Chapter 58: Everything Under Control… Really?

Chapter 58 Everything Is Under Control... Really?

This 'big catch' was intercepted in the starfield by some reckless idiots.

Exactly as Jiang Chao’s lackey had pictured.

Their target was just some run-of-the-mill civilian ship. The moment they displayed their cannons, the ship immediately caved and offered to pay for protection—easy money, right?

He thought to himself—they’d tailed the ship’s route stealthily right after the Saint Cas Army’s patrol, acting with utmost caution, clearly believing this was the safest moment.

The guy was a genius!

Jiang Chao's underling seemed to already see promotions and fat paychecks ahead.

He immediately demanded the establishment of a connection bridge between the starships, intending to send his men over to seize control of the civilian vessel.

Back on the Saint Cas ship, things went quiet for a moment.

Xiao Chuzao widened his amber eyes, his small body pressing close to Amos. His little halo and wings were hidden, but after months of being pampered by Amos, he had grown chubby and cute. He’d never been in a scrape like this before, so he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.

"Your Majesty—"

A tall Saint Cas soldier who had been sitting nearby approached.

This was He Yue, the Battalion Commander of the 901st Regiment from the Ninth Army.

Their usual Battalion Commander, Ye Ming, wasn't accompanying Amos this time.

"Although Your Majesty and the Little Highness are disguised, for safety's sake—just in case they ID you—please move behind us. Leave the rest to us."

This wasn’t just about taking out these goons simply.

They needed to locate the gang's headquarters and rescue the missing Saint Casians. Until then, they couldn’t afford to tip their hand. While the Bael Union was too far from the Saint Cas Empire for either side to be familiar with the other, there was still a chance they might recognize Amos and Xiao Chuzao.

However, they hadn't expected the enemy to come on this strong.

Amos and the little one had been sitting at the starship's prime viewing spot for most of the journey.

Now, they needed to duck back for cover.

Xiao Chuzao muttered, like he was sharing a secret, fidgeting with his little hands: "Are we letting them successfully 'kidnap' Zao Zao and Papa?"

Amos: "This is a covert op, not a kidnapping—"

King Amos finally couldn't resist correcting him.

The little one dutifully stretched out his chubby hands to cup Amos's face, still clutching the scary photo box that had scared him earlier, intending to show it to others later. Putting on his best angelic face, he nodded: "Mhm, mhm, we must successfully let Zao Zao and Papa infiltrate them."

The surrounding Saint Cas soldiers couldn't help but smile.

So precious, Little Highness—though that was indeed the gist of it.

Amos carried the little one and retreated behind the crowd.

At that moment, the boarding party—about a dozen men with some semblance of training—barged in, armed to the teeth. He Yue stepped forward to negotiate, only to have the barrel of a gun shoved against his temple by the arrogant underling.

He Yue's fingers twitched, but he suppressed the urge to retaliate and continued negotiating.

His reaction only further convinced Jiang Chao's underling of his own judgment.

"Enough talk, keep an eye on all of them, follow the set course, and move quickly!"

Jiang Chao's underling snapped as he watched his men take control of the entire control room. Glancing at the 'passengers' who had huddled together, trembling, too afraid to move closer—some even shaking—he felt even more satisfied. He just ordered them guarded, without scrutinizing each one individually.

Time was short, the mission critical. Who knew when the Saint Cas warships might double back to attack again? The lab supplies were nearly depleted. If they didn’t hurry to replenish them, and if the boss got displeased, he’d be next on the lab table. Jiang Chao's underling knew this damn well—there was no time for a thorough inspection now.

"I’ll head back to lead the way and report this to the boss—we’ve successfully hijacked a starship, and everything is under control."

After he left, the Saint Cas soldiers at the front shivered—not from fear, but excitement.

King Amos and Little Highness were watching them.

Brothers, time to make our mark—let’s clobber them.

They were chomping at the bit.

Especially after hearing the voices from the cockpit—the other side had already sent over the coordinates and other data.

Some had already edged forward tentatively.

