CH 78

Undercurrent (1)

It was night and the snow had stopped.

The magnificent White Jade Palace’s frame was shrouded under the screen of the night, and no one could see the figure of the imperial prince sitting on the corner of the palace roof.

Garcia leaned against the frosted white bricks, overlooking Aslan’s dotted street lamps from a very high altitude.

Two pairs of gold red crystal bones stretched out from his waist, spreading on the ground like drooping butterfly wings.

When the wind blew the curly hair on his cheek, the prince raised his right hand, and his eyes fell on the chip on his wrist.

“……”

His expression was indifferent, but frowned in displeasure at this moment.

During the day, he really wanted to teach Jiang Jianming a lesson.

However, the moment the crystal bone was released, an ominous feeling soared, easily suppressing the anger.

——Will die.

This consciousness passed through his mind like an ice arrow.

His strength was too strong, while the disabled human being on the opposite side was too weak.

This was no joke, and there was no room for being self-willed either. One’s own forbearance or unbridledness, would directly determine the life or death of the opposite party, and without buffer in the middle ground. 

Garcia understood what death was all about.

After death, the person would disappear, and there would never be another person like Jiang Jianming in the world.

Even if this disabled human being was a bit vicious and cunning, he was absolutely not at fault to an extent either.

……Forget it, scaring is enough.

The night breeze was getting a bit cold. In the past two days, the temperature in the third district of Aslan had dropped significantly.

At some point, the lights in the Star City in the field of vision gradually went out. Residents who had finished working or studying for the day went home respectively and entered tonight’s dreamland.

Garcia was still sitting there. When he was on Alpha Alien Star, he often sat atop the fortress of Silver Big Dipper watching the snow all night, quietly until dawn.

But tonight he was inexplicably irritable and his mind was in a mess. The scene of Jiang Jianming wrapped in a black dress and turning around in the dim light by the window kept floating in his mind, which couldn’t be wiped off.

………He once thought that this person could be his own. He picked it up on the battlefield and carefully nurtured it in the treatment cabin. He even felt that if he could keep this disabled human for a lifetime, it may also be very good.

Fake.

It was fake from the beginning.

There is nothing that’s exclusive to him, there won’t be.

After a while, Garcia took out the cartridge case from his pocket and played with it between his fingers.

At that time, he didn’t realize that the person who came was also a disabled person, and real crystal instinctively blasted out.

If it weren’t for Jiang Jianming’s quick decision to fire that shot to cut it off and bring him back to his senses, as well as his timely reaction…..the silver-haired young man who broke in would have died.

Garcia raised his head, the bottom of his eyes had a clean starry sky.

It was said that three years ago, the old crown prince died at the end of this starry sky.

It was said that the old crown prince had benevolence and grace, a brilliance that could be compared with the sun and the moon, and was praised by the empire throughout the world.

(t/n: Benevolence and grace (wealth) (prestige)- a Chinese idiom, pinyin is ēn wēi bìng jì, meaning that rewards and punishments are used together, referring to the ruler’s use of high-pressure and gentle means at the same time.)

Obviously, he did not have the elegant upbringing and conduct of the crown prince, and only had the destructive power contained in this body.

He is……

He is the veritable imperial monster.

There’s nothing wrong with monsters, but everything that’s wrong should end there.

He will no longer communicate with that disabled human being again.

The cold wind howled at the top of the White Jade Palace, Garcia closed his eyes and lowered his head, resting his chin on his knee. His crystal bones lifted up silently, covering himself from all sides.

****

It was already very late when Jiang Jianming returned to the staff dormitory of the military academy.

He had been wandering outside for too long, thinking about Garcia’s matter, and realized that he had already walked several streets when it was cold, thus he had to turn back helplessly, stepping on the snow all the way as walked back.

Perhaps because of tossing around for the whole day, when he returned to the dormitory, he felt a little heavy in his body.

Jiang Jianming opened the door in the dark, shut it, bent down to change his shoes and got up again, unexpectedly, he got dizzy for a moment.

