Chapter 79#

For the following period of time, Fu Yucheng was practically indulging Bai Mo.

Or rather, indulging himself.

He knew very well in his heart that doing this was highly problematic and would even hurt the other person even more intensely… He should have done as his mother Rong Xu said: cut through the tangled knot directly and not give anyone any thoughts to linger on.

But he could no longer control himself.

Ever since that night he had pulled Bai Mo fiercely toward him… the situation was like dominoes, collapsing layer by layer and crashing to the ground.

Perhaps his reluctance and hesitation were just a form of extreme selfishness… All of this, from the very beginning, from even earlier, from the moment he gave the other person hope, was completely wrong.

However, there was no turning back now. At this point, Fu Yucheng could only think in self-abandonment: Let it be, just for these few days.

Over these years, he had been far too tired.

As for future matters… he was almost like an ostrich in avoidance, unwilling to think too much. Because deep down he understood very clearly how cruel the thing he was about to do would be.

For the past two days, Fu Yucheng had even grown lax with his usual affairs, fooling around with Bai Mo in the Crown Prince’s palace day and night. The sounds were enough to make the passing palace maids blush.

The several elderly cabinet ministers had naturally heard something as well. They spent all day glaring at Fu Yucheng with an air of “resenting that iron cannot become steel,” almost treating Bai Mo as a kingdom-ruining temptress.

This evening, Fu Yucheng sat behind the desk in the Imperial Study, listening with a headache to a group of cabinet ministers bickering.

He tiredly rubbed his temples: “Elder Ouyang, isn’t the cabinet handling these trivial matters quite well? There’s no need for me to review them, is there?”

The elderly minister with the graying beard looked heartbroken: “Your Highness! How can you neglect state affairs so! That Bai Mo, he is simply…”

Several other cabinet ministers also chimed in: “The White Knight cannot spend the night in the palace; it’s against the rules.”

“As the Chief Knight, it’s one thing that he doesn’t lead by example, but to actually perform such acts of currying favor with his superior—it’s simply damaging to public morals…”

“Elder Xu is right!”

Speak of the devil.

Bai Mo walked in like a gust of wind, a smile still on his face.

The several cabinet ministers immediately fell silent, staring at him as if facing a great enemy, as if they were looking at some goblin bewitching the monarch.

Bai Mo didn’t mind those peculiar looks and walked straight to the desk to pour a cup of Ceylon black tea for Fu Yucheng: “It’s so late, why haven’t you returned to the palace chambers yet?”

His intimate and casual tone made Elder Ouyang’s beard tremble with rage: “Bai Mo, His Highness and we are discussing matters. Who permitted you to enter?! Do you have no sense of rules at all?! Don’t think that just because the Crown Prince is backing you, you can do whatever you want!”

Bai Mo blanked for a moment, having been scolded.

Fu Yucheng let out an embarrassed light cough: “Elder Ouyang, I have given the White Knight the highest authority. He can enter and exit any place in the White Rose Palace as he pleases… He is the Chief Knight; this is as it should be.”

Elder Ouyang said in heartbreak: “Your Highness, this kind of sycophantic favorite who bewitches the lord should not be kept!”

Hearing the word “favorite,” Bai Mo couldn’t help but blink. Currying favor? Bewitching the lord? For some reason, not only was he not angry, but he was actually a bit happy, even offering a smile to Elder Ouyang.

Seeing Elder Ouyang so angry he was practically about to faint, and fearing the old minister might have a heart attack on the spot, Fu Yucheng quickly changed the subject: “Elders, is there anything else?”

Elder Chen hesitated slightly and said in a low voice: “Your Highness, the Lord of Titan replied the day before yesterday. I have also preliminarily drafted the gift list. Would you like to look it over?”

As if a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured over him, Fu Yucheng involuntarily straightened his back, his entire body becoming somewhat stiff.

He subconsciously turned his head to look at Bai Mo, who was watching him with an unknowing, soft expression.

Fu Yucheng hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: “Xiao Mo, go back to the chambers and wait for me. I’ll be back once I’m finished.”

