AEKMEM chapter 70

An Qiao didn’t expect to get drunk after just one sip of wine.

In the Elf World, he could drink quite a bit.

Just as he was about to “settle accounts” with Chu Heng, his adjutant, Jiang Qi, interrupted. Jiang Qi said that the situation in the laboratory researching insect poison was dire and suggested that Chu Heng check on it himself.

An Qiao had no choice but to let Chu Heng leave.

Since he had the time, he took the opportunity to cure Yun Jianchen of the insect poison. Having accepted a 2S-level mission from the Empire’s top military academy, he had to complete it. Besides, it was also out of respect for Chu Heng.

After Chu Heng left, An Qiao narrowed his eyes and glanced at Yun Jianchen.

This was the second time.

Last time, when An Qiao was about to “settle accounts” with Chu Heng, Yun Jianchen had interrupted him.

This time, Yun Jianchen interrupted again—although Adjutant Jiang had something to discuss with Chu Heng, the real reason for the interruption was the insect poison on Yun Jianchen’s body.

Yun Jianchen felt a chill run down his spine under An Qiao’s gaze.

Chu Heng was terrifying, and his crown princess was too! They truly were a couple! Their terrifying auras were exactly the same.

Unable to bear the gaze any longer, he coughed lightly and said, “Ahem… Your Highness, Crown Princess, would you like to begin the treatment now?”

Jiang Qi, watching from the side, felt excitement grow.

He had a cousin who was also poisoned by insects, which left him with crippled legs and unable to walk. They had sought help from many high-ranked elven healers, but none could cure him. Jiang Qi had once asked An Qiao, should he meet that elf again, to bring up his cousin’s case and say that they would accept any cost or price for a cure.

Upon learning that An Qiao had accepted the Level 2 mission from the First Military Academy of the Empire, Jiang Qi was unexpectedly filled with anticipation. Maybe An Qiao really had a way to cure the insect poison. Now that he knew An Qiao was an elf’s messenger, Jiang Qi was even more convinced of his abilities.

Unexpectedly, His Highness the Crown Princess was also an elf messenger.

It was somewhat surprising, but not entirely unexpected.

Jiang Qi thought to himself that those people were probably going to be disappointed now.

After An Qiao accepted the 2S-level healing mission from the Empire’s top military academy, many people in the school complained privately that An Qiao was arrogant. An elf who hadn’t awakened healing abilities had dared to accept a healing mission. He was simply ignorant of his own limitations.

Although An Qiao was incredibly lucky—being selected by the brain system, being matched with Crown Prince Chu Heng, and winning the usually ungentlemanly Crown Prince’s heart—he also gained the favor of the elf, who praised him as “very good.”

But healing isn’t something that can be done by luck alone!

Besides, this is a 2S-rank healing mission, which not even that 2S-rank elf healer could accomplish.

Does An Qiao, this unawakened “decorative” elf, really think he can do it?

Does he think this mission is like the previous S-rank missions, which could be completed by luck alone?

His Highness the Crown Prince is indulging An Qiao by agreeing to let him take on this mission and getting the relevant teachers at the school to agree. If the Crown Prince and his approved family member don’t agree, An Qiao, who isn’t high-ranked enough, shouldn’t be able to accept this mission.

His Highness the Crown Prince is being far too reckless! They’re just letting An Qiao act recklessly.

Of course, they only dared to complain in private, afraid of being challenged by Chu Heng to a “sparring match.” This wasn’t the first time that he had challenged someone because of An Qiao. Beastmen are incredibly possessive and protective of their partners, and any rational person knows not to provoke a beastman’s partner, especially a powerful one. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting to be beaten up.

Jiang Qi thought, “His Highness the Crown Princess is too low-key.”

If people knew he was the elf’s messenger and how powerful he was…

However, it seems His Highness the Crown Princess doesn’t intend to reveal that he is the elf’s messenger nor expose his strength.

Having spent considerable time with Chu Heng and An Qiao, Jiang Qi gradually realized that An Qiao was no ordinary person. In fact, he was unfathomable and possessed considerable combat strength and healing abilities.

Jiang Qi was eager to see how An Qiao would cure Yun Jianchen’s insect poison.

But what he saw next left him dumbfounded.

Yun Jianchen was dumbfounded as well.

The insect poison was gone, and he felt much lighter.

However, his mind was somewhat hazy.

An Qiao gave him a multicolored, crystal-clear pill. According to An Qiao, it was a special antidote that the elf had given him.

Yun Jianchen thought it was one of those prank candies, though.

When he ate it, it tasted like one: sour, bitter, salty, spicy, and fishy. All sorts of flavors intertwined and exploded at once, making it unbearably bitter. He almost vomited.

After he finished it, An Qiao said that now that he had taken the antidote, the insect poison would be gone.

A test confirmed that the poison was gone.

But… what he had just eaten really did taste like a prank candy.

Could the elf have deliberately made the antidote taste this strange?

“No, no, no! Your Excellency is holy, pure, and virtuous. How could you possibly have such perverse taste?”

“It must be that too many complicated herbs were used to treat the poison and they were mixed together, resulting in this strange smell!”

