The Silly Prince Successfully Cancels the Engagement, But the Fiancée is His Childhood Sweetheart - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Undercurrents of Danger

Bai Qing’s vacation ended, and just two days after returning to classes, he was notified that the award ceremony for the Mecha Battle Competition was about to be held.

The Mecha Battle Competition award ceremony was very grand. The top sixteen all received a considerable prize money, especially the champion, who received not only a large cash reward but also a promise from His Majesty the King.

His Majesty the King personally presented the awards. When it came time to present the award to his disappointing son, he patted Xiang Zhuo on the shoulder and leaned into his ear: “I know you have always been very strong, and this is the result of your own hard work. But when you climb mountains and cross ridges, you will find that the outside world is far bigger than you imagine. Maintain your passion and courage.”

Xiang Zhuo lowered his head and nodded distractedly as soon as the King finished speaking. He took the opportunity to glance at Bai Qing beside him.

Bai Qing had lost a lot of weight compared to before the Mecha Battle Competition. He was wearing a sky-blue shirt and white silk trousers, which made him look even more slender and tall.

The light from the ceiling poured down on him unreservedly; he was meant to be enveloped by light.

Noticing that Xiang Zhuo’s mind wasn’t on him, His Majesty the King quietly observed Xiang Zhuo and found that the brat was secretly looking at Bai Qing.

His Majesty the King’s face was full of meaning.

Regret is too late, brat, hmph.

When it was Bai Qing’s turn to receive the award, there was a smile in the King’s eyes. He was extremely satisfied with Bai Qing. He felt very secure knowing that the young generation of the Eternal Empire had someone like Bai Qing.

As for the promise he had granted, upon learning that Bai Qing hadn’t decided what he wanted yet, the King generously extended the deadline indefinitely. For Bai Qing, the King was almost willing to grant anything.

After the award ceremony ended, while waiting for the subsequent procedures, Xiang Zhuo planned to cheekily ask Bai Qing out for a meal. However, as soon as they stepped off the stage, Bai Qing was hurriedly pulled away by Ye Sheng. Xiang Zhuo didn’t even get a chance to say a single word to Bai Qing.

Xiang Zhuo’s cold and direct gaze fixed on Ye Sheng from afar, his eyes filled with unconcealed displeasure.

Ye Sheng, unaware of what he had done, shivered violently in front of Bai Qing.

Bai Qing, seeing that he had rushed him away only to remain silent, asked in confusion: “What is it?”

Ye Sheng was secretive: “Look at this.”

Ye Sheng showed Bai Qing his communication terminal.

On the screen was a post that was constantly being updated with new replies.

A new reply appeared almost every three seconds, showing how popular the post was.

Bai Qing looked down and started browsing from the beginning.

The post was published on the National Defense Military Academy’s internal forum. This forum was almost the largest and most concentrated hub for information exchange among students in the academy, also serving functions like a confession wall, lost and found, textbook tutorials, and experience sharing.

The poster was a new account at level one, and the title was very eye-catching.

【Good News!! The Empire’s Number One Omega is free again! I can ship them again!】

Bai Qing and Ye Sheng exchanged a silent look and continued reading.

The poster introduced himself as an avid fan of Bai Qing. He first loudly congratulated Bai Qing on winning the Mecha Battle Competition championship, then stated his position: Bai Qing absolutely did not cheat to win the championship; he was a resilient, all-powerful Omega.

The tone and wording were a bit strange.

Upon seeing this sentence, Bai Qing frowned: “Is he trying to defend me or drag me down?”

Ye Sheng also found the post odd: “It definitely isn’t just a simple compliment. After all, everyone is convinced that you won the Mecha Battle Competition fair and square. No one is saying you cheated at all. Although some people did mention cheating, it was only during your match with Xing Wuying, and they stopped talking about it after you turned the tables in that match. By bringing it up now, he seems to want to focus everyone’s attention on the fact that you’re an Omega and won the championship by cheating.”

Bai Qing: “It seems he has ulterior motives.”

The latter part of the post introduced Bai Qing as the young master of the Bai family—the Empire’s top arms dealer and mecha manufacturer—who had money, power, strength, and beauty, practically flawless. Most importantly, Xiang Zhuo had already canceled his engagement with him, so claiming the title of the Empire’s Number One Omega was entirely justified.