When he came back to his senses, he was already kneeling at the door with his hands on the ground.

There was a fishy sweetness in his throat, Jiang Jianming frowned and began to cough violently. Few seconds later, he was starting to sporadically choke dark liquid on the floor.

……When was the last time he vomited blood? It seems that it has been a long time.

The seizure lasted for almost a minute before subsiding. Jiang Jianming was so dizzy that he could only support himself by the wall while kneeling on the ground, and moved to the front of the bedside table.

He was intermittently wheezing, he grabbed a few pieces of tissue by feeling, and wiped off the blood on his fingers and the floor.

Fortunately, it was not seen by His Highness, otherwise it would be another big trouble.

After another moment of delay, Jiang Jianming took out the medicine from the backpack he brought back and drank it. Then he got back on his feet with his usual expression, washed up, changed clothes, and went to bed.

Closing his eyes, he put the Wings of Venus beside his pillow.

Today he shot Garcia, even if it was a choice under urgent circumstances, but tonight, he may not be able to sleep well again.

Jiang Jianming rubbed the cold trigger with his fingertips, turned over and buried himself in the quilt, closing his eyes.

Tomorrow, still tomorrow’s road should be tread on…..

But he also dreamed of the time when he didn’t have to stumble as he walked.

That was when he had just settled in Aslan Star City and was not long after he enrolled in the 6th College of Kaios Military Academy.

“Close the library?”

In a corner of the Aslan Library, the black haired boy pursed his lips and withdrew his hand from the chip box.

The library staff member, a bald uncle in his fifties or sixties, nodded at him and said, “Yes, we close here before five o’clock, kid.”

He couldn’t remember the reasons and consequences clearly. It seemed that he spent several days soaking in the Aslan Library for the sake of a school project.

Suddenly, there was a notice stating that the library would be cleared for three days due to the upcoming visit of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Empire.

Jiang Jianming’s understanding of the safety of the Crown Prince was extremely important. But he hadn’t finished reading the book he wanted to read yet.

If placed on ordinary people, at most they would just complain about bad luck.

Unfortunately, Jiang Jianming’s brain circuit was naturally unusual, and he just thought to himself: he wants to finish reading his book, of course the Crown Prince is important, surely it doesn’t mean that his topic is not important anymore?

The disabled human young thief was extremely daring. He directly hid in the corner of the reading room while the building was being cleared, and finished two rounds of hide and seek with the inspector uncle. In the end, they thought it was empty inside, clicked the lock and went home from work.

Jiang Jianming was locked inside as he wished and had free time for the night and tomorrow morning.

He knew there would be a second investigation in the afternoon, he should be able to finish reading the book by then. It didn’t matter if he’s caught, the surveillance would show that he’s not a gangster, and at most he’d only get scolded and be kicked out.

That night, the library was empty and there was a faint chirping of insects outside.

There were tall bookshelves on all sides, and the young man calmly turned on the flashlight function of his wrist device, using it as a small light to illuminate, slowly flipping through his materials.

Find a book, read a book.

Until he felt sleepy late at night, and simply lay down and slept on the table.

That was the ordinary and leisurely time of the young Jiang Jianming.

Jiang Jianming’s biological clock was very useful when he was young, and he woke up the next day just before dawn.

He slept on his stomach on the table for half a night, feeling a bit sore on his body, but it wasn’t a big problem. He went to the bathroom, simply washed his face and rinsed his mouth to tidy himself up, and continued reading.

The last book he was looking for was very unpopular, it was still a paper book. Jiang Jianming searched for a long time and finally found it placed at the corner most of the highest shelf. The young man smiled bitterly as he moved the ladder enough to get the book, and secretly thought to himself that because few people could flip over such thick bricks that they were placed so high……

The spine of the book was hooked in a flash and fell down.

Unexpectedly, the slender wrist of the disabled human was unable to support the sudden tilting weight. Jiang Jianming’s finger slipped and the book fell straight from a height–

“….Oh.”

