Chapter 100 Little Fool

Chapter 100: Little Fool

Mu Zhang started his career as a star pirate. Back then, it was perfectly normal for factions to engage in firefights at the slightest disagreement.

Across the galaxy, the right to speak comes down to military strength. Whoever possesses more advanced starships, weapons, and stronger mech combat capabilities gets priority in seizing resources.

Even during his time with Blade, Mu Zhang had realized this. He set his sights on planets with arms factories and personally visited them to negotiate cooperation. Before founding Tianguang, he had already gained control of several military research laboratories. Shortly after, he settled on Sailing Star, building up the planet while expanding his fleet.

That period was incredibly busy for Mu Zhang, but keeping busy let him forget many things he didn't want to recall.

A broken family, failed relationships—Mu Zhang had certainly experienced the low points of life.

But he had talent and firmly seized the opportunities that came his way.

Although many didn't understand the path of a star pirate, Mu Zhang's plundering and killing weren't for the sake of evil. They were to build up strength to wipe out those criminal pirate organizations.

Ample firepower and top-tier strategic thinking made Tianguang unmatched in the galaxy. Anyone with real skill was poached by Mu Zhang to serve him. That was the period when Mu Zhang was most triumphant.

Once the military factories stabilized, Mu Zhang's arms business began to take shape.

While upgrading Tianguang's equipment, Mu Zhang also sold arms to planets whose defenses were lacking.

His initial goal was to help planets frequently harassed by star pirates or invaded by insectoids establish their own defensive lines. However, the business kept growing. Moreover, with the Federal Military Department being factionalized, corrupt, and bled dry by the Liang family, purchasing arms from them was unrealistic. Cooperating with Mu Zhang was much simpler, and Mu Zhang never worried about a lack of buyers for his weapons.

Although Lin Juangui possessed Mu Zhang's countless assets, control for the vast majority of things remained in Mu Zhang's hands. Many transactions were arranged by Mu Zhang's people. Lin Juangui was aware but seldom asked questions.

Tianguang was only handed over to Lin Juangui for restructuring because it was out in the open. Lin Juangui was well aware of his own role: he was Mu Zhang's public face. Therefore, he had to deal with any trouble stirred up by Tianguang members, and Mu Zhang wouldn't say anything about it.

This Federal civil war essentially uprooted long-buried problems accumulated over the years. There had always been restrictions on planets purchasing arms from Mu Zhang. However, some planets, to compete with others, deliberately falsified records or secretly stockpiled weapons before making large purchases. Mu Zhang's reach, however long, couldn't manage everything.

Selling arms has always been a double-edged sword. But the rumor that Mu Zhang was doing this to fuel evil was definitely someone deliberately fanning the flames.

"How bad has the backlash gotten?" Lin Juangui had been planning the future direction and arrangements for Runlin these past few days and indeed hadn't paid much attention to outside developments.

Ge Miao said worriedly, "Some people have already started protesting with signs in front of the Federal government building."

Lin Juangui seemed all too familiar with these tactics. Being the steadiest person, he quickly thought of a countermeasure. "First, investigate who is manipulating the public opinion behind the scenes. If those planets still need to purchase arms, why not give them a green light? I want to see how much money they can pour into this fight."

Ge Miao didn't understand why Lin Juangui would do this. Wouldn't selling more weapons just play into their hands?

Mu Zhang walked over at that moment, wearing a bathrobe, his hair still dripping water droplets that fell from his forehead one by one. "Do as he says."

"Yes."

Ge Miao left quickly. Lin Juangui, resting his chin on his hand, smiled and asked Mu Zhang, "Just listening to me like that?"

Mu Zhang swaggered over and sat beside Lin Juangui. He raised his hand, pinched Lin Juangui's chin, leaned in, and kissed his cheek. "We both know who's playing these tricks. You already have a plan. I have nothing to worry about."

