Chapter 68

Chapter 68

The lifespan of male insects, especially High-Level male insects, has always been a taboo topic among all insect races.

After speaking, Morton smiled at the female insect opposite him, who seemed on the verge of pinpointing his communication location, and sent over a recording.

"Mr. Li Wei, whether I've lied to you, you'll know after listening to this audio."

Unlike Philo, as a female insect—even with the surname Geshaluolin—Li Wei still couldn't access many of the classified male insect data records held by the Male Insect Management Committee.

However, while he couldn't obtain the data, determining its authenticity was hardly difficult for a strategist like him.

"One of the privileges male insects have in the Male Insect Management Committee is the ability to log into its internal network... to verify the disappearance years of corresponding male insects' social activities... the sharply declining birth rates..."

Philo's voice was always easy to recognize.

At the same time, the gray-haired female insect nodded, confirming that the audio was neither fabricated nor edited.

But—

Her face gradually paled as she listened further, realizing the implications of the content. Slowly, she lowered her head, barely able to focus on operating her equipment.

As for Li Wei...

"Given the current male-to-female ratio and the military's expanded recruitment of military females, an A-Class Male Insect performing all Psychic Soothing duties would have a lifespan of approximately fifty years."

As the future manager of the Geshaluolin Family's assets, now handling most of its operations, the green-eyed female insect was rarely so unsettled by mere words.

Yet, Philo always seemed to achieve this effortlessly.

At the banquet, Philo had firmly rejected all attempts to smooth things over.

In the detention center, he openly challenged Bernice, another male insect.

This time, he claimed that A-Class Male Insects only lived about fifty years.

Fifty years...

For both male and female insects, adulthood began at twenty. With the widespread use of med-pods, most insect races regularly lived past 120 years.

With their naturally robust constitutions and early maturity, insect lives were practically long, rarely troubled by the passage of time.

Even if the recent wars had shortened male insect lifespans, it shouldn't have reached this extent.

No, it shouldn't have.

Her long green hair cascading over her shoulders, the green-haired female insect bowed her head, her expression momentarily unreadable.

But—

"His Highness Philo is already an adult, isn't he?"

On the other end of the holographic screen, the female insect who had also listened to the audio didn't remain silent like the green-eyed one but continued,

"He's a Super A-Class Male Insect. Given the current state of the war, once he recovers his psychic energy and starts fulfilling the duties assigned by the Male Insect Management Committee, he'd likely be spiritually depleted within years."

As if knowing exactly what would strike a chord, Morton smirked and said lightly,

"Mr. Li Wei, are you really willing to watch the male you cherish die so soon?"

Even though the severe gender imbalance led the Alliance to decree that male insects could have one primary mate and multiple concubines, this didn't mean female insects lacked possessiveness.

In fact, their possessiveness often exceeded even human levels.

They, too, longed for a mate who belonged to them alone. They, too, desired their mate's devotion to hold only them. They could feel jealousy. They could feel hatred.

No female insect would willingly accept sharing a male they truly loved.

So, Li Wei Geshaluolin, are you willing?

Would you allow Philo to exhaust himself for other female insects? Are you willing for Philo to live only a few short decades? Are you willing... to watch him die before your eyes?

"What can you do?"

Raising his eyes, though unable to meet the shadow on the holographic screen, the green-eyed female insect coldly stared ahead, as if scrutinizing the other side through the data stream.

Hearing this question, Morton leaned closer, his voice brightening.

"Exactly! This is why I love talking to clever insects like you. If I came to you, of course I can do something."

At this, the silhouette on the holographic screen flickered, as if restraining excitement.

"I can help Philo. I like him too—it would be tragic for him to die so young. But I need money."

"Li Wei Geshaluolin, I need a lot of money."

"That 'psychic domain development' research your family is working on is useless—it only has some effect on low-level insects, but for high-level ones, it's virtually ineffective. But I have a way. Just give me the same equipment, reagents, and funding from your lab, and I promise our dear Philo will live a long, long life."

Lingering on the final words, as if savoring something delightful, the silhouette on the holographic screen flickered even more intensely.

In stark contrast, upon hearing the term "psychic domain development," the gray-haired female insect, who had been cowering by the machinery, stiffened before looking up in disbelief.