Jiang Jianming, who was holding the ladder, hurriedly turned around when suddenly the morning light from the window flashed glaringly. He closed his eyes and raised his hand to block it, hearing a gentle sound from below.

It’s very light, not the sound of heavy objects falling to the ground.

The black haired military academy student leaning against the bookshelf opened his eyes, his gaze fell from top to bottom, and he first saw a hand that was as white as jade under the sunlight.

That hand had slender five fingers and slightly protruding bony joints under the skin, having both strength and beauty, very good-looking. At this moment, he firmly caught the fallen book. Looking along the palm of the hand, it was a dark red dress embroidered with gold at the wrist, and two cufflinks reflecting light.

A young man’s figure slowly emerged from the corner of the bookshelf. He had gorgeous platinum gold curls, perfect facial features like the son of god, and looking up, there were two cold emerald colors.

Jiang Jianming couldn’t help but be stunned before his eyes. It was evident that the matter could not be managed again, but just now, this handsome young man happened to come around from the other side of the bookshelf when the book fell in front of him.

Next to him was a spotless glass window, the bright light surged gently like a white wave, enveloping the two young people.

Jiang Jianming lowered his eyes, while Ryann Kaios raised his. However, the two of them had the same surprise and confusion in the bottom of their eyes–

Shouldn’t the library be cleared now?

Why is there a person here?

Jiang Jianming first reacted and quickly descended from the ladder, bowed hastily and placed his hand above his chest, saying, “I’m sorry……and thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.” He, of course, wouldn’t fail to recognize the only prince of the empire.

The prince didn’t answer and glanced lightly at the book in his hand.

“The Star Graph Theory ” written by Dawn Aslan.

Ryann’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

The Founder and Commander Dawn Aslan’s career was brief, but he wrote relatively many books, such as “Starship Strategic Thinking”, “High Dimensional Transition Theory”, and “Star City Defense”, which were all must-read masterpieces for imperial generals today.

He had the most obscure book in his hand. Even at first glance, it was simply a reference book on how to efficiently interpret and apply star map coordinates, with rather obscure brushstrokes.

It was said that this book was written by the commander-in-chief while he was under house arrest in Watson Star City. Many people believed that at that time, Aslan’s mental state was already extremely poor, thus there were legitimate reasons why the written book was not satisfactory.

However, his teacher……Old Marshal Chen pressed him to read it last week.

He also sighed with emotion that the commander-in-chief’s lifelong military wisdom was hidden inside. Starships and mecha were treading on the star map. The so-called Star Graph Theory was actually the theory of Interstellar Warfare. As long as one could understand the thinking of this book thoroughly, it was equivalent to touching the thinking of this legendary military god.

Ryann weighed the book in his hand and sized up Jiang Jianming again.

Such a frugally dressed disabled human youth, reading such a book? Curious and took it down to have a look conveniently, or perhaps just pretending to understand?

But then……the Crown Prince’s eyes darkened slightly, he had only sneaked in early because he didn’t like the feeling of being surrounded by a bunch of guards.

Thinking that as long as he completed the homework required by the teacher as soon as possible, he could return to the White Jade Palace, and the library wouldn’t need to be cleared for three days. How could it be so coincidental to have met someone of the same age?

He was not naturally suspicious, it’s just that his status as a prince was there, and there were too many people who wanted to approach him and seek recognition.

“Your Highness?”

Seeing that the Crown Prince in front of him remained silent, Jiang Jianming couldn’t help but make a sound.

Facing the crown prince, he was not timid either and gestured, “Excuse me, my book…..”

If it’s at ordinary times, Ryann would always be too lazy to pay attention.

However, perhaps the morning light was too leisurely, or perhaps the library space was spacious, or perhaps the looks of the disabled human youth in front of him was too handsome and clean.

“I have read this book, the third example given in it is very interesting.”

He deliberately said this and then added, “When it comes to the famous Battle of Albourne during the Founding War……but I think, the route choice at that time was a mistake.”

