The midday sun blazed fiercely. You Que sat on the outer corridor, squinting against the brightness until his eyelids felt too heavy to keep open. He shifted his posture slightly, showing no trace of impatience. It wasn’t until he heard the soft click of the door behind him that he turned his head. Sanya had just stepped out from inside.
You Que asked, “How is it? Are the results out?”
Meeting You Que’s gaze, Sanya still hadn’t fully recovered from the shock. After all, You Que’s life back in the small town of Saint Lieux was one of poverty and struggle, devoid of any airs or pretense. It was hard to imagine, even for a moment, that he bore the slightest resemblance to a pureblooded male zerg.
Other than disbelief, it was still disbelief…
Sanya held the report in his hand as he slowly walked over to You Que. He knelt down before him, leaning in slightly, and carefully studied the light brown eyes of the male in front of him. Yet, the sense of incredulity refused to fade.
“You Que, do you know what your blood purity level is?”
For the first time in his life, Sanya felt genuinely impressed with his own instincts. He either didn’t choose at all, or when he did, he somehow ended up picking a pureblooded male zerg. What kind of absurd luck was this?
You Que: “…”
You Que had a vague idea but could only feign ignorance. “How much?”
Sanya licked his dry lips, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say the outrageously unbelievable number out loud. Pinching the thin report between his fingers, he handed it over to You Que. “…See for yourself.”
You Que took the report and skimmed through it, his eyes glossing over the technical terms he only half understood. Finally, his gaze settled on the data field at the very bottom.
There it was, glaringly clear: “100%.”
“100%…”
You Que stared at the number on the report, momentarily stunned. Although he had already anticipated this result, the confirmation still felt surreal.
The Salaranfa Empire had only ever documented three pureblooded male zergs, with just one in the southern region—a testament to how extraordinarily rare they were. You Que, someone who had never been particularly favored by fate, found it hard to process this sudden, golden stroke of luck that had fallen into his lap out of nowhere. It left him dazed.
Seeing You Que lost in thought while staring at the report, Sanya assumed he was equally shocked by the result. Gently, he pulled the report from You Que’s hand and leaned in to remind him, each word slow and deliberate:
“You Que, your blood purity is 100%—”
His voice was low, but every word was enunciated with force, as if beneath the calm surface of the sea, powerful undercurrents were surging—every emotion carefully concealed.
By then, Blairand had already finished relaying the news to Chief Harrington and was walking out of the testing room with the doctor. They hurried over to You Que and bent slightly at the waist to perform a shoulder salute. Unlike Sanya’s tangled emotions, their expressions were filled with pure joy and congratulations.
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” Blairand said warmly. “We’ve conducted four rounds of verification, and the results confirm that your blood purity level is 100%.”
“You are a pureblooded male zerg.”
The final words were spoken with solemnity, laced with barely suppressed excitement, though forcibly kept in check.
Hearing this, You Que rose from the bench, a faint trace of surprise crossing his face at just the right moment. “100%? Are you sure there hasn’t been a mistake?”
Blairand shook his head, his tone earnest. “Your Highness, there’s absolutely no error in the results. I’ve already reported this matter to Chief Harrington, and it won’t be long before the news is presented to the Zerg Emperor. Please be patient; you’ll receive a response within three days at the latest.”
A response? What kind of response?
Most likely, it was related to a title of nobility.
Before the first pureblooded male zerg ever appeared in the empire, the highest recorded blood purity level belonged to a male zerg with only 56%. At the time, that was already considered unattainably high. As a result, he was granted a royal title by the Zerg Emperor.
Later, three more pureblooded males emerged one after another, and the Zerg Emperor, without exception, granted them titles and territories. This was not only to show respect but also to win their allegiance. Even Ah Sui and Blairand were bestowed honorary titles when they left the west, and You Que, of course, would not be an exception.
When You Que heard Blairand mention reporting the matter to the Zerg Emperor, he paused for a moment. “What will the Zerg Emperor do when he hears about this?”
