Ling Yi woke up in crushing pain from head to toe.

Someone was sitting on his bed with his back to him, his upper body bare, with well-carved muscles exposed to the air. But the skin over those muscles looked miserable, covered with scratches and bite marks, as if he had gone through severe torture.

“You’re awake?”

Ling Yi covered his head with the blanket when he heard the voice behind him, not wanting to pay him any attention.

Oser reached back and ruffled the hair that was sticking out of the blanket.

“I’ve been thinking since I woke up. You never marked anyone when you were an Alpha. Do you have any regrets?”

Ling Yi’s voice was hoarse and full of resentment: “If you let me bite you, I won’t have any regrets.”

Oser paused, then drew his hand away from his hair.

“Okay, I’ll let you bite me.”

Ling Yi scoffed: “Do you think I’ll still believe your lies? Everyone knows that the gland is an Alpha’s taboo area. If I actually bite you, you’ll punch me.”

“If you bite me, I won’t resist.”

“You have conditioned reflexes!”

“I swear on the name of my future child.”

Ling Yi rolled over and bit Oser’s neck at lightning speed. The taste of blood instantly filled his mouth, but he bit deeper and deeper, refusing to let go no matter what.

Oser’s body trembled violently, and veins popped out on the backs of his clenched fists. The muscles at the corners of his eyes twitched from extreme sufferance, and beads of sweat the size of soybeans streamed down his cheeks.

But he still endured it motionlessly until several centuries later when Ling Yi finally chose to end this torture, leaving a deep bite mark on the Alpha’s gland.

Oser’s face was ashen, his voice weak: “Is it enough? If not, you can bite again.”

Ling Yi slowly licked his canine teeth with the tip of his tongue. This was not a hunting reaction – he just wanted to imprint the taste of Oser’s blood in his mind forever.

The figure in front of him didn’t look back.

“Ling Yi, since you’ve marked me, you have to be responsible for me.”

. . . . . . .

The number one conference hall in the palace was crowded with people who had heard the news – that the eldest prince had an important event to announce – and reporters from various media outlets rushed over.

As a former war correspondent and a current reporter for China Business Network, Lola, a woman in her early thirties, was the first to arrive. She occupied the best seat in the entire venue, causing her colleagues to both love and hate her.

“You’re a reporter for the finance channel, how come you always rush to the forefront for every piece of news? You reported on the Marshal’s son and on the fire at the courthouse. What do those things have to do with finance?”

Lola set down her coffee cup: “These are all indicators that can influence the stock market. A single political change can cause economic shock across entire sectors, so how can it not be related to finance?”

Another reporter commented: “I admire her vigor. Have you read the over ten thousand word analysis of the court fire published by First Financial Daily this morning? It’s obvious that she stayed up all night collecting research to write it, yet the author is still so energetic.”

“Hey, before she became a finance reporter, she actually worked as a war correspondent for five years. She can even broadcast live under a hail of bullets, so what’s this minor scene to her? But I’m different. I’m so sleepy right now, and I don’t know who started the fire.”

After saying so, he yawned deeply.

Lola crossed her arms, subconsciously rubbing the raised edge of a gunshot scar on her upper arm.

She was hit with a bullet while reporting, and the same bullet from the same gun also hit the chest of the cameraman who was filming her. The shot he took as he fell to the ground was the last one he ever filmed.

From then on, Lola developed a stress disorder caused by the sound of gunfire, and was forced to say farewell to the job she loved.

Lola disregarded the comments of her peers, focusing on things related to the press conference.

“Do you think His Highness Oser’s last minute press conference is related to the courthouse fire yesterday?” she asked.

“Of course it is, ah! The Marshal has been making things difficult for the Prime Minister lately, and the Prime Minister was so anxious to get rid of the evidence against him that he even targeted the Royal Court. As his grandson, of course His Highness must step forward to divert attention.”

Could this be how it was? Lola was skeptical.

“What you said is something everyone knows already. I heard through the grapevine what content His Highness Oser is going to announce.”

The speaker came from a well-known gossip media outlet, and even Lola’s attention was drawn to them.

“What sort of content?”

“Remember the mysterious beauty His Highness has been bringing around with him recently?”

“How could we not remember? You’re insulting our professionalism.”

“According to my friends in the military, this beauty is a genuine Omega. Think about it, what else could His Highness Oser be announcing? Naturally, he’s going to disclose that person’s identity and announce their engagement!”

The cameraman accompanying Lola was busy adjusting the camera angle, and muttered when he heard this: “Am I really going to be able to film His Highness Oser announcing his marriage in my lifetime?”

Lola thought for a moment and felt that this analysis made sense, so she told her colleague: “Be very careful later, and make sure not to miss a single detail.”

