AEKMEM chapter 78

Two days later, peculiar fluctuations indicating the gradual formation of a Zerg spatial portal were discovered on the border planet Red-Blue Star, where traces of the Zerg had previously been detected.

—This means that the Zerg army will soon use the portal to invade Red-Blue Star.

The Zerg have the racial talent of developing spatial portals. Without careful monitoring, these portals are difficult to detect, so the arrival of the Zerg army would be utterly unexpected.

Fortunately, this talent has its limitations. It only allows for relatively short-distance travel, and opening spatial portal is extremely difficult. Otherwise, the Zerg army could easily invade the capital star and open spatial portal everywhere, plunging the entire empire into war. It would be disastrous.

War was imminent.

Chu Heng departed from Water Blue Star overnight aboard a starship bound for Red Blue Star, accompanied by An Qiao and his personal guard.

**

The next day, around noon, soldiers from the Second Army Corps who had arrived on Red Blue Star ahead of Chu Heng went to the port near the military base to welcome their commander.

Seeing Chu Heng slowly descend from the starship, dressed in a military uniform and wearing a black cloak that exuded a stern and imposing aura, the soldiers immediately felt that the situation was under control.

The Marshal had led them to a crushing victory over the Zerg last time, and he would surely do it again!

However, the next second, upon noticing An Qiao beside Chu Heng, everyone frowned and exchanged bewildered glances.

Why did the Crown Princess come too?

War is no child’s play. The Crown Princess is a weak, unawakened elf and will only be a hindrance.

As for the Marshal’s choice of partner, his trusted confidants had no opinion or right to interfere. As long as the Marshal was happy, that was fine.

But bringing his frail, unawakened elf partner to the front lines was a bit too outrageous!

Several impulsive generals almost blurted out their questions but were quickly restrained by their colleagues, who frantically gestured for them to calm down.

An Qiao took in the expressions of his subordinates.

He wasn’t particularly displeased. After all, he was still portrayed as a “useless parasitic vine,” and accompanying Chu Heng to the front lines with that reputation seemed like “courting death” to outsiders. It would be abnormal if Chu Heng’s subordinates didn’t have some objections.

Compared to the other major armies, the Second Army’s generals were notably younger; many were Chu Heng’s classmates from the Empire’s First Military Academy.

Almost all of the outstanding graduates from Chu Heng’s graduating class followed him into the Second Army. For several years afterward, the Second Army was highly sought after by students from the Empire’s First Military Academy. Chu Heng could be said to have revitalized the Second Army, which had previously been the weakest unit overall.

Chu Heng, the commander, was arrogant and unruly, and his subordinates followed suit—many of them were rebellious troublemakers.

An Qiao was not displeased, but he narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking that Chu Heng’s subordinates needed to be taught a lesson. He would definitely find an opportunity to beat them up later to teach them discipline.

In the military, discipline is based on force. If he wanted to stay on the front lines, he would have to take down these troublemakers.

“Your subordinates are quite fierce,” An Qiao said, turning his head slightly to look at Chu Heng with a half-smile.

Chu Heng naturally noticed the expressions on his men’s faces. He frowned, ready to spar with them, but upon hearing An Qiao’s words, he instantly understood. Was Qiao itching to establish his authority?

His wife’s decision had to be supported!

“Then I’ll trouble the Crown Princess to teach them a lesson.”

Inwardly, he thought: These brats! After Qiao beats them up, I’ll give them a good beating, too!

Chu Heng hadn’t originally wanted An Qiao to come to Red and Blue Star.

From the Empire’s perspective, with An Qiao participating—an elf whose strength rivals his own, capable not only of fighting, but also of healing—the war would end faster with fewer casualties and a greater chance of annihilating the queen, which would be a tremendous boon.

However, Chu Heng personally didn’t want An Qiao involved in the war. This matter had nothing to do with An Qiao, an outsider elf. His desire to go to the front lines was solely because of him. The battlefield is fraught with unpredictable events. If An Qiao were to stumble and injure himself, Chu Heng would be heartbroken and filled with guilt.

An Qiao was like the bright moon in the sky or the cool snow on the mountain peak—an elf of pure integrity and righteousness. He couldn’t bear to see An Qiao go through this bloody ordeal.

If An Qiao knew his thoughts, he’d probably be speechless. Did he think he was a pampered young master, kept in a gilded cage? He was the mighty Elf King! He had seen far too much war and bloodshed. He had only arrived in this world after being severely wounded and falling into a coma during a war with the demons. Somehow, he had ended up here.

Chu Heng genuinely didn’t want An Qiao to go to war.

But he also knew that if he went to the battlefield, An Qiao would almost certainly follow him.

—He didn’t want An Qiao to get hurt, and An Qiao felt the same way. Neither of them wanted to see the other injured.

An Qiao insisted on coming with him—or rather, “notifying” him—and Chu Heng could only reluctantly agree.

Hearing Chu Heng’s words, An Qiao glanced at him sideways.

Who are you calling Crown Princess?

He could only accept being called “Crown Princess” by others, after all, it was a fact known throughout the empire.

However, hearing Chu Heng call him “Crown Princess” ignited his intense competitive spirit.

