Chapter 69: Ying, ying Princess

Recap

The brilliant gold of his eyes mirrored the light flakes, their colors a perfect match.

Shen Chaomu blinked, the similarity startling. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Go to sleep,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss Long Shiyu’s forehead.

Long Shiyu drifted off, his form curled protectively around his aching wound.

The light flakes faded, and Shen Chaomu’s expression hardened. The ship swayed gently, the starlight outside bright and unwavering.When we reach that galaxy, he thought, his gaze fixed on Long Shiyu’s sleeping face, I’ll find a way to heal you.

The red and white monkey music box sat on the desk, its cheerful tune a stark contrast to the grim atmosphere of the office. The young hunter, his attention captivated by the toy, barely registered the entrance of the woman with silver-streaked hair. She wore a combat uniform and carried a stack of files, her face etched with wrinkles, but her eyes sharp and alert.

Qiu Ruowen, Chief of the Hunter Association.

The young hunter snapped to attention.

Qiu Ruowen followed his gaze and explained, “A relic from the Wilpan incident. He used his spiritual power to simulate other strange beasts—a friend, I believe. That power is bound to the music box. Of course, it’s just an ordinary toy now.”

“I’ve heard of it,” the hunter said, his voice filled with admiration. “It’s a pity I wasn’t there. Shen Chaomu must be incredibly powerful.”

“He is one of our best,” Qiu Ruowen agreed with a smile. “But tell me, did you interact with him during the Bei En mission?”

“Yes, during a dive and a handover at sea.”

“What did you think of him?”

“He was impressive, very skilled.” The hunter’s excitement was palpable. “I even got a picture with him.”

Qiu Ruowen smiled again. “He does receive excellent reviews. But that’s not what I wanted to ask. I’m curious about his attitude towards strange beasts.”

“Attitude? What do you mean?”

“Since his internship, his mission evaluations have been remarkably impartial towards strange beasts. I’m curious about your thoughts on that.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?” The young hunter was confused. “I don’t have any concerns. Maybe I should learn from him.”

Qiu Ruowen fell silent, her knuckles tapping a rhythmic beat on the table. The hunter recognized the tune: “To the Glory of Victory,” a song celebrating those who hunted and killed strange beasts.

“You’ve done well,” Qiu Ruowen said finally. “Would you be interested in another opportunity to work with Shen Chaomu? He should be in Tabu now. If you’re assigned there, keep an eye on the person named Shiyu who travels with him.”

“Oh, him. I know him. He’s Mr. Shen’s boyfriend.”

“Yes.” Qiu Ruowen’s smile didn’t waver. “But Shen Chaomu seems a bit careless in that regard, bringing an ordinary person to dangerous places. Keep an eye on things. If you notice any problems, report to me.”

It was an unusual request, but Qiu Ruowen’s tone was casual, almost motherly. The young hunter, eager to please, agreed without hesitation.

After he left, Qiu Ruowen picked up the monkey music box, its cheerful tune filling the silence. On her desk lay the report on the siren’s missing body. She had read it countless times. She pulled out a few other files.

One detailed an incident in Cassandra, where a massive boulder, made from exceptionally strong material, had been found shattered in the ruins of the Sky City. The damage didn’t match the mantises’ scythes, but resembled claw marks.

Another concerned an anomaly detected by Alliance warships in Bei En. A creature moving at high speed, crushing skeletal mermaids, and a fleeting glimpse of a figure soaring through the air as the Damocles Bridge collapsed.

These signals had lasted only seconds. Perhaps they were just anomalies, or perhaps something was deliberately concealing itself.

Qiu Ruowen’s instincts, honed over a lifetime of hunting, whispered a warning. The Cassandra incident, with its unexplained beast activity, had been troubling enough. Now, coupled with the events in Bei En, a pattern emerged: legendary beasts appearing suddenly, and Shen Chaomu always present.

She organized the files, then poured herself a cup of coffee. Retirement loomed, but the escalating beast uprisings kept her tethered to her post. She tapped her fingers on the desk, her reflection in the window a stark reminder of the passing years. Who would be the next chief, capable of navigating these turbulent times? The question weighed heavily on her.

