Wu Ma Yan disappeared. After Lian Qiguang healed the injuries on Xiahou Shaoxuan’s body, the two stared at each other in silence for a while, and the atmosphere was somewhat cold.
Although Xiahou Shaoxuan said nothing and did not even move his brows, Lian Qiguang understood that Xiahou Shaoxuan was angry—or rather, he was experiencing a fury he had never felt before.
The oppressive atmosphere made Lian Qiguang uncomfortable. He felt that he needed to let Xiahou Shaoxuan calm down. Otherwise, given the way the two were getting along right now, if one of them lost control, they might end up fighting.
“You rest for a while. I’ll go check on the others.” Lian Qiguang withdrew the hand he had placed on Xiahou Shaoxuan and stood up to leave.
Lian Qiguang’s deliberate attempt to avoid him ignited the anger Xiahou Shaoxuan had been suppressing. Xiahou Shaoxuan rose, grabbed Lian Qiguang by the arm, and forcefully restrained him in his embrace. The surging rage created a heavy pressure that made Lian Qiguang feel unable to breathe.
“Y-Your ability advanced again?” Lian Qiguang looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan in surprise.
Faced with Lian Qiguang’s question, Xiahou Shaoxuan did not answer. With a dark expression, he picked Lian Qiguang up and strode away.
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s anger made Lian Qiguang unusually shrink back a little. He obediently buried his face against Xiahou Shaoxuan’s chest and did not dare make a sound.
Xiahou Shaoxuan carried Lian Qiguang into the spaceship and threw him onto a chair. Before Lian Qiguang could get up, Xiahou Shaoxuan pressed down over him. His violent, frenzied kiss landed on Lian Qiguang’s lips, carrying possession and retaliation.
“Shaoxuan…” The taste of blood in his mouth made Lian Qiguang frown slightly as both hands pushed against Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hard chest.
Faced with Lian Qiguang’s refusal, Xiahou Shaoxuan ignored it completely. With one hand, he locked Lian Qiguang’s wrists above his head, restraining him, while his other hand forcefully tore open Lian Qiguang’s clothes.
The sudden chill made Lian Qiguang draw in a sharp breath. He lowered his head and looked down at himself, a trace of panic appearing in his dark eyes.
Xiahou Shaoxuan wildly invaded Lian Qiguang’s body, leaving clear marks all over him. Against his pale skin, they looked particularly shocking.
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s kiss lingered over one of the red spots on Lian Qiguang’s chest. A familiar current swept through his entire body, bringing a pleasurable numbness. Lian Qiguang’s body went limp, and a faint moan escaped his lips.
Xiahou Shaoxuan looked at the alluring flush on Lian Qiguang’s face with bloodshot eyes. A raging flame burned within his body, almost consuming him completely.
No one knew. No one knew how he had endured these days.
No one understood the despair and pain he had felt when he learned that Lian Qiguang had left.
He had spoiled him so much, loved him so much, yet this little bastard had been so ruthless. How could he really have brought himself to do it?!
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s mind had already been consumed by rage, leaving no reason behind his actions. Everything he did now was driven by an instinctive impulse.
Xiahou Shaoxuan tore away Lian Qiguang’s pants and lifted both of his legs. Without any preparation, he thrust into Lian Qiguang’s dry body.
“Ah!!” The sudden, intense pain made Lian Qiguang cry out.
The pain, as though his body were being torn in half, made his entire body tremble. Lian Qiguang tilted his head back, his face pale, his wide eyes staring blankly at the space above him.
Xiahou Shaoxuan moved forcefully against Lian Qiguang’s body. A warm liquid slowly flowed down his thigh. As a sweet, metallic scent gradually filled the air, Lian Qiguang knew that it was the smell of blood.
“Wifey, how could you? How could you bear to…” Xiahou Shaoxuan’s kisses fell chaotically on Lian Qiguang’s shoulders and collarbone. His suppressed murmurs carried an indistinct roar, filled with despair and sorrow.
Lian Qiguang struggled to lower his head and silently looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan. Slowly, he stretched out both arms and wrapped them around Xiahou Shaoxuan’s neck. Ignoring the tearing pain behind him, he arched his body and silently responded to Xiahou Shaoxuan.
