ASFTB 53: My Legs Went Weak. I Can’t Walk! 2

Jian Chengxi continued cooking the meat in the pot and said, “My husband is from the Underground City.”

The bearded man was stunned for a moment. “Your family is studying in a school in Sky City?”

Jian Chengxi sensed a bit of danger and could only make up something. “Uh… then I got divorced and remarried to Sky City.”

The bearded man looked at him with a somewhat subtle gaze. “Then you must be a poor soul.”

After all, he remarried, but he was still from the Underground City, and then marrying into Sky City—isn’t that just the fate of a concubine? Those wealthy wives never have to cook for themselves, this clearly shows he isn’t favored.

Jian Chengxi smiled and said, “Actually, I’m quite happy.”

The bearded man didn’t believe it, and with his generous nature, he said, “That bunch of bastards in Sky City are all bad news. It’s our men from the Underground City who are honest and know how to care for people!”

Jian Chengxi thought for a moment and nodded. “That’s true.”

His general actually knows how to care for people.

He could tell.

The bearded man saw his agreement, and his mind began to wander with mischief. He said, “If you ever remarry, I’ll make arrangements for you!”

After all, he had many underlings who couldn’t find wives.

Jian Chengxi hesitated and said, “This might not be a good idea. My husband would be unhappy.”

The bearded man snorted and said, “Forget about him. I’ve roamed the world without fearing anyone and there’s no one who dares to mess with me—let’s see who has an issue!”

Jian Chengxi: “…”

You probably want to go accompany Wang Zhe.

At the foot of the mountain—

Countless warships surrounded the entire mountain.

Li Lingfeng was just about to ascend the mountain when someone ran over.

The newcomer was wearing a pure white holy robe. The princess quickly walked forward under everyone’s gaze. She came in front of Li Lingfeng and said, “General, I will go with you to rescue them!”

Li Lingfeng slightly furrowed his brows, almost imperceptibly, and asked, “What are you doing here, Your Highness?”

The princess immediately replied, “I heard about this while watching the news. To be honest, General, my niece is also there among those children. Now that such a terrible thing has happened in Sky City, how can I just sit by and do nothing!”

She figured it out.

If she wanted to earn Li Lingfeng’s respect, relying on beauty and the temptation of power wouldn’t work.

She finally understood her advantage.

Her greatest strength was her independent mind and capable physique. She was a princess, while Jian Chengxi was just an incompetent half-elf.

Now, she must work hard to show the general.

Only she could stand shoulder to shoulder with him!

She had been looking for opportunities to prove herself during this time, and her efforts finally paid off—she had waited for this moment!

Li Lingfeng said with a blank expression, “The mountain is dangerous, Your Highness. It’s better if you go back.”

A smile appeared on the princess’s face, and she even looked a little shy. “Is the general concerned about me? Actually, it’s not necessary, I’ve actually received training…”

Li Lingfeng said with a blank expression, “After all, if the fighting starts and Your Highness is here, you’ll only cause more trouble.”

The princess: “…”

You really are stubborn as a rock.

On the mountain, the main force advanced through the rain. 

Thunder rumbled.

Li Lingfeng’s troops were well-trained. When they captured the Zerg King back then, the conditions had been equally harsh.

In the trees, many parents who had been tied up were rescued with tears in their eyes. Some had even lost their voices from shouting, and only then did they receive the rescue.

These nobles, who lived pampered lives, had never endured such hardship.

Especially the proud tiger man, who had lost his voice when he was rescued, kept complaining, “You’re finally here!”

The princess hurried over to support him. “Uncle, what happened?”

The tiger man, drenched by the rain, was barely holding on. He said, “I came with the others to look for food, and that group suddenly charged out. They had guns and knives. We didn’t even have a chance to fight back.”

The princess’s heart sank, and she quickly asked, “What about Pingping!?”

The tiger man was in a sorry state. He was covered in mud. “She’s at the supply station, with… Jian Chengxi.”

Li Lingfeng walked over with steady steps, his military boots crunching in the muddy ground. The man’s expression was cold and stern. “How many of them are there?”

The tiger man shook his head and said, “That group of pirates was too ruthless. I couldn’t see clearly, but I estimate there shouldn’t be too many of them. Jian Chengxi is definitely no match for them. By now, he and the children must have been captured. I don’t know how they’ll be tortured. H–hurry and save the children…”

Li Lingfeng’s gaze was icy, and he directly threw the man to the ground.

