Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The spacecraft carrying Zhou Nuo was heading toward Planet Fess at a standard and safe speed.

Due to long-term malnutrition and his—or rather, now it should be said, the insect's—weak willpower, Zhou Nuo remained in a hazy half-consciousness.

However, despite Zhou Nuo still being unconscious, the insect society outside was in an uproar.

First, the Sker Unit, though they had been interviewed and required to maintain confidentiality, with Zhou Nuo’s emergency transfer, few insects remained unaware on the border planet.

Moreover, this wasn’t some major secret concerning the life or death of the insect race. Planet Fess was two to three days’ journey from the border planet, and during this time, rumors had already begun spreading uncontrollably on the StarNet.

"Did you hear? The military found a royal male insect while patrolling a barren planet! And he’s feral—completely off the records with the Male Insect Management Committee!"

"The hell? Lizard Beast chew your brain? Finding a male insect on a barren planet? Might as well say I struck A-grade energy from a luckstone—that’d be more believable!"

"Hey, above, if you don’t know, don’t spout nonsense. I’ve got connections. I heard it’s true—someone really found a male insect on the border planet. I won’t say whose family, but they say he’s a looker! Gorgeous enough to blind your insect eyes."

"Hahaha, y'all dreaming big these days, huh? Too much fiction and TV for you all! You really think male insect lords can just be picked up like that? If that were the case, barren worlds wouldn’t be so empty!"

"Invite received. Already on the barren planet. The number of insects allowed in is still increasing."

"Where’s this news even coming from? Any photos? No photos, no credibility!"

"Above, if it really is a male insect lord, you’d better not ask for photos carelessly—unless you want your account deleted."

"Holy chitin! The account above really got deleted! Could this actually be real?!"

"Of course it’s real!" Dressed in ornate robes and seated on a specially designed chair that conformed to his body’s curves, Yi Jia Fa slammed the table without missing a beat as he explained.

"Back then, I really thought it was a grub. Look at Xing Hua—who would’ve guessed it was a nymph? Can you really blame me for that? Can you?!"

"No, no, of course not." Mopping his brow, the vice-chairman of the Male Insect Management Committee, who had been so stern with General Zhousha just moments ago, now wore an exceedingly warm expression as he faced Yi Jia Fa, who had stormed into the room.

God knew how short-tempered Yi Jia Fa was. If anyone dared to say he was wrong to his face, they’d be lucky to keep their carapaces intact—as if they were male insects themselves.

Even so, under Yi Jia Fa’s gaze, Vice-Chairman Shikev of the Male Insect Management Committee still smiled and said, "Lord Yi Jia Fa, though it was an exceptional circumstance back then, out of care and responsibility for every male insect lord, we must still inquire about the details of what happened."

"Of course, since you say it wasn’t intentional abandonment, the rest will be easier to handle. However—"

At this point, a faint smile appeared on Shikev’s aged face before he continued, seeing the impatience on the male insect’s face.

"Since you now have a successor male insect, once that lord returns, we hope you’ll allow us to promptly register his identity. After all, as you know, this year was originally the time for the new round of male insect resource assessments."

Yes, this was the real reason the Male Insect Management Committee had come.

Yi Jia Fa had aged out of breeding, and his psychic reserves were also dwindling. The Tulas Family could almost be certain that no new male insects would emerge in the coming decades, meaning the resources previously allocated to the family due to Yi Jia Fa would gradually be reclaimed by the committee for redistribution.

This would be a heavy blow to all members and Tulas Family holdings—and precisely why even lower-ranking male insects dared to challenge Yi Jia Fa now.

But, as they say, you never know what the next molt brings.

Thinking of the nymph in the footage, Shikev’s smile deepened, and he even went so far as to exchange pleasantries with Zhousha, Xinghua Qianhua, and the other two female insects before ending the call.

As the communication screen disappeared, so did the elderly insect who had been sitting behind the carved desk.

Shoulders relaxing, Qian Hua couldn't help sighing, while Xing Hua, though less visibly affected, also seemed more at ease.