Lin Juangui shook off Mu Zhang's hand, clearly disliking the damp feeling. Frowning, he threw a towel at Mu Zhang, telling him to dry his hair. Mu Zhang took the towel and went off cheerfully to blow-dry his hair.

After Mu Zhang left, Lin Juangui checked his terminal and saw a message from Huai Fu.

The backlash regarding the arms trade was intense, even implicating Lin Juangui. Huai Fu asked if Lin Juangui wanted to intervene. Lin Juangui said no.

The Liang family, aware that Lin Juangui held too many of their secrets, had seen Lin Juangui's Runlin Group gradually encroach on markets originally dominated by the Liang family over the years through subtle methods—using Rotten Lingzhi Grass, poaching talent to develop new energy mechs. The Liang family seemed to be pushed to the brink.

They couldn't let Lin Juangui continue developing like this. Waiting passively meant death. They had to seize the initiative to set the pace.

So what if Lin Juangui had an affair with another Alpha? At most, it was a private moral failing. As long as no major offenses were committed, no one could do anything to him. Having reached this height, Lin Juangui certainly wouldn't care about external gossip. So, trying to create scandalous rumors about Huo Zeshen and Lin Juangui was clearly unrealistic.

Therefore, the Liang family simply supported planets that had long been dissatisfied with the Federation to strike first, seizing the moral high ground in the court of public opinion to build momentum for the unmanned mechs the Liang family planned to launch later, thereby forcing the Federal government to compromise on the production and sale of unmanned mechs.

In the future, the Liang family would still be the ones leading the Federation into a new era. No matter how far Lin Juangui's reach extended, he couldn't do anything to the Liang family.

Liang Xiancheng's thinking was clearly stuck in the past. He wanted to do too many things, but over the years, very few had truly succeeded.

This unmanned mech project was the Liang family's last desperate gamble. After all, in the eyes of the public, Lin Juangui's Runlin and the Liang family had no competitive relationship. The Liang family suddenly targeting Lin Juangui would seem like picking a fight for no reason, allowing Lin Juangui to occupy the moral high ground instead.

So, Liang Xiancheng decided to use other methods to besiege Lin Juangui and Mu Zhang.

If he succeeded, everyone in the Federation would be his lifeline.

However, Liang Xiancheng's actions played right into Lin Juangui's hands.

Lin Juangui had been waiting for an opportunity. The more chaotic the situation, the greater the chance of his plan's success. The Liang family taking the initiative saved him some effort.

While Lin Juangui was still replying to messages, Mu Zhang had already changed and come out. The black shirt made his demeanor appear even more steady, carrying a composure brought by time.

"Let's eat."

Mu Zhang couldn't be bothered with the external turmoil at the moment. He just wanted to have a good meal with Lin Juangui.

Their relationship had finally stabilized. Lin Juangui could finally understand Mu Zhang's good intentions and even said he was willing to find a way to move forward together with Mu Zhang. Mu Zhang had finally made it through the tough times; of course, he had to spend more time with Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui stood up, linked arms with Mu Zhang, and asked for his opinion on the Federal civil war as they walked to the dining room.

Mu Zhang clearly didn't want to discuss it, but since Lin Juangui asked, he couldn't easily ignore it. He could only chuckle lightly and say, "Some people are restless. An uprising was bound to happen sooner or later. They need to create chaos to seek benefits for themselves—the work of small-minded people."

Launching a war requires enormous financial resources and manpower, but it can also bring extraordinary returns.

Selling arms indeed makes one an easy target for criticism, but Mu Zhang didn't believe his actions were heinous. After all, his original intention was benevolent. If others twisted his intentions to do harm, could he point a gun at their heads and lecture them that it was wrong?

The Mu Zhang of the past certainly could. Having been a star pirate for so long, settling scores directly was standard practice. But Mu Zhang was no longer young. He couldn't return to those spirited moments of his youth. Many things he did now were to fulfill the wishes of his younger self and to provide Lin Juangui with a more stable living environment.

