TCPUAAV Chapter 110

 

 

After their departure, the Public Security Bureau’s alarm system resumed normal operations, and the patrol bots returned to their routines.

 

The malfunction in the prison system didn’t go unnoticed for long. The bots soon discovered the wrecked holding cell and Liv, unconscious at the base of the stairs. Red warning lights flashed, and a shrill, piercing alarm echoed throughout the prison.

 

Siyan was the first to receive the report.

 

The order to detain Liv had come directly from the royal palace. Now that something had gone wrong with the high-profile prisoner, the Bureau had no choice but to escalate it immediately, despite the heat.

 

The subordinate delivering the message cautiously asked, “We also captured the death squad from Tutar sent to rescue Liv.”

 

Standing by the window with his hands behind his back, Siyan thought for a moment before calmly issuing instructions:

“The Fox King dared send assassins to storm the Public Security Bureau—an open challenge to the Empire’s laws. Send the corpses of the death squad back to Tutar as a warning. Transfer Liv and her entourage to the military prison.”

 

The military prison was on an entirely different level from the Bureau’s temporary holding cells. Once someone was locked in there, escape was impossible—unless they were formally released.

 

Siyan’s orders made one thing clear: he was ready to completely sever diplomatic niceties with Tutar.

 

“Yes, Your Excellency,” the subordinate bowed. But after a moment of hesitation, he added, “There’s one more thing. It appears that… there was another group involved in the attack. Their identities remain unknown, but we’re certain they aren’t from Tutar.”

 

Based on the scene evidence, this unknown group had arrived first, and the Tutar death squad came afterward—right into a collision course with them.

 

The Bureau had no clue who the first group was or what their objective might have been.

 

“These trivial details are not worth your concern,” Siyan waved him off. “Just follow my instructions.”

 

After dismissing his subordinate, he remained by the window for a long time.

 

Of course, he knew who the first group was.

 

His expression softened momentarily as he thought of his son surrounded by a gang of little cubs. But it was only for a fleeting second.

 

When he turned around again, his usual gentle, harmless mask was already back in place.

 

He stepped out and headed toward the empress Thea’s chambers.

 

Thea’s belly had grown much larger.

 

She was napping in a recliner by the bed, but when she saw Siyan enter, she quickly stood up to greet him. “Your Majesty, done with work already?”

 

Siyan gave a soft “Mm” and allowed her to pull him to the plush chair beside her.

 

The two nestled close and chatted for a while, until Siyan casually steered the conversation toward his true purpose.

 

“Your father’s recovering well. His birthday’s in half a month—I’m thinking of making it a grand celebration.”

 

He wore a thoughtful look of concern. “Although his health has been kept under wraps, there’s been plenty of speculation. The instability within the Naxi Group is growing. A high-profile banquet might help calm things down.”

 

His reasoning was sound, and Thea had no reason to refuse. She smiled and readily agreed.

 

“Father’s not fully recovered yet, so I’ll leave the event planning to you. But don’t overexert yourself—if it gets too busy, you can delegate to your older siblings,” he said with a gentle smile.

 

Siyan’s expression grew even softer. “With me here, they wouldn’t dare make trouble.”

 

His tone brimmed with affection, causing a flush to rise to Thea’s cheeks.

 

She looked up at him with eyes full of devotion.

 

She had waited more than ten years for this day. Her brothers and sisters used to mock her—saying she was spoiled by her father’s favoritism, saying that someone like Siyan, so full of ambition, could never be won over. They urged her to give up her dreams and accept a political marriage for the family’s sake.

 

But reality had proven them wrong.

 

She had not only won his heart, but secured the greatest benefits for the entire Naxi family.

 

Once the child in her womb was born, it would be the most noble Crown Prince in the Empire. And with the royal family’s backing, the Naxi Group would eclipse all other conglomerates.

 

Thea lowered her eyes, her joy and ambition mingling.

 

Then her thoughts drifted to that portrait hanging in the study. Her body softened as she leaned into Siyan’s embrace.

 

One day, both the man and the Empire would belong to her and her child.

 

And one day soon, she would finally take that damned painting down.

 

After finishing with Thea, Siyan returned to his study’s hidden chamber. After sterilizing himself, he sat alone in the darkness for a long while before sending out a message:

 

[Half a month from now. Aliz Hotel. Birthday banquet. Be ready to move.]

 

*

 

The little ones piloted the flyer and successfully made it back to the ship.

 

Two hours—no more, no less—right on the dot.

 

Having reverted to their cub forms, the little ones tiptoed into first class and slipped back into their sleeping pods, pretending like absolutely nothing had happened.

 

Rong Heng was also about to crawl back into his pod when, just as he passed by Ruan Shiqing’s cabin, the door suddenly slid open—and a hand yanked him inside.

 

The sleeping pod wasn’t exactly spacious. His Highness the Crown Prince ended up sprawled on Ruan Shiqing’s chest, nose filled with the scent of the other man, heart pounding like a war drum.

 

Half panic, half… embarrassment.

 

“What did you go back for?” Ruan Shiqing propped his head on his arm, eyes half-lidded as he looked straight at him.

 

The cozy atmosphere instantly evaporated. Rong Heng felt a fresh wave of anxiety wash over him.

 

Before he could even think of an excuse, Ruan Shiqing added lazily, “Think carefully before you speak.”

 

His tone was light, but the threat was clear—he was sure Rong Heng wouldn’t dare lie again.

