VFMESR Chapter 25

As Chu Wenyu opened his eyes, he found himself under the scrutinizing gaze of the steward, whose aged face was etched with concern, causing him to involuntarily furrow his brows in disdain. Following closely behind were the ministers who had just received the news, and their clamorous discussions only added to Chu Wenyu’s growing irritation.

 

He couldn’t help but think about what just happened.

 

A few moments ago, after concluding a perfunctory meeting with the ministers, Chu Wenyu had noticed the absence of Alpha in his vicinity. Fearing for both Jiang Ling’s safety and the possibility of Alpha seizing the opportunity to escape the palace, he had impatiently pushed his wheelchair to search for him. He reluctantly admitted that he still harbored some doubts about Jiang Ling. Although the Space Agency had registered the hostage’s name and prohibited him from departing Burke Star on any spacecraft, Chu Wenyu couldn’t afford to take any chances.

 

Unexpectedly, shortly after leaving the banquet, he sensed something wrong within himself. His normally calm spiritual energy had erupted like a sudden volcanic eruption, intensifying faster and stronger than ever before.

 

To prevent any disturbance at the banquet, Chu Wenyu had mustered all his strength to suppress his spiritual energy, and without hesitation, he made his way to a distant part of the garden. Seeking help was not an option; he knew those useless ministers wouldn’t be of any assistance.

 

Under the relentless torture of his violently surging spiritual energy, even his ironclad willpower seemed powerless. He felt his condition worsening, and without warning, he lapsed into unconsciousness, the flickering remnants of his uncontrolled spiritual energy still echoing in his mind. Chu Wenyu was well aware of his dilemma, and in those fleeting moments of consciousness, he wished only to catch a glimpse of Jiang Ling, not wanting anyone to come to his rescue.

 

He couldn’t estimate how much time had passed, but he sensed someone approaching. Yet, the separation between his senses and consciousness left him in a daze, unable to identify the person. His spiritual energy resisted, but it was futile; the intruder paid no attention to the turmoil in his mind. Until he felt a warm, soothing energy flow into him, like a gentle spring breeze – an experience like none other.

 

He could hear the gentle voice of the person but couldn’t discern his identity.

 

“Your Majesty, are you alright?” The steward inquired cautiously, eyeing the chaotic scene around them, a clear indication of something having gone awry.

 

“I’m fine,” he replied, scanning the crowd behind the steward, but his expression was far from pleased.

 

Recalling the recent torment, Chu Wenyu glanced at the people who had followed the steward and asked, “Did a therapist happen to pass by here just now?”

 

The assembly exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain about the significance of the question. Was it a good thing or a bad thing?

 

Zheng Ziang had gotten lost in the expansive palace but had tried to find his way back to the banquet. Along the way, he had noticed a group of nobles rushing towards a particular direction, and after a moment’s consideration, he decided to follow them.

 

Being a therapist, he recognized the scene all too well. The lingering traces of two spiritual energies in the air, combined with the sight of the monarch’s weakened state, left little doubt in his mind about what had happened.

 

However, after Chu Wenyu voiced his question, an eerie silence descended upon the crowd. Most of these nobles had backgrounds in mech engineering and were entirely unqualified.

 

But among the students from Burke Star’s prestigious First Academy attending the banquet, there was one who stood out – Zheng Ziang, a renowned therapist both within the academy and on various online forums.

 

They thought Zheng Ziang was too shy to speak up, so they gave him a nudge and whispered, “Ziang, you’re the only therapist here.”

 

Zheng Ziang’s heart raced, a mix of panic and excitement coursing through him. He never expected that no one had claimed the role yet, especially since the monarch had just awakened from his coma. It was impossible to confirm who had been treating him.

 

Negative thoughts flashed through his mind, but the temptation of gaining the monarch’s favor was too great.

 

People nearby had overheard the hushed mutterings about Zheng Ziang and began discussing it as well.

 

Without further ado, Zheng Ziang stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, I am a therapist. I happened to pass by and noticed Your Majesty here.”

 

Chu Wenyu stared at him for a moment, his eyes revealing a hint of doubt.

 

“Are you a S-level therapist?” Chu Wenyu could discern his rank in an instant, but he didn’t immediately believe it. The palace had employed many S-level spiritual therapists in the past, with much more experience than this young man. None of them had given him the feeling he had just now. His intuition told him that this person might not be capable.

 

“That’s correct.” Questioned by the monarch, Zheng Ziang’s lips trembled, regret welling up inside him. But once the arrow was released, there was no turning back. He could only hope that Chu Wenyu wouldn’t expose him.

 

The steward, who was well-informed about the guest list, whispered beside him, “This is Zheng Ziang, a genius therapist from the Burke Star First Academy. Aside from him, it seems there are no other S-level spiritual therapists present.”

 

All the information pointed to Zheng Ziang, and Chu Wenyu had no reason to doubt it.

 

“In that case, hire him as the royal therapist. He will come to the palace when I need his services. As for today’s incident, you are responsible for the reward,” Chu Wenyu said calmly, as if discussing a matter of routine business.

