TCPUAAV Chapter 80

 

On Balham Star, Rong Heng and the others had been closely monitoring the developments. When they saw Siyan preparing to go to war against Sijialan Star, everyone’s expressions darkened.

 

“He wants to start a civil war within the Empire?” Hector felt his head buzzing, unable to stop himself from turning to Rong Heng. “Are you sure he’s really your biological father? He’s actually trying to start a civil war at a time like this?”

 

He simply couldn’t wrap his head around how someone as cunning as Rong Heng could have such an arrogant yet utterly foolish father.

 

The power of the Four Great Ancient Clans had persisted for thousands of years. Sijialan Star wasn’t just a single planet—it represented all the worlds that were allied with and sworn to its allegiance. The Galactic Empire was divided into nine administrative regions, and the highest military commander of the Melchers District was traditionally held by an elder of the Mermaids. If war broke out, the entire Melchers District would unquestionably take a stand against the Empire.

 

And that wasn’t even considering the other districts and planets that had close ties or vested interests with Sijialan.

 

A civil war would throw the Empire’s rear lines into chaos, leading to a complete collapse of the front lines. On both a national scale and a civilian level, launching an internal conflict amidst the ongoing Zerg invasion was no different from courting destruction.

 

Merrell couldn’t help but add, “I know this sounds disrespectful to our wise and brilliant Queen, but I seriously suspect that man might be a Zerg spy.”

 

Because no rational human being would do something this reckless.

 

Rong Heng remained silent, his gaze lowered as he stood in contemplative stillness. After a long pause, he got up and left the lounge, returning to his bedroom.

 

It was only then that the young ones, who had been obediently listening in, couldn’t hold back their whispers. “Was that man in the video just now really Brother Rong’s father?”

 

Hector and Merrell suddenly realized that they had accidentally revealed Rong Heng’s background. The cubs had been sitting in on so many meetings lately that, this time, they had completely forgotten to send them away.

 

“He used to be,” Merrell shrugged.

 

“Used to be?” The little fox looked puzzled, lowering her voice hesitantly. “Did his father abandon him?”

 

“Well… you could also say that he abandoned his father,” Merrell replied. “I suspect he never wanted a father like that in the first place.”

 

She couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “Queen Farah is such an incredible woman—why did she ever choose him as her consort…”

 

It was a mystery she had never been able to figure out.

 

The affairs of the royal family were far too complicated, so Merrell didn’t reveal too much. But even from those few words, the cubs picked up on something. They turned their eyes toward Rong Heng’s tightly shut bedroom door, their faces filled with worry.

 

*

 

Rong Heng stood on the balcony, gazing up at the sky, dyed crimson by the setting sun. Yet no matter how long he stood there, he couldn’t calm himself down.

 

Rage surged within his chest, burning with nowhere to be released. He could only force himself to stay composed.

 

But in his mind, the image of Siyan’s face lingered—ambitious, calculating, and now, full of deceit and greed. That once-familiar face, always so difficult to read, now made him feel nothing but disgust.

 

And yet, that man was his father.

 

He remembered, long ago, when he had secretly asked his mother if his father didn’t like him.

 

After all, for as long as he could remember, it was always his mother who taught him, while his father rarely even smiled at him. Most of the time, Siyan was silent and distant. In Rong Heng’s memories, his father was nothing but a cold and upright silhouette, his expression unreadable—except for when he looked at his mother, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

 

Back then, his mother had explained gently, “He just isn’t good at expressing his emotions.”

 

She had picked up a book lying beside Rong Heng and pointed at the densely packed, neatly written annotations within. “These books all came from your father. He’s a genius—he never needed to make notes when reading. But these annotations? He made them specifically for you. He’s an introverted man. If you don’t take the initiative to notice, he’ll never say a word about it.”

 

Back then, in Rong Heng’s mind, Siyan had never been a warm or affectionate father, but he had always embodied wisdom and erudition.

 

He had always believed that his mother was not someone who would be blinded by love. Her judgment of Siyan had profoundly influenced him.

 

Yet ever since the assassination attempt on him, everything Siyan had done had shattered the perception Rong Heng had held for so long.

 

Gazing at the sky, he murmured under his breath, “Did Mother really misjudge him?”

 

The sudden chime of an incoming communication disrupted his thoughts. Rong Heng took a deep breath, collecting himself before turning back into his room.

 

“Lucien?” He accepted the call, raising an eyebrow.

 

“Your Highness.” Lucien greeted him with a respectful bow before getting straight to the point. “Have you seen His Majesty’s press conference?”

 

Rong Heng nodded. “I have. Why?”

 

Lucien let out a heavy cough and spoke slowly, “His Majesty is recklessly plunging the Empire into civil war. The entire nation will soon descend into complete chaos. It is time for us to act. This is the perfect opportunity to rally the people to our cause—”

 

“Lucien.” Rong Heng interrupted him before he could finish.

 

He studied the elderly man dressed in white robes with a newfound scrutiny, his gaze sharp and probing. “You don’t seem the least bit concerned about the consequences of this war.”

 

Lucien had once told him that their goal was to fulfill the late Queen’s last wish—to overthrow the decaying Empire and establish a new nation.

 

An idealist like that should be someone who cared deeply for the fate of the Empire and the future of its people.

 

But Lucien did not.

