“There is only one alpha in this world who has ever received this kind of treatment.”

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M1zushi: since the description is kind of interpretative I’ve add translation notes for those that didn’t get it

Perhaps it was the military blood in his veins acting up, but Bai Ling instinctively followed the command.

Outside the tent, the atmosphere of the greenhouse was peaceful. The trees were thick and upright, their trunks towering while dark golden vines coiled in intricate networks around the massive roots. A single, fleeting glance was enough to completely take in the bulging pathways of the root systems.

A great tree with deep roots.

Bai Ling’s mind wandered idly, wondering what it had looked like sixty or seventy years ago when Izu Paraiso had first planted these trees.

The automatic sprinkler system kicked in, and the fine sound of water filled the surroundings, coming in intermittent bursts that blended with a few sounds of choking.

The lawn grew thick and dense; even through a layer of waterproof tarp, its fresh scent was perceptible. Bai Ling breathed through his nose, but what rushed into his sensory nerves was a decadent fragrance resembling burning humus. Intense, heavy, and laced with the distinct fishy chill of a marine organism. It turned the surface of his tongue sour, causing him to cough and wheeze uncontrollably.

He had choked.

The hand that had been soothing his neck suddenly stopped. After a moment of scrutiny, it pinched his jaw upward once more.

Yu Chen remarked fairly, “You are still not quite skilled.”

His tone was so elegant and slow, bearing a slight touch of instruction, that it made Bai Ling quietly curl his toes.

Bai Ling wiped his lips with the back of his hand, displaying a hint of unrefined roughness, his grey eyes sharp and bright. “There is only one alpha in this world who has ever received this kind of treatment.”

Yu Chen, in high spirits, raised an eyebrow. “A living alpha?”

“Dead or alive, they all count.”

“Then I am truly quite honored.”

“You earned it.”

The moment the words left his quick mouth, Bai Ling froze, lifting his eyes only to slam straight into a pair of deeply meaningful green eyes.

“I earned it…” The merman dragged out the syllables, savoring them meticulously, grinding them slowly, rolling those words between his lips and tongue as if licking open a warm wing to suck the bird’s bones dry.

Bai Ling’s face burned with sweat as he frantically twisted his head away. It wasn’t a confession, yet it surpassed one; that sense of loyalty saturated with sacrificial undertones perfectly suited Yu Chen’s tastes.

Suddenly, a rustling sound of trampling grass echoed from outside, and a shadow was soon cast across the front of the tent, blurry and shifting, expanding continuously as it advanced.

Bai Ling’s nerves instantly tautened. Propping himself up with his arms, he reached out to grope for his blade.

Yu Chen, quick-eyed and deft-handed, caught him, smoothing his palm over the back of his neck before lifting the tent flap. He lowered his voice toward the AI outside:

“What is happening?”

The moment the AI received that voice input, its CPU immediately triggered a high-energy alert: High energy ahead! High energy ahead! Disturbance of Master’s feeding is strictly prohibited!

Every component across its frame trembled with the word “fear,” yet its programming forced it to report:

“Kaide is looking for you, requesting to establish a call with you.”

Yu Chen’s expression gradually cooled. “Disconnect.”

AI: “…But he has been calling back and forth for half an hour. According to past events, if he cannot reach you, he might personally take the elevator up to knock on the door.”

The only person capable of driving the current Tyrant into a frantic rage was its Master.

From the AI’s perspective, it could see the small triangle formed by the lifted tent flap. Its Master’s golden hair fell down his back, excessively loose, thick, and curled, faintly betraying a rare trace of dampness. In his arms, he held the Mechanical Little Bird—

No, considering that oppressive posture, describing it as “controlled” was far closer to reality.

Yu Chen’s eyes darkened. “Bring the terminal over.”

The AI breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly raising its small hands to offer it with absolute reverence. “It’s here.”

The flap fell closed once more, the support rods shaking heavily. A thumb lit up the terminal, and the blue, spectral glow of the screen instantly diffused through the narrow, low space, illuminating Yu Chen’s dignified face with an eerie, deep solemnity.

He was displeased by being interrupted.

“…What is wrong with you?” The bird’s voice was slightly hoarse as he tilted his face up to ask him.

Yu Chen shifted his gaze, his eyes narrowing slightly. That exquisite, cold face had now turned misty, blending a trace of pure innocence with a hint of allure. His lips were slightly swollen and red, and due to his actions just now, he was still reflexively swallowing saliva, looking as though he were laying the groundwork for the next invasion.

Perhaps because the air was too thin, Bai Ling’s head felt a bit hazy with a feverish dizziness.

He had absolutely no idea when that hand had clamped around the back of his neck, pressing down ruthlessly as an unfeeling command was delivered:

“Continue.”

Caught completely unawares, Bai Ling felt nothing but the manifestation of absolute authority seeping from between the man’s fingers, forcing his head to plunge continuously downward. He let out an uncomfortable whimper, a trace of feverish heat seeping from the corners of his eyes, but the other party showed no pity. Merely casting a fleeting glance over him, the man raised his hand to tap open the terminal communication.

The instant it connected, Yu Chen’s voice instantly reverted to total composure: “Christopher, you have two minutes to state your intent to me.”

With his thin lips trembling, Bai Ling could barely catch a breath. …This old beast!