In the hotel room, Pei Yi finished talking on the phone with Bo Yueming, Xiang Nansheng, and the others before turning around and telling Li Yuan, “Pear Garden, our presentation for the competition will continue as usual in the afternoon.”

“As usual?”

Li Yuan believed in his own game and in the judgment of his friend. The only thing he didn’t believe in was Ke Ming the thief calling them thieves.

“Pei Yi, Ke Ming did it on purpose. The setting of “Destroy the Alien Beasts” is more and more similar to ours, and they seized the advantage of the morning session. Our Last Fog presentation comes in the afternoon, and I’m afraid we’ll be beaten by him.”

Li Yuan had initially thought that after this period of experience, he had become mature, stable, and strong, but he didn’t understand until he met the person who had mocked and humiliated him in the past—

He still couldn’t bear to lose again, especially in this hard-won career.

Pei Yi saw his friend’s currently tense nerves and pushed him to sit down on the sofa, taking the initiative to hand over the cigarettes on the table.

“Pear Garden, smoke one? Then listen to me.”

“…….”

They were staying on a smoking floor, and it was a room near the window, so smoking a cigarette and a half now and then wouldn’t matter. 

Li Yuan looked at the cigarettes stuffed into his hand and shook his head. “No.”

Firstly, he didn’t want to make his friend feel uncomfortable, and secondly, he remembered the goal of quitting smoking that he made before the New Year.

He poured himself half a glass of cold mineral water. “I’m fine, just tell me what you think.”

Pei Yi sat down opposite him and said, “Pear Garden, you’ve already read the description of the setting of “Destroy the Alien Beasts,” and it is the core operation of our “The Last Mist.” So let me ask you—”

“Who is better and who is worse regarding the background of the two games? Who is stronger and who is weaker in character settings? Who wins and who loses in the game’s NPC portrayal?”

Li Yuan took it for granted and voted, “Of course it’s our Last Fog!”

It wasn’t that he was speaking through a filter, but that their game was better.

Regarding the backgrounds of the games, there had been a winner between the two sides since the bidding in the capital. Pei Yi, as the architect of The Last Fog, had created a more magnificent and enormous world view.

On the other hand, the cobbled together “Destroy the Alien Beasts” still contained a shadow of many foreign sci-fi movies.

In terms of game character settings, there were four human characters and a “mutant wolf” in “Destroy the Alien Beasts,” while The Last Fog had six human characters and a “human zombie.”

It seemed that the former had copied them, but in terms of preparation time and related attributes, The Last Fog was definitely more detailed, richer, and team-oriented.

As for the final portrayal of the NPCs, beauty was in the eye of the beholder.

Pei Yi said from his own structural point of view, “In my opinion, Ke Ming forcefully increased the game characters of Destroy the Alien Beasts from one to five, which is actually superfluous.”

He wanted too many, and destroyed the uniqueness of the game.

“Pear Garden, do you remember their initial setting?”

Li Yuan was not a game architect, so he didn’t understand his friend’s first sentence for the time being, but he still remembered the original story concept of “Alien Beasts”—

Due to the improper operation of a gene experiment, a large number of mutated creatures escaped, which shortly affected humanity and brought global disaster.

And the “protagonist” of the game was the only person who was harmed by an alien beast but not infected, and could even make the other beasts bow down.

“Think about it, in the context of a global background without normal human beings, the ‘uniqueness’ of the protagonist is the key to attracting players.”

The lonely but exclusive brand of destiny was the key attraction of this game.

Of course, if the game was upgraded or there was another version, it was fine for new characters to be added.

But Ke Ming’s “Destroy the Alien Beasts” completely ruined the most exciting point at the beginning.

The uniqueness was no longer there.

In the initial setting of The Last Fog, there were many humans still surviving. The highlights of the game were the process of “amnesia” at the beginning, meeting “companions” on the road, and then “revealing secrets” side by side to learn the truth.

If The Last Fog 1.0 was limited to single-player battles, then the upgraded mobile game The Last Fog 2.0 was aimed at multiplayer team battles.

As the game’s chief planner, Pei Yi clearly understood the advantages of his own game better than the “copycat” Ke Ming.

“The other party plagiarized in order to make the two games have similar settings, but our ‘difference’ is the key to our superiority over them.”

“Pear Garden, we don’t need to change the settings. We just need to add a page of ‘innovation’ to the end of the presentation.”

“Innovation?”

“En, I asked Brother Xiang just now. We need to improve the degree of freedom in the game’s skill points, so that players can customize the attack range, distance, and even the attack path of each skill.”

If the player didn’t need to customize them, they could also follow the official preset settings.

Of course, custom skill changes had approved value ranges.

There was slight surprise in Li Yuan’s eyes. “Is this possible? Will it increase the load of the game?”

Pei Yi said honestly, “It will aggravate it a little, but GM is willing to increase investment to solve the technical and server problems, so we can just go ahead with it.”

Li Yuan’s tense nerves finally relaxed, and his interest in teasing was renewed. “You sought out that family of yours? Does this count as going through the back door?”

“That bastard Ke Ming has already gone through the organizers’ back door, what can’t I do?”

Pei Yi was straightforward and respected the rules of the game. “Besides, my back door won’t affect other people’s chances.”

“If Xiao Li finds this unsuitable, can’t you call another senior member of GM to give it a try? You guys, ah, walk through the front door carefully.”

“…….”

Li Yuan heard Pei Yi covertly mention Yan Cen, as if implying something, and coughed. “What are you talking about?”

Pei Yi met his eyes and smiled, saying nothing.

Li Yuan dropped the cigarettes in his hand and stood up. “Then don’t you want to increase the content of the presentation? I’m getting the computer. You say it and I’ll make the changes, let’s hurry up.”

“Okay.”

Pei saw this and took them, adding one more sentence at the end, “Pear Garden, don’t worry, our game can at least enter the top five.”

Even if, as Ke Ming believed, the favorites for awards were all concentrated in the morning session, the pressure of “choosing five out of ten” for the afternoon session would naturally be decreased.

What’s more, their game had never been a patchwork of ostentation—

You couldn’t become fat with one mouthful, and you couldn’t climb to the sky with one foot. Everything must be done step by step.

No matter how certain the result was in the eyes of others, there was a one in ten thousand chance that this could be changed, and they must be fully prepared for that chance!

Li Yuan broke completely free from the anger he had been coerced into, and became calm and confident. “En, I understand.”

Regardless of whether the result was predetermined or not, as long as they could back it into the top five, it would not be a waste of time for them.

What’s more, they still had their big move to deal with Ke Ming at the end.

. . . . . . .

It was as Pei Yi expected.

After two days of selection by the competition organizers, their Last Fog was still shortlisted into the top five. In addition—

Nebula Fun Tour’s “Traces,” Chanming studio’s “Destroy the Alien Beasts,” Mufeng Games’ “Dark Blue Sea,” and Jyou Entertainment’s “Gun God Hundred to One” were also shortlisted.

Soon, it was the last day of the competition, when the winning games were to be announced.

Pei Yi and Li Yuan’s seats were moved from the fifth row to the third row, and they were also arranged to the left of Ke Ming.

The eyes of the two sides met, then quickly averted.

Pei Yi didn’t want his friend to be influenced by a thing like Ke Ming anymore, so he took the initiative to sit next to the latter and gave up the other seat to Li Yuan.

Sure enough, as soon as the two of them sat down, Ke Ming immediately smiled and spoke out, “I really didn’t expect that we would still meet each other in the finals, ah.”

Pei Yi couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to Ke Ming’s trouble seeking behavior, so he simply ignored him.

“…….”

Ke Ming was taken aback, but his triumphant expression remained. “It’s a pity, ah, that you can only accompany me here.”

After all, how could there be two apocalyptic games among the top three in the game competition?

Since this spot was occupied in advance by his “Destroy the Alien Beasts,” it was destined that Li Yuan and others could only sit in the audience as losers and watch him go on stage to receive the award.

Thinking of this, Ke Ming’s filled more and more with the determination to win. “I heard that you plan to customize the attack settings of the game? This is indeed a good idea.”

“…….”

When Pei Yi heard this, a cold feeling finally formed in his heart. “Mr. Ke, no matter whether the idea is good or bad, it is not your idea.”

Seeing him finally react, Ke Ming came up with a high-sounding excuse, “We are colleagues, let’s learn from each other and make progress together.”

Did it matter who thought of it?

Was it important whether the innovation was exclusive?

As long as their “Destroy the Alien Beasts” was released before “The Last Fog” and thus captured the time difference, then who could tell who had copied whom?

Pei Yi could see everything in Ke Ming’s eyes, and his disgust became even stronger.

Ke Ming saw this and felt enjoyment in his heart – a reaction was better than no reaction. The angrier the other party was and the more he cared about it, the more relaxed he felt physically and mentally.

Ke Ming looked Pei Yi in the face again and asked persistently, “Teacher Will, I’ve been wondering in the past two days, have we met somewhere before?”

In fact, he had privately asked his assistant to investigate Will’s true identity, but there had been no news for a while.

Ke Ming returned to his senses and added, “You really look familiar to me.”

Pei Yi turned his eyes away, unwilling to give him another unnecessary glance.

Soon, the public announcement of the award-winning guests sounded on the stage—

“Congratulations to Nebula Fun Tour. The suspenseful crime-solving game “Traces” has been shortlisted for the top three in the 8th Original Game Design Competition!”

The audience burst into applause. As expected, “Traces” was a winning game.

As the representative, Gu Jianshen stood up calmly. Before taking the stage, he did not forget to glance at Pei Yi, his eyes revealing his sincere gratitude to him as the original architect.

Pei Yi smiled back. “Congratulations.”

Gu Jianshen replied in a low voice, “Teacher Will, I hope to see you on stage later.”

Although they didn’t speak loudly, the people nearby could still hear.

When Ke Ming saw this scene, there was a trace of ridicule in his eyes—

In his opinion, Nebula Fun Tour’s “Traces” was just a good investment, backed by a major game company like Weiyi!

As one of the investors behind the competition, perhaps it had already arranged for “Traces” to win the award. It was about the same as their “Destroy the Alien Beasts,” so no one was necessarily better than the other!

The awards for the three out of five were given one after another, so not long after, the voice of the award presenter was heard on stage again—

“Congratulations, Chanming Studios, the apocalyptic survival game “Destroy the Alien Beasts” has been shortlisted for the top three in the 8th Original Game Design Competition!”

At the moment the next winner was announced, other than Pei Yi and Li Yuan, who had long expected it, the voices of everyone else in the audience gradually became louder—

“How could this be, ah? I would have thought it would be Teacher Deng’s “Dark Blue Sea.”

“I also feel that the setting of “Alien Beasts” is too similar to some alien movies. It should be impossible to reach the top five. How come it still won an award?”

“I don’t think this game is very interesting. Could it be that the organizers opened a back door?”

“How could that be? Wouldn’t they lose their credibility?”

“…….”

Ke Ming ignored the comments coming from behind. He stood up and straightened his suit with the upright posture of a winner.

In his opinion, only losers talked behind others’ backs.

Ke Ming retaliated by ignoring Pei Yi and Li Yuan on the left, and looked at Deng Mufeng on his right, imitating Gu Jianshen’s words.

“Teacher Deng, I’ll see you on stage later. My intuition is always very accurate.”

Faced with his affirmation, Deng Mufeng smiled politely and said, “Thank you. Congratulations.”

As a game in the competition, “Gun God Hundred to One” was original in terms of the competition’s system, but there were also similar products on the market that could be substituted.

At this time, their game director was overjoyed to be in the top five, and had no intention of reaching the top three.

After all, getting the Top Five title was enough to launch their game.

By default, only one of the two shortlisted games of the same type would be chosen. So the only one left that could win an award was “Dark Blue Sea,” an ancient style game that had a reputation for awards.

Li Yuan looked at the back of Ke Ming as he appeared successfully on stage. Even though he was already prepared to lose the award, he still felt indescribable frustration and loss—

An original game design competition?

This year’s organizers had allowed plagiarism, and then arranged for a game to be shortlisted? Was this really fair to the other contestants?

Sure enough, there was no escaping the control of money no matter where you went.

Li Yuan looked at his friend and sighed softly. “I suddenly regret instigating you to participate in this competition.”

“How can this be considered instigation? Didn’t we decide to come after discussing it?”

Pei Yi suppressed the disappointment in his heart and comforted his friend. “Pear Garden, don’t give up on our career until the last second.”

Li Yuan smiled and sighed, “En, I know.”

He had always been glad that he had not rejected Pei Yi’s invitation to join forces. The other party’s words and deeds had helped him and changed him a lot.

Yes.

Even though the outcome of this competition had already been determined, they still had to wait until the last winner was announced.

On the other side, the self-confident Ke Ming came onstage and stood next to Gu Jianshen. “Mr. Gu, nice to meet you.”

Gu Jianshen looked at him with very neutral eyes, clearly not having expected this result.

He had originally thought that if Will’s “The Last Fog” could win the award, then the follow-up promotion of the two games could be used to do a joint wave of promotion.

But why did “Destroy the Aliens Beasts” win the award? No matter which angle you judged it from, this shouldn’t be the case!

The more Gu Jianshen thought about it, the more absurd it became. His eyes unconsciously turned toward the seats in the third row, and he had a vague guess in mind.

Ke Ming saw the indifferent attitude of the person next to him, and his eyes filled with disdain—

Sure enough, he was backed by a big company, so he made a show of himself and thought he was superior to others? But what was the use of complaining on behalf of YWY Studios?

The issue was settled!

Some people were destined to sit in the audience and watch helplessly, and were not worthy of being alongside him.

The moment this thought took shape, the award presenter diagonally to the side reported the final entry on the shortlist!

“—Congratulations to YWY Studios, the apocalyptic survival game “The Last Fog” has been shortlisted for the top three in the 8th Original Game Design Competition!”

The loud announcement of the award reached every corner of the venue through the microphone, suddenly turning into a slap to Ke Ming’s face.

“……”

Ke Ming’s expression changed at once, and he stared at the list in awarder’s hands in disbelief!

How was this possible? 

Their game was the same style, ah!

Did the organizers, no, the judging panel consider the similarity aspect?

With the announcement of the last award, the audience once again burst into applause of recognition, and it was obviously more enthusiastic than when “Destroy the Alien Beasts” won the award.

“…….”

Li Yuan almost suspected that he had heard it wrong, and quickly looked at Pei Yi beside him. He was so surprised that he forgot his friend’s initial explanation and called him by his first name.

“P-Pei Yi? Is this our studio?”

Pei Yi suppressed his fluctuating emotions and smiled back. “It is, you heard it right.”

This result was unexpected, because they and “Alien Beasts” did collide in the same game category.

But the result was also reasonable, because their “Last Fog” had been qualified to win from the very beginning.

Pei Yi looked at his friend who was still shocked in surprise, and stood up proactively. “I’ll go up.”

Pei Yi passed by Deng Mufeng, who was sitting on the outside of the third row, and waved politely. The other person’s smile was a little forced. He obviously hadn’t expected that they would be able to get the last spot.

Pei Yi calmly took the stage and completed the award ceremony with Gu Jianshen and Ke Ming.

Five minutes later, the three of them prepared to go backstage under the instructions of the staff.

“Wait a minute!”

As soon as Ke Ming was out of sight of the personnel, he couldn’t help but call for them to stop.

He quickly walked around to Pei Yi and proclaimed, “No wonder you were so confident. It seems you used a back door?”

Otherwise, how could he have won an award too?

When Gu Jianshen heard this, he immediately frowned and stopped him. “Mr. Ke, please be careful with your words! What you just said was disrespectful to Teacher Will!”

“It’s fine.”

Pei Yi looked at Gu Jianshen, and there was an implication in his words. “Some people have dirt in their eyes, so everything they see is dirty.”

Since he had a back door through his connections, he suspected that everyone else had a back door.

Pei Yi raised his eyebrows slightly and stepped forward without any fear at all. “Since Mr. Ke doubts the judging results, why don’t the three of us apply for a re-review together?”

“I think it’s a pity that Mr. Deng’s “Dark Blue Sea” didn’t win the award. He must be given a spot.”

“I have no problem with it.”

Gu Jianshen was very confident. Although Nebula Fun Tour relied on a large company for support, they never engaged in malicious competition.

Pei Yi calmly mocked and coerced him, “Those who rely on true capability will have no problem, Mr. Ke. Don’t you think so?”

“…….”

Hearing Pei Yi’s obvious provocation, Ke Ming’s original pride vanished, and instead, his face turned colors with anger!

“We’ll see!” 

As long as “Destroy the Alien Beasts” was launched first and dominated the market, he wanted to see how popular “The Last Fog” could be!

Pei Yi stared at his back as he turned away, an inaudible scoffing coming from behind his mask.

Just wait for the other party to show himself, and then catch them all!

Gu Jianshen standing next to him saw it clearly and asked in a low voice, “Will, your studio and Mr. Ke’s don’t deal well with each other?”

“Yes, ah, it’s not a matter of just one or two days.”

Pei Yi took off his stuffy mask and gave a summary, “Their creature images from the beginning plagiarized the previous work of our art director.”

“They changed the name this time, but the character settings are still plagiarized from the content of our Last Fog.”

Gu Jianshen recalled, “There are indeed many similarities. Is there anything you need my help with?”

“Not for the moment. If I need Team Leader Gu’s help in the future, I won’t be polite.” Pei Yi replied simply. He had his own plan—

He wanted Ke Ming to think he had tasted the fruits of victory, only to lose completely and fall to pieces!”

“Okay.”

Gu Jianshen glanced at the time and asked, “Are you free today? I mentioned treating you before, and if you and Mr. Li come together, we can treat it as a celebration for both of us being shortlisted and winning the award.”

Pei Yi nodded. “Yes, but it can only be at noon. We plan to return to the capital in the afternoon.”

