“I heard that Ling has returned to the military headquarters.”
A magnificently dressed male zerg stood by the window. In the dark and silent sky, two huge moons were about to set, and a hint of pale light emerged in the east.
He sighed, “Su Lin, you have failed again.”
There was no trace of dissatisfaction in his voice; it sounded more like mockery. “Failing three times against the same opponent, this is the first time I’ve seen you in such a miserable state.”
Su Lin’s expression was filled with unprecedented agony, like a beaten dog.
“Please, please give me another chance…” he pleaded.
The response he received was silence. Su Lin couldn’t hide his panic, and he spoke incoherently, “I… I have many plans, and these plans have been successful countless times. They will definitely work!”
“Sir, please give me one last chance,” Su Lin begged. “I promise I won’t make any more mistakes.”
No matter how he pleaded, the figure he had been chasing after never turned around. It remained distant.
Su Lin lowered his head in despair. Yes, making one or two mistakes is fine, but his failure severely damaged the reputation of his superior. He had made his superior lose face in front of a mere individual like Lu Mo. Who knows how that male zerg would mock his superior in his heart.
But even so, he didn’t want to lose his position in his superior’s heart. He was so despicable.
With a loud thud, Su Lin forcefully lowered his head and banged it on the ground. Warm blood flowed out, but he was determined, and he couldn’t feel the pain at all.
“Sir, I pledge my life. I will definitely succeed this time.”
Compared to his superior’s reputation, what was Su Lin’s life worth?
This time, he had to…
“Let it go, Su Lin.”
The male zerg’s voice was calm but shattered Su Lin’s heart in an instant. His pupils contracted to the size of a needle, his fists clenched, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.
Let it go.
Let it go?
Had his superior… finally completely despised him?
For a moment, Su Lin wanted to die just like that, but he couldn’t stain his superior’s eyes. He staggered to his feet, his eyes dull. “Yes, sir, please allow me to withdraw.”
“…”
Although the male zerg didn’t say anything, Su Lin turned around, wanting to leave without permission for the first time.
At least, he wanted to die where his superior couldn’t see him.
“Ah.”
In the next moment, a hand embraced Su Lin’s shoulder, pulling the weak Su Lin into an embrace. Su Lin widened his eyes in panic.
“You always think too much and say too little,” the male zerg whispered in Su Lin’s ear. “If I didn’t hold you back, would you have tried to take your own life?”
Su Lin lowered his gaze. “…I wouldn’t have.”
“Alright, you wouldn’t have.”
The male zerg’s appearance was rare. He was always so tolerant, kind, and rational. He sighed, “I’m not disgusted with you; it’s just that we have more important matters at hand.”
A warm current slowly flowed down from the top of Su Lin’s head, calming his trembling heart in that instant.
He turned his head and saw the sunrise rising outside the window, casting a golden glow on the male zerg, as if he were a god.
The male zerg released Su Lin and extended his hand to him. “Do you remember the first time we met?”
How could Su Lin forget?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
—The first time they met, Su Lin, covered in wounds and with a fierce gaze, held a sword to the male zerg’s chest. With a little force, he could have killed him.
Dea atf wjif hfgu vlvc’a qjclm jr fzqfmafv. Lf pera qea vbkc atf ybbx lc tlr tjcv jcv ibbxfv ja Ve Olc klat tjhs fsfr. “Tbe’gf atf jrrjrrlc ktb cfnfg ojlir, Ve Olc, gluta?”
Lf fzafcvfv tlr tjcv ab Ve Olc. “Ablc wf jcv ifa atf hfgu gjmf gfujlc lar qfjx.”
In that instant, Su Lin saw what he had been pursuing in the male zerg’s eyes. What he said, he would definitely accomplish.
It was the same scene as back then, and Su Lin’s answer was the same.
He knelt down and held the male zerg’s hand.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
——————
A tightly bound female zerg staggered into the room, dragged by the guards behind him. When he reached the center of the room, one of the guards viciously kicked the back of his knee, forcing him to kneel. “Behave!”
The female zerg breathed heavily. His body was covered in scars from torture, and his mental state seemed to be deteriorating.
This female zerg was tall and had a strong chin, leaving a deep impression. He obviously belonged to those resolute races. Torture had no effect on him.
[Rebel Army]
This organization had risen in the past century, aiming to change the current state of the zerg race and the miserable position of the female zergs.
They were patient and didn’t kill male zergs indiscriminately. They knew exactly who was behind all of this.
It was the current emperor who had enacted various laws and established the noble status of male zergs.