Outside, the streets were empty, the late hour silencing the usual city hum. Qiu Ruowen drained her coffee and entered a complex sequence of passwords into her terminal. A hidden window appeared, layers of verification revealing a collection of files. She opened one, its contents a jumble of code. Blue light reflected in her emotionless eyes as she typed, initiating another round of authentication. Returning to the root directory, she refreshed the screen. A new folder materialized.

“Project High Wind.”

Within, files on the Dragon Hunting Family and the “National Spiritual Awakening” stretched back a thousand years.

Qiu Ruowen read silently, her expression unreadable, before closing the interface. She rose, donned her long windbreaker, shouldered her tactical backpack, and left the office.

The cold wind of Star City greeted her. Autumn had arrived.

…

The enormous starship landed on Tabu, a planet of sweltering heat and humidity, a stark contrast to the icy plains of Bei En. Long Shiyu stepped onto the bustling, colorful streets, winding their way through the mountainous terrain. The vibrant city, nestled halfway up the mountain, unfolded like a three-dimensional painting. From the heights of its tallest towers, one could see endless wilderness and lush forests.

Tabu rivaled the Alliance’s main star in size and importance. Compared to Earth, it was a giant, its surface area five or six times larger. Abundant water, light, and oxygen had nurtured two distinct civilizations: the orcs, now part of the Alliance, and the dwarves, master forge-smiths who had designed the Damocles Bridge. The dwarves, however, had dwindled in number, eventually disappearing entirely after a series of catastrophic events.

The western hemisphere thrived under the Orcish Dynasty, its economy robust and its cities bustling. The eastern hemisphere, once home to the dwarves, was now a desolate wasteland, its current inhabitants shrouded in mystery. Many hunters had ventured there, searching for clues about the Blood Worship Cult, whose supply lines seemed to originate in the east.

Shen Chaomu was tasked with continuing this investigation. A group disembarked with him and Long Shiyu – the mantises, disguised in human form.

“Our settlement is powerful, isn’t it?” Black Sickle boasted to Shen Chaomu, his human guise slightly uncanny. “Our disguises are exceptional.”

Shen Chaomu lit a cigarette. “If you think so,” he replied nonchalantly.

“Are you implying you have concerns about our settlement?” Black Sickle bristled.

The “people” behind him murmured amongst themselves, their behavior a bizarre tableau.

Shen Chaomu sighed. “No, not at all,” he assured them.

They boarded a large aircraft, bound for the Green Inn. Fang Qing, who had recommended the place, was engrossed in reviewing his hotel bill. “I know the owner,” he explained. “I was researching hotels in Cassandra and wanted to consult with him.”

“You were really researching hotels?” Shen Chaomu asked skeptically. “I thought you were just looking for wanted criminals to use as poison test subjects.”

“I’m not heartless,” Fang Qing replied without missing a beat. “Everything I do is in the name of science.”

Shen Chaomu shrugged.

Long Shiyu, after a brief foray into his card game, felt the aircraft descend. Below, a towering wooden building, entwined with vines, awaited them. Warm light spilled from its windows, accompanied by the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation. Exotic flowers, in a riot of colors and sizes, decorated the windowsills.

Douglas, the owner, twitched his wolf ears as they entered. He looked up, his gaze landing on Fang Qing. “The pervert is back,” he grumbled.

“You don’t seem very popular here,” Shen Chaomu whispered to Fang Qing.

“Nonsense.” Fang Qing approached the front desk. “Old dog, where’s our room?”

Douglas tapped his terminal, granting Fang Qing access to several rooms. “Don’t do any experiments in my hotel,” he warned. “The smell makes me sick. You animals with your dull senses, don’t disturb my peace and quiet.”

“No problem,” Fang Qing promised.

Douglas, clearly unconvinced, snorted and took a long swig of his drink.

Long Shiyu followed Shen Chaomu, storing their luggage before venturing out again. Black Sickle accompanied them. According to the mantises, the individual skilled in spiritual healing resided deep within the nearby forest.

The other mantises remained at the inn, fascinated by their novel surroundings. As Long Shiyu departed, he saw several of them gathered around the television.

Back on the aircraft, sleepiness overcame him. His injuries made him lethargic, though the absence of Shen Di meant the pain was less intense. He curled up on the soft sofa, clutching the virtual currency Shen Chaomu had replenished for him, and started another game. Through his drowsiness, he heard Shen Chaomu questioning Black Sickle.

“How do you know about this healer?”