The deputy general walked over, and casually kicked the tiger man. He quickly said, “General, our positioning system is now clear. Their base is on the mountain!”

Li Lingfeng’s face was icy. “Lead the men up there. If Monka’s subordinates resist…”

A flash of lightning struck.

The world was filled with an icy chill.

Li Lingfeng’s voice came down with an icy tone, “Execute them on the spot.”

The rain on the mountain fell in torrents.

The soldiers were already accustomed to such harsh weather in the Zerg Nest’s black hole, where the weather was unpredictable and the enemies they faced were ever-changing.

However, no matter how difficult the situation, Li Lingfeng had never shown a moment of hesitation or fear.

He had been emotionally distant since childhood. 

He was a monster that even his mother feared.

However, when he saw the tiger man being tortured under the tree, his arms and legs dislocated, he was momentarily shaken.

His little wife and daughter were so fragile. They were the ones he carefully cradled in his hands, afraid to hurt them even by accident. How could they possibly endure even the slightest torture?

If anything happens to them…

Enormous rage and killing intent surged in his heart.

The pain in his bones seemed to crack as they ached. His eyes were dark and cold.

“Bang!”

A smoke grenade was thrown into the cave on the mountain.

A group of soldiers, who had been lying in wait, charged in. All the pirates were captured alive.

Li Lingfeng walked in. His gaze fell into the cave, already prepared for the possibility of witnessing a heartbreaking scene, and just as he was about to rescue them—

…

The cave was silent.

At a long table not far away, the children were gathered in a group, each of them had meat on their plates.

The pirate leader was gnawing on a spicy rabbit head, and Jian Chengxi was sitting next to him, still feeding Li Suisui water. The group was laughing and chatting when soldiers from outside rushed in.

…

Their eyes met, and there was complete silence.

Jian Chengxi locked eyes with his husband. He paused for a moment, then showed an awkward but polite smile. “Hi.”

“…”

The princess ran over from behind and loudly called out, “Pingping!”

Pingping was sitting next to Alice with oil all over her mouth. She was still eating, and she looked at the princess in confusion. “Cousin?”

The princess quickly said, “Are you okay?”

The children all looked confused. They were being taken care of very well by Jian Chengxi, they even had bedtime stories to listen to, and the uncles gave them meat to eat.

Jian Chengxi stood up. “Well…”

He hadn’t had a chance to speak.

The bearded man slammed the table and pointed the gun at Pingping, who was sitting nearby. “Damn it, I can’t even eat properly. Don’t come near me!”

However, in an instant, the princess spread her wings and conjured the sword of an angel. With the troops around her, she wasn’t afraid at all and pointed the sword at them. “Let them go! What kind of skill is it to harm children?!”

Everyone was startled.

However—

She had clearly underestimated this group of intergalactic pirates.

Those who survive long in intergalactic pursuit are all capable. A figure flashed by, and the princess was suddenly pinned down.

The second-in-command sprang out from behind, and pressed a knife to the princess’s neck. He said, “Everyone step back, or I’ll kill her!”

The atmosphere froze in an instant.

The bearded man looked at Li Lingfeng standing at the cave entrance. He smiled, and said, “I didn’t expect you to find us so quickly. Well, you used to run a pirate business, how could you not find us?”

Li Lingfeng looked at him with a blank expression. “Monka, let them go, and I’ll spare your life.”

He didn’t even consider the possibility of defeat.

Monka sneered repeatedly. “That’s the Empire’s princess, right? You go and have someone prepare an escape warship for me, and I’ll let them go. You know my abilities—even if I die, I can drag one or two down with me. If you don’t want them to die, then agree to my demands!”

In fact, while saying this, he was also feeling nervous inside.

Years ago, he had crossed paths with Li Lingfeng and back then, Li Lingfeng was still a bounty hunter.

He was a ruthless and merciless figure, someone even he feared.

Heartless and without loyalty, with no weaknesses whatsoever.

Li Lingfeng replied without hesitation, “Fine.”

Monka was stunned.

Li Lingfeng lifted his eyelids and looked at him. “Monka, you know the consequences of breaking your word.”

Monka felt uneasy inside. “Of course, I’m a man of my word. As long as you send me a warship, I’ll release them immediately. If you’re late by an hour, I’ll kill one!”

