The Mad King's Heir

AN: So sorry. We have one Chapter today. I will make it up to you soon.

While Yu Xuan blamed himself for having a big mouth, Yu Wen looked at the success notification on the floating screen. He turned to his mother and said, "It’s done. Now we can see everything he sees and hear everything he hears."

When he met her gaze, she was giving him a look he couldn’t comprehend. He asked, "What?"

Lu Anu replied, "Nothing." She was just fascinated to see her son so alive and colorful. In the past, he always showed that face like someone owed him millions. Other than mechs and training, he never showed interest in anything. But ever since he came to terms with his feelings, he seemed more vivid.

"So, we just have to wait for him to call Li Jun, and you will know where he is?" she asked, and Yu Wen nodded as he minimized the screen. "How about we go and have a celebration dinner?"

"But it’s almost midnight," he replied as he got up.

"Then an early breakfast. Come on. Let’s go," she said, hooking his arm. Yu Wen wanted to protest. He would rather go back to the hotel and wait for Yu Xian to make the call, but he couldn’t say no to his mother.

It turns out that he didn’t have to stay up for the rest of the night because Yu Xuan didn’t call Li Jun at all. It was like he hadn’t used his phone. That’s because after throwing it, he left it in the hovercar. When he got home, he raided his father’s liquor cabinet and drank till he passed out.

Meanwhile, Li Jun was looking at the giant psychic beasts with a smirk on his lips. This was not the craziest thing he had done to date, but it was definitely at the top of the list. What was he doing today? He was going to ride that freaking untamed beast, like riding a raging bull.

It was a massive S-rank psychic beast, bigger than an elephant. Its eyes were blood-red and burning with aggression. It might have been an herbivore, but when it charged, it was just as ferocious as a predator. Its massive horns and tusks were like sharp weapons. When untamed, it was dangerous and deadly.

Yet some took it as a challenge. They dared to mount it as a sport. They loved to wrestle it into submission, and one such person was Li Jun. This beast was called a Knoxian War beast, and when it bellowed, it shook the ground with the sound of raw, untamed power. There were ten of them on the ranch. They were aggressively stomping their hooves, raising dust, while some clashed their horns.

The middle-aged man showing them around looked at Li Jun and said, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Who could blame him for asking? The face Li Jun wore looked so soft and weak, like he hadn’t seen the sun in eons. He blamed his uncle for misunderstanding his prerequisites for a new face. Those pretty eyes and red lips weren’t doing him any justice.

"I need a new face," he mumbled and took a large gulp of his cocktail.

The older man turned to everyone and said, "You need to sign the waivers. If you die here, you can’t sue us, and there will be no compensation, understood?"

A tall woman with a tapered cut said, "Can’t we just shoot them? It’s more efficient."

The tour guide said, "No, this isn’t a hunting ranch, so do not shoot the beasts, otherwise we will shoot you." His tone was serious, but they all laughed, finding it funny. Li Jun met the fierce gaze of one of the beasts. He smirked, thinking that would be his target.

"You have an hour to tame one. After the hour is up, return to the ranch. If you are injured, radio in and we will come get-," he said, but he was cut off by a man wearing a beach shirt.

He said, "Blah blah blah, can we just go already?"

Li Jun signed his waiver and picked the first vehicle. The driver smiled at him and said, "Hi, I am Avril."

Li Jun smiled back and said, "I am Litvin. It’s a pleasure working with you. Please take care of me."

Avril had a tinge in its chest. This man was not his type, but damn, he was so hot. His type was the late imperial prince, and it was rare for his heart to stir for anyone far from his preference. But this man made him feel something. He bit his lip and said, "Buckle up, Litvin, it’s going to be a bumpy ride."

Li Jun couldn’t prove it, but he had a feeling that Avril was flirting with him. The jeeps roared to life, and the tall woman from earlier glanced at Li Jun and said, "I bet you won’t be able to catch one before I do?"

Li Jun, who had clicked his seatbelt, said, "I bet you aren’t going to tame one," with an infuriating smug smile. Her smile fell, and she raised her middle finger. Li Jun laughed with no consideration for the lady at all.

Avril found it interesting. This woman looked just like a model. Most of the guys here were eyeing her, but Litvin seemed uninterested. Could he be like him, or was that woman not his type?

The tour guide pulled the trigger, and the jeeps tore into the wilderness. The herd of beasts split into groups heading in different directions in clouds of dust. Li Jun eyed the beast he had made eye contact with. Because the sound of the engine was too loud, he yelled, "Follow that one," while pointing at it.

Avril yelled, "Sure, boss," before jerking the wheel, raising a wave of dust. Li Jun got up, the wind blowing in his ears. His hair, which had grown a little long, blew chaotically. He took out a hair tie from his pocket and tied his hair up.

Avril glanced over, and when he saw this scene, his Adam’s apple bobbed. He stepped on the gas following the beast. The Knoxian Warhead looked back and shifted directions. It was headed in an unmapped area past the ranch.

Avril noticed they were going off bounds, so he yelled, "It’s heading out of bounds. I think you should change targets!"

The wind was blowing through Li Jun’s shirt, irritating him. He stripped the shirt off and tossed it at the back. Avril saw the shirt fly past him. He looked up, and when he saw the shirtless Li Jun, his breath caught. His gaze couldn’t help but linger.

"...ser!"

Avril was confused. He only heard the last part, so he said, "Huh?"

Li Jun repeated himself, yelling, "Get me closer!" his voice cutting through the air. Avril slammed on the accelerator, and the jeep surged forward, chasing the beast as it picked up speed.

He was really good at his job. He caught up with the beast and matched its speed. Li Jun reached for the beast that was galloping forward. A beeping sound drew Avril’s attention. He glanced at the floating display and saw there was a cliff ahead. His heart pounding, he said, "Cliff! There is a cliff ahead!"

Li Jun heard him loud and clear. His lips curled into a sly smile, and he leapt from the jeep. He landed hard on the beast’s broad back. He was jolted by the impact, and for a split second, he thought he would be thrown off, but he held on tightly.

The beast bellowed before trying to shake him off, but Li Jun wouldn’t let go. Its muscles rippled beneath its fur as it rushed forward. Its hooves pounded on the ground as it headed towards the cliff’s edge.

Behind him, Arvil swerved the jeep. The jeep took a sharp turn before coming to an abrupt halt. In the dust cloud, he could see Litvin on the beast heading towards the cliff. Li Jun’s nails dug into the beast, his knuckles turning white from his grip.

The beast roared from the pain, a sound that shook the entire valley. At the last possible moment, it veered right, skidding away from the cliff. It galloped for a few more feet before coming to a stop.

Li Jun sat up straight on his back, his chest heaving. His heart was beating fast as he loosened his grip. He rubbed its head and said, "Sorry, big boy. I didn’t mean to hurt you," coaxing the beast. It shook its head with a humph, and Li Jun laughed.

Avril, who thought Litvin was dead, drove back. When he saw him on the majestic beast, he was shocked. He stopped the jeep with a loud screech and stepped out. "You!... are you okay?" he asked, seeming concerned.

Li Jun replied, "What? Did you think I was dead?"

Arvil scratched the back of his head and said, "I just... are you okay?"

Li Jun was about to reply when his phone rang. It was Yu Xuan calling him. He had told him to only call if there was an emergency. He picked up the call just as the beast lowered its head to graze. "What’s up? You miss me already?"