Chapter 56: The Villain Strikes First!

Chapter 56: The Villain Strikes First!

Someone snorted a laugh first.

The little cub, who had been struggling to climb down, flinched and shoved hard, nearly tumbling straight down—Amos snagged him just in time.

Xiao Chuzao had squeezed into the hole and now wriggled back out, his fluff sticking out every which way, tiny wings askew. But the first thing he did upon emerging was widen his eyes and instinctively look at them.

The cub had been curled up in that hole, unable to hear clearly who it was, but someone had laughed at Zao Zao—

Zao Zao had hidden for so, so long—and someone had the nerve to laugh at him?!

Finn: "No way, really? An Ya, how could you? You saw Zao Zao couldn’t get down, thought his legs were just too short, and couldn’t hold back your laughter, right?"

Talk about passing the buck.

An Ya whipped around, baffled: ????

Fei Man glanced at Finn, her usually cold expression fighting a smirk.

Hold up—you’re the one who just failed to stifle a laugh, aren’t you?

Don’t project your own thoughts onto An Ya like that!

Poor An Ya, hahaha—

This is what they call "the guilty party filing the first complaint!"

Or rather, straight-up slander.

You’ve got some nerve making up stories on the spot!

Xiao Chuzao paused, gears turning, then made a grabbing motion in the air—instantly making all the Crown Clan members' scalps crawl.

The little one’s Cupid’s bow popped into existence.

Uh-oh, Zao’s arming for attack!

The cub first looked at An Ya.

An Ya was too stunned to defend herself immediately. By the time the cub turned his questioning gaze toward her, she hurriedly explained, "Not me! Swear it! It was clearly—"

*Zao Zao, judge the truth for yourself!!!*

"You say it wasn’t you, so it wasn’t?"

Seeing that he was about to be exposed, Finn backpedaled, cutting her off.

The little one glanced up at Amos.

Amos kept mum, signaling for the cub to decide on his own.

After a moment of thought, the cub raised his tiny bow and aimed it straight at Finn.

"Uncle Finn, Zao Zao’s nobody’s fool!"

Finn: ...

Crap, the trick failed.

An Ya immediately reached out and grabbed Finn, who was trying to dodge. Finn, still reeling from the arrow-hit, took Butler Mori's hand, who had followed in just after, and managed only two lines of his lovey-dovey spiel before—

Butler Mori froze briefly, then seemed to realize something. He raised his hand and covered Finn's mouth, smiling warmly. "I'm sorry, Your Highness Finn. I understand your feelings, but you're not my type. My apologies—you're a good person."

Finn, slowly processing what had just happened: ...

Finn, who had set up his younger brother countless times, went beet red with humiliation.

Everyone else lost it laughing.

An Ya couldn't hold back her uproarious laughter.

"I can't—my stomach hurts from laughing."

That's what this clown gets!

*

Several more days passed. Xiao Chuzao maintained his routine: studying with Hale in the mornings, observing the trio's training in the afternoons, then practicing archery with Finn and another member of the Crown Clan, attempting to recreate that black flame-engulfed arrow from before.

But no dice.

No matter how many times he fired, no matter what he envisioned, his arrows remained glowing plain gold. That crazy power surge and overwhelming destructive power seemed like nothing more than a one-time fluke.

That afternoon, Frey and Amos drilled the kiddo.

They skipped the training grounds, opting instead to practice near the trio's usual spot.

Due to Xiao Chuzao's weird vibe, whenever he drew his bow, everyone nearby backed the heck up.

Until break time.

For the past two days, the little one hadn't trained with his "third uncle" because Finn had left on a mission with the Third Army. The troops they’d sent near the Bael Union’s turf had raided two small laboratories but hit a dead end. However, leftover junk from those labs suggested some connection to the *Zange* Group.

After finishing a round of practice, the little one sat down to rest, his tiny wings fluttering behind him as he hugged his lil’ gold bow.

Amos and Frey stood a few steps behind him, discussing recent events.

Though he hadn't made any major breakthroughs, the little one, pampered by his folks, wasn't overly anxious.