Gu Jianshen was taken aback: “Why are you rushing back in such a hurry?”

Before Pei Yi could explain, the phone in his pocket vibrated. It was a call from Bo Yueming.

The smile on Pei Yi’s lips widened unconsciously. “Sorry, Team Leader Gu. I need to take this call.”

“Go ahead.”

Gu Jianshen gave him space in a measured manner and took his leave.

Pei Yi quickly answered the phone: “Er-ge.”

Bo Yueming’s voice sounded: “Congratulations Little Mr. Yi.”

“Why are you so well-informed?” Pei Yi knew what he was being congratulated for.

There was a certain sense of pride in the final note when he said, “Er-ge, am I awesome? Let me tell you, not only The Last Fog, but Traces was also designed by me!”

“What can you hide from me?” Bo Yueming was truly proud and happy for his lover, but he couldn’t help but think about something else. “When will you come back?”

Pei Yi had already planned his return trip. “Mr. Bo, when do you want me to come back?”

Bo Yueming replied, “The sooner the better.”

Pei Yi smiled back. “Then tonight. Yesterday, Pear Garden and I made a reservation for a flight at 3:30 in the afternoon.” 

Their original plan was to return the next day on Friday, but after discussing it the night before, they unanimously decided to return earlier so that they could go to the studio and supervise the project.

Pei Yi glanced at the time on his phone and automatically started the countdown in his heart.

His eyes wandered around for a moment, and when there was nobody around, he teased secretly through the phone, “Husband, will you pick me up tonight? I miss you so much, ah.”

Bo Yueming was so moved by these few words that he responded earnestly, “Of course. Little Sir, I miss you too.”

---

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Chapter Eighty <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Two

Lucas felt that he wouldn’t be able to sleep that night.

He felt like he had opened a door to a whole new world.

—Although the man’s clothes were white that night, and Luo Ran’s were blue, Luo Ran’s inner shirt was white.

—The first and only time Luo Ran asked him for leave without prior approval was the day after the incident.

—Luo Ran used to conceal his gender and always used a lot of scent concealers, but during those days, he always avoided Lucas intentionally or unintentionally.

Now that this was said, although there was no hard evidence, there seemed to be a lot of details missing.

Lucas: “…….”

No way.

No way.

That guy Luo Ran dared to lie to him?!

—Luo Ran lied to him about secretly reading books and fanfiction about him.

—Luo Ran lied to him about his gender.

—Luo Ran tricked him into liking him.

—Luo Ran lied to him that he didn’t like him.

Lucas: “…….”

Fuck.

Lucas really couldn’t sleep that night.

Luo Ran had gone home to pick up some clothes. Lucas had a long night, and was so angry at his conjecture that he almost went to Luo Ran’s house to beat him up.

So the next day, Luo Ran saw Lucas regarding him with a dark expression when he got to work.

Luo Ran: ?

Luo Ran put the documents on the table and said with a smile: “Admiral, the department’s annual meeting is coming up soon.”

“En.” Lucas rested his chin on his hand and looked at Luo Ran.

“What is wrong with the Admiral?”

“Luo Ran.” Lucas paused for a moment, then said: “Are you dissatisfied with me in any way?”

“ ? ”

Lucas bared his teeth and said: “Are you dissatisfied with the size, or dissatisfied that I won’t say weird things? What, do you prefer for me to call you ‘man’ rather than your name?”

“ ? ? ? ”

“Admiral, have more self-confidence.” Luo Ran held back a smile and said: “Did you see something strange again?”

“I didn’t, it was you.” Lucas got up and grabbed Luo Ran’s collar, saying: “Is there anything you are hiding from me? Take advantage of the present to be honest, I won’t take offense.”

……Shit.

“…….” Luo Ran stared blankly. After a moment’s pause, he tentatively asked: “You know I read Nana’s article?”

“…….” Lucas looked at Luo Ran in front of him.

Impeccable.

Lucas scoffed coldly, and sat down without saying a word.

Was it really not him?

“Admiral?” Luo Ran didn’t think much of it at the moment, and thought that he was truly dissatisfied with the fans he had seen online. So he apologized and said with a smile: “Admiral, it’s all just entertainment. Just laugh it off.”

Luo Ran thought, what was Nana’s literature, Lucas knew all about it.

Break the jar, shatter it at will.

After Luo Ran left, Lucas contacted the captain of the investigation team.

“Investigate! Give me a detailed itinerary of the king’s birthday banquet that night and the purchase records for the next day!”

Whether or not it was Luo Ran, he should investigate it first. After all, he had said before that he was going to kill that person, so it wouldn’t be good to ask Luo Ran directly at this moment. Presumably, Luo Ran would think too much.

Then the entire office got busy. Preparations for the election were in full swing outside, and the annual meeting of Lucas’s office was coming up soon, with each department preparing performance evaluations.

Not only that, but after the meeting, there was the team building. It should have been held before the New Year, but Lucas was out fighting before, so it was delayed until now, when Lucas returned.

In the end, the annual meeting was just a summary meeting, and the employees would be rewarded with various lucky draws and red envelopes.

Luo Ran was busy at present.

“After investigation, it has been confirmed that the star pirates’ batch of UNK with unknown origins was excavated from a mine in Luobing.”

The investigation team leader handed the report to Luo Ran and said: “It seems that Luobing has discovered a new mine.”

“Huh?” Luo Ran frowned slightly and said: “Did the Luobing government find it, or the star pirates?”

After he asked it, he felt that his question was unfounded.

Although the star pirates were capable, it was impossible for them to scan every area of Luobing to search. They were foreign enemies, after all, not the Luobing government which could come and go freely in Luobing territory and analyze the land.

Even if they were lucky enough to land on an ice mine when they plundered a city, it was also impossible.

The ice mines went deep underground, and the material was also particular. After more than half a day of thermal energy detection, there must be a soil test to confirm it.

Therefore, it could have only been discovered by the Luobing government itself.

But since they found it and didn’t report it……

Obviously, it was either an internal movement from a high-ranking official in Luobing, or Luobing and the star pirates colluded.

Perhaps it was because the Empire rejected the ice mines, and Lucas blew up a mine himself, but the star pirates bought it at a high price, so Luobing couldn’t resist the temptation to trade with them?

Luo Ran tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

And less than an afternoon later, Lucas received a letter from the secretary of Luobing’s king.

The king personally invited Lucas to Luobing to attend a banquet, in order to reward the soldiers of the Empire and Luobing and thank them for protecting Luobing’s common people and saving several cities. Lu Cheng and the rest of the Luobing officers would be there at that time.

Perhaps out of worry that Lucas would not attend, the king specially attached a document.

Luo Ran took Lucas’s terminal and looked at it, frowning slightly.

The document listed supplies from the J5 pharmaceutical factory to Luobing, marked free of charge, and there was the signature of the First Prince’s secretary at the bottom.

“Is the king of Luobing trying to suggest to us that selling UNK to the star pirates was because of the First Prince’s coercion?” Luo Ran raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe, maybe not. I’ll know when I go. Since the king wants to tell me personally, it is not a trivial matter.” Lucas said with a smile: “I’ll go tomorrow.”

Luo Ran said: “Then I……”

“You stay honestly in the capital and take care of the rest. Wait until I come back, and I will meet you right away.”

Luo Ran hesitated, but he really couldn’t leave, so he said: “Okay.”

In this way, Lucas had to leave less than three days after returning to the capital.

But just to discuss something and come back, a day and a half back and forth wasn’t bad.

Luo Ran frowned slightly and said: “They didn’t say anything before, but informed the Admiral after he came back.”

But it really wasn’t Luobing’s fault. After all, the banquet naturally had to wait until the battle had been cleaned up, and could only be held at the end. It couldn’t be announced sooner.

Lucas was taken aback.

Luo Ran: “What is it?”

Lucas seemed to have discovered a new world: “You’re actually acting like a baby and complaining.”

“……I’m not.”

“You are!” Lucas was overly proud. He hugged Luo Ran and smiled. “Why so angry, I’ll be back in a day. So clingy.”

“En.” Luo Ran’s ears turned red.

“When I return, I’ll bring you a gift from Luobing.”

“…….En.” This time, his voice was even softer.

. . . . . . . .

After Lucas left, Luo Ran concentrated on his work and didn’t think too much about extraneous things.

Lucas made no publicity about the trip this time, but as soon as he arrived in the capital, people from the King of Luobing’s side came to receive him.

With respectful attitudes, they led him to the hotel where the banquet was to be held.

“Admiral.” Mu Yuan was also there. He nodded slightly.

Freeman and the group of soldiers following Lucas had no intention of going away, and followed Lucas into the manor. After all, the purpose of the banquet was to reward the soldiers.

Mu Yuan and Lucas went upstairs together and came to a small private room.

The king of Luobing was much younger than the Empire’s king. He was a middle-aged man with some vigor, tall and thin.

“Admiral.” Since Luobing was a defeated country, he still had to give his greetings when facing Lucas.

“En.” Lucas sat down sharply and crossed his legs. “Speak.”

The king glanced at Mu Yuan, who said: “A few days ago, Luobing discovered a top ice mine on the outskirts of Chonghua City. It is an extreme ice mine, not a regular one.”

Lucas frowned slightly.

An extreme ice mine……

It was full of UNK?

Generally speaking, UNK was an extremely rare existence hidden in ordinary ice mines. There had never been a situation where an entire mine was full of UNK.

This was too tempting.

Mu Yuan said: “We couldn’t believe it at the time, and just as we were about to register it, Chonghua City was quickly captured by star pirates. I was stopped by someone from the Empire on the way there. That person…..was the new secretary of the First Prince.”

Lucas scoffed coldly.

“The secretary said that the Empire would deal with it, and Luobing should not interfere.” Mu Yuan said with a frown: “He said that the First Prince sent the royal army to clean up and expel the star pirates, and UNK had caused a lot of misfortune in the Empire, so he didn’t want UNK to cause a division again, and he would let Luobing keep it a secret.”

“I was forced to sign a non-disclosure and mining rights contract with the Empire, but……now that the Admiral has discovered that the star pirates have UNK and is tracking them down, we can no longer keep it a secret.”

Lucas said coldly: “How long has the extreme ice mine been excavated?”

Mu Yuan said: “Excluding the first batch of experiments, four days in total.”

Lucas tapped his fingers lightly on the arm of the chair.

There was no way for the mine to escape notice. This matter could not be hidden for long. The First Prince must have the mentality of getting as much as he could. After all, the contract signed by Mu Yuan and the secretary could be said to be a fake, without any trace of the First Prince.

But if the star pirates hadn’t acted so hastily and greedily took away so much UNK during the battle that day, even exchanging hostages, this matter would not have been exposed so quickly.

If it hadn’t been exposed, and the star pirates hadn’t been involved, Luobing wouldn’t have talked to him either.

Then why did the star pirates want to cheat the First Prince regardless?

Did they have a falling out?

“Admiral, do we want to stop them?” Mu Yuan frowned and said: “If it was just an internal matter of the Empire, we wouldn’t intervene, but now it involves the star pirates. If the Admiral wants to go to war, I will……”

“No need.” Lucas waved his hand. “Don’t worry about this. Let them continue mining.”

“What……?”

Lucas raised his eyebrows and said: “The First Prince sent someone to swear you to secrecy, and didn’t tell you where the UNK that was taken away during the battle came from, right?”

“Yes, but we didn’t……”

“Listen to him.” Lucas said with a smile: “Pretend you didn’t tell me about this, and let them continue mining.”

“But Admiral……”

“I said, don’t worry about it.” Lucas said with a dark expression: “I’ve said it a few times.”

The king hesitated, then patted Mu Yuan on the shoulder and said: “The Admiral has his own decisions and arrangements.”

Mu Yuan recalled the battle that day. Lucas had retrieved the hostages first, and allowed the star pirates to take the UNK away easily.

It seemed like……he didn’t care if they took it.

But the whole galaxy knew who Lucas was.

It was impossible for him to give the enemy an advantage, unless he had a plan in advance.

Mu Yuan paused, then said: “Yes!”

Afterwards, Mu Yuan discussed many details with Lucas, but Lucas didn’t listen to much of it and just asked Freeman to record it and let Luo Ran deal with it.

After leaving the private box and going downstairs to the banquet, Lucas saw Kleiman.

Wang Qiuyang smiled and said: “He seems to be alright.”

Kleiman and Luo Ran were raided on the snowy mountain before. Kleiman had no time to dodge and was affected by the explosion, injured and concussed.

That was why Luo Ran hadn’t asked him about that night. After all, Kleiman was on the mountain before, then Cyril’s business came up when they met, and he was lying unconscious in bed until a few days ago.

Wang Qiuyang looked at Kleiman, who was drinking and laughing with others, and said helplessly: “This prince of Luobing is really…..I heard that he just got out of bed the day before yesterday, and now he’s drinking here today. Hearing the little prince from the old Lu family complain, he couldn’t wait to go whoring yesterday.”

Lucas rolled his eyes.

He looked down on such Alphas the most.

However…….

Lucas held his goblet and thought of Kleiman. Luo Ran hadn’t had time to speak to him yet, and recently was so busy with other important matters that he didn’t have time to pay attention to when Kleiman woke up.

Lucas asked Wang Qiuyang to talk to someone else, and went forward alone.

“Aiya! Admiral……!” Kleiman was a bit flushed from drinking, but his mind was still clear. He smiled and said: “What is it?”

“I have something to ask you.”

The two went to the balcony, and Lucas went straight in: “On the night of the King of the Empire’s birthday banquet, you were resting in a private box upstairs, and when you came out, you encountered a person and harassed him.”

“…….!” Kleiman immediately wailed: “I didn’t! Admiral, I was wrong, I was really wrong! I didn’t know that you and Secretary Luo were really in a relationship, ah!”

Lucas’s face darkened at once.

Fuck.

The person was said to be dressed in white and harassed by Kleiman when he went upstairs that night.

Kleiman thought Lucas was angry with him, and cried: “Admiral, you have a lot, don’t bother with me, ah! For the sake of me exposing Cyril, I worked hard without credit, ah!”

“I really didn’t do it on purpose that day! I was drinking, and Secretary Luo is so good-looking…..ah, pei, I mean, I was drunk and audacious!”

“Besides, it’s not like the Admiral isn’t aware of Secretary Luo’s skills. My god, he subdued me with one move, what advantage could I take?”

Lucas didn’t speak. He turned and left.

Wang Qiuyang saw Lucas leave the banquet with a strange look on his face, and immediately followed.

“What is it, Admiral?”

“We’re going back to the capital.”

“Ah…..?”

After boarding the aircraft, Lucas received a report from the investigation team.

—Secretary Luo had bought Omega ointment online to relieve internal pain and apply to external wounds the next day.

“The Admiral is in such a hurry? After talking about business, he didn’t attend the banquet.” Wang Qiuyuang looked at the expressionless Lucas and teased: “Are you missing Secretary Luo?”

“He wants to die.” Lucas smiled. 

---

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Chapter Eighty-Two << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Four

He said he would not be discourteous, but what he was doing at the moment threw courtesy beyond the topmost clouds. It was fortunate that Second Young Master Liu had a good temper and did not make a fuss about it, or else His Royal Highness Xiao Wang may have been beaten out as a mischief-maker. He was a little ticklish from being rubbed, so he shrank back a little with his belly sunken in, which attracted His Royal Highness Xiao Wang to come closer and kiss again. This place should not be “also fine,” and Liu Xian’an was kissed so much that he almost remembered those dreams again, so he pushed the other away with both hands, covered the skirt of his robes, and chased away the guest, saying: “We’re closed.”

Liang Shu smiled and put his chin on his soft waist: “Don’t close the door, keep it open.”

“Won’t open.” Liu Xian’an thought, I’m an idle fellow.

But whether he was open or not, this would not delay His Royal Highness Xiao Wang’s meal. He went back up indecorously and pulled him into his arms, grasping that slender waist with his big hands. “I’ll stay here tonight, all right?”

Liu Xian’an glanced at the door and felt that if he wanted to sleep safely, it would be better for A-Ning to come in instead.

Liang Shu said: “I still have something to discuss with you about the Baifu Sect.”

Liu Xian’an glanced at their untidy clothes and extremely intimate posture, and felt that the credibility of this sentence was not very high. But His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was currently surging with desire. Not only was the old house on fire, but it had also been doused in oil. He was in the process of seeing what his sweetheart liked, how pleasing he was to the eye, and wished he could hold him in the palm of his hand. Not to mention going to sleep next door, even the short while they separated while washing up made him feel very wronged.

Second Young Master Liu lying on the bed: “……Alas, there is nothing to be done.”

A-Ning, who was squatting outside the door: “Alas, there is really nothing to be done.”

Liang Shu asked: “What are you smiling at?”

“I’m smiling at the ancients who do not deceive me.” Liu Xian’an found a comfortable position within his arms. “The word love is really troublesome.”

Liang Shu pinched his face: “What, you think I’m troublesome?”

Liu Xian’an didn’t deny it, because he really was troublesome. Anyway, when he was sleeping, it was definitely not necessary to be squished and kneaded like this. Now he not only had to be pinched, but he must coax the other party that it was closing time. The more he thought, the more troublesome it felt, but the more troublesome it felt, the more he liked it. He didn’t want to talk about the Baifu Sect at all, and just cuddled with his sweetheart, listening to the other person’s steady heartbeat and the wind outside the window.

Before, Liang Shu really had wanted to talk about something serious, but now, seeing the other’s laziness and unwillingness to move, his heart softened again and he waved his hand to extinguish the lights. Turning around, he pulled this person into his arms entirely, coaxing him once and for all. Under the bed curtains, sandalwood mixed with an austere medicinal fragrance, becoming a good medicine for calming the nerves.

