Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Beep, beep...

Rhythmic sounds emerged from the sophisticated instruments beside the hospital bed. Complicated lines and numbers danced on the screen, transmitting valuable data into the hands of the medical staff.

Within the transparent glass enclosure, the male insect was lying on the bed, his brow slightly furrowed. The faint mist in his breathing mask appeared and vanished, creating an eerie silence that made Xi Ze's heart skip a beat.

The reflection on the glass revealed a figure clad in crisp military attire. The brim of the military cap hid his wayward strands, but it couldn't conceal his sharp, profound golden gaze that seemed as cold as frozen ice.

He gazed entranced at the male insectoid on the hospital bed, his fingers restrainedly caressing the cold surface, tracing Yale's features through the glass.

Rewind to that fateful day.

"..."

This battle was tough, but it was still won with great elegance.

A legion forged in the crucible of battle, having once shared life and death together, even after being forcibly separated from their leader for five years, they still fought with seamless cohesion, almost invincible in their coordination.

This ancient blade, untouched by rust nor dullness, remained pristine.

"Admiral!"

Bai Lang approached from behind, jogging up to report the situation to Xi Ze.

"All units have been accounted for. The current status is as follows..."

From the command deck of the starship, they could witness the scene below—a crimson sunset casting its eerie glow upon the mangled battlefield, as if foreboding an ominous outcome.

Despite having seen such scenes numerous times and knowing full well that this operation was a resounding success with no survivors left, Xi Ze inexplicably felt a nagging unease and anxiety.

"…Report complete. Please, Admiral, instruct us on our next mission!"

Bai Lang closed his optical computer, his face beaming with joy and pride. He stood at attention, legs together, and gave a crisp salute, enunciating each word clearly.

Yet, the Admiral's figure seemed to freeze abruptly, his hand pressing firmly against his forehead.

On the other end of their mental link, an intense agony and terror surged through. The shared emotions congested in Xi Ze's chest, forcing him to suppress the bitter sweetness rising in his throat.

"Return to Etar immediately!"

He spun around and strode towards the door, barking the command in a hoarse voice.

Bai Lang watched in bewilderment as his Admiral activated his mecha, leaving the massive fleet behind as he headed straight for Etar.

"…Pilot, increase speed!"

Then, he was left dumbfounded as Xi Ze carried the male insectoid downstairs with a cold expression. The male, who was supposed to be under strict protection, was covered in blood, his face as pale as a ghost, clearly in an abnormal state.

"How could this happen? This area wasn't attacked at all!"

Bai Lang furrowed his brows fiercely and glared at the guards on duty. "Didn't any of you notice anything unusual?"

Xi Ze marched past them, cutting off Bai Lang's question with a cold voice. "Get on board. We're heading for the main planet right now."

The body in his arms was thin and light, almost weightless, yet it was burning with an unusually high fever. The heat seeped through layers of clothing, hot enough to seemingly melt flesh.

Specialized medical personnel on the starship rushed forward, gently placing the male insectoid on a sickbed and beginning emergency treatment. Their urgent, focused actions instantly erased any sense of victory that had lingered.

"Disperse! Don't crowd around!"

"Hurry! Fetch the respirator...!"

Xi Ze stepped back, creating space while keeping his eyes locked on Yale, not turning his head away as he instructed.

"Contact the hospital in Sector Two immediately and have them prepare their best doctors, equipment, and medications in advance."

"Change our original jump route. The vanguard should intercept Starflight 073, while the rest connect to National Flight 011. The main fleet will enter the primary star through the Fifth Starport. You'll arrange the rest."

"Aye, Sir!"

Upon receiving the new orders, Bai Lang's expression turned grave. He hurriedly rushed out to organize the tasks.

This grand-scale jump and return lasted for six days, saturating the interstellar media with countless reports that muddied the truth from fiction.

The chaos on the primary star, as the destination of their return, was unknown, but when the fleet docked at the Fifth Starport, they were met with the Emperor's enthusiastic reception and the insincere silence of numerous nobles.

As the commanding officer, Xi Ze didn't accept the invitation to the palace to explain the situation nor did he contact any media to prepare a press conference. Instead, he established their base at the most prestigious hospital on the primary star.

This sensitive topic instantly sparked countless speculations, but all of these were unrelated to the hospital that had been transformed into a military stronghold, as if it existed in its own small world.

"Admiral!"

Bai Lang's voice came from behind, pulling Xi Ze out of his reminiscence. He lowered his hand.

Following behind was a doctor who, unable to keep up with the pace of the military alpha, had to jog slightly to catch up, passing a document. "The final examination results are in."

Xi Ze took the file and flipped it open. His brow furrowed at the first glance. "What does this mean?"

The final conclusion on the report indicated an early onset of secondary differentiation.