Sitting on a small stool, his stubby legs kicking back and forth, he murmured softly—

"Grandpa Mori said we can plant potatoes in half a month."

The little one was looking forward to it.

Xiao Chuzao, who had never successfully grown anything before, dreamed of growing a lush green patch.

After all, Dad promised it wasn't his fault—he just hadn't used the right method.

"What potatoes?"

A teen’s voice cut in.

Xiao Chuzao looked up to see Peng Liang approaching after his training. The little one thought for a moment. "Just potatoes. It's almost time to plant them. Do you know how to grow potatoes?"

The little one sat on his chair, looking all innocent-like.

Peng Liang rubbed the tip of his nose.

"I don’t know how, but my grandfather does. He’s a well-known agricultural expert in Saint Cas."

Peng Liang sat cross-legged on the ground beside Xiao Chuzao's stool.

He said with a chuckle, "When I was little, my grandfather raised me. He knows everything about crops—he’s like a walking encyclopedia. They say as you grow older, adults seem less impressive than they did when you were a child, but I still think my grandfather is super amazing."

"Well, because he *is* amazing!"

Xiao Chuzao widened his eyes, looking at Peng Liang.

"So can Zao Zao ask your grandpa about growing potatoes?"

Bro... *brother*?!

Peng Liang sat up straighter without thinking, and his giddy expression made Chao Huangmu, who hadn't finished training yet, squint.

"Little Highness, you—you can just call me Peng Liang... As for planting potatoes, my grandfather does know how, but..."

Peng Liang lowered his gaze, his smile slightly forced.

The usually lively boy now looked a bit down.

Amos and Frey, behind Xiao Chuzao, glanced their way. They observed the situation briefly but didn't intervene.

"But right now, it’s... not possible... I'm really sorry, Little Highness."

Peng Liang finally looked up and gave Xiao Chuzao a faint, sad little smile.

The little one studied Peng Liang’s face.

The kid had always been attuned to emotions and energy, and now that his spiritual power was gradually growing and his abilities were developing, he was even more perceptive.

But Peng Liang’s gloom lasted only a second before he grinned again.

"Speaking of which, I haven't personally experienced Little Highness's bow and arrow yet. What’s it called again...?"

"Love and Peace."

Xiao Chuzao raised his little bow.

"Cupid's Bow."

"Does it hurt when it hits someone?"

The little one thought for a moment—

"Probably not much?"

"Hey... can I try it? I heard it can change your mood? I’ll aim over there—not at anyone—just to test it—"

So when Chao Huangmu finished training, sweaty and puffing, wondering what they were talking about, he spotted Xiao Chuzao aiming his tiny bow at Peng Liang and—*thwip*—let an arrow fly.

Chao Huangmu blinked: ?

Chao Huangmu strode over, grinning. He didn’t get a word out.

Peng Liang, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, suddenly sprang up and enthusiastically embraced Chao Huangmu as he approached.

His eyes burned with intensity, his tone fervent.

"A-Mu..."

Without hesitation, Chao Huangmu punched him right in the eye socket.

Yuck, that was gross.

Peng Liang reacted by clutching his eye and yelped in pain.

"Couldn't you just cover my mouth? Did you have to go that far?"

Chao Huangmu continued to smile brightly, not pulling any punches as he said: "Sorry, Peng Liang, but it was just too disgusting."

Meanwhile, Chao Huangmu casually shoved Peng Liang aside and took a seat in front of Xiao Chuzao.

The young one looked around confused, looking from Chao Huangmu to Peng Liang.

"Is... is he okay?"

"Of course he is! He'll be fine, he's tough as nails, no need to worry."

Chao Huangmu replied with a grin.

"Your crown today, as usual, is truly gorgeous and adorable—praise the sacred diadem!"

Flattered, the halo on Xiao Chuzao's head gave a little wobble.

Chao Huangmu's smile faded slightly as he stared at the little cub's crown—adorable.

Peng Liang: "Hey, don't answer for me, and what kind of adjective is 'tough'? Don’t misuse it! I’m not even eleven yet."

Yun Songquan was the last to arrive. He spoke little, naturally aloof, and stood there silently, unable to cut in. In the end, he could only mutter a flat—"Oh."

