IWYTBW - Chapter 34

 Chapter 34

Talking About Relationships Also Requires Some Basic Law!

Three days later, although Yi Zhen’s injuries hadn’t fully healed, he couldn’t stay any longer. He was anxious to prepare for the competition, and worried about the scorpion in his training room.

Moreover, last night, She Xin finally contacted him, using an unfamiliar account.

【[Dizzy.jpg] What should I do, Yi Zhen? My elder cousin has locked me up! He won’t let me go to you!】

Yi Zhen was first startled, then asked hurriedly: 【She Xin? You’re locked up? What about your preliminary selection? Didn’t you participate?】

She Xin: 【He directly got me a spot as an exchange student at Azoth University, so I can participate in the qualifying rounds three weeks later!】

The corner of Yi Zhen’s mouth twitched. A three thousand six hundred-year-old exchange student? Nice move, She Xin’s cousin.

【So why did he lock you up? Just because you ran away from home? Or is it because of the Blood Tribulus?】

She Xin: 【It’s because of the thing you gave me, the hidden weapon... He tested it and found out you weren’t exaggerating. He thinks you’re dangerous. But I insisted on being friends with you, so...】

Yi Zhen covered his face. Just as he feared.

【Didn’t I tell you to keep it a secret?!】

She Xin: 【[Sweating.jpg] You didn’t! You only said to be careful when using it. You never said anything about keeping it a secret!】

Yi Zhen: 【Ah, thinking about it, I did forget to say that... So what are you going to do now? Do you want to escape?】

She Xin: 【Of course I want to escape! I heard he’s going to rig the competition and send me to the safest planet. He plans to have me get a mediocre ranking and then go home... But I don’t want that! My adulthood is approaching. I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to grow up! [Crying.jpg][Crying.jpg]】

This was a problem.

Yi Zhen pondered. His current situation wasn’t exactly relaxed either. Participating openly in the competition and letting public opinion ferment on the StarNet was like raising a huge flag that screamed, “Hey transmigrators! I’m right here!” He might be assassinated the moment he stepped outside Rong Hongxue’s territory…

But this was the only way. The enemy was in the dark, he was in the light. As the saying goes, it’s not the thief you fear, but the thief you constantly worry about. From the beginning until now, countless “thieves” had been lurking in the shadows, eyeing him. Yi Zhen couldn’t stand this atmosphere any longer. It was better to play in the open—the world was a stage, and if they dared, they could come at him.

【So, what do you plan to do?】 Yi Zhen asked.

She Xin: 【I just want my elders to stop interfering in my life and relationships. That’s all.】

Yi Zhen: 【Will the situation improve if you become an adult?】

She Xin: 【After I reach adulthood, I’ll become stronger! More importantly, I’ll be able to withstand the spiritual connection with my home planet. Then, even if I die outside, my soul can be transmitted back to be resurrected... By then, my elders’ control over me will loosen, right?】

...Such a hardcore safeguard.

Yi Zhen pondered for a moment: 【Wait, let me think of a way...】

What way?

He was the protagonist. Would desperately repeating “She Xin is nearing adulthood” in his mind, hinting to the plot, be useful?

No, that was too ridiculous. It wasn’t easy for Desnians to reach adulthood. It would be more reliable to keep repeating “She Xin is assigned to the same competition planet as me” in his mind…

His optical computer rang. Yi Zhen subconsciously answered: “Who is it?”

A screen popped up in mid-air, unfolding to reveal Rong Hongxue’s holographic bust in front of Yi Zhen.

He looked tired. The background behind him was pitch black, devoid of stars. Who knew where he was.

Damn, miscalculation. He thought it was She Xin calling directly. Unexpectedly, it was this lunatic.

Yi Zhen: “What time is it? If you’re not sleeping, shouldn’t I be sleeping? Do you have any public morals?”

Rong Hongxue glanced at his watch: “Moon Deer Island time, 7:42 PM. Xiao Zhen, the sunset hasn’t faded yet on your side. The colors are beautiful.”

Yi Zhen calmly reached out and turned off the background sharing of the holographic call: “Alright, cut the small talk. What do you want?”

“Nothing much, just checking on your injuries,” Rong Hongxue said with concern, looking at his abdomen. “How are you feeling? Are you better?”

Yi Zhen looked at him, silent for a long moment.

“My dear friend, what’s wrong with you? Stop with the fake concern, or I’ll throw up right now.”

“Want to hear the truth?” Rong Hongxue smiled. “The truth is, I’m returning from Crimson Cloak. Although the results weren’t entirely satisfactory, I still expended a lot of effort to achieve them. I haven’t slept in four days. Even with my mental level being the highest in the empire, I’m a bit exhausted. So...”

“So?”

“So I came to recharge with you.”

Yi Zhen: “...”

Yi Zhen: “Is this a joke, or...?”

Rong Hongxue said, “Of course not.”

Yi Zhen stared at him, his gaze unwavering. Behind him, the sun was setting, painting the sky with blood-red hues. Even the seemingly nonchalant Rong Hongxue couldn’t help but be taken aback... Yi Zhen’s eyes were like a roaring lion!

“Stop joking, you self-righteous madman!” A sharp, sword-like light erupted from Yi Zhen’s eyes, aimed directly at Rong Hongxue’s throat. It was as if the room resonated with the deadly hum of a drawn blade. “I said I wouldn’t try to sever ties with you because I can’t, so I won’t waste my time on it. But did you think I would tolerate you because of that?”