But no unmated male insectoid experienced such a scenario. There was no leakage of mental energy or pheromones, nor any signs of loss of control or manic behavior. Instead, he was trapped in an unyielding fever and an unresponsive slumber.

The doctor wiped his sweat nervously and explained with great care, "Although it differs from the typical situation, all the data, including hormonal levels and heart rate, point to this conclusion."

"We're currently investigating the cause of this anomaly and striving to stabilize the male insectoid's condition within the shortest time possible. Then we'll contact... um, the expert panel to discuss the next steps."

Initially, he had planned to follow the usual procedure and contact the Insect Guardians Association to assign a suitable omega to aid the male insectoid through his secondary differentiation.

But then he realized that the Admiral cared so much about this male insect; he must be his own mate. How could such a personal matter as secondary differentiation be entrusted to another? He quickly put on the brakes.

Xi Ze flipped through the documents from beginning to end, pondering for a moment before suddenly asking, "Are there any records of the male's first differentiation?"

A male insect's first differentiation involved guiding their mental energy, assisting them in constructing their unique mental landscape. After that, they could undergo a rank test.

The Insect Guardians Association oversaw the entire process, with specialized females guiding the males, and all specific data and records were stored in the association's archives.

The doctor was taken aback for a moment, then said apologetically, "All records of male insects are stored with the Insect Guardians Association. The hospital doesn't keep backups, and Sir Male's first differentiation wasn't done here."

"However, based on Sir Male's current behavior, it's clear that he resists releasing his mental energy. It seems like a stress response, possibly related to inadequate guidance during his first differentiation..."

Xi Ze closed the file, his tone cool. "Understood. Proceed with the treatment."

After the doctor left to prepare, Xi Ze handed the documents to Bai Lang and activated the light computer on his wrist.

He had long switched back to his original light computer. Ignoring other aspects, it had the highest level of encryption, ensuring no risk of information leakage. Yale's gift was safely kept in its box.

After a moment of contemplation, Xi Ze tapped on a chat window in the list.

Many of the worms on the list, upon hearing about his mishap, had either severed contact out of fear of entanglement in intrigue and power struggles or believed he had perished, as sending messages would only evoke sorrow.

Yet, this one persistently sent messages—

".: Dead? If not, reply with a 1."

".: 1"

".: 11111111111"

".: Bored. Stop pretending. When are you going to vanish again? Reply with a 1 when you're back."

".: 11111"

That was the Empire's youngest premier mecha designer, the architect and creator of the armors for all four Imperial Fleet commanders. Though extremely reclusive, he had a good rapport with Xi Ze since childhood.

The last message was sent a month ago. Amidst the recent rumors of his return, no new messages had come from him.

Most likely, he was once again immersed in designing, oblivious to the world. Xi Ze attempted to respond with a 1, uncertain when a reply might come.

But in the next second, a new message appeared in the inbox.

". . ."

This time, however, it wasn't directed at him but his sire, the former vice president of the Insect Guardians Association.

After stating the purpose and request, the sender added another period. Within minutes, a file was sent to Bai Lang's optical brain.

Now, Bai Lang was the one filled with dread as he watched the general's expression gradually turn cold before it was all repressed into a meaningless scoff.

"Let's go."

"Where... where are we going?"

Bai Lang hurriedly followed, anxiety etched on his face.

*

Yale closed his eyes, submerging himself in the dark depths of an ocean without light. He drifted along with the gentle waves, like a tiny, unsteady boat.

Dots of bioluminescence struck his body, dispersing like sudden fireworks, while massive whales swam silently by, and countless flying fish leaped from the water, creating splashes.

Water numbs the senses, isolating all emotions. Whenever he encounters something unbearable, when the impulse to hurt himself arises, he submerges himself in the tender embrace of water.

In the repeated act of drowning out his thoughts, he seeks equilibrium and tranquility... This time was no different, except that it wasn't the bathtub or sink, but an endless expanse of ocean.

"… Psionic energy… dissipating…"

"Something's wrong… Contact them immediately!..."

Amidst a dream-like state, he seemed to hear anxious voices ringing in his ears.

Yale's eyelashes quivered slightly, but boundless exhaustion dragged him into darkness the next moment.

...

"Do... Do you know who my sire is?! Get out before I lose my temper! I might just consider letting this slide if you leave now!"

The young male insectoid looked at the soldiers who had forcefully entered, surrounding the living room. The stench of blood from the battlefield still clung to them, exerting immense pressure.

He tried to reach out to his sire using his light computer for help but found there was no signal at all, preventing him from sending any messages. For a moment, he could only feign calmness.

"Neo, once a Guide at the Insect Guardians Association, responsible for guiding male insects through their first transformation. You held that position for over a decade before resigning last July, didn't you?"

Bai Lang stepped into the circle of onlookers, his smile directed at the startled female insect.