Neither of them spoke again, but they both thought of the same place and time. Many, many years later, when the country ushered in a grand peace and the country raised new generals and all the burdens on its shoulders were handed over, at that time……. Liang Shu was engrossed in his thoughts. He bowed his head to kiss the other’s soft black hair. Liu Xian’an just happened to raise his head at this time, and the eyes of the two young lovers met under the moonlight, bright and gentle.

Thus, they had agreed to sleep, but sleeping failed. Liu Xian’an suggested, then why don’t we talk about the Baifu Sect, since we can’t sleep anyway.

Liang Shu’s palm was pressed against a piece of tenderness, and halfway through the ambiguity, he was taken back to business. He sighed. Why were forty-eight thousand-year-old people like this?

Liu Xian’an swatted his hand away. “When the explosion happened, I couldn’t see anything clearly. Did the Holy Maiden really get away?”

“Yes, her qinggong is excellent.” Liang Shu said, “Before the explosion, Wumeng Yunle has looking toward us, and should have noticed that you, Chang Xiaoqiu, and I avoided the blast at the same time.” Of course, in her eyes, it would be the head of the Dawn’s Gate sect and the young head of the Wanli Escort Bureau who escaped the explosion.

Liu Xian’an wondered: “Why did she keep looking at us, did she notice something?”

Liang Shu said: “It’s also possible that she fell in love with Chang Xiaoqiu.”

Liu Xian’an: “…….”

Liang Shu smiled: “I’m not joking. Whether she is a Holy Maiden or a witch, nine out of ten young girls such as her like high-spirited young men. But now that she is regarded as a sacred object, there is no hope of love, and no matter how much she likes someone, it is all for nothing.”

Sitting up a little bit, Liu Xian’an said: “These believers are well-known people in the world, and the Baifu Sect spent a lot of money and effort to buy and win them over. They wanted to save them for a great cause, but now they have been completely destroyed by Song Changsheng’s basket of explosives.”

If Song Changsheng was blown to pieces along with them, it would be fine, but if he was alive….. Liu Xian’an continued: “If they know that Song Changsheng is still alive, the Baifu Sect will certainly not let him go.” Not only because of revenge, but because if a disciple betrayed their teachings and still lived, once the news spread, the Baifu Sect’s prestige would disappear, and loss of prestige was a fatal blow to any cult.

“So he can be used as bait,” Liang Shu said. “Let’s see if they’ll send an assassin.”

According to the information obtained by Ku You, the top assassin of the Baifu Sect was Wumeng Yunle’s elder brother, Wumeng Yunyou. Liu Xian’an thought of the young man who had kidnapped him outside of Baifu City, and said: “I don’t know if he still wants to kidnap my elder brother now that he has A-Chang, but after all, no matter how good A-Chang’s medical skills are, he’s not trying his best to save Feng Xiaojin. He is only obeying the prince’s orders to alleviate the symptoms and maintain his life, so Feng Xiaojin should not be cured by now.”

“What is your meaning?”

“Presently, our bait is not only Song Changsheng, but also Elder Brother.” Liu Xian’an said, “These two can be strung together. If Song Changsheng didn’t die, but was picked up by the local government, and my elder brother who was nearby came to the city to save him, once this reached the Baifu Sect’s ears, they would most likely be moved.”

Liang Shu said: “This is a possible method, but where is your elder brother? He hasn’t written back to us yet.”

Liu Xian’an said: “My elder brother himself is not necessarily needed.”

After all, even A-Ning said that once Second Young Master Liu wore a dusty apron, he looked like the First Young Master in the pharmacy cutting ingredients.

. . . . . . .

To pretend to be someone else, one must first create a disguise. During this period of time, Liu Xian’an had already learned much about the disguise techniques of Xiao Wang Palace. Holding the mask, he carefully pinched out his elder brother’s face, then put it on his face and adjusted it. A-Ning lay to the side, watching and watching. Gradually, he began to look serious, and unconsciously recalled the unfortunate scene of his lazy young master being beaten. After the disguise was complete, the boy had already straightened his back and could no longer lie down, wanting to work wildly at once.

Liang Shu asked: “Your elder brother looks like this?”

Liu Xian’an replied: “The appearance is similar, but I can’t imitate the authoritativeness of my elder brother.”

But this should be enough to fool people. In all fairness, the two young masters of the Liu family actually looked quite alike. The only difference was their countenances. One was as cold as a plum blossom, and the other as soft as a peach blossom. And the one who was as soft as a peach blossom was lazy and senseless all day long, so their family members didn’t think that the two brothers were alike. Even Liu Xian’an only realized after this face, my elder brother and I are so alike that I don’t even need to make any effort to adjust my facial features.

Outside Raven City were many small villages. Seeing as New Year’s Eve was approaching, every household was busy cooking food to eat, and the elderly with handicapped legs were carried out to bask in the sun. A group of little dolls were begging for sweets around their grandmother when a group of strangers came to the entrance of the village.

“Who are you looking for?”

“We’re not looking for anyone, just passing by this village.” Liu Xian’an smiled and asked, “May I ask for a cup of water?”

“For the New Year, how can you just drink a cup of water? Come into our village, you are all our guests.” The aunt in the kitchen was very enthusiastic. Not everyone came out to see, so she called for her daughter to get the brewed plum wine from the cellar. Liu Xian’an hurriedly declined, saying loudly: “I am a doctor, and must go to the next village to treat someone tomorrow, so I cannot get drunk.”

“A doctor?” Upon hearing this, the aunt wiped her hands on her apron and ran out of the kitchen. “It’s a doctor, ah, can you have a look at my mother-in-law? Her leg has been hurting for half a month, and no medicine can help her.”

“Of course I can.” Liu Xian’an nodded in agreement.

A-Ning quickly spread out the medicine pack. Liu Xian’an found a stool and asked the old lady to put her leg on it. Other villagers passed by the house and saw that there seemed to be foreigners in the courtyard, and also poked their heads in to watch the excitement, chatting, laughing, and eating melon seeds. Before a plate of snacks could be finished, the old lady let out an “ai,” and said, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“It really doesn’t hurt? You’re not faking it?” The Aunt asked. “Mother, you can’t continue to bear it, ah. Don’t be afraid to cause trouble, we will treat you if it hurts.”

“It really doesn’t hurt,” the old woman said. She stood up and was about to take a couple of steps. Liu Xian’an quickly held her down and said, “You can’t walk now, Mother-in-law, please continue to sit down.”

The crowd was stunned. Granny Li’s leg had been hurting for many years, and it could be fixed with just two needles?

A rumble sounded—

“Doctor, doctor! I also have a patient in my family!”

“My family too! “Doctor, my house is right next door, just two steps away!”

How could people not get sick if they lived off the fields? Now, the heavenly doctor in the village had immediately become a favorite. A-Ning had to stand on a stone table and loudly maintain order. Everyone, don’t worry, take your time, take your time!

“Doctor, where do you do your consultations all year round, where else can we go in the future?”

“Us, ah, we’re in Baihe Mountain Village.”

“Baihe……Baihe Mountain Village?” Of Dayan’s common people, who had not heard of Baihe Mountain Village? “B-bai……the miracle doctor is from that village?”

“Yes, Baihe Mountain Village. This is the First Young Master,” A-Ning introduced. “Liu Xianche.”

His enunciation was clear and his voice was loud, for fear that others would not be able to hear it clearly.

Not only was it the number one medical clinic in the world, but this was the number one miracle doctor in the world. The news was too shocking. The villagers all opened their mouths wide, wondering, why did this legendary person suddenly appear in this small corner of the Southwest?

But no matter whether he really was or not, his medical skills must be real, and the news quickly spread over ten li and eight villages……of course, this also had something to do with the guards of Xiao Wang Palace fueling the flames.

He agreed to stay in the village for a day and then leave, but until the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month, the doctor still did not succeed, because many people from around came with patients on their backs.

On this day, the mountains and forests were cold and windy.

A group of travelers stood around a fire and prepared hot water to make tea. A young servant said: “I never thought that we’d be delayed on the road. Originally, we would have been able to reach Garrison City today.”

“These days haven’t been too bad.” His master stretched out his hands to the fire, driving away the damp coldness in his bones. His fingers were slender and clear, like the hands of a scholar, but there was a thin layer of calluses on his fingertips.

“A-Yong, why haven’t they returned yet?” 

The boy stretched his neck out to look toward the path. “If they don’t come back, I’ll bake some cakes for you. I don’t know how far it is to the village.”

Just as he was speaking, the sound of horseshoes sounded in the distance. A guard who had been exploring the road dismounted his horse and said: “The village is not far away.”

“Not far away? Did something happen in the village?” The boy asked strangely, “Why are you so nervous?”

“Because someone is pretending to be our First Young Master.” The guard also felt that it was unbelievable. “But it’s not in this village, it’s in Liujia village next door, not far away. It is said that he has been eating and drinking for many days, bluffing and deceiving, and claiming to be Liu Xianche of Baihe Mountain Village. He is treating people everywhere, and it’s unknown how much money he has collected. All I know is that the little dolls’ sugar pots are also not spared, and he has taken away many pastries.”

The boy was too shocked to speak. This was too outrageous, ba, could such a thing truly happen in the world?

Liu Xianche said with frigid anger: “Preposterous!”

He stood and mounted his horse, flinging the reins heavily with his fair fingers. “We’re going to Liujia Village!”

---

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Chapter Eighty << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Two

After ending the battle with the star pirates and rescuing the hostages, the Imperial battleship did not stay in Luobing, but returned directly to the capital.

Now that the election was about to begin, Lucas and the Imperial army must be there in case something happened.

Mu Yuan also had a talk with Lucas.

The battles provoked by the star pirates had never been meaningless. For example, last time when the area around Te City was looted, countless cultural districts were destroyed, and they incidentally revealed a Meteor Shower as a warning to the Empire. This time, the target was a peripheral agricultural area.

But this battle was more like a beginning.

Both Lucas and Mu Yuan could feel that the star pirates’ weapons and strength had grown, and their battle strategies had also changed a lot. They were no longer so bold and reckless.

They seemed to be preparing for a protracted war with the Empire.

There must be a series of battles to follow, and an opportunity to terminate each other.

Therefore, Lucas swiftly returned to the capital with his army, and the Empire also had to be fully prepared for the next expedition.

Not only did they have to be prepared, but they also needed a good rest, to raise their spirits and use their best form and spiritual abilities to fight.

On the way back to the capital, Luo Ran curled up in bed and used his terminal for entertainment.

Lucas was still making an inventory of the battlefield with his adjutants, and Luo Ran didn’t have anything to do, so he simply went back to the room to rest. He could read a few more official documents when he got up early the next day.

Before going to sleep, Luo Ran took some time to browse the Starnet. Xia Zhi had forwarded him several “suspected official announcement” posts to him, which made him curious.

Luo Ran was very busy before, and had a guilty conscience during his tug-of-war with Lucas, so he didn’t dare go on the Starnet. But now…..

Luo Ran entered it curiously.

Then he was brainwashed by the wonderful love and exclamation marks on the screen, and was in a trance.

What was this…..

Luo Ran was extremely helpless.

But he couldn’t help smiling.

Luo Ran went back to that magical post, Nana’s “Spoiled in the Palm of the Fiendish Admiral’s Hand.” He had seen it before……the main protagonist Zimei Xueran was snatched by the other protagonist, Lucas K. Augustine Dior Gucci Prada. Nana was still saying that it would be heart-wrenching, but it would be over soon! Please rest assured, little cuties, the author is an old liar.

But now Luo Ran picked it up again, and not only was the angst gone, but the two protagonists were married and had thirty-three children.

“…….”

No.

Wait.

Luo Ran thought he had read it wrong, and read it again to make sure that he hadn’t misunderstood it.

Thirty-three.

And so many were born at one time. Thirty-three treasures.

Luo Ran: “…….”

Luo Ran clicked on the post to read the table of contents, and picked out a few chapters to read. 

The main reason was to see how thirty-three babies were born.

…….

“Ah~” Zimei Xueran gave a silky, coquettish glance and gently pushed Lucas K. away with his hand, saying: ““I’m already pregnant~”

“You say no, but your body is very honest.” Lucas K. revealed the smile of an interstellar overlord. “Feel it, ba.”

Words gushed out.

Zimei Xueran was washed up into the sky by the current, saw the clouds, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the sun.

“…..I’m going to give birth!”

The servants immediately became nervous. The overlord’s wife was going to give birth three months prematurely!

One!

Two! Three!

A total of thirty-three were born, twenty SSSSSS Alphas and thirteen SSSSSS Omegas!

Luo Ran: “…….”

Luo Ran opened the next chapter with a blank face. It was titled “Sweet Life After Marriage for the Interstellar Couple.”

. . . . . . .

It was a beautiful morning.

After marriage, his colorful hair had turned fourteen colors due to the nourishment of happiness. Capable of causing the downfall of cities and countries, his beauty captivating even the birds and beasts, the tender-skinned Zimei Xueran was preparing breakfast in the kitchen. There was only one priceless item on him, a velvet silk apron which could buy an entire planet, and he was wearing it to fry eggs for Lucas K.

After Lucas K. Augustine Dior Gucci Prada rose from his luxurious 100-square-meter bed and opened his sleepy eyes. He took out his 38cm with a fierce look and a bloodthirsty smile.

Also due to the nourishment of a happy married life, the 38cm had grown and was no longer 38.

Lucas K. Augustine reclined in bed with his cheek resting on his hand, fatally attractive and arrogant, like the Emperor of the Night.

“Man, come and serve me.”

The behemoth stretched from the room into the kitchen, and several walls were smashed through the middle, like Lion One’s cannon fire overcoming obstacles. Half of the house collapsed with a rumble, and the servants, who were accustomed to such things, immediately came to repair it. 

Zimei Xueran cried out sweetly again and again, and with trembling hands, he cooked the poached eggs into love hearts.

. . . . . . .

Luo Ran: “…….”

Pa, Luo Ran pressed the enter key vigorously and left this horrible post.

Before he could recover, the screen in front of him suddenly freeze.

Luo Ran: “?”

[ ! Warning ! The system is entering emergency maintenance due to the overload of people]

[Countdown five seconds, four, three, two, one…..]

Five seconds later, the screen was restored and the freezing was fixed.

Then it was all screeching.

[Official Announcement] The Admiral has made an official announcement! The Admiral has announced it! Aaaaaaah!

[Official Announcement] The Admiral showed his love!

Luo Ran saw Lucas’s comments after the “official announcement” and “showed his love.”

His ears and cheeks immediately turned red.

XXXX: Aaaah my people! They’re together! I knew it, I knew it! @Luo Ran what a wonderful love!

XXXX: Aaaah the hostages were rescued, and the Secretary and the Admiral finally made an official announcement! Then we can call on the outstanding heirs to the Empire! @Luo Ran what a wonderful love!

XXXX: Aaaaaaah the Admiral dotes on him so much! So the Imperial wedding of the century is coming? The excellent heir is coming? Secretary Luo, tell us, ah, are you really together? @Luo Ran what a wonderful love!

XXXX: Pfft…..it doesn’t matter if the Admiral speaks, but if Secretary Luo speaks. I feel sorry for the Admirals’ family status! Follow suit, @Luo Ran what a wonderful love.

The Starnet was now truly a group of fiends dancing wildly, a flock of chickens sounding off together.

They were so excited, and couldn’t wait for Luo Ran to come out and immediately hammer down the relationship, injecting blood into and bringing the best news to the recently tumultuous Empire.

Luo Ran read for a moment, then turned around with the terminal in hand and buried his face in the pillow.

— Let me tell you, we are together, and we kiss every day.

This Lucas…..

Luo Ran couldn’t help smiling.

When did his meeting end?

Luo Ran’s mind was a little chaotic.

But now the Starnet was @ing Luo Ran.

@The Truth Is False (*^▽^*)

Luo Ran’s brain was buzzing at the moment and he didn’t know what to write. He was a little embarrassed, so his fingers mechanically and automatically sent an emoji.

A few seconds after sending it, he saw the ID and came to a belated realization.

“…….”

! ! !

He forgot to change the account!

He habitually used his alternate account to surf the web and hang out in the CP forums, and he was so shocked by Lucas’s words that he forgot to switch the account!

Luo Ran quickly calmed himself down and deleted it.

However, Lucas opened the backstage permissions and didn’t have any concept of an alternate account, so he naturally praised Luo Ran’s post.

Since the creation of Lucas’s account, other than the video of the military ceremony sent by the government every year, it had never liked someone’s post.

@Lucas liked this post

@The Truth Is False, Sorry, this post has been deleted.

Luo Ran: “……..”

And the people of the country received a blessing to the soul at this moment.

The ID The Truth Is False had shouted in the group three times “The Admiral and the Secretary is real,” and used Lucas’s jacket to verify himself.

So Luo Ran once again experienced a black screen.

XXXX: Ahhhh they’re really together! They’re really together ! ! Together! What a wonderful love!

XXXX: Oh my god, I’m so addicted! I’m so addicted to it! The rightful owner personally went to the group to eat CP?! Ahhhhh it’s true, it’s true, even Secretary Luo said it’s true! His verification is the Admiral’s jacket! What a wonderful love!

XXXX: Oh, understood, so the Imperial couple, the national CP, after showing their love to the enemy army, have decided to show their love to the people of the Empire as well? What a wonderful love!

XXXX: Secretary Luo is so soft and cute! Oh my god, I can see the contrast. Secretary Luo, who is usually calm and professional, forgot to switch out his love account and couldn’t pull back his words, so he deleted the post in a hurry. Hahahaha love makes people lose their wits, it’s true! What a wonderful love!

Luo Ran: “…….”

Lucas also pushed open the door and entered at this moment, holding his terminal in his hand.

The two looked at each other, not knowing what to say for a moment.

A second passed.

Lucas said: “You can’t escape.”