There weren’t many words, but the amount of information conveyed was immense. There were so many replies, and the speed of replying was so fast, that the post quickly rose to the top of the homepage and remained there for a very long time without being bumped down.

【3L】: What!? Bai Qing is actually an Omega? I’m back in the game! Wife, I’m coming!

【5L】: What!? Bai Qing is actually an Omega? I’m back in the game! Wife, I’m coming!

This pattern continued for over twenty floors until one user couldn’t help but break the formation.

【29L】: Is Bai Qing the Bai Qing I know, the one with SSS+ mental power? He’s an Omega? But, isn’t he studying at the National Defense Military Academy?

【30L】: The Military Academy has never had a precedent of an Omega studying there! Poster, is your information reliable?

【33L】【Poster】: Absolutely reliable! How dare I post this here without a ten-out-of-ten certainty? Look, the moderator hasn’t deleted the post after all this time, proving I’m not spreading rumors.

The poster’s counter-argument completely dispelled the doubts of the gossips, and finally, some sensitive people voiced their concerns.

【64L】: So, Bai Qing is the young master of the Bai family. The Bai family not only sent him into the National Defense Military Academy but also bribed judges and opponents to throw the match so he could win the championship? No wonder Xiang Zhuo canceled the engagement; turns out his character is questionable.

【65L】: Do you have evidence for what you said above? Imperial law heavily penalizes rumor-mongering.

【70L】: The National Defense Military Academy has never had an Omega enroll for so many years. Logically, the military academy’s entrance exam is impartial, fair, and just. How could an Omega get in without being filtered out? Bai Qing couldn’t possibly pass the physical fitness test! Why would he enter when he’s so weak? He’s purely harming others without benefiting himself. What is he aiming for?

【78L】: The Bai family is so powerful and influential, and both Bai Changsong and Bai Jinfeng graduated from the National Defense Military Academy. Logically, they wouldn’t do something so foolish. Could it be that Bai Qing is actually a useless person they sent in to give him a shiny facade?

【84L】: Make way, make way! Latest news: our Dean was once a student of Bai Changsong, who is Bai Qing’s grandfather.

【99L】: This is rotten, rotten! People like us should keep quiet, or we might lose our lives.

【103L】: How can this Bai Qing be called the Empire’s Number One Omega? The poster is a brainless fan, no explanation needed.

Bai Qing tightly furrowed his brow, reading through the entire post word for word. Ye Sheng’s face wasn’t looking good either: “The forum administrator is my friend. I’m going to ask who this poster is and what exactly they want.”

Bai Qing stopped him: “Knowing my true identity and involving the Bai family, this poster is likely aiming for more than just smearing my name.”

“He wants to ruin my reputation and get me kicked out of the National Defense Military Academy.”

Ye Sheng was confused: “Quickly think! Who have you made enemies with?”

Bai Qing truly couldn’t recall.

If it were an enemy he made in the underground arena, his identity was well-hidden there, and no one should have recognized him. It’s unlikely to escalate to the Military Academy. If it was an enemy he made because he won the Mecha Battle Competition…

Bai Qing’s lake-blue eyes seemed to turn to ice.

Ye Sheng rubbed Bai Qing’s head: “It’s okay, don’t overthink it. I’ll go ask who this poster is first, see what he wants, and if the post can be taken down, all the better. Afterward, we’ll deal with things as they come. Let’s both be careful at the academy during this time.”

After all, any student or teacher at the National Defense Military Academy might log in and see this forum, so caution was necessary.

There were still award procedures to follow. Ye Sheng hurriedly left. Bai Qing returned with a solemn expression.

Xiang Zhuo’s seat was directly behind Bai Qing. Noticing Bai Qing’s serious demeanor, Xiang Zhuo leaned forward: “What happened? You look so unwell.”

Bai Qing turned his head: “It’s nothing. Do you usually check the forum?”

Xiang Zhuo shook his head: “No, I don’t. Apart from training, when I’m free, I read books, occasionally practice chess, sometimes play the piano, and my best skill is cooking.”

Bai Qing quietly looked up, glancing at him: “You have quite a wide range of hobbies.”