Lian Qiguang burst out of the encirclement wrapped in flames. Just as he was about to reach the isolated prison, a shell suddenly came flying toward him.
Lian Qiguang did not dodge.
After suffering numerous collisions, the aircraft’s defenses had already been greatly weakened. In an instant, flames engulfed it, and forty to fifty percent of the aircraft was disabled.
“Which fucking bastard fired that cannon!!”
Xiahou Zhong was sitting aboard the aircraft rushing over. Seeing this, his chest tightened and he roared furiously.
The aircraft could no longer be operated. The alarm blared harshly. Seeing the red warning lights flashing all around him, Lian Qiguang did not think twice. He opened the aircraft door and jumped out.
The aircraft lost control in midair, crashing wildly before smashing into the prison’s metal wall.
Lian Qiguang fell from the sky. Frost gathered beneath his feet, forming steps that allowed him to land steadily on the ground.
The instant Lian Qiguang landed, more than a hundred fully armed soldiers completely blocked his path.
Looking at the densely packed gun barrels surrounding him, Lian Qiguang remained expressionless. An ice spike formed in his hand and was held horizontally in front of him.
Just as a major battle seemed imminent, an aircraft arrived. Xiahou Zhong stepped out and walked over, surrounded by a group of soldiers.
“Everyone, put your fucking guns down.”
Looking at the surrounding firearms, Xiahou Zhong’s face was dark.
“Xiaoguang, come here.”
Looking at Lian Qiguang trapped inside the encirclement, Xiahou Zhong softened his tone somewhat.
“You’re pregnant now. Don’t act recklessly. Otherwise, it’ll be bad for everyone.”
“Don’t try to fool me!”
The ice spike in Lian Qiguang’s hand flipped around, pointing directly at Xiahou Zhong.
“Back then, several thousand people from an ability group couldn’t do anything to me. With this many people, don’t try to scare me.”
“……”
Xiahou Zhong.
“Xiaoguang, have you misunderstood something?” No matter how he thought about it, he could not figure out why Lian Qiguang had suddenly become hostile toward him. Xiahou Zhong asked doubtfully.
“Cut the crap.”
Lian Qiguang frowned slightly and looked coldly at Xiahou Zhong. Frost began spreading outward from beneath his feet.
“Either let me into the prison to take Shaoxuan away, or today we fight to the death.”
Shaoxuan? Take him away?
For an instant, Xiahou Zhong felt as though he had grasped something.
“I don’t want to become your enemy, but you seriously injured Shaoxuan and even wanted to execute him. I absolutely will not forgive you for that!”
“Execute him?”
This time it was Xiahou Zhong’s turn to be stunned.
“Who said I wanted to execute that kid?”
No matter what, he was his own grandson. He had beaten him in order to silence the outsiders. He had sent him to prison to show others that Xiahou Zhong obeyed the law.
But execute Xiahou Shaoxuan?
Who would dare?
He would simply wipe that person out.
“Xiaoguang.”
Seemingly understanding something, a smile appeared on Xiahou Zhong’s face again.
“You… don’t resent Shaoxuan?”
“Why would I resent him?”
Lian Qiguang looked puzzled.
“You’re still so young. He actually dared to do that kind of thing to you. Aren’t you angry?”
That kind of thing?
Lian Qiguang tilted his head slightly and looked expressionlessly at Xiahou Zhong.
“What kind of thing?”
“Ahem!”
Xiahou Zhong cleared his throat, his old face turning red.
“It’s… making you pregnant.”
“Why should I be angry?”
Lian Qiguang frowned.
“I did it willingly. Shaoxuan is very good, and I felt very comfortable too.”
This time, it was not only Xiahou Zhong’s face that turned red. Even the surrounding soldiers could not help flushing.
“I want to see Shaoxuan!”
Not wanting to waste any more words with Xiahou Zhong, Lian Qiguang thrust the ice spike in his hand forward another few inches.
“Xiaoguang.”
Xiahou Zhong coughed heavily and deliberately put on an imposing expression.
“Whether you were willing or not, you’re ultimately still a minor. Xiahou Shaoxuan violated the law, so he has to receive punishment. Stop making trouble and come back with me immediately.”
“Don’t you know better than anyone whether I’m an adult or not?”