 

“……”

 

Faced with this kind of pressure, the Crown Prince—whose convictions weren’t exactly made of iron—immediately chose survival. Without the slightest hesitation, he sold out the little ones and gave a full and honest account of everything that happened at the Public Security Bureau.

 

After listening, Ruan Shiqing let out a low chuckle. “Getting bolder and bolder… but at least you still know where the line is.”

 

At the very least, they hadn’t caused any serious damage.

 

Rong Heng caught the subtle implication in his tone and didn’t know where to look—he definitely had the feeling that Ruan Shiqing was aiming that line at him.

 

It wasn’t him who raised the little ones to be like this, after all!

 

His Highness the Crown Prince: perpetually guilty.

 

But to his surprise, Ruan Shiqing didn’t press any further. After confirming nothing major had happened, he simply closed his eyes and fell asleep.

 

Rong Heng blinked at his peaceful, sleeping face, a giant question mark hovering over his head—his heart, however, was pounding fast and wild.

 

Ever since Ruan Shiqing had found out about his true identity, Rong Heng hadn’t dared to stay in his room at night anymore. He’d been bunking with the little ones instead.

 

But now… Ruan Shiqing didn’t seem to be kicking him out?

 

His Highness blushed furiously, heart thudding as he glanced between the sleeping man and the black button that would open the pod door.

 

He hesitated for three seconds.

 

Then, true to his heart’s desire, he slid off Ruan Shiqing’s chest and curled up at the crook of his neck.

 

The confined space emboldened him a little, even letting his imagination run wild for a bit. But in their current forms, there wasn’t much he could do, so in the end, he only leaned in closer and gently nuzzled Ruan Shiqing’s neck. His damp nose “accidentally” brushed across the other’s pale earlobe.

 

The soft fur brushing against bare skin tickled slightly, but Ruan Shiqing didn’t open his eyes. Instead, he rolled over in his sleep and buried his face right into the fluffy furball. Whether intentional or not, his lips just so happened to graze against Rong Heng’s ear.

 

A jolt of heat spread from the kissed ear tip down to the rest of Rong Heng’s body. He tried to hold it in—but in the end, he couldn’t stop himself from giving his ears a fierce twitch.

 

*

 

The ship’s route was a long one, with multiple planetary stops along the way—each requiring a landing to let passengers off.

 

That meant the overall travel time was significantly longer than the direct trip Ruan Shiqing and his group had taken from Planet B3024 to Sikkim. Each time the ship docked, passengers who hadn’t yet reached their stop were allowed to step onto the observation decks and enjoy the planetary views.

 

It was a great opportunity for tourism marketing. Many planets had invested in beautifying their ports, hoping that even a brief glance might entice travelers to come back one day as tourists. Even if those passengers never returned in person, a photo or video shared on the Holonet could work wonders as indirect promotion.

 

Since B3024 was the final destination, Ruan Shiqing’s group treated the journey almost like a sightseeing tour, taking in the planetary landscapes with every stop.

 

Three relaxed days passed like this. After visiting two more planets, they would finally arrive at B3024.

 

The third-to-last stop, however, gave off a very different vibe.

 

As the ship neared the next planet for docking, many passengers made their way to the observation zone with its massive panoramic windows. This planet, from the look of it, was rather barren—far more bleak than any of the previous ones.

 

From behind the observation glass, passengers murmured among themselves:

 

“This place looks like a garbage planet…”

 

“Wait, isn’t the garbage planet the last stop?”

 

“The guidebook says this stop is Driftwood Planet. It’s supposed to be one of the few planets with low mechanization and well-preserved natural ecology. Lots of people come here to escape modern life… how could it look like this?”

 

Confused whispers filled the space as the ship aligned itself with Driftwood Planet’s space station.

 

The pilot requested landing clearance. Moments later, the channel opened and the vessel began descending through the atmosphere.

 

But the closer they got, the more surreal the view became.

 

Through the windows, there was only a vast expanse of gray.

 

—According to online travel guides, Driftwood Planet was known for its striking red flora. These native plants contained toxins, making them inedible, but they were stunning to behold and extremely resilient, covering roughly 30% of the planet’s surface.

 

The locals, who followed an old-world way of life, had embraced these plants rather than clearing them out. They even built homes using the reddish branches, resulting in quaint wooden dwellings with a unique charm. From space, the planet should have appeared vibrant red.

 

And yet now… all that could be seen was ashen gray and lifeless black.

 

Ruan Shiqing, who had read the same guidebook, frowned as he peered downward. A gnawing sense of wrongness stirred in his gut. “Something’s not right.”

 

Even Rong Heng, who hadn’t been paying attention until now, suddenly grew serious. He leaned close to the window and stared at the landscape with narrowed eyes. A glint of alarm flashed across his face as he sent a silent message: [It’s a Zerg nest.]

 

Ruan Shiqing’s pupils contracted slightly. “A Zerg nest?” he echoed, locking eyes with Rong Heng.

 

Without hesitation, he handed the cubs over to Garland for safekeeping and scooped Rong Heng up, striding quickly toward the cockpit.

 

If the surface below truly was a Zerg nest—then under no circumstances could the ship be allowed to land.

 

Something was very wrong with Driftwood Planet.

 

 

---

 

Another day of me not understanding Siyan’s goals and actions

 

(Ruan Ruan was definitely awake when he kissed that lil fluffy ear. He’s definitely doing it on purpose)

 

(Also, I forgot about the Zerg menace, not looking forward to what’s gonna happen next x_x)

 

Thanks for reading!

For every three ko-fis, I will upload a bonus chapter~