Chapter 50

Chapter 50

A low voice, its tone laced with suppressed anger—the Male Insect was truly furious.

As Philo stowed the shredded photos into the pocket of his formal coat, the two locked eyes. The mocking smile on Bernice's face gradually faded, and the surrounding insects, who had fallen silent moments ago, remained utterly soundless.

But—

Hearing the threat from Your Highness Philo, hearing him deliberately call out his full name, the Green-Eyed Male Insect, whose smile had just faded, next curled his lips upward once more.

"What, Your Highness Philo, are you planning to lay hands on me? Could it be because I exposed Li Wei's shamelessness in public, and you take pity on him?"

Lowering his lashes slightly, this Male Insect—who had earlier hoped to cultivate rapport with Philo—did not seem particularly flustered in the face of the other's threat to discipline him.

But then again, that was to be expected.

Perhaps insects from other star systems didn’t know, but those present were well aware that while Your Highness Philo currently possessed high-level psychic energy, due to his stunted physiology from growing up on a wasteland planet, he was temporarily unable to use it.

No matter how formidable his psychic energy was, a Male Insect who couldn’t wield it was nothing to fear.

"I advise Your Highness not to rush to defend him. After all, it wouldn’t do for misunderstandings to affect you. Besides—" Pausing mid-sentence, Bernice looked at the silver-haired Male Insect before him and added with a low chuckle,

"It wasn’t me who committed such a disgraceful act. Instead of confronting me, Your Highness Philo, being so sensible and proper, why not help the Geshaluolin Family school their scion in propriety—"

"Bang."

The insects who had been frowning at Bernice’s increasingly disrespectful words toward Philo, just as they were about to condemn his insolent words—

In what seemed like slow motion, within the not-too-small ballroom’s antechamber, the Green-Eyed Male Insect, who had been standing with his arms crossed, was suddenly hurled onto the floor.

It was clear that the attacking Male Insect had held nothing back.

With the loud thud of the Green-Eyed Male Insect’s head hitting the floor, the breath of all present caught.

This… this was an actual fight.

Gaping at the sight of Philo truly striking first, even Siluan—who had earlier considered using his psychic energy to teach Bernice a lesson—was petrified. Ya Jin stood agape, equally unable to believe the scene before him.

Wait, were they seeing this right? Did a Male Insect just physically attack another?

Yes, physically.

While Male Insects often enjoyed disciplining Females when in a bad mood, occasionally even oppressing lower-caste Male Insects, they always relied on psychic energy—standing still while tormenting their targets to the brink of collapse.

As for actually throwing punches… they’d never done it. They truly hadn’t.

Given their pampered, atrophied frames, even if they wanted to, they simply couldn’t. Besides, some Male Insects considered such direct fisticuffs far too crude.

They preferred wielding whips or other disciplinary tools, sitting comfortably in chairs while effortlessly tormenting those they disliked. But someone like Philo…

Scratching their heads, the two Male Insects who had initially frozen in shock found their heartbeats inexplicably quickening as they watched the silver-haired Male Insect coldly deliver punch after punch to that loathsome Bernice.

Somehow… doing it themselves didn’t seem so bad. At the very least, the satisfaction looked absolutely cathartic!

Clenching their fists, at this highly inappropriate moment, the surrounding Male Insects grew strangely aroused and exhilarated by the sight of the two brawling.

But in truth, describing the scene as a "fight" wasn’t entirely accurate.

Compared to Bernice—who, despite being older, had scarcely exercised since birth—Philo, having returned from a wasteland planet, though still physically weak, was undeniably much stronger.

Gripping the jeweled buttons on the Green-Eyed Male Insect’s collar, Philo forcefully pinned the struggling Male beneath him, his face now devoid of the earlier affable demeanor.

It was as if the long-festering ire in his heart had finally erupted uncontrollably, as if the revulsion and forbearance hidden beneath his facade had been abruptly torn apart. Staring down at the insect beneath him, at those eyes filled with venom, spite, and distortion, Philo tightened his fist.

Envious? Resentful?

What exactly was this Male Insect envious of? What was he resentful over?

Did he think the "Asmar" surname wasn’t as illustrious as "Geshaluolin"? Or was he indignant that Li Wei could inherit greater wealth?

Over such trivial matters, over such petty grievances—was that why he’d resorted to such despicable acts?

*Tch.*

Though he’d said it countless times already—

"You insects… are all twisted in the carapace!"

Unleashed completely, the Male Insect now seemed incapable of restraint.

He knew.

He knew this was the insect world, with its own rules.

He hadn’t planned to interfere too much, nor had he intended to play the hero by overthrowing the hive's hierarchy to save the swarm.

He was just an unremarkable college student from Earth.

All he wanted was to quietly fulfill the duties of his host form, walk the path meant for him in this world, and then… go home.