The Federation had long been rotten. Since Mu Zhang chose to enter the game, it meant he was mentally prepared.

War was just the beginning. The Federation needed a thorough cleansing and transformation.

Discussing such things before a meal certainly didn't whet the appetite. Lin Juangui lightly patted his own lips, indicating he had said the wrong thing.

Mu Zhang held Lin Juangui's hand, telling him not to mind too much. "You know, I actually... always hoped you could stay at home, doing nothing, thinking about nothing. But you're not that kind of person. I understand. So I don't stop you from doing anything, as long as you're happy. Juangui, I hope you can believe that I love you very much."

Lin Juangui nodded solemnly. "Of course I believe you."

Although he didn't know why Mu Zhang had circled back to professing his love again, Lin Juangui truly believed Mu Zhang had real feelings for him.

So, Lin Juangui was also trying his best to respond to Mu Zhang. At the very least, he couldn't let Mu Zhang feel like he was performing a solo act.

Lin Juangui didn't have much appetite. He drank some soup and put down his bowl and chopsticks. He quietly stayed by Mu Zhang's side, a soft, faint smile on his face.

After the meal, Mu Zhang held Lin Juangui's hand and went to the back garden of Luochen Manor. There was a sea of Moth Orchids planted there, meticulously maintained year-round.

Lin Juangui didn't understand why Mu Zhang was so fond of Moth Orchids, but this sea of flowers was indeed exceptionally beautiful.

Lin Juangui's eyes showed concern, as if asking Mu Zhang what was wrong.

Mu Zhang quickly suppressed that bitter smile, his face revealing a sense of relief. "I'm afraid I can't continue accompanying you. The Political Department has called a meeting; I have to go back to attend. I had even said I would take a few good days off with you, but in the end, aside from dealing with my rut, we didn't do anything."

"Isn't it done?" Lin Juangui raised his hand, showing Mu Zhang the Cloud Amber with a genuinely sweet smile. "I'll always remember it."

"Good." Mu Zhang's mood could no longer be described as merely gratified; he could feel a certain obsession slowly dissipating.

Lin Juangui himself had already resolved the resentment Mu Zhang felt toward him. He accepted the irreversible reality and thus attained complete peace.

Mu Zhang left in a hurry to rush back to the Federal Capital Star for a meeting. To spare Lin Juangui the travel fatigue—even though the starships were very stable during interstellar voyages—Mu Zhang insisted that Lin Juangui return later. If anything came up, someone else could take care of it.

"I understand."

Just after seeing Mu Zhang off, Huo Zeshen's name popped up on the virtual screen of Lin Juangui's light brain, asking him to go to the orphanage.

"I'll wait for you."

He recalled how, before leaving, Ge Miao had whispered to Mu Zhang. Mu Zhang had then glanced at Lin Juangui, smiled helplessly, and come over to hug him—Mu Zhang had probably already known Huo Zeshen had come to Sailing Star at that time.

Maybe Mu Zhang didn't tell him because he was short on time, or perhaps he didn't want to face an awkward situation together with Lin Juangui.

Even if Mu Zhang disliked Huo Zeshen, could he really drive him away? Turning a blind eye and pretending not to know, maintaining a facade of peace, was the only thing Mu Zhang could do. He certainly didn't want to be branded as jealous in the future.

Lin Juangui could roughly guess Mu Zhang's thoughts. He had the butler prepare a car and soon arrived at the entrance of Yixin Welfare Home.

The welfare home's sign was no longer new, even showing water marks from the rain. Huo Zeshen said this was where he first met Lin Juangui, and where Lin Juangui had sent him and the other children from Youlan Star.

Despite having no memory, Lin Juangui could guess what his own feelings must have been back then.

A lifeline.

Someone who had completely lost the will to live found a reason to keep going.

Lin Juangui called Huo Zeshen, asking where he was. Huo Zeshen, as if knowing Lin Juangui would get lost, told him to look behind him.

