A series of social deaths

Huo Xianfeng⁠⁠‍‌⁠​​‌​​‍‌‍‌‌‌⁠‌‍​​⁠​​ carried Jiang Ci into the bathroom.

—After all, in this state, there was no way they could go out and meet anyone.

However, there was only one bathroom. Huo Xianfeng originally intended to let Jiang Ci wash up first, and then he would go in and take his time afterward.

But as soon as the Major General heard that the entire First Legion had been waiting for them outside all night—and that Zhou Jiuyan had even called three times to urge them—he couldn’t sit still at all.

He was so panicked, his movements were hurried and frantic.

“Uh… ok, ok.”

Huo Xianfeng shrugged and reluctantly said,

“If you insist on showering together, that’s fine.”

Jiang Ci: “…”

Splash—!!!

Huo Xianfeng was sprayed in the face with water from the showerhead.

Before he could even wipe it off, Jiang Ci grabbed his wrist and yanked him closer. Normally, even an S-rank alpha like Zhou Jiuya wouldn’t be able to pull Huo Xianfeng, but for some reason, in front of Jiang Ci, Huo Xianfeng seemed rather weak, even stumbling as he was pulled. The Major General hurriedly aimed the showerhead at Huo Xianfeng and gave him a quick rinse.

—The entire process took less than ten seconds.

And just like that, Huo Xianfeng was considered washed by Jiang Ci.

“Alright, that’s enough!”

The Major General’s tone was fierce, though his hoarse voice made it lack some authority. He pushed Huo Xianfeng out,

“Get out now! Go and clean yourself up quickly!”

Huo Xianfeng: “…?”

“????”

Huo Xianfeng was stunned.

Just—just like that?

Washing dishes is more complicated than this!

 At least use some shower gel!

“…”

Huo Xianfeng suddenly stopped, lowered his gaze, and stared intently at Jiang Ci.

“You’re going to kick me out after just that?”

Jiang Ci was taken aback.

The air in the room was already thick with warm steam, some of it condensing on the omega’s dense eyelashes, scattering fine points of light. The crimson irises were covered with a layer of mist, as beautiful as rubies quietly resting in a stream.

The Zergs liked bright things, like flowers. They also liked things with a metallic texture because they needed energy.

Jiang Ci perfectly embodied both preferences, with the striking collision of silver and crimson, his overly delicate features not appearing feminine or gaudy at all, but rather carrying a sense of stubborn sharpness.

In the next moment—

Pa!

The young man’s large hand suddenly grabbed the omega’s wrist, along with the showerhead, pinning it against the wall behind Jiang Ci. Huo Xianfeng leaned in close, cornering him against the wall.

“You think just a couple of rinses is enough?”

“…”

The sound of water splashing, the confined space, the overly close proximity, and the recent events all combined to make Huo Xianfeng’s voice unbearably seductive.

Jiang Ci felt his ears, and even his brain, go numb.

“Huo Xianfeng, the situation is urgent…”

He looked up at Huo Xianfeng, feeling like this guy had grown taller again, possibly even a bit taller than his uncle. Zhou Jiuyan was 1.85 meters tall, and now Huo Xianfeng seemed to be around 1.88 meters.

Huo Xianfeng didn’t notice that Jiang Ci was gauging his height. He was still fixated on the fact that Jiang Ci had only given him a quick rinse,

“The situation is urgent, so you just washed me like that?”

“…”

The young man’s voice pulled Jiang Ci out of his thoughts. He lazily dragged out his words, with a hint of dissatisfaction and teasing in his tone,

“Isn’t that a bit too half-hearted, Major General?”

Huo Xianfeng’s mischievous nature truly shined right now.

He usually called Jiang Ci by his name, but when they’re being intimate, he switches to “A-Ci.” Now that Jiang Ci was in a hurry to leave, Huo Xianfeng switched to “Major General”

—He’s definitely doing it on purpose!

Huo Xianfeng was drenched head to toe from the shower and his hair was completely soaked through, with crystal-clear, warm droplets of water sliding down the side of his face.

Due to their height difference and close proximity, Jiang Ci could clearly see the water droplets falling from Huo Xianfeng’s hair and chin, some landing on his own face and collarbone, collecting in a small, shallow pool in the hollow of his collarbone.