Lian Qiguang’s calm words left Xiahou Zhong speechless. He opened his mouth but did not know how to refute him.
“Ultimately, you still don’t want me to see Shaoxuan.”
Lian Qiguang’s expression turned cold.
Looking at the surrounding soldiers and Xiahou Zhong, who appeared harmless but possessed formidable strength, Lian Qiguang’s mind turned.
The ice spike in his hand flipped around and suddenly pressed against his own abdomen.
Xiahou Zhong had still been thinking of finding some excuse to coax Lian Qiguang into returning when Lian Qiguang suddenly did this.
He immediately shuddered in fright and nearly lost his footing.
“Xiaoguang! What are you doing!!!”
Xiahou Zhong roared furiously, glaring at Lian Qiguang.
“Let me see Shaoxuan.”
Lian Qiguang looked expressionlessly at Xiahou Zhong. The ice spike pressed against his abdomen tightened slightly, piercing through his hospital gown. A trace of blood had already appeared.
“Otherwise, I’ll kill your great-grandchild!”
“……”
Xiahou Zhong.
“Xiaoguang, whatever it is, let’s talk about it properly. Don’t fool around!”
“Let me see Shaoxuan.”
Lian Qiguang completely ignored Xiahou Zhong’s attempts to deceive and coax him, stubbornly fixated on his goal.
Seeing the bloodstain gradually spreading across Lian Qiguang’s abdomen, Xiahou Zhong panicked.
This was Dark Light’s child!
His precious great-grandchild!
“Fine! Fine! I’ll let you see him! I’ll let you see him!”
Seeing that Lian Qiguang was not loosening his grip, Xiahou Zhong hurriedly gave in. He turned and roared at the adjutant beside him.
“What are you waiting for? Bring him out!!”
“Yes…”
“Boom!!”
Before the adjutant could move, the prison’s metal gate suddenly exploded into pieces. Two smoking robot guards were hurled out.
A tall, black-clad figure slowly emerged from the white smoke.
Xiahou Shaoxuan was carrying a robot’s head in one hand. Several parts of the black shirt he wore had been torn open, blood seeping profusely from the wounds.
Xiahou Shaoxuan walked out of the prison and coldly swept his eyes over the circle of soldiers surrounding Lian Qiguang. A terrifying chill radiated from his body.
“All of you, get the fuck out of here!”
The robot’s head in his hand was instantly crushed.
His dark, terrifying voice made everyone present shudder.
“Shaoxuan.”
Lian Qiguang called out. He dissolved the ice spike in his hand, pushed through the soldiers, and ran toward Shaoxuan.
Lian Qiguang reached Xiahou Shaoxuan’s side and immediately threw his arms around him.
Xiahou Shaoxuan released the mechanical parts in his hand, opened his arms, firmly caught Lian Qiguang, and protected him in his embrace.
Lian Qiguang buried his face against Xiahou Shaoxuan’s chest, his voice slightly muffled.
“Why couldn’t I see you when I woke up?”
“I’m sorry.”
Carefully holding the person in his arms, Xiahou Shaoxuan’s powerful hand gently stroked Lian Qiguang’s hair as he whispered beside his ear.
Lian Qiguang raised his head and stared blankly at Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“I thought you’d left again.”
“I won’t.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan curved his lips into a smile, warmth and gentleness filling his eyes.
“I won’t leave again.”
“You’re not going back to Buluo Star?”
“I made a mistake, and I’ve even been in the First Prison. As the commander of Buluo Star, I’m no longer qualified for the position.”
Put bluntly, it meant just one thing:
Do whatever the hell you want. I’m quitting.
“Ahem!”
Xiahou Zhong cleared his throat from the side, interrupting the two people’s tender moment.
Xiahou Shaoxuan turned around while holding Lian Qiguang and looked toward Xiahou Zhong.
Xiahou Zhong straightened himself, just about to say something imposing, when Lian Qiguang had already stepped in front of Xiahou Shaoxuan, the ice spike in his hand ready to strike.
“……”
Xiahou Zhong.
“I like Shaoxuan. I want to spend my whole life with Shaoxuan. I wanted the little dumpling. If any of you dare bully him again, I, this lord, will wipe you all out!”
Lian Qiguang’s face remained expressionless, his voice cold and firm.
This time, he had used the word “lord.”