“Our settlement has journeyed far,” Black Sickle replied. “We have heard many stories and met many people. We encountered this healer while hunting in the forest. We saved him from ghouls, and in return, he told us about himself.”

“Is he a strange beast?”

“He is human, like you. But he values peace and won’t take kindly to dangerous, gluttonous dragons.”

Shen Chaomu raised an eyebrow, glancing at Long Shiyu, who was thankfully too engrossed in his game to notice the comment.

Shen Chaomu: “…”

Three hours later, the aircraft approached a dense, black forest. Unlike the vibrant woodlands of the Orcish Dynasty, this forest was a place of shadows, its leaves like pools of darkness. In the distance, a crumbling tower stood at the forest’s edge, overlooking the sea.

This desolate region, devoid of landmarks or attractions, rarely saw visitors. Respecting the healer’s desire for solitude, Black Sickle insisted they land the aircraft a kilometer away. They ventured into the shadowy depths, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. Fragmented sunlight filtered through the dense canopy as they navigated the uneven terrain.

Strange creatures, unafraid of their presence, crossed their path – a four-horned silver deer, a translucent crow, a croaking, fish-eyed creature that walked on four legs.

Reaching the tower, they found a vegetable garden at its base, overflowing with lettuce. Rounding the tower, they saw a cascade of pale gold hair spilling from a high window, seventy or eighty meters long, swaying like a shimmering beacon.

Long Shiyu’s eyes lit up. This looked like a princess!

Black Sickle ascended the tower, using his spiritual power to form a cloud platform. After a long wait and a surge of energy, a rope ladder unfurled.

Long Shiyu climbed eagerly, his heart filled with anticipation. The interior of the tower was surprisingly spacious, filled with antique mirrors, dusty books, ornate jewelry boxes, swords, and cards bearing cryptic symbols. Bottles and jars lined the shelves, their exotic scents mingling in the air – cedar, citrus, mint, lily of the valley, lilac.

The owner of the golden hair, clad in a black silk nightgown, held a crystal ball and turned gracefully. He had a scruffy beard and unruly eyebrows, his appearance a stark contrast to the elegant surroundings.

“Well, well,” he boomed, his voice rough and gravelly. “Look who’s come to visit my humble abode.” He let out a booming laugh.

Long Shiyu’s hopes were dashed. “Ying!” he whimpered, hiding behind Shen Chaomu.

“Don’t be afraid,” Shen Chaomu soothed, mistaking Long Shiyu’s disappointment for fear. He studied the man, a sense of familiarity tugging at his memory. The crystal ball, too, seemed familiar, similar to Uther’s.

“I know you,” the man declared. “You’re Shen Chaomu, aren’t you?”

Shen Chaomu nodded. Many in the Alliance knew him, even in this remote corner of the world.

“He’s told me everything,” the man said, gesturing to Black Sickle.

“So, you can heal this?” Shen Chaomu asked, indicating the mantis.

“I can’t guarantee it will work, but I can try,” the man replied. “I’ve examined Black Sickle’s wound and attempted some preliminary treatment. With the right materials and enough time, there’s hope.”

Black Sickle, now in his true mantis form, did seem slightly improved, though the change was subtle.

“I still need more materials,” the healer added.

“I’ll find them,” Shen Chaomu assured him. “But may I ask your name?”

“Oh, forgive my manners.” The man slapped his forehead. “You can call me Romeo, or Mr. Lettuce. Perhaps little Uther has mentioned me?”

Shen Chaomu recognized the name: Romeo Green, another magic user like Uther. His Alliance Standard was much more fluent than Uther’s, lacking the strange accent.

Magic was a peculiar phenomenon, seemingly exclusive to this small family residing in a remote galaxy. It was likely linked to spiritual power. Despite their size and isolation, the Greens were fiercely loyal to the Alliance, and several of their members were exceptional hunters.

“For Black Sickle and little Uther’s sake, I’m happy to help,” Romeo said. “But magic comes with a price. In a simple fight, it only consumes spiritual power. But if the method is wrong, there can be…consequences. That’s why my family is always cautious.”

“I’ve heard that,” Shen Chaomu said. “But what are those consequences?”

