Chapter 190 – Brutal Beastman Marshal vs. White Lotus, Black Lotus, Pitiful Plant Prince (17)
This time, Bai Qian came to the Beastman Empire specifically for the original Mu Jin, even finding a way to enroll in the Imperial Academy. Naturally, Mu Jin wanted to reciprocate Bai Qian’s affection, though discussing their past from the Plant Empire was inconvenient at the moment.
After reuniting, Mu Jin immediately introduced Bai Qian to his friends, hoping he could quickly integrate into this new environment. They agreed to meet again after class.
Bai Qian had both beastman and plant bloodlines, so no one suspected he was from the Plant Empire. Due to his royal dragon lineage, his bloodline had a certain intimidating effect on the surrounding beastmen. Even if they hadn’t noticed yet, some weaker-blooded beastmen instinctively felt a subconscious submission to Bai Qian.
Mu Jin was delighted that Bai Qian was now by his side. With Bai Qian’s high combat abilities, he could become a valuable ally to his lover in the future.
However, Mu Jin was unaware that Cromwell had already learned about this situation. Not far away, Cromwell was suppressing his anger, barely holding back from an outburst. If looks could kill, Bai Qian would have died a thousand times over.
It was Bai Qian’s first day at the Imperial Academy, and he had chosen to specialize in mechas, aspiring to become a mecha warrior. This was usually impossible for ordinary plant people due to their weaker physiques and reliance on non-combat methods like potions. Despite this, Bai Qian had no such limitations.
Though he possessed spiritual power and a relatively strong physique by Plant Empire standards, in the Beastman Empire, he was considered average. However, after a fortuitous encounter and training in the forest, Bai Qian’s potential had been fully unleashed.
His spiritual power and physique had both advanced to S-grade, making him fully capable of piloting a mecha. Mu Jin knew that Bai Qian would soon become a rising star at the Imperial Academy.
While Mu Jin and Bai Qian were getting along well, Cromwell, who had received some background information, grew increasingly grim. He had previously investigated Mu Jin’s background. Despite the longstanding animosity and difficulty in penetrating the Plant and Beastman Empires’ relations, certain details couldn’t be overlooked.
Although the original Mu Jin, the fifth prince of the Plant Empire, was not favored, there was still some information available. It was known that the fifth prince had a childhood companion named Bai Qian. However, this person was thought to be a mere servant who had died in an accident and hadn’t been seen since.
The marshal hadn’t focused on dead people, but he couldn’t ignore such a clear coincidence. Cromwell already knew that Mu Jin’s childhood friend was named Bai Qian, and now this new student at the Imperial Academy was also named Bai Qian, making the nature of their relationship obvious.
So, this man grew up with Mu Jin? According to the information, wasn’t he supposed to be a plant person? Yet, it was clear that this Bai Qian had beastman blood. What was going on?
However, whether Bai Qian was a plant person or a beastman, Cromwell didn’t care. What mattered to him was the role this person played in his partner’s heart.
Thinking about the deep bond formed by growing up together, Cromwell couldn’t help but feel jealous. He wondered why the reports from the Plant Empire claimed that Bai Qian was dead when he had just seen him alive. Moreover, judging by Mu Jin’s reaction, while surprised, he wasn’t overly shocked, indicating he might have known the truth all along. Did they share a deeper relationship?
Even though Cromwell and Mu Jin had grown increasingly close over the past few days, facing another tall and handsome man with years of shared history made the usually fearless marshal feel a strong sense of crisis.
Originally, he planned to take things slowly, waiting until he held a significant place in his partner’s heart before making a move. But with Bai Qian’s unexpected appearance, Cromwell could no longer remain patient.
He couldn’t follow Mu Jin into the teaching building, as it wasn’t suitable for hiding. So, he lingered around the campus, waiting outside. Sure enough, when Mu Jin finished his classes, he immediately found Bai Qian. The two seemed very familiar and friendly.