Now that they had the coordinates, to be honest, these guys weren’t all that useful anymore. Why not—

"By the way, do you still remember the return passphrase?"

Seeing how easily subdued they were, the hijackers let their guard down.

"Of course, know it by heart."

Shit, a passcode too?

Someone stumbled, their raised hand abruptly lowering.

A sneak attack—

*Intent thwarted.jpg*

The other side sensed something off and glanced over, only to see a 'passenger' slumping down to the ground—"What’re you doing with me? I have a family, my partner is waiting for me back home—"

The group threw frantic glances at He Yue—Legion Commander, your act’s disgusting.

Their terror was too genuine.

The hijackers’ suspicions vanished instantly.

"Shut it and stay put. You’ll find out soon enough."

*

Meanwhile, all Saint Cas units received an urgent alert:

—The civilian starship carrying King Amos, the Crown Clan’s top warrior and a maximum-threat individual, has been hijacked.

Fei Man, also traveling aboard a civilian starship in deep space: …?

What?

What do these words mean?

Amos, who was with Xiao Chuzao, got hijacked?

"Are they trying to get wiped out?"

Fei Man’s assistant muttered under their breath.

After scouring options and begging the gods and ancestors for a suitable starship, they somehow ended up kidnapping the 'ancestor.'

Even hijacking Amos alone wouldn’t have been as explosive—adding Xiao Chuzao into the mix.

Not that Zao Zao is particularly strong, but simply because when Zao Zao is present, Amos is stuck in full-on mama bear mode—a symptom that cannot be alleviated, making the King appear extremely aggressive when provoked in this state.

Even Fei Man cracked for a second.

Meanwhile, on the other end.

Finn had yet to reach the former border of the Bael Union.

Still tearing through nearby outposts, the starship that had once seemed to guide them had vanished without a trace. Finn’s freakish luck held out, leading him to stumble upon a peculiar laboratory in one of the outposts. Inside were strange experimental equipment and twisted, dead lab specimens, along with some odd research reports—backing the Zange’s theories.

Due to Finn’s sudden arrival, these materials hadn’t been fully destroyed.

If the Longlived race’s powerhouses were to disappear completely, they could facilitate the 'god’s' rebirth, summon the 'god,' redistribute power, and attain a so-called—fairness.

For this ‘fairness,’ they chanted hymns to their god.

The ruthless Zange, united by such 'faith,' made it extremely difficult for any infiltrators to gather intelligence. Moreover, the organization was cunning and cautious, never lingering in one place for long. Often, by the time they had thrown a star sector into chaos, they had already fled swiftly.

Finn had no damn clue what these things were, but as he gazed at the dead lab specimens, his smile faded. His baby-faced features were shrouded in shadow, and when he lifted his eyes, only his glowing red eyes burned in the darkness. Standing amidst the wreckage, he looked like some nightmare ghoul king.

"Seal this place. Transmit all relevant data back."

"Yes!"

For once, Finn’s aide seemed competent, but then he received a Code Red combat alert.

Finn immediately turned to him. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s—it’s—"

The flustered aide fumbled with the communicator and read aloud—

"King Amos’s starship has been hijacked and is being taken to an unknown location. Code Red combat alert activated…"

Holy shit—they kidnapped King Amos?! Protect His Majesty! We die for Saint Cas! For the Crown Clan!

—Wait—they hijacked His Majesty?

Finn: …?

Huh?

Hijacked?

By whom?

Psychos?

Are they trying to out-crazy me?

"If you’d said my idiot brother lost it and yeeted himself into a radiation pit, I might’ve believed it a little."

He muttered.

At this moment, in the high-risk pollution zone where Morlo was initially discovered.

With Xiao Chuzao's presence, the Crown Clan dared to venture into high-risk contaminated areas. Driven by the Crown Clan's exploration efforts, starship upgrades, and their relentless pursuit of finding the so-called "*Realm of Angels*," they pressed forward.

