Chapter 178: Drunk Feixiao
"Come, let's toast to our friendship!" Feixiao raised her wine cup, a hearty smile on her face.
"Cheers!" Four wine cups clinked together.
"Speaking of which," Jiang Li said, a bit tipsy, "it really wasn't easy for my brother and me... We owe it to you guys."
"I'm the one who should say that," Neergul said. "If I hadn't met you three, I might have died long ago."
"Heh… Don't say such things," Feixiao waved her hand. "We're living very well now, aren't we?"
"Exactly. And we'll keep it that way," you said with a smile.
In a daze, you recalled that small prison cell from many years ago.
"Brother, what are you thinking about?" Jiang Li leaned closer, habitually grasping your sleeve. Even though she had become Yaoqing's most outstanding physician, in front of you, she was still the little sister who needed your protection.
"Nothing, just thinking about when we first met."
"So Brother, you can't marry a wife and forget about me later, okay?"
"Silly girl," you rubbed her head.
Neergul secretly watched your sibling interaction, a certain emotion stirring in her heart. She plucked up her courage to speak. "Um…" her voice was as soft as ever, "next time, could you… also teach me close-combat techniques? I also want to become as strong as you guys!"
Feixiao suddenly interjected, "If you want to learn close combat, find me! My axe skills are top-notch! His swordsmanship is too strange, not suitable for you."
Neergul was a little disappointed but still nodded. You noticed her change in mood and said gently, "Actually, some of my basic footwork can be taught to you. After training tomorrow?"
"Really?!" Neergul's eyes lit up. "Th-thank you…"
Feixiao frowned, feeling inexplicably uneasy. She downed the wine in her cup. "Drink, drink! No going home until we're drunk tonight!"
"Sister Feixiao, drink slower," Jiang Li said worriedly. "Every time you drink too much, you'll…"
Before she could finish, Feixiao swayed to her feet. "I'm not drunk!" The next second, she stumbled towards you. You quickly caught her, the familiar scent of wine mixed with battlefield gunpowder on her.
"Really… always like this."
Feixiao rubbed against you in your arms, mumbling, "You idiot… a big idiot… always making people worry…" She closed her eyes. "Last time you got your throat cut by a monster again to save me… Do you know how much I…" Before she finished, she completely fell asleep.
"Brother, did you really not notice at all?" Jiang Li asked softly.
"Notice what?"
"Sister Feixiao, she…" Jiang Li sighed. "Forget it, you can think about it slowly yourself."
You truly began to think. Over the years, Feixiao had always been by your side. On the battlefield, she always charged at the front, but the corner of her eye was always searching for your figure. When you were injured, she would be the first to rush over. After every battle, she would walk beside you at the very end.
The person in your arms suddenly spoke again. "Don't die… No one is allowed to die…" Her hand clutched your clothes.
Your heart softened. "Okay, no one will die."
At 20 years old, the title of the "Yaoqing Four Royals" began to spread within the Xianzhou Alliance. Gradually, people began to compare you to the legendary "High-Cloud Quintet." Feixiao merely snorted disdainfully. "We are not them. We are the Yaoqing Four Royals, and one day… we will surpass them."
At 22 years old, Jiang Li became Yaoqing's Chief Medical Officer. Neergul also earned the title of "Sky-Faring Commission Special-Grade Pilot." At the celebration banquet, General Yueyu raised her cup, "To the Yaoqing Four Royals! You are the pride of Yaoqing!"
After three rounds of drinks, Feixiao got drunk again, hugging you all night in her stupor.
At 24 years old, on a seemingly ordinary morning, you stood on the observation deck, looking at the distant star sea. Everything was unsettlingly quiet. There was a feeling of an impending storm.
Suddenly—a piercing alarm sounded! It was the highest level of war alarm.
"All Cloud Knights immediately assemble! This is not a drill!"
Your heart sank. Inside the command center, General Yueyu's expression was more solemn than ever. On the holographic projection, the Xianzhou Fanghu was surrounded by dense enemy ships.
"The war has begun," her voice was heavy. Even more terrifying was the huge shadow in the projection—the wandering star "Jidu Mirage," a living planet that devours civilizations.
"This time's enemies include the main fleet of the Borisin," Yueyu said, looking at Feixiao. "The Luofu and other Xianzhou have dispatched reinforcements, but it's not enough. I will lead you, the Yaoqing Four Royals—to go forth as the vanguard!"
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