…

Fu Yucheng strolled back to the chambers, his whole being somewhat absent-minded.

Reaching the entrance of the chambers, he suddenly halted, not having enough courage to step inside. He hesitated slightly and detoured into the back garden.

By now, it was late at night, and a silver-white artificial moon hung in the deep blue sky. The magnolias in the garden were in full bloom, their bowl-sized blossoms snowy white and delicate, looking even more charming in the night.

Fu Yucheng sat down in the garden pavilion, lost in thought.

After an unknown amount of time, his vision suddenly went dark—someone had covered his eyes.

Fu Yucheng was somewhat helpless: “Xiao Mo, don’t play around.”

Bai Mo let go of his hands and sat down beside him, lightly massaging the other’s shoulders: “Returning so late, was there a lot to do? Did that group of old men make you angry?”

Fu Yucheng gave an absent-minded “En.”

Bai Mo massaged his shoulders for a while, then hesitated: “Just now, I heard the palace maids below saying… that small Earl of the Liu family sent a pair of twins into the palace? I heard they’re a boy and a girl, only sixteen, quite good-looking.”

Fu Yucheng’s soul was wandering far away, and he didn’t hear what the other was saying at all, so he just gave another casual “En.”

Bai Mo grew anxious: “You, you accepted them?”

Fu Yucheng finally came to his senses and blinked: “Accepted what?”

“The twins…” Bai Mo stared at him, his expression tense.

Fu Yucheng found it both amusing and irritating: “No! How could I accept kids like that… you think I’m a pervert! Of course they were sent back.”

Bai Mo breathed a sigh of relief and rested his chin on Fu Yucheng’s shoulder, rubbing against him lingeringly a couple of times: “En, I knew you wouldn’t accept them… You promised me, from now on there’s only me.”

Fu Yucheng lowered his eyes and said nothing.

…This couldn’t be dragged on any longer; eventually, it had to be said. He had already been terribly wrong; delaying further would only make things worse.

This absurd and cruel dream also had to end.

Fu Yucheng took a deep breath, composed his emotions, and finally spoke slowly: “Xiao Mo, there’s something I must make clear to you.”

Seeing his serious expression, Bai Mo couldn’t help but feel apprehensive: “What is it?”

Fu Yucheng avoided the other’s gaze, his voice very light: “Xiao Mo, let’s… forget about us.”

Bai Mo blinked, seemingly not understanding his meaning: “Forget about what?”

Fu Yucheng looked at a magnolia tree in front of the pavilion without explaining.

Bai Mo stared at the other’s silent and handsome profile, gradually beginning to understand.

“Forget it? You… is that what you mean?” he said hoarsely, “Are you joking with me? This isn’t funny at all.”

Fu Yucheng shook his head lightly: “I’ve thought about it for several days and still feel we aren’t quite suitable.”

Bai Mo looked at him blankly: “How are we not suitable? I think we’re very suitable. You clearly said we could give it a try… don’t scare me.”

Fu Yucheng hardened his heart and said: “Over this period of time, we’ve already tried. I feel… it’s not suitable.”

Realizing the other wasn’t joking, Bai Mo became panicked and anxious: “What exactly is wrong? Is there something I haven’t done well? Am I, have I been too clingy lately? I can change…”

Fu Yucheng rubbed his brow and said hoarsely: “It’s not your problem.”

At this moment, a young palace maid walked over, holding an exquisite scroll: “Your Highness, this is the gift list that the cabinet just revised. Elder Chen asked me to present it for your review.”

Bai Mo turned his head sharply: “What gift list?”

Perhaps because his gaze was truly too terrifying, the palace maid couldn’t help but tremble. The scroll fell to the ground with a “Clack!” and rolled open.

Fu Yucheng reached out to pick it up, but Bai Mo was a step ahead.

The youth quickly scanned the gift list, the color rapidly draining from his face.

Fu Yucheng knew things were irremediable and lowered his eyes, saying to the palace maid: “You may leave first.”

It took a long time before Bai Mo slowly raised his head.

His expression was as if he were dreaming, and his voice had a sense of unreality: “You’re getting married?”

