Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Gore departed. After a brief absence from the border star system, this time, he returned once more to the place he had long defended.

With him went Zhousha, who had arrived with him.

Now understanding the reason behind Yi Jia Fa’s resentment toward Zhousha, Philo tried twice to mediate. Seeing that the male insect wasn't receptive, he let it drop, instead speaking privately with Zhousha for a while.

The content of their conversation was fairly straightforward.

In short, since Philo had now confirmed that his body was fully recovered—his psychic energy even surpassing previous levels—the Alliance had entrusted his birth mother as a representative to inquire about the complete account of his disappearance. The goal was to analyze the reasons behind his successful escape from the chaotic star system and the boost in psychic power, as well as if others could replicate his experience.

After all, if replication were possible, both surviving the chaotic star system and the enhancement of psychic energy levels would be of vital importance to the entire Alliance.

In fact, regarding how Philo had escaped the chaotic star system, medics had already questioned him shortly after he regained consciousness. Unfortunately, at the time, Philo remained silent.

Given this situation, Zhousha was left with no option but to personally ask Philo this question. It was not only relevant to the Alliance but also to Philo himself.

The insect race’s understanding of the chaotic star system remained dangerously limited, and the perils lurking within were beyond imagination. Only by learning of Philo’s experiences could they quickly identify whether any dangerous contaminants still lingered on him.

Even with the insect race’s advanced technology, all living beings must maintain reverence for the unknown. This was a truth written in their ancestors' blood.

"So, Philo, can you tell me what exactly you experienced during this time?"

The Senior Female Insect’s voice was low and solemn, her gaze steady and gentle as she looked at Philo.

Meeting her eyes, the male insect—who had barely spoken since waking—finally broke his silence.

Looking at Zhousha, Philo tightened his grip on the porcelain cup before him before slowly relaxing it again.

"I... piloted the escape pod and flew in a random direction."

His voice was quiet, speaking haltingly.

The male insect seemed to be speaking as he remembered his experiences from months ago.

"Then, I just kept flying, and flying. I didn’t dare look back at the star beasts behind me, so I don’t know when they disappeared..."

It didn't take long to tell—after all, Philo himself had been unconscious for much of it. Yet, despite the brevity of his retelling, the Senior Female Insect listened to each word intently.

She listened as he described the agony caused by the chaotic star system’s radiation.

She listened as he discovered an unknown ruin and exited the pod to investigate.

She listened as the pain overwhelmed him, sending him into unconsciousness.

She listened as, upon waking again, his body seemed to have built up immunity to the radiation within the chaotic star system.

She listened as he planned his return, painstakingly making his way forward with the locator Gore had once given him, until finally...

"Finally, I was discovered by the Military Females stationed at the chaotic star system’s border. That’s it. That’s everything from the past few months."

Perhaps because the worst of the suffering was long past, though his words were filled with pain, the male insect now managed a faint smile, as if it were nothing.

But...

Clasping her hands together, the Senior Female Insect had initially listened while looking into the young male’s eyes. At some point, however, she lowered her gaze and her shoulders slumped.

This battle-hardened general, who had fought battles all his life, this hardened warrior who had spent decades hardening his heart, now found himself unable to suppress the very emotions he had once scorned as weakness while listening to his own offspring’s words.

Should he apologize?

Yes. Because he had called off the continued search efforts for Philo.

Had he not intervened, perhaps many Military Females would have been lost. But at the very least, Philo’s return might have been smoother, perhaps even faster.

Had he not considered his duty, had he not factored in the lives of other Military Females, Philo... might not have suffered for so long.

Had he been a qualified military commander?

Yes. This Veteran General had once again proven it through the unpopular decisions he made. He might have failed his family, failed his own kind, but he had remained true to his duty to the Alliance and to all the Military Females who trusted him with their lives.

Yet, though he might have been true to them, he had failed his own child.

Yes, he had failed his own child. He had failed Philo.

His hands clenched tighter. Having heard the young male’s entire account, the Veteran General should have had many questions to ask—such as whether Philo truly had no recollection of what happened during his unconsciousness, whether he was entirely unaware of the reasons behind his bodily changes, or whether he was certain he had encountered no other extraordinary experiences beyond what he described.

The Alliance had many questions they wished answered, many inquiries they needed this Veteran General to voice. But...

Lowering his gaze, the old warrior who had spent a lifetime upholding justice instead hoarsely asked his first question—

"Philo..."

"Were you in great pain back then?"

Admittedly, this seemed an uncharacteristically pointless question from the Veteran General.

Of course he had been in pain. The male insect had just said so himself.

His shoulders slumped entirely, as if realizing the futility of his question. Without waiting for an answer, the Senior Female Insect let out a low, rough chuckle before murmuring,

"How could you not have been?"

That was a pain even female insects with their natural carapaces could not endure, a suffering even trained Military Females could not withstand. How had Philo—with his naturally weak physique—borne it?

No insect knew the answer, just as none dared to seek it. Even the Alliance, upon hearing of this question, had only dared to assign the questioning to the male’s own mother.