Luo Ran paused, and said with a smile: “You also can’t escape, breaking up with me will affect your reputation.”

It was Lucas who couldn’t escape, not Luo Ran.

“Bah, I finally got you fucking back.” Lucas scoffed coldly. “I’d be an idiot to break up with you.”

Luo Ran lowered his eyes and smiled. 

They had really made it official.

They really told the world that they were together.

“Ranran.” Lucas stepped forward and hugged Luo Ran, his voice gentle.

“En?”

The atmosphere was a little ambiguous. The moonlight was also very gentle.

Lucas said: “Do you know what they’re saying on the Starnet now?”

“What are they saying?”

Lucas said sonorously: “That I should give you a baby.”

“…….”

The line about the thirty-three children appeared out of nowhere at that moment.

Luo Ran pushed Lucas away expressionlessly and said: “Admiral, it’s late. Go to sleep.”

“ ? ? “

Lucas pursed his lips, and tried to get closer in dissatisfaction, but Luo Ran picked up a pillow and covered his face.

Lucas remembered that it was said on the Starnet that his family status was in jeopardy, so he said resentfully: “Luo Ran, when we get married in the future, who will be in charge at home?”

Married……

Luo Ran was taken aback for a moment. Shortly after, his ears turned red and he lowered his eyes, saying with a smile: “You’ll have the final say, everything is up to you. It’s late, Admiral, go take a shower.”

He took a towel from the side and stuffed it into Lucas’s hands: “Go quickly.”

“Okay.”

Lucas obediently went with the towel in his arms.

. . . . . . . .

When the battleship arrived at the capital, as always, the people welcomed it with fireworks.

But this time there were a lot of romantic fireworks.

After returning to the capital, Lucas and Luo Ran had to move on to other things.

For example, discussing with the research institute what to do with the insect, preparations for Meteor Showers, investigating the star pirates’ latest UNK source, and the conspiracies and turmoil in the capital…..

And after a night of fermenting their excitement, the netizens with magnifying glasses on the Starnet…..dug up everything on Luo Ran.

—Reporting! Luo Ran usually uses the alternate account to watch tie tying videos! What a wonderful love!

—Reporting! As long as there are videos and articles online about coffee, ties, incense, and uniforms, there is a download record for Secretary Luo!

—Reporting! Secretary Luo likes Nana’s literature! What a wonderful love!

XXXX: Hahahaha Admiral, Secretary Luo thinks you’re not capable!

XXXX: Admiral, Secretary Luo thinks you’re not capable!

XXXX: Keep formation. Admiral, Secretary Luo thinks you’re not capable!

Lucas secretly went on the forum in the office the next day, wanting to see how everyone was reacting the day after the official announcement, and saw this.

……Nana’s literature?

Lucas frowned slightly.

Lucas logged in curiously.

Lucas: “…….”

What the hell was this, it was outrageous!

Then Lucas started reading from the first chapter.

…….

He was the person he trusted the most, who was as necessary as air in his life. He loved him silently, a flower blooming in the despair of love……

Until one night of confusion, the desperate love buried deep in his heart was spread out under the sun……

…….

The little bastard who had seduced him last night dared to run away now?

“Within five minutes, I want all the information on that man from last night!”

“Found him! It’s your secretary…..Zimei Xueran.”

…….

Lucas: “…….”

Fuck.

What the hell.

Luo Ran secretly read this kind of thing?

Not only did he read pornographic comics, but he also read……this bizarre stuff?

And this group of people actually used what happened that night to make trouble, those bastards!

Lucas bared his teeth. 

The one who climbed into his bed that night couldn’t be compared with Luo Ran!

His first time as an Alpha originally belonged to Luo Ran, but now he had been scammed by some unknown person!

It would be great if it was Luo Ran, like these people said.

……..

Wrong.

It seemed…..

Lucas found himself in a blind spot. He had a natural trust in Luo Ran. Whatever Luo Ran said, he never doubted it.

And before, he thought Luo Ran was a Beta.

But Luo Ran was an Omega.

“…….”

---

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Chapter Eighty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Three

T/N: Thank you to Jackile, Charlie, Parasim2323, Xiang, and a nameless Kofi-supporter for your generous donations!

---

For the next few days on the way to Luobing, Lucas taught Luo Ran how to operate Lion One.

Luo Ran was a fast learner, and their spiritual forces and pheromones had a high degree of compatibility, so it was not difficult to operate. Now, Luo Ran could also make Lion One walk and fly circles around the practice room with Lucas.

The purpose of piloting a mecha with two people was not to have fun, but actually to make the mecha sharper and more flexible. After all, a two-person mecha had more energy, and the more power the mecha could burn like oil, the better.

And it was not just good for the mecha, but good for Lucas as well.

It took a lot of spiritual power to move a big guy like Lion One, and was beyond what ordinary people could do. One could naturally imagine how big it was. So if Luo Ran could come and help Lucas share the energy consumption, it was naturally better.

In short, both of them were spiritually injured people, and they could help each other.

This caused Luo Ran to belatedly realize something.

—Lucas was willing to fight side by side with him on the battlefield.

Perhaps because of their decision to be together, Lucas had a different attitude from the past, when he wanted to protect Luo Ran and prevent him from stepping onto the battlefield. He was willing to let Luo Ran share the mecha that helped him win and survive on the battlefield, and willing to face the outcomes and discuss strategies with him.

This made Luo Ran feel that he and Lucas were equal. His identity as an Omega allowed Lucas to protect and cherish him, but did not negate his ability.

Just as the battleship was about to land, shocking news came from the capital.

— The king had died of illness.

The king had been absent from politics for several years due to his terminal illness, and since last year, he couldn’t hold on and was bedridden. Now, he had passed away completely.

The First Prince and the Second Prince had always shared government affairs, so there were no problems, but this meant that an election was coming.

The First and Second Princes, including their supporters, began intensive publicity and speeches, and wasted no time listing and praising every good thing they had done in their lives.

However, in the previous Te City Meteor Shower disaster, the fact that the Second Prince went to the front lines in person was also dug up. This left a good impression on the public, and the balance slightly shifted toward the Second Prince.

After all, although the First Prince pushed the embezzlement of public funds onto Cyril, Yuan Han’s case had not been closed yet, and he was covered in controversy. Therefore, after years of operations, the victory that should have been properly his was now in jeopardy, and the number of votes dropped by a lot.

The capital could be said to be very lively at present.

“Are you sure?”

The tall, thin man frowned and said: “Your Highness, do you really want to end the partnership with Huntsman?”

“Yes.” First Prince Zhou Mingyu nodded.

The tall, thin man in front of him was Zhou Mingyu’s new secretary – smart, knowledgeable about current affairs, and obedient.

“But……”

“Not buts.” Zhou Mingyu lightly twirled the pen in his hand and said: “Now is the critical moment. As long as I take office, what I can’t do at that time should not be done now.”

The government agencies and Lucas were still investigating him closely at this time, and Yuan Han’s case was not over yet. It was too dangerous.

He could no longer be involved with the star pirates.

The star pirates were unwilling to end the cooperative agreement between them and insisted on taking over the factory. That was no problem. He had sponsored the raw materials and operating funds for the star pirates to make Meteor Showers and medicine, so he could cut off the supply directly and see if they left or not at that time.

Zhou Mingyu scoffed coldly: “I am the leader of the Empire, and the leader of the partnership with the star pirates. When do I answer to them?”

He had his dignity as the eldest son of the royal family, and also looked down on those rogues. Being squeezed and hard-pressed by the star pirates these days, Zhou Mingyu was dissatisfied from the bottom of his heart.

The secretary hesitated, then nodded and said: “Yes.”

There were only two weeks until the official election. He just had to get through these two weeks.

But as for the chaos in the capital, it didn’t impact Lucas and Luo Ran for the time being. They had more important things to do at the moment.

They arrived at Luobing, at the border of Xingyue City, where the battle was currently underway. Mu Yuan brought his battleship for the hand-over.

The situation had improved at the time of Lucas’s return to the capital, and he would only leave once the dust settled.

In essence, he had come back to finish the last battle with Mu Yuan.

But seeing Mu Yuan’s grim expression, Lucas said with a frown: “Is something wrong?”

“It was my mistake.”

Mu Yuan said in a low voice: “I didn’t expect the star pirates to have a secret plan. The common people outside Xingyue City were taken away, and in order to retrieve the hostages, we were forced to give up trying to get the UNK back from the star pirates.”

“But even though we gave up the UNK to save the common people, there are still sixty-one farmers who have not been rescued successfully. The star pirates have probably guessed that we would save those people, so they fled in different directions with the UNK and the hostages.”

Luo Ran frowned and asked: “UNK?”

Hadn’t the UNK mines been bombarded before? How could there still be UNK?

Mu Yuan said: “I am also unclear, but the star pirates did get UNK from Luobing. We only confirmed this yesterday. The star pirate battleships indeed have UNK.”

Luo Ran lowered his head and pondered.

This was too strange…..

Could it be that the star pirates discovered a new UNK mine in some corner of Luobing?

The Empire knew nothing of this matter.

The group of people went to the battleship control room while talking. Lucas glanced around and said: “Choose one.”

This starry sky was full of wormholes and nebulae. There was no way for the Empire to divide the army in two halves, so they could only make one choice.

If they went east to give chase and snatch the UNK back, they would have to give up the common people.

If they went west, the hostages may be rescued, but the UNK would certainly be taken away.

“Yes.” Mu Yuan nodded solemnly. “Imperial Headquarters also sent me a warning. I lost the UNK because of my previous choices. Now, they have ordered us to recover the UNK quickly.”

Lucas sneered: “Correction, it is the First Prince, not the Empire.”

After all, that was the UNK that the First Prince was anxiously longing for.

Mu Yuan said in a low voice: “As a soldier, my instinct is to save the hostages. If I had to choose, I would save them right now, but the UNK is worth a lot indeed…..and there are only sixty-one hostages now……”

Mu Yuan’s intention was to hand the decision over to Lucas.

But Lucas didn’t have the slightest entanglement. He rolled his eyes and said to Mu Yuan: “You’ve already said it. What are you?”

“A soldier.”

“So am I, so let’s act!”

Lucas strode back to the mecha.

Mu Yuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said to the adjutant beside him: “Have the battleship and the brigade go west at full speed!”

“Yes……!”

The adjutant couldn’t help but say: “Then the UNK…..?”

Luo Ran said: “Don’t worry, the Admiral has his own decisions and arrangements.”

“Yes!”

Boom—

The universe was lit with cannon fire.

The battleship quickly caught up with the target, and Luo Ran and Lucas sat together in the mecha. Lucas wrapped his big palm around Luo Ran’s slender hand. He raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: “It’s Secretary Luo’s first expedition. How does it feel?”

It was the first time Luo Ran had actually used a mecha on the battlefield.

Luo Ran paused for a moment, then said without blushing: “The Admiral will guide me.”

“Heh.”

Lucas rubbed the top of Luo Ran’s hair and said: “Let’s go!”

It appeared cumbersome, but under the control of two masters, Lion One, which was more sensitive than an aircraft, took off from the battleship and rushed into the vast universe.

On the battlefield, all Imperial warships and mechas must follow and obey Lion One.

“Form up and surround the star pirates!” Lucas looked forward. “Target the main battleship where the hostages are located. Don’t get distracted by fighting, and don’t give chase!”

Lion One was still being controlled by Lucas, and Luo Ran was only sharing the burden as a provider of spiritual power, following Lucas’s spiritual trajectory to assist him.

The Imperial Army coordinated with the Luobing Army to form a solid encirclement so that the star pirates couldn’t escape, then slowly narrowed the circle, encroaching step by step.

The formation changed, and the gap made by the star pirates was swiftly filled.

Cooperating with Lucas to control Lion One, only then did Luo Ran intuitively feel Lucas’s ability to control and predict the battle situation.

Many times, Luo Ran didn’t understand Lion One’s trajectory, and didn’t understand Lucas’s intentions until he saw it later.

Lucas was only one person, but he could judge which methods, weapons, and teams should be used by the soldiers on the battlefield in order to achieve victory.

Another wave of artillery fire aimed at Lion One, and the lion nimbly dodged.

Now they were very close to the main battleship where the hostages were.

Lucas said in a low voice: “Luo Ran, concentrate and sit tight.”

“Okay.”

Luo Ran gripped the armrests tightly.

“Wrong.” Lucas put Luo Ran’s hand on his waist.

Luo Ran paused, then chuckled.

Lucas said on the mic: “Lao Wang, Freeman, get ready. Center on me, coordinates z4y7.”

Boom—

Boom—

Then, an unforgettably splendid scene appeared in the universe.

Two teams could be seen lining up in two circles with Lion One at the center.

Then Lion One launched the first shot, and they came one after another.

When Lion One finished launching, it moved at full speed.

Wherever the lion went, the mechas would fire immediately after.

Lion One was like the conductor of a band, directing them one by one to fire wherever it went.

However, the lion didn’t attack at random. Instead, according to the formation of troops and the position of the warships on the opposite side, it destroyed them one by one. The speed was so fast that the continuous artillery fire completely overwhelmed the opponents.

The Empire had principles, and would not manufacture destructive weapons like Meteor Showers, and prohibited other planets and countries from making them.

But in the same way, after knowing that the Meteor Showers had reappeared, Lucas had also thought of many ways to contend with them.

Among them was this.

After rehearsing it before, Lucas had asked Luo Ran to name it.

It was called Kaleidoscope.

They fired one after another in a circle, and before the enemy had time to react, and countless people came together to form the muzzle of a giant gun.

Bang, bang—

The star pirates were defeated one by one.

In the end, the defenses around the main battleship were defeated, and the team rushed forward to rescue the hostages.

In the splendid artillery fire, Lucas turned his head and saw it flickering across Luo Ran’s face.

Everyone outside was shouting victoriously and cheering.

Lucas knew that the enemy could see him and Luo Ran, and that Huntsman was watching.

Lucas lifted his eyebrows and grabbed Luo Ran’s collar.

They kissed in the firelight.

The shouting and cheering outside seemed to grow louder.

. . . . . . .

That night, the Starnet exploded.

[Frontline News] The battle has been won! The Xingyue City hostages have all been saved! The Admiral is the best!

[Empire Next Generation News] The Admiral and the Secretary kissed in the mecha! A demonstration of love to the opposite side!

XXXX: Aaaaaah, oh my god, it’s so sweet! Such a sweet, wonderful love! The love between the Admiral and the Secretary is a ray of warmth and sunshine in this continuous war and the turmoil in the capital, ah! Wuwuwu, a wonderful love.

XXXX: Congratulations, Admiral! Ahhh @Admiral Lucas must be so excited! Hehehe, it’s rare to kiss the little secretary’s mouth, is it tasty? What a wonderful love!

XXXX: …..Sister upstairs, you accidentally @’d the official account.

XXXX: ……Fuck.

XXXX: Don’t panic, sister. The official account doesn’t read these comments.

Five minutes later.

@Lucas: One, it’s tasty. Two, it’s not rare.

Five more minutes.

@Lucas: I would like to inform you that we are together, and we kiss every day.

……

……

It was heated before, but after the official announcement……

The Starnet went down.

---

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Chapter Eighty << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-Two

Liang Shu had no impression of the number one swordsmith in the Central Plains. Song Changsheng said: “Three years ago, when I was passing through the Northwest, I saw a sword painted on the door of every house of the local people. I thought it was an ancient totem, but later found out that it was the sword of His Royal Highness Xiao Wang.”

Swordsmiths were always extraordinarily interested in swords, so Song Changsheng stayed in Yacheng for half a month longer, and finally, Liang Shu and the sword arrived. He said: “At that time the prince was at a rouge shop across the street, and I had the intention to approach, but because I was a foreigner, I was stopped by soldiers.”

Liu Xian’an glanced suspiciously at the person beside him. Why did you go buy rouge?

Liang Shu grabbed his shoulders: “This story is a bit long, so I will tell you in detail tonight.”

Song Changsheng said: “Today, I would like to thank the prince and Second Young Master Liu for saving my life. On that mountain……”

“The vast majority of people are dead, and the rest are disabled. The government is cleaning up the scene, and the only one who escaped was the Holy Maiden,” Liang Shu said. “Dayan’s laws have always punished cults severely. They didn’t die unjustly. Blowing up the so-called ‘Holy Envoy’ can even be regarded as a great achievement.”

Yang Yao should be Wang Quan’s “guide” two more ranks above. This well-known jade merchant in Raven City suddenly transformed into a little leader of the Baifu Sect. The children in the family tried to escape overnight after learning about it, but they were all arrested and brought to justice by the well-prepared government. The common people of the city were all shocked when they saw the members of the Yang family in the prison cart, but after the shock they thought it over carefully. No wonder the Yang family business had become more and more prosperous recently. It turned out they had the cult behind them?

Song Changsheng sighed: “It’s a pity that demon girl ran.”

“It must have taken a lot of effort for Song-xiangsheng to successfully sneak into the Baifu Sect.” Liu Xian’an brought a chair over. “Their vetting of outsiders seems to be extremely strict.”

“Yes.” Song Changsheng nodded. “I spent a lot of effort, and even……even did many things that violated morality. At that time, I only wanted revenge, and I killed many people.”

They were all from the Baifu Sect, and he did it very skillfully, so it didn’t arouse any suspicion. Song Changsheng pretended to lose his mind after losing his wife. Not long after, someone took the opportunity to come to his door and deceive him by saying that the Holy Baifu Maiden could recall the souls of the dead so that he could meet his wife again.

“They seem to want to infiltrate the Central Plains martial arts realm, so they valued me very much, and at the same time secretly won over many other masters.” Song Changsheng said, “For the chosen ones, they often spend a lot of money. Every time they come to the door, they are flush with gold and silver.”