That icy little face looked even colder—Ugh, annoying.

Amos glanced at the time.

"Time’s up."

He took two steps forward and scooped up Xiao Chuzao.

"Dada."

The little cub immediately reacted, turning to wrap his arms around Amos's neck, his soft little body snuggling in instinctively.

"Mm."

Amos acknowledged, lowering his gaze to the little cub before looking at Peng Liang.

"Peng Liang? Come along. Your grandpa’s been moved here from the Imperial Star's Tenth Medical Center."

Peng Liang froze for a moment before quickly responding, "Yes, Your Majesty."

*

Peng Liang's grandfather had had an accident in his youth.

Back then, the Crown Clan was feared, but their influence wasn’t as widespread as today.

The agriculturalists represented by Peng Liang's grandfather had high demands for field and soilless factory cultivation and seed selection. It was quite common for them to search for suitable plants within their active areas.

It was during that time that Peng Liang's grandfather, Peng Shengfei, encountered an accident—his starship was hijacked by space pirates. The pirates intended to silence all witnesses by spraying lethal toxins inside the starship. In the end, very few survived, and those who did suffered severe aftereffects and illnesses.

Peng Shengfei already had a pre-existing psychic condition, which worsened continuously afterward. It was only through the medical advancements of Saint Cas that he managed to hold on until now.

He was an outstanding talent of Saint Cas.

Amos had once awarded him a medal. Upon receiving the news now, he came directly while holding Xiao Chuzao, intending to pay a visit.

The main issue was related to psychic energy. Amos wasn’t sure whether Zao Zao, who possessed the ability to manipulate psychic energy, might react differently.

In the sterile white room, a gaunt old man lay on the hospital bed, his hair gray, quietly asleep.

Peng Yue, the current head of the Peng family, stood by the bedside, while Peng Liang had also entered the room some time ago.

The ward was silent.

"The situation isn’t good. Elder Peng already suffered from psychic conditions and has been tormented by daily nightmares. This time, the disappearance of his assistant—his apprentice—likely triggered a chain reaction in his psychic energy. We’ve been battling to stabilize his vitals and keep his psychic energy under control, but as Elder Peng ages, this has become increasingly difficult. Now, even medication and current technology can’t manage it… Whether Elder Peng can wake up is uncertain."

A medical staff member whispered this to Amos, who stood at the door.

Amos nodded in acknowledgment.

"Do all you can to treat him. If Elder Peng is suffering too much, discuss it further with Peng Yue."

Fei Man also received the news at this time and arrived.

Deploying Finn might yield some results, but they couldn’t rely solely on him—especially since he was likely to get lost along the way.

After confirming the involvement of the Hymn Organization in this incident, Amos and the others decided to dispatch another small team to investigate nearby.

Fei Man came specifically for this matter, but she didn’t approach, merely standing by the door and listening.

Hearing this, Peng Yue remained silent. Peng Liang whirled around, his eyes red, fists clenched tightly, before lowering his head again.

"Yes, the King is right. Grandfather has always been tormented by nightmares. He kept saying it was his fault. Though he collapsed suddenly this time, he must have long wished… wished for relief, to no longer endure such suffering."

Xiao Chuzao squirmed slightly in Amos’s arms.

Amos lowered the little one.

The little one hesitated for a moment before edging toward Peng Yue. He looked up at him.

The little one didn’t speak, his wide amber eyes shimmering as he gazed at Peng Yue, then turned toward the bed—Xiao Chuzao focused intently and saw countless tangled, warping tendrils of psychic energy, like a swirling black mist—ceaselessly thrashing in pain.

The child had witnessed too much of this pain before, whether in Saint Casians or his own family.

It ached—

Just like how he himself had once struggled, groping for a lifeline, yet no one could grasp his hand.

The child cautiously extended his small hand and took hold of Peng Shengfei’s withered hand wrapped in bandages and tubes.

In that instant, the child’s small crown glimmered. The little one noticed that the snarled dark psychic haze seemed to quiet a fraction.

