Chapter 208

Chapter 208

In the steam-filled bathroom, gasps rose and fell, occasionally interspersed with a few curses.

"...Stop looking. I don't have a reproductive cavity."

"..."

"Ow, easy..."

"..."

After a while, the bathroom gradually fell silent. A sturdy, wheat-colored arm reached out, turned on the faucet, and the sound of rushing water again filled the cramped space.

Half an hour later, Xue Ji leaned against Asuer, brushing his teeth in front of the mirror. Both were only in bath towels, having just half-dried themselves. The bathroom was still steamy, and where their bodies touched, a fine layer of moisture quickly formed, becoming slick, but neither of them paid it any mind.

Asuer wrapped his arms around Xue Ji from behind, his gaze fixed on Xue Ji's still-flushed face in the mirror. Xue Ji lifted his eyes to meet his gaze, then bent over to spit out the foam and rinsed his mouth with water. After rinsing, he was pulled back by Asuer's strong arms around his waist, pressed tightly against his chest.

"Control your pheromones, Your Majesty." Xue Ji picked up the shaving foam.

"Oh." Asuer rested his chin on Xue Ji's shoulder, not holding in his pheromones at all.

Xue Ji didn't push it, slowly working up the lather, shaving, and finally wiping his face clean with a towel. Asuer watched without blinking, as if the process fascinated him.

Xue Ji glanced at him and, seeing that he didn't intend to let go, poured a little aftershave into his palm and patted it on his chin.

A familiar scent reached Asuer's nose. His heart stirred, and he leaned in to lightly sniff where Xue Ji had applied the aftershave. "So that's the smell."

"What smell?"

"That cool scent you sometimes have. Sometimes it's coffee."

Xue Ji paused in the act of setting down the aftershave. He wasn't a native New Era human, nor an Alpha or Omega. Apart from a degenerated gland and an enhanced vomeronasal organ, this body was essentially the same as his Earth body—a normal male. So theoretically, although he knew of the effects of pheromones on people, he had never personally experienced them.

But Asuer's persistent attempts to transfer pheromones onto him and his current behavior of sniffing him for scents told Xue Ji that looking for pheromone feedback in a romantic relationship was almost an instinctive genetic reaction in this era's humans.

Pheromone bonding affects Alphas and Omegas in countless ways. After a highly compatible Alpha and Omega complete their bond, psychological dependence, physical fitness, and mental state all shift. If Asuer could find a compatible Omega to receive his wildly secreting pheromones, his condition would stabilize much more. Even if the Omega were strong enough, their pheromones could in turn protect him.

But unfortunately, Asuer was destined never to mark an Omega.

Omegas have their own solutions, and Betas have theirs.

Rather than blind instinct, Xue Ji trusted controllable scientific methods more.

He washed his hands, shook off the water, then pushed away the sticky, clingy, large Alpha behind him, and turned to check himself in the mirror. Several bite marks on the back of his neck were flaunting their presence, especially the deep holes left by Asuer's canine teeth.

Asuer hugged him from behind again, lowering his head to apologetically lick the bite marks.

"I'll be more careful next time," he murmured.

Xue Ji wasn't buying it. He was a man himself and knew how differently men behave in and out of bed. Asuer's arms were clamped around his waist like iron tongs. Xue Ji tried to push him away a few times but failed, so he simply turned around in his arms and parted the hair on top of Asuer's head to take a look.

Not bad. No redness.

"Let's go. How long are you planning to stay here?"

Asuer made to lift him bridal-style, but Xue Ji refused and pushed him away with some force. The bathroom really wasn't a place to stay long. Asuer reluctantly let go and walked beside Xue Ji, the two leaving the bathroom like conjoined twins.

Xue Ji changed into his pajamas, walked back to the bed, and sat down, picking up his lightbrain to check his messages. Asuer wasn't keen on wearing clothes, so he only put on a pair of pants and naturally sat down next to Xue Ji, wrapping an arm around his waist and leaning sideways to look at Xue Ji's lightbrain.

Xue Ji didn't look up. He adjusted his sitting position and leaned against Asuer. For one thing, Asuer was like a natural heater, his chest muscles firm and elastic, very comfortable to lean on. He read the messages one by one, starting with Freya's.

They had already extracted and purified some energy, making energy cores or ammunition to install into the weapons Xue Ji had built earlier. But perhaps because the purification plan was too crude, or because the alloy of the weapon shells wasn't compatible with this rare metal, the misfire rate was high. Now, the people on TC6509 were divided into three groups: one continued mining, one studied the properties of the new energy source, and one worked on improving the purification plan.

