Chapter 095 – The Tragic Prefect’s Son – “Call me brother” (10/10)
Though they traveled through the desert, Mu Xin and his companions knew the terrain well and had planned their route meticulously. With oases along the way for rest and resupply, the journey posed no hardship.
The Kingdom of Miying.
Xie Chenyang and Mu Xin sat in the carriage, gazing out through the window as it swayed with the wind.
The architectural style and people’s attire differed from those in the Central Plains, yet many on the streets spoke the language of the Central Plains. Only occasionally did Xie Chenyang hear words he couldn’t understand.
At a glance, people like Mu Xin—with deep-set features, a high nose bridge, and blue eyes—were few and far between. Most had black or brown hair and eyes with only a handful possessing blue or green irises.
Xie Chenyang withdrew his gaze and smiled softly. “Ah-Xin is still the most handsome.”
Mu Xin lifted an eyelid to glance at him, ignoring the sudden compliment.
King Aina of the Miying Kingdom had dark skin and a tall, sturdy build. The thin fabric he wore barely concealed his massive muscles, which seemed poised to burst through.
Xie Chenyang watched his bulging pectorals, his gaze lingering slightly.
[Dad, he’s massive. . .]
You Huang: “Do you… like it??”
[No, no, I couldn’t live with myself.]
You Huang: “Hope your next world’s wife isn’t this type. Otherwise, you might have a hard time breaking yourself free.”
Xie Chenyang began imagining if his lover were a muscle-bound hunk taller and more imposing than him…
…
[Not that it’s impossible… but preferably not too bulky. Chest muscles, abs—isn’t a sleek build more appealing? There’s really no need for such pronounced bulges. Cough.]
You Huang chuckled softly.
Xie Chenyang grew uneasy: [Dad, don’t do anything reckless! You wouldn’t be able to manipulate my lover’s identity, would you?]
You Huang: “Nothing of the sort.”
[Really?]
Xie Chenyang remained uneasy. He glanced at Mu Xin, then at Aina. Though he knew Mu Xin’s current appearance wasn’t his lover’s true form, he could guarantee his lover’s real body wasn’t that of a muscle-bound hulk!
In stark contrast to his robust physique, the smiling Aina revealed distinct dimples that softened his appearance, making him seem far more approachable.
“Xin, I hear this is your beloved? I told you you should work on your physique.” Aina grinned. “See how much he admires mine? He keeps comparing me to you.”
“No.” Xie Chenyang looked at Mu Xin with a serious expression. “You’re already perfect. No need to bulk up. Your current muscle definition is beautiful, just right. Don’t deliberately train for more!”
A faint smile touched Mu Xin’s eyes. “Alright.”
“Hahaha.” Aina laughed aloud. “What a devoted lover! He really gives you face!”
Xie Chenyang: “…” I’m being sincere!
Aina led them into the palace, dismissed the servants, and without hiding anything from Xie Chenyang, stated directly, “Do you think we shouldn’t seize Central Plains now?”
Mu Xin looked at Xie Chenyang.
Xie Chenyang: “Currently, the Kingdom of Miying has incorporated numerous tribes and small states into its territory, becoming the foremost power in the Western Regions. Yet there remain many…”
He began dissecting the situation based on intelligence gathered from Mu Xin.
“Your Majesty, why not unify the Western Regions? I possess methods for desert cultivation and techniques for establishing oases… The Central Plains’ emperor has now awakened and truly holds power. Given his capabilities…”
In short, rather than engaging in a life-or-death struggle with your fellow ruler, leading to mutual destruction, why not pursue mutual benefit?
The Western Regions possess what the Central Plains need, and the Central Plains possess what the Western Regions need.
Mutual trade, shared development, peaceful coexistence.
“Everyone dreams of conquering the world, Your Majesty. But beyond the heavens, beyond the seas… in lands we’ve never reached, countless nations we know nothing of are thriving. What if, while the Central Plains and the Western Regions are locked in endless conflict, they grow rich and powerful? What then, when they emerge to challenge us?”
Aina didn’t find this offensive; rather, he was intrigued. “How do you know other nations exist beyond the seas?”
Xie Chenyang: “I heard it from an adventurer. He loved adventures all his life. In his youth, he was bold beyond measure and ventured out to sea…”
Mu Xin watched Xie Chenyang speak at length, silently refilling his water. Xie Chenyang drank cup after cup.
“Though everyone called him mad and dismissed his words as nonsense, I believed him.” Xie Chenyang licked his lips. “The world is vast. Whether it’s the Central Plains or the Western Regions, they might be but a drop in the ocean.”
“You’re right,” Aina suddenly said. “Then let’s sail out together and see just how big this world truly is.”
Xie Chenyang was utterly dumbfounded.
You Huang: “We’re getting sidetracked. This is going in the wrong direction.”
He urged, “Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a nation. Miying is composed of various tribes and small states. They–”
Aina: “Leave that to my Chancellor.”
Xie Chenyang: “Your Majesty, perhaps you should first unify the Western Regions…”
Aina: “Leave that to my generals.”
