Above the Galaxy
Chapter 303 - 198, Because I Like to Talk Next to Your Ear!

Chapter 303: Chapter 198, Because I Like to Talk Next to Your Ear!

Phoenix was furious, and said to Zhong Tianque, "Tang Fei’s Mechanical Beast was destroyed by someone. If we punish him again for this, isn’t that too unfair to him?"

"But in the regulations of the Heavenly Exchange, outside fighting is indeed forbidden..." Zhong Tianque furrowed his brows and spoke. "If we don’t even follow the rules that are clearly laid out, how can we talk about fairness and justice in this competition?"

"We are the hosts, with countless eyes watching us... We can’t lose our proper stance just to uphold one person..."

"I am not representing myself, but the Phoenix Empire and its countless citizens..."

"We can’t let people point at our noses and curse, saying we are breaking the rules and lacking integrity... The dignity of a great nation must be maintained."

He did not like his sister standing up for Tang Fei, it gave him the feeling of always being on the opposite side.

He represented the Royal Family and came on behalf of the Phoenix Empire.

He had to ensure the success of this exchange meeting and guarantee its fairness and justice.

So, every decision had to be rational and convincing.

Tang Fei punched Gu Bai in front of so many people, shouldn’t he be punished?

What else has he done wrong?

"Brother, you are a prince of the Phoenix Empire, a representative sent by the Royal Family. The first thing you should consider is how your own citizens would think, not what the citizens of the Aus Empire might think..."

"Tang Fei’s Mechanical Beast was destroyed by their despicable means, and he clearly had a chance of winning the championship. In his desperate situation, he clashed with that despicable person... Isn’t that a normal human reaction? Who wouldn’t get angry in such a situation?"

"Besides, before the match began, I saw Prince Philip go to talk to that Gu Bai... I don’t know what he said to him, and then Gu Bai chose to self-destruct despite knowing the rules forbade it..."

"Bringing up such baseless matters, what’s the point?" Zhong Tianque glanced at Phoenix and admonished.

Philip is a prince of the Aus Empire; going to encourage the competitors before the match is not at fault.

If you have evidence of his foul play, then you can openly correct him.

But without evidence, as a princess of the Phoenix Empire, it’s improper to make such claims...

Philip has a special status, and Phoenix’s words could easily cause disputes between the two countries.

Zhong Tianque did not want to see this happen.

"Big brother, think about it, Gu Bai had already lost the match, and then it was the Aus Empire’s Hydra against our Giant Panda and Golden Armored Qilin, facing two at once, they had no chance of winning... By all accounts, the champion of the Mecha competition should belong to our Phoenix Empire..."

"By using such a tactic, hasn’t the situation changed? Does our Giant Panda stand a sure victory against the Hydra alone?"

"Do you think I don’t know what you’re saying?" Zhong Tianque said sternly, "But Tang Fei punched someone, in front of so many people... According to the rules and regulations, shouldn’t he be punished?"

"Big brother, have you ever thought that often, public opinion isn’t unanimous? You need to first consider what the citizens of the Phoenix Country think, then consider the thoughts of the Aus Country. You can’t sacrifice the interests of your own country’s citizens just to satisfy them..."

"What impact do their thoughts and attitudes have on you? If you take care of your own country’s citizens’ interests and feelings first, you might actually gain more love and respect..."

"I know, you don’t like Tang Fei, and his status is not as important as Prince Philip’s... But when faced with the country’s major interests... you can argue with them unreasonably..."

"Ask yourself, wasn’t Tang Fei framed by them?"

Zhong Tianque was silent for a long time, then turned to the judges and said, "Tang Fei hit someone because there was a reason, it was the opponent who violated the rules first and maliciously destroyed his Mechanical Beast... The judges have decided not to penalize."

"Your Highness is wise," Si Yinchuan said with a grin.

"Yes, Prince."

"We’ll go and reply to the Aus Empire delegation right away."

"Just so, they violated the rules first; to win the competition, they are really shameless..."

"Anyway, we have the video of their self-destruction. If they really want to escalate the matter... We’ll release the video and let everyone judge..."

------

Seeing that everyone had accepted his decision, Zhong Tianque nodded and turned to walk towards the guest area.

Si Yinchuan gave Phoenix a thumbs up; this little princess of the Royal Family was no ordinary person, much stronger than her two brothers.

Compassionate and wise, truly a promising young talent.

It’s a pity she was a woman.

Soon after, the judging panel announced their decision through the stadium’s public address system.

Philip’s face changed slightly, but he could not say much.

He knew that if the matter escalated, they would not have the upper hand...

After all, Gu Bai had been the first to violate the rules and destroy someone else’s Mechanical Beast.

However, such an outcome was within their calculations.