"I wasn't lying, was I? And before you left, you received a substantial sum, enough to indulge for a lifetime."

"I... I have no idea what you're talking about. Do you know who stands behind me?!"

His secret, which he intended to keep buried, had been abruptly exposed. Neo swallowed hard and retreated a few steps.

"Behind you? Isn't it right there?"

Neo whipped his head around, only to see the military female insect sitting imposingly on the sofa. An inexplicable shiver ran down his spine, and a wave of uncontrollable panic spread within him.

Xi Ze lifted his gaze to look at him, offering a small smile.

"Neo, am I correct?"

It was as if he was being locked in the sights of a massive predator, with the sensation of suffocation constricting his throat. Instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat, unable to move. His mouth opened instinctively to respond, but his voice had deserted him.

"Sir Yale's first differentiation, you were the one who guided it, weren't you?"

It was not a question.

The moment that name was mentioned, Neo knew it was all over.

Xi Ze flipped a page of the documents on his knee, his gaze sweeping over the final conclusions, his eyes gradually turning cold.

"Spiritual Power State: Clumsy, rough, highly exclusive, difficult to guide."

"Spiritual Landscape Approximate Style: An underdeveloped wilderness, small in size, lacking spiritual energy and signs of life, with no condensed source of spiritual power."

What an expert at forging data. If he hadn't merged his spiritual power with Yale's before, he might have actually believed that a mediocre D-class male insect's spiritual power was as described in the files.

Beneath the silver hair were beast-like golden eyes that shone fiercely even in the shadow cast by the brim of his hat, fixing the female insect before him in place.

"Tell me, how did you manage to guide him?"

Bai Lang stepped forward, placing a hand on Neo's shoulder, while the still-smoking gun barrel aimed at his lower back, making him tremble uncontrollably.

"I... At that time..."

Back then, a bug approached him, claiming to be under the First Prince's command.

The request was for him to sabotage the male's first molt, lowering the subsequent males' mental power levels. In return, he would receive a fortune that he could never earn in his lifetime.

"I was momentarily blinded by greed... Please spare me..."

Bai Lang violently kicked him to the ground before yanking him up by the collar. "Stop stalling and keep talking!"

He was initially very anxious but, due to the enormous sum of money involved, he couldn't muster the resolve to decline. It wasn't until he met that male that he suddenly understood why this particular male was envied.

Having worked as a guide for so long, Neo could tell at first glance that the male before him was at least an A-class. Suppressing him forcefully to a D-class would be far more challenging than guiding him.

He still took the money.

After all, it was a male who knew nothing and had no background or connections. Once designated as a D-class, no noble would accept him. There was little to lose.

"I took him to Area A99, then... ."

"A99?"

Xi Ze, however, interrupted him with a question, "What kind of guidance room is this?"

Neo didn't expect him to be so perceptive. If he had known earlier, he would have brushed it off. Now, he looked flustered and regretful as he stammered, "It's... a specialized guidance room for male insects with out-of-control mental energy."

The room was made from rare materials, with thick layers of soft protective material covering the walls. Inside, there was only a bed with restraints and a small window on the door.

The military omega before him slammed his file shut, interlacing his fingers as Neo could clearly see the veins popping up on the back of his hand. There was no doubt that the fist would land on his face in the next second.

"Continue."

Bai Lang kicked the trembling thigh of the omega, lifting his limp body up.

"Keep talking! Didn't you hear me?!"

That breathtakingly beautiful male insect seemed to have little guard up, or perhaps he was ignorant, as he was said to not even be fluent in the insectoid language.

In any case, Neo led him into that room, strapped him down, and then pressed a button on the wall. A fragrant mental energy inducer was released in mist form.

"I originally thought... I'd just mess around with the guidance, disrupting the male's first differentiation. But I didn't expect..."

He hadn't expected that the male's mental energy would be so vast and pure, like a surging river waiting to find a breakthrough, ready to burst through the dam and merge into an immense ocean.

The detector had skyrocketed to a terrifying level. He instantly realized...

There was no way to disrupt it.

Even if he roughly guided it in a general direction, or even deliberately disrupted it, these confused yet pure mental energies would be shown the path to convergence and construction.

At that point, everything would fall into place naturally.

This male would successfully ascend to the A-level, and he wouldn't get paid. He might even face retaliation from those nobles.

"So... So... I, I..."

Neo didn't dare look at the expression of the military female. He didn't dare to continue his words, not even under Bai Lang's kicks or with a gun pressed against the back of his head.

"Admiral?"

Bai Lang looked at his admiral with some difficulty. After all, they were the regular military; although their actions were decisive and forceful, they couldn't really do anything to the civilians.

Despite the culprit deserving punishment, upholding the constitution was a principle that the admiral had always advocated.

Admiral?

Uh...

A buzz rang in Neo's ears, leaving him frozen on the spot.