After all, this research project was a classified program of the Geshaluolin Family's premier research institute. That the individual on the other end not only knew about it but seemed well-informed—

Who was this insect? How did he know? What else did he know? What was he planning?

Almost instinctively, a torrent of questions arose in the gray-haired female insect's mind.

Yet, without voicing these questions, the green-eyed female insect maintained her calm tone, though her gaze darkened.

"What you want isn’t hard to provide, and your proposal is compelling. But—"

"Mr. Morton, if you truly want to do business with me, you’d better have more than just verbal assurances."

Business-minded insects only valued concrete returns, never empty words.

Want money?

Fine, then provide what I require.

"Don’t worry, I understand the rules."

Sitting up straight, the figure appeared to collect himself at the green-eyed female insect's tone, his voice returning to its earlier playful lilt.

"Mr. Li Wei, my proof has been transmitted to your assistant's communicator. After reviewing it, you’ll know whether this transaction is worthwhile. I’ll await your response."

With a final short laugh, the transmission cut out as abruptly as it had appeared.

In the luxurious top-floor office, quiet quickly returned.

But upon opening his communicator and seeing the data packet clearly, the gray-haired female pressed her lips together, certain she wasn’t dreaming—some insect had indeed breached the Geshaluolin Family’s communication firewall.

Hah, what a joke.

As the architects of the Star Network, they had never suffered a defeat in information and communication technology.

This female insect was literally asking to die.

"Sir, I’ve already anchored the device used for the other party’s communication, and the tracking program is propagating exponentially to all nearby smart machinery. Just say the word, and I can lock onto them immediately—"

"Give me the communicator."

Without letting the gray-haired female finish, the green-haired female insect raised her hand, her gaze fixed on the device on the other insect’s arm—her meaning was crystal clear.

Looking at Li Wei, the gray-haired, green-eyed female insect—who, though part of the Geshaluolin Family, was only from a cadet branch—hesitated briefly before swiftly removing the communicator from her wrist. However—

"Sir, fifty years may be short, but the peak breeding years of a male insect lord are only between twenty and fifty. For the Geshaluolin Family, that window is more than enough. Moreover, what that insect said earlier may not even be true. Even if it is, such a deal flagrantly violates Alliance laws. Why should we—"

"Give it to me."

Raising her eyes, her usually calm gaze now cutting like a vibroblade.

Deep in her pupils, despite the green-haired female insect’s best efforts to conceal it, the storm of emotions that had long since surged like a tsunami were unmistakable.

This side of Li Wei was something the young female insect, who had followed her since childhood, had never seen before.

Clenching her fist, the gray-haired female insect ultimately handed over her communicator.

But as she watched Li Wei turn away, she couldn’t help but furrow her brow and offer one last warning.

"Sir."

"Don’t forget the promise you made when you inherited the Geshaluolin family crest."

*I vow to dedicate everything I have to the family. I will sacrifice all to restore our family’s former glory.*

Those words—spoken so clearly by the green-haired female insect back then—had been heard just as clearly by the gray-haired one.

Up to now, it had to be said that Li Wei had indeed kept her promise, delivering impeccably.

But until the very end, one could never afford to relax. Even the best-laid plans could collapse at any moment.

And today, this unknown female insect carried precisely that kind of uncertain danger.

Without turning back, Li Wei lowered her gaze to the communicator in her hand.

As a female insect who prized order above everything, as one who always calculated costs and benefits with absolute clarity, this choice should not have been difficult for her.

And indeed, it wasn’t.

After all, she had never hesitated from the start.

"I haven’t forgotten."

How could she forget the maxim branded into her DNA since birth?

But—

Without looking back, the green-haired female insect swiftly powered up the comm in her hand.

True, there were things she *had* to do, a fate she *had* to fulfill.

Yet even this soul, as silent and dead as a cosmic black hole, still held a spark of divinity that belonged solely to her.

When certain presences descended, when certain existences appeared, she would still willingly expend every ounce of her strength to bend fate's trajectory—just to carve out a sliver of possibility, for herself and for them.

Yes, another possibility.

Something so beautiful—she would never allow it to merely streak through her world like a passing meteor.

This was the one indulgence outside her destiny, her sole extravagance.