Yes, that was all he wanted. But—

"Why the hell do you idiots keep shoving yourselves in my face?!"

"Doctoring fake pictures of others—are you deranged?!"

"Ashamed of your surname? Then why the hell don’t you change it?! Pick whatever you want—you can even call yourself ‘Celestial Emperor’ if it suits you!"

Disdain for his own surname?

Or disdain for his own father?

But he… he just wanted to see his parents one more time, and even that might be…

His grip loosened slightly as his focus wavered. Seizing the opportunity, the Green-Eyed Male Insect beneath him swiftly flipped over and swung a punch back.

"Who gave you the right to say such things to me?!"

"What, looking down on me? If you weren’t an A-Class Male Insect, do you think Yi Jia Fa would’ve brought you back in such a hurry? Do you think these insects would treat you any better than me? Do you think Li Wei—that opportunist—would even glance your way?!"

"I despise wretches like you the most—gorging on privilege, then presuming to chastise me!"

Mandibles clenching, the green pupils now held not a trace of pretense.

Even when provoking Philo, Bernice had anticipated that this would likely incur the ire of the A-Class Male Insect from the Tulas Family. But as long as Li Wei also suffered, he was satisfied.

Yet even so, even prepared for retaliation, Bernice never expected the other to personally resort to violence. Being struck for the first time—especially in such a public setting—primal rage surged within him.

But—

"You think I care about this crap?!"

Once again throwing the other Male Insect off him, the silver-haired Male Insect swung a punch at the other's face.

Never having suffered such a heavy blow before, the green-eyed Male Insect soon felt red blood gushing from his nose. As the sticky fluid spread across his face, his initial rage was gradually replaced by something else entirely.

He... was bleeding.

He, a Male Insect... had been beaten until he bled?

"Aaaargh!"

"I'll fucking kill you!"

Holding nothing back—in fact, putting everything behind his punches—the green-eyed Male Insect, experiencing his first-ever bleeding, almost instantly snapped completely.

As for the usually composed silver-haired Male Insect, his emotions, long suppressed, now rebounded violently, exploding unchecked.

Neither held back, trading vicious punches, both seemingly forgetting what had started the fight in the first place.

Once Bernice started bleeding, the other Male Insects might have been content to stand by or watch the spectacle, but the Female Insects weren't about to just watch.

Without hesitation, realizing they couldn’t intervene, some Female Insects rushed upstairs to report the situation. The remaining insects, though none dared to physically pull either side apart, instinctively began trying half-heartedly to calm them.

That said, even though the Male Insect Protection Law required them to mediate the fight between the two Male Insects, seeing that Philo clearly had the upper hand, the Female Insects’ voices of intervention weren’t exactly loud.

In fact...

Was this the charm of a Male Insect destined for military school? So badass!

Aaaargh!

His Highness Philo is so handsome even when throwing down!

Look at those ripped arms, that slender waist faintly visible with each punch—if Male Insects disciplined Female Insects like this, they’d take it gladly!

An absurd scene, absurd emotions, now constructed an absurd side hall of the banquet.

The once bright, spacious, and opulent space had, in the blink of an eye, turned into complete chaos due to the sudden brawl.

Fortunately, the older insect clans capable of stopping the dispute soon descended the stairs.

Leading the group were undoubtedly the fathers of the two still-brawling Male Insects.

And then—

"Outrageous!!"

"Ah—"

Bernice, who had just been attempting to land another punch on Philo’s head, suddenly clutched his head in agony and collapsed to the ground.

At the same time, the psychic pressure of an A-class Male Insect spread through the room. Aside from a few high-ranking A-class Male Insects who remained unaffected, the rest of the insect clans instantly furrowed their brows.

The one looking the most furious was undoubtedly Bernice’s father, the head of the Geshaluolin family, Nord Ingram.

Without hesitation, noticing the blood on Bernice’s face and his pained posture, this B-class Male Insect also instinctively released his own psychic pressure.

Though he couldn’t directly retaliate against Philo, a Super A-class Male Insect, he attempted to block Yi Jia Fa’s attack on Bernice. Unfortunately, the difference between a B-class and an A-class Male Insect was insurmountable.

Staggering slightly, Nord’s green eyes contracted briefly before helplessly returning to normal. Meanwhile, Bernice, now on the ground, could no longer continue fighting Philo, only curled up in agony to the side.

Gritting his teeth, Nord instinctively glanced at Yi Jia Fa beside him. But upon seeing the fury on the other’s face, he could only turn pleadingly toward Du Dafei on the other side.

However—

After a glance at Yi Jia Fa and another at Philo, whose face was also bloodied, this Male Insect, renowned in their circles for his fair-mindedness, averted his eyes. He seemed to ignore Nord’s desperate look and made no move to stop Yi Jia Fa’s abrupt attack on a younger insect.