Shortly after Morlo was rescued, an exploration team was formed. Under the protection of the Tenth Army Group, they gradually mapped the pollution, zigzagging deeper into the polluted zone. Their goal was to determine whether, beyond the devastation that had claimed countless lives and fractured this sector of space, any normal regions still existed.

If so, were there still living beings? Or was this the "*Realm of Angels*" that His Majesty had specifically instructed them to watch for?

They had cautiously advanced for a long time, enduring countless failures.

Repeatedly, surges of contaminated energy and rampaging mutant creatures forced them to retreat. Through multiple attempts, they were now scouting alternate routes.

This time, they were once again struck by the terrifying energy of contamination, pursued by hordes of mutant creatures.

"Quick, retreat now! No good—this path isn’t viable either—"

"Honestly, we’ve already explored a vast stretch of territory. The deeper we go, the harder it gets. I strongly suspect that even if we press on, everything ahead is just more polluted void."

"That’s not necessarily true. Don’t lose heart. We once believed contaminated zones were completely impassable, especially based on the literary depictions of despair from centuries past. But now, we’re challenging that notion."

"You’re right—oh no, hurry! We can’t hold out any longer—retreat! Warp to the pre-set coordinates!"

"Warp sequence initiating—five, four, three—"

The bulky starship assigned to the exploration mission was now battered and pockmarked. They could only dare to inch forward after carefully preparing emergency warp protocols to escape danger.

The Tenth Army Group’s warships waited at the edge of the contamination, ready to intercept any mutant creatures that might emerge.

But this time, something was different—

"What was that sound—?"

At the final moment before the warp, they heard a resonating, bone-shaking roar—one that shook the starship itself. It wasn’t the twisted shriek of an ordinary mutant creature. It was as if they had truly discovered another sentient life.

"One… warp initiated."

As they burst out of the contaminated zone, the pursuing beasts were intercepted by the Tenth Army Group.

The exploration team exchanged glances, confirming that what they had heard wasn’t just one person’s hallucination.

"Whatever that was, we need to file a report immediately—for His Majesty and the high nobility."

The team leader gazed into the depths of the contamination. "It’s possible the pollution has partitioned this sector. There might still be life beyond the mutant creatures."

*

At the fringes of what was once the Bael Union.

After exchanging a complex series of coded signals, a massive door slid open on a desolate barren planetoid, revealing a hidden base within.

Two starships descended one after the other.

The moment they landed, the Saint Cas soldiers, who had been biding their time, launched their ambush.

Jiang Chao’s subordinates were still briefing him, calling for the liaison officer for the handover. But when they tried contacting the crew of the civilian vessel, they found the channel unresponsive.

Then came the screech of rending metal.

Jiang Chao’s bewildered subordinate stepped out just in time to see the Saint Cas soldiers—wielding specialized breaching tools—methodically cutting through their starship’s door, prying it from its frame.

Jiang Chao’s subordinate: ??????

His colleague, also a security lead here, suddenly noticed the silence and asked what was going on.

Jiang Chao's subordinate didn’t even get a chance to reply before he was tackled.

The soldiers of Saint Cas were well-trained.

By the time Amos descended from the starship with the little one, the group had already been efficiently restrained.

Legion Commander He Yue, who’d seemed vulnerable moments earlier, now stood tall and straight, saluting Amos and Xiao Chuzao.

"We've scouted the area once. It's vast, with a maze of branching paths—like an anthill. There are too many paths, and the number of people here is unclear. The specifics of their experiments are unknown. If we split up to search, it might lead to unnecessary losses. But they’re clammed up—we can't pry anything useful out of them."

Amos put the little one down from his arms.

He glanced around.

Jiang Chao's subordinate was still shouting—"Do you even know where you've come? Once you're here, do you really think you can leave? Don’t kid yourselves! Which faction are you from? Name yourselves! Smart people know when to quit—maybe you’ll suffer less later—"

Amos casually swept a calm but icy glance at him, instantly rooting the man to the spot as if terrified by Amos.