After all, Tang Fei’s Golden Armored Kirin was already destroyed. Even if they let him continue in the competition...

What could he use to compete? Fight by himself?

-------

In the mecha repair room, Tang Fei was currently inspecting the internal circuitry of the Mechanical Beast.

Phoenix walked in, asking with concern, "How is it? Can it be fixed?"

"I’ll do my best," replied Tang Fei with a smile.

"How can you still smile?" Phoenix reproached him, "How could you just start a fight in front of everyone? Don’t you know that according to the heavens’ rules... fighting outside the ring is punishable. The Aus Empire delegation has already lodged a serious protest with the referees. Thankfully, my brother stood his ground against the pressure and did not agree to their rude demands..."

"It wasn’t your brother who stood his ground, it was you who spoke up for me, wasn’t it?"

"Why would you think that?"

"I understand your brother, and I understand you," Tang Fei said, gazing affectionately at Phoenix.

"My brother is just like that... He’s meticulously proper in both his conduct and affairs, always trying not to make mistakes, striving to handle everything as comprehensively as possible..."

"But he doesn’t realize that if he wants to hold that position, he has to make mistakes. Politics is, after all, the art of making mistakes... You have to allow yourself to make mistakes, and also allow those around you to make mistakes... How terrifying would it be if nobody in this country made any mistakes?"

"The reason he doesn’t allow me to make mistakes is probably because he doesn’t like me," Tang Fei said with a laugh, "My status doesn’t match with Prince Philip’s. Sacrificing me would be nothing if it meant the issue could be resolved neatly, right?"

"That’s not it," Phoenix shook her head, "You are a citizen of Phoenix Country, fighting for the nation’s honor. Your status may not match Philip’s, but in terms of importance, you are much more vital than he is..."

"At this moment, everything you do is for the good of the Phoenix Empire, while Philip is trying very hard to cause destruction..."

"As for being liked by everyone... no matter what we do, they will never like us. We are inherently adversaries... Who would trust their enemy?"

Tang Fei sighed softly, "If only you were in that position."

Phoenix’s expression changed slightly, and she looked around before whispering to Tang Fei, "You mustn’t say such things in the future... It could cause you trouble."

"I know," said Tang Fei, "I’m not foolish."

"Not foolish? If you weren’t foolish, how could you throw punches in front of so many people? According to your usual way of doing things, you should’ve secretly been tampering with his food instead..."

Tang Fei looked at Phoenix earnestly, "Let me explain to you once more, with all solemnity. That incident with your brother’s diarrhea wasn’t my doing."

"Who’s talking about that incident? What I mean is... never mind, don’t think too much about it. I’m not blaming you."

"I didn’t know there was such a rule," Tang Fei explained, gazing at Phoenix, "I haven’t even read the rules and regulations of the Heavenly Exchange Convention, nor do I really understand them..."

"When I saw him intentionally destroy my Golden Armored Kirin, how could I endure it? I just threw a punch... I initially wanted to kick him a few more times, but I was held back."

"Besides, according to the customs of Old Land, such an act is a deadly feud... It must be settled in blood. How could a reluctant apology solve things? If I didn’t punch him, he wouldn’t have to take any responsibility for his actions..."

"When he goes back, he’ll likely be favored by Philip, thinking he’s made a sacrifice for the nation... If he doesn’t let me live comfortably, how could I possibly let him live comfortably?"

"I was even planning to apologize to Gu Bai when they leave... If I could win first place in the Mecha Competition, the apology would be even more effective..."

"I understand your intentions, and I think what you did was right. But your Mechanical Beast has been destroyed by them, and even though your eligibility to compete hasn’t been revoked and you don’t have to apologize for the fight..."

"However, your Mechanical Beast is severely damaged and completely immobile... How can you win first place in the Mecha Competition without being able to compete?"

"Let me tell you a secret," Tang Fei spoke.

"What secret?" Phoenix inquired, turning to Tang Fei.

"Come closer," Tang Fei instructed.

So, Phoenix stepped forward two paces, crisply positioning herself in front of Tang Fei.

Just inches apart, their eyes met as if they could hear each other’s breathing.

Phoenix’s face flushed slightly, her heart pounded fiercely, and even her voice seemed to tremble as she asked, "What secret?"

Tang Fei then whispered a sentence into Phoenix’s ear.

"Really?" Phoenix’s pupils dilated, looking incredulously at Tang Fei.

"Really," Tang Fei nodded.

Phoenix’s long lashes fluttered, her eyes bright as stars, as she asked Tang Fei, "What I don’t understand is, why do you want me to come closer to whisper when it’s just the two of us in the repair room?"

Tang Fei replied, gazing at her, "Because I like to talk beside your ear."

"..."