will study hard and work hard to grow."

It was just a promise, but when people heard it, they felt a very full emotion.

Chi Yao lowered his eyes for a moment, and for the first time he affirmed, "But it is indeed a family."

From the perspective of a family, Shi Xing is qualified.

Chi Yao: "I want to hug you again."

After saying that, Shi Xing gave him a big hug and put his chin on his shoulder. In silence, Chi Yao could feel the warmth from the human body.

Shi Xing returned to the topic, "If I can't bear it one day, I will definitely come to you, but in fact, everything is getting better, and I haven't had dreams for a long time."

Chi Yao said nothing. What Shi Xing said was also true. After leaving the tree nest, he slowly fell asleep and comforted him.

"Just give me a chance to digest it myself. After all, I still need to get over it myself in the end."

"I'm not that fragile, Your Highness."

Chi Yao agreed with the last sentence, "Yeah, I feel it."

After today's conversation, he even drew strength from Shi Xing, which was a very strange experience.

But from another dimension, Chi Yao thought that he might have underestimated Shi Xing all along. Shi Xing... could do much more than he imagined and had a broader world.

Thinking of this, Chi Yao patted Shi Xing on the shoulder and did not push him away. While hugging him, he talked about the matters of the Elders' Council.

Chi Yao: "I have already talked about most of the domestic situation. Now I tell you these. You should understand more or less that if you give up, you will lose the power during your maturity, and the responsibilities you can avoid at the same time." "

What the Elders' Council said is not entirely unreasonable. As a Blue Star person, these are a bit strenuous for your body."

"So, I want to give you the opportunity to choose."

And with what Shi Xing said today, Chi Yao also felt that the other party was ready.

"If it's my opinion, domestic affairs are not urgent, but military power is necessary."

"Then this also requires the support of Tanjia. After you are cured of Tanchi, it's time to focus on pulling Tanbaishan."

"If you want to grow more steadily, I also respect your wishes and will do my best to provide you with a relatively stable environment. You just need to take care of yourself."

"I accept everything."

"The final choice depends on your wishes."

"I asked him to consider Tanbaishan, and I will give you some time."

"Take the treatment of Tanchi as a node. After the treatment is completely stopped, you give me an answer."

As Xu Jin expected, they came out of the isolation room and they were fine.

Fu Qing and Xu Jin were seriously relieved. It's good to be fine.

After everyone went to sleep that night, Xu Jin, who had checked all the rooms, ran into Chi Yao in the living room. He was standing by the window, enjoying the view, holding a glass of ice wine, looking very comfortable.

"Your Highness?"

Xu Jin: "Why are you still awake so late?"

Chi Yao shook his wine glass and said leisurely, "I thought of something and came out for a walk."

He did not hide it, "I thought of that annoying couple."

The couple Chi Yao was talking about were none other than his parents, and the so-called "annoying" was not a literal meaning, but... there should be some disguised teasing and nostalgia in it.

Xu Jin said cautiously, "It seems like it's been a long time since I heard your Highness mention the late king and queen."

Chi Yao: "Why should I mention them? It's been so long." "Do

I miss them? They urged me to learn this and that every day since I was born, or I left the empire without sorting it out and just gave up?"

Xu Jin: "Is it just pure missing?"

Chi Yao stopped talking.

Actually, I do miss them.

But they rarely mention it to others.

Xu Jin observed Chi Yao's expression and said, "Did something happen that made you think of them?"

Chi Yao: "Shi Xing."

Chi Yao: "He said something that made me inexplicably...feel very touched..."

As his knowledge grew, Chi Yao hadn't felt touched for a long time.

Looking out the window, Chi Yao smiled and said, "I always thought of him as Bi Zhou, but suddenly I realized that this look might not be right."

Bi Zhou is Chi Yao's nephew, who is now raised in the palace. Xu Jin greets him via video every day.

Shi Xing's thinking is more mature than Bi Zhou, and he is more courageous to take corresponding responsibilities, without escaping or dodging.

Even though the other party is still very weak now, Chi Yao can see a hidden strong personality in a trance.

Chi Yao whispered, "Maybe he can give me more surprises..."

Maybe one day he can share some of the responsibilities on his shoulders, so he doesn't have to be so tired?

Maybe, maybe.

The news that Shi Xing could penetrate the beast core quickly spread throughout the Seventh Army. Everyone was in disbelief, but after watching the video recorded on the spot, they fell silent again.

This skill was beyond their imagination.

The Seventh Army was discussing it in full swing, but Shi Xing didn't hear a word of it. In the past two days, Chi Yao led him to agree on the improvement of the arm crossbow. One copy of the drawings was sent to the Northern Frontier Arsenal, and one copy was sent back to the Imperial Capital, so that the weapon masters in the Imperial Capital could see if there was any room for improvement and build the most suitable one for him.

In the remaining time, Chi Yao taught Shi Xing what he knew and personally helped him improve his fighting training. In the end, Fu Qing took over. Fu Qing knew nothing and thought that Shi Xing's standard postures were all taught by Chi Yao. He praised Shi Xing for his rapid progress for a whole day, which made Shi Xing feel embarrassed.

Two days later, everything was ready, and the Seventh Army led the star beast from the border to the imperial capital as scheduled.

Tan Baishan: "This one has been repeatedly confirmed by the border, and it is not a mutant, an S-level star beast. Let's try it first."

Chi Yao nodded.

In the open field used as a battlefield, as far as the eye can see, there is a vast expanse of ice and snow.

Not far behind him was the ice and snow forest, which provided a shelter for the soldiers in case the star beasts got out of control.

Shi Xing was weak, and when Chi Yao learned that he wanted to watch, he did not let him get off the spaceship, but just let him wait on top.

Through the glass of the spaceship, Shi Xing lay on it and saw the Seventh Army soldiers forming a formation on the ground.

Looking up at the sky, there were several warships surrounding this space at every height difference, leaving only a passage in the middle for the star beasts to reach the ground.

"It's almost there, don't you want to see it? Come out."

Chi Yao shouted from below.

Shi Xing got out of the spaceship like a gust of wind.

When he stepped on the thick snow in the north, the net formed by countless warships sealed Shi Xing tightly inside. He looked up and saw the vastness of the world. Warships were like stars in the sky. People seemed very small in an instant.

"Come here, the star beast is approaching."

Chi Yao stretched out his hand to Shi Xing. Shi Xing thought he was going to hold him. He just stretched out his hand and moved closer, but was held in front of him by the waist.

Chi Yao's barrier was opened in a small range. His transcendent mental power completely blocked the energy dissipating from Shi Xing's body.

"Ready, start."

Tan Baishan gave orders mixed with mental power. The warships were invisible at the same time. However, in the blink of an eye, there was only the vast snow in this world.

A beast roar that penetrated the battlefield came from outside the clouds.

The hunt begins.