"Baba—"

Xiao Chuzao, in an unfamiliar place, instinctively hid behind Amos. Hearing the man's words, his cheeks bulged indignantly.

"He's a bad guy."

Amos affirmed, "Mm, a bad guy."

The tender, childish voice brightened the overly grim atmosphere slightly.

In the next moment, the Saint Cas soldiers forced the man’s head down, demanding whether they had ever hijacked a Saint Cas warship.

The man stiffened, his eyes darting shiftily—"You’re from Saint Cas too? Who’d tell you anything—"

He’d already calculated—these guys wouldn’t make it out alive once they entered. If he stayed silent, they couldn’t do anything to him. Once his boss rescued him, he’d be rewarded. But if he talked, he’d be the next to die after they were finished.

Clearly, in his panic, he didn’t recognize Amos’ identity.

"Enough! Start talking!"

He Yue gripped the man’s shoulder and twisted slightly. With a crack and a howl, the man’s shoulder dislocated.

The little one hid behind Amos, clutching his tiny bow already in hand since Amos confirmed the man was a bad guy.

After waiting a few minutes, the child softly asked Amos,

"Baba, can Zao Zao hit him once?"

The little one raised his small bow high.

Amos, his psychic awareness scanning, was sensing the surroundings.

The place was enormous, filled with scan-jamming tech. Amos had yet to find the people he was looking for—no identifiable traits to go by. He could only search for similar auras. If questioning failed, he’d have to check them one by one.

Then the child piped up softly.

The Saint Cas soldiers urgently interrogating the group: …?

They knew all too well about the little one’s Love and Peace.

They had even experienced it firsthand—

Little Highness, wait a moment, what are you doing?!

Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

Don't trouble the Little Highness!

The Saint Cas soldiers showed no outward change in expression, but their muscles tensed for a split second. As Amos's regular army, they clearly recalled some traumatic memories.

Their movements became faster and fiercer.

You bastard, talk now!!

Meanwhile, Amos looked down—when it came to his child, he was exceptionally indulgent in many ways. He simply said—

"Don't go too far from Daddy."

Xiao Chuzao nodded his tiny head and finally emerged from behind Amos, toddling forward with his tan coat swaying. He was still dressed warmly, wearing a deep brown hat as he nocked an arrow.

Jiang Chao’s subordinate, now pummeled to a pulp, looked up, his eyes slowly widening.

The child's little wings trembled as they slowly unfurled, flapping gently twice. In that instant, the deep brown hat was lifted, and a golden light burst forth, countless golden specks gathering at Xiao Chuzao’s fingertips.

—The small crown lifted the hat.

The small crown wobbled, shaking the hat off.

Jiang Chao’s subordinate: "—This trait…"

Before he could panic or open his mouth, the little one, raising his tiny bow, hit him square.

He Yue, who was holding down Jiang Chao’s subordinate: "…"

He heard Xiao Chuzao whispered to him—"Uncle, ask him again."

Ask him again?

He Yue realized something. He looked down, meeting his gaze with the dazed man under his grip.

Jiang Chao’s subordinate: "…"

He Yue: "…"

Jiang Chao’s subordinate: "What should I do… you’ve completely enchanted me—"

He Yue: "…"

"No, there’s no need to hold me like this. I love you! Let’s make up, shall we? I’ve always longed for a warm family life, and seeing you fulfills every fantasy… I’ll give you everything I have. My card number is 688****, the password is **…"

A warm family life…? Who?

Other Saint Cas soldiers glanced over, looking at the burly He Yue.

Legion Commander He Yue?

Ha… hahahaha… I can't hold back.

He Yue: "…"

"Aaaahhh—Help me!!"

He Yue pinched his nose, trying to hold it together.

"I don't need those things. Tell me, did you hijack a starship from the Saint Cas Empire? Where are the people on that starship now?"

"Of course, of course. You don’t know how I’ve endured humiliation under the boss, all just to wait for a lover I’d give everything for..."

He gazed deeply at He Yue. The two grown men unleashed an unparalleled psychic onslaught on everyone around them, even Amos looked over with a bewildered look.