After reading, Xue Ji said, "Let's return to TC6509 first."

Asuer thought for a moment and agreed, then remembered another matter. "How did you come up with the idea of looking for a new energy source on that planet?"

"I was originally planning to build an amusement park, but during the survey, I noticed the energy field there was unusually active, so I went," Xue Ji said casually.

"Amusement park?"

"A type of entertainment facility from my hometown, for kids and couples to play."

"Do you want to go back to Orn Star?" Asuer didn't remember Orn Star having any so-called amusement parks, but he remembered that Xue Ji's background seemed poor, so he probably didn't have many opportunities to play with such obviously expensive things when he was young. So on instinct, he thought Xue Ji might be homesick and asked.

His offhand question gave away that he'd looked into Xue Ji's background, but Xue Ji didn't mind. "I did grow up on Orn Star, but my hometown isn't there."

"Then where?"

"We just came back from there."

Asuer was taken aback. "There?"

Xue Ji hummed in agreement.

That planet didn't look inhabited, but if it was Xue Ji's hometown, it would better explain how Xue Ji could find him in the vast universe. Just as he was thinking, Xue Ji spoke again. "Can I ask Your Majesty for a favor?"

Xue Ji had never used the word 'beg' before. Asuer tightened his arm slightly and said seriously, "Tell me."

"Have everyone keep it secret and not reveal the location of this planet. If word gets out, the planet will be developed immediately. The Empire isn't short of living space right now."

Before Xue Ji was reborn, the Underworld had historical records of the interstellar era. Ancient era humans began seeking new places to live because of global resource depletion, then embarked on a long interstellar migration, eventually entering the New Era.

Unexpectedly, in the absence of humans, that planet had revived itself in another corner of the universe, becoming healthier, more beautiful, and even the creatures living on it were much stronger than in the ancient era.

It was no longer a planet belonging to humans.

No one understood better than Asuer how much Xue Ji wanted to protect his hometown. "Rest assured, I'll handle this," he said solemnly.

Xue Ji smiled faintly and continued scrolling through other messages. He paused when he came to one.

"Chief Xue, having fun in the Entertainment Capital?"

The sender was Villard.

Xue Ji held up his lightbrain for Asuer to see.

Asuer let out a humorless laugh. "He's seen all the bidding projects stall and is anxious for you to return."

Xue Ji gave a smirk. "Thanks to Your Majesty for playing along so well." He dropped the smile. "Is Your Majesty ready?"

Both knew there was a tough battle waiting when they returned. Asuer said, "Almost. You... Do you want to stay on TC6509?"

Xue Ji raised an eyebrow. "Not letting me go to Selenea?" He shot Asuer a sideways glance, pushed the arm around his waist away, leaned back against the headboard, and said with an air of leisure, "Our all-wise and mighty Majesty, with thorough planning, cares for his subjects, prioritizes my safety above all, and doesn't let me worry about a thing. I'm so very touched. Following Your Majesty in this life must be the fortune I've earned over eight lifetimes."

Asuer was inwardly annoyed. Gene, that loose-lipped idiot.

He bit his tongue. "You're not an ordinary subject."

"What's different?"

"I..." Asuer adjusted his posture slightly, looking a bit unsettled. "I want you to be safe. Back then, in that situation, I couldn't even take care of myself."

Xue Ji was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Then does Your Majesty understand that my being well depends on Your Majesty being well too?"

If Asuer died, this life and his next several damn lifetimes would be screwed. More importantly, if Asuer died, he feared he would truly be heartbroken for a long time.

Xue Ji didn't want to admit this fact, but he wouldn't engage in pointless self-deception either.

So he'd fallen for it. Even if it was for that bastard, it was no big deal.

Asuer's mind reeled, and he suddenly caught Xue Ji's deep gaze. "This isn't a show of loyalty, is it?"

Xue Ji studied him for a second, then leaned in abruptly and kissed him. Asuer's eyelashes trembled, and after a few moments, he slowly closed his eyes.

When the gentle kiss ended, Xue Ji drew back a little, looking at Asuer's face so near his own, and whispered, "No one proves loyalty like this, Your Majesty."

Asuer opened his eyes, let out a quiet "Mm" after a long pause. "I wouldn't do that to my own subjects either."

Xue Ji offered a very faint smile—it wasn't any smile he'd ever given—mocking, polite, cold, empty. But this smile was the complete opposite, as if...

He was showing the most vulnerable part of himself.

Asuer was nearly captivated by it.

Who could make Xue Ji look like that?

