Chapter 46: The Outburst and the Hidden Secrets of the Past

Chapter 46: The Outburst and the Hidden Secrets of the Past

The intense embrace was brief.

Xiao Sa’s guesses about Landis were wrong; there was no questioning or outburst.

After confirming that Xiao Sa was safe, Landis didn’t say much more. He simply gave him a deep look before striding away, returning to his captain’s command room to resume his duties as the legion’s general, continuing to direct the unfinished battle.

It was as if he had rushed here just to give him that one look.

The third legion’s forces secured the battlefield, bringing the surprise attack by the mutated creatures to an end.

With everyone’s help, Xiao Sa managed to kill the 3A leader of the mutated creature nest in one strike. The remaining cleanup operation went exceptionally smoothly, and the third legion suffered minimal casualties while thoroughly destroying the nearby nests.

The Exploration Corps, which had suffered the most casualties, saw a much lower death rate thanks to Xiao Sa’s timely intervention and the high-concentration inhibitors.

Once the cleanup was complete, the entire legion was buzzing with excitement over the final moments of the leader’s defeat, as well as the mysterious spiritual healer being talked about among the lower-ranking soldiers.

As night fell, Xiao Sa hurriedly produced a batch of homemade inhibitors and handed them to the medic. As he stepped out, he found Caro, Landis’ adjutant, waiting for him. Seeing him come out, Caro finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Mr. Xiao Sa, we’ve heard about how you took down the leader of the mutated creatures today. We really need to thank you; the legion has already reported your merits to the military headquarters."

Xiao Sa replied indifferently, "It’s nothing. I was just saving myself. Did Landis send you to find me?"

Caro nodded, "The general just finished his work. He’s been in meetings all day and was worried about your condition, so he sent me to check on you."

Xiao Sa nodded, "I understand. I’ll return shortly."

Caro hesitated, and Xiao Sa raised his eyebrows, "Is there something else?"

Caro exhaled, unable to help but say, "The general hasn’t gotten much sleep these past few days on his way here. Every day, he’s been busy in the operations room until late at night, always worried that you might be in danger. He was very surprised by your achievements in battle today. He can be harsh and stubborn, but..."

Caro paused, then continued, "I’ve been with the general for years, and I’ve never seen him this worried. I think he really cares about you."

Xiao Sa gave him a sharp look, perceptively saying, "Is he in a bad mood? Are you trying to prepare me for an argument? Why don’t you advise your general not to be so stubborn?"

Caro opened his mouth, then awkwardly closed it. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but as a subordinate, he really couldn’t.

Xiao Sa smiled noncommittally and followed Caro to the third legion’s command ship.

This was the second time Xiao Sa had boarded the third legion’s starship, the first being when he was taken hostage by the pirates. Unlike last time, when he was anxious to escape, Xiao Sa now toured the starship with a more relaxed mood, casually listening to Caro’s explanations along the way.

When they arrived at the captain’s bedroom, the duty guards looked at Xiao Sa with a strange yet admiring gaze, gave a simple military salute, and then walked away.

Having been watched with such looks all the way, Xiao Sa knew it was the ripple effect of today’s battle achievements.

Before today, the guards only saw him as the legion general’s partner, a "lucky low-rank" who had "married" into a prestigious family. But today, he was finally seen as an independent individual and a strong soldier.

Landis’ bedroom was not off-limits to Xiao Sa. He pushed the door open and entered. It was a two-room suite.

The lighting in the room was dim; the ceiling light in the living room wasn’t on, and only a warm yellow floor lamp near the porthole by the sofa was lit.

Landis was slouched in the dark brown leather sofa, his military jacket discarded nearby. His legs were crossed, and his right hand rested on the arm of the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, the ember glowing faintly.

He took a drag and exhaled a wisp of hazy smoke. Upon hearing Xiao Sa enter, he turned his head to look at him. Half of his face was shrouded in shadow, and his icy blue eyes, seen through the smoke, appeared dull and obscure.

Xiao Sa’s gaze swept over his face, his brows furrowing slightly. Landis only drank occasionally and had never been fond of smoking.

"You're back," Landis said, pressing the cigarette into the glass ashtray and adding it to the pile of butts.

Xiao Sa moved the ashtray aside and saw a stack of documents on the coffee table. These were the files Landis had gathered to help him enroll in the Capital Mech Academy and join the Exploration Corps.

He raised an eyebrow, vaguely guessing what Landis was planning, but remained silent, waiting for him to speak first.

Landis watched him for a moment before asking, "This afternoon, I sent a professional medical team to conduct a thorough examination of you and test your spiritual sea. Why didn't you agree to it?"

Xiao Sa replied, "I'm clean. The medics have already checked me, and the cleanup crew has done multiple sweeps. There's nothing to worry about."