 

The steward, on the other hand, was delighted. For the first time, he saw the monarch satisfied with a therapist. It seemed that this young man named Zheng Ziang would have a place in Burke Star’s future.

 

“Before that, find Jiang Ling for me as soon as possible. I want to see him within fifteen minutes,” Chu Wenyu whispered lowly to the steward.

 

Finding an outstanding therapist hadn’t captured his attention; he only remembered that he hadn’t seen Alpha for nearly an hour. That was enough time to escape the palace.

 

Chu Wenyu pushed his wheelchair away in annoyance, with a sinister determination that he wouldn’t spare any palace guards if Jiang Ling was truly missing.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zheng Ziang beamed as he watched the King depart.

 

He had never expected to get away with this. Who could have imagined such good luck? Getting lost had turned out to be a lucky break.

 

Zheng Ziang was exceedingly confident, so he wasn’t worried about being discovered by Chu Wenyu in the future. He believed his skills were up to the task. If he had indeed been here a few moments ago, he would have achieved the same result.

 

Other noble ministers couldn’t help but turn their attention to the young man. Many of them had never spoken to the monarch before.

 

They whispered among themselves.

 

“Which family is he from? I don’t recall ever hearing about them.”

 

“Just a second-rate noble, but that might change starting today. Who knows, our family head might send me to visit him tomorrow.”

 

“Does this young therapist have a fiance, I wonder?”

 

Discussions about Zheng Ziang continued unabated, and even the representatives from the academy couldn’t help but envy him. If only they had pursued a career as therapists, they might be the ones favored by the monarch now.

 

Zheng Ziang, still dizzy with surprise, couldn’t help but imagine scenes where his family elders warmly speaking to him, and his proud cousin watching him with resentment.

 

The position of the family heir was now firmly decided!

 

Jiang Ling, hidden not far away, naturally witnessed this scene. Only through the words of others did he come to know that the person in question was Zheng Ziang. The other’s actions left him somewhat puzzled.

 

From the previous score match, he had gauged this individual’s strength accurately. Given what had just happened, this person seemed practically defenseless.

 

However, Jiang Ling wasn’t in a hurry to immediately confront Chu Wenyu with an explanation. Revealing his secret of spiritual power now would be unwise. Zheng Ziang’s attempt to seize his place might not last long, and a single summons from the villain to enter the palace would likely reveal his true abilities. The lie would unravel without a trace, and there would be no need to expose his identity.

 

Jiang Ling tidied up the weeds on him, ensuring that no flaws were exposed. He quietly followed Chu Wenyu, waiting for the right moment to approach him.

 

“Your Majesty, where are you headed?” Jiang Ling took hold of the wheelchair, prepared to push him to his destination.

 

The person he had been anxiously searching for suddenly appeared before him. As he gazed at the face he had once cherished so dearly, Chu Wenyu was now consumed by a raging anger.

 

He coldly interrogated, “Where did you just go?” His eyes were filled with a scrutinizing intent, as the sudden disappearance of the other was highly suspicious.

 

Jiang Ling explained the matter of escorting Princess Anna back to the palace to Chu Wenyu, though he omitted the latter part of the story, skillfully blending truth and fiction.

 

Chu Wenyu didn’t have any hostility to his obedient niece, but he didn’t want to see Jiang Ling forming any kind of relationship with her. He felt jealous.

 

“Next time, just find a palace maid directly. You should know I don’t like it when you act like this,” Chu Wenyu grabbed the wheelchair’s armrest tightly, his expression shifting from weakness to annoyance, a stark contrast from earlier.

 

Nevertheless, he was somewhat satisfied with Jiang Ling’s candid attitude.

 

Jiang Ling was still trapped in the worry and fear he felt when witnessing Chu Wenyu’s unconscious state earlier. His emotional instability was expected, and he didn’t mind Chu Wenyu’s attitude.

 

“Alright, I’ll do as you say,” Jiang Ling replied, accommodatingly.

 

Since the other party didn’t seem to have any intention of escaping from the palace, Chu Wenyu’s anxiety eased. He thought about how difficult it had been for him to endure his condition earlier. If only his Alpha had been there with him, he wouldn’t have suffered so much. However, this was just wishful thinking, as Jiang Ling lacked spiritual powers and couldn’t handle his frantic state during an episode. That was why he hesitated to involve the other during his attacks.

 

Regrettably, it seemed that this person still had no idea what had happened just now.

 

“I wish you could have been with me earlier,” Chu Wenyu said, taking Jiang Ling’s hand abruptly, his words disjointed and filled with weariness.

 

The person had been found, and the exhaustion from the episode was beginning to set in.

 

He didn’t expect the other to understand, but to his surprise, a soft voice replied, “Okay, I’ll make sure to be with you next time.”

 

“Tsk, you don’t understand anything,” he mumbled, but he was happy.

 

Behind Chu Wenyu, in a place he couldn’t see, Jiang Ling’s eyes were filled with affection and tenderness.

 

“I’ve always been here, accompanying you.”

 

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