Blairand nodded. “Of course, His Majesty will grant you a title. You are a noble pure-blooded male zerg. According to the rules, His Majesty will bestow upon you a territory.”
“Chief Harrington is not in Yinchatait at the moment. He won’t be back until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. For your safety, I ask that you refrain from going out in the next few days. After all, Central City is full of zergs with sharp eyes, and if the news leaks, I’m worried it might endanger your safety.”
The doctor responsible for the testing had been holding his tongue for a while, but at these words, he finally couldn’t help but speak up. “Major General Blairand, His Highness You Que’s identity is noble; how can we let him stay outside? It’s better to temporarily bring him to the military headquarters for protection, and then we can make a decision when Chief Harrington returns.”
Blairand knew well that this wasn’t the proper procedure, but with Sanya’s bad temper, there was no way the other would be willing to entrust his “male lord” to the military. Just as he was about to speak, You Que furrowed his brows and interrupted, “No need. I’ll stay at home.”
The doctor hesitated, wanting to say something but ultimately held back. “But…”
Blairand raised his hand, interrupting. “His Highness You Que’s monarch is an A-class female zerg, and the security in the upper three districts has always been good. It’s just for a few days; there shouldn’t be any issues. What do you think?”
The last sentence, of course, was directed at Sanya.
When Sanya heard Blairand refer to himself as You Que’s monarch, he finally raised his head and glanced at him. “I will protect him well.”
His male zerg was, of course, his responsibility to protect. How could he let any random zergs come near? The military was filled with factions, and if You Que were really brought into their headquarters, it wouldn’t take long for the news to spread throughout the entire city.
Seeing the situation, the doctor knew better than to argue further.
You Que had originally come today to apply for an identification card, but unexpectedly, he ended up tangled in a much bigger issue. Fortunately, Blairand had cleared the entire floor of unrelated individuals beforehand; otherwise, who knew what kind of chaos could have ensued.
On the way home that afternoon, You Que didn’t say much. He spent the time in silence, contemplating his future plans. He didn’t necessarily crave power, but if being a pureblooded male zerg could change the difficult circumstances at Sanya’s home, then it wouldn’t be entirely a bad thing for him.
Sanya, too, remained silent the entire way. After the initial excitement of learning that You Que was pureblooded had passed, he was left with an indescribable sense of unease, as if the male zerg sitting beside him had turned into a cloud, one that would soon float away, out of his reach.
Pureblooded male zerg…
In the vast Salaranfa Empire, there were only four of them. The first married the prince, the second became the companion of the northern leader, the third was with Blairand, the southern deputy leader, and then there was You Que…
Sanya thought back to his own past, and his gaze darkened for a moment. If his wings were still intact, if he fought on the battlefield for a few more years, at the very least, he should be a major general. Then, being with You Que might have given him some sense of security, of footing.
But now…
Sanya’s heart sank for a moment, feeling as though something heavy was pressing down on him, making it hard to even breathe. That emotion, called hatred, would occasionally surface, slowly gnawing away at his heart.
The male zerg who had removed Sanya’s wings was long dead, but the hatred still clung to him like a nightmare, wrapping around him relentlessly. The scars on his back would never be erased, and with the passage of time, they only grew deeper, more profound.
Sanya furrowed his brow and loosened his tie, trying to steady his breathing.
Chairman Croney had been worried that trouble might come to his doorstep, so he’d stayed home today. Even Laimi and Laixing had been ordered to stay inside and not go out. After all, the higher-ups in the military had been continuously suppressing the two of them, so taking a day off wasn’t much of a hassle.
When Sanya and You Que entered the house, they saw that all the zergs were neatly in place, not a single one had gone out. Without thinking, Sanya asked, “Father, you’re not going to work today?”
Sanya glanced over and noticed that Laimi and Laixing were sitting nearby, practicing flower arranging in their casual home clothes, clearly not at the military headquarters today.
Chairman Croney wasn’t exactly worried about Aegis causing trouble, but as an elder, he preferred to handle such matters himself and didn’t want to burden the younger ones with it. “It’s nothing, just a bit tired recently, so I took a few days off. Where did you and You Que go today? Why are you only just getting back?”