“Does that even need to be said? It’s a rare event for His Highness Oser to get married. I’m going to make sure he looks handsome and cool, so that he lights up the headlines of China Business News.”

Inside the lounge, wearing formal business attire that he would only wear to major ceremonies, Oser sat on the sofa with his eyes shut.

The people present were all important officials in his faction. The emperor had been weak and sick for many years, and had difficulty governing the country, so everyone in his cabinet had already taken sides and found backers.

When they saw Oser’s expression, none of them dared to make much noise as they spoke. 

“His Highness Oser doesn’t look well today.”

“I heard he’s ill. We suggested that he change the time, but he disagreed. I wonder what important announcement he’s going to make today.”

“Have you noticed that Captain Tang De hasn’t shown up yet? Isn’t he usually by His Highness’s side on occasions like this?”

“Yeah, why is only the deputy captain with him? Where’s Captain Tang De?”

Tang De was standing at the only route to the lounge, blocking the anxious You Lin.

“His Highness knew you would come, so he specifically told me to wait for you here.”

Today, You Lin completely lacked the composure that a legal worker should have.

“Why are you here stopping me? Why don’t you go stop His Highness, ah? Do you guys even understand what you’re doing?!”

“The decision to take the pardon public was made by His Highness. He told me to tell you that he’s made up his mind, and he won’t change it despite anyone’s advice.”

“There are hundreds of reporters outside to broadcast this live. Once it’s made public, there’s no going back! You’re the captain of his guard, but you’re letting His Highness act so recklessly. His Highness has been bewitched by Ling Yi, and temporarily lost his mind, but are you confused too?”

“I follow His Highness Oser himself, not his status as the heir to the throne. Giving up the right of inheritance is no trivial matter, and I believe that this is the result of His Highness’s careful consideration.”

“Fuck his careful consideration, I think he’s just blinded by lust!” You Lin was so agitated that he spoke without thinking. “Who in the world would give up being emperor just for an Omega? What about us? What about the people who’ve risked their lives to help him?”

“Whether His Highness is the emperor or a prince, I am the captain of his guard. If you’re not content with this, you can always seek another wise master.”

Tang De called over two guards and said: “His Highness has ordered that you cannot be allowed to pass today. I apologize for the offense.”

You Lin was taken away from the scene, shouting unwillingly: “If you don’t let me see His Highness, you’ll regret it! Are all of the other ministers there? I don’t believe there’s no one else with a functioning brain around His Highness!”

Ling Yi entered the lounge with an escort of guards. This was his first public appearance since his “death” without a disguise. Oser opened his eyes when he came in.

There were gasps of shock all around.

“Is that the one?”

“It really seems to be him.”

“Isn’t he dead?”

“What time is it?” Oser asked.

The deputy captain to the side confirmed the time: “Ten minutes until the scheduled start time.”

Oser stood from his seat, and the other ministers unaware of the truth also stood up.

“Let’s go.”

The ministers took their seats in the VIP section of the hall one after another, and finally, His Highness Oser himself came out from behind the curtain.

Oser walked in front of the podium and the staff adjusted the height of the microphone. He turned his head and sent a profound look behind him.

Ling Yi was standing behind the entrance curtain, guarded by Tang De.

When Oser’s public pardon took effect, he would walk out and stand before the media’s cameras.

Lola followed Oser’s gaze and looked in that direction, but couldn’t see anything through the curtain blocking her view.

“There’s someone behind the curtain,” she said firmly.

The cameraman: “What’s so strange about that? It’s the Omega fiancee.”

He went on to seriously analyze the matter: “Normally, Captain Tang De would be behind His Highness Oser, but today it’s the deputy captain. This means that Captain Tang De has someone more important to protect, and who else could enjoy the personal protection of His Highness’s guard captain? The answer, of course, is – ding ding!”

Lola: “I didn’t realize you had a talent for detective work. Then analyze this – why does His Highness Oser look so unwell today?”

“Well,” the cameraman mused, “one possibility is that he was injured while rescuing that person from the fire yesterday and didn’t get enough rest. Look at his hand.”

Needless to say, Lola had also noticed the bandages wrapped around His Highness Oser’s left hand.

“And the other possibility?”

The cameraman laughed evilly and said: “It’s also possible that he’s been indulging in a life of comfort after finally obtaining an Omega.”

“Nonsense,” Lola scoffed. His Highness’s expression clearly had nothing to do with indulgence. He looked more like he was sick.

Oser tapped the microphone twice with his index finger.

“Shh, he’s about to speak.”

The scene quickly quieted down.

“I am holding this press conference today because I have something important to announce.”

Everyone waited with bated breath, with only the sound of shutters clicking to fill the void.