As female insects, almost none enjoyed dealing with the Male Insect Management Committee. Today, they were fortunate that the representative sent was only a female deputy director—otherwise, before Yi Jia Fa even arrived, the other party might have already spewed countless unpleasant words.

Clatter—

Turning around, the ornaments on his clothes clattering noisily, Yi Jia Fa had no mind for his two daughters at the moment. Instead, he gazed excitedly at Zhousha and asked,

"Well? Do I look good in this? This outfit is the latest seasonal hit from the Qiankesilan family—set me back 300k stellars. Looks great, doesn’t it?"

300,000 stellars—enough to cover a company's annual operating budget. But—

"You look magnificent, my lord. Born beautiful. Our male insect will surely adore you."

"Hahaha, of course! I’ve never lost in looks to any other insect. Once my young lordling sees me, he’ll definitely be proud to have a father like me."

Smoothing the hem of his robe, Yi Jia Fa’s fidgeting eased somewhat under the female insect’s praise. But with the journey still long, and eager to try on more outfits, he soon bolted from the cabin just as he had arrived.

The male insect’s figure receded, showing more agitation than usual—though this was hardly surprising.

Though he disliked the two female insects he had sired, especially after growing older and being mocked by others for failing to produce more, Yi Jia Fa had seldom gave them the time of day.

But clearly, the treatment of female and male insects was night and day from the egg onward.

If the one found had been a female insect, Yi Jia Fa wouldn’t have bothered nervously changing outfits—he might not even have shown his face. But it was a male insect…

Fearing that the royal nymph might resent him for losing him and not searching, Yi Jia Fa had immediately insisted on burying the truth, insisting it had been an accident. If necessary, they would even fabricate a story of him searching wing and limb all these years—anything to avoid the little prince misunderstanding him.

Moreover, to make a good impression, Yi Jia Fa had begun preening himself the moment he received the news, striving to present his best appearance.

Watching him disappear down the corridor, Zhousha closed the cabin door and returned to the command throne in the warship’s hall, his expression now all warmth drained away.

When it came to daughters, all insects adhered to the same educational principle:

Rigorous. Brutal. Uncompromising.

Only by enduring sufficient trials could such grubs grow into proper adults.

"Xing Hua, how are the arrangements for welcoming Philo coming along?"

"Everything is ready, Matriarch." Bowing his head, Xing Hua Tulas, whose fine features mirrored the Matriarch's, was similarly precise and thorough in his work.

Unlike their father Yi Jia Fa’s appearance, both Xing Hua and Qian Hua shared their mother’s black hair and blue eyes. However, compared to their mother, Xing Hua’s features were softer, while Qian Hua’s eyes and brows more closely resembled their father’s.

But regardless, both brothers were equally handsome, and the three standing together made for a formidable trio.

Even so, Zhousha remained stern, showing no pride in his offspring’s swift preparations, only saying gravely,

"Verify every detail. I won’t tolerate any mishaps that might upset Philo."

Philo Tulas—

This was the name the family had bestowed upon Xing Hua’s newfound brother after receiving the news.

"Philo" meant something beautiful, a treasure.

"Tulas" carried the connotation of something lost—but more importantly, something recovered.

A reclaimed lost treasure. No one could dispute the aptness of the name, just as no one seemed to notice how ill-fitting and carelessly given the names "Xing Hua" and "Qian Hua" were in comparison.

Nodding in acknowledgment, the young female insect’s expression was cool, his blue eyes devoid of excess emotion.

Compared to Xing Hua, who had already joined the military, Zhousha’s expectations for Qian Hua were lower. Still, sensing his mother’s gaze, the young female insect snapped to attention.

"Qian Hua, be mindful of your actions recently. Don't upset your male parent or older brother."

Don't upset them.

This is the most common instruction given to female insects in households with male insects.

In fact, up to now, Qian Hua has done exceptionally well—consistently.

So, Zhousha only hopes this child can continue like this.

Clenching his fists and lowering his gaze, the young female insect quietly agreed.

Without further words, the conversation among the father and his two sons was brief. Before Yi Jia Fa could return in fresh clothes, Xing Hua and Qian Hua quickly left the main ship's quarters.