Not only did Amos and Fei Man sense the fluctuation of psychic energy in the room and look up, but Peng Liang, standing closest to the bed, also saw his grandfather’s withered hand move ever so slightly—giving the tiny hand a faint squeeze that had reached out.

Xiao Chuzao wanted to do more, but the Crown Clan’s crowns acted as conduits. The child could manipulate psychic energy, and also interact with crowns—such as repairing them or projecting thoughts directly. But for ordinary people, their psychic energy was too scattered. The child couldn’t trigger a deeper spatial reaction.

The little one blinked a few times, pulled back his little hand, and looked down.

Amos glanced at the medical team members; they were quickly running tests, but in the end, they gave small, subtle head shakes.

Amos stepped forward and reached out to pick up Xiao Chuzao.

Peng Liang, after all, was just a ten-year-old boy. No matter how grown-up he acted, he was still too young. That outburst had taken all he had. Now, seeing his grandfather’s hand move slightly, he finally broke. He reached out and gently grasped his grandfather’s hand.

"Are you awake?"

His voice was slightly choked.

"I know how hard this journey’s been for you. After all this time, you deserve a good rest. I get it, I really do... but... but... I still want to hear you call my name again. You promised you’d wait for me to come back this summer, so we could go see the flowering tree we planted together?"

"I still remember you carrying me on your shoulders, taking me to pick flowers and fruit—those were my happiest childhood memories. Back then, I thought you’d never fall."

Peng Liang turned his head away.

But someone nearby let out a sharp intake of breath.

The frail hand slowly lifted and gently stroked Peng Liang’s head.

Peng Liang’s tears fell in that instant.

Clouded eyes slowly opened, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Liang Liang."

Peng Shengfei turned his head slightly, looking over, then slowly turned his gaze toward Amos.

His gaze met Xiao Chuzao’s big, clear eyes.

"Grandpa had a very long nightmare—"

In the dream, he kept thinking that if he hadn’t decided to take all the researchers out that day, so many people wouldn’t have died. He’d been trapped in this nightmare all along, silently enduring it, about to be lost forever in that nightmare.

But in the end, a soft voice gently called him back. The chaos around him stilled, as if a tiny hand had slowly pulled him back—for the first time in that nightmare, he felt comfort.

Then came the voice of his little grandson.

"But in the end, the nightmare turned into me walking down the country path with tiny you—"

"Grandpa!"

Peng Liang immediately pressed closer.

Amos, holding Xiao Chuzao, took a few steps back and exited the room, giving them space to talk.

Amos and Fei Man exchanged a glance.

With the little cub present, Fei Man looked troubled too, but she still leaned in and gave the little one’s cheek a gentle pinch.

The cub didn’t dodge and even reached out to nuzzle up to his aunt.

Fei Man’s eyes widened slightly—

Ah, when Zao Zao acts like this, it means he wants a kiss from Auntie!

Xiao Chuzao: "..."

Xiao Chuzao nestled back into Amos's arms.

"Am I going on this mission?"

Fei Man asked softly, then gave a slight smirk.

"Finn hasn't replied. I told you he was unreliable."

"We don't know what foolish move the enemy might make," Amos pondered, glancing down at the special little one in his arms. After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke, "I'll take Zao Zao with me. You come too—we need to keep an adult with him at all times."

Fei Man looked over and nodded. "That sounds reasonable. We can leave the matters here to Frey, An Ya, and the other men."

Handling routine affairs and arranging National Day Preparations would be enough.

Just then, Peng Yue emerged with a tearful Peng Liang and bowed to Amos. "Your Majesty, my father said he has something to discuss with you."

Amos handed the little one in his arms to Fei Man and turned to enter the sickroom.

Fei Man cradled the little one.

The little one was suddenly back in his aunt's arms, his big eyes widening in surprise.

Fei Man peered inside, took a couple of steps aside, and sighed softly as she gazed ahead—"A nightmare," she murmured.

It reminded her of the nightmare she had been unable to escape, the one that always jolted her awake abruptly.

Xiao Chuzao nestled in Fei Man's arms, initially staring at his aunt's face as she was lost in thought. After a moment of thought, the little one nuzzled his face gently against hers.

