Chapter 48: A Hidden Paradise

Chapter 48: A Hidden Treasure

Luo Le took a step forward. "Why not? Weren't you volunteering?"

Huo Lanjing glanced at him coldly. "Don't mess around."

Still, Luo Le stared unwaveringly at him. "I've studied the Zerg in my electives. I understand their behavior and language. I'm not joking; I can really be of assistance."

It was the first time Huo Lanjing had seen such determination on his face. After considering for a moment, he didn't object further. "Go find Captain Lin."

Luo Le hadn't expected him to be so agreeable. He looked at Huo Lanjing suspiciously. "You're okay with this?"

Huo Lanjing shot him a glance. "If you don't go, come back."

Luo Le quickly rushed forward. "I'll go find him right away."

Huo Lanjing watched his retreating figure for a while before turning to leave in another direction.

Luo Le relayed the matter to Captain Lin. With a skeptical look, Captain Lin verified the information and handed over the holographic device with doubt.

He reached out to take it and fasten it on himself.

The last button seemed stubbornly resistant; Luo Le stretched out his hand to force it into place when suddenly, his hand was grasped from behind.

He turned around to see an enormous cocoon standing before him. Though it clearly had no hands, it was unmistakably holding onto his.

Luo Le was momentarily taken aback, instinctively trying to retreat, only to be firmly restrained.

A familiar, deep voice echoed, "It's me."

Huo Lanjing?

Staring at the cocoon, Luo Le was momentarily stunned. "How did you...?"

Huo Lanjing didn't respond but instead turned to issue instructions to those behind him.

Upon his completion, Luo Le stepped to his back. "You should be here, not going in."

Huo Lanjing gave him a subtle glance from where Luo Le couldn't see. "Be quiet and follow orders."

Luo Le paused, transforming the holographic device into a bee and fell silent.

Two hours later, a group of insects approached their location.

They remained hidden, waiting until the creatures were almost upon them.

Huo Lanjing gave the order, and a cloud of smoke drifted over. As the insects began to falter, soldiers stepped in to support them, dragging them backward.

The badges on their bodies were carefully removed.

Huo Lanjing instructed his men to stay guard while he led Luo Le and the others further inside.

They entered another stone forest, where two insect guards stood watch at the entrance.

Luo Le walked alongside Huo Lanjing at the forefront, his gaze fixed on the grotesque insects as he struggled to maintain his composure.

Suddenly, they were stopped as they reached the creatures.

Huo Lanjing observed the insectoid on his left as it spoke in a language he couldn't comprehend. He noticed Luo Le respond, and then the two engaged in conversation.

After a while, the pair of insectoids parted ways, gesturing with their eyes for Luo Le and the others to proceed.

Huo Lanjing immediately grasped the situation, and they ventured inward together.

Upon entering, they found an entirely different world from the exterior – a lush forest teeming with various insectoid species. Luo Le glanced behind them, revealing a translucent barrier that distorted the view between the inside and outside.

"Please produce the badges you have."

Everyone promptly took them out.

At the entrance stood an informative map akin to a blueprint.

Luo Le glanced at it and informed the group about their destination and direction.

Huo Lanjing was headed to the Maintenance Department, while Luo Le's destination was the Research Division.

Their paths diverged, and after exchanging contact details, they bid each other farewell one by one.

Eventually, only the two of them were left.

Assuming Huo Lanjing was still unsure of the directions, Luo Le stepped forward. "Just walk straight for about eight hundred meters, then turn right and walk for another kilometer – you'll be almost there."

Huo Lanjing fell silent for a moment before he spoke, "Be careful."

This was the first time Luo Le had heard Huo Lanjing express concern for him.

Luo Le smiled wistfully. He had wished to hear those words from Huo Lanjing when he was in that car accident. Now, as he was about to leave, it finally came true.

He was... at a loss for words.

"I will, same to you."

Since their departments were in opposite directions, Luo Le watched Huo Lanjing depart before heading off in the opposite direction.

Along the way, he spotted some unfamiliar insects.

They were all tiny, yet they seemed peculiar to his eyes no matter how he looked at them.

Was it because this place was so distinct from the outside world, or were those external appearances mere illusions?

It wasn't too far, and Luo Le reached there in no time.

At the entrance, a Zerg guard stood watch. Upon displaying his badge, Luo Le was allowed entry.

The moment Luo Le stepped in, he got a fright. The room was filled with insects enclosed in glass containers.

How could there be so many?

As he ventured deeper, he truly found himself face to face with a charging insectoid.

"You've finally arrived... follow me."

Luo Le was somewhat puzzled but didn't voice his thoughts. He simply followed along.

Upon entering, an array of glass vessels filled the space, densely packed with insects, humanoid-insect hybrids, and creatures with insect heads and human legs...

The insects were apparently conducting experiments on fusing humans with insects. So... they intended to disguise themselves as humans and infiltrate the Empire?

A few minutes later, the figure ahead halted. As he moved away, Luo Le could finally see who it was in front of him.

It was that lizard.

But didn't Huo Lanjing say that the rescued person was one of their own?

Why was he here?

"Come here."

The lizard continued walking forward after speaking.

Luo Le took a step forward but quickly retracted it.