Lian Qiguang’s inexperienced kiss landed beside Xiahou Shaoxuan’s ear as he whispered softly, “I love you.”
It was a frenzied entanglement that seemed to have no end. Lian Qiguang allowed Xiahou Shaoxuan to take what he wanted until, at last, he sank into darkness.
Lian Qiguang did not know how long he slept this time. In his hazy state, he only felt someone constantly holding him, caressing his face, and whispering softly into his ear, as though telling him something.
Lian Qiguang was awakened by hunger. Having gone without food for two days, he only felt his stomach churning violently with nausea and pain.
Lian Qiguang opened his eyes. The dim lighting shrouded the surroundings in darkness, but the metal he saw at a glance made it clear to him that this was not a dream. He was no longer in District Seven.
A dark figure quickly walked over and sat down beside him, carefully pulling Lian Qiguang into his arms. “You’re awake? How do you feel?”
Lian Qiguang raised his head and stared blankly at the person beside him. “Shaoxuan…”
“It’s me.” Xiahou Shaoxuan held Lian Qiguang, his hands anxiously checking him here and there. “How do you feel? Is there anywhere else that hurts?”
This time, he had indeed gone too far. When he gradually regained his reason, Lian Qiguang had already fainted. His entire body was covered in wounds, with almost nowhere left untouched. The condition beneath him had been even more horrifying, the torn area an alarming, vivid red.
Although he had immediately found a healing device and treated Lian Qiguang, Lian Qiguang remained unconscious. Watching Lian Qiguang lie there pale and quietly with his eyes closed, Xiahou Shaoxuan had nearly gone mad.
“I’m fine.” Lian Qiguang closed his eyes and rubbed the corner of his brow. “Where are we now?”
“On the spaceship. We should be back in District One before dawn.” As Xiahou Shaoxuan spoke, he handed over a nutritional supplement. “You’re hungry, right? Drink some nutritional supplement first.”
Lian Qiguang frowned slightly and glared at Xiahou Shaoxuan, looking rather disgruntled.
Xiahou Shaoxuan was helpless. He reached out and rubbed Lian Qiguang’s hair. “There’s no other food on the spaceship. Be good and drink the nutritional supplement, otherwise you’ll be hungry.”
Although he was unhappy, his loudly protesting stomach did not allow him to be picky. He could only take the nutritional supplement and, with a frown, gulp it down.
Seeing Lian Qiguang drink it, Xiahou Shaoxuan felt much more relieved. “Do you want to sleep a little longer?”
“No. I’m not tired.” Lian Qiguang shook his head and changed into a more comfortable position, curling up in Xiahou Shaoxuan’s arms.
“How did you find me?” Lian Qiguang was still somewhat curious about this. He remembered that he had completely blocked Xiahou Shaoxuan’s access privileges. Logically speaking, Xiahou Shaoxuan should not have been able to find him.
At this point, Xiahou Shaoxuan’s face darkened again. Lian Qiguang tilted his head, reached out expressionlessly, and pinched Xiahou Shaoxuan’s cheek. He said seriously, “I’m in a lot of pain.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s expression changed, and his arms around Lian Qiguang tightened. “Pain? Where does it hurt? I’ll contact An Yi immediately and have him bring the medical team over.”
“No need.” Lian Qiguang tightly grabbed Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hand, preventing him from leaving.
Looking at Lian Qiguang’s pale, thin face, Xiahou Shaoxuan’s heart ached terribly, while he also felt even more remorseful. “I’m sorry. I was too impulsive yesterday.”
“You still haven’t told me how you were able to find me.”
“Do you remember that I once installed a special program on your optical computer?” Xiahou Shaoxuan held Lian Qiguang tightly and explained helplessly. “Although you sealed off all access privileges from my optical computer, it took some time, but through the records from before, An Yi was still able to crack the program and pinpoint your location.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan leaned down and lightly bit the corner of Lian Qiguang’s mouth. “You little bastard, you actually dared to make a move against me. I’ll keep this score for now.”
Lian Qiguang pressed his lips together, pretending not to hear Xiahou Shaoxuan’s last sentence. Feeling the violent power surging from Xiahou Shaoxuan’s body, Lian Qiguang extended one hand and grasped Xiahou Shaoxuan’s arm. His gentle green ability slowly entered Xiahou Shaoxuan’s body.
