The Silly Prince Successfully Cancels the Engagement, But the Fiancée is His Childhood Sweetheart - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Departure

The remnants of the Former Empire resorting to the bombing of the National Defense Military Academy sparked the King’s outrage. Furthermore, the bombing’s objective was clearly defined: to kill Bai Qing.

With his SSS+ mental power and astonishing performance on Giant Forest Island, Bai Qing had long attracted the attention of the Former Empire forces. The Former Empire might not rise again, but the Eternal Empire must absolutely not possess such a brilliant young person.

It seemed they were intent on a fight to the death with the Eternal Empire.

They likely didn’t anticipate the immediate consequence of their frenzied bombardment of the Military Academy: their coordinates were exposed.

His Majesty the King instantly decided to eliminate the remnants of the Former Empire at all costs.

The National Defense General Hospital was filled with injured Military Academy students. People needed time to recover, and the academy needed time for repairs, so classes were suspended for a month.

During this recovery period, the King specifically ordered Bai Qing to join the elite squad tasked with eliminating the Former Empire remnants and to head to the front line.

Since his SSS+ mental power instilled such fear in these Former Empire survivors, it proved that Bai Qing was capable of exerting infinite power.

However, the King’s deployment order had barely reached Meng Yunting before it met with fierce opposition from Xiang Zhuo.

He immediately returned to Stunken Palace and burst into the King’s office, regardless of whether the King was handling official business.

Fortunately, the King reacted quickly and stopped his bodyguards’ actions, otherwise, a bloody fight would have erupted right outside his office.

Xiang Zhuo did not mince words: “How can you send Bai Qing to the battlefield?”

The King replied unhurriedly: “Why can’t I?”

“He’s not well! I know better than anyone how dangerous the battlefield is!”

The King was non-committal: “He is an outstanding mecha warrior. The battlefield is the pursuit of every mecha warrior.”

Xiang Zhuo, furious, laughed in return: “Fine, then I’ll go too! If he’s going to earn military merits, so am I.”

The King’s answer left no room for negotiation: “Do you think you’re off the hook? You are to report to the Central Army and keep the Capital Star safe. You will learn to fight at your fastest pace. You won’t lack military merits.”

Xiang Zhuo felt a fire burning in his chest. No matter what he said, the old man remained utterly unyielding.

In the end, Xiang Zhuo was very politely “escorted” out by two tall Alpha bodyguards. Xiang Zhuo was so furious that he violently crushed the most comfortable-looking cushion in the King’s reception area.

…

When Bai Qing received the deployment order, there was no surprise in his eyes. He knew that his SSS+ mental power was a powerful weapon for the Eternal Empire to intimidate the remnants of the Former Empire.

The destination, Shade Star, was remote and quite far from Hero Star. The King’s orders were to depart as soon as possible, rendezvous with the Southwest Army, and form an elite advance team to head to Shade Star to assist the main Southwest Army forces in eliminating the Former Empire remnants.

He had already contacted Cheng Hanshuang, the deputy general of the Southwest Army. Cheng Hanshuang suggested departing at night. Since this was a covert operation, and he needed to maintain the illusion that he was training at home, a nighttime departure was most suitable.

Bai Qing immediately decided: he would depart the following night.

He was already eager to pilot a real military mecha.

…

Bai Qing still needed to visit the Administration Building to complete his paperwork.

Although classes were suspended, some administrative functions of the building were still operational. Bai Qing’s paperwork was processed smoothly. As he walked out of the Administration Building, he saw a tall figure near the fountain behind the Sun and Moon Radiance statue.

Xiang Zhuo flashed him a smile from a distance.

Bai Qing tightened his grip on the documents and slowly walked towards him: “Why are you here?”

Xiang Zhuo pulled him to sit on the long bench: “I needed to see Meng Yunting about something.”

Bai Qing nodded gently, remaining silent for a while.

Finally, Xiang Zhuo couldn’t hold back. He slightly tilted his head: “Have you completed the paperwork for Shade Star?”

“Yes, I have.”

“I heard that everyone there is brainwashed by the Former Empire forces and carries firearms. That’s too dangerous.”

The corner of Bai Qing’s mouth lifted by two pixels: “It is quite dangerous.”

Xiang Zhuo’s face instantly broke into a sincere smile: “Exactly! That’s no place for a person to go. That stubborn old man is deliberately giving you a hard time by transferring you there. There are countless people who go to Shade Star and never return. He specifically chose you; think about whether his intentions are truly good.”

Bai Qing raised his eyes, looking directly into Xiang Zhuo’s: “This is a mission assigned by His Majesty the King. I cannot refuse.”

Xiang Zhuo grew anxious, like a large dog whose fur had bristled and was anxiously guarding its owner: “But what if you don’t come back? I’m really worried about you.”

Bai Qing stared quietly into Xiang Zhuo’s eyes for a long time, then pointed to Xiang Zhuo’s German Shepherd necklace: “This necklace is a bit old; it’s oxidized.”

Xiang Zhuo immediately panicked: “I’m sorry. I haven’t taken it off. I didn’t even take it off when bathing. I haven’t cherished it properly.”

Bai Qing shook his head: “Shade Star is rich in ore—the hardest, most beautiful ores. The craftsmanship is also exquisite. When I return, I’ll give you another one…”

Suddenly, the fountain behind them erupted in a huge stream of water. The sunlight reflected on the droplets, creating a spectrum of colors and startling the pigeons on the ground.

A passerby exclaimed and immediately pulled out their communicator, eager to record the magnificent and beautiful scene.