After all, he is the king of the elven race. Shouldn’t he at least be the “Crown Prince’s consort”?

However, before his slight displeasure could fully surface, Chu Heng seemed to notice and chuckled lightly. He gently hooked his finger.

An Qiao: “… ”

Fine, forget it for now. Beating people up was the priority.

The generals, witnessing the affectionate interaction between Chu Heng and An Qiao, felt a sudden surge of emotion.

Their Marshal, the Crown Prince, in particular, whose disdain for romance was obvious to all, now found his tender and affectionate behavior toward the Crown Princess utterly unbearable to watch.

They couldn’t help but wonder if he had been indulging in such beauty for too long and had lost his senses.

“Marshal!” At that moment, a tall, burly, black-bear-like beastman stepped forward and said curtly, “His Highness the Crown Princess is frail and likely unaccustomed to staying at the army’s encampment. You should have them escort him back.”

These words silenced the entire assembly.

Many of the accompanying generals gasped, silently cursing the black bear for being as impulsive as ever. The marshal had rushed there overnight and hadn’t had a chance to catch his breath yet, and now this black bear was showing him no respect in public. Having opinions was fine, but shouldn’t they wait until the marshal had rested before offering their opinions privately?

Others, however, felt that the black bear’s words were gratifying. The marshal had clearly made a mistake this time. It would be frustrating to have to keep their opinions to themselves! Even if they were beaten by the marshal later, they would accept it!

“Very good,” Chu Heng smiled.

That smile sent a chill down their spines, making them tremble involuntarily.

He glanced indifferently at the generals. “Does anyone else have objections? Step forward.”

“Those who have objections should come to Training Ground Number One. The Crown Princess and I will provide a satisfactory explanation.”

**

Training Ground Number One is located within the garrison.

“Old Jiang…” Black Bear tried to put his arm around Jiang Qi’s shoulder like a brother would.

“You’re the old one!” Adjutant Jiang Qi swiftly and accurately elbowed him and rolled his eyes.

“Hiss—” Black Bear gasped and jerked away from the elbow. “Brother, did you have to be so rough?”

“You’re the adjutant by the Marshal’s side. Why didn’t you try to persuade him? You just let him act on his own whims and even brought the Crown Princess to the front lines?”

“I know you’re a coward, but this is too much! You’re afraid the Marshal will beat you up, so you haven’t dared utter a word. You didn’t even stand up for yourself just now.”

Jiang Qi rolled his eyes: “Yes, yes, I’m a coward. You’re a big idiot.”

This stupid Black Bear!

Regardless of whether the ever-willful Crown Prince Chu Heng would listen to his advice, he wholeheartedly supported Crown Princess An Qiao going to the battlefield because he possesses considerable martial arts skills and has healing abilities. He is also the messenger of the Elf!

With the Crown Princess’s involvement as the Elf messenger, perhaps the mysterious and unpredictable Elf would help their empire defend against the Zerg.

The crown princess had also secretly invited the elf to treat the crown prince, restoring his physical strength and martial arts abilities to their pre-injury peak.

Thinking back now, Jiang Qi still felt regret for not having the fortune to see the Elf again.

At that moment, Black Bear interrupted his thoughts. “Hey! You said the Marshal sent us to Training Ground Number One because the Crown Princess and he would give us a satisfactory explanation. What kind of explanation?”

Jiang Qi replied without hesitation. “Of course it’ll be a beating. First, the Crown Princess will beat you up. Then, the Crown Prince will stand up for him and beat you up again.”

“Tsk. Just thinking about it makes me feel miserable.”

Black Bear: “… “What?!”

“Did I hear that right? Old Jiang, did you just say the Crown Princess beat us all up?”

“Yes, you heard right,” Jiang Qi replied.

“No, you should at least have some sense when you’re joking, okay? Even a three-year-old wouldn’t be fooled by that joke. Everyone knows the Crown Princess unfortunately failed to awaken.”

Moreover, even if he had awakened, most elves are only good at healing; their combat abilities are pathetic. Even Jun Yiran, the medic of the Second Army, who is skilled in mental attacks and possesses considerable combat strength—a model of “both literary and martial prowess” among elves—could barely manage a draw against them individually.

Even Jun Yiran, the strongest elf, wouldn’t dare say he could beat them all!

At that moment, An Qiao gracefully stepped onto the central dueling platform.

Chu Heng stood below the platform with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on An Qiao. He casually asked, “Where are the dozen or so who raised objections earlier?”

“If any of you can defeat the Crown Princess, he will give you a satisfactory explanation.”

The dozen or so generals who had stepped forward, along with those who had been training but were now secretly watching, were confused.

Did they hear that right?

Was His Highness the Crown Prince actually letting them fight the Crown Princess?

He was so weak; how were they supposed to make a move? What if they managed to injure him even slightly?

Was this part of the Crown Prince’s strategy? Would they not dare to make a move, allowing the Crown Princess to win without a fight?

While they were still in disbelief and utterly bewildered,

“Come at me all at once,” said the silver-haired youth casually. “It’s almost lunchtime. If I beat you all, I can have lunch with your crown prince.”

Everyone: “… ”

Wait… Crown Princess, where does this weak, unawakened elf get the courage to be so arrogant and spout such nonsense?!”

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