Yun Jianchen tried hard to convince himself.

**

Of course, there is no antidote.

An Qiao had secretly used light-attribute magic to heal him.

After the treatment, he couldn’t help but frown slightly.

“What kind of insect poison is this? It’s similar to the poisons used by the demons in the elven world!”

An Qiao wondered if the Zerg in this world had a genetic connection to the demons of their world.

Just as the elves of this world are related to their elven counterparts. Although the relationship was extremely tenuous.

However, despite this bold speculation, he couldn’t make any hasty judgments without witnessing the Zerg firsthand and sensing their power.

After pondering it for a while, he decided to stop thinking about it.

Just as he was about to stroll in the garden, he ran into the butler who was putting wine into the cabinet. The butler said that a bottle that Chu Heng had specially ordered a couple of days ago through his connections had just arrived.

“Wine ordered by Chu Heng?” An Qiao raised an eyebrow in surprise.

How come he didn’t know?

And this wine was ordered through special connections?

Hmph, he’s hiding something!

**

Previously, An Qiao thought he had a good tolerance for alcohol.

He enjoyed fine wine but never indulged in it. He could sip a few glasses slowly and still maintain his elegance and composure without the slightest hint of tipsiness.

However, not long ago, at a gathering with Chu Heng’s friends, Shen You and Yin Que, he felt slightly drunk after just one glass. Although he was reluctant to admit it, he realized that he was a lightweight. Of course, it was all because the alcohol in this world was too strong, and he wasn’t used to it.

But now, after just one sip, An Qiao questioned his existence.

So being knocked out by one glass was already considered good—he could actually be taken down in one sip?!

Remembering the feeling of uncontrollably reverting to his elf form after getting drunk last time, An Qiao felt a headache coming on.

Although he managed to avoid reverting, he was quite arrogant, even running away alone to avoid revealing his identity. Afterwards, he felt guilty for leaving Chu Heng alone at the dinner party they had gone to together.

Now, thinking about it, why did he feel guilty? Chu Heng clearly knew he was an elf all along! Yet he kept it a secret, acting flawlessly and putting on a completely innocent act.

An Qiao grew angrier the more he thought about it.

Already drunk, his head started to throb even more.

He gently pressed his temples.

Fortunately, he didn’t feel the urge to revert to his elf form uncontrollably this time, which relieved him slightly—he didn’t want to reveal his elf identity to the public.

As for Chu Heng, An Qiao had originally planned to gradually reveal his elf identity to him anyway. Revealing his identity to Chu Heng wouldn’t be a big deal.

Of course, being exposed didn’t mean he could accept being deceived.

Especially since Chu Heng clearly knew he was an elf all along yet watched his performance for so long, painstakingly and nervously concealing his identity. Was Chu Heng secretly laughing at him?

Didn’t he have any pride?!

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His head spun, and his eyelids grew heavier.

An Qiao, somewhat weary, pressed his temples and instructed the butler not to disturb him. He went upstairs to his room to rest.

**

Practice makes perfect.

Chu Heng used his homeowner privileges to unlock the smart lock on An Qiao’s bedroom door. He wasn’t surprised to see An Qiao sleeping peacefully on the bed in his elf form.

Although he had seen him once before, he couldn’t help but be amazed.

Surrounded by beautiful, moonlit silver hair, the pointed-eared elf slept peacefully amidst the bed.

His usually pale, ethereal, serene face, clear as the moon in the sky or snow on a mountain peak, was tinged with a faint blush because he was drunk. The hint of peach blossom at the corners of his eyes was especially captivating.

He wore a simple, light white robe with a somewhat casual tie that revealed his delicate and beautiful collarbone.

Chu Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Fortunately, he hadn’t forgotten his main purpose: to use the heart’s blood of the Dragon Clan, his own, to break the Demon King’s curse on An Qiao.

Now, taking advantage of An Qiao’s drunkenness, he could prevent him from discovering the truth.

Following the method in the Dragon Clan’s inherited memories, Chu Heng offered his heart’s blood, and his face instantly turned deathly pale.

Dragon Clan heart’s blood is extremely precious. Losing even a single drop causes considerable damage and requires a long recovery period.

However, Chu Heng didn’t seem to care much.

He had finally completed the task without disturbing An Qiao and breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked down at An Qiao.

The silver-haired elf lay there peacefully and unsuspectingly, tempting him to kiss him awake…

Remembering the “Elf’s Kiss” red roses An Qiao had given him, Chu Heng felt a surge of desire.

Ultimately, though, he abandoned the idea.

Taking advantage of someone in this vulnerable state seemed inappropriate…

Besides, if he woke An Qiao…

An Qiao knew that he had hidden the fact that he already knew about his elf identity, and he was furious. There might not be enough time for him to apologize profusely.

Reason told him that he should leave now before he woke An Qiao; otherwise, the consequences would be dire.

But he couldn’t help himself. With extremely light movements, he leaned down and cautiously reached out to pinch An Qiao’s pointed ears, which were truly elven.

Just as his hand gently touched An Qiao’s ear—

An Qiao suddenly opened his eyes, and their gazes met.

You can read the full completed story here with instant full access. ✨