Bai Qing’s attention was drawn to the fountain. He paused his words, looking at the gushing water…

Xiang Zhuo suddenly straightened up. He forcefully turned Bai Qing’s face toward himself with his hand. His eyes held a momentary flash of unhidden sharpness and aggression, and his ear tips and cheeks were flushed. His voice was husky: “What did you just say you were going to give me?”

Bai Qing’s lips curved slightly, his voice betraying a hint of pleasure: “Wait until I return.”

…

Xiang Zhuo knew.

Even if he could stop the King, and stop Meng Yunting, he absolutely could not stop Bai Qing.

A high-risk, confidential mission like this would certainly require the individual’s consent first. Everything that followed only happened because Bai Qing agreed.

Bai Qing was like a bird destined to soar high; the blue sky was his destination.

No matter how high the sky was, or how dark.

Xiang Zhuo didn’t know the exact time of Bai Qing’s departure, but when he tried to contact Bai Qing that evening, he couldn’t get through. He knew then that Bai Qing had already left for the Southwest Army base.

The conditions at the Southwest Army were not as harsh as those in the Northwest Army, but the Southwest Army had the largest jurisdiction and the worst security situation in its garrisons. Consequently, they encountered the most trouble. Xiang Zhuo was worried sick the entire night, unable to focus on training. He finally decided to place a call to Cheng Hanshuang.

The phone rang for a long time before Cheng Hanshuang answered impatiently: “Your Highness, are you bored?”

Xiang Zhuo endured the rising anger in his chest for a long time before forcefully suppressing it. Dammit, this arrogant Alpha!

“It seems you’re not busy, either, since you have the leisure to answer my call.”

Cheng Hanshuang, overwhelmed, looked up from a pile of messy documents and sneered: “That depends on who’s calling. Since it’s you, even if half my head were sliced off on the battlefield, I’d still have to perk up the other ear to hear your commands.”

Xiang Zhuo was used to this sarcastic tone; the two had fought since childhood and were constantly at odds, like a pair of rivals.

Xiang Zhuo: “If you had that kind of realization earlier, you would have unified the entire galaxy by now. I don’t have time to argue with you. I’m asking you: Has Bai Qing arrived?”

Cheng Hanshuang, far away at the Southwest Army base, suddenly curved his lips, as if he had finally discovered something interesting.

Although the Southwest Army was far from Hero Star, he knew perfectly well all the trouble the Crown Prince had caused on Hero Star.

He heard that Xiang Zhuo had tried every means to break off the engagement with Bai Qing, but then relentlessly pursued him after the breakup. Combined with the rumored “White Moonlight,” Cheng Hanshuang was willing to bet his honor and military record that this feather-brained Xiang Zhuo must have mistaken Bai Qing for the so-called “White Moonlight” himself.

Cheng Hanshuang relaxed, his expression growing amused: “Not yet. Why?”

Xiang Zhuo lectured: “I’m telling you, now that Bai Qing is heading your way, you are primarily responsible for his safety. If Bai Qing returns and I find a single hair missing from his head, I will hold you accountable.”

Cheng Hanshuang was unfazed: “I will naturally protect those who come to me. But I must ask, in what capacity are you saying all this?”

Xiang Zhuo was momentarily choked by Cheng Hanshuang’s retort: “None of your business.”

Just then, a subordinate came over to report, mouthing the words “Bai Qing is arriving soon.”

Seeing that he had gained the upper hand, Cheng Hanshuang’s mood brightened, and the previous irritation vanished: “Alright, alright. Your precious darling is arriving soon. I have to go line up to welcome him.”

With that, without waiting for Xiang Zhuo’s reply, Cheng Hanshuang hung up the communicator, leaving Xiang Zhuo alone and frantic.

Given Xiang Zhuo’s intense concern, Cheng Hanshuang was somewhat curious about Bai Qing.

By the time he had everything arranged, Bai Qing arrived.

The small starship Bai Qing was aboard had just docked in the Southwest Army’s docking bay. Cheng Hanshuang opened the hatch and waited quietly for Bai Qing.

The small starship connected directly to the docking bay, which was covered by new materials—tough yet light, ten times stronger than the viewport of a starship cockpit.

The air in the docking bay was fresh. The moment Bai Qing stepped inside, he seemed to forget the fatigue of the journey.

Bai Qing quietly looked up and saw Cheng Hanshuang and a team of people standing silently at the end of the gangway.

He felt a slight calm and slowly walked toward the hatch.

As Bai Qing approached, he tilted his head slightly and offered Cheng Hanshuang a polite smile.

Cheng Hanshuang: “…”

He finally understood why Xiang Zhuo had gone crazy a while ago, not only eliminating that team of intergalactic pirates but also spending a sky-high price to buy the Tear of Divine Compassion and give it to Bai Qing.

Indeed, only the Tear of Divine Compassion was worthy of him.

Cheng Hanshuang smiled warmly: “Traveling all night—are you tired? Rest well tonight. We’ll head to Shade Star tomorrow.”

As he spoke, he extended his hand to Bai Qing in a gentlemanly gesture.

Bai Qing was an Omega. Normally, an Omega lightly placing their hand in an Alpha’s palm represented basic courtesy and was a small gesture to break the ice between an Alpha and an Omega.

However, Bai Qing was no ordinary Omega; he was the exception to etiquette education.

He didn’t quite grasp the intent behind Cheng Hanshuang’s gesture. After a moment of thoughtful hesitation, he tentatively hung his small luggage bag on Cheng Hanshuang’s knuckles: “I’m fine, not tired. Thank you.”

Cheng Hanshuang: “…”