Just as Nord was about to outright beg him to intervene—

"Father, I’m fine. Don’t use your psychic force."

Standing up, his cheek swollen and his lip busted, the silver-haired Male Insect seemed to regain his composure at the sound of Bernice’s screams.

Taking in the crowd that had somehow gathered downstairs, Philo quickly stopped Yi Jia Fa’s one-sided intervention.

But things had escalated far beyond what Yi Jia Fa’s withdrawal could resolve.

Mediation, separation, Du Dafei stepping in, Geshaluolin making a statement... After the messy situation was somewhat untangled, Bernice was finally freed from Yi Jia Fa’s psychic assault and shakily got to his feet.

As for Philo, taking in the mess, he couldn’t help but frown in irritation.

He didn’t regret beating Bernice, but he had indeed lost control of his temper. Though Bernice had provoked the fight, he had ended up severely injured, and Yi Jia Fa had intervened...

Pursing his lips, the Male Insect instinctively began running damage control, his frustration mounting once more.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Philo suddenly felt like he didn’t care anymore.

Fuck it all!

Let the chips fall where they may!

He’d fought, the banquet was ruined—so be it.

Stupid banquet, stupid insect clans, do whatever the hell you want!

"I’m filing a lawsuit!"

Unsurprisingly, Bernice, now freed from Yi Jia Fa’s psychic attack, seemed equally lost it.

Ignoring that he was in the Tulas family’s home, ignoring that he was up against an A-class Male Insect even his father couldn’t handle, ignoring that none of the gathered insects seemed to side with him—his green eyes brimming with malice, Bernice glared hatefully at the silver-haired Male Insect across from him.

As for the others’ reactions to his declaration...

Sharing looks, most instinctively turned to Du Dafei and Shang Ling, the two most qualified to handle the matter.

One was the head of the Male Insect Management Committee, with the authority to oversee all Male Insects. The other was an Alliance prosecutor, well-versed in alliance law.

Meeting the crowd’s expectant gazes, Shang Ling spoke without hesitation.

"According to the Male Insect Protection Law, lower-class Male Insects must defer to higher-class ones. In disputes between Male Insects, the higher-class party has the right to dictate the terms."

In short, whether it was a lawsuit or reconciliation, the decision-maker here wasn’t Bernice.

At that, none of the insects present seemed to find it unreasonable.

Especially the younger ones—though some had earlier jumped on the bandwagon against Li Wei, after seeing Philo’s reaction, they’d guessed that those photos likely had nothing to do with Li Wei or Philo and were probably Bernice's own doing.

At this thought, most present were female insects. For this particularly repugnant slander to female insects, they couldn't pretend not to despise it, and naturally, they wouldn't speak up for Bernice anymore.

But—

"Shang Ling Qi Mengtu, what you mentioned applies to ordinary disputes. Now, this Tulas Family highness initiated physical contact and even drew first blood. Such a dispute is severe enough to warrant punishment for male insects. Moreover, a Lowclass Male Insect also has the right to file a cross-rank lawsuit."

After saying this, regardless of the fact that he was clearly more bloodstained than the silver-haired male insect, the green-eyed male insect sneered at the black-haired Female Insect.

"Such a simple law is clear even to me. Yet you, a prosecutor, mangle its explanation. Is there something wrong with your brain? Or have you, like Li Wei, become another toy for this Tulas Family male—"

"According to Article 8 of the Male Insect Protection Law, if a male insect sustains Level 1 injuries, the perpetrator, if female, shall be given a one-year sentence; if male, held for three-day detention. Additionally, under Article 27 of the Male Insect Protection Law, if a male insect's reputation suffers intentional harm, the perpetrator, if female, shall be given a six-month penalty; if male, held for three-day detention."

"Prosecutor Shang Ling correctly cited the statute—he simply was interrupted mid-explanation. There's no need for Your Highness Bernice to rush to add to it."

After saying this, the silver-haired male insect met the increasingly gloomy gaze of the green-eyed male insect with icy composure.

The insects present, having listened to the exchange among the three, were left in stunned silence.

To put it bluntly, legal codes—especially among male insects—were rarely memorized so thoroughly even by female insects.

Shang Ling, as a prosecutor, his recall was expected. But for Bernice and Philo, two male insects, to know the law so well... Were they that out of touch? Since when had male insects grown so legally savvy?

Without a word, the insects couldn't help but look first to the SilverHaired Male Insect, then at the green-eyed one. Undeniably, this was quite the spectacle.

After all, they had not only encountered a male insect who had studied the law to seize property from a non-birth maternal family but also one who had just finished preparing for the military theory examinations and had an excellent memory.

While the earlier point Philo made about harming male insects was something the newcomers could grasp, what about the latter part regarding reputational damage? What was that about?

Frowning, the puzzled elder insects quickly and silently summoned their attendants to clarify the entire chain of events.