Landis pursed his lips and muttered, "Okay," though it wasn't clear if he really believed Xiao Sa.

His fingers tapped on the file's cover as he looked at Xiao Sa. "The danger of this incident was extremely high, far surpassing the usual training difficulty of the Exploration Corps. You've already exceeded the requirements and can stop now. I've reviewed your academic performance, and you've excelled in every subject. I intend to contact the academy to count this mission of defeating the mutated creatures as your graduation task, granting you early graduation and the certificate of a senior mech pilot."

"You intend?" Xiao Sa softly repeated the words, his amber eyes narrowing, looking especially dark and intense in the dim light.

"I did originally aim to get my diploma and mech pilot certification quickly, so it's fine if I don't stay," Xiao Sa said.

"But," he stood before Landis, separated by the coffee table, looking at him, "before you 'intend' to do something, why don't you ask me about my intentions? Or should I praise you for your progress this time? You informed me in advance instead of interfering first and waiting for me to ask."

Landis was taken aback, looking at him confusedly. "Why are you always concerned about such trivial matters? I'm doing all this for your benefit."

"It's not trivial," Xiao Sa's brows furrowed, his voice dropping. "Landis, you're used to giving orders in your corps and the Wenser family. You're the unchallenged general and the head of the family, whose word is law. No one defies your commands."

"But I'm not your subordinate, and I'm not part of some feudal system where you can control everything. You always make decisions for me under the pretext of doing what's best for me. I appreciate your goodwill and don't mind the small things, like what food I eat, which class I attend, or even being watched."

"But that doesn't mean I enjoy it, especially when your interference gets in my way."

Landis shifted his leg, sat up straight, and fixed Xiao Sa with a frown. "But whenever you insist on doing something, haven't I always given in? Whether it was studying mechs or joining the Exploration Corps, I eventually agreed."

"You say I didn't ask for your opinion beforehand, but did you ask for mine regarding fighting the mutated creatures? It's a dangerous task."

Xiao Sa stared at him. "If I had asked you beforehand, would you have let me go?"

Landis' cheekbones tightened, his voice low and resolute. "No."

Xiao Sa let out a bitter laugh. "Should I commend you for your honesty?"

Landis pressed his lips tightly shut, looking at him silently.

Xiao Sa pressed his throbbing temples, trying to control his rising emotions, and lowered his voice. "You're mistaken, Landis."

"Whether it's attending the academy, joining the Exploration Corps, or participating in this rescue mission, it's my decision. And since it's my choice, I have the right to decide for myself. But you, you always make decisions for me under the pretext of doing what's best for me."

"That's the problem."

"Have you ever treated me as an equal and respected my decisions?"

Xiao Sa looked down at him, his gaze a calm but firm intensity.

Initially, he didn't want to blame Landis, constantly reminding himself as an Alpha to be understanding of his partner's feelings. After all, he was hiding secrets of his own that he couldn't reveal yet.

With these concerns, he had buried previous dissatisfactions, trying to make Landis understand him through subtle means.

But he realized he was wrong. Landis had his own logical loop and didn't understand what he was saying.

Unresolved conflicts don't just fade away; they build up like a smoldering ember, waiting to flare up at any moment.

Xiao Sa had hoped that after seeing his accomplishments today, Landis would finally change his attitude. But he had underestimated just how stubborn Landis could be.

Landis seemed to have an almost pathological obsession, like an overprotective mother hen, believing that the whole world was out to harm his chick and that they could only be safe if kept inside the nest.

This went beyond ordinary concern; it was simply not normal.

“……” Landis' lips trembled slightly, as if a crack had formed in a stone statue, revealing the vulnerability beneath the hardened exterior.

He raised his hand to cover half of his face, casting a shadow over his eyes, his voice hoarse: “So that's what you think of me…”

He instinctively reached for his lighter, sparking a tiny flame before noticing Xiao Sa's gaze and abandoning the idea, tossing it aside.

Landis had not slept for many hours, relying on cigarettes to stay awake through these nights, his icy blue eyes bloodshot, showing a rare hint of exhaustion.

“Xiao Sa, I do respect your thoughts,” he said, not a man of many words, his fingers anxiously raking through his already messy golden hair, causing it to fall loosely over his forehead.

Sitting in the sofa, Landis looked up at Xiao Sa: “I just don't want you involved in anything related to the battlefield. That place is full of pollution, harm, danger, and death.”

Xiao Sa narrowed his eyes, meeting his gaze calmly: “Whether it was dealing with the fierce beasts on North Star or killing the Lord-level mutated creature today, you knew about it. Even your subordinates and guards acknowledge my abilities, yet you remain silent and even want me to leave as soon as possible.”