Sanya and You Que exchanged a glance, both uncertain of how to respond. You Que certainly couldn’t speak up—if he claimed his pureblood status himself, it would seem rather shameless. As for Sanya, for some reason, he didn’t speak either.
“…”
Chairman Croney didn’t hear a response from them, so he finally raised his head and asked, “What? Did some zerg bully you?”
Sanya was a female zerg, and You Que’s blood purity was low. If they happened to encounter a powerful, influential male zerg while out, it wouldn’t be surprising if they were bullied. As this thought crossed Chairman Croney’s mind, his brows furrowed, and he became more serious and solemn.
It was You Que who spoke up first. “Oh, it’s nothing. I just went out for a walk with Sanya, but it was too hot outside, so we came back.”
Upon hearing this, Chairman Croney relaxed, not sensing anything unusual. “If it’s too hot, go rest in your room for a while. Try not to go out unless absolutely necessary these days.”
You Que quickly guessed the reason. “Is it because of the incident where I hurt Aegis last time?”
He said this as he walked over to the sofa, bent down, and addressed Chairman Croney. “Uncle, I was too impulsive back then. If he really reports it to the authorities, I’ll take responsibility for whatever consequences come.”
When You Que took action, he had already anticipated the consequences: either a fine or being locked up for a couple of days. The rules in the South were like that, and they wouldn’t impose anything too severe on a male zerg. If worse came to worst, he could always ask Ah Sui for help to resolve the matter. He hadn’t expected that it would cause such worry for Chairman Croney and the others.
Chairman Croney had never blamed You Que. Instead, he was more concerned for him. Hearing his words, he patted You Que’s shoulder and softened his tone. “I’ve been in the noble court long enough, I still have some influence. If he really reports you, I’ll find a way to suppress it. You and Sanya should focus on living your lives and not worry so much.”
You Que had always been respectful towards his elders, but since his own parents had been so lacking in moral character, leaving him no room to show filial piety, he nodded at Chairman Croney’s words. “In the next few days, Sanya and I will stay home, we won’t be going out and about.”
Chairman Croney didn’t press further upon hearing You Que’s response. He simply reminded them to remember to have lunch. Then, seemingly recalling something, he asked, “I’ve been thinking, it might be better to settle your marriage sooner rather than later. How about next week? We can book a private room at a hotel and take care of the paperwork. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy.”
Chairman Croney felt that Sanya’s identity was sensitive, so it would be best to keep things low-key. But the situation was different now, and You Que didn’t want to rush into anything. “Next week is supposed to be rainy, and I’m worried about the weather. Maybe we should wait until this period passes before making any arrangements.”
Sanya stood nearby, hearing You Que gently reject the idea of a rushed wedding. He lifted his gaze briefly to look at him, then quickly shifted his eyes away.
Chairman Croney had only thought of the idea of the wedding spontaneously, but upon considering the logistics, he realized that planning a wedding would indeed be somewhat complicated, and next week might be too soon. “Alright then, you two can discuss it. Once you decide on a date, let me know, and I’ll take care of the venue.”
You Que agreed, and after a quick lunch with Sanya downstairs, he headed upstairs to rest. Whether it was just a coincidence or something else, it started to rain softly outside as night fell. Through the transparent glass window, the sound of the rain was faint, almost distant.
After taking a shower, You Que came out of the bathroom, towel drying his hair. He immediately felt a chill against his skin—there was a significant temperature difference between day and night. He couldn’t help but ask, “It’s almost June, why is it still so cold in the south?”
“After the rain, it’ll be hot…”
Sanya said this softly, and then fell silent. He closed his eyes and lay down on the bed, his face pale and looking somewhat sickly. The wounds on his back always ached terribly on rainy days, like countless ants gnawing at his bones. A thin layer of cold sweat formed on his forehead.