This organized and disciplined group with clear goals was not someone anyone wanted to be their enemy.
The emperor observed the female zerg, who lifted his head and looked at the emperor and Su Lin—beside him.
The female zerg’s eyes were filled with disgust and disdain as he sneered, “Su Lin, we thought you were dead, but it turns out you’ve become the lapdog of the emperor!”
Su Lin remained unfazed, as if the insults were not directed at him.
The kneeling female zerg couldn’t conceal his hatred and angrily shouted, “You betrayed us in order to please your master, causing so many allies to be imprisoned. Su Lin, have you forgotten your oath?”
“Never betray, never waver, eliminate the tyrant emperor, and let freedom belong to all the zerg race!”
But Su Lin just quietly watched him, his eyes showing no ripples.
The kneeling female zerg understood. Su Lin had already parted ways with them and now became their complete enemy. He turned his head, feeling sorrow for those allies who died in vain. “They died from a knife in the back.”
“It seems you have misunderstood something,” the emperor said calmly.
“Shut up!” The female zerg glared at the emperor. “I have nothing to say to you. Even if you kill me, I won’t tell you anything!”
“No…” The emperor smiled lightly. “Su Lin has been by my side for thirty years, and in all these years, he has never leaked any information about your organization.”
“He has remained faithful to his oath.”
The kneeling female zerg was stunned but quickly said with disdain, “Do you think I would believe your words? Do you want to say that so many allies were killed and Su Lin has nothing to do with it?”
The emperor remained composed. “I can’t deny that.”
“See?” The female zerg sneered. “He is a shameful traitor!”
The emperor shook his head. “You have completely misunderstood one thing. Su Lin didn’t betray you; it’s just that you were too weak.”
The female zerg’s pupils dilated, and he exclaimed in disbelief, “What are you saying?”
The emperor spoke indifferently, “You were too weak, so weak that once he left you, your actions became full of mistakes. Even if it’s a perfect plan, there’s always room for error.”
His hazy eyes seemed to regain clarity in that moment as the emperor stared piercingly at the female zerg. “Of course, you won’t believe me, but it doesn’t matter. I just want to ask you three questions.”
The emperor stood up and paced in front of the female zerg. “Have you ever thought about what would happen if you succeeded? What would happen then?”
He possessed an awe-inspiring presence, causing even the top-ranked female soldiers in the legion to lower their heads in such moments.
But the kneeling female zerg resisted, staring at the emperor. “At that time, the female zergs will no longer be oppressed, and the male zergs will learn to respect the female zergs. The zerg race will have a bright future.”
“Wrong.” The emperor looked at him with pity. “That’s just your fantasy of the future. The real future is darkness. In the current situation, the zerg population barely maintains stability. Once the number of male zergs declines, irreversible and complete collapse will follow.”
The female zerg snorted coldly. “So what? Is stability built upon the suffering of the female zergs meaningful?”
“Meaning?” The emperor narrowed his eyes and spoke softly. “The second question is: Is temporary freedom and happiness more important than the extinction of the entire zerg race?”
“How is that possible?!” The female zerg exclaimed. “According to calculations, the zerg race will eventually stabilize at a lower population, but it won’t go extinct like you say. It just won’t be as powerful as it is now. How can it go extinct?”
The emperor looked at him mockingly. “Very well, then the third question is: Can a weak zerg race truly survive in the universe?”
The female zerg widened his eyes.
“Think about it,” the emperor leaned down and patted his shoulder gently. “The zerg race occupies such a vast territory and has so many resources. What would happen if they became weak?”
They would be invaded.
They would be divided.
They would lose everything.
And the new races that occupy the zerg race’s territory would definitely exterminate them. After all, the zerg race is a strong race by nature, and they can’t be given a chance to rise again.
Cold sweat dripped from the female zerg’s forehead, his face pale. He weakly said, “But… But the leader said nothing would happen…”
“Of course, what I’m saying is just one possibility of the future.” The emperor looked at the female zerg tenderly. “My dear children, you’re young and daring to give everything for the future’s development, based on your own pace.”
“But I’m already old, and old zergs always have many concerns. I can’t let the future of the zerg race have even the slightest risk.”
The emperor raised his hand. “Let him go.”
The guards were shocked. “Your Majesty, this is absolutely not advisable!”
“It’s fine,” the emperor smiled lightly. “They are all good children.”
…
The heavy chains fell off and made a clattering sound as they hit the ground.