Typically, except during meals and family days, the male parent does not often spend much time with his female offspring. The education and upbringing of female offspring are mostly the responsibility and duty of the female insect.

As for male insects, they have more exciting things to explore.

Quietly exiting the main ship, Xing Hua and Qian Hua headed toward their own cabins.

The two had been busy assisting their mother since receiving the news and hadn’t even had time to eat. So instead of rushing back to their rooms, Xing Hua led Qian Hua to the mess hall.

The usual space rations—General Zhousha, who adheres to a militarized lifestyle during travels, has always held his two sons to the same standards.

Gnawing on the rock-hard rations, the stiffness on Qian Hua’s face faded, replaced by an unconscious frown.

Before finishing half his meal, the young female insect, who had practically grown up following Xing Hua, couldn’t help but voice his concerns.

"Brother, aren’t you worried?"

Worried?

Worried about what?

Without looking up, the elder female insect seemed to know what Qian Hua was referring to, calmly swallowing the dry, tough food.

"I heard that Cadet, the fighting prodigy in my grade at school, accidentally angered his younger brother and was beaten so badly that half his bony protrusions fell off. He might never return to the battlefield and could be transferred to the supply corps."

In this era, male insects symbolize not only glory, mystery, and irresistible attraction.

Due to their extreme rarity and tremendous power, the adoration and obsession they receive have greatly amplified many male insects’ worst qualities.

Like an oil lamp—its flame warm and bright, but getting too close risks getting burned.

Lost in thought, Qian Hua could barely swallow the tasteless ration bar. In contrast, Xing Hua across from him finished the entire packet without changing expression.

"Stay away from Philo."

Looking up at Qian Hua, the young female insect gripped his water cup tightly, his words steady.

"Next semester, sign up for dorm housing."

Unlike Xing Hua, who had already joined the military, Qian Hua was still a sophomore cadet at the military academy. Since the school was on the capital planet, he currently commuted and rarely stayed on campus.

Hearing this suggestion, Qian Hua’s blue eyes brightened immediately. The next moment, he couldn’t help but blurt out, "Then you could apply to stay at the barracks, Brother. Your assigned unit already provides dormitories anyway."

"Maybe."

Raising his cup to drink, the young, handsome female insect—with A-class mental powers at such a young age, a Legion Commander as his mother, and an A-Class Male Insect as his male parent—was what every female insect envied across the entire insect race.

Yet, even someone as outstanding as him... Qian Hua sighed, muttering softly, "If only this long-lost brother were as good-tempered as Uncle Du Dafei, maybe we could..."

Could what?

The young female insects of the Du Dafei family were truly enviable. Though their mother was equally strict and they had a notoriously ill-tempered younger male sibling, Uncle Du Dafei was famously kind—especially protective of his own female offspring. Normally, even if their younger male sibling bullied others, Uncle Du Dafei would reprimand the male insect.

Lowering his gaze, Xing Hua could guess what Qian Hua meant to say, even if left unspoken.

But the likelihood of that happening was probably slimmer than Philo being found.

A good-tempered wild male insect?

Hah, that’s pure wishful thinking.

Leaving aside the Tulas Family’s ship full of insects with differing agendas, the distant Fess Planet transit station had just welcomed a tightly disciplined yet highly spirited massive fleet.

For such a remote border planet transit station to witness such a state-of-the-art, elite-configured fleet in their lifetime was almost unheard of.

Yet, this scene further corroborated the credibility of certain rumors circulating on the StarNet.

While Major General Sadiq made small talk with the planet’s official, a sudden approach by his adjutant immediately halted the conversation.

"Apologies, Mr. Sudan. The male insect noble in the medical pod has awakened. I must attend to him at once—please excuse me."

With that, the female insect turned and left. The sound of military boots against the expensive metal flooring echoed sharply.

As he strode away, the official, who had hoped to accompany him, was futilely held back by guards outside the warship. Only the female insect’s persistent cries followed:

"Major General! Major General!"

"Let me accompany you to see the male insect noble, Major General!"