Xie Chenyang: “But…”
Aina decided swiftly. “That’s settled. You and Xin prepare for the wedding. I’ll have men build a great ship. Once it’s ready, we set sail.”
Xie Chenyang persisted, “The open sea is perilous…”
“I’ve never feared danger. One tribe I conquered was coastal—they regularly venture out to sea for fishing. Building an even larger vessel is merely a matter of time. Xin, take your beloved home.”
Xie Chenyang followed Mu Xin back to his residence in the capital of Miying Kingdom, his expression listless.
Seeing his lack of energy, where he lay motionless even during a bath together, Mu Xin had him recline slightly with his head tilted back and rinsed his hair, his fingertips interlacing and massaging his scalp. “Don’t want to go to the sea?”
Xie Chenyang kept his eyes closed, uttering a lazy, “Mm.”
He genuinely didn’t want to.
At sea, nothing was convenient—not bathing, not anything. The only perk was being able to get frisky with his lover without restraint.
And who knew how long they’d be drifting on the ocean?
He recalled the time his lover was the Little Prince. Just returning home had meant such a long voyage by ship. Judging by Aina’s tone, they were still exploring… How long would that take?
The Little Prince and his crew had a dedicated large ship and a specialized team.
Aina’s prototype vessel was still of unknown quality—could it withstand the storms?
What a headache.
“Ah-Xin, the open sea is truly dangerous. One wrong move, and we could…”
Mu Xin washed his hair with gentle motions, sighing softly at the words. “His Majesty made his decision. No one can sway him. He isn’t afraid of risk. He’s clearly been moved by that adventurer you mentioned and those tales of exploration.“
Xie Chenyang: ”…Is it too late to tell him now that I made it all up?“
”Too late.”
It’s better that Aina doesn’t know. Once he learns there’s a wider world out there filled with even more wondrous and mysterious things, he won’t rest until he sees it for himself.
Xie Chenyang: “How about we elope? Let’s return to the Central Plains.”
Mu Xin scooped water to rinse his hair. “You don’t want to go?”
Xie Chenyang: “No.”
“No need to elope.” Mu Xin rose, placing a dry towel on his head. “I’ll speak with His Majesty.”
Xie Chenyang roughly grabbed a towel to dry his hair. It had grown longer again, untended, and was now a messy tangle.
After a cursory wipe, he tossed the towel aside and efficiently bathed himself.
Mu Xin’s eyes held a hint of regret. He should have waited longer to speak. Perhaps then, Xie Chenyang wouldn’t even have the energy to bathe…
Xie Chenyang didn’t know what Mu Xin had said to Aina when he went to speak with him. Upon returning, Mu Xin simply informed him they wouldn’t be accompanying Aina on his voyage.
But Aina was still setting sail.
He took a dozen guards who could swim, selected over twenty skilled men from the tribe that frequently ventured out to sea, and recruited shipbuilders as well. Once their vessel was complete, they would depart.
Building a vessel capable of long voyages demanded considerable time. Though the tribe’s people knew shipbuilding, their expertise lay solely in constructing fishing boats.
Fortunately, innovative minds existed among them. Once a concept was proposed, they began experimenting.
Before the ship was complete, an official dispatch from the Central Plains Emperor arrived.
Aina held little interest in the Central Plains at present, his focus instead drawn to maritime adventures. He had recently taken up swimming lessons. With a wave of his hand, he dispatched the experienced Mu Xin to lead a delegation to the Central Plains to speak with the emperor.
The emperor received them with great pomp, hosting a grand banquet in the imperial gardens.
Upon seeing Xie Chenyang and Mu Xin, surprise flickered unmistakably in his eyes.
Xie Chenyang still bore the crimson character “Xin” between his brows, while Mu Xin now sported an additional carefree “Yang” above his own.
Noticing the emperor’s gaze, Xie Chenyang smiled. “Impressive, isn’t it? I wrote it myself.”
The emperor: “Indeed. But is the character incorrect?”
“Not at all. I simply prefer this ‘Yang’.”
Seeing his satisfaction, the emperor said no more and invited them to take their seats.
Though Mu Xin represented the Kingdom of Miying, it was Xie Chenyang who conversed with the emperor.
The emperor could see that Xie Chenyang held sway in the discussion. He also observed how meticulously Mu Xin, despite his cold demeanor, attended to Xie Chenyang, and couldn’t help but feel pleased for him.
Prince Wu was mistaken.
He, too, was mistaken.
Xie Chenyang had not submitted to Mu Xin for the sake of vengeance or the greater good of his country. He was clearly drawn by personal affection.
And why not? With Xie Chenyang’s formidable strength, who could force him if he didn’t consent?
A man who could freely enter and exit the palace, a one-man army, would never be bound by others.
After the formal business concluded, Xie Chenyang shifted the topic. “By the way, how is Prince Zhen’an faring?”
“He coveted my throne and committed treason by colluding with the enemy. Naturally, he was executed.” The emperor’s tone was light as he spoke these words.
To betray his country for personal gain, to secretly aid the enemy without a thought for the suffering of the borderlands’ people or the danger of inviting wolves into the fold. Such a man, if spared, would only harm the nation and its people.
“Well done.”
