AEKMEM chapter 4

Chu Heng hurried back to the Imperial Capital Star with the intention of canceling his arranged marriage.

There were few cases in which the main brain system actively arranged matches, and, strangely, every case involved destined mates. Therefore, marriages arranged by the main brain system could not be canceled under imperial law, and divorces could only occur after a one-year waiting period.

However, there have been exceptions in the past. One such exception was when both parties were sworn enemies who hated each other and could not tolerate even a nominal marriage. Once both sides agreed to cancel the match and paid a large sum to the state treasury, the betrothal was immediately annulled, even though the two eventually ended up marrying.

Chu Heng sneered at the idea of marriage.

Perhaps because he is a black dragon in beast form and has undergone a second awakening, there are more chaotic memories of the dragon clan in his mind. These memories inevitably affect Chu Heng’s behavior and personality.

Additionally, since he grew up in the chaotic Garbage Star, he lacked the “pity and cherish jade” mindset. He was domineering and impatient with the weak, and only interested in treasure and battle.

Looking for a wife? Impossible!

It would only interfere with his fighting.

Besides, it would risk the fortune he had painstakingly acquired. Yet…

Chu Heng looked at An Qiao’s sickly, fragile appearance. He looked like he might fall over with a gust of wind. Recalling Jun Yiran’s diagnosis that An Qiao was in extremely poor health and wished to die, Chu Heng became uncertain.

An Qiao quietly read the match notification on his optic brain interface.

How to put it?

Simply… it was a bit outrageous.

According to An Qiao’s understanding of life in the empire, matches between the main brain systems rarely occurred. It was a forced marriage contract that had to be fulfilled, and divorce was only allowed after a one-year probation period.

—So why was he being married for some reason?

Elves were born from the progenitor elf tree, and most of them had no sexual desire. Even if they sought partners, they almost always looked for other elves in their tribe.

The Elf King never considered seeking a mate. Finding a partner outside of elves was even less possible.

Now, a mate had suddenly fallen from the sky.

An Qiao regarded Chu Heng critically in front of him, almost unbothered.

Of course, he didn’t agree to Chu Heng as a mate.

The Elf King was proud, picky, and too lazy to please a partner. He never thought he would like anyone and planned to remain single for life.

He felt this match was almost unacceptable because Chu Heng shouldn’t truly be willing to pair up with him. After all, Chu Heng had openly stated that he would never marry a crown princess.

This was just a forced compromise: a nominal marriage that could be dissolved after one year. At least Chu Heng’s betrothed was visually pleasing. Although the paired parties were required to live together, they merely moved to a more comfortable place than a single ward.

Most importantly, a dragon—the giant black dragon he wanted to capture—had jumped into the “hole” on its own. It was hard not to be moved.

After they got acquainted, it shouldn’t be a problem to let Chu Heng show his beast form, right?

Third, he was still seriously injured and hadn’t found a way back to the fairy world. Even if he did find a way, he couldn’t risk returning before his wounds healed and his magical power recovered.

This meant he might have to stay in this world temporarily.

Refusing to pair up was essentially breaking the law. It felt wrong. He also wanted to visit different planets and explore his human identity. There must be many new and interesting things on all those planets!

Anyone who knew An Qiao would be surprised that he accepted a shallow mate like Chu Heng so quickly.

The Fairy King was cold and indifferent, caring nothing for others. He didn’t even bother to look at others, let alone live with them or allow them into his territory easily.

After a long silence, Chu Heng frowned at An Qiao sitting before him and spoke first, “What do you think of this match?”

“… ” An Qiao was slightly confused.

How else could he appear? Wasn’t this just a blank stare?

He looked up at Chu Heng calmly and said, “Whatever you think, I will think the same way.”

Chu Heng’s eyes glinted.

The silver-haired youth looked at him sharply. His beautiful, ice-blue eyes dimly glowed and reflected Chu Heng’s figure clearly.

An Qiao gave him the choice to accept or refuse.

Yet, when he stared into An Qiao’s eyes, he suddenly couldn’t bring himself to say, “Cancel the match.”

The young man had been abandoned by the An family after failing to awaken. He had no one to rely on and was helpless. He was sick and could cough up blood at any moment. He was so weak that he seemed moments from death.

If I ordered the young man to cancel the match now…

Never mind, we’ll talk later. He was afraid this sickly person might die from the shock.

“I think this match… is quite good,” he said.

“Let’s go.” Chu Heng stood up.

Take it back and consider it a beautiful ornament for your home for the time being.

It’s a beautiful ornament, more eye-catching than the shiniest gem in his collection.

An Qiao asked, “Let’s go?”

Clearly, he hadn’t reacted.

Chu Heng asked, “Do you still want to stay in this ward?”

“No.” An Qiao quickly shook his head, furrowing his brow as he looked at the small, simple ward he had lived in for half a month with some disgust.

**

Adjutant Jiang Qi led the Marshal’s Guard in a patrol of the corridor outside the ward.

Although he was tempted to listen to the gossip about his superior, he did not dare eavesdrop, considering Chu Heng’s unusual martial ability.

Chu Heng rarely brought his guards on personal trips before.

However, since returning from the Zerg battlefield, he always traveled with them.

Rumor has it that Chu Heng injured the mother insect while fighting the enemy, injuring a thousand enemies and losing eight hundred. He was also seriously injured. Therefore, Chu Heng, who has always relied on his own strength and has never feared anything, now needs bodyguards.

He was indeed injured, but the extent of his injuries was unknown to the outside world. Not even Jiang Qi knew.

The Second Prince’s faction was ready to move, and some of Chu Heng’s men were uneasy.