 

The first words he had spoken upon contacting him had been filled with nothing but political calculations and cold, opportunistic maneuvering.

 

“Are you truly doing this for the Queen’s ideals? For the people of the Empire?” Rong Heng’s expression carried a faint trace of mockery. “Or is it just your own ambition—do you seek to install me as a puppet and rebuild an Empire in your own vision?”

 

“If it’s the latter,” his tone turned steely, “then let me make this clear—I will never be anyone’s pawn, nor will I repeat the mistakes of those who came before me.”

 

The study’s furnishings were exactly as they had been in the past. The large desk was stacked with unfinished documents, the surrounding bookshelves brimming with tomes, and on the wall hung a portrait of the former Queen.

 

He slowly walked behind the desk, pulling out a book in silence. His gaze lingered on the annotations written in two distinct handwriting styles. His sharp features softened—if only slightly.

 

Wearing an exaggerated mask for so long, even when unnecessary, his subconscious expressions had developed subtle distortions.

 

And that made him feel nothing but revulsion.

 

He carefully returned the book to its place before moving to stand beneath the Queen’s portrait.

 

The young Queen in the image bore a radiant smile, exuding confidence and spirit.

 

He remembered that this portrait had been taken the year she ascended the throne—she had just graduated from university at the time, only twenty-three years old.

 

Later, she had often complained that she had been too young then, that her expression was too unrestrained, lacking the composure of a ruler. She had even wanted to replace it.

 

But because he liked it, she had ultimately decided to keep it.

 

Looking up at the portrait, he took a step back and murmured, “You were right. He doesn’t need to learn how to be a great Emperor—he should become an even greater revolutionary leader.”

 

Farah had once told him, jokingly, that his way of teaching was far too utilitarian, filled with the cold calculations of a politician.

 

It had been a passing remark, but it made him aware of his own flaws.

 

He and Farah were completely different people.

 

Farah had been an idealist, deeply attached to the crumbling Empire, willing to give everything to save it and its people.

 

But he wasn’t like her.

 

It seemed that he was born without the ability to empathize. In his eyes, both the Empire and its people were merely useful tools.

 

He had thought he hid it well, but Farah had seen through him from the very beginning.

 

That was why, in the end, he had withdrawn from the child’s education. He didn’t want the child to grow up under his influence and end up becoming just like him.

 

“You raised him well,” he said softly. “Even after you were gone, he still became just like you.”

 

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face. He bowed slightly toward the portrait before turning to leave.

 

By the time he reached the doorway, he was once again the ambitious Emperor.

 

Outside the study, Empress Thea was waiting. When she saw him, she quickly stepped forward, intimately linking her arm with his. Her expression was bright with joy. “My love, I have wonderful news to share.”

 

Siyan concealed his emotions flawlessly. His gaze flickered to her abdomen, his voice and demeanor perfectly gentle. “Let me guess—you’re pregnant, aren’t you?”

 

“How did you know?” Thea gasped, covering her mouth in surprise before pouting slightly in dissatisfaction. “You’re too smart. Now there’s no surprise at all.”

 

“But I’ve been looking forward to him for a long time.” Siyan gently caressed Thea’s abdomen, his voice warm as he smiled. “We should share this wonderful news with your father.”

 

A blush rose on Thea’s cheeks. “So soon? The doctor said it’s only been two months.”

 

“It’s not too soon.” Siyan replied with a soft chuckle. “We’ve all been eagerly anticipating his arrival.”

 

Their eyes met, and Thea lowered her head, shy yet filled with happiness. Siyan gazed at her, his smile lingering—but never quite reaching his eyes.

 

His stance was clear. His suspicion toward Lucien was now laid bare, stripped of any pretense.

 

From the moment Lucien had reappeared after all these years, he had never fully trusted him. Their previous cooperation had been nothing more than mutual exploitation.

 

Now, he had finally voiced the doubts he had long harbored.

 

Lucien looked momentarily taken aback. For an instant, his expression froze, as though Rong Heng’s accusation had struck a deeper chord within him.

 

He remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly. “You’re right. I strayed from the path.”

 

Then, he bowed deeply to Rong Heng. “But I never lied to you about what I said back then. Whether or not you trust me, I will always be the stepping stone on your journey forward. If need be, I will use my very body to pave a smooth path for you.”

 

“As for the civil war, I will not interfere any further. You and Her Majesty the Queen are alike—you have already found your own path forward.”

 

With that, he bowed once more, his posture filled with sincerity.

 

His straightforward admission of fault left Rong Heng with little room to lash out. He studied the hunched old man before him and said, “I hope that’s truly the case.”

 

This conversation had been far from pleasant. Neither spoke further, and the call ended shortly after.

 

Lucien turned off his intelligence terminal, his hunched figure gradually straightening. The once tightly fitted white robe now hung loosely on his frame, appearing slightly short and ill-fitting.

 

He reached for the mirror, removing his wig. Then, he changed into a properly tailored ceremonial suit, meticulously fastening each button. Only after ensuring his attire was in perfect order did he step out of the hidden chamber and into the study beyond.

 

 

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GIRL WHAT IS HAPPENING????

 

Also, that switch off in the narration from Rong Heng to Siyan to Rong Heng again wasn’t separated or anything in the raws so I hope it didn’t confuse anyone else lol

 

Thanks for reading!

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