He had spoken in the Empire's language.

Noticing that Luo Le hadn't followed, the lizard was about to question him when something suddenly occurred to it.

"I apologize, I spoke in the Empire's tongue out of habit. Follow me."

Luo Le nodded and walked behind him.

So the Lizardman used to be from the Empire. But why would he work for the insectoids now?

"The cocoons won't take long to break open. Our plan will soon commence. Do you wish to become part of the Empire?"

Luo Le instinctively nodded his head.

The Lizardman suddenly turned to look at him with a puzzled expression, "You seem different."

Luo Le was taken aback, "In what way?"

"Didn't you always say no before?"

Luo Le's mind raced, and after a moment, he replied, "This mission made me see things differently."

The Lizardman chuckled, "That's right. It should be like this."

Luo Le looked at him and couldn't help asking, "You want one too when the time comes?"

The lizard smiled. "Me? No, I despise all Imperials. Isn't it better this way?"

It seemed there was a deep grudge between him and the Imperials.

Luo Le nodded with a smile. In truth, whether he laughed or not, the lizard wouldn't be able to see it anyway.

After half a moment, they arrived at a small compartment where an Imperial was bound inside. He was currently naked, with his hands and feet restrained.

"Do you see him? This is the one who pretended to be me. They thought they were so clever, but I still managed to escape. Thanks to this Imperial, we were able to advance our technology so quickly."

"The man has a stubborn tongue. Hold this, and I'll inject the bee venom. Not too much, just enough to knock him out."

The man's face was ashen, as if he could depart at any moment.

Luo Le stepped forward. "Let me give it a try. You ask the questions."

The lizard nodded and relinquished control to him.

Luo Le approached and splashed a basin of water onto the man's face, rousing him from his unconscious state.

Upon seeing them, terror instantly flickered in his eyes.

The lizard queried, "Spill it, what's your follow-up plan?"

The man turned his head. "I don't know."

Luo Le picked up a blade and pressed it against the man's neck. "Think carefully, you only have one life."

He was mindful of his current identity and spoke in the language of the insectoids. After finishing his sentence, he looked at the lizard.

After the lizard conveyed the message, the man spat at the reptile.

"The soldiers of the Empire should always be ready to make sacrifices for it. I'm not afraid of death, but you, as an Imperial citizen, are working for the insectoids. You're truly..."

Luo Le turned around slightly and used his 'wing' to slap the man's face, followed by a swift backhand with his hand.

A shrill scream echoed from behind him; he didn't think he had used excessive force.

Luo Le turned in confusion, only to see a knife impaled on the man's forehead, blood seeping out.

The man's eyes were wide open, as if he couldn't find peace in death.

Some blood splattered onto his hands.

Staring at the man with astonishment, Luo Le wondered, Did he just die like that?

"Useless beings shouldn't live. Death suits them better," the scaled creature declared with a hint of madness in its gaze. Luo Le lowered his head, not daring to speak. He knew he'd be doomed if he were recognized now.

The lizard approached and sniffed him. "You carry the scent of an Imperial citizen."

Luo Le froze, subtly shifting his legs towards the door.

"Is... is that so?"

The lizard firmly seized his hand, and Luo Le inwardly sighed, assuming the worst. In the next instant, he was flung to the right. "Don't touch Empire folk; they're all tainted with that foul stench."

Luo Le breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this device really worked well; he had feared being exposed.

"Hmm, is there anything else? If not, I'd like to head back first."

"Back where? Aren't you always working under me?"

Luo Le paused. "I just want to return to my quarters and tidy up."

The lizard wiped his hands. "Wait a moment. First, come with me to meet someone."

Luo Le nodded and followed him into a small room.

Upon opening the door, a swarm of flies flew out.

Instinctively stepping aside, Luo Le avoided them, fearful of contact.

Once the flies had dispersed, Luo Le followed the lizard in as they pushed the door open.

The interior of the room was pitch black. He fumbled around and switched on the light.

Upon illumination, Luo Le spotted a little girl crouching in the corner, her face buried between her knees as she hugged them tightly, her body trembling slightly.

The lizard approached her, "Good girl, let's cooperate with the experiment, alright? No more fussing around."

Despite having the reference of the Imperial person, the success rate was still very low. The host needed to possess an exceptional physique and a strong will, otherwise they wouldn't be able to endure the torturous transformation phase.

The little girl retreated, already backed against the wall with nowhere else to go, her face filled with sheer terror.

It was evident that she was terrified of the lizard.

The reptile twisted its lips into a menacing grin and moved forward. Luo Le perceived her fear.

Anticipating the lizard's advance, he turned to face it, pretending to swipe at her with his wings while actually holding her hand discreetly.

This action of Luo Le's was quite risky; if the child were to claim that he had hands, his disguise would be compromised.

Fortunately, the little girl froze, not reacting as though she was aware of the potential discovery.

Luo Le scribbled the word "Relax" in her palm.

The lizard, noticing the little girl's lack of resistance, was as if it had discovered a new world. "So you like bees, huh? If you agree, you can have whichever one you want."

The little girl wore a face of terror. Luo Le gently wrote the character "Same" in the lizard's palm.

She paused, bit her lip, and then nodded.