After a moment, Lian Qiguang’s brows gradually furrowed.
“Although I can’t tell what level your ability has reached now, this power is extremely chaotic. You simply can’t control it.”
“It’s nothing.” Xiahou Shaoxuan smiled slightly. “It’ll get better after some time.”
“After some time, you’ll be waiting to explode and die.” Lian Qiguang frowned. “When we get home, I’ll help you regulate your breathing.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan was just about to refuse, but seeing Lian Qiguang’s determined expression, he could only nod perfunctorily.
“Get some rest.” Seeing the exhaustion beneath Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes, Lian Qiguang shifted aside to make room for half the space. “I’ll stay with you.”
“Okay.”
Wifey, this time, I’ll keep a close eye on you.
Lian Qiguang had slept for an entire day and had long since lost any sense of drowsiness. But curled up in Xiahou Shaoxuan’s arms, he still closed his eyes in a daze. When he woke again, the spaceship had already arrived in District One.
Since this had originally been a secret operation, Xiahou Shaoxuan did not alarm anyone upon returning. He quietly entered the safe zone, arranged things for the surviving soldiers, and did not go to the base. Instead, he went directly back to the place where Lian Yucheng lived.
After receiving the news, Xiahou Zhong’s family and Lian Yucheng had stayed up all night, repeatedly going to the entrance to look out. When they saw the two return safely, everyone’s eyes reddened.
Lian Yucheng stared at Lian Qiguang for a long while before abruptly pulling him into his arms and giving Lian Qiguang’s head an unforgiving smack, leaving him somewhat stunned. Even after Xiahou Shaoxuan pulled him away, he was still a little dazed.
After the family embraced and cried, the atmosphere suddenly became somewhat heavy. Lian Yucheng understood what was going on and, with one hand carrying the crying Lian Xiaoqian, while holding Long Ying’s hand with the other, returned to the room.
An Ruxin ignored Xiahou Hetian’s noisy fussing and directly dragged him into the kitchen. Guan Ze cheerfully blew Lian Qiguang a kiss before following them to help.
The remaining group silently followed Xiahou Zhong into an empty room. After closing the door, they activated the isolation barrier.
“Why are you following us?” Seeing Xiahou Yuchi lazily leaning against the wall as though he had no bones, Xiahou Zhong glared.
“You can pretend I don’t exist.” Xiahou Yuchi cheerfully waved his hand, completely shameless. The sight immediately made Xiahou Zhong furious.
Seeing the two about to start arguing again, Xiahou Jue hurriedly stepped in to mediate. “Dad, Xiao… cough! There are still people here.”
He almost said “Xiao Guang,” but as though he suddenly remembered something, Xiahou Jue awkwardly changed course.
Meeting Xiahou Jue’s strange gaze, Lian Qiguang turned his head and looked questioningly at Xiahou Shaoxuan. Xiahou Shaoxuan lowered his head and whispered something into Lian Qiguang’s ear. Lian Qiguang nodded knowingly.
Looks like there’s another person who knows my identity.
Xiahou Zhong glanced at Lian Qiguang. Seeing that he did not seem bothered by Xiahou Yuchi’s presence, he said no more and gestured for everyone to sit.
Afterward, Xiahou Shaoxuan and Lian Qiguang took turns recounting everything that had happened in District Seven. When they mentioned those super-intelligent entities, Lian Qiguang’s eyes visibly darkened.
After hearing everything the two had to say, aside from the smile that had practically cracked Xiahou Yuchi’s face apart, everyone else looked considerably more solemn.
“The 103 missing corpses… they’re all there?” Xiahou Jue’s brows knitted tightly, and his hands clenched slightly.
Lian Qiguang silently nodded.
Gui Ling stared directly at Lian Qiguang for a long while before suddenly speaking. “They used to be your subordinates. Can’t you command them?”
“That was in the past.” Lian Qiguang relaxed his body against the back of the chair, somewhat wearily rubbing his temples. “To them, I merely taught them their abilities and led them to survive through the apocalypse. Moreover, all of this was built upon Wu Ma Yan’s orders. In the end, Wu Ma Yan was their commander, the one who led them into the New World. What’s more, they have supported one another and walked together for three thousand years.”
