Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Exposing the Cubs Can Wait—Fighting Comes First

Jiang Tea Tea covered her mouth with one hand, hiding the grin she couldn’t hold back. Her eyes shone as she stared at Sui Xuan Chu.

Good.

So good.

Crown prince or not, when this roommate went full volume, it was glorious. The kind of righteous fury that made people want to applaud.

Even Chong Ming noticed.

His gaze slid to Jiang Tea Tea—caught the way she looked at his nephew like she was watching a hero—and his expression tightened slightly.

Li Ao’s face flickered with irritation and pride. “Who said I want to claim anyone’s mutant ability or violate anyone’s will?”

“The Ability Research Institute bears the empire’s name. I take the empire’s stipend. Our results are open to the public and benefit the entire empire—including cadets like you.”

“And now, in front of Commander-in-Chief Chong Ming, I am requesting an order: that Jiang Tea Tea cooperate with my research. I am also extending an invitation to her personally.”

He jabbed a finger toward Sui Xuan Chu, voice rising. “You’re a cadet. You point at me and insult me. I am the director of the Ability Research Institute. What do you think I am?”

Sui Xuan Chu didn’t flinch. He turned his head and spoke directly to Chong Ming, forcing calm into his tone. “Commander-in-Chief, don’t you think Director Li Ao’s fixation on rare mutant abilities looks… unstable? It doesn’t look like the mindset of a normal researcher.”

Chong Ming’s reply came sharp and cold. “If you claim he’s unstable, where’s your evidence?”

“The empire is ruled by law. Everything requires evidence.”

“It isn’t enough for you to say, ‘I think.’ It isn’t enough for him to say, ‘I want.'”

Sui Xuan Chu pointed toward Jiang Tea Tea. “She’s the evidence. He’s ignoring her will and trying to use you to pressure her.”

Chong Ming’s eyes didn’t move. “Did I pressure her?”

Sui Xuan Chu choked for half a beat. “…No.”

“Impulsive.”

Sui Xuan Chu lowered his head. “Yes.”

Jiang Tea Tea’s grin faltered.

So that was it? She was going to get dragged into a lab while everyone hid behind rules and evidence?

Li Ao seized the opening immediately, forcing respectful posture over his excitement. “Commander-in-Chief, everything I do is for the empire and its citizens.”

“Just like how, once before, an excellent 3S-rank healer willingly stayed in the Ability Research Institute for ten years to cooperate with my work—cracking reproductive codes, illusion abilities, verifying dark medical arts—”

“Wait.” Jiang Tea Tea cut in cleanly.

She stepped out from behind Sui Xuan Chu, eyes fixed on Li Ao. “The 3S-rank healer you’re talking about—was he a male mouse rabbit beastfolk?”

Li Ao’s eyes lit up. “Yes. You know him?”

Jiang Tea Tea’s voice went colder. “His name was Cheng Yuan?”

Li Ao nodded rapidly, thrilled. “Yes! Yes! He must have mentioned me to you. Because of his cooperation, I achieved—”

“Stop,” Jiang Tea Tea said.

Li Ao’s bragging died in his throat.

Jiang Tea Tea stepped back beside Sui Xuan Chu and tilted her chin at him. “Roommate. Open your lightbrain. Screen record.”

Sui Xuan Chu frowned, confused, but obeyed. “What are you doing?”

Jiang Tea Tea flexed her fingers like she was warming up. “I’m going to beat him up. Record it.”

“If I can’t win, you jump in.”

Sui Xuan Chu made a strangled sound and reflexively glanced toward Chong Ming. “In the Military Department… you’re really going to hit him?”

Chong Ming didn’t stop her.

He hooked a hand into the back of Sui Xuan Chu’s collar and pulled him a step away, casually making space as if he were clearing a sparring ring.

Then he opened his lightbrain and sent a message to Minister of Information Cai Xi Chao.

Investigate Cheng Yuan.

Sui Xuan Chu stared at his uncle, stunned.

Chong Ming’s eyes flicked to him. “Stop staring. Record.”

Sui Xuan Chu snapped back. “Yes.”

Jiang Tea Tea strode up to Li Ao, sleeves pushed back.

“You said you were inviting me to cooperate with your research,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You want me to go to your institute voluntarily. Right?”

Li Ao’s gaze sharpened. “Yes. But you look unwilling. And you look like you want to hit me.”

“I do,” Jiang Tea Tea said cheerfully. “Maybe if I hit you and feel better, I’ll agree.”

Li Ao lifted his chin, projecting righteous patience like he was performing for the commander-in-chief. “If you’re willing to cooperate with research that benefits the empire, you can hit me. Sacrificing for the nation and for citizens is—”

Bang!

Jiang Tea Tea’s fist slammed into his cheek.

Li Ao’s head snapped sideways. Blood flooded his mouth.

He turned back, stunned and furious. “Jiang Tea Tea—Cheng Yuan told you something, didn’t he? That’s why you’re misunder—”

Bang!

Another punch.

Harder.

Two teeth flew out, clattering to the floor in a wet, bloody mess.

Li Ao stared at them, rage twisting his face. “I don’t know what relationship you have with Cheng Yuan! I don’t know what he told you!”

“But I’m telling you—Cheng Yuan stayed in the Ability Research Institute willingly. I treated him well. He cooperated with me—”

Jiang Tea Tea reached into her storage button and pulled out a thick branch like a baton.

Smack!

She cracked it across Li Ao’s mouth. His lips split. Blood poured. His words turned into spray.

Li Ao sucked in a breath, eyes blazing. “Jiang Tea Tea… I don’t know what Cheng Yuan said to ruin my reputation and make you hate me like this.”

“I’m respecting the commander-in-chief by not striking back.”

“But if you keep beating me without cause—don’t blame me for fighting back.”