Landis squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them, his chest heaving as if suppressing some intense emotion, before finally frowning and saying: “Do you think those people care about you?”

“They only want your strength and your healing abilities. They couldn't care less if you get hurt, infected, or die on the battlefield!”

Xiao Sa took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay rational: “So what if I told you I'm an S-rank? What if my strength is no less than yours?”

Landis stood up from the sofa, their equally strong gazes refusing to yield. “You've only just come into contact with mutated creatures. You don't understand how terrifying high-level mutated creatures can be. They are alien beings, devoid of humanity. Even if you're S-rank, so what? There are S-rank king mutated creatures that are far stronger than human S-rank strongmen.”

“Even as an S-rank, I face severe pollution, risking a spiritual sea rampage and even genetic collapse. My father was a far stronger warrior than I am, having exterminated countless high-level and even king-level mutated creatures in his lifetime. He was a hero recognized by the entire empire…”

Landis paused, his gaze shifting away. “The empire claimed he died fighting mutated creatures, but in reality, they were covering up the fact that he was polluted and mutated into a monster. Even an S-rank strongman cannot escape this fate.”

Xiao Sa stared at him in silence, his expression unreadable, before finally shaking his head. “Landis, that reason doesn't convince me. If the battlefield against mutated creatures is so dangerous, why do you go yourself? If you can fight for the empire, why can't I?”

Landis took a deep breath and met his gaze again. “I am an imperial soldier. It is my duty to protect the empire and its citizens. You are not. You can pursue any other career you want, and I will not stop you. Whether it's being a doctor, a lawyer, an artist, or even going into politics, as long as it's far from the battlefield, I will support you.”

He softened his expression and lowered his voice. “Isn't it what everyone wants—to live a peaceful life, protected from harm?”

Xiao Sa furrowed his brows. “If that's what you think, then why do you send your nephews and nieces to military school?”

Landis didn't hesitate. “They're just distant relatives. But you… you're my family.”

“……” Xiao Sa was momentarily speechless.

“Landis, don't you think you're being a little too overprotective?”

He always suspected that Landis was hiding something deeper. Determined to shift the conversation, Xiao Sa added, “Besides, the Exploration Corps generally doesn't come into contact with mutated creatures. Most of our missions are just against fierce beasts. Yet you still didn't want me to join the Exploration Corps in the first place.”

Landis shook his head. “The Exploration Corps isn't safe. There are countless unknown planets and unknown alien species on the fringes of the empire. You never know when you might run into dangerous alien species out there.”

At the mention of “alien species,” Xiao Sa's eyes flickered with a sharp, involuntary twitch.

He had always hidden his identity as an alien, not only because of the risks to himself and his clan members but also because he couldn't gauge Landis' attitude toward aliens.

Xiao Sa's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but probe, “Not all alien lifeforms are as brutal and inhumane as mutated creatures. Some aliens can be communicated with, even cooperated with…”

Landis looked at him disapprovingly. “I didn't expect you to hold such naïve beliefs.”

His eyes narrowed as he spoke in a cold tone: "A thousand years ago, after the Great Cataclysm, radiation covered the earth. Humanity was forced to hide underground and endured a long, dark period. To adapt to the harsh conditions and evolve, the survivors harnessed a powerful energy source that could merge with mental energy. Eventually, they rebuilt a new order and created the prototype of the first artificial intelligence."

"After an unknown period, a group of aliens arrived from space. They looked no different from humans and pretended to communicate with humanity. But in reality, they spread pollution throughout human society, intending to enslave and rule over humans. These aliens were the first ‘humanoid mutants!’"

"When they showed their true, brutal nature, the first emperor of the Dawn Empire led everyone in a fierce resistance. After countless grueling battles, they defeated these humanoid mutants."

"The Dawn Empire was established after the victory against the aliens. The Exploration Corps was initially founded to discover and eliminate any remaining alien mutants."

"What did you say...?"

Humanoid mutants?!

Xiao Sa's pupils shook with shock. In an instant, countless doubts surged in his mind.

Why does the pollution field of the mutants resemble the mental domain of an Alpha?

Why is the ancestral star coordinate, passed down through the generations, located in the star sea region?

Why was the central artificial intelligence of the Dawn Empire, Haino, activated by his family's heirloom gem necklace?

According to official records, the Dawn Empire was established six hundred years ago. His clan members settled, developed, and thrived on the home planet around six hundred years ago.

What secret is buried in the founding history of the Dawn Empire?

Could these connections be related to his clan members?

For a moment, a whirlwind of thoughts surged in Xiao Sa's heart. Even if the so-called "humanoid mutants" were related to his people, they were definitely not the cruel race that would "enslave and rule over humans" as described by Landis.

There might be something wrong with this "history."

