Chapter 50: “The Executor”

Chapter 50 - "Executor"

They had agreed to meet in a small hollow tree, an area relatively safe from insectoid patrols.

Luo Le had been waiting here with the little girl for three hours, but nobody had returned, and they couldn't establish contact.

He wanted to go look for them but was hesitant to leave the child alone.

So he could only continue waiting.

After about half an hour, the virtual cloth was lifted.

Luo Le hastily covered himself and the girl with another piece of virtual cloth, leaving a small gap to peek through.

It was one of Huo Lanjing's subordinates who had entered.

Luo Le sighed in relief and removed the cloth.

There were only three people before him. He set the girl down and stood up, looking at them. "Where are... the Admiral and the others?"

The lead soldier cast a glance at Luo Le. This person seemed to be the mecha operator often seen around the general.

They couldn't afford to offend him.

The soldier's gaze shifted. "They've already gone out first."

Not the answer Luo Le was looking for.

Frowning, Luo Le asked, "Where did the general go?"

Another soldier stepped forward. "Sir, please come back with us first. General Huo will be fine."

Luo Le approached and fixated on the soldier, his voice lowered as he repeated, "Where is he?"

The leading soldier took a step forward, attempting to reassure him. "Sir, it's not safe to stay here. Let's leave first."

Observing the soldiers' demeanor, Luo Le deduced that Huo Lanjing must still be inside.

The soldier watched as Luo Le turned, scooping up a little girl, and walked toward them.

"See to it that she's safely returned first," Luo Le instructed. "Remember, above all else."

"And you, sir?"

"I have some matters to attend to. It's not safe here for long. Hurry."

With that, Luo Le lifted the virtual cloth and stepped out ahead of them.

A flurry of insectoid roars echoed, as the soldiers watched a swarm of creatures chase after that departing figure.

The lead soldier tore his gaze away and gritted his teeth. "Let's go."

They started making their way towards the exit.

*

The surrounding insects moved swiftly, diligently executing their search orders.

As Luo Le made his way to the research complex, he minimized his presence with utmost care, fearing detection.

He had eliminated a slug in a lab coat and now impersonated it using holographic equipment.

Drawing from his previous experience, this time he smeared the snail's slime all over himself.

Concealing his aura.

Now, the only threat to the Empire within these grounds was the slumbering mutated species inside the research complex.

They contained both insectoid and human genetic elements; with the insectoids generally having low intelligence, their combined traits...

If those hybrids were subjected to another transformation procedure, they would become even harder to counter.

Huo Lanjing was surely aware of this, which made the research facility his most likely destination.

There were no insectoids guarding the entrance to the building. Luo Le swiftly swiped the snail's card and entered smoothly.

He had seen this particular snail quite often during his stay, so he knew its temperament and routine well.

"Stop."

A raspy voice echoed from behind him. Luo Le froze, then turned to see a massive insectoid adorned with peculiar markings.

He had never encountered this particular insectoid before.

Luo Le's heart skipped a beat. Without understanding the situation fully, he dared not speak.

"Why, upon seeing the Executor, do you not submit?"

From behind him emerged another insectoid bearing a distinct emblem, its tone as cold as a machine.

Executor?

Luo Le shifted toward the window, feeling it was rather awkward. Why did he run into an Executor the moment he entered?

He was familiar with the Zerg language, but not their etiquette.

"Why aren't you responding?"

The Zerg that had come out later brandished its sharp weapon, as if ready to pounce on him at any moment.

Fixing his gaze on the Executor, Luo Le held the vial in his bag tightly, gently twisting the cap with both hands.

Fortunately, there was no one around. If they approached, he would use the chemical that the Zerg feared the most to buy time for his escape.

The Zerg menacingly raised their weapons and prepared to fly over.

Suddenly, the Executive made a hand signal to stop.

"Executive?"

"Leave."

The Executive's voice was rough and raspy.

Upon hearing this, the Zerg acknowledged with a yes and retreated.

Just as Luo Le's anxiety eased up, he saw the Executive walking towards him, causing his heart to race again.

Then, the Executive passed by him, creating a gust of wind.

Luo Le watched his back, relieved that he hadn't been troubled. He quickly retreated back into the snail-like dwelling.

He entered to replenish the empty medications on the trolley, then stepped out once more.

Luo Le made his way to the operating room, relying on memory.

This time, there were no insectoids guarding the entrance. Perhaps they had gone to search for them.

Just as he was about to open the door, he suddenly heard an angry voice from within.

"Why are you so stubborn? You're different from other insectoids; your mind is sharp. You should just transform into an Imperial citizen."

It was the voice of that omega from the Li family.

Luo Le paused in his action and pressed his ear against the door.

There was a moment of silence in the room before the hoarse voice responded, "Mind your position."

There was a subtle hint of warning in the tone.

Feeling that he hadn't heard clearly enough, Luo Le shifted his position to listen better.

"Who's there?"

He had been discovered.

Luo Le hurriedly pushed the cart forward. With a click, the door opened.

The lizard glared, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Luo Le turned back and replied in the slug's manner, "My lord, I was just passing by."