Looking into those bewildered dark eyes, Fu Yucheng opened his mouth but almost no sound came out. He silently extended his hand, wanting to comfortingly stroke the other’s hair as usual.

“Clap!” A crisp sound rang out as his hand was fiercely brushed away.

“Don’t think about coaxing me!” Bai Mo stared fixedly at the other and said word by word, “Answer my question. Are you, are you going to take a wife?”

Fu Yucheng had nothing to say and could only nod.

Bai Mo looked at him, his voice somewhat broken: “Then what about me?”

Fu Yucheng said hoarsely: “Xiao Mo, I said just now… we aren’t suitable.”

“Could it be she is suitable? Some Princess Ling Sha… some Lord of Titan’s daughter… you don’t even know her! You haven’t even met!” Bai Mo roared low.

Fu Yucheng lowered his eyes and did not answer.

Bai Mo went blank for a moment, then suddenly said: “Is it because by marrying her, you can retake Titan?”

Fu Yucheng took a deep breath, his voice not even showing a hint of a tremor: “If you want to think that way, I can’t do anything about it.”

Bai Mo looked at him, not speaking for a long time.

“You don’t want me anymore because I’m not good enough?” he managed to speak, his lips trembling, almost lowering his posture to the dust, “I, I’ll work hard… whatever you want, I’ll help you… don’t be like this, I’m scared…”

Looking at him like that, Fu Yucheng felt as if his heart were being sawn back and forth by a rusty, dull saw; even breathing was somewhat difficult.

He was silent for a moment and said with effort: “Xiao Mo, don’t be like this… you’ll meet someone better.”

After saying this, he stood up almost in a panic, wanting to escape this place. He couldn’t stay any longer; he couldn’t face this person.

Bai Mo grabbed his arm fiercely and said sharply: “Don’t you dare leave! Don’t you think about abandoning me again!”

Fu Yucheng closed his eyes. He was already terribly wrong; he could only be a bit more cruel.

When he opened his eyes again, his expression had become extremely cold: “You’re right, you aren’t good enough. To me, you no longer have any utility value. For example, can you help me get Titan?”

“I can help you take it down; their troop strength isn’t much, and their technology isn’t advanced…” Bai Mo said hurriedly.

Fu Yucheng turned around abruptly, his dark green pupils like two beautiful, transparent rain flower stones, devoid of any emotion: “I don’t have that much military budget and manpower for you to squander. Besides, why should I avoid a shortcut and take the long way? Is there something wrong with my head?”

Bai Mo stared at him blankly, almost in a state of confusion: “Then what are we to each other? These days, you were clearly very good to me. You even let me, let me do that kind of thing to you…”

Fu Yucheng interrupted him coldly: “That’s because you helped me a lot, and I’ve always been clear about rewards and punishments… that’s all. You aren’t the first, and there’s nothing special about you.”

“Rewards and punishments? That’s all?” Bai Mo murmured, chewing on these words, and then suddenly became agitated, " I don’t believe it! You’re lying to me… you’re lying to me! There must be something you haven’t told me… right? Right?"

Fu Yucheng looked at him quietly and suddenly said: “I know you went to the prison to see Lu Xing before and even spoke with him… then I’ll tell you today: everything he said was true. You should understand now exactly what kind of person I am.”

Bai Mo’s voice went hoarse.

He stared fixedly at Fu Yucheng as if looking at a stranger.

Fu Yucheng felt extremely miserable in his heart, almost unable to maintain his indifferent expression. As a disguise, he bent down to pick up the gift list from the ground, lightly dusting it off: “Xiao Mo, go back. I’m not worth this from you; you’ll meet someone better in the future.”

“No… no…” Bai Mo shook his head unconsciously, his entire body shaking.

Unknowingly, the temperature in the garden gradually dropped. Along with bursts of fine cracking sounds, a large amount of fine ice shards appeared in the air.

Fu Yucheng couldn’t help but be slightly startled.

As an extremely rare S-class special-type controller, Bai Mo’s mental power had always been very well controlled. Other than that awakening on Earth, it had never gone violently out of control again.

