Zerg degeneration

“Mm, my​‌‌‍⁠⁠‍⁠‌‌‌⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍⁠‍​⁠​‍‌ father really is amazing.”

But Jiang Ci’s tone as he said this was not proud as before, but lonely. Along the way, Huo Xianfeng could clearly feel the immense change in him. For example, now he no longer demanded too much of himself. Instead, he smiled and said with a tone of relief and certainty,

“But I will be even more amazing than him in the future.”

Huo Xianfeng knew the meaning behind Jiang Ci’s words. Everything now was an achievement that Jiang Jinsheng had spent over two hundred years and a lifetime of painstaking effort to obtain. But the Jiang Ci of today was no longer in a desperate hurry to prove himself to anyone by any means necessary. Jiang Ci was Jiang Jinsheng’s son, but more than that, he was himself.

The way he was now was very good, and the future would be even better.

Huo Xianfeng stared at him for a few seconds and a smile gradually appeared in his eyes. He reached out and ruffled Jiang Ci’s hair, giving him his undisguised affirmation and trust.

“Mn, you will.”

“…” Jiang Ci stared blankly at him. Huo Xianfeng had the kind of very beautiful phoenix eyes, with long outer corners that tilted up slightly. Normally, when he had no expression, he had a cold sharpness. But when he shed all his sharp edges and watched someone quietly, he appeared focused and gentle.

It was as if, at this moment, nothing else existed in the world besides the person before him.

This gaze made Jiang Ci’s heart suddenly thump. He subconsciously averted his eyes, his cheeks growing slightly hot, and then quickly changed the subject.

“Um, these… these were all built by my father back then. Although the exterior looks a bit strange, the inside is just a normal house.”

“Mm, okay.” Huo Xianfeng didn’t quite understand Jiang Ci’s sudden nervousness, but he still followed him inside.

Indeed, just as Jiang Ci had said, after walking for a few minutes, they saw a normal villa mansion in the very center. Although no one had lived here for a long time, thanks to the cleaning robots that tidied it up every day, everything inside was very clean and neat.

Jiang Ci’s room was upstairs. Besides having its own large laboratory, it wasn’t much different from the room of a wealthy young master that Huo Xianfeng had imagined: floor-to-ceiling windows, a walk-in closet, an adjoining study, all spotlessly clean, as neat as if it were new. Huo Xianfeng took a brief look around, then stood by the window, gazing at the various densely packed buildings in the distance.

Because they had traveled day and night to get back, it was now nighttime in the capital, and bright lights were lit up everywhere. Aside from the lack of an army and heavy weaponry, Jiang Ci’s home was indeed like a military fortress with its own munitions factory.

Just then, Jiang Ci, having just settled Nora and his future ration-producing Zergs downstairs, walked in. To his surprise, Huo Xianfeng wasn’t curiously observing his room, but was just quietly leaning against the window, enjoying the breeze. This guy seemed as if he could stand there casually, and any photo taken would be worthy of a magazine cover.

Jiang Ci stared intently at the man’s profile. He suddenly realized that the Huo Xianfeng of today could no longer be called a young man. The other had gradually developed the sharp and dangerous angles of a mature man.

Jiang Ci knew that when that person had something on his mind, he liked to stand quietly in the breeze. He walked over and asked softly, “What are you thinking about?”

Huo Xianfeng turned at the sound of his voice and quietly watched Jiang Ci. At this moment, the cool night wind lifted the ends of his hair, revealing the white earring on his earlobe.

—That was Bright Moon.

Bright Moon’s accessory mimicry must have been modified, because whether it was the Forbidden Abyss, Bai Ze, Xiao X, or Wan Jiang, all the mechas capable of mimicry would produce an accessory with a metallic feel. But Cheng Yue was different.

That earring looked like it had the texture of porcelain jade. It was a white ring with one or two red, wave-like threads on its surface, looking extremely delicate. Against Jiang Ci’s military uniform, it added a touch of cold beauty.

“This place… it’s so big. Do you live here all by yourself?”

Jiang Ci was slightly taken aback, then lowered his eyes and hummed a soft “mm.”

“When I was little, my father hired some maids to take care of me, but I didn’t like it later, so they were dismissed. Uncle and He Zhun used to live here too. Uncle didn’t originally live at the Jiang estate; he only stayed here for a while to take care of me. Later, when I grew up, he also got busy. After we terminated the guardianship, he moved out and has been living in the military barracks ever since.”

Jiang Ci gazed into the distance, silent for a moment before continuing, “So, all things considered, He Zhun accompanied me for even longer than my father and Uncle. It’s just that later, He Zhun also got busy. He lived in the dormitory assigned by his work unit, and I was busy too, and didn’t come back, living at the military academy or in the starship’s lounge. So there was no one here…”

Jiang Ci stopped there, reaching out to hug Huo Xianfeng’s arm and resting his head quietly on his shoulder.

