TCPUAAV Chapter 154

 

 

 

Rong Heng: ???

 

He immediately ordered his men to hold fire—and then saw, to his astonishment, the four little cubs who were supposed to be back in Sikkim… riding out of the trees atop four Zerg.

 

Rong Heng’s face darkened. His voice sharp, he barked, “What are you doing here?!”

 

“And what’s the deal with these Zerg?!”

 

His questions came rapid-fire, and the cubs instinctively felt a little guilty—until they quickly realized, wait a second, why should they be the ones feeling guilty?

 

They hadn’t snuck out.

 

So Heli straightened his back and raised his chin defiantly. “We came to find Dad!”

 

“You lied to us! Dad’s not at the Research Institute at all!” Nota followed up instantly.

 

“…” Caught red-handed, Rong Heng coughed awkwardly. His tone no longer as righteous as before, he waved his hand and ordered his men to lower their weapons. “Come here. Explain what’s going on.”

 

The cubs hopped down from their Zerg mounts and walked over to him.

 

The four Zerg, however—Gulu and the other three—hesitated at the edge of the clearing, wary of getting too close.

 

Ruan Jiao quickly explained the situation with Gulu to Rong Heng.

 

After listening, Rong Heng fell into thought. He glanced again at the four Zerg, who at first glance looked menacing but, on closer inspection, seemed oddly… timid.

 

He raised a brow and said to Ruan Jiao, “Let them come aboard too.”

 

Ruan Jiao immediately beckoned Gulu and the others to follow him up to the warship.

 

By the time Ruan Shiqing rushed over after hearing the news, he was greeted with the sight of four massive Zerg huddled awkwardly together. Their hulking forms looked intimidating, but their body language—tense, hesitant—was anything but aggressive.

 

He paused, slowing his steps as he gave them a careful once-over.

 

Looking closely, he realized these Zerg were markedly different from the ones they’d fought before—especially in terms of presence. Though they still had fearsome exteriors, the aura they exuded was peaceful. Their crimson compound eyes were clearer than usual, almost translucent, and held a trace of intelligence. They lacked the dull, lifeless stare of low-grade Zerg.

 

Unbeknownst to him, the Zerg were quietly sizing him up as well.

 

They had sensed two familiar auras on Blue Planet earlier—one belonged to Ruan Jiao, the other clearly to the man standing before them now.

 

Only… this man looked entirely human. No antennae, no carapace—nothing.

 

Gulu was puzzled. It cautiously extended a feeler, tapping gently against Ruan Shiqing’s arm, and let out a soft hiss.

 

Ruan Shiqing understood—it was saying hello.

 

He smiled and touched its antenna in return.

 

Gulu’s feelers wiggled, and its red eyes shone with happiness.

 

Gulu and the three Zerg stayed for the time being, guiding Ruan Shiqing and his team across Blue Planet.

 

At first, the soldiers aboard the warship had been extremely wary—even hostile—toward the Zerg. But once they realized that these Zerg weren’t just peaceful but intelligent and even helpful, their animosity gradually faded.

 

They had initially doubted the idea that Zerg could be divided into factions. But after spending a few days with Gulu’s group, they began to believe it.

 

These Zerg truly were different.

 

Blue Planet’s terrain had remained largely untouched. Its landscape was raw and varied: towering mountains, sprawling hills, deep ravines, and winding rivers. Recon and combat craft struggled to navigate the terrain, but the Zerg moved effortlessly, ferrying their human companions across challenging terrain with ease.

 

Once prejudice was set aside, even the data collection teams began riding on the Zerg’s backs—up mountains, down rivers, covering ground much faster than before.

 

Blue Planet was a vast, undeveloped treasure trove, and Ruan Shiqing was desperate to uncover all its secrets.

 

The expedition, originally planned for two weeks, was extended by two full months due to this unexpected development.

 

Over those two months, not only did Ruan Shiqing gain a thorough understanding of Blue Planet’s ecosystem, but he also learned a great deal about these Zerg.

 

In the past, when facing the violent Zerg hordes, he had never once felt any kinship with the species. On the contrary, he harbored a natural hostility toward their brutality.

 

But after spending time with these docile Zerg, his perspective slowly began to change.