Mu Jin’s schedule wasn’t busy today, and with Bai Qian being new to the Imperial Academy, he took on the role of a guide, showing him around and helping him get familiar with the surroundings. They even had lunch together.
In battle, a beastman’s bloodline is significant. An S-level beastman can perfectly conceal themselves under suitable conditions.
Cromwell stayed close to them all day without drawing any attention from Mu Jin or Bai Qian. He watched them chat happily, seething with the desire to kill the annoying intruder.
Meanwhile, Bai Qian, unaware of the looming danger, curiously observed his surroundings. Having just enjoyed a delicious meal in the cafeteria, he was very pleased with the Imperial Academy. In the past, Bai Qian rarely had good food, and Mu Jin’s life was also difficult.
After arriving in the Beastman Empire, Bai Qian searched for news about Mu Jin. Hearing that Mu Jin had married Cromwell broke his heart, feeling he had failed to protect his dear friend. This urgency drove him to the Imperial Academy to see Mu Jin.
Mu Jin had no idea that Bai Qian’s earlier-than-expected arrival at the Imperial Academy, compared to the original storyline, was entirely due to him.
Bai Qian was surprised to see Mu Jin looking much better than before, with a healthier complexion and even a bit of weight gain. His carefree and happy demeanor was a pleasant surprise for Bai Qian.
Although Mu Jin had always been very gentle in the past, it wasn’t like now, where he seemed completely relaxed. In the past, Bai Qian always felt that his good friend was burdened with some heavy secrets, making him struggle to breathe.
However, he couldn’t help his friend, only silently worrying. But now, everything was different. It was evident that his good friend was genuinely happy.
Seeing Mu Jin smiling as they strolled around campus, Bai Qian couldn’t help but ask him, “Mu Jin, are you truly happy now? You know, if you don’t want to be with that marshal from the Beastman Empire, I will do whatever it takes to get you out of here!”
Hearing Bai Qian’s words, Mu Jin felt moved. He knew Bai Qian treated him like family, so he shook his head and replied, “Don’t worry, I’m really happy now. Cromwell is different from what the rumors say. He’s, he’s very good…”
As Mu Jin blushed while speaking, Bai Qian finally relaxed. Although he felt a strange sense of loss, he was still happy that his childhood friend had found true happiness.
However, Marshal Cromwell, who was hiding nearby, had no idea what they were discussing. All he knew was that after saying something, that man made his partner blush.
Seeing his beloved and another man chatting intimately, Cromwell’s anger reached its peak. Even the trunk of the tree he was hiding behind bore deep imprints from his furious grip.
Cromwell’s sense of crisis grew more severe. He felt he couldn’t tolerate it anymore. His partner belonged to him alone, and he wouldn’t give the enemy any chance. With this in mind, a cold gleam flashed in his eyes, and he almost immediately made up his mind.
He stared deeply at the figures of Mu Jin and Bai Qian chatting happily together, then turned and left the Imperial Academy, leaving the surveillance duty to his subordinates.
So, when Mu Jin left the Imperial Academy in the evening, expecting Cromwell to be there, he found it was instead other servants from the marshal’s mansion.
Mu Jin recognized them and boarded the mini starship as usual. However, he couldn’t help but wonder why his lover didn’t come to pick him up personally today. He asked a couple of questions, but the answer was only that the marshal had urgent matters to attend to. Mu Jin didn’t dwell on it.
In fact, he wanted to immediately take Bai Qian to meet his lover. However, since Bai Qian had only recently arrived in the Beastman Empire and hadn’t shown any strength yet, Mu Jin restrained himself.
According to Bai Qian, he was able to enter the Imperial Academy because he accidentally saved a child from a prominent family, earning him the opportunity to study here as a form of gratitude from the family.
Of course, Bai Qian didn’t have any special status in the eyes of others. Unlike Mu Jin, who smoothly entered the Imperial Academy, Bai Qian had to pass assessments to qualify for admission.