Chapter Seventy-One: The Princess Carry

She had originally intended to see whether a mech built with Federation technology could withstand the force of such an energy cannon, but after glancing at Kuang Shao lying on the ground, she reconsidered. For the sake of his protecting her "to the very end," she decided to let it go. She was just about to perform a "Minor Spatial Shift" to move the mech out of the way—after all, every mech had its own master and spiritual imprint, and for Xuan Xuan to take possession would be troublesome. Besides, she had only begun studying the mechanics, not piloting them yet; using "Minor Spatial Shift" was by far the easiest solution.

At that very moment, someone called out, "Xuan Xuan!" She paused. Was that her father?

In the blink of an eye, faced with the oncoming energy cannon, Xuan Xuan could only summon several "Wind Shields," a little helplessly. Spatial magic was rather tricky to use; moving such a massive object would be time-consuming and exhausting. With her father’s interruption, there was no longer time. She cast a sympathetic look at Kuang Shao on the ground, wondering what fortune awaited his mech.

She casually added several more "Wind Shields" around herself and Kuang Shao. She should have used "Earth Shields"—their defense was stronger—but to avoid drawing attention, "Wind Shields" were more suitable.

Manqi Lianhao felt uneasy as he conversed with his guests. The Manqi family estate was crowded and complicated these days, and he constantly feared for Xuan Xuan’s safety. Yet, leaving these visitors unattended was unthinkable; there was always a reason for coming unannounced. He had asked Yi Qiong to keep an eye on Xuan Xuan, but Yi Qiong soon returned to report that Xuan Xuan was not in the sitting room. Instantly, Manqi Lianhao left with Yi Qiong in tow. The man he had been speaking with watched him hurry away, a faint smile playing at his lips.

No sooner had Manqi Lianhao stepped out into the garden than he sensed that something was amiss. He had made the most progress recently, and just standing outside the space controlled by Xuan Xuan and that other person, he could feel the difference. His expression changed as he quickly strode into the garden. The scene before him shifted: a ring of mechs encircled Kuang Shao’s "Radiant Sun."

An energy cannon was aimed directly at Kuang Shao’s mech. Knowing Kuang Shao’s character, Manqi Lianhao deduced that Xuan Xuan must be inside the mech with him, yet "Radiant Sun" showed no sign of movement.

Manqi Lianhao had never been so anxious before. "Xuan Xuan!" There was no moment in his life he’d regretted more, no time he’d hated himself more for letting Xuan Xuan leave his side.

He attempted to shift spatially, but the distance between his location and Xuan Xuan was too great. In a split second, there was simply no way to reach her in time.

Just then, a black mech swept down from the sky, snatching up Kuang Shao’s "Radiant Sun" as it went. Manqi Lianhao, halfway through his spatial shift, saw the energy cannon blast into a corner of the garden. At first, relief flooded him when he saw Xuan Xuan was unharmed, but then his expression changed again. That direction? The sitting room! If that shot had landed directly, the sitting room’s defenses might not hold. Cursing under his breath, he was grateful for his recent improvement in spatial abilities, hastily deploying several spatial shields behind him to minimize the cannon’s effects.

Only then did he turn to where the black and red mechs had landed. The black mech was holding the red "Radiant Sun" mech in a bridal carry. Manqi Lianhao’s mouth twitched—what on earth was this, a princess carry?

Looking closer at the black mech, he realized it was Zhan Yu’s "Solaris." His heart finally relaxed. He exchanged a glance with Yi Qiong, who understood and immediately led the others to swiftly deal with the remaining mechs.

Only now did Zhan Yu realize he’d been carrying Kuang Shao’s mech in a princess carry. As if he’d touched something filthy, he hastily tossed the red mech aside.

He had originally planned to come with Kuang Shao, but something came up at the last moment. When he received Kuang Shao’s message, he expected more mischief. Yet, upon arriving at the Manqi estate, he found he couldn’t reach Kuang Shao at all. Considering Kuang Shao’s communicator was the most advanced in the Federation, not being able to contact him here was disturbing. Remembering Kuang Shao had been with the Manqi family’s chubby little girl, something told him instinctively that trouble had found them. He switched his hovercar for his mech and, since the Zhan and Manqi families were allies, he encountered only warnings, not resistance, as he barreled in.

As he neared the garden, he too sensed something was wrong and piloted his mech straight in, resulting in the scene Manqi Lianhao had witnessed.

Dusting off his hands in disdain, Zhan Yu stepped out of his mech and stored it away, only to see that Kuang Shao had yet to emerge.

Inside the mech, Xuan Xuan had been tossed about until she was dizzy. Once she got her bearings, she glanced at Kuang Shao—wait, how did he end up with a gash on his forehead?

She looked heavenward. Not her fault—when Zhan Yu threw the mech, she’d been rattled as well.

She opened the mech, squinting when she saw Manqi Lianhao. Why did seeing her father make her so happy now?

“Daddy!”

Seeing Xuan Xuan, Manqi Lianhao finally let go of his anxiety. He scooped her up, pretended to scold her, but his voice betrayed his fear. “Who told you to wander around for no reason?”

“Hee hee.” She hugged his neck tightly, nuzzling his cheek. She wasn’t afraid; she knew her father couldn’t bear to be stern with her.

Zhan Yu, ignored at the side, glanced at the mech on the ground—still no sign of Kuang Shao. Sensing something was wrong, he strode over and hauled Kuang Shao out by the back of his jacket, tossing him onto the ruined lawn with a frown.

The poison in Kuang Shao’s body had already been neutralized, and the blackness on his hands had faded. Zhan Yu glanced at the wound on Kuang Shao’s forehead, puzzled as to how he could have injured his head inside a mech and even passed out. But since the wound was no longer bleeding, he simply looked it over and made no move to help.

Only after thoroughly checking Xuan Xuan over and confirming she was unharmed did Manqi Lianhao turn to Zhan Yu, nodding solemnly. “This time, I owe you a great debt, Young Master Zhan.”

Zhan Yu waved it off. It was no big deal—he had mostly come because he’d seen Kuang Shao’s mech.

“No need.”

“It may have been effortless for you,” Manqi Lianhao said gravely, glancing at Xuan Xuan in his arms, “but for me, you saved my daughter. That is more important than saving my own life.”

The gravity of Manqi Lianhao’s words left Zhan Yu feeling unworthy, and Xuan Xuan’s arms tightened around her father’s neck.

P.S. I recommend my Little Ran’s book to everyone: [bookid==“The Supporting Girl’s Reversal in the Apocalypse”]