“I don’t know exactly,” Romeo admitted, picking up an ornate wooden comb and running it through his long hair. “But for simple healing, the price shouldn’t be high. Let me see…I’ve seen photophobia, temporary mental disorientation, and personality splits caused by unstable spiritual power. Most effects fade within a few days.”

“I tested the method on Black Sickle,” he added. “It seems to be correct. I can’t completely heal him, but I can ease his pain.”

Shen Chaomu hesitated. Should he trust Romeo so readily? He knew that misusing magic could cause serious backlash, far worse for the caster than the recipient. But Long Shiyu’s injury couldn’t be ignored…

“I sincerely want to help,” Romeo continued, still combing his hair. “I have nothing else to do besides grow lettuce. I dreamed of joining the Hunter Association, but some things delayed me, so I came here to study magic.” He puffed out his chest. “I’m a master of my craft. If you’re worried, you can use your spiritual power to stabilize the environment during the spell. With your control, it shouldn’t be a problem. But any side effects might affect you as well.”

“That’s acceptable.” Shen Chaomu turned to Long Shiyu. “What do you think?”

“I don’t want you to be affected,” Long Shiyu said. “I’ll do it myself.”

Shen Chaomu turned back to Romeo. “He agrees. I’ll stabilize the environment with my spiritual power.”

“Wait—” Long Shiyu began to protest, but Shen Chaomu clapped a hand over his mouth.

“Be good,” he warned. “Or no more bedtime stories and goodnight kisses.”

Ten minutes later, Romeo had assembled a collection of bizarre ingredients on the table: herbs, leather, the skull of an unknown creature. He placed the crystal ball among them.

With the curtains drawn, the room was dark. Long Shiyu and Shen Chaomu sat side-by-side, watching the spiritual energy swirl within the crystal ball. Shen Chaomu, with his limited knowledge of magic, confirmed that the spell was benign, its energy gentle and non-threatening.

Golden light flakes filled the air, forming a protective barrier.

Romeo’s hair stirred as his power surged. The objects on the table vibrated, then crumbled into dust. Long Shiyu’s reflection appeared in the crystal ball, the light within swirling faster and faster.

“Lettuce!” Romeo shouted, his voice echoing in the sudden silence.

“What was that?” Long Shiyu whispered.

“Probably the incantation,” Shen Chaomu replied.

The room exploded with light. Wind whipped around them, sending papers flying and curtains billowing. Romeo was thrown backward, crashing into the wall.

Shen Chaomu rushed to help him, sensing the chaotic state of his spiritual energy.

“How…how is this possible?” Romeo gasped, coughing. He waved away Shen Chaomu’s assistance and struggled to his feet. “Impossible! I used the same method! It was a simple healing spell. How could it fail?”

“Are you alright?” Long Shiyu asked, concerned.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Romeo waved a dismissive hand. “Just a minor setback. Give me some time to research. I’ll let you know if I make any progress.” He paused. “You two didn’t feel any discomfort, did you?”

They both shook their heads.

“That’s good. Strange, though. No side effects at all.” Romeo picked up his comb and resumed smoothing his hair, muttering to himself. “But how could it fail?”

They exchanged contact information, and Romeo promised to update them. With no immediate solution, they returned to the Green Inn.

It was late. Their rooms were on the fourth floor. As they entered the common area, they found Fang Qing and Song Qianqian sipping tea.

They knew Long Shiyu was injured, but not about Shen Di. Shen Chaomu sat down and explained the situation.

“That’s not right,” Fang Qing said, frowning. “Based on what I know about magic, Mr. Lettuce’s backlash shouldn’t have been so severe without any side effects on you. It’s abnormal.”

“I don’t know,” Shen Chaomu admitted. “But we’re fine.”

“Completely fine? Perhaps the effects haven’t manifested yet.”

“No, really. We’re fine.”

Long Shiyu focused on the grapes he was eating, trying to appear inconspicuous.

Fang Qing took a sip of his tea. “Well, that’s good, of course. I hope he finds a solution soon. This can’t be delayed indefinitely.”

“Agreed.” Shen Chaomu nodded, his expression serious.

Then, he suddenly slumped against Long Shiyu with a dramatic groan. “Ying!”

Fang Qing sprayed tea across the room. Song Qianqian sputtered, wiping her face with a napkin.

___

T/N: Happy New Year~! May 2025 be filled with joy and laughter and your new year’s resolution to come true! Thank you for reading here and God bless you.

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