The heretical cult did not produce anything, and all the money it obtained was offered by believers. In other words, it was all the hard-earned money of the common people. Using the common people’s money to slaughter the common people was truly abhorrent.

“What about that Holy Maiden?” Liu Xian’an asked. “How much do you know about her?”

“She has become the symbol of the Baifu Sect. Every time she shows up, she will be dressed like a holy Buddha statue.” Song Changsheng said, “Although she has never killed anyone with her own hands, there are countless believers who die tragically because of her, so she also bears a thousand blood debts. But I always thought she was just there to look pretty. I didn’t expect her to also be a master.”

Liang Shu was thoughtful: “Her martial arts methods are rather familiar.”

Song Changsheng quickly asked: “Who is it?”

. . . . . .

Wumeng Yunyou hastily pushed open the door with a bang, causing the girl in the room to raise her eyes and look his way: “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? Shouldn’t I be anxious when you encounter such a big ordeal?” Seeing his sister sitting there, Wumeng Yunyou breathed a sigh of relief. “I heard that someone planted explosives on the mountain and everyone died.”

“Many people died, but not all of them.” Wumeng Yunle corrected him absent-mindedly. She picked up the teapot to pour tea, but Wumeng Yunyou pressed her hand and said: “Listen to me, even if some of those people are still alive, they’re mostly useless. The Master spent a lot of time trying to win over this group of martial arts experts, but now they’ve been bombed to pieces, and all their achievements have fallen short. After the old man heard the news in the morning, he flew into a rage on the spot. He might come here to ask you about it soon, so be careful when answering. Don’t make him angry again.”

Wumeng Yunle did not answer these words, but asked: “Ge, do you know anything about Dawn’s Gate?”

“Dawn’s Gate?” Wumeng Yunyou said leisurely, “I know the head is Zhao Xiang. This person joined the sect three years ago and was able to perform capably. The Master planned to reward him this time, but unfortunately, he was blown to death by that surnamed Song.”

“He didn’t die.” Wumeng Yunle recalled, “Moments before the explosion, he took another person beside him, and like a sharp arrow, flew to the other side. His speed was extremely fast. If it wasn’t because I kept looking at him, it would have been difficult to notice.”

Wumeng Yunyou frowned: “Why did you keep looking at him?”

“I don’t know either,” Wumeng Yunle replied. “But I thought he was different from all the other men on the scene, like……like a god walking out of a painting, tall and heroic.”

Wumeng Yunyou had met Zhao Xiang before. He recalled the face of that middle-aged man, and his brow wrinkled up: “Are you okay? Could that kind of person possibly be like a god? Out of a hundred people walking on the street, at least fifty look just like him.”

“It’s not about looks.” Wumeng Yunle described carefully, “It was his whole person. While standing there, he was out of tune with everything around him.”

Wumeng Yunyou couldn’t understand what his sister was saying, but he felt that these words were a bit dangerous and anything but reassuring. He leaned closer and warned: “Even if the man wasn’t killed by the bomb, his family already has wives and concubines, so don’t think about it. I heard that people from the government have gone to White Crown now. If they discover the relationship between Dawn’s Gate and the Baifu Sect, Zhao Xiang will definitely be arrested wherever he goes in the country, and Master will also give up this chess piece. At that time, he’ll just be a homeless dog. You’d better come to your senses.”

“I just told you about it because I thought he was strange, and now you’re talking about wives and concubines.” Wumeng Yunle threw away the teacup unhappily. “Forget it, I’m tired and don’t want to talk.”

“Don’t go yet.” Wumeng Yunyou reminded her in a low voice, “Master is here.”

Footsteps could be heard outside, and both of them stood up.

. . . . . . .

The people in Raven City were still muttering about the relationship between Yang Manor and the Baifu Sect in private, and they were a little nervous, which diluted the originally strong spirit of the New Year. Liu Xian’an stood beside Song Chansheng’s bed to carefully examine the suddenly swollen wound on his face, and said: “It seems to be poison, ah.”

“What kind of poison?” Song Changsheng asked.

“It’s hard to say,” Liu Xian’an said. “There are many poisons in the Southwest, and I have not seen all of them in books, so I can only prescribe some powders to see if they are effective.”

Song Changsheng was injured all over his body from the blast and needed meticulous care from a doctor. Liu Xian’an stayed in his room for a while until His Royal Highness Xiao Wang personally came to look for him. 

Song Changsheng didn’t know why he had come, and thought that the prince had come to ask him about the Baifu Sect, so he struggled to sit up, but A-Ning pushed him down.

“Song-xiansheng should continue to lie down,” A-Ning said. “I can do the rest.”

Song Changsheng was confused. “Ah?”

But Liang Shu had already taken Liu Xian’an away. The wind was cold in the twelfth lunar month, and the brazier in the room was warming it up. Liu Xian’an removed his cloak: “I don’t know when Elder Brother will come to the Southwest. In addition to looking at Commander Ku, he can take a look at the poison on Song-xiansheng’s face.”

Liang Shu: “Your elder brother has done research on poisons?”

“All I know about poisons comes from the poison compendium compiled by my elder brother.” Liu Xian’an said, “If you want to detoxify, you must learn poisons. There are also many toxic flowers, weeds, and insects in Biahe Mountain Village. I will take the prince to see them next time.”

Liang Shu knocked on his head, unable to laugh or cry: “Don’t you know how to show me red flowers and green willows, something auspicious and festive?”

Liu Xian’an avoided his hand. You don’t understand, the more colorful the flowers, the more poisonous they are. He stood by the basin to wash, but Liang Shu couldn’t live in peace, and embraced him from behind, reminding him: “Why haven’t you asked me about buying rouge?”

Liu Xian’an paused for a moment, then replied truthfully: “Because I forgot.”

Liang Shu was dissatisfied, and exhorted: “How could you forget such an important matter? What if I gave it to some pretty girl? After hearing there’s a fire in the back courtyard, you don’t know to be anxious.”

“Fire is fire.” Liu Xia’an continued to wipe his face with a handkerchief. “If I was anxious and the fire didn’t die, wouldn’t that be a waste of time?”

“You at least have to drink vinegar,” Liang Shu persuaded.

Liu Xian’an was cheerful, and did not drink.

He didn’t drink, but His Royal Highness Xiao Wang did not give up. He lifted him up and walked toward the bed, insisting on brewing some sourness in his sweetheart over the rouge powder a few years ago. Liu Xian’an was so discomposed by him that he could do nothing. Lying on the bed unable to move or struggle free, he could only turn his head with a smile: “Okay, okay, I’ll listen. Isn’t listening good?”

“No negotiating.” Liang Shu placed his arms around his waist. “If you want to hear a story, you must toss two copper coins at a teahouse. You’re taking advantage of me.”

Liu Xian’an’s clothes were disheveled under his palms, and it was not clear who was taking advantage of whom. Liang Shu’s fingers slid down his open neckline, and he said while they slid: “There are no twists and turns in this story, just a group of soldiers from the vanguard who achieved great success. When they went to patrol outside the pass, they actually rescued an entire village from bandits in the desert. There were many young girls among them, and they looked back and forth at each other. When they returned to Yacheng, they had developed more than a dozen pairs.”

There had never been a wedding of this scale at the military camp. Liang Shu was very happy when he heard about it, and simply took his group of subordinates to buy the betrothal gifts in person. Holding long lists in their hands, everyone walked around the streets, buying everything from cured chicken and pork to rouge powder and other cosmetics. It was probably at that time that Song Changsheng bumped into him. When Liang Shu finished speaking, he pressed his lips to the other’s chest and rubbed them intimately, saying: “So I’m very familiar with the process of betrothal and getting married. I will definitely not be deficient in courtesy for you in the future.”

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Chapter Seventy-Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-One

T/N: Thank you to Jackile, Charlie, Parasim2323, Xiang, and a nameless Kofi-supporter for your generous donations!

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All the sages in the Three Thousand Worlds were very interested in His Royal Highness Xiao Wang…..of course, they may also be forced to be interested. Who made an entire universe float inside the mind of Second Young Master Liu? Having lived here, was there any reason not to listen to the arrangements of the master of this world? So they had no choice but to stand by the stream and listen for a long time to how noble and heroic His Royal Highness Xiao Wang was, and one by one, they grew sleepy.

In reality, Liu Xian’an was also very sleepy, so sleepy that he didn’t want to raise his head. However, Liang Shu indulged him very much, and let him sleep if he wanted to sleep, as if he wasn’t paying attention to the congregation of the heretical sect at all. Chang Xiaoqiu stood beside them with his heart suspended in his throat, fearing that the cult would discover that there was a person sleeping soundly. On the one hand, there was a trace of blind admiration, and he felt that he was worthy of His Royal Highness Xiao Wang to be able to deal with such a complicated situation so calmly. He was distracted for a while, and didn’t pay attention to what the person above was saying, just applauding in a daze.

Liang Shu was tall, and stood at the end of the line, so even Wumeng Yunle who was sitting on the high platform didn’t notice the abnormality at this end. She sat there bored, looking at the people below one by one. She had seen too many such fanatical and pious faces, and there was nothing special about them. Besides, the vast majority of girls in the world didn’t like to stare carefully at middle-aged men. After looking around, Wumeng Yunle found that there were only two people who could be called good-looking this time. One was young, and one was…..her eyebrows twitched slightly, because she found that the other party was actually looking at her.

Believers were not allowed to look directly at the Holy Maiden, and just a quarter of an hour ago, someone had died because of it. Because Song Changsheng’s gaze was so straightforward, without any concealment at all, Wumeng Yunle was a little startled when she saw it.

Liang Shu gripped the hilt of his sword calmly.

Chang Xiaoqiu caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye, and quickly grasped his sword. He didn’t actually notice Song Changsheng and Wumeng Yunle’s eyes meet, but there was definitely nothing wrong with following along with His Royal Highness Xiao Wang. At this time, Holy Envoy Yang had finished reading out the doctrine, and Liu Xian’an also stood up from the stone beside the stream and waved to everyone, saying in distress: “I really have to go now. If you still want to listen to more, you’ll have to wait until next time.”

The sages didn’t seem to want to listen anymore, and sent this friend away with sighs of relief. Liu Xian’an beckoned a white crane, and was about to return to the real world when there was suddenly a loud roar in his ears—

“Presumptuous!”

He opened his eyes at once.

Liang Shu was holding one of his hands, and squeezed it, saying in a low voice: “Don’t be afraid, it’s all right.”

This end was fine, and the problem was at the other end. Song Changsheng asked lightly: “Where am I presumptuous?”

“You dare to disrespect the Holy Maiden, isn’t that considered presumptuous?” Holy Envoy Yang warned in a deep voice, “Song-xiansheng, don’t forget your identity.”

“My identity, what is my identity?” Song Changsheng pushed the crowd aside and stepped forward slowly. “Am I the number one swordsmith in the Central Plains or the sad man who lost his new wife?”

Seeing that the situation was not good, the disciples of the Baifu Sect rushed forward to surround him. But Holy Envoy Yang did not order for him to be dealt with according to doctrine, and said instead: “The Holy Maiden and I are deeply saddened about the tragedy of Yang-furen, but her soul is already on the way back. Why does Song-xiansheng make trouble at this time? Is he afraid that she will never return?”

“It hurts so much, but her soul is on its way home?” Song Changsheng laughed. His eyes were bloodshot, but he didn’t show much anger, and only lamented word by word in a tired, hoarse voice, “But if not for you, my wife would have never died. She originally only wanted to buy a bouquet of flowers on the street, but was lured into that Buddhist hall. You took advantage of her innocence, kindness, and ignorance of worldly affairs to defraud her of gold and silver step by step and deceive her into stealing my forged swords. I was also at fault. I shouldn’t have been so obsessed with forging swords that I never returned home, and it took me a whole year to notice her abnormality.”

There was a commotion at the scene. In fact, not all standing here today were devout believers, and there were also some people with other thoughts in mind. The Baifu Sect had developed like a raging fire in the past few years. They were also envious and wanted a piece of the pie, so they pretended to be pious and devout, hoping to successfully get into high positions and make a lot of money.

This group of people didn’t understand the ins and outs of the Baifu Sect very well. Listening to Song Changsheng shouting nonstop now, they were inwardly amused, and were just waiting to see him be made a mockery of—being oppressed by an old man. They had already accumulated a stomachful of fire, so no one persuaded him, and it was no big deal to watch the fun.

Yang Yao’s face paled from being scolded. He had originally wanted to save some face for Song Changsheng, because there was indeed no better swordsmith than him in the world. Being able to draw such a person into the Baifu Sect would be of great benefit to the sect’s future development in the Central Plains martial arts realm. However, Song Changsheng didn’t intend to give him the same face. Practically tearing off all pretense, he scolded his own negligence, scolded the greed of the cult, and pointed at Wumeng Yunle, saying loudly: “You killed her!”

Yang Yao couldn’t bear it anymore: “Make him shut up!”

All the disciples of the Baifu Sect drew their swords out of their sheaths, but Song Changsheng jumped up. He was the world’s number one swordsmith, as well as the world’s number one concealed weapons master. A cloud of darts shot from his lapel in an instant, penetrating the throats of the people around him like a rainstorm.

There were screams, and someone among the believers shouted: “Protect the Holy Maiden!”

The vast majority of people rushed forward. No matter if it was real or staged, since they were members of the Baifu Sect, they couldn’t stand by indifferently and let the Holy Maiden suffer. Only Liang Shu and Chang Xiaoqiu were still standing there, guarding the Sleeping Immortal who had just stepped out of a dream.

Song Changsheng failed to hold Wumeng Yunle hostage, because the seemingly powerless girl actually possessed excellent qinggong. She flew up light as a butterfly, passing by the one who came to grab her. Song Changsheng only felt a tingling pain on his face, as if he had been scratched by the other party’s nails, and when he touched it, there was blood dripping down.

Chang Xiaoqiu said anxiously: “He’s no match for the others.”

Liang Shu said: “But he doesn’t intend to fight alone.”

“Ah?” Chang Xiaoqiu was puzzled. “What do you mean…….ah!”

He yelled in panic, causing those around the high platform to look in that direction, and they were also shocked when they saw clearly. They didn’t understand how the young head of the Wanli Escort Bureau suddenly committed suicide by jumping off the mountain. There was no precipice there either, ah. Chang Xiaoqiu bumpbumpbump rolled down the cliff, grabbing a pile of dead grass indiscriminately. He didn’t realize why His Royal Highness Xiao Wang suddenly kicked him off the mountain, but there was already a dull explosion in his ears!

Liu Xian’an was closely protected by Liang Shu, but even though he covered his ears, they still buzzed for a long time. The high platform had already been blown to pieces, and there were broken limbs and bloodstains everywhere on the scene. Song Changsheng lay on the ground, spitting out blood as he still looked furiously toward the white dress deep in the forest. He tried to get up and chase after her, but he stumbled and fell forward with a thud before he could take a few steps.

He felt that he was going to die, or perhaps he was already dead. He didn’t succeed in avenging his wife, and he was dying like this.

When he opened his eyes again, what he saw was not the underworld, but an inn.

“Song-xiansheng, are you awake?” A young man with round eyes was watching over the bed. “Drink some water first.”

Song Changsheng regarded him suspiciously.

“I’m a disciple of Baihe Mountain Village. My name is A-Ning.” The young man introduced himself. “It was my young master who rescued xiangsheng and brought him back.”

Song Changsheng gradually recalled the explosion. He sat up and asked: “Your young master, he is a young master of Baihe Mountain Village? How could he be on that mountain?”

“En, my family’s second young master. He came to Raven City to find out the truth about the Baifu Sect harming people.” A-Ning supported him. “Xiangsheng won’t be able to get out of bed in the near future. He was seriously injured and poisoned, and it will take a year and a half to recover.”

Song Changsheng didn’t care about his injuries. He only cared about why the second young master of the Liu family was involved in the cult case, so he asked: “Could it be, could it be that the Baifu Sect even dared to win over people from Baihe Mountain Village?”

“That isn’t true. The story is a bit long, so my family’s young master and others will tell it in person.” A-Ning tended to his leg injury. “It’s really dangerous, ah. If it was a bit worse, this leg and the left arm would be lost.”

Song Changsheng smiled wryly: “I didn’t want to live, either.”

“I have indeed met many people who were unwilling to live, but if the knot in one’s heart can be solved, it is better to live after all.” A-Ning fastened the bandages on his hands and feet. “Drink a glass of water first, Xiangsheng, I’ll go get my young master right away.”

He trotted to the corridor, and first lay down next to the crack in the door to observe for a long moment in order to make sure that his young master was not too close to the prince, then knocked on the door and went in, saying: “Song-xiangsheng is already awake.”

Liu Xian’an was helping Chang Xiaoqiu with the scratches on his face: “Understood. Let him wait for a while.”

The young man grimaced in pain, but because of the presence of Liang Shu, he insisted on not saying a word about it. He pretended to be calm and composed as he asked: “How did the prince find out that there were explosives at the scene?”

“I smelled them. After being on the battlefield for so long, I’ve become extremely sensitive to the smell of various explosives.” Liang Shu said, “Also, even if Song Changsheng missed the Holy Maiden by mistake, he still lured the rest of the people toward the high platform. His purpose was even more obvious. He wanted to drag everyone into death together.”

His goal was almost eighty percent achieved, and the remaining twenty percent was due to his failure to die. At the critical moment, he was hit from the side by the hilt of Liang Shu’s sword, and avoided the center of the explosion. The Holy Baifu Maiden didn’t die either. She stepped on the top of Yang Yao’s head and floated away unscathed by her own strength.

Yang Yao completely exploded. His head was separated from his body, and nobody knew whether he voluntarily sacrificed himself for the Holy Maiden or if he stepped onto the pile of explosives and was too late to run.

Chang Xiaoqiu had lingering fears in his heart: “So many people, of whom many were prestigious, died just like this.”