So—

"Why have you lost so much weight? I *told* you Kalms Military Academy was no good. Philo, be honest—did those damned female insects force you into some brutal training again?"

"Military life is tough, but you can learn a lot. Still, if it’s too much for you, Philo, speak up. Your health comes first."

"Young lord, this is a new dish I created specially for you. Please, try it and tell me if it’s good."

"My lord, the attendants and I have already freshened up and prepared your room. See if anything’s amiss. The academy is no substitute for home—now that you’re back, you mustn’t put up with any hardship."

In the opulent Tulas estate, Philo, newly returned from Kalms Military Academy, smiled as he chatted with the insects gathered around him.

As if the Male Insect Management Committee incident had never happened, the male insect’s face beamed with genuine warmth, showing no sign of strain.

In stark contrast were the other insects who had heard his testimony before the Committee.

Li Wei had finished reviewing all the data Morton sent to the communicator and was now heading to the Geshaluolin Family’s private research complex with the gray-haired female insect to verify it.

Qi Limei kept drowning himself in pleasure, summoning his whole harem for revelry the moment he returned to the Sakhoff estate.

As for Morton...

Without replaying the audio he’d sent to Li Wei, the female insect closed his vermilion eyes, quietly listening to the rest of Philo’s speech after his conclusion.

"Our society runs on extremes."

"When it comes to life-or-death choices, I respect sacrifice—but I also understand survival."

"Lord Qi Limei, who male insects should blame most are external enemies, not female insects."

...

"As long as I remain Philo Tulas, I am willing to do this."

*Willing.*

*Willing...*

A male insect—saying he was *willing.*

Without opening his eyes, the female insect’s pale lips curved into a smile, his expression softening into rare relaxation.

Unlike his public image, the insect whose true appearance countless others longed to see—the one assumed to be grotesque—now lounged in his chair. His lashes like moth wings fluttered slightly from the gentle sway, his features as unnervingly gorgeous as a silk flower, further mellowed by those fascinating words he’d just heard.

Yes, *fascinating.*

Morton used to not understand why the Emperor had a change of heart. But now, he was beginning to.

Indeed, only a SilverHaired Male Insect like Philo could accomplish such an unbelievable thing.

But the game would lose its charm if it ended too soon.

So, Philo, you better not actually give in.

Otherwise...

The first weekend after the new semester began at Kalms Military Academy passed quickly, with one of the two days off already gone.

Philo spent most of the first day at the Male Insect Management Committee (MIMC). The residents of the Torras Mansion had hoped he would stay home on the second day, but to their surprise, early in the morning, Philo took off with Gore toward the direction of the Geshaluolin Mansion.

Yes, today Philo planned to visit Li Wei with Gore.

However, they weren’t going as guests to the Geshaluolin Family but were invited by Li Wei to check out his family’s biggest smart machinery plant.

Ever since Philo mentioned his interest in Insect mechanical manufacturing during their last meal together, the three had agreed on this outing—especially since the Geshaluolin Family owned several large-scale machinery factories on the capital planet.

And it must be said, the scale of the Geshaluolin Family’s industry was truly impressive.

Top-of-the-line smart operating gear, huge energy-processing machines, and the cool metallic glow coating one after another of the manufactured intelligent mechanical devices—

For most Earth boys, such a sight would undoubtedly be totally awesome.

Walking through the smart factory workshop, Philo hardly noticed Li Wei and Gore after taking in the interior structure, engrossed instead in the factory supervisor’s cool breakdown.

But the silver-haired male insect, completely wrapped up in his first encounter with an Interstellar Era smart factory, didn't pick up on that the two female Insects following him today looked kinda antsy.

However, at this moment, the female Insects unsettled by Philo were clearly not limited to just Li Wei and Gore.

Near the A-Dormitory area of Kalms Military Academy—

As the night faded and dawn broke, the temperature and light climbed higher together.

Soon, the smell of blood began to spread.

"Do you smell that?"

"It seems to be coming from over there."

"Is that... blood?"

"Oh no, quickly contact the instructor's office and medical department!"

"Yeah, yeah, on it. Wait—isn’t this year’s top-ranked new cadet in the assessment? And the other one seems to be a freshman too!"