Jiang Jianming blinked. “Why is that? At that time, the insurgents chose to start from the large Cygnus Star Field and cross the Hecate Corridor, so that they could surprise and destroy the space station of Star City and defeat the main force that was coming as reinforcement……It should already be the best strategy.”

Did you actually take on the conversation?

Ryann raised his eyebrows inexplicably and handed the book back to the military academy student in front of him, “The Hecate Corridor is too difficult to tread on, and the rebel army has consumed too much here, resulting in defeat in the Purple Silk Star City……If it weren’t for the help of the White Pigeon Red Leaf Society at that time, the failure of the rebellion would have been an inevitable result.”

Jiang Jianming took the book and held it in his arms, asking, “Then where would you go if it was yourself?”

Ryann: “Go straight, cross from the Cygnus Star Field, and then use the high-dimensional jump to jump to the garrison fortress in Albourne to fight directly with the main force.”

Unexpectedly, Jiang Jianming shook his head and said, “Won’t do.”

“The old empire disregarded the lives of its people, and the garrison fortress was built above the Star City. Once war broke out there, no one could guarantee the lives of hundreds of thousands of indigenous people in the Albourne Star City.”

Ryann suddenly lowered his eyebrows and said, “Then lead the stationed troops out, surround and annihilate them in the external domain.”

Jiang Jianming: “Albourne also has a space station to assist the garrison. Once those forces merge with the main force, the rebel starships will be attacked from both sides.”

“From the Space Station to the Garrison Fortress, the time difference made using this distance is the key point. During this period, the rebels can eliminate a space station garrison, but they may not be able to defeat the main force of Albourne.”

Ryann: “The convergence won’t be that fast.”

Jiang Jianming insisted, “It will be.”

“…….”

Ryann pursued his lips and didn’t turn his face, his white and golden curls swaying behind his spine, “on paper.”

Jiang Jianming was not angry either, but smiled gently and said, “There is a simulator next door, I will demonstrate it to Your Highness.”

An hour later, when the imperial affairs officials heard the news of the Crown Prince’s escape and rushed to the library, they were frightened out of their wits when they saw a completely different scene from what they had imagined.

The simulator next to the library pulled out a long shadow, as it was warmed by the sunlight.

Several paper books, as well as several chip readers, were scattered on the windowsill and reading table.

A gentle breeze swept through the pale curtains, reflecting two figures.

“Look, I won.”

The military academy student calmly knocked on the windowsill and said, “It’s just that it has to be fast.”

The Crown Prince leaned against the window, furrowed his eyebrows and lips, pondering earnestly, with a look of reluctance to admit defeat.

“No, I’m slow.”

Finally, His Highness the Crown Prince said in a hoarse voice, “If it were the commander of Aslan who came back to fight, it would have been much faster than me.”

“Your Highness…..Your Highness..”

The affairs official was so frightened that his legs softened and he cried, “Your Highness!”

Jiang Jianming thought to himself: no good, if he harassed the crown prince again, he was afraid he would be arrested and be held accountable. Thus he hurriedly said, “I’ve been bothering you for too long, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I…“

Suddenly, the Crown Prince lifted his beautiful and captivating face.

He grabbed the slender wrist of the military academy student facing him, restrained his expression, and stared at him, saying, “Don’t go, I have other ideas. Let’s have another round.”

****

At that time, Jiang Jianming was sixteen years old and had just lost his adoptive father. He refused the help of the Purple Silk Star City Welfare Institute and traveled alone to the Imperial Capital of Aslan.

And Ryan Kaios, who was only fifteen years old, was already a young crown prince who shouldered the future of the empire. With the power of a monster like tyranny, and a loneliness that was not worth telling others.

Even though fate had cast a heavy burden on the two, this encounter was unexpectedly pure and peaceful, and everything was still under the gentle breeze of early morning, illuminated by the light of the sun.

At that time, they were still just only sincere and pure teenagers.