Then the man continued, "We hijacked a starship from Saint Cas. There was a research team on board. They destroyed most of their data before we boarded. We don’t know what they were researching. The boss is trying to recruit them now. They’re not ordinary test subjects—they’re locked in Hall B-2. Oh... your chest muscles are so sexy. I’d love to spend my li...fe with you?"

Only then did Jiang Chao’s subordinate come to his senses, his eyes widening slowly.

What the...?!"

What did I just say?!

"I can’t take it—(shuddering) ah, it feels like countless tiny bugs are crawling all over me—"

"Legion Commander, say something! Legion Commander—"

"Wonderful, it’s a confession."

Legion Commander, you’re so dead.

He Yue’s face twisted in disgust as he pulled a dagger from his boot and shanked the guy.

Xiao Chuzao went scampering back, running to Amos’ side with wide, round eyes. His little wings fluttered excitedly behind him, his soft, baby voice practically begging for praise: "Daddy, it really works!"

"Zao Zao is getting stronger and stronger."

Amos effortlessly showered the little one with praise.

He watched as the delighted child spun in circles, the small crown on his head seemed to shimmer with golden light.

Daddy said—Zao Zao is such a capable, strong little one. It’s praise!

Look at that... Love and Peace... can be used like this.

Every intel operation comes at the price of—one Legion Commander.

Over there, He Yue scrubbed at his arms like he was contaminated, grumbling about being "contaminated."

Amos looked at Xiao Chuzao.

The little one showed no fear when faced with such situations.

His Little Crown Clan heritage was starting to show—he was excited.

This also proved... he was growing.

Amos hadn’t originally planned for the little one to do anything here, but now, the Crown Clan's leader looked down at his little one.

Indeed—the little one needed more challenges to grow.

Meanwhile, the metal doors of the starship docking bay rolled open, and people entered from outside.

"What’s going on? What happened?"

They had just taken a glance inside when they were taken out swiftly by the agile Saint Cas Soldiers.

The people further back realized something was wrong and retreated to a safe zone, immediately grabbed their weapons.

Amos didn’t intervene. He watched as his fledgling turned and drew his bow, small wings instinctively spreading—he had done this before.

A small golden arrow shot toward the person about to open fire. The man froze, his gaze glazing over as he stared at his comrade ahead—"I love you, a thousand times over..."

Comrade: ?

The Saint Cas Soldiers, who had been about to dodge, snapped back to reality. They quickly neutralized the man and then turned their astonished eyes toward Xiao Chuzao.

The loud commotion triggered the alarm.

More people approached: "A riot? So it's you lab rats causing trouble—"

Before they could finish, thwip-thwip-thwip—arrows struck them one after another.

There was no need to dodge. With King Amos’s telekinetic force smashing through walls and Xiao Chuzao’s arrows providing cover, the scattered enemies were swiftly dealt with.

While they were disoriented, He Yue seized the moment, gritting his teeth: "Yeah, we’re rioting. Got a problem?"—(Closing in rapidly.)

Steel flashed, guns fired.

Their efficiency was high, their movements swift.

The Saint Cas Soldiers, who had initially worried about the Little Highness’s weak offensive capabilities—not just King Amos, but they too had been extra vigilant—

Spoke too soon...

What kind of "support carry" was this?

Saint Cas Soldiers clasped their hands together: "Praise love!"

In Jiang Chao’s area.

He heard the alarm and instinctively furrowed his brows, barking what was happening.

One of his subordinates, already on the way to investigate, wasn’t entirely sure either—the cameras were busted.

"Probably just the captured specimens causing trouble again. Don’t worry, boss. We’ve handled this kind of thing plenty of times. I’ve got this—everything’s under control!"

Then, the entire underground lab complex convulsed.

The tremors even jolted awake some of the unconscious Saint Cas personnel.

Jiang Chao steadied himself, scanning the chaos.

His confidence wavered—everything’s under control.

…Really? The fuck?