Jiang Ci froze and quickly turned his head away.

“Huo Xianfeng, can you… can you please…”

His voice was flustered and tense,

“Can you take this seriously? We’re in a hurry!”

Jiang Ci’s bare back was pressed against the metal wall and the cold sensation seeped through his skin, making his muscles tighten in response. But he couldn’t break free and could only press his other hand against Huo Xianfeng’s chest to keep him from getting too close.

This time, with no clothes in between, Jiang Ci could clearly feel Huo Xianfeng’s firm and well-defined chest muscles, and even his strong heartbeat. Although they had done many intimate things before, Jiang Ci rarely initiated such direct contact. The intense and aggressive alpha presence made him nervous and his heart race.

“Be honest, wasn’t that just a half-hearted rinse?”

Huo Xianfeng wasn’t in any rush and his bad character was showing again.

“When I washed you before, I was thorough and careful. Every inch of your body, inside and out, isn’t that right… mmph.”

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Jiang Ci couldn’t take it anymore. His ears burned red as he desperately covered Huo Xianfeng’s mouth.

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“Mmph…”

Jiang Ci could feel a tickling warmth in his palm because Huo Xianfeng wasn’t resisting; he was just talking against the softest part of Jiang Ci’s palm.

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Huo Xianfeng: “…Oh.”

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Though he still wanted to dry his hair first.

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Bang!

The door was slammed shut.

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Tsk, at least give me a towel.

Huo Xianfeng hated the feeling of wet hair; it was really uncomfortable. He always dried his hair before leaving the bathroom.

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Oh, oh, oh! He really is wearing one!

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Thud!

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Jiang Ci was completely exasperated.

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Jiang Ci asked, surprised.

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“…”

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Huo Xianfeng patted the omega’s soft hair in comfort, then looked up. The next moment, a loud rumble echoed outside as the tightly packed horde of Zergs began to disperse, creating a vast pathway leading straight into the sky.

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“Let’s go.”

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“Don’t you need the Forbidden Abyss?”

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—Ossa.

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“What is that—?!”

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“…”

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“Holy crap! That really looks like—”

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Zhou Jiuya was stunned, too shocked to speak.

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In any case, Jiang Ci had imagined countless ways he and Huo Xianfeng might return to the First Legion, but he never expected it would be like this.

It was certainly dramatic enough.

But how was he supposed to explain this?!!

Because there was no doubt that the military forums were already blowing up, filled with who knows what kind of wild speculation.

“…”

Jiang Ci silently covered his face.

In any case, ten minutes later, the meeting between the two sides was set to take place in the conference room aboard the First Legion’s aircraft carrier.

A long, metallic conference table with a silver surface. The newly crowned Zerg King and the human Emperor sat across from each other. On the left side were Zhou Jiuya and Ye Shu, while on the right sat Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci carefully chose the seat in the exact middle, perfectly neutral.

After all, on one side was the Emperor, and on the other was his boyfriend. Torn between personal and professional duties, he had no choice but to remain neutral.

Jiang Ci hadn’t expected Pei Changyun to be there, even if only as a projection. But it was enough to make him nervous. Although his father had a good relationship with him, Pei Changyun’s imperial authority was undeniably real.

The Emperor’s attire no longer resembled the old monarchs of ancient Earth, with their elaborate robes, crowns, and scepters. Instead, it was designed more like a military uniform, though less restrictive, with a regal touch befitting an emperor.

In contrast, Huo Xianfeng’s outfit was much more casual and laid-back—a simple, comfortable white shirt.

“…”

And that was where things got awkward.

Because military uniforms have subtle adjustments depending on rank. In other words, anyone could tell with a glance that Huo Xianfeng was wearing Jiang Ci’s pants.

After all, Huo Xianfeng wasn’t part of the military, so even without those minor adjustments, those combat pants could only belong to Jiang Ci. For a moment, the looks from everyone in the room were rather complicated. Zhou Jiuya clenched and unclenched his fists, and even Ye Shu beside him had a complex expression.

The Major General lowered his gaze, appearing calm, though on the inside, he was on the verge of exploding.

Huo Xianfeng had gotten so used to wearing Jiang Ci’s clothes that Jiang Ci hadn’t thought anything of it. They had just finished bathing and rushed off to meet everyone, completely forgetting that Huo Xianfeng was still wearing his pants.