Xie Chenyang observed the emperor before him, a man whose imposing presence was concealed beneath a calm demeanor. It was hard to fathom that in the original storyline, this very man would ultimately take his own life.
The emperor: “I’ve cut the weeds at their roots.”
Xie Chenyang: “Mhm.” Those two sons weren’t saints either. To spare them would only invite rebellion under the banner of avenging their father.
The emperor: “The reason Prince Wu died was precisely because he failed to eliminate the threat completely.” By sparing him.
The emperor: “I also know that Father grew tyrannical in his later years, and some brothers were influenced by him, abusing their status to commit atrocities… Prince Wu possessed the resolve to overthrow a cruel and inhumane royal house. Had he seized the throne himself to offer the people better governance, I would have honored him as a hero.”
Xie Chenyang silently took the wine cup Mu Xin offered and drained it.
In truth, Xie Chenyang believed in the law of the jungle—the strong survived, the mighty reigned supreme.
Yet his contempt for Prince Wu and his decision to aid the emperor in killing him stemmed from his disgust at Prince Wu’s so-called perverse love.
The torment was inflicted upon the emperor, and the ‘love’ was nothing but Prince Wu’s delusion of affection.
“He elevated me to the throne, earning him a favorable reputation among the people. He eliminated the brutal imperial family without usurping the throne, instead installing a less tyrannical emperor to serve as his puppet.” The emperor’s lips curved into a mocking smile. “That he controlled the government and made me a puppet emperor would have been tolerable. But to trample on me, humiliate me, imprison me, and drug me while professing his deep affection truly…disgusted me.”
Xie Chenyang watched the emperor with a complex expression. Was it really wise to speak of these matters so openly, with outsiders still present?
Though the palace attendants had all withdrawn, Mu Xin remained, and behind the emperor stood a figure clad in light armor. It was Zheng Jun.
Zheng Jun bowed his head slightly and murmured, “Your Majesty, you’ve had too much.”
The emperor gave a low, muffled response, setting down his wine cup without taking another sip.
Xie Chenyang seized the moment. “I’ve had a bit too much myself. We’ll take our leave now.”
The emperor: “Very well.”
After Xie Chenyang and Mu Xin left, a palace attendant was waiting. “Your Excellencies, His Majesty has arranged sleeping quarters for you within the palace.”
“Lead the way.”
After washing up, the two lay down on the bed.
Xie Chenyang rolled over, pinning Mu Xin beneath him. His words were laced with wine. “Ah-Xin, if I were to imprison you too…”
Mu Xin met his gaze. “What for?”
Xie Chenyang smiled wickedly. “So you couldn’t go anywhere, only see me. If you obeyed, I wouldn’t shackle you. If you disobeyed, I’d bind you tight and possess you endlessly…”
Mu Xin’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Very good.” He nuzzled his cheek against Xie Chenyang’s shoulder, nibbling lightly.
“Good my ass! If I really did that, you’d better fight back.”
“I won’t fight back.”
“???” Xie Chenyang sighed in exasperation. “That’s not right. You should hate me…”
Mu Xin wrapped his arms around him. “You wouldn’t. You’re not Prince Wu, and I’m not the emperor. We love each other. If I make you angry, you might lock me up, but you’d never trample on me. Once your anger eases, you’d let me out.”
Xie Chenyang laughed in exasperation. “I’d never lock you up. Never.”
“Even if I made you angry?”
“Even if you made me angry.”
Mu Xin smiled again.
Xie Chenyang tilted his head slightly and kissed his neck. “If I get angry, just act cute.”
Mu Xin tilted his head. “How do I act cute?”
“Call me ‘Brother,’ and I’d give you my life.”
Deeply moved, Mu Xin truly called out “Brother” in a trembling voice.
Xie Chenyang: Not bad!
After finalizing the details of bilateral relations with the emperor, Xie Chenyang and his delegation returned to the Miying Kingdom. By then, Aina had already led the fleet to sea.
The chancellor handled civil affairs while the general commanded military matters. When decisions proved difficult, they sought counsel from Mu Xin and Xie Chenyang.
The Chancellor smiled warmly. “His Majesty said we decide the matters within our authority And for matters beyond our authority, consult the two of you. Until His Majesty returns, you two hold the highest authority in Miying.”
After seeing off the Chancellor, Xie Chenyang studied Mu Xin. “Are you Aina’s illegitimate son?”
Mu Xin: “No.”
“Then why does he trust you so much?”
Mu Xin replied calmly, “Because the proposal to establish this nation came from me.”
Before Aina founded the Miying Kingdom, Mu Xin—then just a young boy—had already been with him.
Xie Chenyang: “…” Impressive.
When Aina and his companions returned, five years had passed. They had encountered countless dangers along the way, yet always escaped unscathed.
He truly encountered numerous nations. Though language barriers existed, he witnessed many wonders and brought back countless treasures—most notably, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed empress and two adorable little princes.
The growing exchanges between the Western Regions and the Central Plains gradually brought prosperity to both lands.
Xie Chenyang and Mu Xin spent their later years in opulent leisure, passing away peacefully.
Edit Krone
Proofread: Choux_choux