 

Despite their terrifying appearances, they were remarkably gentle. They lived underground, sustained by the plants of Blue Planet, and it seemed the peaceful nature of their environment had influenced their behavior as well.

 

And they weren’t unintelligent.

 

Though they retained their insectoid forms, after two months of interaction, they could already understand basic Galactic Standard.

 

Gulu had even learned how to say “Hello” in a rough, but recognizable voice.

 

Compared to the anthropomorphized high-grade Zerg—who, despite their human-like forms and grasp of language, remained predatory beasts—these Zerg were, in many ways, more human.

 

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say: these Zerg were evolving in the right direction.

 

The human-like Zerg had mimicked human appearance, language, and customs, but at their core, they remained destructive by nature. In contrast, the Zerg led by Gulu were slowly developing actual empathy, intelligence, and community—true “humanity.”

 

If this evolution continued, perhaps it wasn’t impossible that one day they would master language, or even learn to shift their forms.

 

Ruan Shiqing shared these thoughts with Rong Heng.

 

Rong Heng contemplated for a long time before replying, “The Beastkin were originally evolved from various mammalian species. Zerg, evolving from arthropods into humanoid forms—it’s not impossible.”

 

Especially considering the examples of both Ruan Jiao and Ruan Shiqing themselves.

 

Because of this possibility, when they returned to Sikkim, they brought Gulu with them.

 

Ruan Shiqing hadn’t forgotten what he saw in the crystal globe—that the restoration of Blue Planet was deeply tied to the Zerg.

 

And Time had once said: All things exist in balance.

 

So the existence of the Zerg couldn’t be purely destructive.

 

He recalled how Ruan Jiao had revived a withering Falling Star Vine; how his own psychic disruption during a coma had caused the same vine to grow wildly out of control. And now, he considered the lush, untamed vegetation all over Blue Planet…

 

A theory was beginning to form in his mind—still vague, but taking shape. Once back in Sikkim, he would begin testing it.

 

As the saying goes: “Blessings hide in misfortune, and misfortune gives rise to blessings.”

 

Perhaps the Zerg would bring about a new future for the Republic.

 

*

 

Gulu had not left Blue Planet in a long time.

 

As the warship took off, it grew visibly agitated, curling its limbs tightly and cowering in a corner of the rest cabin.

 

It took a long while for Ruan Shiqing and Ruan Jiao to soothe it and calm it down.

 

Even then, Gulu didn’t dare leave the cabin. So Ruan Jiao stayed to accompany it, while Ruan Shiqing went off to find Rong Heng to discuss how they would announce the discovery of Blue Planet to the public.

 

But as soon as he entered the room, the conversation inside suddenly went silent.

 

Rong Heng and the three cubs all turned to look at him in unison.

 

Ruan Shiqing raised an eyebrow. “What were you talking about that I’m not allowed to hear?”

 

Rong Heng looked away guiltily and changed the subject stiffly. “Gulu still won’t come out?”

 

“Mm, Ruan Jiao’s with him.” Ruan Shiqing responded casually—but as he saw the not-so-subtle glances exchanged between Rong Heng and the cubs, he pretended not to notice and left with a vague excuse.

 

The moment he was gone, both Rong Heng and the cubs let out a huge sigh of relief.

 

The little dragon peeked out, confirming that Dad had really left, and then puffed up his chest. “Three times!”

 

Rong Heng scowled. “Two times. Maximum.”

 

His tone was firm. The little dragon hesitated, then turned to look at the little fox and little mermaid.

 

The little mermaid gave him a look.

 

Emboldened, the little dragon nodded. “Three times! Or I go tell Dad everything!”

 

Rong Heng’s face darkened. He ground his teeth. “Fine. Deal.”

 

The cubs whooped in triumph—they’d just won three nights of sleeping with Dad!

 

Rong Heng, on the other hand, was not nearly as pleased. He began thinking about how to quietly get his revenge later.

 

Originally, he had dragged Ruan Shiqing to Blue Planet, telling him he’d informed the cubs. In truth, he hadn’t said a word. He’d planned to claim Ruan Shiqing was busy with a new project and wouldn’t be home anyway—but the little brats had sniffed something out and chased them all the way down.

 

And now they were blackmailing him with it!