Fei Man fell silent.

Fei Man locked eyes with Xiao Chuzao.

"Auntie knows Zao Zao wants a kiss."

So when Amos stepped out, he saw the little one being covered in kisses—left cheek, right cheek—until his big eyes dazed. The child stretched out his hands toward Amos urgently, pleading, "Daddy, Daddy!"

Help, save Zao Zao.

Amos reached out and took the child back from Fei Man.

As the little one wished, Amos kept a distance of five steps from Fei Man.

He instructed someone to compile the list for the squad heading to the star systems near the Bael Union and to prepare for dealing with those potential threats.

Xiao Chuzao snuggled deeper into Amos's arms, finally exhaling in relief before clinging tightly to Amos's neck.

Amos carried him all the way back.

"Keep a slight guard up when the time comes."

Amos pondered the words Peng Shengfei had said before passing out.

"Send a reminder to Finn as well, stressing extra caution around Elder Peng's assistant—she's his successor."

"Okay."

Fei Man gave a nod.

"Got it."

From afar, Speaker Cheng Xuan, who had come to visit, watched the scene. Too far to approach, he naturally received no information, but he saw the little one holding Peng Shengfei's hand and how sweetly the child nestled against Fei Man. Cute as it was, adorableness didn’t suit Saint Cas. He let out a soft sigh and turned to the person beside him. "The Little Highness is way too soft, isn’t he?"

*

In the star sector near the Bael Union.

In a hidden laboratory.

Several people, filthy and exhausted, were locked up together.

They had been imprisoned here for some time. Different from other lab rats confined here, it seemed that because they were Saint Casians, they were subjected to different forms of torture—attempts to pressure, bribe or break them into revealing everything they knew, even trying to turn them into traitors.

Under such torment, they had long been deprived of rest.

"As if! Who would turn traitor? And they show us the Bael Union’s misery—as if their situation isn’t entirely their own doing!"

"In their dreams if they think I’d ever betray the Empire!"

"But no one knows where we are. Is anyone even coming for us?"

At this topic, everyone fell silent.

In the farthest corner, a woman with messy hair tied in a bun quietly stared outside.

"Escape? After an incident like this, not everyone gets the chance to leave here alive."

She lowered her head, her outlook grim.

"Doc Zhong, you can’t always be so pessimistic."

"They're coming for sure!"

"Will they?"

She simply gazed outside, her eyes heavy.

"My luck..." was always crap—whether it was becoming an orphan, nobody wanting me, encountering accidents, being taken in by her mentor, or spending years just to integrate into Saint Cas and finally obtain residency.

Her life had always been a series of setbacks, each time leaving her wounded. This time would likely be no different. In this vast starscape, there were no lucky people.

She firmly believed this, going through the motions each day in resignation. Not even her mentor could pull her out of it.

But in the end, she didn’t voice these thoughts aloud.

*

Early the next morning, a covert operation—known to very few—was set to commence. In the royal palace, the kid was already dressed and ready.

Amos handed the Psychic Sword to Xiao Chuzao, and the little one instinctively started chewing on it.

Amos first finished preparing the child before tending to himself. When he returned, he did a double take, seeing the neatly dressed little one had flopped back onto the soft bed.

The little one wasn’t fully awake—understandable, as the comfy bed was too tempting.

Xiao Chuzao had waited for Amos a bit too long and, without realizing it, had dozed off again. Half-asleep, he clutched Amos’s Psychic Sword, squirmed sleepily in bed before sensing Amos’s approach.

Then, with great effort, he opened his big, bleary eyes and looked up at Amos, his small crown flickering faintly.

Seeing the child’s drowsy state, Amos thought for a moment before retrieving a box from nearby and giving it a gentle shake.

Xiao Chuzao reacted in a daze for a second before his halo lit up like a lightbulb. If he were in his white fluffball form, his ears would’ve perked up by now.

The next instant, the little one—still clutching Amos’s Psychic Sword in his mouth—scrambled up and hopped off the bed with his tiny limbs, dragging the overly long sword behind him as he made a beeline for the candy jar in Amos's hand.