Philo didn't interfere with this process—after all, he couldn't stop it.

Moreover, the best way to handle rumors wasn't to suppress them but to redirect them.

Having deliberately shouted earlier that the photos were fake and doctored by Bernice while beating him, Philo instinctively glanced at Li Wei, who was also staring at him.

Seeing nothing but confusion in Li Wei's eyes, Philo eased slightly before looking away.

Then—

"Your Highness Bernice, there's really no need to rush."

Looking at the two male insects standing opposed, the black-haired female insect, who had barely begun speaking before being cut off, chuckled softly and spoke again.

"In fact, even if Your Highness files a lawsuit and the court imposes penalties according to the relevant laws, the Alliance Court also stipulates that if the penalties for high-ranking male insects are third-degree or below, they may opt to pay fines instead."

"Of course, this rule is based on the premise that both parties reach mutual agreement."

Here, the black pupils darkened slightly as Shang Ling smiled at the green-eyed male insect and whispered,

"By the way, as a friendly reminder, detention facilities vary by male class. And for those below C-Class... they're not very comfortable."

The long, dark eyebrows curved slightly. The female insect's elegantly arched brows should have appeared gentle and serene, but now...

Clenching his fists, the male insect meeting the black-haired female's gaze stiffened his arms before turning his head away—an unprecedented withdrawal.

Upon hearing Shang Ling's words, the previously stiff and speechless insects finally found their tongues.

"Let it go, Bernice. Listen to me. I'll take you to another planet later. Don't antagonize an AClass Male Insect."

"Your Highness Bernice, you instigated this confrontation. You should apologize and make peace with His Highness Philo."

"That's right, Bernice. You also injured His Highness Philo. Don't compound your offenses..."

Persuasion, thinly-veiled censure, and scattered mockery.

Just like before. Just like most times.

On the capital planet, as a D-Class male insect, Bernice would often face such reactions when confronting higher-ranked male insects or powerful female insects.

But... this was exactly what he hated!

Why? Why?!

Why was he born with a lower psychic rating than these high-ranking male insects? If so, why was he born on the capital planet at all? Why not let him be born in a lower-tier colony from the start?

Why should he back down? Why should he let the other party off? Were they blind to his visible injuries?!

Why were they all siding with that bastard Philo?! Just because his psychic rating was higher?!

"I won't—"

"No reconciliation."

Before the besieged male insect could voice his decision, Philo—who had somehow had an attendant bring a sealed combustion unit—calmly tossed the torn photos from his pocket into the flames, incinerating them completely.

"Your Highness Bernice has violated all decency. I refuse reconciliation."

Then, looking at Shang Ling and Du Dafei standing together, he added softly,

"Thank you for your kindness, Prosecutor Shang Ling. I apologize for the trouble today. However, Your Highness Du Dafei, I am willing to accept detention. Please also sentence His Highness Bernice according to the law."

Though his head was slightly bowed and his eyes lowered penitently, the silver-haired male insect's back remained unbowed.

He would not reconcile.

To be precise, he couldn't stomach reconciliation on Li Wei's behalf, nor did he believe such matters should be reconcilable.

Yet, as he gazed at Philo—at his bruised face, at his ruined celebration—the green-haired female insect, who had remained composed since entering, suddenly curled his fingers as if branded by fire.

Pursing his lips, the green-haired female insect averted his gaze in mortification.

With this evasive motion, the banquet hall descended into bedlam.

Yi Jia Fa was furious. The insects who had been persuading Bernice now turned their efforts to Philo. The younger male and female insects, though puzzled yet vaguely understanding, watched with wide-eyed awe and excitement. As for the others who knew Philo—

Siluan seemed thoughtful, Ya Jin looked admiring, Nimir appeared concerned, Song Emperor frowned slightly, Li Qi nodded subtly, and Gore turned his gaze to Li Wei.

Bernice: ...

Unclenching his fists, the male insect stared at Philo. Strangely, his green pupils didn't narrow as before but relaxed unconsciously.

This... was fair, wasn't it?

Unlike other families' banquets, this year, the Tulas Family's two events shocked the capital planet in entirely different ways.

The first banquet saw the family's newly discovered male insect highness not only stunning all with his beauty but also single-handedly abolishing the harmful practice of using the Thunder Drum as a plaything, indirectly elevating the status of military females in male insects' eyes.

As for the second banquet, though His Highness Philo hadn't caused any major incidents earlier, he unprecedentedly concluded it in a manner never seen before—or likely ever again.

He landed himself and another male bug in jail!

And for three whole days!

The explosive news spread like wildfire across the entire capital planet, almost as soon as Philo stepped into the detention cell.

And then—

"We want to visit him—no, we need to see him right now!!!"

Author's Note:

Apologies, everyone. Something came up today, and the update was delayed. I didn't have time to notify you in advance. Sorry about that!