"I want to take you to a place that's very important to both of us."

Huo Zeshen was wearing a long black military coat, clearly having rushed over in a hurry, looking travel-worn.

Huo Zeshen grabbed Lin Juangui's hand. Noticing something on his finger, Huo Zeshen lifted his hand to look—the Cloud Amber ring was right there before him.

Huo Zeshen paused, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he didn't know what to say. Lin Juangui didn't withdraw his hand, letting Huo Zeshen study the ring carefully.

"He gave it to you?"

Huo Zeshen remembered Lin Juangui used to wear an unassuming wedding band. When they met again, Lin Juangui's hand was bare—the ring was probably destroyed in the accident.

Lin Juangui hummed in acknowledgment, saying nothing else. Huo Zeshen didn't like Lin Juangui mentioning Mu Zhang in front of him. These two Alphas were like oil and water; the other's name was like a landmine, ready to explode at the slightest touch.

Huo Zeshen slowed his pace, leading Lin Juangui to the hill out back. Lin Juangui's eyes went straight to the largest tree there.

They reached the tree, and Huo Zeshen reached out, stroking the rough bark, murmuring, "You said many things to me here, encouraging me, inspiring me. You said I was a long-term investment, believing I would grow into a fine adult..."

Huo Zeshen's expression suddenly darkened, his voice growing low. "But I was never good."

From the moment he understood he was an experiment, a seed of anger was planted in Huo Zeshen's heart.

His memories couldn't be erased. After many concepts were implanted in his mind, his first reaction wasn't compliance but a silent "why?"

Why him? Why did he have to go through this? Why did he have to do those things?

Huo Zeshen was always searching for answers.

The researcher told Huo Zeshen many things about his lover—perhaps out of loneliness, or maybe using Huo Zeshen as an emotional dumping ground. He described his lover's appearance, profession, and past deeds.

Thus, Huo Zeshen learned that there was a profession called doctor in this world, one that could heal and save people, a truly remarkable calling.

But the researcher's lover died on an ordinary afternoon.

"She sent me a message saying her thesis had been stolen, and the plagiarist had even turned around and accused her of copying. She was prepared to fight it to the end, but then she met an accidental death in the street."

The thesis topic was related to human degeneration. Based on years of clinical experience, this doctor concluded that ABO genders were a necessary path for human reproduction after degeneration.

This argument was enough to cause quite a stir in the medical community at the time. However, that year, news of Huai Fu's mother, Huai Xiao's death dominated the headlines, overshadowing the buzz of many other events.

The research institute where Huo Zeshen was held not only received funding from the Liang family but also investments from several major hospitals. That year, the topic of degeneration was hotly debated not only in medical circles but also in biology.

By the time the debate heated up, the flowers by the original author's tombstone had already bloomed lushly.

Huo Zeshen understood what hatred was.

After that, the word 'hatred' permeated all of Huo Zeshen's inner feelings. He knew the researcher chose him out of hatred. The desire to escape was a human instinct. The researcher created fertile ground for this distant, uncertain revenge, allowing the seed of anger in Huo Zeshen to sprout wildly.

But everything he did seemed futile. Before he died, the researcher didn't even understand why he had to die.

Huo Zeshen would never forget.

His memory was astonishingly good. After enduring so much suffering, he hadn't become numb; instead, he grew more clear-headed.

Lin Juangui gave Huo Zeshen a path that could not be replicated. Huo Zeshen followed the light Lin Juangui brought him to reach this point. He seemed on the verge of achieving his ultimate goal, yet just before taking the final step, he still felt uneasy.

His humanity was pulling at him. He wondered how Lin Juangui would view him if he truly took this step.

So he brought Lin Juangui to this tree, the place where they first met.

Huo Zeshen wanted to tell Lin Juangui how despicable he was, how many things he had hidden from him, and how he had used Lin Juangui step by step.