Others might not understand, but Xiahou Zhong did.
At this moment, he did not represent Lian Qiguang.
He represented the command issued by Dark Light.
Lian Qiguang raised his hand. Flames gathered in his palm and then slammed into the ground between the two sides.
The enormous force of the impact shook the soldiers opposite him, forcing them to stagger backward. A huge crater appeared between them.
Void-tier ability!!
Everyone was horrified.
How old was he?
Wasn’t he still a minor?
A Void-tier ability?
What a monster!
“Grandfather.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan stepped forward and pulled Lian Qiguang into his arms, shielding him. Lightning flashed in his hand, and his powerful pressure instantly forced all the soldiers to bend at the waist.
Even Xiahou Zhong’s expression changed.
“I think I now have enough qualifications to negotiate with the government.”
“You… when did you break through to Emperor-tier?”
Xiahou Zhong’s shocked cry did not only stun the soldiers.
Every citizen of Blue Star watching the video was shocked as well.
Emperor-tier?
Apart from Marshal Xiahou, the only Emperor-tier expert on the entire Blue Star.
Did that mean that in a few more years, the number-one expert on Blue Star would change hands?
“Emperor-tier?”
Lian Qiguang looked up, puzzled, at Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“Weren’t you Phantom-tier not long ago?”
“I’ll tell you about it when we get home.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan rubbed Lian Qiguang’s hair and smiled.
“Let’s go.”
Not wanting to waste any more time with them, Lian Qiguang obediently took Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hand and prepared to leave.
A helpless look flashed through Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes, but he let Lian Qiguang lead him.
“Does your stomach hurt?”
“No.”
Lian Qiguang shook his head.
“It’s just a little cut. I have a wood-type ability. Did you forget?”
“That was too reckless. I’ll deal with you when we get home.”
“I’m not that stupid. I was just trying to scare them.”
“Don’t do that again. Otherwise, you won’t be allowed to eat. You’ll drink nutritional supplements every day.”
“If you leave me, I’ll be very sad.”
Facing Xiahou Shaoxuan’s threat, Lian Qiguang answered something completely unrelated.
“We have the little dumplings now. Does that mean we can stay together forever?”
“……”
“Let’s register our marriage tomorrow.”
Inside a sealed, dark room, light continuously flickered across a floating screen. In the darkness, its pale glow made the room feel cold.
In the silent room, the sound from the virtual screen echoed. Compared with the empty darkness around it, it seemed somewhat ridiculous.
A black-robed man stood before the floating screen, watching the two people holding hands.
Behind the man stood Qiu Limo, silent.
“He’s… pregnant.”
The hoarse voice rang out in the silent darkness, mixed with suffocating sorrow.
“Hehehe…”
The man slowly crouched down. His palm weakly covered his face beneath the cloak. His suppressed sobs were filled with pain and despair.
“Three thousand years. I’ve waited for him for three thousand years. I’ve searched for him for three thousand years, but…”
“He’s just as cruel as he was three thousand years ago. Just as cruel. He has never been willing to turn back. I’ve never once seen my existence in his eyes.”
Watching the person he had always worshiped and depended upon collapse completely, like an abandoned young creature whimpering in the darkness, Qiu Limo remained silent for a long time.
Slowly, he crouched beside the man and extended his thin arms, embracing the man’s cold body.
“Three thousand years. Three thousand years of days and nights. He will never know how long every day is, how cold every night is…”
The man curled up in the darkness, trembling helplessly. The heart-wrenching agony tore through every inch of his body, and his hoarse sobs carried overwhelming despair.
“Three thousand years. He was the only thing I held onto to keep living. The endless loneliness and solitude… He’ll never understand, nor will he ever care.”
“I exhausted all my strength to love him, to torment him, but why? Why is he simply unwilling to turn back for me?”
“I used all my strength. I gave everything I had, even my life, but he doesn’t care. He has never cared…”
Embracing the desperate man, Qiu Limo lowered his head and buried his face against the man’s body.
His cold, emotionless eyes held hopeless sorrow, though it was unclear whether it was for the man in his arms or for himself.
A low murmur drifted through the painful, despairing sobs, like a sigh.
“You are the obsession of my entire life. I will always wait behind you, waiting until you’re tired, until you no longer want to chase after it, and turn around…”
“…I’ll always be here.”