You Que noticed Sanya’s unusual condition. He half-knelt beside the bed and leaned forward to gently touch his forehead. “Are you sick?”
But Sanya’s temperature wasn’t high; it was simply cold to the touch.
He shook his head, eyes still closed. “No, I’m just a little tired.”
His voice was hoarse, as if he was holding back discomfort. A lock of damp hair clung to his forehead, while the rest of his long hair spilled over the edge of the blanket, cool and smooth, like the rainwater falling gently outside the window.
You Que, hearing his words, gently lifted the blanket and crawled in behind Sanya. He wrapped his arms around him, his warm chest pressing against Sanya’s cold back. He could still feel the slight shivers from the other’s body. “Is your wound hurting because of the overcast weather?”
As he spoke, he gently traced the spot just below Sanya’s shoulder blades, where there were two subtle depressions, the remnants of bones that had been forcibly removed.
Sanya neither answered “yes” nor “no.” Instead, he lay there, feeling the warmth behind him. Slowly, he opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the wall in the dim light. Then, in a soft voice, he said, “You Que, I want to go back to Saint Lieux…”
You Que paused for a moment. “Why?”
There wasn’t any particular reason. Sanya just felt that in Saint Lieux, they were both ordinary zergs, and when they were together, they didn’t have to worry about differences in status. Life felt simpler there.
Sanya didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, he asked, without context, “You Que, are you happy about the test results today?”
You Que didn’t want to lie to him, so he gave a low, affirmative hum. “Yes, I’m happy.”
“…”
Sanya fell silent, his thoughts drifting. He couldn’t help but think that after You Que’s pureblood identity was revealed, there would be countless females flocking to him—beautiful ones, those from noble families, those with military achievements—all far superior to him in every way.
The sound of the rain intensified, as if reflecting the turbulence inside Sanya’s mind. The thought of You Que refusing the marriage proposal from his father earlier in the day gnawed at him, like a thorn lodged deep in his chest.
Desire, possessiveness—these emotions surged like a wild tide in the damp, rainy night, consuming the little rationality left in Sanya’s mind, momentarily overpowering the sharp, bone-deep pain in his back.
“Splash—”
The rain continued to fall, a steady rhythm of sound that filled the air, mingling with the tension in the room. Sanya, with a sudden shift, pressed You Que beneath him, his movements swift, as if driven by a need to hold on to something solid in the storm of his emotions.
His face, pale and sharp, was cast in the shadows, a striking figure whose beauty remained haunting even in the dim light. His voice, laced with a touch of vulnerability, broke the silence as he leaned closer to You Que, his brows furrowed in quiet intensity.
“You Que, do you like me?”
You Que, as calm as ever, answered without hesitation, his voice steady. “I do.”
Sanya’s gaze deepened, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. He asked again, his voice quieter this time, almost unsure.
“Will it change?”
You Que shook his head, his gaze unwavering. “It won’t change.”
Sanya looked down from his high position, gazing at You Que. His eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes, and he gently stroked the sharp, angular side of the other’s face. The desire to swallow him whole, bones and blood alike, grew even more intense. His voice was low, almost a whisper: “You Que, but I cannot share you with other females…”
It’s not that I don’t like you, it’s that I can’t.
Since birth, Sanya knew he was different. He desired the unique kind of love shared between his male and female fathers, and his future mate, his male lord, could never marry a female consort. You Que was so pleased today to have been tested as pureblood; when he is granted land and beautiful females in the future, he will only be even happier.
Sanya felt that if, one day, You Que had other females by his side, he would either kill You Que and die cleanly together, or he would distance himself from him.
But he couldn’t bring himself to harm You Que, so only the latter path remained.
“If, in the future, you have other females by your side, I will leave…”
Sanya would still protect You Que, but no longer as a partner. He would suppress the possessiveness and jealousy in his heart, hiding in the shadows, never to appear in You Que’s sight again.
You Que hadn’t expected that the reason for Sanya’s lifelessness today was this. Hearing him say he would leave, his fingertips instinctively tightened for a moment, digging painfully into Sanya’s waist.