He was still young, and unlike Second Young Master Liu, he had a preference for life over death, so he was still very upset as he continued: “It’s a good thing I was here, otherwise…..” Otherwise his father might not have been able to escape.

Liu Xian’an wrapped the other’s head tightly and left the growing boy alone to mourn the passage of life, going next door with Liang Shu. Song Changsheng was in a trance while holding tea in his hands when he heard a knock on the door. He quickly sat up straight: “Second Young Master Liu.” His eyes then fell on Liang Shu, and he seemed to be stunned for a moment in disbelief. “Your Royal Highness?”

---

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Chapter Seventy-Eight << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty

In order to enhance the communication and learning between game producers, the organizers specially held a three-hour free exchange meeting in the afternoon.

The venue was arranged on the 16th floor of the hotel, and the organizers had arranged the venue very carefully—

In addition to the major games on the market that were played in turn on the main stage, the logos and past representative works of each game studio were played on different small platforms.

After entering the hall, Pei Yi and Li Yuan looked around and walked to the small platform representing their own studio.

YWY’s logo was cute among all the cool ones, and their Last Fog mini-game was playing on the small screen. Compared with other studios present, they immediately gave off a sense of “cute and new.”

Li Yuan took a photo to send back to the group in the studio. Then he joked to his friend, “What can be done, Teacher Will? Our family doesn’t have enough to look at.”

Pei Yi chuckled. “Sooner or later, people will be unable not to look at it.”

Li Yuan agreed, “Yes.”

Pei Yi looked around. His voice through the mask seemed a little muffled. “Have you seen Ke Ming?”

“……No.”

Li Yuan carefully identified the guests in the audience, then gestured with his eyes in a particular direction. “He’s not there on the Chanming Studios platform, so he’s probably not here yet.”

Hearing this, Pei Yi pulled his mask down. He already understood thoroughly—

Of the game producers currently participating in the game design competition, only Ke Ming knew his true identity when he was at GM.

Pei Yi never thought his relationship with the Bo family could be hidden so thoroughly, but it was nice that fewer people heard about or looked into it.

Li Yuan patted him on the shoulder. “Will.”

“En?”

“There’s a friend I knew before.”

Li Yuan pointed to a man in a black windbreaker, and explained in a low voice: “He was my classmate after I changed my major in university. I’ll go say hello to him, are you coming?”

Pei Yi shook his head, but didn’t hinder Li Yuan’s normal social interaction. “You go first, I’ll take a look around.”

“Okay.”

Li Yuan stepped away, and Pei Yi’s eyes swung around again—

Before lingering on the wine tower in the corner.

Tempted by the seductive smell of red wine, Pei Yi quickly walked over.

He remembered Bo Yueming’s previous exhortations, and picked up the cell phone, snapping a picture to send to his lover. “Er-ge, do you think this wine is calling out to me?”

Bo Yueming’s message came back quickly, “Did you respond to it?”

Pei Yi’s face was tinged with a smile. “I’m waiting for your go-ahead.”

Bo Yueming replied, “Drink, but be careful not to overdo it. You know how much you can drink.”

Pei Yi forcefully typed out the word “En.”

Before and after they were in a relationship, Bo Yueming took the whole wine wall to accompany him in practicing his drinking capacity. Although he still failed to return to the ultimate goal of “King of Drinking Capacity,” he had at least made some progress and would not get drunk after one drink.

Having received the long-distance permission from his lover in the Imperial Capital, he impatiently picked up a glass of red wine, swirled it, and sniffed it.

Before he could take off his mask and formally take a sip, there was the slight sound of footsteps behind him.

“Hello.”

Hearing this greeting, Pei Yi turned around and looked over. The moment their eyes met, he recognized this person—

It was the man in the suit who had accidentally bumped into him before signing in that morning. He seemed to be the representative of the producer sent by Nebula Fun Tour to participate in the competition.

Pei Yi observed silently for two or three seconds, then nodded slightly. “Hello.”

The man in the suit looked at Pei Yi searchingly, and then asked hesitantly, “Is this Teacher Will? I’m the representative of Nebula Fun Tour.”

Hearing his gentle and polite tone of voice, Pei Yi suddenly thought of a possibility. “Team Leader Gu?”

The other party nodded at once. “Yes, I’m Gu Jianshen.”

Nebula Fun Tour was a subsidiary of China’s top game production company Weiyi, and the other party was the team leader of the copyright group Nebula Fun Tour.

Gu Jianshen had taken a fancy to Pei Yi’s “Tracking Pros and Cons,” and the two spoke in a friendly manner online, even once the copyright transaction was completed—

Gu Jianshen had also offered an olive branch to Pei Yi on behalf of his game headquarters, but was rejected by the latter.

Pei Yi removed his mask out of politeness, and stretched out his hand. “Hello, Team Leader Gu. I’m Will.”

Gu Jianshen stared at Pei Yi’s face, a little surprised. 

Pei Yi noticed his expression and said straightforwardly, “What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

“N-No.”

Afraid of causing a misunderstanding, Gu Jianshen quickly explained, “I just thought you didn’t want to show your face, Teacher Will, and I didn’t expect you to be so young.”

Pei Yi accepted his compliment with a smile, and put the mask back on. “Team Leader Gu, let’s talk?”

He naturally had his own set of standards for judging people—

When they first cooperated online, the communication between the two was very pleasant.

Now that he had met the real person, Pei felt that the other party was not the kind to have ulterior motives, so he was naturally willing to give him the courtesy that was due upon meeting.

Gu Jianshen had come to find him with this idea in mind. “Of course. How about we go to the lounge? There are so many people here. Since Teacher Will is wearing a mask, shouldn’t he want to be seen by fewer people?”

Pei Yi enjoyed dealing with smart and sensible people. “Sounds good.”

The two found a lounge next to the exchange hall and sat down.

Gu Jianshen was the first to open the topic. “I didn’t expect to meet Teacher Will here. I thought that when you said, ‘I prefer to be my own boss and make my own money,’ it was just an excuse to decline. I didn’t expect it to be true.”

Pei Yi raised his eyebrows. “Of course it’s true. I’ve always been serious about my career.”

He took a sip of red wine and smiled back. “I didn’t expect to meet Team Leader Gu here, and to see you bring Tracking Pros and Cons to the competition.”

After all, Nebula Fun Tour was backed by a top company like Weiyi. Once the game was launched, it would have its own various channels for exposure. Where did it need the extra blessing of winning a title in this competition?

Gu Jianshen didn’t deny it. “Whether or not we can win the award in the end or gain popularity, this is not what we value most.”

Of course, if an award could be won in the end, it would be the icing on the cake.

Gu Jianshen looked at Pei Yi, not hiding anything. “Actually, I have another important thing to do right now, which is to find suitable game projects for our company headquarters.”

The current Gu Jianshen was not only the head of the copyright team for Nebula Fun Tour, but he had also been promoted to be the copyright manager of Weiyi.

These past two years, the production levels and competition had become more and more fierce. It must be known that there were only three awards, and this didn’t mean that the games which lost in the end weren’t any good.

What he had to do was find high-quality game projects for his company, invest in them, or simply buy them out.

Pei Yi nodded in understanding.

Gu Jianshen said sincerely, “Teacher Will, I am very interested in the concept of The Last Fog 2.0”

A while ago, the operation of the 1.0 mini-game version of The Last Fog was developing well, and at first glance, the settings were aimed at a follow-up 2.0 or even 3.0 large-scale game.

As long as it was well-produced and properly promoted, it had the potential to become a hit game in the future.

Pei Yi heard his implication and replied simply, “Thank you for the compliment, Team Leader Gu.”

When a wise man spoke, he knew where to stop.

Seeing Will’s attitude, Gu Jianshen understood the unspoken answer.

If it were someone else or a different game, he would have tried to offer an olive branch, but facing the person in front of him, he could only dispel the thoughts deep in his heart.

Although the two parties hadn’t been in contact long, Gu Jianshen could roughly sense the other party’s career ambitions—

Will had his own business plan, which was to first use his original mini-games as a framework to attract a powerful Party A in the circle.

In fact, through the influence of Party A after the game’s production and release, he would make a name for himself as an original architect.

Then he would use a step by step game layout to climb steadily upward.

Right now, Will was holding a mature, well-formed game with no shortage of investment, so there was no need for big companies like them to step in and take away his business.

Gu Jianshen had to admire Will’s planning ability, and also looked forward to seeing where the other party would go in the end.

He raised his glass and said: “Then I wish The Last Fog a good ranking in the competition.”

Pei Yi gave a light chuckle, then spoke one of the doubts stuck in his heart, “Team Leader Gu, I happen to have something I want to confirm with you.”

“Please speak.”

“You must know better than me in Haishi who the behind-the-scenes people are amongst the competition organizers, or who the investors are.”

Gu Jianshen hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, then said truthfully, “Except for the relevant departments that handle things, the composition of the organizers is different every year.”

“This year alone, the Youtu forum, Xunya Technology, and our Weiyi have all put forth funds.”

“……..”

Hearing these well-known companies in the industry, Pei Yi suddenly understood.

No wonder Gu Jainshen’s Nebula Fun Tour was so near the front in the opening ceremony that morning. It seemed that the behind-the-scenes organizers gave their own people some pageantry.

Then what about Ke Ming and Chanming Studios?

Could they also indirectly rely on Nanchan’s game production, or could it even be Xunya Technology behind the other party?

Gu Jianshen noticed his silence and explained, “Will, don’t worry, neither Weiyi nor Nebula Fun Tour is the kind of company that wins by going through the back door.”

Weiyi and Xunya Technology had been fighting openly and secretly for many years.

This time, Weiyi’s headquarters heard that the other party had suddenly changed their ways and joined the investment competition, so they followed suit and asked Gu Jianshen to bring their own project to the competition.

“As I said just now, even if you don’t win any prizes in this competition, it won’t have a substantial impact on the popularity of the “Traces” game in the future. Besides—”

Their eyes met.

Gu Jianshen asked confidently and rhetorically, “DoesTeacher Will believe that with your game structure, coupled with the hard capability of our games, it’s not enough to make “Traces” stand out among the many participating games?”

If it couldn’t take a ranking, there would still be various exposure channels after the game was released.

But if they could get a ranking, it would be deserved, and they wouldn’t break any of the rules of the competition.

Pei Yi liked to deal with straightforward game makers like Gu Jianshen, so he raised his glass and said, “Team Leader Gu, don’t get me wrong, of course I don’t doubt the game ‘Traces’ or you.”

Who he suspected was somebody else.

Gu Jianshen was honest and true when dealing with people, but this didn’t mean that other people, studios, and companies were like this.

Gu Jianshen touched his wine glass lightly. “Of course, I also believe that Teacher Will is a person with game ideals and aspirations. Although it may sound too government-oriented—”

“The original intention of us game makers is to make Chinese games better and better right?”

Hearing these remarks, Pei Yi’s estimation of Gu Jianshen rose another level. “If Team Leader Gu hadn’t been promoted to Weiyi’s headquarters, I would rather lure you to our studio.”

“Then thank you, Teacher Will, for your approval.” Gu Jianshen returned his smile. “Right, as I said online before, if you have the opportunity to travel to Haishi, I will treat you to dinner.”

Pei Yi didn’t refuse. “Let’s wait until the competition is over. Tomorrow and the next two days, we have to split up and prepare for the game presentations.”

Gu Jianshen nodded. “Of course, business is the most important thing.”

. . . . . . .

When Pei Yi returned to the banquet hall wearing a mask, Li Yuan was looking for him everywhere.

As soon as they exchanged looks, Li Yuan rushed over. “Where did you go? I sent you a WeChat message, but you didn’t reply.”

“Sorry, the phone was on silent in my pocket and I didn’t hear it.”

Pei Yi put the remaining half glass of wine on the recycling rack and explained, “I met with Nebula Fun Tour just now, the person in charge of Weiyi’s copyright department. We chatted briefly for a while.”

Li Yuan returned to his senses. “Nebula Fun Tour? Is that the person we met at registration this morning?”

“En, I sold the copyright of ‘Pros and Cons’ through the Youtu platform before and connected with him.”

While speaking, Pei Yi looked around again. “Where’s Ke Ming? He’s still not here?”

Li Yuan said, “No, he still hasn’t shown up. From what I know about him, I’d guess that now that he has a better backer, he’s not bothering with this kind of exchange.”

Pei Yi nodded slightly. He actually didn’t want to see Ke Ming.

“Pear Garden, do you want to stay here?”

He had drank half a glass of wine, and was feeling a little stuffy now that he was wearing a mask again.

“No, let’s go back to the suite upstairs. I happened to inquire about something with my university classmate, so I’ll tell you behind closed doors.”

“Okay.”

. . . . . . . .

The two entered the elevator.

Li Yuan had quickly found out some useful information. “Pei Yi, do you know which game and producer are the most popular to win in this Haishi competition?”

Pei Yi thought for a moment. “Apart from Nebula Fun Tour’s ‘Traces,’ which is backed by their main branch, what else is there?”

Li Yuan didn’t play charades either. “‘Gazing at the Dark Blue Sea,’ from Mufeng Games. The core person in charge is Deng Mufeng.”

Pei Yi’s eyes shifted slightly. “An ancient-style game in this competition?”

“En, ancient martial arts.”

Li Yuan continued to tell what he knew. “I just checked, and there is a prototype novel for ‘Dark Blue Sea.’ The author is Deng Mufeng’s wife.”

The length of this novel was very long. It had been continuously updated for two years, and there were millions of readers who read and subscribed to it.

Three years ago, the original author deliberately left several undisclosed foreshadowings, and claimed that the novel would be changed into a game of the same name, with new settings added.

Although it caused dissatisfaction among some serial readers, it could be regarded as a disguised way to promote game advertisement.

“Besides his wife being amazing, I know that Deng Mufeng himself is also very capable.”

In the past ten years, he had served as the chief game planner for the large-scale ancient game “Soul Cage War.”

This game became popular as soon as it was launched, and still ranked among the top three ancient martial arts games in China.

Deng Mufeng only took the position of chief game planner before its release. Later, it was said that he chose to quit due to internal struggles and disappeared for nearly ten years.

Therefore, the young people in the current circle didn’t know much about him.

The current Mufeng Games was a production company funded and founded by Deng Mufeng himself.

Li Yuan said, “I heard that this game has been tested internally, and the response was very good. The public beta will be released soon.”

Pei Yi nodded. “The ancient game style is very easy to fail in the early stages, but if it is done well, it is easy to stand out in the circle.”

“I say, Teacher Will, are you aware of the seriousness of the problem?” Li Yuan followed him out of the elevator, taking advantage of the lack of people around to reveal his worries—

“Traces and Dark Blue Sea are both favorites to win awards, so don’t we have to fight for the remaining one? Coupled with the unclear situation with Ke Ming, I’m afraid the result won’t be as smooth as we imagined.”

Pei Yi didn’t understand his friend’s concerns. Now that it had come to this point, rather than being afraid of the competition, it was better to face them head-on.

Pei Yi took the computer out of his suitcase and smiled comfortingly. “Okay, let me check the presentation and promotional materials for the game tomorrow, so that there aren’t any mistakes.”

“All right.”

Li Yuan was helpless and impressed. “I really admire your calm attitude.”

. . . . . . .

The screening of the original game design competition was divided into three rounds, and the content judged in each round was different. The first round was divided into two rounds: morning and afternoon—

There would be ten games in a large group, and five players would be eliminated in each game.

Pei Yi and Li Yuan were assigned to the sixth spot in the afternoon group, but in order to test the overall strength of the other game producers, the two chose to watch the morning games.

“Traces” and “Dark Blue Sea,” which were considered the most likely to win awards, were both held in the morning, and judging from the content of the project released by Gu Jianshen and Deng Mufeng, along with the prepared presentation—

It was a certainty that these two primary screenings would leave the rest behind!

Soon, it was the last one’s turn for the morning session: Chanming Studios: “Destroy the Alien Beasts.”

Li Yuan looked at Ke Ming, who was standing confidently on stage. “Look, the big guy has made his debut on stage. His nostrils are almost raised toward the sky, isn’t he afraid of falling while walking?”

Pei Yi smiled: “Let’s watch first.”

They would see what kind of story “Destroy the Alien Beasts” was now. Was there any trace of the plagiarism in the past?

Pei Yi had an intuition that Ken Ming still had that sort of tendency, but he really didn’t expect the other party’s behavior to be worse than that.

It took less than ten minutes after Ke Ming took the stage.

A thin layer of red anger emerged on Li Yuan’s face, and he couldn’t help but curse. “Fuck, a dog can’t change its tendency to eat shit!”

It was still the main story of the game during the bidding in the capital, and even the settings and functions of “Alien Beasts” hadn’t changed drastically!

It was only the appearance that had changed, and it was said that an overseas special effects modeling and design team had been hired at a high price.

But the core change was in the game character design—

“Destroy the Alien Beasts” had been upgraded from the original single protagonist to a five-player team line, and each game character had different attributes and abilities.

The most particular thing was that one of the “protagonists” was a mutant wolf beast.

Others present may not be aware, but how could Pei Yi and Li Yuan, the creators of The Last Fog, not know?

It was similar to the core protagonist group in The Last Fog, as well as the most important “human zombie” who had lost his memory!

This was naked plagiarism!

. . . . . . .

The morning session came to an end, and everyone left the venue one after another.

Unable to bear it, Li Yuan walked up to Ke Ming and blocked the way of the other party and his assistant, asking bluntly, “Ke Ming, what do you mean by this?”

Facing his long-unseen anger, Ke Ming let out an amused chuckle.

He motioned for his assistant to step out first, staying alone to face Pei Yi and Li Yuan. “What does Mr. Li mean by that?”

Li Yuan was afraid his friend might reveal his identity, so he directly asked the questions instead. “It wasn’t enough for you to copy the modeling at the beginning, but now you have to copy the character settings?”