“Given the importance of this matter, I have invited three guests to serve as notaries today. Please welcome Archbishop Ping’an.

The Archbishop emerged from backstage. He walked slowly to the notaries’ seats and bowed, then sat down.

Everyone stood in amazement. Since the bishop was here, the news of a marriage must be true.

Oser: “Chief Justice Bisi.”

In order to cover up his fire-damaged hair, the Chief Justice wore a wig that was specially for court sessions. After walking up to his seat, he bowed slightly to Oser before sitting down next to the Archbishop.

Lola keenly sensed that something wasn’t right. The Chief Justice’s attitude toward His Highness Oser didn’t seem to be one of respect for the royal family, but rather a fawning flattery coupled with timid fear.

Oser announced the name of the third notary: “Marshal Lei Cheng.”

There was an uproar amongst the audience.

“What important event requires the presence of the Archbishop, the Chief Justice, and the Marshal to act as notaries together?”

“Even if he’s announcing his engagement, there’s no need to have someone from the military as a witness, right?”

Everyone was talking and craning their necks, but the Marshal didn’t appear.

“Your Highness, Marshal Lei Cheng has not yet arrived.”

Oser was dissatisfied when he heard this: “How can a soldier who is always punctual be late?”

No one answered, because no one knew why Lei Cheng was late.

Oser was helpless: “Then we’ll wait for a while.”

Time ticked by, and just as Oser’s impatience became apparent, Lei Cheng finally arrived late in the face of everyone’s anticipation.

Accompanying him were several high-ranking military officials. This team of tall, mighty, upright people changed the atmosphere in the hall as soon as they appeared.

Oser greeted the group with a look that was half teasing and half displeased: “Marshal Lei Cheng is becoming more and more arrogant, even making me wait in person.”

Lei Cheng ignored him and marched straight to the Chief Justice, shouting: “Arrest him!”

Before the Chief Justice could react, he was restrained on the left and right by two officers.

“Your Highness, this…..”

Only then did Lei Cheng give Oser a military salute.

“Your Highness Oser, please forgive me for delaying your important business. I have in my possession key evidence regarding Chief Justice Bisi. But this is a serious matter, and I needed to make sure that the evidence was valid before coming to arrest this person, so as not to wrongly accuse the innocent.”

The Chief Justice panicked: “Marshal, sir, even if I’m guilty, arresting me is the responsibility of the judicial authorities. How can the military overstep its authority like this?”

“You are correct, but if a high-ranking official in the judicial system knowingly breaks the law, according to emergency regulations, the military holds the power to restore discipline and proper conduct, and purge pests like you in the public security, procuratorial, and judicial branches.”

The Chief Justice was in complete disarray, his only recourse being to look to Oser for help.

“Your Highness Oser, I beg you to act!”

Oser’s expression was cold: “Lei Cheng, I do not object to you arresting him, but it won’t be too late to take him into custody after I finish my announcement.”

“Your Highness, why not hear what I have to say first? Judge Bisi is suspected of hiding and fabricating evidence and creating false cases and charges. I beseech Your Highness to revoke all judgements rendered by Chief Justice Bisi over the past six months and remand the cases for retrial.”

There was an uproar in the venue.

Lei Cheng turned to face the reporters: “Take the well-known case of Lu Dawa’s murder for example. According to my investigation, the real murderer of Lu Dawa was not the defendant Ling Yi himself.”

It was as if a pot of boiling water had been poured onto the crowd. Ling Yi took a step forward, wanting to stop Lei Cheng from saying his next words, but Tang De stopped him.

He shook his head silently. If even the military had intervened in this investigation, Ling Yi’s appearance would be of no use.

Oser’s already bad expression became worse: “All those in attendance are from the media. Do you understand the weight of your words right now?”

“I take responsibility for every word I say. The reason I was late today was to conduct a new autopsy of Lu Dawa’s body.”

Oser: “You dug up my uncle’s grave?”

“I had no choice but to do so urgently. Please forgive me, Your Highness,” Lei Cheng apologized insincerely. “The autopsy results show that Lu Dawa did not die from the knife wounds, but from poison.”

Ling Yi: ! ? ?

The Chief Justice was also shocked: “Impossible, the forensics report didn’t mention anything about poison!”

“The substance he was poisoned with is very rare and requires special reagents to detect. The previous medical examiner saw the large amount of fatal wounds on the back of his neck and hastily determined that they were the cause of death. In fact, Lu Dawa had already been lethally poisoned, and even if the defendant had done nothing, it would not have changed the outcome of his death.”

Ling Yi and Tang De looked at each other in bewilderment.

“The medical examiner performed a hasty autopsy. What about you? You made a hasty judgement just to please someone, and you still say you don’t take human life lightly?”