The children were terrified by the situation.

The deputy general spoke from behind, “Since we’ve sent the warship, you should show some sincerity as well. Release someone first.”

Monka hesitated for a moment. “If you want to release the princess, that’s not possible…”

The princess’s eyes were filled with tears. She was about to tell Li Lingfeng not to take risks for her.

Yet unexpectedly—

Li Lingfeng looked at Jian Chengxi without hesitation. “Come over.”

The princess: “…”

How rude of you.

Jian Chengxi was called. He held the child’s hand and looked at Monka as he said, “I’m leaving now.”

Monka was stunned, speechless.

No matter how he thought about it, he never expected this turn of events.

At this moment—

A sound came from the cave entrance. It was the tiger man dragging himself over. He leaned against the cave entrance and nervously shouted, “Pingping.”

The scene was filled with smoke and chaos. When Pingping saw the restrained princess, she was stunned with fright and cried out, “Dad!” 

One child’s cry set the others off as well.

The children who had just been dazed heard Pingping and, seeing the sight, immediately began wailing throughout the cave. 

Annoyed, Monka pointed his gun at Pingping’s head and shouted, “Don’t cry! If you cry again, I’ll kill you.”

Pingping was still crying.

The princess’s voice rang out. She said, “What do you think you’re going to do to the child? If you dare do anything to my cousin, don’t expect to leave this place alive!”

Monka had always hated being threatened. Hearing that, he gave a small laugh. “Is whether I get out alive something you get to decide? Let me tell you plainly. I, Monka, in all my life have never been afraid of anyone. You should go ask around about my reputation. Back in the day I was—”

“Bang!”

A dull, muffled sound rang out amid the disbelieving gazes of everyone.

Jian Chengxi put the pot down. He was a doctor and knew exactly where to strike to make someone lose consciousness instantly.

Monka’s whole body went down at once.

The others in the cave were stunned. A pirate pointed a gun at Jian Chengxi and shouted, “You dare touch our boss! I’ll kill—”

Jian Chengxi shot a sidelong look.

Almost in that very same instant, Li Lingfeng moved so fast his figure was nearly invisible. The underling who had been pointing a gun at Jian Chengxi was kicked and sent flying across the cave, crashing into a table that shattered into pieces.

A huge explosion echoed through the cave.

The surrounding pirates rose up in fierce resistance.

Just as it seemed the children might be accidentally hurt—

“Ow!”

No one knew who started it.

Many of the pirates in the cave suddenly clutched their stomachs.

A wave of sharp and twisting pain spread through their bodies to the point that they were so distracted they could barely hold their guns steady.

The princess looked at the scene in surprise and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with them?”

Standing beside Jian Chengxi, little Li Suisui hid in her daddy’s arms.

Taking advantage of the moment, the deputy general led his men in a surge forward. The well-trained soldiers moved quickly and precisely, and in no time, they subdued everyone.

The cave was soon cleared out completely.

The captured interstellar pirates were all sent to the interstellar prison.

As for the children, they were picked up by the school staff. Those who needed medical care were sent to the hospital because the rabbit meat had been laced with a magic drug. Everyone who had eaten it had to go to the hospital for detoxification, and even those who hadn’t eaten it still needed a health check.

…

The cave suddenly felt empty and desolate.

Li Lingfeng’s whole body still carried the lingering chill and the scent of blood. He walked up in front of Jian Chengxi and stared down at him, standing there with a deep gaze while looking straight at him.

Jian Chengxi also looked somewhat disheveled.

His coat was soaked from the rain, his hands smeared with mud, and dust covered his face.

Yet at this moment—

Jian Chengxi still forced a faint smile and said softly, “What about Xiao Chen? I left him at the hospital during the day. His leg needs rest, and I promised to pick him up tonight…”

Li Lingfeng said softly, “He’s fine.”

Jian Chengxi paused for a moment. He then nodded and said, “That’s good, then.”

It was as if he had been holding his breath and finally exhaled.

Li Lingfeng raised his hand, his slightly rough fingertips brushing over Jian Chengxi’s face. The unease he had felt from worrying about him slowly settled.

It was only now that he had the mood to notice what was beside him.

The man glanced at the pot beside him, and his lips curled into a small smile. “You’ve got some nerve.”