The guards and Su Lin nervously watched the female zerg, afraid that he might suddenly react. However, he maintained his kneeling position with his hands supporting the ground, and sweat dripped down his face, forming small puddles on the ground.
“Heh… Heh…”
The female zerg’s mouth exhaled white mist, his lips withered.
Such momentum, such considerations. Just how heavy of a burden does the emperor carry… And when the emperor ordered to release him, he was completely convinced.
He closed his eyes in anguish. “What should I… What should I do?”
He could give everything, including his life and soul, for his beliefs. But once his beliefs were shaken, he would endure a pain stronger than death.
Su Lin looked at him, as if he saw his past self.
The zerg race will surely regain its peak under the emperor’s leadership.
After what felt like centuries, the female zerg finally regained his composure. He looked at the emperor and said, “I won’t betray the alliance.”
“I know, you may go.”
The female zerg deeply bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
…
Until everything calmed down, the emperor remained alone in the room.
He stood by the window, overlooking the entire palace from there.
The strong wind from high above blew against the emperor’s hair. He raised his head, his face filled with a benevolent and gentle smile.
But this smile seemed to melt away under the sunlight, like butter.
“Hehe…”
“Haha…”
“Hahaha…”
He covered his face and gradually laughed maniacally.
As long as that secret is not discovered, he will forever be the emperor of the zerg race.
It was a close call. The female zerg named Lai Yin almost exposed the secret to the public.
If only he had been more restrained and had less curiosity, he would have been an outstanding female zerg and had a bright future.
But it doesn’t matter now. That female zerg is already dead.
And he will forever stand at the top of the zerg race.
A hidden figure appeared out of thin air from the corner. He knelt on the ground and said, “He went in the direction of Baron Aidin’s mansion.”
“Three days later, Baron Aidin will hold a banquet. They will definitely take action then.”
The completely convinced female zerg let his guard down, and the emperor noticed this flaw.
…
“Rustle…”
“Rustle…”
The sharp scissors carefully cut open the side of the letter, without damaging the seal.
An invitation letter was poured out and Lu Mo picked it up and unfolded it.
Hmm… It’s an invitation to a banquet from Baron Aidin.
Male zergs really love hosting banquets. Lu Mo had already experienced that on the Desert Star. He had to rush to a banquet every three or five days…
And then frantically increase his “scum value.” It was a sweet and painful annoyance.
After arriving on the Imperial Star, his title became insignificant, and there were few invitations sent to him. Lu Mo even felt a hint of loneliness.
Finally, today!
The invitation has arrived once again!
Lu Mo raised the invitation with a spirited expression, as if he could already see the gleaming future.
The system was also excited: [I just had an idea that’s perfect for increasing your “scum value.”]
Lu Mo perked up his ears: [Tell me more.]
The system said, [Listen, let me explain in detail…]
Ten minutes later, Lu Mo’s eyes lit up like a star.
Coincidentally, Ling passed by in front of him, his steps faltering, and the tips of his ears, hidden beneath his silver hair, turned slightly red.
Lately, it seems like he’s having some kind of illness.
Author’s note: If you want to criticize me, please do it gently…
???
My brain os slightly numb. The secret of the emperor… Is this a foreshadowing or should we as readers already have a clue to what that secret is?
I think the secret is that the Emperor is the one responsible for Ling’s past torture and has been using Ling’s race’s blood for longevity.
Right. That sound like it could be it!!!
Thank you
But that’s public knowledge though it’s never acknowledged. Everyone who knows Ling has tried to go after him as mentioned before. So that really isn’t much of a secret. I think it’s something else
And that honestly wouldn’t be enough reason for the emperor to ve deposed as majority of the zergs are also greedy for Ling’s race
But that’s just my opinion. Let’s see
Thank you for the chapter 💗💗
Li Mo? I thought it was Lu Mo? 😭😭 Thank you for the chapter though! 🩷
It is Lu Mo…😖 I thought i had made the correction before copying the ch… 😪turned out it was the original version i pasted to upload…😭 i have made the corrections now… thankyou for bringing it to my notice…😊
👍
Time to party and up some scum value, lmao! Thanks for the update 🤣❤️🤣❤️
The emperor is really master of manipulation
Thank You for the new chapter ʚ♡⃛ɞ(ू•ᴗ•ू❁)
Almost think that lai yin faith on his way of thinking is not even as strong as a flat earther who believe that the earth is also hollow. Good job lai yin 👍
What a skilled manipulator. Fuck, I really hoped the death was natural.😮💨 I guess now Ling and the emperor are irreversible enemies. Here we go.