 

He cast a glare at the smug little ones. These kids are getting harder and harder to fool.

 

Frustrated, he walked out of the room—only to run into Ruan Shiqing coming out of the rest cabin, eyes sharp with meaning.

 

Rong Heng paused. That look…

 

He mentally reviewed everything. Confident he hadn’t given himself away, he steadied himself and walked forward.

 

With the cubs out of the picture, he decided to change tactics. Pulling Ruan Shiqing aside to a window in the lounge area, he put on a thoughtful, troubled expression. “Don’t you think the cubs have too much free time lately?”

 

The cubs had earned plenty of merit, but because of their age, they hadn’t taken on formal duties. Technically, they were listed under the Ministry of War, but they mostly just went on inspections—no real work.

 

Which was why they could just hop on a ship to Blue Planet like it was nothing.

 

Rong Heng figured, They’ve got too much time on their hands—it’s time to fix that.

 

He watched Ruan Shiqing’s expression. Seeing a glimmer of agreement, he pushed forward: “They joined the military before even graduating from the cub academy. But now that the war’s over, it’s time to resume their education. Starting from cub school doesn’t make sense anymore, but coincidentally, the military academy is enrolling right now. I think we should send them.”

 

He’d had this plan in mind for a while. Now was the perfect moment to introduce it—and knock the cubs down a peg.

 

Bargain with him? Heh.

 

Ruan Shiqing looked at him, neither agreeing nor rejecting. Instead, he smiled. “What did Yuebai and the others catch you with?”

 

Otherwise, why would he be in such a hurry to ship them off?

 

Rong Heng flinched. “What?”

 

Ruan Shiqing tapped his smart device. “I just discovered that the cubs’ contact profiles were mysteriously blocked on my terminal.”

 

He gave Rong Heng a long, meaningful look.

 

Rong Heng’s scalp prickled.

 

He hadn’t even had time to remove the block yet—and now Ruan Shiqing had caught on.

 

His face wavered between guilt and calculation.

 

Confess, or keep lying?

 

But when he looked up, Ruan Shiqing’s knowing eyes were already waiting.

 

“…”

 

He gritted his teeth. Confess it is.

 

Ruan Shiqing wasn’t surprised. Seeing Rong Heng’s guilty face, he couldn’t help but laugh.

 

Spending too much time with the cubs… this man is starting to act like one.

 

Still, he was his boyfriend. That came with a few privileges.

 

Smiling, Ruan Shiqing said, “But you’re right. It’s time the kids did something meaningful. Military academy sounds good.”

 

!!!!

 

Rong Heng felt instant relief and joy.

 

He stood up, adjusting his expression into one of solemn duty. “I thought so too. I’ll go tell them—they’ll need time to prepare mentally.”

 

He turned and strode off, his steps almost bouncing with glee.

 

Whether the cubs would be happy with the news… well, that wasn’t his concern.

 

Today, he would teach these little rascals an important lesson:

 

When children challenge their dad, they’re destined to lose.

 

—End of the story.

 

And we finish the story with Rong Heng being utterly shameful haha bad papa!!!

 

When I started uploading this story six months before, I genuinely wasn’t THAT excited. I liked the premise but I was just expecting a fluffy light story with cubs and without a real plot. Safe to say that I’m quite pleased with how it turned out, and it’s been one of my favorite projects to do <3 I fell in love with the characters and really enjoyed how it played out, I feel moved as I’m typing these words haha!

 

My only regret perhaps is that we didn’t see many of our dear side characters since their “plot” relevance when it came to the cubs’ stories. (Garland and Hector, Lansing, even Time and how he helped out Nota and how specifically she saw him, and even smaller chars like Dace and his mentor, Dares, Merrell, Luther and the Xiong Brothers!! I would’ve loved to see them featured in the extras!! Heck even our dear Noah hasn’t been around since Rong Rong found out about the truth with Siyan/Farah :() I do feel side that it felt like they just appeared for the sake of those intertwined stories then… just weren’t featured at all ^^’, but at least we did get some fluffy moments with the little family, notably with those gentle Zergs.

 

I want to take a moment too to thank you all for sticking on this journey with me. I had a blast reading all of your comments and reactions, and I’m grateful too for the silent readers!! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did <3

 

Thanks for reading!