Jian Chengxi lowered his head, looking a little sheepish. His voice was soft, yet clearly reached Li Lingfeng’s ears, “That’s only because I knew you were here.”

He felt a strange, inexplicable trust toward him.

“I knew you would come,” Jian Chengxi’s eyes were bright and the corners of his mouth lifted into a faint smile. “So I’m not afraid.”

Li Lingfeng looked down at him. He met the eyes of his little wife, filled with trust and reliance.

For a brief moment, an unusual feeling stirred in his heart.

No one had ever treated his presence as something to be happy about or trust.

Not even his mother.

Everyone thought he was a heartless monster. Only his little wife would look at him with a gentle and smiling gaze.

Li Lingfeng’s eyes were dark and profound. The man silently took Jian Chengxi’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Jian Chengxi’s hand was enveloped by his broad palm.

Li Lingfeng held his hand, but he didn’t move. Li Lingfeng furrowed his brow slightly. “What’s wrong?”

Could it be… 

That he didn’t want to be touched by him?

Li Lingfeng’s heart sank, and he felt the urge to let go of Jian Chengxi’s hand.

However, what he saw was his little wife’s face showing a hint of distress, as if he felt embarrassed. Jian Chengxi’s face flushed slightly, and in a soft voice he said, “My… my legs are numb.”

Li Lingfeng furrowed his brow, doubting he had heard correctly. “What?”

Jian Chengxi finally confessed halfway, closing his eyes. “I got scared just now and my legs went weak. I can’t walk now!”

“…”

Li Lingfeng paused for a moment.

He had thought himself so brave.

Yet in reality, he was still so small.

The corners of the man’s mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

Before Jian Chengxi could even react, Li Lingfeng had lifted him into his arms. His broad, strong shoulders felt like a safe harbor, where one wouldn’t be touched by wind, rain, or harm.

But…

Jian Chengxi said, a little embarrassed and annoyed, “Were you laughing at me just now?”

Li Lingfeng strode forward, and said softly, “No.”

“You’re lying! I saw you smiling!”

“Hmm, I did.”

Jian Chengxi, completely embarrassed: “…!”

Wuwuwu!

Bad guy!

The next day—

The incident with the interstellar pirates caused a huge stir throughout the city.

The princess appeared in the media, and as a public figure, her brave deeds in rescuing the children alongside the military were widely reported. As a member of the royal family, she also won great favor with the people.

As a result, most of the public’s attention was focused on the royal family, and their attention on the interstellar pirates waned.

The deputy general came to report. “General, as per your instructions, Monka and his men have handed over part of the treasure map’s locations. In a few days, we will secretly release him.”

Li Lingfeng nodded. “This matter must be handled discreetly. We can’t let anyone catch wind of it.”

Monka could still be of great use.

As an interstellar pirate and a native of the Underground City, he had smuggled countless weapons and goods.

He resold goods at high prices to Sky City, but sold them cheaply to the poor people of the Underground City.

The deputy general said with admiration, “He’s got some guts, that man!”

Li Lingfeng looked at the emperor’s secret report in his hands and said slowly, “The emperor has sent word. Publicly punish Monka, then exile and imprison him.”

The deputy general smiled. “General, what do you plan to do?”

Li Lingfeng said softly, “Fifty lashes in public, then imprison him.”

The deputy general nodded. Fifty lashes weren’t a big deal for a beastman; they only looked severe. It seemed the general actually admired Monka’s character.

“Alright. I remember you and him were from the same hometown. This is as merciful as it gets!” the deputy general said with feeling. “That kid’s life in prison has been too comfortable—spending all day dreaming about the future. He deserves some punishment.”

Li Lingfeng lifted his eyelids and asked, “What did he say?”

Behind the deputy general stood the prison warden.

He stepped forward and said, “He didn’t say much, only that he’s still upset about being knocked out that day. He also said he really missed the rabbit meat he ate that day. He asked me to ask the general if, now that he’s being released, the elf who cooked that rabbit meat could be sent to him. He promised to hand over a few more portions of the treasure map and has no ulterior motives.”

“…”

The air hung in silence for a few moments.

The temperature seemed to drop to freezing in an instant.

Li Lingfeng picked up his pen to sign the decree and said slowly, “Two hundred lashes. Implement it immediately.”

The deputy general: “…”

There’s some hometown loyalty, but not much.