As a friend and subordinate, Jiang Qi knew only to obey orders and avoid asking unnecessary questions.

Jiang Qi never doubted that Chu Heng, who was unsympathetic to beauty, would remain single for life.

He must have been shocked to learn that the main brain system paired their arrogant prince.

In imperial history, there were few cases of the main brain system actively pairing individuals. However, each pair was destined to be together. The individuals matched were elites among elites, who brought great glory and contributions to the empire.

The main brain system matched people based on talent, ability, and personality. There might have been some unspoken principles, but it never erred.

Now, Crown Prince Chu Heng had been paired with An Qiao, who failed to awaken!

Even if An Qiao had awakened, it would have been nearly impossible for him to compete with Chu Heng, whose talent and abilities were unmatched.

The empire recognized Chu Heng’s strength. He was also the first beastmen in imperial history to take black dragon form. He was an beastmen who had returned.

The empire valued strength. Due to his unrivaled tyranny and military power, many officials in the Imperial Capital Star opposed his ascension, yet he remained firmly the crown prince.

Yet the strongest, Chu Heng, was paired with An Qiao, who lacked healing ability after failing to awaken and was not even as capable as the lowest-ranked elf.

Wasn’t that ridiculous?

Moreover, their temperaments and hobbies were mismatched.

How could An Qiao, a typical “pampered elf bride” raised by a noble family, get along with the cold, bloodthirsty Chu Heng? An Qiao might not even be able to look Chu Heng in the eye.

Chu Heng had never been patient with tame, weak elves.

Jiang Qi couldn’t understand why the main brain system paired two utterly incompatible people.

He wasn’t surprised that Chu Heng returned to the Imperial Capital Star to cancel the match.

Chu Heng had sworn never to marry the crown princess. Although he valued wealth, he would reluctantly “pay the single tax” and generously cancel the arranged marriage.

When he saw Chu Heng leave the ward, Jiang Qi followed him.

But why was An Qiao following Chu Heng? After the engagement was broken off, shouldn’t they go their separate ways?

“Your Highness?” Jiang Qi asked, confused.

Didn’t you say you came to cancel the marriage? Now, is the marriage canceled or not?

Chu Heng introduced himself: “This is An Qiao.”

After a pause, he added, “…Consider him one of the Marshal’s Palace rulers.”

It had been nearly 24 hours since he received the notification from the main brain system. The system would soon announce the match results to the entire empire, and the imperial marriage website would automatically register him and An Qiao as a legal pair.

Initially, he had intended to cancel the match before the system announcement.

The match could still be canceled at any time, but canceling before the end of the one-year period would incur a high cost.

Now, with the announcement imminent, he had to make a statement.

Jiang Qi: “?”

Hello… Do you remember arrogantly saying you would never marry the crown princess?

**

The ward was a little far from the aircraft parking area.

As soon as they left the warm building and arrived at the empty lot, An Qiao shivered from the cold.

Within seconds, the exposed parts of his body—his ears, the tip of his nose, and his hands—were buffeted by the cold wind.

That familiar sensation!

An Qiao sniffed.

His hair on his forehead was slightly disheveled, and his beautiful face turned red from the cold. His long, curled eyelashes trembled like little fans, making him look embarrassed, helpless, and pitiful.

Suddenly, his shoulders slumped.

A warm black cloak fell over his shoulders.

“Wear this.” Chu Heng’s voice was low and deep.

Before An Qiao could react, Chu Heng removed his black leather gloves and tossed them to him.

He caught them reflexively.

Even after receiving them, An Qiao was still slightly confused.

The Fairy King had been pampered since childhood, yet he was slightly older; he had become the Fairy King as a teenager. As the king, he often acted as a protector.

He wasn’t accustomed to being taken care of suddenly.

He thanked him stiffly.

“Since you know it’s cold here, why don’t you wear more clothes?” Chu Heng looked slightly annoyed and helpless.

Despite his poor health, he still acted recklessly!

Jiang Qi, standing nearby, was stunned by what he saw.

Chu Heng, who was usually unsympathetic toward others, actually cared about someone who was cold!

He even gave An Qiao his cloak and gloves.

Chu Heng had a strong sense of territory and would never allow anyone to easily touch his belongings. Especially give them away.

His items, especially those marked with the unique emblem of a flaming gold coin, never fell into others’ hands.

Now, he just gave them away?

Was this really the Chu Heng he knew?

“Who’s there? Stop!” The guards in front suddenly shouted.

“Sorry, sorry. We didn’t mean to collide. We are household staff and guards of the An family. We mean no harm.”

An Qiao saw the An household staff and seven or eight black-clad guards surrounded by the Marshal’s House guards.

The An household staff didn’t see An Qiao. To prove their innocence, the guards immediately smiled and explained, “We are here to escort Mr. An Qiao, a resident of this hospital, to a dinner event.”

They should have prepared dinner at the old An family residence. However, news that the An family wanted to “marry” An Qiao for profit suddenly leaked to certain circles. Fearing for his safety, An Qiao’s father asked the staff to accompany him in person.

Who would have thought they would meet the prince’s personal guards?

After hearing the head butler’s explanation, Jiang Qi suddenly had a bad premonition.

He asked: “Are you escorting Mr. An Qiao back to attend dinner?”

As far as he knew, the An family was hosting a dinner for the second young master that night. An Qiao was sick, so his attendance was not a concern.

A guard quickly spoke up. “Yes, the head of the family asked us to fetch Mr. An Qiao. He said he had chosen several good candidates and asked Mr. An Qiao to return and select one.”

Silence filled the air.

Chu Heng’s usual expression faded. His face darkened and his gaze became cold. “What did you say?”.

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