Ke Ming categorically denied it. “Mr. Li, don’t be so angry. My main focus of this game is modeling, graphics, and game experience, not like those story games with empty fanfare.”

“What did I copy? Do you have evidence? If you have evidence, you can report it to the organizers.”

Ke Ming’s skin was thicker than a city wall, and he even bit back, “I’m the one who finished presenting the game settings just now, and you guys can present yours in the afternoon. Who is plagiarizing who in terms of timing?”

Plagiarism?

It also depended on whether the official recognized it or not.

Among the investors of the competition was Xunya Technology, and some backdoor channels had already been arranged!

In this world, the winner was king, and a small, little-known studio like YWY wasn’t destined to compete with them from the beginning!

“. . . . . .”

The thief had shamelessly shouted, stop, thief!

Li Yuan’s fists were clenched, and he wanted to punch him.

Ke Ming warned, “Mr. Li, there is surveillance here. What do you intend to do?”

Pei Yi saw the malice and taunting in Ke Ming’s eyes, and pulled his furious friend back. “Pear Garden, don’t bother with this dog. Let’s go.”

Ke Ming’s complexion instantly changed. “Who are you scolding?”

Pei Yi looked at him coldly. “The dog can hear who I’m scolding.”

Ke Ming choked. He hadn’t expected to fall into this new curse.

It was a pity that Pei Yi couldn’t be bothered to give him another look, and pulled Li Yuan to walk out quickly.

The two of them came to an empty security access passage.

Li Yuan was still suffocating. “Pei Yi, why did you pull me away like that? He clearly wanted to embarrass us on purpose.”

“Of course I know that. But Pear Garden, think about it. If there really is something shady about the competition, then what is the use of us getting angry?”

Could they rush up to beat Ke Ming?

He would likely turn it around on them due to malicious harm, and their names would be stained for no reason.

“…….”

Li Yuan took out a cigarette, pressed it to the tip of his nose, and sniffed it to calm down. “I-I understand what you mean, but I can’t not get angry!”

He couldn’t just watch Ke Ming steal their hard work!

Pei Yi patted his friend on the shoulder. “Believe me, I won’t just let him go. But right now is not the best time to fight back.”

Li Yuan heard something in his friend’s words. “What are you going to do?”

Pei Yi recalled Ke Ming’s past. The coldness in his eyes became firmer, and he asked, “Li Yuan, under what circumstances do you think a game will lose all its money?”

Li Yuan understood, and his eyes shifted.

Pei Yi nodded silently, and the plan he had in mind gradually took shape—

He wanted to make Ke Ming lose all his money and never have a chance to turn his life around!

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Chapter Seventy-Nine <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-One

T/N: Sorry for the long wait, guys, I’ve been very sick this week and in no shape to translate, but I’m on the mend. Thank you to Jackile, Charlie, Parasim2323, Xiang, and a nameless Kofi-supporter for your donations! I don’t have enough backlog to post more than two chapters of this story, but I’ll update two for Strong Winds and two for O Pretends to be B as well. Oh, and…..please forgive any typos. I haven’t had time to edit…..

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“…….”

The figure only lingered in Pei Yi peripheral vision for a second before vanishing around the corner, smoothly hidden behind a wall.

Li Yuan took two or three steps forward, only to realize that his friend wasn’t following. “Will, what are you looking at?”

“Nothing, maybe I saw wrong?”

Pei Yi followed, thinking honestly that he shouldn’t conceal it. “Pear Garden, I thought I saw Ke Ming just now. Do you know if he came to participate in the competition?”

“Ke Ming?”

Li Yuan heard this long-unheard name and his expression unconsciously went cold. “I’m not sure. I haven’t paid attention to him and the dynamics of his studio since we got busy with The Last Fog.”

They hadn’t seen Ke Ming since the last round of GM’s bidding, and Xiang Nansheng, who used to work with him, was also hired to YWY Studios after leaving the company.

“I heard there was a server bug in Search For Another World last time, which caused Youming Studios a lot of money.”

“Other than Brother Xiang being ‘forced’ to resign, even the investment partners they found for Alien Beasts ran away.”

Li Yuan told all he knew about the situation, but also maintained a trace of vigilance. “How about I call Brother Xiang and ask him to help figure out the situation?”

Pei Yi shook his head. “Forget it, don’t bother him at this hour. We’ll know what the situation is tomorrow morning at the latest.”

Li Yuan put a stop to his thoughts. “Then let’s set it aside for now. Whether he comes or not, we still have to go through our own process.”

This wasn’t a competition where they chose “one from two,” but rather “three from twenty.” As the participating producers, they were under a lot of pressure, and at the same time, the organizers would also pursue fairness and justice.

After all, this game design competition was being held for the eighth time, and the word “original” was in the title—

If Ke Ming still used the level of plagiarism in Alien Beasts to cheat, he likely wouldn’t achieve a ranking.

With the same thought in mind, Pei Yi patted his friend on the shoulder. “Let’s go have a late-night snack. I can already smell the aroma from the restaurant.”

Li Yuan smiled back. “Okay.”

. . . . . . . 

On the first night in Haishi, Pei Yi still couldn’t fall asleep quickly.

But fortunately, the jacket he brought had the familiar scent of his lover, and after falling asleep, he felt more at ease than usual in this unfamiliar environment.

The alarm clock rang at exactly eight o’clock.

Pei Yi was forced to wake up, and instinctively mumbled, “Er-ge, shut it off.”

Only as soon as he said these words while half asleep, he recognized the environment he was in—

This was not Bo Yueming’s house, and Bo Yueming was not by his side.

“…….”

Pei Yi’s heart trembled with a trace of unspeakable loss. After fumbling to turn off the alarm, he forced himself to sit up.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes, and called to his friend in the next bed who also liked to sleep under the quilt, “Pear Garden, it’s eight o’clock. Time to wake up.”

“Mm……”

Huddled under the quilt, Li Yuan responded and then went silent. It was clear that he also had trouble getting up.

The opening ceremony for the competition was scheduled for nine o’clock. They had heard that there would be media reporters and broadcasters, and as the representatives of YWY Studios, they couldn’t be late for their first appearance.

Pei Yi got down to business and got out of bed. “I’ll go wash up first. Pear Garden, you wake up too.”

Li Yuan poked half his head out from under the quilt with a drowsy look. “En.”

. . . . . . .

When Pei Yi came out after getting ready, Li Yuan had already gotten up.

Their gazes met mid-air.

Li Yuan saw that his friend had tidied up properly, and there was a trace of admiration in his sleepy eyes. “Don’t you usually sleep in at home? How can you just get up in the morning?”

Pei Yi remembered that he had “no hands and no feet” at home, and raised his eyebrows, boasting, “Yes, ah, aren’t I amazing?”

“Amazing.”

Li Yuan nodded weakly, but didn’t delay business. “Give me fifteen minutes, I’m used to getting up early. I’ll take a shower and do my hair.”

“All right.”

Pei Yi picked up the phone and glanced at the time. “I’ll call for you when the time comes. Twenty minutes to eat will be just right.”

He waited until the bathroom door was locked.

Having nothing to do, Pei Yi fell back on the bed again and touched the jacket with his fingertips. He couldn’t help but turn his head and bury his face into it childishly—

Light ebony mixed with a hint of mint. This was his scent. 

“I wonder if Er-ge is awake.”

As soon as Pei Yi uttered those faint words, his cell phone vibrated. He tacitly realized something and clicked on WeChat to see—

Sure enough, Bo Yueming had sent a message: “Kitten, are you up yet?”

Pei Yi thought of his friend in the bathroom, and hid in the cloakroom while making a video call.

It took less than three seconds for the call invitation to be sent, and the other side connected.

Pei Yi looked at Bo Yueming on the screen, and the corners of his lips lifted. “Er-ge, good morning.”

When Bo Yueming saw his lover who had gotten up early at this rare hour, a smile burst over his face. “Good morning. It looks like you didn’t sleep in today?”

“I was afraid we’d be late to sign in at nine o’clock. Without you by my side, I didn’t dare sleep late.”

There was a hint of coquettishness at the end of Pei Yi’s tone, a sound that only Bo Yueming knew.

Bo Yueming asked again, “What are the arrangements for today?”

“The opening ceremony is in the morning, and it seems that there will be a live broadcast of the whole process. The exchange meeting will be in the afternoon.”

Pei Yi briefly outlined his schedule, then set the phone on the cabinet—

“Er-ge, help me choose. Which one is more suitable to wear today?”

Saying this, he picked up two sets of clothes.

Bo Yueming smiled. “How old are you? You want me to pick your clothes?”

Pei Yi was unresigned. “This is called — even if we are in different places, we have to participate in each other’s lives. Got it?”

When he first confirmed that he wanted to pursue Bo Yueming, he had read a lot of secrets to love on the internet. Some of them were ridiculous, but this one made sense.

Bo Yueming was persuaded by him, and chose an outfit. “Wear the beige jacket. I’ll find a similar color to wear later.” 

When Pei Yi heard that last sentence, he immediately grinned. “Okay.”

. . . . . . . .

The video call was short and sweet.

Pei Yi hung up the phone and dressed neatly, but still wore the extra layer of the mask and peaked cap. He and Li Yuan headed out the door, planning to leave for breakfast at the last moment.

—Ding!

The elevator doors opened.

The two had just stepped inside when a familiar greeting sounded. “Hey, isn’t this Mr. Li? Long time no see.”

They hadn’t seen each other for around four or five months, but Ke Ming’s face was still so annoying.

“…….”

A trace of dislike flashed across Pei Yi’s eyes hidden under the peaked cap, and he couldn’t help but glance at his friend. Enemies met on a narrow road. How unfortunate.

This person was also in the game production circle, and his reason for showing up here was nothing more than that — Ke Ming had really brought his project to participate in the original game design competition!

Ke Ming’s eyes fell on the heavily covered Pei Yi, and he couldn’t recognize him at the moment. “Who is this?”

Li Yuan took a quick step forward and to the side to block Ke Ming’s inquiring view of his friend. “Mr. Ke, it’s been a long time. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

“I don’t know what game Mr. Ke has developed by himself during this period of time?”

“…….”

When Pei Li heard Li Yuan’s “implication,” the corners of his mouth raised beneath his mask.

He had been working alongside his friend for so long that he had almost forgotten about his poisonous tongue. This encounter with Ke Ming had brought back that familiar feeling.

“…….”

How could Ke Ming fail to hear Li Yuan’s sarcasm?

At the GM bidding, Lou Yang had accused him on the spot of plagiarizing ‘Alien Beasts’ produced by Youming Studios. Not only did he lose his investment, but he lost face.

Ke Ming held back his temper, feigning ignorance. “Mr. Li is joking. Since he was lucky enough to be shortlisted for this year’s competition, the big guys naturally entered their works. Did your group bring that game ‘The Last Fog?’”

Before the lingering sound cut off, Ke Ming pretended to have made a mistake. “Oh, I’m sorry. I heard that Mr. Li had family trouble some time ago?”

“Dawn Games isn’t your company anymore? Just what is YWY Studios?”

Pei Yi saw the ridicule on Ke Ming’s face, and his eyes turned cold.

Li Yuan asked, “Mr. Ke, what are you trying to say?”

“I’m not trying to say anything, I just want to encourage Mr. Li.” Ke Ming approached and patted Li Yuan’s shoulder without waiting for his consent. “I firmly believe that no matter how small a studio is, it can develop into a big company under your leadership.”

Pei Yi let out a scoff.

Ke Ming’s attention shifted over. He saw Pei Yi’s eyes beneath the peaked cap and felt an indescribable sense of familiarity.

But in just an instant, those seemingly warm eyes turned a degree colder—

“From a studio to a big company.” Pei Yi’s voice was slightly lower as he asked pleasantly, “How many years has it been since Youming Studios was established? Why hasn’t it developed into a big company under your leadership?”

“…….”

Pei Yi imitated his tone from just now. “Oh, I’m sorry. Could it be that Mr. Ke didn’t get enough encouragement?”

Li Yuan curled his lip and said sarcastically, “Where does Mr. Ke have time for encouragement, ah? He devotes himself to researching the works of his peers and studies hard.”

The two spoke in concert with each other, sending the ridicule to Ke Ming’s ears.

Ke Ming’s face turned colors, and he felt the unspeakably aggrieved sense of being belittled.

Li Yuan couldn’t be bothered to continue talking nonsense with him. “Mr. Ke, excuse us first. Save your real skills for us to see during the competition.”

Pei Yi agreed with his friend’s proposal, and they tacitly left Ke Ming, walking toward the restaurant.

Ke Ming gazed after the backs of these two, and cursed, “Fuck, what are they showing off about?”

The previous Dawn Games was no longer powerful, but going back ten years, it could also be regarded as a well-ranked production company in the Chinese game circle, and its past performance could still support it.

What was left for Li Yuan now?

A little-known game studio. Did he still think he had the backing of a big company?

Wasn’t it because he knew he had no reputation right now that he wanted to use this competition to gild the studio’s name? What sort of act was he putting on here!

The assistant who had remained silent in the back came forward to remind him with a blank expression, “Mr. Ke, there are only fifteen minutes until the opening ceremony. Shall we go up now?”

Ke Ming looked at his assistant who had come from headquarters to help, and felt at ease. “En.”

No matter how powerful GM was, it was only an outside company, after all. How could it compare to the backer he had found now? That was real capital in the game circle!

They would see!

In this competition, he would get them back for all the humiliation he had suffered when he lost the bidding!

. . . . . . . .

Inside the 24-hour restaurant.

Pei Yi and Li Yuan only picked out a few simple dishes, and chose to sit in the farthest corner by the window.

Li Yuan took a sip of soy milk and asked in a low voice, “Will, do you think Ke Ming…..”

Pei Yi chewed a poached egg and butted in, “He’s really despicable.”

“I’m not talking about his character.” Li Yuan laughed, and tried to find the right way to express himself. “I felt that when he was talking to us just now, wasn’t he overtly or covertly acting superior?”

What small studio? What big company?

Pei Yi swallowed the poached egg and guessed intuitively, “He probably attracted a very good investment or partner for the studio. The other party’s influence in the game circle should at least be higher than that of Er-ge and GM. Even—”

Li Yuan was drawn into his train of thought. “Even what?”

“It’s even very likely that it will be a big shot in the industry, or the current top game group.” Pei Yi spoke his inner thoughts in detail. “What do you think?”

Li Yuan recalled the sarcasm in Ke Ming’s words. “I think we need to have someone inquire clearly. Ke Ming is definitely not a magnanimous and easy-going person.”

One should refrain from hurting others, but guard against those trying to hurt you.

Now that they had met an enemy on a narrow road again, what if the opponent made another move during this competition? It was never a bad thing to be prepared.

Pei Yi nodded in agreement.

Li Yuan took out his cell phone. “Then I’ll trouble Brother Xiang for his help?”

“You can ask him, but Brother Xiang might not be enough.”

After all, the other party had been gone from Youming Studios for a while.

Pei Yi stuffed the remaining half of the poached egg into his mouth and took out his cell phone. He quickly searched up Lin Zhong’s WeChat and typed in a line—

“Lin Zhong, are you there?”

“If you have time, find someone to help me look into Ke Ming and his studio. The more details, the better.”

Bo Yueming’s network of contacts had always been the widest. Apart from finding Xiang Nansheng, who had once worked with Ke Ming, they needed to rely on an external force to make inquiries.

Lin Zhong’s message came quickly—

“Okay, Little Sir!”

“I will make arrangements when I arrive at the company later, and give you an answer before five o’clock today at the latest.”

Pei Yi finished his brief task handover and glanced at the time at the top of the screen. There were only three minutes left.

“Pear Garden, are you full? It’s almost time to go.”

Li Yuan also sent Xiang Nansheng a WeChat message, and drank the remaining half cup of soy milk. “En, let’s go.”

. . . . . . . .

The opening ceremony would be held in the stage hall on the seventeenth floor.

When Pei Yi and Li Yuan arrived, the employee responsible for signing people in immediately greeted them. “Hello, are you Mr. Li and Mr. Will?”

“Yes.” Li Yuan took the lead. “Sorry, are we the last ones?”

The employee quickly led them to the check-in office while explaining, “No, no, you two gentlemen are just in time, and there are three others who haven’t arrived yet.”

The two speedily completed their check-in under the employee’s guidance. 

Pei Yi turned around quickly and accidentally bumped into someone’s shoulder.

“Careful.”

The other party gently grabbed his arm, then released it politely. “Sorry, I was in a hurry and couldn’t stop in time.”

“It’s fine,” Pei Yi returned lightly, and looked up. The other party wore a dark blue suit and looked refined.

After the two of them nodded to each other, this little accident passed.

Under the employee’s guidance, Pei Yi and Li Yuan found their spots in the middle of the fifth row. The overall view was pretty good.

Li Yuan looked at the cameras on and off stage, as well as the reporters and media scattered on both sides, and exclaimed to his friend in a low voice, “It looks like the organizers really attach a lot of importance to this competition.”

Just the opening ceremony took a lot of manpower and financial resources.

Pei Yi replied quietly, “Think about it, as long as there is a blockbuster each session, the organizers will be able to make back money.”

Li Yuan looked down with a smile. “That’s right.”

The high-intensity exposure of each competition was accompanied by certain equivalent exchange conditions.

The game projects shortlisted for the top three would sign an advertising agreement with the sponsor. In other words—

The producer needed to hand over thirty percent of the advertising fees after the game was released within a year.

In this way, the interests of both parties were tied together.

The publicity and exposure during this opening ceremony made it seem like the organizers were working only for the benefit of others and driving the interest of the gamers in front of the screen, but they were actually considering long-term interests. 

Pei Yi asked casually: “Have you seen Ke Ming?”