But after hearing him out, Lin Juangui nodded with deep understanding and said, "No one can demand that you must be good. Not even I can."

Huo Zeshen fell silent, staring intently at Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui imitated Huo Zeshen, reaching out to touch the big tree. The bark was rough, but Lin Juangui barely felt it, lost in thought. "Everyone defines 'good' differently. For those who value profit, gaining a return is good. For those who value emotion, receiving feedback is good. For those who value responsibility, completing a task is good. You are already a fine adult. As for you feeling you're not good enough..."

Lin Juangui finally turned to look at Huo Zeshen. "Is it because you think I'm too good?"

"You... knew all along."

Huo Zeshen felt a wave of shame. His thoughts seemed to be easily seen through by Lin Juangui again, who calmly soothed his emotions.

"I was just guessing. I don't remember many things from the past, but from many people's descriptions, I seem to have been an image of kindness and self-sacrifice. I can imagine what attitude I had when facing you. You must have also thought I was so good I was one of a kind, right?"

Huo Zeshen, hit right on target, nodded subconsciously.

Lin Juangui's shoulders sank, and he suddenly revealed a somewhat weary, faint smile. "What if I said this 'goodness' could bring me many things I want?"

Huo Zeshen's gaze flickered, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lin Juangui.

Lin Juangui's grip on Huo Zeshen's hand suddenly tightened. He laid himself bare before Huo Zeshen without any reservation. "Most of the time, I would stop at nothing to achieve my goals. These methods aren't necessarily aggressive. I'm good at playing the long game, reeling in the big fish. Before you even understood anything, you were already completely under my control, used for my own ends."

Lin Juangui had said he would be absolutely honest with Huo Zeshen. He never broke his promises.

"I would deceive you, make you think my kindness toward you was utterly selfless. Then I'd show weakness in front of you, make you think I desperately needed help. That way, you would devote yourself to me without reservation, and I wouldn't have to bear any psychological burden."

Lin Juan’gui's smile was light and playfully wicked. "Do you still think I'm good now, little fool?"

Huo Zeshen was silent for two seconds, then cupped Lin Juan’gui's face and lowered his head to kiss his lips. "Yes."

After all this time together, a smile finally appeared on Huo Zeshen's face. "Whether it's genuine or not, I can feel your care for me. I'm lucky to be able to devote myself to you. If you're not weighed down by it, that makes it easier for me."

Lin Juan’gui knew Huo Zeshen would have this attitude.

When facing him, Huo Zeshen seemed to have no bottom line, capable of unconditionally accepting and embracing all of Lin Juan’gui. Naturally, Lin Juan’gui could also accept everything Huo Zeshen did.

So Lin Juan’gui got straight to the point and asked Huo Zeshen, "What did you want to tell me? I'm ready. Go ahead."

This was just like Lin Juan’gui—no beating around the bush, preferring to speak directly.

Lin Juan’gui was not surprised that the military would make such a decision.

Zhai Yanhe was a highly responsible general. Sometimes, the military's response speed was even faster than that of the Political Department. While the Political Department was still shrinking back and making vague excuses, the military had already taken action.

As a wall that the Liang family could never breach, Zhai Yanhe had already done everything she could.

"What are you worried about?" Lin Juan’gui asked.

For Huo Zeshen to come to Sailing Star in such a hurried manner and invite him under this tree, he must have learned something and wanted to do this with no regrets.

Lin Juan’gui's ability to read people was too strong. Fortunately, Huo Zeshen had already had his words ready. "After Ultimate was repaired, the extraction of my psychic energy became increasingly unchecked. I need to expend three times the usual psychic energy to fight. Although I can manage this drain for now, I can't guarantee what might happen if it goes on for too long."

To establish himself within the Liang family, Huo Zeshen was essentially gambling with his life. Liang Xiancheng did value Huo Zeshen highly, but Huo Zeshen was merely a human lifespan extractor, carrying little real weight.