There was another operating room about five meters ahead of this one, its lights ablaze.

The lizard glanced at the medications on the cart, "Go back. You're not allowed to come any closer without my permission."

Luo Le looked at the illuminated sign indicating the active surgery room and wore a hesitant expression, "Understood."

As he passed by the lizard, he caught a glimpse of the executor seated inside.

It seemed that this person held more authority than the lizard. He needed to be cautious not to draw their attention.

Slugs had always slept in the office, and Luo Le had chosen him partly for this convenience.

The next day, when Luo Le left, he saw the insects all heading upstairs at a brisk pace.

Luo Le caught one of them and asked, "What's going on?"

"Did you forget, my lord? Today is the day the second batch of test subjects will awaken."

Luo Le replied, "Oh, I forgot. Go quickly then."

The insect acknowledged and left.

Luo Le hurriedly closed the door and followed.

Following the flow of the crowd, Luo Le arrived at the rooftop.

Up there, numerous glass domes were densely packed. Within them were naked humans submerged in transparent liquid.

They were undoubtedly insects.

Luo Le's brows knitted slightly. He had only seen Imperial citizens transformed into insects, but never insects transformed into Imperial citizens.

It had struck him as odd before, but now he realized that there were likely many more in this research facility.

While entering the Empire was difficult, with such a large number, some must have managed to infiltrate.

In the center of the platform stood the executor, flanked by the lizard on his left. Above them loomed a countdown timer.

The area below the platform was already swarming with a dense throng of insects.

As the timer reached three minutes, the lizard began to speak.

"Due to technical issues, our first batch of test subjects failed to awaken. With the advancements in our technology, we have a second batch, who have been in stasis for thirteen years and are about to awaken. In three months' time, our third and fourth batches will also gradually come to, allowing us to proceed with the next phase of our plan."

Luo Le's expression darkened. Indeed, there were far more than he had anticipated. He counted that the second batch consisted of one hundred and fifty test subjects.

The lizard descended from the platform and strolled methodically before each glass enclosure.

"Let's count down, ten, nine... two, one, extract."

All the transparent fluids were withdrawn.

"In order, number one."

The first glass dome opened, and the person inside stirred, slowly emerging.

He walked up to the lizard, kneeling on one knee. "Sanlin Troop, 06, all systems functioning normally."

The lizard nodded in satisfaction, his eyes hidden behind a beaming smile.

He appeared no different from an Imperial citizen, executing an Imperial military salute. It seemed that this batch of Imperial genes had produced not children, but soldiers.

Luo Le silently activated his AI to record. He needed to memorize the faces of the 150 individuals. For now, that was the only thing he could do.

"Hmm..."

A muffled groan echoed, and Luo Le turned hastily to see the executor standing behind the lizardman, his neck soaked in blood.

With a look of utter disbelief, he crumpled to the ground.

As he fell, he clutched at his neck, pointing accusingly at the figure before him, "You... you..."

But no more words came out of his mouth.

Everyone was stunned, yet too afraid to speak.

Here, the executives are akin to emperors; no one dares to question them.

The executive stepped forward and said, "Li Qian has betrayed the Insect Race; he deserves to die."

This time, they didn't suppress their thoughts and started discussing. They felt that Li Qian harbored such hatred for the imperial people that it was impossible for him to work for them.

The one who could have killed Li Qian is the executioner, and they should not suspect the executioner.

"—He's an imposter, the Executive's lamp of life has been extinguished."

Yesterday, the insectoid that had threatened Luo Le suddenly rushed forward, pointing at the 'Executor' and speaking.

All the insectoids assumed combat positions; the Life Lamps never lied.

Moreover, this 'Executor' was too suspicious.

Luo Le lifted his gaze to look at the Executor. Could it be that he was Huo Lanjing?

In the next moment, a familiar black mecha appeared before him.

The mecha was indeed a product of Luo Le's craftsmanship, as expected of Huo Lanjing.

Scanning his surroundings, his heart hung in suspense; there were no Imperial soldiers in sight.

The insectoid took a step back and bowed its head, uttering, "Wind."

As its voice faded, a bugger with blue markings descended from the sky.

Its body was rigid and sharp, akin to a battle machine.

"Kill him, avenge the Executor."

The Blue Marked insects, upon hearing this, lifted their heads and charged toward Huo Lanjing.

The black mecha soared into the sky, then its massive form crashed down onto the glass domes.

Glass shards scattered everywhere.

Insectoid: "What are you waiting for? Hurry and save the test subject!"

Reacting promptly, the insectoids rushed forward to pull the person lying on the ground.

Before they could return, a burning bundle of clothes fell into the liquid.

Flames flickered as they met the spilled liquid, igniting a sudden blaze.

Boom.

An explosion echoed, accompanied by the scorching heat and the smell of gasoline. Luo Le couldn't escape in time and was blasted away by the explosion. He slammed into the wall and fell hard to the ground.

Luo Le pushed himself up, his body seared by the scorching heat.

It was burning, oh so hot.

A piercing heat that surpassed pain, seeping deep into his bones.