“Whether it’s your arrangements or this mushy, idiotic nonsense, there’s a limit to this one-man show, right? Yes, you’re strong. You wield power and immense wealth. So in your eyes, you can manipulate me at will, and I’ll endure anything you do to me, is that right?”

Rong Hongxue was speechless, rendered silent by Yi Zhen’s sharp questioning.

Yi Zhen sneered: “Honestly, if you stuck to your ambition, I wouldn’t look down on you so much. But you’ve never truly chosen ‘Yi Zhen’... You’ve never treated me as the priority in your life. You see me as a pastime, a place to relax, a park you can come and go as you please. What gives you the right?”

“In the life of an adult, there’s no ‘I want it all’ option, even if you’re Great Black Sky, the protagonist of the story.” Yi Zhen said, “Take a look in the mirror. Whether it’s out of testing or curiosity, your possessiveness towards me—you look really pathetic right now.”

Rong Hongxue met his gaze, his face expressionless.

Such sharp words, piercing straight through his hidden thoughts and intentions.

When one’s secret thoughts are exposed, anyone would be momentarily stunned. However, Rong Hongxue quietly looked at Yi Zhen, a single, inexplicable thought flashing through his mind.

...He’s so feisty, I hope he doesn’t aggravate his newly healed injuries.

“I understand.” Rong Hongxue said. Strangely, he wasn’t angry, or at least not particularly angry.

Yi Zhen was like a heavy weight falling from the sky, shattering his perceptions layer by layer. Great Black Sky’s arrogance and dignity seemed to have vanished before him... Every time Rong Hongxue felt he should unleash his killing intent, a voice would whisper in his heart: Are you getting angry over this? There’s more to be angry about in the future. This isn’t worth it.

Rong Hongxue deliberately said: “You mean, if I were to pursue you, I should do so wholeheartedly.”

Yi Zhen: “...Huh?”

“I understand, I can comprehend, you know.” Rong Hongxue stared at him, his expression somewhat emotional. “But I can’t wholeheartedly pursue anyone. There are too many things in this world waiting for me to conquer. Putting someone first, I feel...”

Yi Zhen expressionlessly hung up the video call, deleting and blocking him in one smooth motion.

Faced with a lunatic, even the most torrential rage of an ordinary person would be abruptly extinguished by a bucket of inexplicable, nonsensical cold water.

“His thought process is becoming more and more twisted. Trying to keep up with him will only lead to being dragged into a mental hospital.”

[So, Player, do you think the protagonist has discovered something?]

Hearing Tai’a’s voice, Yi Zhen sighed wearily.

“Although he’s crazy, he’s still intelligent. He must have discovered something, but whether it’s the truth remains to be seen.” Yi Zhen said, “I’m afraid he’s made up some nonsense, which is why he keeps harassing me.”

After saying so much to that person, he almost forgot about She Xin.

Yi Zhen suddenly remembered someone.

He messaged She Xin: 【Are you still there?】

She Xin: 【Yes.】

Yi Zhen: 【I just thought of someone. Aren’t you an exchange student at Azoth University? The former principal of Azoth University is named Li Zeyu. Have you heard of him?】

She Xin: 【Oh, Li Zeyu! The pilot of the Super S-class mecha, Snowstorm Wanderer! Of course I know him! Snowstorm Wanderer is a rare mecha without thermal weapons, possessing super speed that can supposedly travel through time. I don’t know if it’s the pilot’s special ability or the mecha itself, but I really want to see what kind of craftsmanship could create such a unique mecha...】

Yi Zhen: 【Stop.】

Yi Zhen: 【I mean, Li Zeyu is the former principal of Azoth University and one of the chief examiners of the competition. He’s known throughout the galaxy for his absolute fairness. If you can see him, maybe he can stop your cousin from blatantly cheating.】

After thinking for a moment, he added: 【If he’s willing to offend a group of adult Desna people for you, that is.】

She Xin: 【That... seems to make sense!】

She Xin: 【But how can I meet him?】

Yi Zhen: 【That’s up to you. For some reason, I have a feeling Li Zeyu won’t like me very much, so my connections probably won’t be of much help.】

She Xin: 【It’s okay! Having a direction is good enough. Wait for me!】

She Xin’s avatar went gray and offline.

Yi Zhen casually scrolled through his friend list. He had very few friends. He replied to Ai Ling’s and Li Youdeng’s congratulations. Several friend requests from unknown senders were blinking.

He clicked on them. The top request read “Giving you notes.” The avatar was a red-haired anime girl with horns, either a drawing or some kind of anthropomorphic character.

The remaining six... no, he didn’t need to look. They were definitely the school bully group.

Yi Zhen hesitated for a moment, then accepted all the requests.

Natalia: 【Congratulations, Yi Zhen! I saw your performance, it was amazing! As promised, here are the class notes. Looking forward to our duel in the qualifying rounds!】

Hold on, although the harsh preliminary selection eliminated many people, there were still tens of millions of contestants in the qualifying rounds, right? Where did she get the confidence to assume they would be on the same planet? Was she the protagonist or was he?

Never mind. He’d go back tomorrow... Three days without training or classes, his bones were about to fall apart! He needed to study!

...More importantly, he hadn’t been back for so long. He wondered how his Bone-Eroding Scorpion was doing. Hopefully, it hadn’t demolished his training room.

Yi Zhen closed his eyes, pushing all thoughts of Rong Hongxue and the transmigrators to the back of his mind, and quickly fell asleep.

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