But under the current circumstances…

Fu Yucheng hesitated for only a second before softening his voice as much as possible, comforting: “Xiao Mo, your mental power is unstable. Don’t be agitated. Go home and have a good sleep; everything will be fine.”

Bai Mo said with a trembling voice: “I’m not going back; I’m going to have it out with you.”

At this moment, the large swathes of white magnolia trees in the back garden were all coated in a thick layer of frost. Large, bowl-sized white magnolia blossoms, unable to bear the weight, smashed onto the ground with “Thud-thud-thud” sounds, shattering into a floor full of ice-carved, snowy white petals.

“I’m going to have it out with you…” Bai Mo repeated hoarsely. Following his trembling voice, the white marble floor beneath their feet also emitted bursts of terrifying cracking sounds.

Fu Yucheng completely hadn’t expected the other would be agitated to this extent. He felt bursts of wringing pain in his heart and tried to use his mental power to soothe the other, only to find the other didn’t accept it at all.

If this continued, Bai Mo’s mental power would surely go out of control or even collapse again… For an S-class special-type controller’s mental power to collapse might destroy the White Rose Palace, destroy this Dyson Cloud, or destroy himself…

Fu Yucheng had a way to deal with it, but this method was simply too cruel. Furthermore, once this step was taken, the relationship between the two could never return.

He hesitated for a long time before finally splitting off a strand of mental power, attempting to control the other: “Xiao Mo, be good.”

Bai Mo went blank for a moment, as if sensing something, and said hoarsely: “You want to use the chip to control me?”

Fu Yucheng silently lowered his eyelids.

Bai Mo looked at him in disbelief, and the two stood in a rigid standoff for a while. Then, as if almost beyond his own control, Bai Mo slowly took a step back.

Fu Yucheng breathed a sigh of relief and nodded lightly: “Yes, that’s it. Go back. Go back and have a good sleep, try your best to relax your mental power… it’ll be fine tomorrow.”

“I… I’m not going back,” Bai Mo said through gritted teeth, his feet not moving again.

Was he… resisting the chip? How could that be? Fu Yucheng furrowed his brows and continued applying pressure: “Be good.”

Bai Mo looked at him, and his eyes suddenly became moist: “Yu-ge, don’t treat me like this.”

Fu Yucheng said through gritted teeth: “Xiao Mo, be good… go back and sleep.”

Perhaps due to the extreme chaos of his mental power, or perhaps due to attempting to fight the chip, Bai Mo’s expression became somewhat dazed.

He murmured: “You’re right, I have nothing. You are the noble Crown Prince, destined to be Emperor in the future. While I have no status, no power, no wealth, no utility value… maybe they are right, I am just a laughable favorite. But even so, I was happy. Why, is even this not allowed…”

Fu Yucheng’s heart was wrenched with pain; he really couldn’t listen any longer and turned to leave in a state of utter disarray.

“Don’t you leave!” Seeing him about to leave, Bai Mo suddenly became agitated, imperiously grabbing the other in a hug, his eyes so red they were almost bleeding, “You are mine, I won’t give you to anyone! Not Princess Ling Sha, not Lu Xing—they shouldn’t even think about it! If they think about it, they should die!”

Fu Yucheng struggled weakly; the other’s arms were like iron hoops, completely impossible to break free from.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down. His powerful mental power field spread out rapidly, attempting to regain control of that tiny chip: “Xiao Mo, let go. Don’t play around anymore.”

Bai Mo acted as if he heard nothing, holding him tightly and refusing to let go.

Fu Yucheng gritted his teeth and finally completely released his mental power. At the same time, Bai Mo’s mental power also met him without hesitation. In an instant, the two massive mental powers, like a raging storm and waves, were fiercely entangled!

After a moment, Fu Yucheng perceived something unusual—the chip wasn’t working.

He murmured: “…What’s going on?”

“Yu-ge, during the Beast Hunt ceremony, I killed five Dark Realm Knights in the alternate dimension. At that time, I broke through S-class and advanced to super-S-class…” Bai Mo held him tightly, whispering in his ear, “I didn’t tell anyone, including you.”