Because they, too, knew they could not bear the confirmation of his answer. So much so that they couldn't bring themselves to share it with the entire insect race.

"Philo..."

"You have every right to resent me."

Indeed, if any insect in the entire race had cause to resent Zhousha, Philo was among the few—just like Yi Jia Fa.

"But why... don’t you?"

Finally raising his gaze, the Senior Female Insect’s eyes swept over the SilverHaired Male Insect’s unnaturally calm, nearly lifeless eyes before he continued in a gravelly voice,

"Your lack of hatred or resentment—is it truly because you don’t mind, or is it..."

Or is it what?

Now, was he really going to ask this child whether he truly saw himself as part of the insect race, as part of the Toras family?

It was meaningless. Perhaps it had been meaningless for a long time.

The conversation between the two insects in Philo’s ward soon came to an end.

Philo's answers to the Alliance's most pressing questions were all "I don't know."

Though disappointed by this outcome, no matter what, Philo's safe return was already the Alliance's greatest surprise. Thus, in the end, after Zhousha's questioning concluded, no insect disturbed Philo further, who still needed to remain in the medical center for a period of time to undergo psychic domain testing after being newly identified as possessing S-class Psychic Power.

On the contrary, with the confirmation that Philo was an S-class Male Insect and in good health, lavish celebrations had already begun across the Alliance's star systems.

These weren't grassroots celebrations organized by ordinary citizens. This time, all celebrations were actively initiated by the Alliance itself. As if to make all insects forget the chaos and unhappiness of the recent past and focus solely on a hopeful and beautiful future, the celebrations were unprecedentedly lavish.

Even without stepping outside his hospital room, Philo could see fireworks blanketing the sky everywhere.

The insect folk were genuinely celebrating his return.

The insects were truly overjoyed that he was still alive.

If so, that was enough.

At least they could still be happy—that was already good enough.

Philo, who had just awakened from an underground emergency shelter on Earth, sat quietly, lost in thought for what felt like ages.

Earth no longer felt like home.

The humans had long since disappeared to parts unknown.

But though he still considered himself Zhou Nuo, he also carried the name Philo Tulas and bore the responsibilities of his original self.

Insects had died for him, some had sacrificed themselves to protect him, and some might still be anxiously waiting for his return. If Zhou Nuo was perhaps destined never to return home, then perhaps he should fulfill the duties that belonged to Philo.

At the very least, he should find out the name of the female who had saved him on that warship that day. At the very least, he should ask how that warship's survivors were doing now. At the very least... he should find out whether Amber was still alive.

Zhou Nuo had few reasons left to exist, but since there were still reasons for Philo to go on living, then he should return. Return to the insects, return to where his original self belonged, fulfill the responsibilities in his stead, and then...

And then...

Raising his eyes, his amethyst eyes locked onto the fireworks in the sky, the silver-haired male looked adrift, as if he didn’t know what to do afterward. Or perhaps, once the duties tied to the name Philo were fulfilled, what then?

He'd likely die soon.

If the lifespan of an A-class Male Insect was already much shorter than that of an ordinary male insect, then an S-class Male Insect who repeatedly performed Psychic Soothing at full strength would likely have an even shorter lifespan.

He wasn’t afraid of death.

Or perhaps, he almost welcomed it.

When he died, maybe he could truly return to where he truly belonged.

If that were really possible, if it could truly happen, then perhaps death...

The silver-haired male insect seemed to think of something, and a ghost of a smile touched his lips. That trace of a smile spread from the corners of his eyes, eventually blending into the fireworks outside the window and the joyous crowds in the streets.

Such harmony. Such joy.

Today, in the Insect Alliance, whether female or male, whether Philo or any other insect, everyone seemed remarkably cheerful.

And amidst this festive atmosphere, as Philo's psychic power finally stabilized completely, he could finally leave the medical center and return to the Tulas mansion.

Yes, the Tulas mansion.

After some persuasion from Philo, Yi Jia Fa, though still unwilling to forgive Zhousha, had relented and agreed to accompany Philo back to the Tulas mansion to stay for now.

With Philo's return to the Tulas family mansion, the information he sought finally reached his hands.

For instance, the name of the male insect who died protecting him that day was "Yuen Yalman." The Alliance granted him posthumous honors with the highest military academy rank and rewarded his relatives, while the Tulas family additionally gifted his family a substantial fortune. Most aboard the warship that day had ultimately survived, and yet... Amber was still missing.

Various reports, regardless of when these events had occurred, now reached Philo, and he quickly scanned through them.

Reading the reports, especially the last one, he closed his eyes, his fists clenching tightly.

In the end, regret was inevitable.

But since nothing more could be done to undo the past, Philo could only strive to make amends.

Thus, soon after, the Male Insect Management Committee in the alliance's capital world received a personal petition from Philo. The main content of this letter was his willingness to fulfill his duties of Psychic Soothing as soon as possible.

Yes, "as soon as possible"—those two words were written by the male insect himself.

It must be said that Philo’s application was nothing short of a godsend for both the Male Insect Management Committee and the military, given the increasingly frequent cases of high-ranking female insects suffering from mental instability. The stagnant number of A-Class Male Insects had only made things worse, much to the frustration of high-ranking officers and committee leaders.