Liang Xiancheng needed Huo Zeshen to expend psychic energy, and Huo Zeshen used Ultimate to fight and earn military merits. In the end, Huo Zeshen's current status was achieved through his own abilities. Otherwise, he would have long become a skeleton inside Ultimate, edged out by the various factions in the military.

Now was a critical moment. Huo Zeshen knew he shouldn't say such discouraging words. How he wished he could confidently guarantee there would be no problems. But that wasn't his nature. Having maneuvered his way to this point, he couldn't afford a single misstep—one wrong move would mean falling into the abyss.

After speaking, Huo Zeshen handed Lin Juan’gui a small box, telling him not to open it now.

"If I meet with an accident, this will give you access to all my permissions, as well as the Liang family's spies planted over the years in the Political and Military Departments, transaction records, laboratory locations, and the list of participating researchers."

"..." Lin Juan’gui did not take it.

The small box was unassuming, entirely black, and wouldn't attract attention no matter where it was. Yet it contained the evidence Huo Zeshen had risked his life to gather over all these years.

Huo Zeshen offered it to Lin Juan’gui again. Lin Juan’gui gently held it but suddenly said, "How about giving me the Federation?"

Lin Juan’gui knew better than anyone what Huo Zeshen needed most. Even if Huo Zeshen didn't bring it up, he was willing to give it.

Huo Zeshen had said he once gave Lin Juan’gui a sports medal—the only thing he could possess at the time. He knew Lin Juan’gui was well-off, but this medal was proof of his hard work and effort. He hoped Lin Juan’gui would see it.

But later, Lin Juan’gui was forced by Mu Zhang's pressure to return the medal to him.

This incident dealt a heavy blow to Huo Zeshen. Although he didn't show it on the surface, every time he remembered it, he felt useless, and his resentment toward Mu Zhang deepened another layer.

Lin Juan’gui lacked nothing. After their reunion, he approached Huo Zeshen, saying he wanted to feel human again with him. Huo Zeshen went along with it and got involved with Lin Juan’gui.

Huo Zeshen had a strong desire to please him—not only was he racking his brains to repay Lin Juan’gui, but he genuinely wanted Lin Juan’gui to be happy.

But these intangible, spiritual things were too elusive. Seeing the ring on Lin Juan’gui's finger still made Huo Zeshen's heart sour and ache with bitterness.

Why?

Countless "whys" flooded Huo Zeshen's mind. He didn't even know how to ease this emotion called jealousy.

Lin Juan’gui's words made Huo Zeshen's eyes blaze. He almost agreed without thinking, regardless of whether he could actually achieve it.

Perhaps he really could.

Lin Juan’gui was amused by this childish side of Huo Zeshen.

They say a youthful spirit is most precious. In this world, Huo Zeshen hadn't interacted much with normal people. He didn't know that in a relationship, there were many things one could do. He always wanted to offer the best to the one he loved, just to earn a smile from them.

Lin Juan’gui suddenly crouched down, picked up a dead leaf from the ground, and said to Huo Zeshen, "Actually, as long as it's from you, I'll like it no matter what it is. Since you've entrusted me with something so important, I want to give you something in return too."

Huo Zeshen took the dried leaf from Lin Juan’gui's hand, crushing it in his hand. Lin Juan’gui brushed away the fragments indifferently. Just as he was about to lead Huo Zeshen away, he seemed to remember something and turned back to ask, "Want to kiss?"

Huo Zeshen didn't immediately follow Lin Juan’gui's train of thought. Lin Juan’gui smiled again and said, "Since this is such an important place, we should leave behind some more profound memories."

The moment he finished speaking, Huo Zeshen kissed Lin Juan’gui, gently biting his tongue.

Lin Juan’gui always taught Huo Zeshen in such a relaxed way, telling him to relax.

Huo Zeshen held Lin Juan’gui in his arms, kissing his neck ardently.

"I love you, Xiao Juan. I love you so, so much."