Free Web NovelChapter 256: Chapter 256: My Own Choice
After a sigh, Yu Mingche slowly sat up. His limbs moved normally. His body was still long-limbed and well-proportioned; only, his muscle definition had not yet returned to its former perfect state.
He was dressed in a water-blue robe embroidered with intricate patterns, which lent an air of luxury to the simple garment.
Yu Mingche picked up a mirror from the headboard and studied his reflection. His medium-length, chestnut-brown hair fell softly around his face. His dark, enchanting fox-like eyes were deep and mysterious, sparkling as if filled with starlight whenever they moved.
Flawless, pale skin, vibrant red lips, a high-bridged nose, and a defined jawline... his face was the same as ever.
Back on the New Star Body, his Skill activation had failed, and Ning Xuan had seen through his disguise. He had briefly assumed his human form to test her reaction. He still remembered the way she’d looked at him. Though she was angry and shocked, her eyes had been glued to him, unable to look away.
Judging from Ning Xuan’s reaction, she was pleased with his appearance.
’But she’s so young, and the others around her are also outstanding in both strength and appearance. As for Ning Xuan herself... she’s young, has a powerful Bloodline Talent, and a high Spiritual Power Level. What’s even rarer is her loyalty and devotion to those she accepts into her circle.’
Yu Mingche recalled what it felt like to be held by Ning Xuan as the Little Fox. The feeling of being cradled in her arms, that profound sense of peace, was something he had never experienced before in all his years.
For as long as he could remember, he had shouldered his father’s expectations, pushing himself to the brink in his Cultivation to achieve the goals set for him. He had become famous in his youth, passed the Governor’s examination at an early age, and risen to become a core figure governing an entire region.
’Everyone saw the glittering halo of his success, but who knew the mental and emotional toll it had taken on him?’
During his seven years governing the Star Sky Chaos Domain, he had relied on precise calculations to monitor every single node. The dome of the celestial monitoring room projected 36,500 points of light, and even now, Yu Mingche could picture their incessant flickering just by closing his eyes.
The first few years had been manageable, but toward the end, he felt like he was constantly on the verge of a mental collapse. Fortunately, after stepping down from his post, he’d heard that Ning Xuan had a fondness for small, fluffy animals. That was what prompted him to attach his Divine Soul to his Companion Spirit and travel to the New Star Body.
Yu Mingche sat on the bed, lost in thought. A faint smile occasionally graced his lips. After some time, Feng Linran knocked on the door and, receiving no answer, pushed it open and entered.
As Feng Linran stepped inside, the curtains opened automatically, flooding the room with light. Yu Mingche raised a hand to shield his eyes.
Feng Linran held a wooden tray bearing a crisply folded set of clothes. He placed the garments on the bed, knelt beside it, and began to dress Yu Mingche.
Yu Mingche listlessly allowed himself to be handled. After dressing him and putting on his shoes, Feng Linran said, "Let’s go. It’s time to eat."
"Linran," Yu Mingche said, looking into Feng Linran’s eyes, "you weren’t yourself when you came to pick me up today."
"You shouldn’t have treated Ning Xuan that way," Yu Mingche added, his tone tinged with disapproval. freewebnovёl.ƈom
"My Lord, when I think of the ordeal you’ve endured for the past six months, it’s difficult for me to be impartial when I face her." Feng Linran’s gaze swept over Yu Mingche’s abdomen. It was flat, showing no signs of anything unusual. freewebnσvel.cøm
"I’ve told you, this was my own choice—what I wanted more than anything. How can you take your anger out on her?" Yu Mingche said with a faint smile.
"Besides, even if it’s what I want, there’s no guarantee I’ll get my wish." Yu Mingche felt another sigh coming on. ’High-caliber women are rare enough, to say nothing of one as exceptional and young as Ning Xuan.’
"I don’t understand. With your achievements and Bloodline Talent, you could have easily applied for a reciprocal contract with a suitable match. Once that contract is established, the female partner typically bears the children. Why did you have to endure all this yourself?" Feng Linran said, completely baffled by Yu Mingche’s decision.
"Have you even read Ning Xuan’s file?" Yu Mingche stopped in his tracks to look at Feng Linran.
"I know she’s from a low-level star, and that despite her late awakening, her potential is immense. She even won the grand Alchemy competition. But so what? You’re a Seventh-level Governor of the Federation," Feng Linran replied, looking at Yu Mingche in confusion.
"My mistake. I never told you about the classified information," Yu Mingche said with a sudden smile.
"Ning Xuan has awakened the only Legendary Level Companion Spirit in the entire Federation. She possesses a Divine Bloodline." Yu Mingche’s voice was quiet, but Feng Linran’s expression changed in an instant.
"A Divine Bloodline?" Feng Linran felt as if the ground had fallen out from under him.
"Help me prepare. Tomorrow, I need you to deliver some things to the villa on Qingluan Mountain. I’ll send you a list in a moment," Yu Mingche instructed.
"Yes, My Lord," Feng Linran replied, his expression somewhat wooden.
「Qingluan Mountain, Villa 17」
It was lunchtime. Lan Xin, his face deathly pale, ran into the dining room. When he saw Ning Xuan eating, he walked straight toward her.
"What’s wrong? You look terrible," Ning Xuan asked.
"Master, the Half-Beastman Administration Bureau... they said they’re sending me to the battlefield! Master, I only want to stay by your side! Please let me stay!" Lan Xin wailed, dropping to his knees before Ning Xuan in terror.
"Isn’t going to the battlefield a good thing? If you earn enough military honors, you’ll have a chance to be freed from servitude and build a name for yourself. Your social status and personal prestige will rise. Isn’t that the opportunity every Half-beastman dreams of?" Ning Xuan asked, finding his reaction odd.
Due to genetic defects, Half-beastmen are prone to spiritual power rampages and losing control of their Mutated Degree. Only by staying near a female Spirit Controller with a high Spiritual Power Level can they mitigate this risk. For this reason, Half-beastmen are indoctrinated from birth with the idea that they are fated to become slaves.
Under this system of ideological control, however, a seemingly bright path forward is offered: as long as a Half-beastman’s Spiritual Power Level reaches Level 2S while their spiritual power remains stable, they can be implanted with devices to monitor their spiritual power and Mutated Degree. They are then permitted to go to the battlefield and undertake missions.
By completing missions and accumulating accolades, they can earn the chance to be freed from servitude.
"I don’t want to! Master, I just want to stay with you," Lan Xin cried, shaking his head, looking like he was about to fall apart.
Lan Xin was panicking. ’Normally, a Half-beastman wouldn’t get an opportunity like this even after serving a master for over a decade. But I’ve been here for less than a year!’
"Don’t be afraid. Your Talent Skill is very formidable on the battlefield, and your spiritual power is strong. You’ll be unstoppable. You’ll build up merits and make a name for yourself in no time. Besides, for your initial deployment, they won’t send you anywhere too far away."