And so, this awkward situation was created.

Meeting Huo Xianfeng marked the beginning of Jiang Ci’s social death, one incident after another.

But since things had already reached this point, Jiang Ci could only maintain a façade of calmness. His face had become stiff, and he had no idea what kind of expression he should wear.

On the other hand, Huo Xianfeng didn’t seem to mind at all. Among the Zergs, announcing your relationship to the world after confirming a bond was perfectly normal—something to be envied, without a trace of embarrassment.

Even though their attire didn’t match, it was clear that Huo Xianfeng had an overwhelming victory.

Because while everyone else was on high alert, with serious or solemn expressions, Huo Xianfeng was having breakfast.

Yes, he was eating breakfast.

Nora had already woken up and was standing behind Huo Xianfeng, having thoughtfully prepared a lavish breakfast for the King, filled with love.

—An array of S-class mecha cores and various rare metals.

Just one casual bite was like consuming billions in military funding.

Nora had even thoughtfully arranged the plate, shaping the metals into the shape of a flower. The vibrant greens and multi-colored metals made for a dazzling display.

At that moment, everyone at the table was watching Huo Xianfeng as he picked up a strange, small bone knife to use as a dining knife, slicing through the metals as effortlessly as if they were tofu, then eating them bite by bite with casual indifference.

His sleeves were loosely rolled up, revealing a stretch of his forearm and well-defined muscle.

His posture was relaxed and lazy, yet there was an undeniable air of nobility about him.

But this scene made all the mechas present tremble in fear.

Including the black ring on Huo Xianfeng’s ring finger.

—That was the Forbidden Abyss in disguise.

The Zergs are omnivores; they can eat anything, but what makes them particularly unique is their ability to absorb energy from metals, making metals their primary food source. This is the origin of the Zergs’ power and, in a sense, makes them the natural enemies of mechas.

This is why the Forbidden Abyss was given to Huo Xianfeng by Huo Chao without any objections.

Because, in a way, Huo Chao was protecting Forbidden Abyss, keeping it from being eaten by Huo Xianfeng.

A 3S-class mecha might be the most powerful weapon capable of destroying worlds for humans, but for the Zerg King, it’s just a tough, yet highly nutritious, bone to chew.

“How terrifying, A-Ci! He’s eating mechas! What if he eats me too?” Bai Ze trembled.

Jiang Ci silently turned his head away, unable to respond.

His attention was on something else. Jiang Ci had taken great care to bathe, but since they had only just completed the complete mark last night, standing here among a group of alphas made him feel incredibly conspicuous.

So, it wasn’t just Huo Xianfeng’s clothing—this was even more awkward.

Because Jiang Ci had just finished his heat last night, his body was still covered in Huo Xianfeng’s pheromones. They were extremely strong, even covering his own omega scent.

Typically, after an omega and alpha spend time together in a private space during heat, they would stay there for a few more days until the strong scent of pheromones dissipated before returning to normal life.

But Jiang Ci always had the worst luck.

First, he was injected with the Lomil drug, forcing him into heat; then, he had to go through it while on the run. During the third round, he even had to fight deep within enemy territory, and after finally getting through it all,

The moment he opened the door, he was caught by a group of elders waiting outside.

Not just one—a whole group.

And on the way over, he ran into several acquaintances. With such a strong alpha scent, it was basically an announcement to the entire world. Jiang Ci didn’t even need to check the military forums to know what kind of explosive news was there now, with posts likely stacking up at a rate of a hundred sub-topics per second.

In short, even though the Forbidden Abyss had perfectly followed the mech’s privacy and confidentiality protocol, everyone present knew exactly what Forbidden Abyss meant by saying it was “inconvenient.”

During the hours they had been waiting, Huo Xianfeng had completely marked Jiang Ci.

When an omega has just been completely marked, the alpha’s pheromones on them would boldly announce to everyone—

Hey! This is the omega I’ve marked, my wife.

If any alpha dared to get too close and covet the omega, then the declaration would come with an added warning—

Hey! This is the omega I’ve marked, my wife. If you dare make a move, I’ll kill you!

M1zushi: i feel bad bcs i think of nier automata and of the automatas being killed, their cores eaten by HXF ><