“Leave? Where do you think you’re going?”
You Que suddenly realized just how much he hated that word. Since childhood, when his father left home and never returned, and his mother ran away with another man, he had come to despise that word.
But Sanya was different… Every time You Que made eye contact with him, every time they touched, he could feel the possessiveness lurking deep within Sanya’s gaze. He found a sense of security in Sanya; he knew he would never be abandoned.
He knew that Sanya loved him…
You Que pinned Sanya back down beneath him, his burning chest pressed tightly against the female zerg’s scarred back. He bit and licked at his ear, leaving savage, beast-like kisses: “Leave? You don’t need to leave.”
You Que’s breath was unsteady as he turned Sanya to face him and kissed him desperately. Suddenly, he let out a laugh: “If I find another female zerg in the future, don’t be afraid—just kill me…”
“You can chop, cut, or bury us together—it’s all fine…”
Sanya was kissed so painfully by You Que that he unconsciously let out a muffled groan. He had never been treated this way by a male zerg, yet he didn’t find it unpleasant. Instead, he felt a fire burning in his chest, and even his blood seemed to be boiling.
Sanya’s breath quickened as he tightly gripped You Que’s shoulders. He bit down hard on the male zerg’s lips, tasting a familiar, metallic sweetness. His voice broke: “But I can’t bear to… You Que… I can’t bear to…”
It truly was hard to bear.
Upon hearing those words, You Que’s kiss grew even fiercer, and he rolled with Sanya off the bed. In the darkness, he turned Sanya over to face away from him, pressing him hard against the edge of the bed. One hand stroked the scars on the female zerg’s back, while the other firmly locked around his waist.
“Sanya, do you know why I’m happy?”
Sanya shook his head with a dazed look, unable to form a complete sentence. He only felt a sudden warm sensation on his back as You Que kissed the spot where his wings had once been removed. Unable to control himself, he began to struggle, his entire body trembling.
Sanya shook his head, eyes reddened: “Don’t…”
You Que, however, wouldn’t let him go. He kissed the jagged scars on Sanya’s back, his long fingers slowly weaving through the female zerg’s hair, then tightening, like a taut violin string, ready to snap at any moment.
“Sanya, don’t be afraid…”
You Que’s eyes darkened, his voice hoarse, and the arm that trapped Sanya’s waist tightened even more. As he kissed the female zerg, he spoke in broken phrases: “How could I want another zerg…”
“I won’t…”
“Once I have a title, those who hurt you will pay the price. I’ll get your wings back for you…”
“Your brothers won’t be bullied anymore, your female father won’t be oppressed, and you won’t have to live in hiding…”
You Que kissed the corner of Sanya’s reddened eye, then tasted a salty, bittersweet liquid. He pulled the other tightly into his embrace, his strength so forceful it seemed as though he wanted to embed him into his bones. A deep, ambitious gleam appeared in his eyes: “I’ll marry you in a glorious way…”
“Sanya, you should be happy with me.”
Sanya was kissed to the point of suffocation. Under the overwhelming pheromones of the male zerg, his body trembled uncontrollably. Even the inner cavity, which only responded during his estrus period, was now burning with heat, his abdomen feeling as though it had been branded by a hot iron.
Sanya, hearing You Que’s words, couldn’t help but close his aching eyes. He had never known that the other was happy because of this. His lips trembled with difficulty, and in a hoarse voice, he uttered a sentence:
“But I don’t have wings anymore… I won’t be able to fight on the battlefield, and I can’t earn military merits anymore…”
You Que tilted his head and kissed Sanya’s cheek, his warm palm pressed against the female zerg’s back, dispelling the cold, sharp pain between his bones. His words were searing and piercing: “You don’t need to go to the battlefield, and you don’t need to earn military merits.”
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t have wings…”
Sanya didn’t need to go to the distant battlefield,
Nor did he need to chase after the broken wings.
Being able to rest so peacefully in his arms was enough.
With reddened eyes, he let him kiss, let him knead, let him mark…
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