He never would have imagined that the one who dug out this matter was actually...

It's over.

For the first time, he clearly realized that it was completely over.

Xi Ze stood up, using one hand to pull the female insect off the ground and suspend her in mid-air by her throat. As their eyes met, he spoke slowly, word by word.

"And then? Keep talking."

Absolute power dynamics were even more effective than torture, freezing his blood with just a glance.

The drone's eyes went blank, no longer sensing its own consciousness as it spilled the truth under manipulation.

"I was afraid of failure, and terrified of punishment if I were exposed..."

The desperate situation had left him completely panicked, and the poisonous decision he made in that instant still haunted him to this day—

He fled, locking the door behind him.

He even forgot to turn off the mental inducer.

It wasn't until dawn, when all movement inside had ceased, that he dared to peek through the small window.

"CRASH!!!"

A solid fist collided violently with fragile bone, and Neo was certain he could hear the sickening crunch of skull fragments.

That punch sent blood spurting from his nose and mouth, leaving his mind a blank slate.

"Ahh... Bang!"

Without a moment to catch his breath, a searing pain ripped through his chest, and several ribs shattered instantly. His body flew parallel to the floor, embedding itself deeply into the wall.

The armed military female stepped back silently, creating more space.

Xi Ze turned his wrist and opened his mouth, but found no words to convey the absurdity he felt.

Anger pierced through his chest like a sharp arrow, burning a hollow in the softest part of his heart.

So it was like this...

He finally understood why Yale had been so awkward during their mental energy guidance sessions, even resorting to online tutorials for help.

From the very beginning, the male had not received proper guidance. Instead, he had endured immense pain while learning to control his abilities, leading him to seal off his mental energy.

Yet, Yale had remained gentle during their sessions, using his own damaged mental energy to painstakingly mend and reconstruct another mental landscape.

Irony tinged Xi Ze's laughter, his tone so light that it bordered on disbelief.

"How dare you?"

He had carefully protected the treasure in his embrace, fearful that it would be implicated or harmed, only for it to have been casually and ruthlessly damaged by a selfish, cowardly, and malevolent scoundrel, leaving indelible scars.

Beneath the brim of his hat, his gaze was icy-cold, illuminated by the flames of fury, as the innate suppression and intimidation from his bloodline intensified, causing the cowering, worm-like male insect before him to convulse violently.

"I was wrong... I know I was wrong, ahhhh!! Forgive me... Please spare me... I know..."

With the edge of death's blade pressed against his throat, Neo finally felt genuine regret at this moment. Ignoring the excruciating pain and mess all over his body, he twisted and crawled forward a few steps.

Xi Ze, however, had no time to waste. He impatiently brushed off dust from his sleeve and signaled Bai Lang, "Backup that recording and send me a copy."

"Aye, Sir!"

"As for him," the military alpha paused. As Neo lifted his head, filled with hope, Xi Ze said indifferently, "Shackle him and throw him into Interrogation Room 013. Continue the interrogation."

In Interrogation Room 013.

The grounded beta let out a blood-curdling scream, akin to a pig being slaughtered. His cries were laced with deep regret and despair.

"Please!! Don't... I know I was wrong!"

Watching Xi Ze's departing figure, an unknown surge of strength allowed him to break free from the military female holding him down. He shouted desperately, "You're abusing your power for personal gain! This is illegal!"

"Traitor! Vermin! Why didn't you just die in battle?!"

The general, hailed as the beacon of the empire, had only appeared once in hundreds of years. He was the belief and role model for countless civilians and military personnel, the sole conscience of the royal family and nobility.

In a certain sense, he was even more awe-inspiring than the constitution itself. The constitution was upheld and enforced thanks to him, receiving the respect and protection it deserved from the nation.

Yet now, he was actively defying his own principles.

Xi Ze paused, seemingly oblivious to the commotion, adjusting his military cap before striding out with purposeful steps.

The once robust foundations had long rotted deeply, hollowed out by parasites and devouring insects, barely holding up this towering empire on the verge of collapse.

Enforcing laws, purging corruption, implementing moderate reforms... none of these could prevent the impending collapse of the towering edifice. The shadow of doom already loomed overhead, yet the rulers remained in their opulent delusions.

Those five years of bitter experience had shattered his innocence. This time, he wasn't returning to continue painting a false sense of tranquility.

It was about shedding the restraints, unsheathing the blade, and utterly severing the rotten flesh to uproot it all.

—Only then could fresh verdure bloom in the following spring.

"Beep."

The optical brain flickered with a subtle red glow, indicating an urgent message from the hospital.

"Terrible news! Lord Male's condition is severely off. There are signs of mental power leakage after his failed attempt at release, and he's entered secondary rut prematurely!!"

Xi Ze's expression turned completely cold. "I'll head there immediately."