Li Yuan whispered to him, “The fourth from the left in the third row.”

Pei Yi looked in the direction indicated by his friend. Just then, the staff led the man in the dark blue suit whom he had seen outside the venue just now to sit in the middle of the third row.

A trace of consideration flashed in Pei Yi’s eyes. “Pear Garden, do you think this sitting arrangement has been chosen carefully?”

Li Yuan shook his head: “I’m not sure, the organizers shouldn’t be playing favorites, right?”

As soon as he spoke, the lights in the entire venue switched on.

The opening ceremony of the Eighth Original Game Design Competition had officially begun. The overall process was not too complicated—

First, they recalled the history of the previous seven competitions, the final award-winning production of each season, and the current status of those games.

In addition, they introduced the companies and studios of the twenty shortlisted producers one by one, as well as the publicity and exposure opportunities of this year’s winner.

“—Nebula Fun Tour, Traces at the Scene of the Crime.”

When Pei Yi heard the familiar name of the studio, his eyes froze slightly.

Li Yuan to the side also reacted: “Will, this company bought the game you designed before, right?”

There was a hint of a smile at the tips of Pei Yi’s eyes: “I said it was gaining exposure before the end of the year. So as for why it hadn’t been released, I suppose they were waiting for this opportunity.”

Although the name of the game had been slightly changed, from the literal meaning, it should be the “Tracking Pros and Cons” that he had created.

Li Yuan teased: “Teacher Will, do you think that The Last Fog can beat Traces?”

Pei Yi joked back: “I like both options, how can I not win?”

“So confident? Aren’t you afraid of being overheard by your peers?”

“It’s fine, you’re the first to ask.”

The two whispered for a while, and then heard the host on the stage announce—

“Chanming Studios, Destroy the Alien Beasts.”

Li Yuan frowned slightly when he heard this: “They changed the name of the studio?”

Pei Yi answered: “But it sounds like the Alien Beasts game has changed a lot.”

Li Yuan hesitated to speak.

Pei Yi saw his friend’s doubts, and signaled with his eyes for him to remain calm.

The host would introduce their studio soon. If he had any questions, they would have to wait until the opening ceremony was over.

. . . . . . . .

The opening ceremony ended.

Pei Yi and his friend returned to the hotel room and took out their phones to investigate.

Bo Yueming sent him a screenshot of the live broadcast half an hour ago. “I watched for so long, but there were only a few seconds of footage introducing your studio.”

Pei Yi took off his stuffy mask and smiled as he resumed typing. “Boss Bo, are you not concentrating on work, ah? Why are you looking at such a boring live opening ceremony?”

Not long after the text message was sent, Bo Yueming made a video call.

Pei Yi connected. “Er-ge, why are you making a video call? Are you not busy today?”

“It’s my lunch break. And didn’t you ask Lin Zhong to help you investigate something?”

Bo Yueming moved his eyes to the screen, and then walked to the office’s rest area with the computer in his arms.

Lin Zhong’s figure appeared in the video immediately. “Little Sir, some basic information has already been found. Mr. Bo was afraid that you would be anxious, so let me give you a general overview, and I will let you know when I have supplemental information.”

Pei Yi’s mind was on business, and he addressed Li Yuan, “Li Yuan, come here and hear about Youming.”

Li Yuan approached, revealing, “Brother Xiang was telling me that Youming Studios has a new investment partner, and the name was changed a while ago.”

“The Destroy the Alien Beasts that we heard of not long ago is the one they were going to release before.”

It was just unknown if the settings in the game had changed, and how much.

Pei Yi put his hands on the table and said: “Lin Zhong, what did you find?”

On the screen, Lin Zhong glanced at Bo Yueming, then said with the other party’s consent: “Little Sir, Mr. Li, you should know the top two game production companies in China right now.”

“Of course.”

“Weiyi Games and Xunya Technology. These two companies occupy more than half of the entire Chinese market.”

Especially in the past five years, various games under the two brands had gone up against each other.

A thought flashed through Pei Yi’s mind. “What, did Ke Ming get an investment sponsorship from one of them?”

“Not exactly.”

Lin Zhong didn’t beat around the bush. “I checked Youming Studios for the first time today, and the share composition of the current Chanming Studios—”

The first legal shareholder was Ke Ming, and the second shareholder had been changed to You Chang.

“You Chang?”

Hearing this name, Pei Yi looked at his friend.

Li Yuan also shook his head. “He’s a person in the gaming circle, so I should have more or less heard of him, but I’m unfamiliar with the name.”

“The shareholder’s name may be unfamiliar, but you should have heard of the game company under him.” Lin Zhong had discovered this by following the clues. “You Chang has a game company called Nan Chan.”

“…….”

Li Yuan realized in an instant, “It’s a subsidiary of Xunya Technology?”

Lin Zhong nodded. “Yes.”

From the early days of Nan Chan’s establishment, it mainly focused on single-player mini-games. It had been stagnant in the past two years, and almost all the development costs invested in it were in vain.

Later, You Chang invested in and took over the studio, and one of the stand-alone mini-games exploded.

Of course, because they were backed by Xunya Technology, they could pretty much make huge profits in the short term through the free publicity of their backer’s various channels.

Pei Yi had a vague impression of this “Nan Chan” company. “Don’t I remember that they have always seemed to have nothing to do with plagiarism?”

“Where are they different, ah? They are exactly the same, and they only pick small overseas games.” Li Yuan’s eyes showed disgust—

Change the NPC icons a bit, change the game interface, change the background music a bit, and it could be put on the shelves as a brand new mini-game.

Once the “plagiarism” had been exposed, they would be taken off the shelves directly.

It seemed that netizens had successfully resisted, but what was the use?

The short-term popularity was enough for their producers to make enough money, and after two or three months, they could make a comeback with other small games.

As for the behind-the-scenes producer Nan Chan, firstly, the netizens who liked to follow the trends to play games would rarely remember it, and secondly, it was backed by Xunya Technology and was still very stable up to now.

However, after working on small, short-term games for a long time, it was likely that they wanted to upgrade and find new paths forward through mobile games.

“One had the game prototype but lacked investment, and the other was not short of money, but lacked the game prototype.”

Li Yuan could roughly guess the reason for the cooperation between the two parties. “I suppose that is how they see each other.”

How they saw each other?

Pei Yi recalled the disgusting plagiarisation of “Alien Beasts” at the beginning, and said bluntly, “People who share common traits gravitate toward one another.”

And what were they?

They were in collusion, lowlifes of the same feather!

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Chapter Seventy-Eight <<Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty

This wood cabin was surrounded by wisteria flowers that covered the building and the flower beds around it.

Wisteria flowers covered the windows, and during the day, sunlight would seep through sparsely.

It wasn’t too dazzling, but didn’t make the room seem dark either.

“Ha…..ha…..”

Kneeling on the floor, Lucas propped himself up against the bed. The veins in his neck and arms were throbbing, his vision was blurred, and his limbs shook.

He was initially injected with medicine, so he couldn’t use his spiritual power or physically attack Luo Ran.

“Admiral, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.” Luo Ran immediately knelt down and hugged Lucas from behind, the pheromones of the two blending together.

“Don’t be afraid, Admiral.”

Luo Ran trembled as he spoke.

He didn’t know what Lucas was seeing. What was in his mind was too far away for him at the time.

Lucas lowered his head, muttering incomprehensibly.

“En, en.” Luo Ran pulled him onto the bed with him.

“Fire,” Lucas whispered. “Do you see it?”

Luo Ran stared blankly at Lucas.

What?

Luo Ran gently pulled up the quilt for Lucas, and said: “Admiral, go to sleep.”

. . . . . . .

At night, the moonlight would also shine through the hanging flowers, and the wind rustled the hanging vines.

Lucas sat quietly on the steps. The backyard was full of purple flower beds.

“Admiral, eat this, it’s delicious.” Luo Ran had baked small biscuits. He took them out and sat next to Lucas.

Luo Ran had deliberately baked the biscuits to be soft and easy to eat.

Lucas’s eyes were bruised black and blue, but his vigor and baleful expression remained undiminished. He was still the same fierce Admiral as usual.

Lucas perfunctorily picked up a few and ate them, but they didn’t taste like much to him anyway.

After eating a few, Lucas asked: “How long have we been here?”

“Three months.” Luo Ran said: “Admiral, don’t worry. The adjutants at the military department are taking good care of things, and they have been sending files over. I am also keeping the office under control.”

The two sat on the steps together, gazing at the stars. Lucas suddenly asked: “Did you sing last night?”

Luo Ran hesitated, then nodded in embarrassment.

He had sung Lucas to sleep last night.

“What song was it? It sounded rather nice.”

“I hummed it randomly. It’s a song from my memory.” It was actually a folk song from Pure City, only Luo Ran had forgotten.

The stars winked and winked.

. . . . . . .

“Admiral…..!”

Thud! Lucas pressed Luo Ran to the bed.

“Luo Ran.” Lucas said hoarsely: “You smell like pheromones.”

Although Lucas had a spiritual breakdown, he still had occasional lucid moments, and his susceptible period was currently more sensitive to Omega pheromones.

“I….have the fragrance on me, I’m not, wu…..”

Lucas bit Luo Ran’s neck.

The Alpha, whose spirit had already burst like a dam, now hit his susceptible period and became more aggressive.

Lucas turned Luo Ran over and pressed the back of his neck, his eyes darkening.

“Ah…..!”

Luo Ran gripped the sheets tightly as he felt his gland being bitten hard.

Pheromones poured in violently.

Luo Ran lay weakly on his stomach, trying to suppress the weightlessness brought on by the pheromones. He said in a breathy voice: “Admiral, you mustn’t……it’s me.”

Lu Ran buried his face in the pillow, shoulders trembling as he choked with sobs.

It was the first time Luo Ran had been given a temporary mark, so he was naturally afraid at the moment.

But he did not refuse or resist.

Lucas’s consciousness was not very clear at the moment, and it was as if countless people were beating drums in his mind.

So annoying.

“Don’t cry!” Lucas sternly pressed Luo Ran’s neck and snapped: “Be quiet.”

“……” Luo Ran gasped and shook.

Lucas leaned down and pressed against Luo Ran, moving his face to the side of his gland.

“Mm.”

It was precisely because they once fit so well that others wouldn’t do, no matter how suitable they were.

Even if they had forgotten, their bodies and pheromones remembered, and unconsciously classified the other party into the category of intimacy.

. . . . . . . 

Nine months. For Lucas, there was no concept of time. Sometimes he was lucid, and sometimes in a haze. The only constant was that Luo Ran was always with him.

He became accustomed to Luo Ran’s scent, Luo Ran’s touch. Luo Ran was no longer the same as others.

And for Luo Ran, this was a very chaotic time.

He was like a professional nurse, patiently coping with Lucas’s emergencies at any time. Lucas was confused, irritable, and aggressive, but was just like a lion that trusted him alone.

Luo Ran’s initial fear turned into a desire to protect.

Then, nine months later, Wisteria Flower Manor was invaded by star pirates.

Although the cabin looked like it was in a remote suburb of a small village, Lu Cheng had been quietly guarding it with his elites, not only concealing Lucas’s location, but also providing timely support in case of emergencies.

At this moment, alarms sounded all around.

“Look out……!”

Sensing a strong wind behind him, Luo Ran pushed Lucas away. He dodged the weapon coming from behind, but also fell uncontrollably to the ground.

They were besieged by star pirates.

Luo Ran saw the star pirate leader standing not far away raise his hand.

Whoosh—

There was a volley of arrows.

The support team was still on the way. At that time, no one had the concept of a “high-ranking government official undercover,” and Lu Cheng likely didn’t expect the number of star pirates to be so large and so fast.

Boom—

Boom—

Mixed artillery fire and explosions came from the direction of Lucas and Luo Ran, and although there was no Meteor Shower, the sky was lit up for a time.

Fire.

Firelight.

There was firelight again.

Luo Ran’s shoulder was wounded when he pushed Lucas aside just now, and he clutched it as he knelt aside. As if in acceptance, he closed his eyes and waited for the artillery fire to land.

Lucas crouched down and embraced Luo Ran, pulling him into his arms.

Boom—

Boom—

The explosions were louder than before.

. . . . . . .

Luo Ran was speechless in astonishment.

Looking up, the artillery fire was kept at a distance and bounced away. With them at the center, a transparent barrier seemed to have formed around them, deflecting everything away.

It was……a spiritual outburt.

It was rare for spiritual power to affect reality. Few people could accomplish it, and most of the time, spiritual outbursts only appeared in books.

Whether Betas or Alphas, all the star pirates collapsed under the spiritual force at this moment, bleeding from their seven orifices.

Mental outbursts attacked indiscriminately.

Luo Ran only felt that something had invaded his spiritual power. If he wasn’t marked by Lucas, he would have ended up like the star pirates at present, and died under the spiritual power of an Alpha who had gone berserk.

“A-Admiral…..”

Being embraced by Lucas, he could feel the other’s body shaking, so he put his arms around the tall man.

“Don’t…..be afraid……”

Boom—

The wisteria flowers, the small cabin, the star pirates, everything was shattered by spiritual power, and the petals swirled up and dropped again amidst the disaster.

. . . . . . .

. . . . . . .

“Luo Ran?” 

After Lucas finished his meeting, he saw Luo Ran standing alone in front of the window of the battleship, lost in thought. He stepped forward to hold Luo Ran’s hand: “What are you doing?”

Luo Ran shook his head slightly, saying with a smile: “Admiral, do we count as having a long courtship?”

When Lucas had his outburst in the cabin, both of them were injured.

Although Lucas got better after completely venting that time, and returned, neither he nor Luo Ran remembered.

“Whatever, ba. Who cares if we’re going fast or slow, in any case, we’re dating.” Lucas rolled his eyes, then continued: “I just spoke to Wang Qiuyang. Not only us, but countless parties in the Empire, including the royal family, are also scanning for that insect.”

“……En.” Luo Ran paused, and said in a low voice: “Admiral, can I ask you one thing?”

“Speak.”

Luo Ran lowered his eyes and said: “Can you leave that insect alive for now?”

It was due to that insect’s energy that he was able to survive. That insect saved him.

Lucas was a little puzzled.

Luo Ran said: “Both Xiaxia and Dr. Shen believe that all things are born to balance each other. So maybe there is a way to undo the side effects of UNK, and we don’t have to kill the insect in exchange for peace.”

Lucas raised his eyebrows and said: “Why do you want to protect that insect?”

Luo Ran hesitated, then spoke of his childhood to Lucas.

The two walked while talking, and soon came to the mecha control room.

Lucas trained with Lion One every day, to maintain the feel and precise operation of the mecha.

“Luo Ran.” Lucas glanced at him and said: “Do you want to learn to pilot a mecha?”

“Ah……?”

Lucas pointed to Lion One and said: “Pilot him.”

Luo Ran paused, and said: “Although I really want to try, as you know, I’m an Omega.”

“You’re a 3S Omega, so you can try it with me.” Lucas raised an eyebrow and said: “If we open our spiritual connection together, we’ll be connected, and no one else will notice that yours is also open.”

The secret of Luo Ran’s identity could only be revealed after the UNK incident was completely resolved. 

“I……” Luo Ran said with a smile: “If the Admiral is willing to teach, then I am naturally willing to learn.”

“Okay, let’s go up.”

The elevator slowly came down, and Luo Ran also jumped onto it.

Sitting in the cockpit again, this time felt different from the last.

Luo Ran glanced at Lucas.

An A and an O in the same mecha. They were not the first pair to do this, but they were definitely in the minority.

After all, two-person mechas, especially with an A and an O, were too difficult to operate, and few people could succeed.

First of all, the Alpha and Omega’s power must be equal. This equivalence could not be at B or C-level. They must be at the same high level to control the heavy weapon at the same time.

Secondly, they must be not only equal, but compatible. Past successful cases were all due to long-term familiarity, the fusion of pheromones after many years, and a high degree of natural compatibility. In the end, it was their trust in one another.

Spiritual power manipulation was rarely used in operations, and was mostly used to support one another.

Luo Ran took a deep breath and lightly put his hand on the operating lever.

“Concentrate.” Lucas said: “Practice making Lion One raise its left hand first.”

“Okay.”

The two made a spiritual connection, and white tea and tobacco blended together inside the small space.

Creak — ah.

The blue and white Lion One slowly lifted its left hand, then stretched it out 180 degrees.

A few drops of cold sweat fell from Luo Ran’s forehead. 

Lion One was difficult for even the excellent Alphas of the Empire, and it could be said that out of all of them, Lucas was the only one who could pilot it. Its weight and complexity were still too difficult for Luo Ran.

“Take your time, I have you.” Lucas said: “Relax.”

Lucas used his one free hand to embrace Luo Ran.

Squeak—

The left hand continued to rise, and then fell down directly as if it had hit its limit.

Lucas focused his attention on the mecha’s arm to prevent the sudden withdrawal from affecting Luo Ran.

“It’s okay.” Lucas pointed out: “You can practice slowly.”

Luo Ran hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile: “The Admiral’s teaching method is quite different from previous times.”

If it was a few years ago, he would have yelled and cursed, and maybe put him in the mecha alone to practice by himself. If he didn’t practice well, he wouldn’t have dinner.

“Whatever.” Lucas touched his nose: “There’s no difference.”

Lucas gestured to Lion One and said: “This mecha is indeed more difficult to control. He is like my wife. You must understand him well.”

Luo Ran was silent.

After a moment, he asked curiously: “Then what am I?”

Lucas was also taken aback.

Ah.

He used the wrong word.

Lucas looked at the smiling Luo Ran before him and asked in a daze: “Husband?”

“……”

“Pfft.” Luo Ran smiled and said: “Okay, wife.”

Then Luo Ran was pressed into the mecha and kissed.

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Chapter Seventy-Nine << Table of Contents >> Chapter Eighty-One