No one but him. Only him.

Asuer grasped Xue Ji's hand. "I'll be fine."

"Then are you still making me stay on TC6509?"

"No." Asuer tightened his grip. "You're staying with me."

No matter what happened, he would protect Xue Ji at all costs.

*

---

K7N9P Jump Point.

A starship came to a steady halt nearby.

Serrick had been waiting at the docking port since early morning.

Half a month ago, they had received the order to find His Majesty. Based on the message relayed from Devalen's starship, the search party was expected to arrive today.

Serrick coughed lightly, his face still somewhat pale. The chaotic jump process had damaged his internal organs, and though the treatment pod had healed most of his injuries over these days, his body remained weaker than before.

The place where the Monarch had ended up was far more distant than anyone else's. That meant the Monarch might have gone through multiple consecutive jumps and other unexpected processes. If they had suffered this much, what about the Monarch?

Serrick was deeply worried about His Majesty's physical condition, and felt he had failed in his duty to protect him. His usually icy face had been showing concern for days.

Suddenly, a small speck appeared outside the porthole.

Serrick's eyes focused, and he stepped forward. The speck grew larger in the window, eventually revealing the outline of another starship.

"Sergeant, please step back to a safe distance. The starships are about to dock." A voice from the overhead speaker issued a reminder.

Serrick stepped back.

During his tense wait, the two starships connected smoothly—capture locks engaged, seal rings pressed, circuits and fluid lines linked automatically. A few hisses of air filled the gap, and then the hatch opened before Serrick.

The first to emerge were several knights who had accompanied the search party. They all froze at the sight of him. "Sergeant."

Serrick nodded, his gaze moving past them. After a few minutes, he finally saw His Majesty. The Monarch looked exceptionally healthy—steady steps, vibrant complexion, bright eyes, and even a sated look on his face.

This was entirely beyond Serrick's expectations, so he stood frozen, momentarily forgetting to approach.

The Monarch didn't see him. As he crossed the small threshold in the corridor connecting the two starships, he turned back and made a gesture as if reaching for a hand. That was when Serrick finally noticed the Chief of the Academy of Sciences behind His Majesty.

Without his glasses, his expression was just as indifferent as always, but there was a subtle difference. Serrick studied him closely and realized that difference was a languidness that had never appeared on the Chief's face before.

He ignored the Monarch's outstretched hand and stepped over the small threshold on his own. The Monarch withdrew his hand, somewhat regretfully.

A suspicion instantly flashed through Serrick's mind. He stepped forward and called out, "Your Majesty."

"Serrick." The Monarch looked at him, scanning him up and down. "Why aren't you in the treatment pod?"

"My body is fine." Serrick tried not to look at the Chief standing beside the Monarch. "And Your Majesty?"

"I'm fine." Probably sensing Serrick's skepticism, Asuer added, "Xue Ji gave me a checkup. Nothing serious."

It was the truth—Alpha pheromones naturally strengthen the body. Thanks to the pheromone imbalance, the excessive release during the jump had actually helped Asuer avoid internal injuries.

Checked? How?

Serrick's heart sank as he heard the Monarch say, "Go rest. No need to stay by my side. I'll call you when I need you."

"...Yes, sir." Serrick bowed his head and stepped aside.

The Monarch strode forward. Xue Ji glanced at the Knight Captain and followed.

The two walked past Serrick, one after the other, and a familiar scent grew stronger as they passed. Serrick froze, then jerked his head up in shock.

Xue Ji's pheromone scent was even stronger than the Monarch's own.

A very sweet floral scent, with a flame-like warmth, like a small slow fire—warm but not hot—silently showing how pleased their owner was when releasing these pheromones.

Serrick's face darkened for a moment. He followed them out of the passageway and saw His Majesty leading the Beta by the hand as they disappeared around a corner. He caught up, stopped at the corner, and when they turned again, he quickened his pace. From a distance, he saw His Majesty and the Beta casually walk into a room together.

He stared at the closed door, his mind racing, until he heard a voice behind him.

"Serrick? What are you doing standing here?"

Serrick turned around. Devalen looked him over. "You feeling better?"

"What's going on between His Majesty and Xue Ji?" Serrick asked, his voice flat.

Devalen studied his face more carefully. After a long pause, he said, "Well… it's a done deal."

"'Done deal?'" Serrick repeated, emphasizing each word.

"Yeah." Devalen seemed to recall some awkward moments, and his voice grew vague. "We all knew this would happen, didn't we? Besides, they're good together." Serrick stayed silent, his face dark.