Read at Mizushi Novels

Visit Mizushi Novels

“But if you want to go back and find your homeplanet, Huo Xianfeng, we can go back together too. In the future, we can live on Eternal CLoud Planet, or live at your place. I’ve already grasped some of the theory behind the space shuttle device. When the time comes, I’ll build a giant space tunnel, or a space shuttle station, and it will be very convenient to travel back and forth…”

Support the original translation

Read on Mizushi Novels

It felt as if he had been trudging alone down a bloody path of revenge, and just as he was about to reach the end, a new path suddenly extended before him, and in the distance, flowers were in full, beautiful, and brilliant bloom.

Don't scrape

Don't copy

“Apologies, Major General Jiang Ci. By His Majesty’s order, there is an urgent matter that requires Mr. Huo Xianfeng to accompany us to the palace.”

Read at Mizushi Novels

Visit Mizushi Novels

—It seemed the matter was very urgent.

Support the original translation

Read on Mizushi Novels

“Apologies, Major General Jiang Ci, you have another mission.” Zhao He’s tone was gentle but firm. “Great progress has been made in deciphering the chip found inside the Forbidden Abyssbut we’re just short of the final step. The Vice Dean said the code seems to be related to your father, so your assistance is needed at the Academy of Sciences now.”

Don't scrape

Don't copy

“Mr. Huo Xianfeng, this matter is of great importance. I am not aware of the specific details myself. His Majesty said that once you arrive at the palace, he will personally explain the reason to you. As for Major General Jiang Ci’s safety, the Legion Commander will personally guard the Academy of Sciences, and a professional medical team will also be there.”

Read at Mizushi Novels

Visit Mizushi Novels

And in that instant, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of that cold, golden vertical pupil staring at him.

Support the original translation

Bzzmm—

The glint of steel flashed.

Read on Mizushi Novels

Don't scrape

After a long moment, Zhao He finally came to his senses. His pupils were dilated and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He reached up to touch his neck, and his trembling fingertips indeed came away stained red.

Don't copy

“…” Zhao He’s expression was a bit ugly, but he still maintained a polite facade. “Okay, let me ask.”

A moment later, Zhao He received an affirmative reply. This time, he didn’t approach again, but cautiously took a step back to clear the way.

“Then, Major General Jiang Ci, if you please.”

A few minutes later, Jiang Ci quickly packed his things and sped toward the imperial palace aboard the Royal Fleet.

Meanwhile, in the emperor’s private study, Pei Changyun hung up the communication with Zhao He. He then turned to look at the woman in the corner, who was bound by mechanical cuffs.

Cecilia’s eyes curved into a smile. “Well? Didn’t I say you would fail?”

“…” Pei Changyun just looked at the Holy Stigmata on the side of her neck. Those things had already completely transformed from their original crimson-gold to the color of blood, winding from her heart to the side of her neck, and then crisscrossing up to the side of her face.

And it wasn’t flat against the skin like a tattoo as it had been before, but was now raised. Particularly on her neck, there was a raised area shaped like an eye.

After a long moment, Pei Changyun averted his gaze in disgust and said faintly, “It wasn’t a complete failure. At least he came.”

“I’m very curious, Your Majesty.” Cecilia leaned lazily against the sofa. Even though her hands and feet were bound, she still had to strike a bewitching, cat-like pose. “How does it feel to be about to see your lover? Are you super excited? Ah… even Lia’s heart starts to pound just thinking about His Highness, Huo Chao.”

“…You talk too much, Cecilia.” Pei Changyun gave her a cold glance. “I wouldn’t mind shutting your mouth as well.”

Hearing this, the woman immediately curled into a ball, feigning fear. “Ah! How scary, how scary~ Lia is really going to be scared to death.”

But after she said this, the fearful look on her face suddenly vanished. She tapped her temple with a red fingernail and revealed a malicious smile.

“But, even if Lia doesn’t speak, Your Majesty’s mind should be completely filled with Lia’s voice, right?”

“…” Pei Changyun’s knuckles tightened, and the calm expression on his face instantly darkened. He opened a small box on the table. Inside was a vial of golden liquid.

—Cecilia had guessed correctly.

It wasn’t just her voice. Ever since seeing her in the interrogation room that day, Pei Changyun’s mind had been completely filled with the memory of that day.

Every moment of every hour, it replayed.

At that time, Cecilia sat in the prisoner’s chair, her beautiful red nails tapping against the tabletop one by one. She said,

[Pei Changyun, do you know about Zerg degeneration?]

[It’s when high-ranking, humanoid Zergs like Huo Xianfeng have too much of their nerve fluid extracted. They degenerate. Ah… you should have seen those low-ranking Zergs, right? Those terrifying, hideous, horrifying monsters.]

[Yes. After degenerating, he will become like that.]

Her tone was very slow, so slow that Pei Changyun could clearly hear the process of her enunciating every single word.

[So, actually, Huo Chao didn’t die in the nuclear explosion. Nor did he die for all of humanity.]

[He didn’t lie to you. He was coming back. But it’s a pity…]