“Baby?” Chi Zhuo’s face rarely carried a teasing smile, but now it did.
This was exactly why Ji Chenxi almost never called his spirit form by it’s name in front of others. A name he had chosen in his reckless youth, which had once sounded amazing, now just made him cringe no matter how he looked at it.
“Not Baby, it’s Bao Bao—the ‘Bao’ from snow leopard.”
Ji Chenxi pushed aside the branches in front of him. Since they’d already been discovered, he might as well step out of the bushes entirely.
Looking at the wound on Chi Zhuo’s hand, the one who had just been mocked now found a reason to tease back. “Looking a little messy, huh?”
Chi Zhuo did look messy, and he admitted it openly. “The people chasing me used a holo-brain to mimic my assistant’s voice.”
Ji Chenxi understood immediately. Right now, Chi Zhuo was sensing his surroundings through a kind of empathic connection with the black mamba. Such a connection wasn’t guaranteed to be perfect, and even if it were, it could only detect the position, size, and shape of objects.
If one of the Red Scorpions had a female figure roughly the size of Bai Han and tried to ambush a blind Chi Zhuo, it really wouldn’t be that hard.
Once the snow leopard returned to Ji Chenxi’s side, he turned and started walking away with the big cat.
“Are the things you said before still valid, Third Prince?”
Ji Chenxi lightly placed a finger on the snow leopard’s head and chuckled. “Hard to say. I’ve said a lot of things, after all.”
“Cooperate.”
“That’s not going to work. I’m a bit stingy—I don’t like working with people who’ve turned me down before.”
With that, he turned and walked, casually waving his hand as he went.
Earlier, he had considered cooperating with Chi Zhuo because he couldn’t figure out whether this little planet was safe. But now, seeing that it wasn’t especially dangerous, Ji Chenxi preferred going it alone. After all, the person in front of him was a relocation beacon of sorts.
“Keeping a spirit form active for a long time is exhausting. This place may seem safe, but Your Highness probably noticed how strangely quiet it is. I think once night falls, dangers we can’t see will appear. If we travel together, our abilities can complement each other, and we can keep watch for each other, getting some rest. When facing absolute danger, personal grudges can wait. Please, consider it.”
The sun, which had felt warm not long ago, was indeed leaning westward, and an unidentifiable chill was creeping over them.
Night was truly the source of fear.
Ji Chenxi carried the arrogance of youth, yet he also knew how to read the situation.
After a brief silence, he said softly, “Cooperate? Sure.”
Chi Zhuo’s face showed slight surprise, as if he hadn’t expected the other to agree so easily.
Facing the empire’s little rose giving him face, Chi Zhuo made a promise. “As long as Your Highness is sincere in cooperating, I will protect you completely.”
“Then what if I’m not sincere?”
“Then we’ll see—one cripple, one blind. Let’s see who comes out on top.”
Ji Chenxi laughed at the threat, using his usual teasing tone. “Brother Chi Zhuo, so fierce!”
“Oh? Scared?” Chi Zhuo said coldly.
“Not really, just a little. My courage is still a bit bigger than my spirit form’s.”
“That’s obvious. Your Highness’ courage isn’t something ordinary people can match.”
Ji Chenxi pretended not to notice the subtle tone in Chi Zhuo’s words and asked, “Can you still walk normally?”
“Yes.”
Chi Zhuo had already withdrawn his spirit form as a gesture of trust.
Ji Chenxi didn’t fully believe Chi Zhuo trusted him, but the truth was, the two of them were the perfect allies for each other.
He also withdrew his spirit form and made a request: “Then carry me.”
He had been carried by his spirit form before.
Years of high status, combined with his young age, gave Ji Chenxi’s tone that natural hint of arrogance.
Without the spirit form’s perception, everything around was pitch black. Chi Zhuo felt an inexplicable irritation, but he didn’t refuse Ji Chenxi’s request. Instead, he said directly, “Get on.”
“Can’t you be a little gentler?”
Chi Zhuo, with a faintly harsh expression, glanced back at Ji Chenxi. He couldn’t see him, but Ji Chenxi responded with an innocent smile.
“Then, Your Highness, please get on.”
Ji Chenxi couldn’t help laughing. Once his hands found Chi Zhuo’s shoulders and he climbed onto his back, he spoke in a commanding tone, “Since you insist so warmly, I suppose I’ll allow it.”
A man who couldn’t see beauty wouldn’t be tempted by it. Chi Zhuo grumbled, “Your Highness, don’t try any tricks.”
Ji Chenxi replied casually, “Mm,” and whispered near his ear, “Go five hundred meters in the five-o’clock direction.”
Chi Zhuo followed.
“Yes, careful—there’s a tree root sticking out… okay, step over it, head toward nine o’clock, straight ahead…”
Ji Chenxi was seriously giving his ruthless navigation instructions. Danger was coming, and he had no time for play.
But then!
“I told you to go one o’clock! Hey, hey, slow down, don’t hit the tree!”
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