Fortunately, there was finally a positive development.

However, whether this turning point would be acceptable to all insects remained uncertain.

"Philo, don’t be foolish! Even if some female insects died saving you, it was their choice. You don't need to sacrifice yourself!"

"You need to understand—you’re a male insect, and now an S-Class Male Insect at that. If those greedy female insects see you as compliant, they’ll only demand more and more from you. If you’re truly determined to help them with Psychic Soothing, then you’re just being a fool!"

"Do you really think those female insects care about us male insects? When you went missing, where were all those who claimed to adore you? I didn’t see them risking their lives to find you!"

"That 'father' of yours, Zhousha, made it sound all noble—saying you had no chance of survival, and that sending others in would just be a waste of lives. Ha! Those lowly female insects—there are so many of them, so what if a few were wasted? Dying for you is hardly a waste! They were just cowards, hiding behind pretty words!"

This was Yi Jia Fa’s reaction upon learning of Philo’s application to fulfill his Psychic Soothing duties as soon as possible.

"Philo, are you out of your mind?!"

"You know damn well what Psychic Soothing does to us male insects? Others delay as much as they can—Qi Limei dodges it completely whenever possible—yet here you are, rushing to offer yourself up. Do you have a death wish?!"

This was Siluan, who exploded in anger upon hearing the news.

"Hey Philo, are you feeling alright? Are you sure your brain wasn’t damaged out there? If you’re being forced or possessed, blink twice!"

This was Ya Jin, who couldn’t believe it and even suspected Philo had lost his mind.

"Your Highness Fei Luo, if you’re so eager to sacrifice yourself, why not take over my duties too? Since you don’t seem to mind."

This was Qi Limei, who, upon catching wind of the news, tried to probe.

It must be said that when all male insects learned from the Male Insect Management Committee that Philo had voluntarily applied to fulfill his duties, their first reaction was to assume he had lost his mind.

After all, such self-sacrificing behavior—benefiting others at one’s own expense—were rarely undertaken by male insects.

But this was merely the reaction of the male insects. The female insects, especially those unaware of the reduced lifespan of high-ranking male insects, responded quite differently.

In fact, Philo—already elevated in status due to his S-Class Psychic Soothing abilities—his reputation soared even higher among countless female insects after his proactive application.

Consequently, the devotion and fanaticism of his female followers intensified. With Philo successfully recovered, the alliance’s administrative department had inadvertently relaxed surveillance over these fervent admirers, making the ensuing chain of events hardly surprising.

But that was all yet to come.

For now, there were still female insects who understood the toll Psychic Soothing would take on Philo.

"How is your research progressing now? When can we expect results?"

"As soon as possible. I only need your results."

"The funds you requested have been transferred to your account. Don’t forget your promise, or else..."

A low, indistinct voice echoed faintly from the heir's chambers in Geshaluolin Manor.

Once the muffled sounds faded completely, the tightly shut door was knocked upon. As the Attendant's voice sounded, the young emerald-haired female insect turned her head.

"Mr. Li Wei, the family head requests your presence in his study."

*The study?*

In truth, since Li Wei had defied orders to chase Philo in the frontier sectors without permission, Wei Er had rarely summoned him to the study.

Though the main branch of the Geshaluolin Family now hung by their thread alone, their primary duty was reproduction. If the main branch's female insects proved incapable of fulfilling their familial responsibilities, then beyond their breeding duties, they had no need to shoulder other duties—such as serving as the family's heir.

The Geshaluolin Family's cadet branches were not lacking in capable female insects. Thus, even if the main branch's female insects were incompetent, as a last resort, the collateral branches could temporarily manage the family affairs until the next generation of the main lineage emerged, at which point they could reconsider whether to return control.

Before Wei Er broke Li Wei's legs, the Geshaluolin Family had indeed entertained such thoughts.

But after Wei Er took action, after Philo defied death, and after Philo was tested to possess S-class Psychic Power, the collateral branches of the Geshaluolin Family now had little interest in considering alternatives. Instead, they secretly rejoiced in celebration.

After all, the heir they had once viewed with disappointment now filled them with nothing but pride.

As the saying goes, to give in need is better indeed than to give in deed.

The most likely candidate to become the current S-Class Male Insect, His Highness Philo's consort, General Gore, had reportedly been rejected outright by His Highness after failing to enter the chaotic star systems in search of him.

Now, General Gore had dejectedly returned alone to the frontier sectors, resuming his profitless garrison post where death loomed daily.

Aside from him, across the entire Alliance, aside from Mr. Shang Ling of the Qimengtu Family, it seemed only the Geshaluolin Family's Li Wei held the winning hand in winning His Highness Philo's favor.

If Li Wei truly succeeded in this endeavor, the resources and benefits the Geshaluolin Family would reap in the coming decades...

Clenching their fists, all members of the Geshaluolin Family thrummed with barely restrained anticipation. And this excitement was not limited to the clan—as the family head, the smile on Wei Er's face was irrefutable evidence of his improved mood.

"Li Wei."

"You didn't disappoint."