“Although they won’t attack me, they won’t obey my orders either. Between Wu Ma Yan and me, the one they are loyal to is Wu Ma Yan.”
“Humanity was saved by them, but in the end, humanity was also destroyed by their hands.” Xiahou Luoyu curled her lips into a mocking smile.
“They truly were heroes. Without them, you wouldn’t exist today.” Lian Qiguang raised his head and looked directly at Xiahou Luoyu. “What is being destroyed now is merely a group of monsters.”
Being chilled by Lian Qiguang’s gaze, Xiahou Luoyu pouted and shrank her neck. “I was only saying it. Don’t look at me like that.”
Seeing everyone fall silent, Xiahou Yuchi rubbed his nose and, supporting his somewhat weak legs, walked over to Xiahou Luoyu and squeezed into a seat beside her. Once he was safely seated, he placed one hand on the back of the chair.
“Old man, I feel like I just heard something wrong. Would you kindly explain?”
“Lord Darklight!!!” Having apparently thought of another way to stir up trouble, Xiahou Luoyu jumped up and shouted from the depths of her lungs, pointing one claw at Xiahou Yuchi.
“It’s this guy! He made so many movies about you. The people who played you were all so ugly, each one big and burly, fierce-looking and intimidating. Even worse, he found you a whole group of ugly women! And in the end, not a single one of them had a good ending!!”
“……” Lian Qiguang.
“……” Xiahou Yuchi.
“Ah, I watched some of them with my classmates when I had free time.” Lian Qiguang nodded woodenly.
“So?” Xiahou Luoyu stared at Lian Qiguang with shining eyes, the very picture of someone fanning the flames and stirring up trouble for no reason.
Lian Qiguang raised his head and stared expressionlessly at Xiahou Yuchi. In a wooden voice, he said, “Nonsense.”
“Hey!” Xiahou Yuchi helplessly twitched the corner of his mouth. “The box office was actually very good. A lot of them even won awards.”
“If the apocalypse had really been like the garbage shown in those movies, it would have ended long ago. Then how could humanity have struggled for so many years, nearly becoming extinct? I could wipe out a bunch of Zombie Kings just by moving a finger.”
Lian Qiguang calmly watched Xiahou Yuchi’s features distort.
“At first, I even thought they were romance movies.”
Romance… movies…
“If I hadn’t seen your name listed as the director, I definitely would have gone and chopped him up.” Lian Qiguang’s dark eyes stared at Xiahou Yuchi, making him feel a chill run down his spine.
“You ruined my reputation.”
Crack!
A several-ton stone suddenly fell from the sky and smashed Xiahou Yuchi underneath it.
“Brat, ban those ridiculous movies for me!” Xiahou Zhong waved his large hand and decisively made the ruling.
“Hey! Old man!! Back then, you were the one who watched them on the computer more enthusiastically than anyone else, okay?! And you kept praising them, saying they were very lifelike and had the right feeling.”
“I did?” Xiahou Zhong snorted, pretending to be confused. “Stop slandering my reputation.”
“You!”
Too lazy to keep arguing with Xiahou Zhong, Xiahou Yuchi looked toward Lian Qiguang. The unserious expression disappeared from his face, replaced by solemnity.
“So, you’re Lord Darklight, the one who ended the Dark Apocalypse?”
“I guess so.” His soft, listless tone made him sound rather lacking in confidence, but Xiahou Shaoxuan knew that Lian Qiguang was simply tired.
“How is that possible?!” Xiahou Yuchi’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Lord Darklight wasn’t… wasn’t already dead? Three thousand years ago.”
“Ask them.” Xiahou Shaoxuan tossed out that sentence before helping Lian Qiguang stand. “Grandpa, we’re leaving first.”
“Go. Get some good rest.” Seeing Lian Qiguang’s exhaustion, Xiahou Zhong immediately gave his approval.
“Shaoxuan, I want to go see Tuanzi.” Supported by Xiahou Shaoxuan as they headed toward the door, Lian Qiguang murmured softly.
“You’re too tired today. How about going tomorrow?”
“I’m not tired. I want to see it!” Lian Qiguang frowned.
“Okay, we’ll go see it.” Although somewhat helpless, Xiahou Shaoxuan did not want to see the disappointment on Lian Qiguang’s face.
“Have you given it a name?”
“No. You name it.”
“Mm…”