The clicking of shutters filled the air, and the reporters had long forgotten their original purpose in coming here. With such explosive news, who could care about the trivialities of His Highness Oser’s marriage?

The Chief Justice understood the military’s torture methods better than anyone else, and pleaded in tears: “It’s true that I’ve done many bad things, but I’ve turned over a new leaf…..His Highness can prove it! I handed over all of the criminal evidence I collected to His Highness Oser, even the Prime Minister—”

Bang—!

A gunshot rang out, and a bullet hole appeared between the Chief Justice’s eyebrows. In full view of everyone, he collapsed.

The Archbishop fell to the floor in terror, and guards surrounded Oser on all sides. Lei Cheng and his subordinates quickly went to the source of the gunshot to look for suspicious people.

The people in the hall fled in all directions, and screams were heard one after another. It was extremely difficult to find someone amidst such chaos.

Lola had fallen to her knees in a stress reaction the instant the gunshot sounded. She was shaking all over and sweating profusely, but still used her last bit of strength to hold onto her escaping cameraman.

“…..It’s crucial…..to record this…..”

The tone of the cameraman’s voice changed: “Sister Lola, there’s an active shooter! You may want the news, but I want my life, ah!”

As the two were struggling, a figure leaped over their heads and into the crowd, kicking one person down with precision.

The person was holding a gun, and because of the kick, the trajectory of the second bullet changed and hit the ceiling. The lightbulb that was hit erupted in dazzling sparks.

“Ah—!” Lola reflexively hugged her head and screamed.

The cameraman saw this and said: “You’re obviously scared too, so why are you trying to be a hero?! If you won’t leave, I will!”

He left Lola and the camera behind and fled toward safety.

The unknown person who had appeared scuffled with the gunman, and a silver pocket pistol was knocked to the floor, where it spun like a top.

He was like bait that appeared out of nowhere. People dressed as reporters jumped out from all directions in the conference hall and rushed toward him with a unified goal.

Oser’s guards seemed to have been prepared for this, and quickly stopped them. The battlefield expanded, with people fighting everywhere in the hall.

Lola gritted her teeth and cursed, “Useless.”  She picked up the fallen camera with trembling hands and crawled on all fours toward the center of the battlefield.

Everyone but her was running in the opposite direction. Footsteps trampled around her like a sudden downpour of rain. Lola dodged them while searching for a shooting position with a wide field of view.

She continued to approach, and with her years of experience as a war correspondent, she finally located a hiding place that both provided cover and allowed her to shoot the overall situation from above.

She leaned her back against a chair and held the camera steady with her right hand, bracing it firmly with her left, then squeezed her elbows between her knees to minimize the shaking.

The crosshairs of the camera were fixed unwaveringly on the young man who had jumped out.

Her intuition told her that this person was the star of the show.

The Chief Justice’s assassin had been beaten unconscious by his series of attacks. Then he left that pile of rotten meat in his hands and easily dispatched two random assailants that rushed over.

He had shining silver hair, a slender figure, and strong, vigorous limbs. Unfortunately, Lola’s camera could never capture a clear frontal view of his face.

The red dot representing the active video flashed regularly as Lola recorded this moment without missing a second.

Judging from their skills, the fake reporters were all trained professionals. However, they were up against the combined efforts of Oser’s guards and the military elite.

Very soon, they fell one by one or were suppressed. The battle was nearing its end.

The person in the frame finally turned around, and Lola immediately zoomed in to focus on his face.

When his face appeared clearly in the center of the crosshairs, the focus wasn’t the only thing that magnified – Lola’s pupils did as well.

It happened so quickly. At that moment, a cold glint appeared in the camera.

“Behind you!” Lola blurted out.

Ling Yi turned his head when he heard her. The knife was only centimeters away. The sharp coldness had already reached his throat, slicing through the air—

Bang—!

A third gunshot rang out, and the attacker’s head exploded.

Warm liquid splashed across Ling Yi’s face.

The knife fell to the floor with a clang.

The attacker fell limply in front of Ling Yi.

When Ling Yi turned his head, he saw smoke slowly curling from the barrel of the gun in Oser’s hand.

The dust settled, and everything went silent.

Even though half his face was covered in blood, the face that appeared in the camera was still the face that had appeared most frequently in the media these past few months.

Miraculously, Lola’s hands stopped shaking.

Her voice was remarkably calm.

“You’re…..Ling Yi?” she asked calmly, holding up the camera.

Ling Yi wiped his face with the back of his hand.

The long trail of blood made his face look even more horrifying in the camera, like an evil ghost come to reap souls.

“Ah, it’s me.”

“Hell had no room for me. I came back.”

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Chapter 37 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 39