Xiao Sa looked at Landis with a complex expression. Compared to the matter of racial survival, the earlier trivial quarrel between them seemed insignificant.

"Landis, I’ve studied the historical records of the Dawn Empire, and none of what you said is in the history books."

Landis nodded: "Of course, it's not there. The events related to humanoid mutants six hundred years ago are secret imperial archives, held only by the royal family. Only a few high-ranking officials and corps generals are aware of some details. This is to prevent panic among the public and lower-ranking soldiers."

Xiao Sa fell silent, unsure if it was fortunate or unfortunate that he had accidentally stumbled upon a shocking secret.

He looked at Landis and spoke slowly: "What if one day, you discovered that aliens were among us?"

Landis said solemnly: "Those who are not of our race have different intentions. When humanity first entered the interstellar age, we were naive, but the cost was painful. Even if we could communicate with them, it would only be when they surrender under the threat of our weapons. This is my duty as a legion general of the empire."

He softened his tone: "Xiao Sa, don't think about these things that are far from us. Even if those alien mutants return, the empire can defeat the enemy again."

Xiao Sa's lips moved, but he remained silent in the end.

He understood that it was normal for Landis to say these words from his perspective, but he still felt heavy-hearted.

In two months, it would be time for him to enter the imperial palace and retrieve the gem necklace as planned. All the clues pointed to the royal family of the Dawn Empire, and he had to find out the truth behind it.

How would Landis react when he learned the truth? Would he be imprisoned, sent to a lab, or would Landis let him go out of old affection, parting ways?

At that moment, he suddenly felt as if there was an insurmountable chasm between him and Landis.

Seeing Xiao Sa's serious expression and his furrowed brows, Landis bypassed the coffee table and reached out to take his hand: "Xiao Sa, are you still angry?"

He couldn't help but reflect on whether his previous attitude had been too harsh.

Landis furrowed his brows, racking his brain for the high-emotionally intelligent responses Caro had sent him, trying to salvage his precarious image in his partner's heart: "Actually, I do acknowledge you. At your age, I was much less capable and not as popular as you..."

When Xiao Sa didn’t respond, Landis started to get anxious: "If you feel that I haven't shown you enough respect, then I apologize. I just—"

"Landis," Xiao Sa looked up at him, speaking with difficulty, "Do you remember our agreement that the marriage would end after six months?"

Landis was startled, his expression darkening immediately. "What are you saying? You can’t be serious about divorcing me because of this! I won’t let you!"

Xiao Sa gazed into those icy blue eyes, which still clearly reflected his face even in the midst of anger.

A wave of deep reluctance washed over him.

This feeling hit him harder than the shock of discovering the humanoid mutants’ secret, leaving him breathless.

When they had entered into the contract marriage, he had decided that once he had healed Landis's mental contamination, he would leave. Yet now, after arguments, doubts, and troubles, as he looked into Landis's eyes, he felt more clearly than ever that he couldn’t bear to leave him.

If only he were just a regular guy from the star sea region, or if Landis were an omega, beta, or even another alpha. None of it would matter.

Xiao Sa pinched the bridge of his nose. After a full day of battle and a night of arguing, both he and Landis were exhausted.

They lay in silence, like two spent fireworks, the last traces of their argument fading into nothing.

Xiao Sa sighed: "I didn’t say I wanted a divorce. It’s late; let’s get some rest."

Landis looked at him deeply, his eyelashes fluttering slowly, but he didn’t say anything more.

※※※

With the lights off, the two lay silently on the large bed in the bedroom, eyes closed, neither speaking.

After what felt like hours, just as Xiao Sa was slipping into sleep, he instinctively reached for Landis but found only empty space. His hand touched the cold sheets, and he bolted awake.

Where was Landis?

Xiao Sa immediately got up, slipping into his slippers as he went out. As soon as he opened the door, a strong smell of smoke hit him.

Landis stood outside, leaning against the wall, cigarette in hand, his gaze lost in the darkness. The glass ashtray was full of cigarette butts. When Xiao Sa appeared, Landis froze, the heavy look in his eyes still lingering.

Xiao Sa frowned: "Landis, what—"

In the next instant, Landis pulled him into a fierce embrace, pressing their bodies together, and kissed him deeply, the taste of tobacco and cedar overwhelming.

That scent—Landis’s alone—was something only Xiao Sa could ever know.

He held Landis tighter, their breaths mingling, and the tobacco scent no longer bothered him.

Landis crushed the cigarette butt in his palm and tossed it aside, burying his face in Xiao Sa’s neck, repeatedly licking and kissing the warm skin there.

He wanted to beg him not to leave, to ask if they could start a family together.

But when he finally spoke, his voice rough with emotion, he used a reason Xiao Sa couldn’t refuse: "Xiao Sa, my spiritual sea is destabilizing again..."